March 4, 2009
This Shoemaker Has Decided the Ratty Shoes Have to Go
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:12 am
To Be Seen, Heard, and Understood
Yessir, Chris Brogan, I have ideas. Thank you for linking my ideas to yours. I’m good at ideas and when they connect, my ideas light fires.
It’s the connecting that makes the ideas take off.
Connecting happens when people see, hear, and understand our ideas.
I’ve decided this year I want my connections working online and off.
Meet Vince
I’ve enlisted the best designer, Vincent Franco, to bring out the hidden content on this blog, to get it ready for where we’re going. The concept is rolling. We’ll be making room for new features, a bow to the past and a long look to the future. I’m taking over my dad’s saloon once and for. The new look will focus on what this blog and the successful and outstanding bloggers who hang out here are about.
- We’ll be rolling up the categories into key locations. As we get going the content become more focused around the main topics of web strategy, how communities form, communication, social media, blogging / writing, and creativity / ideas.
- I’ve already invited Kathryn Jennex to write a column called “Practical Communication.” Have you been reading what she writes every Thursday? She constantly hits it out of the park!
- My dear friends from OZ, Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh will still challenge us to reflect as they share coastline of tomorrowland.
- If you’d like to participate email me. It’s always been a community blog.
Meet The Image Studios

The most professional soft skills, image communication consultancy in Chicago, The Image Studios, has agreed to show me how to leverage the best of my head, heart, and purpose so that people can see, hear, and understand who I am — at first glance.
- This is not a TV makeover. This is a serious quest to be recognized. The operative term is visible authenticity. You’ll be hearing more of that from me all year.
- I had my first meeting with image team last fall. My meeting with Kali Evans-Raoul, the founder, brought out a baseline that is firmly grounded in who I am and where I want to be. The plan is to get what doesn’t work out of my way, not layering new things on.
- I’ll be blogging. We’ll be taking photos and video. Most importantly I’ll be trying to track the thoughts behind the decisions and changes.
The why of this is simple enough. Social media, social business is about connections. Connecting starts long before we talk.
2009 is the Year to be SEEN, HEARD, AND UNDERSTOOD.
This shoemaker has decided the ratty shoes have to go.
How about you? Are you ready for visible authenticity?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
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Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog |
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15 Comments to “This Shoemaker Has Decided the Ratty Shoes Have to Go”



Karin H said
It starts with a look, a smile lighting up in the eys, followed with a knowing or recognising wink.
Our business is dipping its feet into Facebook and Twitter. Our existing websites are - I feel/hope -authentic and new tools must be able to translate that too. So feet dipping it is until we see/know and hear: your Facebook/Twitter is authentic too.
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Barbara Hartsook said
You’ve stated this in a way that went right to my center. And gets me up on my feet to follow.
Authenticity is #1 in my goals to communicate better.
Telling my stories, through words and paintings, in a way that touches others in their own experiences,in a way that brings an Ahhhh, yes, I get that! to their lips is goal #1.5.
I read your main focal topics and relate to all (except maybe the web strategy — maybe through my own ignorance). Especially the communicating, writing/blogging, and creativity/ideas.
I’m with you, Liz, as I go back to my own writing today with an inspired notion about shoes.
Barb
Andi said
Those two words ‘visible authenticity’ are the ones I have been searching for to put a label to feelings/intuitions/ideas that I have been ruminating on for the last couple of weeks. Thank you so much for providing it to me!
Kathy | Virtual Impax said
Wow! I definitely wouldn’t have said you were wearing “ratty” shoes my dear - which means the changes that are in store must be AMAZING!!!
Can’t WAIT to see what’s in the works!!!
Cath Lawson said
Hi Liz - this sounds really exciting. I already thought you did make a big impact but if you can make a bigger one that’s even better.
For me - a start is going to be using my own pic, instead of the purple cartoon. Not very bold, I know - but it’s a start. Also, I’m launching my own product but I’m about 2 months behind with that.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach said
Having revamped sites now since 1998 or so, I can tell you you’re in for one wild ride! Best wishes for the tremendous success you and your colleagues deserve.
Joanna Young said
I hear you Liz, and I look forward to seeing where this goes.
Tammy Lenski said
Liz, I can’t wait to see how this evolves — you’ve got my attention and I’m tapping my foot in anticipation!
Kola said
Wow! I definitely wouldn’t have said you were wearing “ratty” shoes my dear - which means the changes that are in store must be AMAZING!!!
Can’t WAIT to see what’s in the works!!!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Karin!
Gosh I wish I would have still been there for the word pictures you painted this morning. Lovely. Thank you for extending the idea in such a nice way.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Barb!
I’m working on connecting inside out with folks online and off. I’m getting this shy thing out of my system.
Hey Kathy!
heh heh
You’re kind. But I’ve seen my videos.
ME Liz Strauss said
Cath,
Remember this. Make it wonderful. People will forget if it was late.
Barbara!
Thank you. I see you smiling and that’s so nice.
Joanna,
You know you own part of this. It’s in my heart.
ME Liz Strauss said
Tammy,
It’s a little scary. But I’m being brave.
Kola!
I think I’ve got a long way to go to be amazing. But I’m working on it with all my heart.
Dan said
You feel as good as you think you look and feeling good about how you look transfers into a more confident message of who you are.
That is part of the equation but the other part is feeling good about who are are inside and letting that transfer to how you look and portray yourself.
Suzie Cheel said
I love that the coastline of tomorrowland.
I love writing beach notes and no that I have Des totally engaged it is double the fun.
I am excited to see the new look and Des & I honored to be part of your community
looks like I might be able to do a little flip video from the beach?