How to Age Ideas Like a Fine Cognac OR Making Compelling Writing the Center of Your Brand

Filed Under Audience, Branding, Idea Bank, Motivation/Inspiration, Outside the Box, Successful Blog, Writing | 13 Comments

I Love My Pocket Journal

Yesterday in the comments to Inside Out Thinking: Catching Ideas Coming In and Going Out, Hans at Blogosquare asked a question that was one I had when I first started writing. That made me think that others might have it as well. You see, Han’s problem is that he has too many ideas and his exuberance makes him anxious to use them all as soon as he gets them.

. . . I just donâ€™t have to sit back and wait for thoughts, actually they are filling me. When I get a thought, . . . I just canâ€™t wait for that thought to leave me. So I write it down quickly, quickly and post it and there when I see it I feel much relieved.
How in fact to you deal with thoughts when they come in? Should I set myself to some relaxation or things like this? All day long everything I see, read, and hear just give me thoughts and ideas. . . . Right now after reading the post above, I just got that thought and couldnâ€™t wait to put it down, to get it off my mind. Am I not normal? [edited with Hans permission]

Hans, my friend, I value you and your passion for writing. Turn the page and I’ll answer your question with the seriousness it deserves.

The Secret to Why Dennis Miller Can Rant in Public and the Rest of Us Really Can’t

Filed Under Audience, Branding, Successful Blog, Writing | 16 Comments

Rant Is a Four-Letter Word

Something has happened. It wasn’t nice. It happened once too often. It happened to someone you care about. It needs to be addressed. You’re about to write something someone is going to read.

Before you write, check your emotions. They’re running high, aren’t they? Here’s what you need to do before you write.

Go to the local store. Buy 100 ballooons. Blow them up and pop them each one individually — one at a time — slowly savoring the noise. Or do something else that will open a steam valve: go running,

Whatever you do, please don’t write and rant. Rant is a four-letter word. You’ve read ‘em. They’re deadly.

So, how come Dennis Miller can rant in public?

SOB Business Cafe 05-26-2006

Filed Under Audience, Great Finds, Successful Blog | 12 Comments

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Take the test with Dr. Deborah Serani to find out the basic psychology of being a customer. It’s quick and surprising.

Oystein, the Advice Librarian, explains how and why (and where to go) to use images to kickstart your writing.

Advice Librarian Kickstart Your Writing using images

Kyle Bunch at Blogebrity shares the consequences of interns blogging. Follow the links. It’s fascinating.

Keith introduces beggr, a new way to monetize your blog.

Related ala carte selections include

Ohad has one invitation left. Will you be getting paid to play games too?

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Editing: Just Some of My Very Different Thoughts

Filed Under Audience, Marketing, Successful Blog, Writing | 2 Comments

Power Editing

Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very”; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
– Mark Twain

In the Successful Blog Cafe last week Rob at Jamdo’s article offered advice on how to strip out excess words in your posts to increase keyword density. That’s good editing advice. In fact, much of editing is taking out ALL of the words that you don’t need.

Words that Writers Don’t Need

As bloggers, we write in a conversational tone, but conversation moves fast and easy. We can correct if someone doesn’t understand what we’re saying. They can interrupt if we’re going on, and on, and on, and on. We’re likely to notice if our audience walks away while we’re still talking.

Unfortunately, we don’t have those luxuries when the words are written. More written words don’t necessarily build more bridges and rapport. Additional words can get between the reader and our message. Here are places I go to remove extra words that creep in while I’m writing. Read more