Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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

5 Things We Learned Blogging in College — When No One Even Knew They Were Talking About It

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A Guest Post by Holly McCarthy

The blogging phenomenon has been growing exponentially over the last several years and has become one of the primary modes of information dissemination in the process. Besides information, people are able to analyze, express opinions, and target specific audiences with which to share their thoughts and feelings.

There are many people out there who have been blogging for far longer than you might think. Many things we consider standards of blogging seemed to have developed out of the ether, so to speak, but they started with these first pioneers of the blogosphere. The thing is, most bloggers did these things and helped to pave the way without even doing it consciously.

Some things we learned blogging in college, when no one even knew they were talking about it:

We learned standards and quality goals just by doing it. Go figure.

Holly McCarthy writes on the subject of continuing education online. You can reach her at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com

Thanks, Holly!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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The Travellers Three

Filed Under Guest Writer, Successful Blog, Writing | 8 Comments

It’s that time of year when people are planning events, gathering together, sharing in laughter, food and friendship. Many stories will be told, old and new. As people come together with family and loved ones, many will be thinking of the infamous event many years ago, which led to the celebrations, most of us are now having.

 

I like to think about all the stories being told at that time in history, long, long ago. My favorite story goes something like this: It was dusk in the desert. Three travelers from different parts and backgrounds gathered together to share food, fire and companionship. They began to tell stories and someone mentioned the divine birth of a mysterious child, a miracle, which was intriguing and spoke of hope. The night goes on and many more stories are shared and passed on. In the morning the strangers part ways leaving for their respective lands and taking with them memories. These stories travel and get re-told, passed on for years to come. The story changes as each teller recounts the memory of that night around the fire, just as the stories you share change with time. Remember to make sure your message is clear so even if the details change and subtle nuances are added, the central message or theme remains true to your intent.

I like to think that the story told that night about a mysterious child, a story of hope, remains clear through whatever lens you choose to view it.

Thanks to you all for sharing your stories and for the ones I know you will. A sincere thank you to @iamkhayyam for helping me understand my story.

Peace to you all.

Kathryn aka@northernchick

 

A Metaphor: When a Brand New Blog Flowers

Filed Under Motivation/Inspiration, Writing | 5 Comments

Guest Post by Stefan Knapen

I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some. - Herbert Rappaport

I was thinking, is the opposite happening to blogging? So many blog planters, but are there enough people to smell the blog flowers?

The problem is that readers don’t know where the great flower beds are. In the great field of flowers, it is getting harder and harder to find the unique and thriving flowers, those that keep growing, and keep showing more and more unique and compelling content.

See your blog as a flower — a single forget me not. Give it water, new posts, frequently. Make sure it grows and grows. Don’t be shy to invite people see it. And after waiting, the one who finds it will tell other people to come smell that flower. And the scent of that flower will become known. Your blog is being read more.

The conversation is like seeds and spores on the wind. Given to each other, everywhere. But it isn’t the beginning of a new flower, but it can be the beginning of a new post. So it can be fruitful.

Are there enough people to smell the flowers? Maybe yes, maybe no.

But there are too many small flowers. So for flower to be found in the big field, you have to wait and make it noticeable. Make sure your flower will be seen.

Do something with every seed and spore of conversation you get. Use those words to inspire you to grow your blog even bigger, even better. And after that your blog will be the prettiest flower field of flowers because you used what you had.


More seeds more pollen make more beautiful flowers. One thought on a blog and the conversation about it can turn a single forgot me not into an entire field.

Thanks!

Stefan writes as The Dutch SchoolKid

——————
Stefan,
Your comments on this blog have often inspired thoughts that are like flowers to me.
Thank you for this.

How do you keep your flowers growing, thriving, and blooming?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Images: sxc.hu
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STORY TELLING

Filed Under Successful Blog, Writing | 35 Comments

Usually I’m the one telling stories here, but when I find someone who’s better than I am, I stand aside. Today is one of those days. I’m pleased and delighted to announce that a woman I admire has agreed to write with me on Successful-Blog. I won’t say more. Her words introduce her better than I ever could, which you know is saying something … meet Kathryn Jennex, who’ll be writing a column called, Practical Communication, every week (and more when I convince her she must.) — Liz Strauss

Story Telling

by Kathryn Jennex

There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.” ~ Ursula Le Guin

We are all storytellers, each and every one of us. Studying public relations and sociology led me to an understanding of how to tell stories for business and to study people and gain an insight and understanding of the human story itself. I have been a closet writer for years telling fictional stories and in the last few years a very part-time filmmaker creating visual stories. My work as a project manager for an online web space provides me the opportunity to gather stories and share them, inviting people to participate.  

 

Whether we’re talking among our friends, writing a social media strategy for a non-profit, taking a photo, or designing a marketing strategy we’re all telling stories. The best stories are the ones you can relate to, that remind you of something similar in your experience and cause you to engage and hopefully, take part. Good storytellers rely on audience participation and make the experience shared.  

When I hear your story, I want to be able to tell you are PASSIONATE about it. I want to sense and feel you believe in what you’re saying. Beth Kanter does this so well. When I read what she writes I believe her, I hear passion, concern, and I hear her knowledge about the story she is telling. How to do this?

By all means be real. If you’re going to take the time to tell the story, make sure you do it honestly and be prepared to engage in the response.

I listen now to lots and lots of stories every day and I love it. My work in social media fits in perfectly with all this and gives me exposure to many, many stories. The best stories, make me want to reach out and somehow respond or comment back, whether that is a post on SEO, a really cool product or service. ROI, or mentoring.

Are you telling good stories? Please share one way you tell your story.

Kathryn aka @northernchick

What William Tully Said … About Great Writers and Great Bloggers

Filed Under Successful Blog, Writing | 12 Comments

A community isn’t built or befriended,
it’s connected by offering and accepting.
Community is affinity, identity, and kinship
that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions.
Wherever a community gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity.

Who Influences the Way that You Write?

We study writing. We can read the work of great writers we admire. We ask for the advice and help of those who’ve mastered some skill, but in the end, all of that advice and input is influence not a handbook. Every blogger and writer finds his or her voice without much help. We practice until we discover which rules work for us. A great writer, a great blogger, gets to be one by doing to it.

Here’s what William said . . .

1. why are ‘great writers’ typically associated with fictional stories?
2. is writing not a form of art left to the eye of the beholder?

I’m told that Hemingway is a great writer… What about Orson Scott Card, Bill Bryson, or even the one writing this blog or this comment?

I agree that we (as writers) should be reading great writers, yet I completely disagree at the same time. For example, I have a very unique style of writing… The style is simply a reflection of how I speak and teach. Same pauses, inflections, and YELLING… sometimes.. Yet the last thing on my list is to sit down and read some Shakespeare, simply because the style is absolutely nothing I can relate to.

Douglas Adams (Last Chance To See) is perhaps the single book with a writing style that I can COMPLETELY relate to and respect. Now, is he a great writer? Certain circles, he is a respected author. This book? Relatively unknown. Bill Bryson is another author, who in my opinion, is absolutely brilliant!

I guess I’m not entirely sold on reading great writers helps with great writing. I think having a grasp of your chosen language is key, and just simply reading is key. I would sooner read something by a great THINKER than a great writer…

William Tully from a comment on April 5, 2007

A successful and outstanding blogger said that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

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