web counter

October 18, 2006

Writing Project: The Successful-Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 2:47 pm

25 Words — It’s Harder than It Looks

Tuesday, October 24th is one-year since I wrote Who’s ME Strauss and What’s She Doing Here? That was my very first post at Successful-Blog. This post is somewhere over number 1000. A lot has happened between then and now.

successful blog logo - ff

In that first post, I defined Successful-Blog in 33 words. Not too shabby, but not too lean either. Put it down to being new here.

Now it’s your turn. I’m having a contest — a challenge really — to see what happens when folks, great writer/bloggers like you, try to describe Successful-Blog in a few words. Here it is.

The Successful-Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge: Define Successful Blog in 25 words max. That’s 24 PLUS One — in keeping with the plus one tradtion that’s been part of this blog for so long.

The Rules, Regulations, and Prizes

Of course there have to be rules, regulations, and prizes. So I’m going to tell you about them.
Rules and Regulations
They’re easy, and there’s not a lot of them.

    1. Twenty-five words is the limit.
    2. Describe Successful-Blog — your experience, a memory, something funny, UPDATE: no need for love notes to Liz . . .
    3. Post your answer on your blog UPDATE:OR JUST EMAIL IT TO ME..
    4. Send the link AND the 25 words to Successfulblog [at] aol [dot] com
    5. Entries must be received by noon, Sunday, October 22, 2006 UPDATE:OR AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
    6. One entry per person.
    7. As always, be nice

Prizes
Hey, I’ve got a kid in an expensive university. So bear with me on this one.

    1. An autographed copy of Phil’s Book, 10 Ways to Make It Great!
    2. An autographed copy of my dearest writing essay “Walking on Water.”
    3. A guest post or an interview by/with me.
    4. Every participant, of course, will get linked and front page notice on the 24th.

UPDATE: Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D. the dynamic and delightful author of ipop-in has donated a new prize to the 25-Words Birthday Challenge. Now one lucky winner will get a $25 Gift Certificate for an RX for a Positive Attitude.

All entries will be posted on Monday, October 23rd. UPDATE: early a.m. Chicago time, Tuesday, October 24th. The winners will be announced Tuesday Night, but THE MIC WILL BE OPEN ALL DAY. We’re Having a Blow-Out Birthday Party!!!

So join the fun, get a link, and wish us a happy birthday!

Prize donations are still being accepted. Who knows what the judging criteria will be? I might just have to do a random drawing if they’re all as good as I think they’ll be. Feel free to suggest some. I’m making this up as I go along.

UPDATE:The judging will be by random drawing.

– ME “Liz Strauss

Related
Who’s ME Strauss and What’s She Doing Here?

Tags: , , , ,

Share This


Filed under Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, ZZZ-FUN |



C'mon. Let's talk!

60 Comments to “Writing Project: The Successful-Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge”

  1. October 18th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
    Joe said

    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday Dear Successful Blooogggg
    Happy Birthday to you…

    And many morrrrrreeee…

    Hey Liz,

    Keep up the good work. And don’t forget to send any other Blog B-day Celebrants to the Carnival.

    Best,

    Joe

  2. October 18th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Joe,
    No worries. I’m on it. Reminders are under control. :)

  3. October 18th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
    TechZ said

    Excellent idea for the B’day! :D

    This just jumped to my #1 thing to do Liz, here goes nothing!

  4. October 18th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
    TechZ said

    Hmm, lots of ideas, now to pick one!

  5. October 18th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
    Stéphanie said

    Happy birthday! Time flies :-)

    I enjoy reading Successful Blog every day so thank you for all the time and energy you put in this excellent web site. It’s one of my first morning reads.

    Cheers!

  6. October 18th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi TEchZ,
    Hope you have luck You have so many great ideas! I can wait to see which one you finally land on. :)

  7. October 18th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Stephanie,
    What lovely things to say. It’s nice to think that you look forward to what you find here.

    Thank you so much.

  8. October 18th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
    Yvonne said

    1000 posts in one year? Wow! I look forward to the next, Liz :D

    Now to think of something …

  9. October 18th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Yvonne,
    Thank you! We’re gonna party, Tuesday!!!
    Can’t wait until then!

