Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

Let My People Talk

Filed Under Marketing, Successful Blog | 7 Comments

Thanks to Lisa D. Jenkins for supplying todays guest post.

Lisa D. Jenkins has over a decade of experience marketing festivals, special events, non-profit organizations and small businesses. She speaks, consults and educates on the integration of social media into current marketing efforts, with a focus on measurable results; recent clients include Lewis-Clark State College Community Programs, Idaho Small Business Development Center, Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, and Hells Canyon Visitor Bureau.

In my comment on Amber Naslund’s current post, I referred to a thought pattern wherein some community caretakers fall into a sort of “I built this community, it’s mine” mentality.  Pride in accomplishment I understand, but impeding the growth of reach I do not.

I’ve watched from the sidelines as a healthy, vibrant branded community failed when people were repeatedly challenged by profile administrators who felt the need to dictate how and when a conversation should take place.  The resulting tug of war was short-lived.  Community members moved on to a space where they were appreciated, encouraged to express their opinions and excitement without being snarked at.  (“Snarked at” is a technical term that, used here, means asserting one’s authority in an aggressive and unnecessary manner.)

I help create communities in the hope that people will come, join in the conversation and share the message with their friends and family.  I strongly support the idea that these communities need a knowledgeable facilitator to protect the integrity of their subject, but I do not believe a facilitator should stunt conversations they themselves have not started.

What do you think?

Beach Notes: The Beauty of Reflection

Filed Under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | 6 Comments

by Guest Writers Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

I stopped on my way home on Friday to take a photo of the clouds at sunset.
My focus had been on the beauty of the clouds and the various shades of grey and yellows.

It wasn’t until I downloaded the photo to the computer that I saw the beautiful reflections mirrored in the water.

tweedsunset


There is often beauty around us that we do not notice at the time.- Suzie

Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

Thanks to Week 211 and 212 SOBs

Filed Under SOB Business, Successful Blog | 1 Comment

muddy teal strip A

Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

Let me introduce the bloggers
who have earned this official badge of achievement,

Purple SOB Button Original SOB Button Red SOB Button Purple and Blue SOB Button
and the right to call themselves
Successful Blog SOBs.

I invite them to take a badge home to display on their blogs.

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amyfitchcom
the-big-c
bret-l-simmons
danbcotton
fido-and-wino
optimizeatlanta
theshortestblogintheworld
the-state-of-discontent
web-marketing-20-for-small-business

They take the conversation to their readers,
contribute great ideas, challenge us, make us better, and make our businesses stronger.

I thank all of our SOBs for thinking what we say is worth passing on.
Good conversation shared can only improve the blogging community.

Should anyone question this SOB button’s validity, send him or her to me. Thie award carries a “Liz said so” guarantee, is endorsed by Kings of the Hemispheres, Martin and Michael, and is backed by my brothers, Angelo and Pasquale.

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Want to become an SOB?

If you’re an SO-Wanna-B, you can see the whole list of SOBs and learn how to be one by visiting the SOB Hall of Fame– A-Z Directory . Click the link or visit the What IS an SOB?! page in the sidebar.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Cool Tool: screenr - Screencasting How to Add Text to Your Twitter Background

Filed Under Marketing, Successful Blog, Tools | 9 Comments

Screencasting Fast and Easy

screenr_logo

Screencasting is recording actions on the screen with narration. It’s a great way to show people how.

What it says it does: allow screencasting without software.
How well it does that: screenr is easy and intuitive.

  1. Size the capture screen to the website you want to discuss.
  2. Click the record button and record.
  3. Pause if you want.
  4. Then wait, a few minutes for it to process.

Embed the screencast in your eCourse, download the video as MP4, upload it to your You-Tube channel, and watch it on your iPhone! Send it to Twitter. Post it on your blog.

It’s free and great to use.

How to Add Text to Your Twitter Background

For fun, I made this screencast of how to add text to your Twitter Background. It was mostly to test the tool.



Here’s the link to the screenr version.

Lots of ways to share information with people using screenr and your expertise.

I make connections . . .

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Buy the ebook and find out the secret.

Why Can’t We seem to Keep Things Simple?

Filed Under Design, Marketing, Successful Blog | 6 Comments

A Guest Post by Kyle Lacy

relationships button

I was asked to write this guest post about the power of simplicity in blog design and honestly, I was at a loss for words. What does it mean to have simplicity in blog design? Are we discussing the concepts of the layout design? Or a universal view of all things blog? I am not here to talk about the back-end coding of a blog, the rules of user interface design, or minimalistic thoughts on design…but the ability to give your readers the easiest way to read your valuable CONTENT.

It is easy to say that the simpler the design the better. I mean… look at Google and Yahoo. Google has one of the simplest website designs… ever. The design hasn’t changed much since the creation of the search engine. While Yahoo… in all of the search world glory… has everything but a kitchen sink. Google has proved that simplicity wins in design but where does simplicity fit in blog design?

I could give you a list of the top 10 reasons why blog design should be simple… but honestly… we don’t have the time. There is one reason why your blog design should be simplistic in nature…

Readers should have the ability to scan your content without experiencing a headache or stress… which will eventually lead to a heart attack.. which none of us want…NO READER DEATHS!

I’m taking the Google route. Simplicity in blog design is key because YOUR content must be easy to scan by the reader. I am not here to preach. In no stretch of the imagination is my blog even close to simplistic… but it is closer than most. What do you want the visitor to experience when surfing your blog and your content?

Remember, your content is king. Design around your content.

Since design is the main topic of conversation in this post.. I wanted to share with you 5 blogs I find extremely BRILLIANT when it comes to simplistic design.

1. Blog What? Design

2. AI Alex

3. Dive Into Mark

4. Design Intellection

5. I am Neato

They focus on the content… period.

——
Kyle Lacy oversees a company called Brandswag, which focuses on design, branding and social media education. With offices in Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, Brandswag helps business owners connect with their customers and sustain profitability by presenting consistent images and messages in the marketplace. He recently finished writing Twitter Marketing for Dummies which can be found on Amazon.com
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Kyle, thank you! This is the best on the subject I’ve seen in a long time.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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