  10. October 18th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
    Martin said

    Hey, I remember that old logo. :)

    But one question - I’m trawling through your sidebar and see that you’ve been posting since June 05. In fact your first real post is THIS.

    But really it’s the next day you start kicking - HERE.

    What gives? ;)

    BTW, I loved both the Visual Thesaurus and WriteExpress aff ads - but they’re way too down there - get them above-the-fold now!

  11. October 18th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Martin,
    I looked for the red and white logo, but I don’t have it anymore. Darn.

    Anyway, D. Keith Robinson started this blog, because he had a great post called “How to Build a Successful Blog.” That was in June. He sold it to Scrivs when he couldn’t keep up with it. I think that might have been somewhere around September. Scrivs and Keith wrote 7 posts together after the sale before I came in.

    That’s the story. I’m sticking to it.

  12. October 18th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
    Martin said

    I’ll accept that - carry on then. :)

    My 25 words is coming, but I don’t need any prizes or rules and regulations - hence it could be 26 words.

  13. October 18th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
    ME Strauss said

    That’s okay, Martin, if it’s 26 words, I’ll just edit one out. :) :) :)

  14. October 18th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
    Martin said

    Damn! Got me!!! What if it’s the most tight writing you’ve ever seen where everything gels together into perfection and taking out that one word ruins it all, eh Ms Editor, what then?

    :)

  15. October 18th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Then, I’ll find a place to make two words into a hyphenated compound. :) :) :)

  16. October 18th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
    Martin said

    Damn editors, always with the cutting and umm… editing.

    I’ll just slap a copyright sticker on it so you can’t chop it up.

  17. October 18th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Chop? Oh Martin, no! I would never chop, merely polish and shine what you write so eloquently so that your readers could see the pristine beauty of what you drafted, crafted for their amazement and pleasure. :)

  18. October 18th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
    Martin said

    Now you’re just making fun of me. :)

    You know I could easily edit that last comment and easily make it into an awesome testimonial for myself.

  19. October 18th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Of course you could, that’s why I wrote it that way. It’s editorial humor. :)

    Go for it!

  20. October 18th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
    Becky McCray said

    So, as long as you are being flexible, can we count the ME in your name as one word? Or I guess you can just edit out another word! :)

    Great contest, and happy B-B-day!

  21. October 18th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey, Becky!
    You can leave out the ME altogether! It’s the blog’s day not mine. :)

    Glad you like the contest idea. I’ve been thinking it for a long, long time.

  22. October 18th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
    Becky McCray said

    Yeah, and you are still trying to avoid that award, too. No chance! Now I have to figure out how to work in “humble”.

  23. October 18th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
    ME Strauss said

    I’m thinking you misspelled that word. The word you really want starts with a “b” as in clueless and bumbler. :)

  24. October 18th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
    Becky McCray said

    You are a very picky editor, Liz! :)

    Enjoy all the tributes. I hope you will print them out and save them. When people all around are saying awful things at or to you, it is wonderful to have proof that many others like, admire, and support you.

  25. October 18th, 2006 at 10:59 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Ah Becky, you are too good to me. Thank you. I’m a very lucky girl to have folks like you around me. Don’t think I don’t know that. :)

  26. October 19th, 2006 at 1:32 am
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    I forgot about H.E.N.’s 1-year anniversary last Monday … looks like I’ll have to come up with something corny now, and enter your contest (maybe I can get an honourable mention or something :D)

    For the contest .. a few questions…

    Which is it .. 25 words? or 24 plus one? And, an autographed book of Phil’s book? Who’s autograph is in it? Does this short writing have to rhyme? Are there any words you don’t want to see ..like Nantucket etc?

    Many questions, as you can see .. :rolling-eyes:

  27. October 19th, 2006 at 3:13 am
    qureyoon said

    happy belated bdae ^^
    boy, i’m late :P guess it’s the time zone diff. :P

    besta luck throughout the year

    gbu ^^ and ur blog ;)

  28. October 19th, 2006 at 4:57 am
    ME Strauss said

    Ok HART here goes.
    It will an autographed copy of Phil’s book. If possiblbe Phil will autograph it, if not his wife has chosen as first runner-up and she will step to take over the crown. If any reason she found incapable of doing so, the book will shipped here to me, as Speaker of the Blog, and I will perform the augraphoctomy.

    25 words or less.

    There is no rhyme requirement. However, I think Nantucket could fall under Rule 7. Be nice. :)

    It’s good morn, when HART[s here to wake me up!

  29. October 19th, 2006 at 5:08 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hello qureyoon
    Welcome!
    You’ve not missed anything. The party is next Tuesday. You’re welcome to join as early or late as you like. I thinkit will be starting early and lasting well into the night. That’s how parties should be, don’t you think?

  30. October 19th, 2006 at 5:26 am
    shirazi said

    Projects like these are what keep the blogsphere worth the hype. Very innovative!

  31. October 19th, 2006 at 5:28 am
    ME Strauss said

    Thank you, sir.
    It’s very hard to write in 25 words. I do it on my writing blog. It makes us clarity our thought s to the essence of what we mean. I am most interested to see who takes on the challenge and what words they choose to write. :)

  32. October 19th, 2006 at 6:15 am
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    G’morning Liz! I can say that I was up ~all~ night trying to come up with something nice, but the truth of the matter is - I slept a little :)

    But - I did come up with both a Haiku (12 words) and a Limerick (32 words) .. which, if you average them out comes less than 25 words each .. Maybe I should just post them here and forfeit .. and get people going.. Hmm.

  33. October 19th, 2006 at 6:20 am
    ME Strauss said

    Now, I’m sitting in a dark living room, alone laughing out loud. It such a good thing that I’m not worth millions, because folks would easily be able to make a case that I’m off my rocker . . . laughing hysterically as I type.

    Your dry humor is my downfall.

    which, if you average them out comes less than 25 words each

    I think I taught you when you were in third grade. You were the kid who started the termite club. :)

  34. October 19th, 2006 at 7:03 am
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    I was “teacher’s pet” in 3rd grade. Well, at least that’s the way I want to remember it *smile* …

    I’m not sure who that guy who started the termite club was .. I think it was the guy in the second row, third chair from the back

  35. October 19th, 2006 at 7:05 am
    ME Strauss said

    Oh that’s right, it was Timmy who started the Termite Club. Sorry. I remember now. He wanted to use the Boys Room and I told termites don’t go to the bathroom.

  36. October 19th, 2006 at 8:05 am
    HART-Empire.com » Quickies - October 19, 2006 (HART-EMPIRE NETWORK) said

    […] * Successful-Blog And There’s A Contest Too: Writing Project: The Successful-Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge Liz “ME” Strauss writes … […]

  37. October 19th, 2006 at 9:25 am
    Tony D. Clark said

    24 Words…

    “Keith started this blog. That was in June. He sold it to Scrivs. They wrote 7 posts before Liz came in. Now it rocks.”

    Just kidding, but I remember that. I actually subscribed way back when Keith started it after finding it via his personal blog. That was before I even considered blogging myself, but had been reading for years. Keith had some great tips, and then Scrivs provided some others. But I always love the way you made Successful-Blog into “Successful and Outstanding Bloggers,” turning it into a community AND a great place for tips and advice.

    Anyway, cheers on the b-day, and many happy returns.

  38. October 19th, 2006 at 9:30 am
    ME Strauss said

    Tony,
    I had no clue that you were a Successful-Blog Historian! You probably know way more about the early days than I do. Wow!

    If reveal that is all this post did, that’s something special. We’ll have to give you an award or something.

    I think Tuesday is going to be Open Comennts Day to celebrate!

  39. October 19th, 2006 at 9:42 am
    Tony D. Clark said

    Aww, shucks :) Being a lurker isn’t as nearly as much fun as participating. I always felt weird commenting when I didn’t have a blog. Based on the news on commenting that’s circling, that seems to be pretty common.

    Well, I’m glad to be part of the conversation. This is a cool place, with some really terrific and interesting folks.

  40. October 19th, 2006 at 9:53 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Tony,
    You are one of those really terrific and interesting folks. You all make me look forward to coming here every day. :)

  41. October 19th, 2006 at 9:57 am
    Tony D. Clark said

    Thanks Liz, that’s nice to hear. I posted yesterday about the things I learned from my daughter’s career day, but one thing I didn’t mention was the sense of community. Those kids love helping each other learn, grow, and explore. This place is kind of like our own classroom community. With one hell of a teacher ;)

  42. October 19th, 2006 at 10:52 am
    ME Strauss said

    Tony,
    As a first teacher, I have to say that is about the coolest compliment . . . wow.

  43. October 19th, 2006 at 11:59 am
    Successful Blog - 25-Words Birthday Challenge Prize Update said

    […] […]

  44. October 20th, 2006 at 10:07 am
    TechZ said

    Odd, my trackback hasn’t shown up here yet…

  45. October 20th, 2006 at 10:36 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi TechZ,
    Yeah, I wonder where it went. Want to try to ping again?

  46. October 21st, 2006 at 12:24 pm
    Working at Home on the Internet said

    […] I love a challenge.  Liz over at Successful Blog is having a Blog B-day on October 24 and has issued a 25 Word Birthday Challenge writing project. […]

  47. October 21st, 2006 at 7:09 pm
    cat said

    Happy Birthday Liz!
    Hopefully next year (if you do something similar) I won’t be so snowed under.
    But I’ll be lurking …

  48. October 21st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey, Cat,
    I think you’re doing fine just as you are! :)

  49. October 21st, 2006 at 10:34 pm
    Happy Birthday Successful Blog! said

    […] I’m sure you’ve noticed the Official SOB button in my sidebar. This was presented to me many months ago by Liz Strauss, who spends most of her time at Successful Blog, but also writes at Letting Me Be, LizStrauss.com, and a column at the Blogging Times called the D-Z List. This month is Successful Blog’s first birthday, and Liz has invited us, and you, to write, in 25 words or less, about Successful Blog or our experience with it. Well Liz, I managed: […]

  50. October 22nd, 2006 at 10:01 am
    TechZ said

    Liz, my previous trackback took a whole 5 days to show up in your blog! So I’m giving this one a day or two more…odd isn’t it.

  51. October 22nd, 2006 at 10:07 am
    ME Strauss said

    TechZ,
    I’m starting to think that trackbacks are one of the “mysteries” of blogging. :)

  52. October 22nd, 2006 at 1:10 pm
    TechZ said

    I bet someone already has a blog to blog about blogging trackbacks!

  53. October 22nd, 2006 at 1:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Yeah, I have a blog or two to blog of my own. Trackbacks are lot like getting stuck in an airport during bad weather . . . no one wants to know your story. They’ve got their own tales to tell. :)

  54. October 22nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
    Phil Gerbyshak said

    While I can’t win because I’m offering one of the prizes, here’s my 25 words: “Successful Blog is one of the coolest place to meet new people and leave a comment in the blogosphere. Long Live Open Comment Night! Yay!”

  55. October 22nd, 2006 at 10:00 pm
    ME Strauss said

    You, Mr. G. are too wonderful!

  56. October 24th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
    Melissa Petri said

    Happy Bday, Liz’s blogs! :-)

    Escape is also celebrating its bday. It’s been a year since we first met, too :-)

  57. October 24th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Melissa,
    That’s one of the best parts I remember from that time — meeting you.

  58. October 25th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
    A Place To Come Home To: Successful Blog » TravelBlog Archive » Family Travel said

    […] So let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to Liz by participating in the blog birthday challenge that she has going this week.  I’ve written the 25-word description that she’s asked for, and I’m pleased to post it below. […]

  59. October 31st, 2006 at 11:51 am
    Working at Home on the Internet said

    […] Liz Strauss presents Successful Blog - Writing Project: The Successful-Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge posted at Successful Blog, saying, “We’re celebrating with a contest and a big party. The party is Tues, Oct 24 at 7pm CST — Everyone will be welcome to open comments conversation. It’s a fun way to meet people and get new blogging relationships” […]

  60. December 23rd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
    Happy Birthday Successful Blog! : TerryStarbucker.com said

    […] to Liz Strauss’ Successful Blog. She has a contest going as part of this celebration, and is looking for the best 25 word description of her blog. Here’s my shot at […]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!