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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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.

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

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Yesterday, I followed my promise. I took my time and worked at a fine leisurely pace, seriously to attending to what I had to accomplish. I finished things that had been towering over me. In fact, I found a few minutes to fit in a couple of new things.

This morning, I find . . . well actually I didn’t find one of the blog posts I’d put together. Apparently though my all-too-human error, I left some door open for that missive to crawl away like an ant striking out across the virtual desert.

Thus, the Case of the Err-ant Blog Post. If you see a tiny ant-like thing wander across your screen in the next hour or so, could you direct it back this way? After that, let it keep going. I’ll have already replaced it.

Don’t you hate it when inanimate objects don’t behave?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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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 titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

own your brand has thoughts about creativity.
“I can help him!” declared the neighboring teller.

“No, you can’t!” replied “my” teller.

BIGG Success has thoughts about how to get where we’re going.
In this age of personal branding, a coach can do the same for us – take us where we can’t take ourselves. We’ve found that our coaches save us time – we get where we want to be faster because they help us identify what’s most important.

the brandbox has thoughts about things rolling downhill.
All of us, at one point or another, have had a bad experience with a company. Sometimes, it’s mild enough for us to grumble for a few moments and go on our way, and give them another shot another day. Other times, it’s bad enough that we’ll never do business with that company again, but we don’t spread that to other people.

Bold Enterprises has thoughts about checking out and checking in.
If you were to lose your job, how surprised would your network of acquaintances be to hear from you?

Occam’s RazR has thoughts about tricks to get your attention.
Which is worse:

Or that sinking feeling in your gut where you realize you’ve been gamed through human engineering?

Related ala carte selections include

influx technology has visuals on the future of information retrival.
Mac Funamizu a web/graphic designer working in Tokyo, Japan has developed some great visuals showing some interesting concepts around the future of search.

Have a few thoughts about that brand new feeling. . . .

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

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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On Friday at the end of a four-day week, I find myself trying to work out

What’s with time that the week seems to have gone by so fast and yet Tuesday seems so long ago?

Much as I’d like to reflect on that perception, at the moment it’s just a shiny distraction. It’s a luxury to examine the time warp of four-day work weeks. My focus belongs on things that I need to get off my mind, off my desk, off my radar screen. I’m tripping over a truth of working efficiently.

The more I want to hurry up, the more I need to slow down.

Slow has definite advantages. I find slow and focused is more productive than multitasking. Other folks find it takes stress completely out of the formula. An entire Slow Movement has grown around the concept of slowing down. Personally, I find slow only works at time that require high focus and great productivity in small spaces.

find I’m in agreement with Suzanne Stinnett, thinking that slow, as a global fix, will never work . . .

Being a slow typist doesn’t get you much these days. Technology knows nothing of slow. It is 100% about speed, and if it isn’t faster, it’s dead. Okay, maybe not 100%, because it’s also about size.

Slow whatever is a natural response to fast everything, I think. But they’re just extremes.

If hurry is up and slow is down and they’re both extreme, what’s in between?

I’m exploring the phrase, take your time.

What does take your time. mean to you?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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Last week, I explored the different ways in which your online offering can be the source of exactly the information the information hungry customer is searching for. At the wider level, correctly targeting your potential audience makes it more likely that your blog will appeal to those readers you want to attract. And, more specifically, if you’ve decided to follow a strategy of connecting with non-bloggers, it helps if you do a little research beforehand to work out what the needs of non-bloggers might be.

By taking time to assess exactly what type of information your target non-blogging reader wants, you will be in a great position to begin the process of winning them over. If your blog can meet their needs, either as it exists currently or with some adapting, then your site is more likely to be the destination of choice for the non-blogger.

I’ve previously suggested that the community you and your readers build around your blog is definitely a major draw. A vibrant comments section is a wonderful place to be.

But imagine that you’re a non-blogger stumbling upon your comments section for the first time. You’d like to join in the conversation, and you might ask yourself, “What am I supposed to say?” or, even more importantly, “What am I not allowed to say?”

So, how do you help the offline customer understand how to comment on your blog? What do you do when they say things that you’d rather they didn’t? I’m keen to learn of your suggestions in the comments section below.

Today, I’m going to look at how you might best explain commenting to your non-blogging reader, and what you can do if the comments they leave aren’t quite the ones you’d hope for.

Helping Non-Bloggers Understand Comments

Once your strategy and hard work has been a success and you have attracted the offline customer to your online offering, this is the first step in encouraging them to become part of your community. It would be an ideal next step if you could draw them even further in by having them leave a comment on what they’ve just read.

In most cases, it takes quite a few visits before the non-blogger is comfortable enough to leave a comment of their own. By observing the nature of what your other readers say as part of the conversation over a period of time, the non-blogger can see what is acceptable.

While leaving comments on other blogs is second nature to those of you who blog yourselves, it can be a daunting thing to do for the offline customer visiting a blog for the first time. They might be concerned that what they have to say won’t be regarded as important Or, they may not want to join in for fear of being embarrassed.

The following few questions might help you come up with answers to how you manage comments in a way which not only encourages the non-blogger to have their say, but also allows you to deal with inappropriate comments and so promote an attractive, positive comments section- for both bloggers and non-bloggers alike:

• Do you have guidance on comments?

  I know that many of you have a Comments Policy that you use to help your readers understand what is, and isn’t acceptable. This kind of information can be of immense use to the non-blogger trying to understand the concept of comments. In a Comments Policy, you can describe the comments ‘culture’ you aim to promote and suggest how the reader can add their own unique voice in a positive way. Similarly, you can also highlight what you view to be ‘unacceptable’ comments. The type of comment you judge to be undesirable is very much specific to your own blog and its audience. There is a balance to be struck between allowing free speech on the one hand, and not permitting offensive and negative remarks on the other. I’d be very interested to hear of your views on having a Comments Policy, and how effective you find them in encouraging positive comments.

• How do you follow up first-time comments?

  Once a non-blogger leaves that all-important first comment, do you send them a message to let them know you value their contribution? Receiving an acknowledgement for having made your debut contribution is a very friendly touch and one that is likely to be well appreciated by your non-blogging reader. The very fact that you took the time to welcome them to your blog, can encourage them to comment more often. While contacting every reader after they’ve made their initial contribution might seem to involve a lot of time and effort, you only have to do it once… that first time commenter could become a very valued member of your community the next time they have their say.

• What is an ‘appropriate’ first time comment?

  This can be a tricky issue to deal with. I’d guess that nearly all of you have some moderation on your blog to filter the first and, perhaps, second time comments that someone leaves. There are certain comments that you will, quite understandably, not allow to appear on your blog. The reasons can relate to factors such as: the use of negative language, profanities, or trolling (there may be other factors specific to your own blog). But how do you handle a first time comment from a reader who may not be familiar with the ‘etiquette’ of commenting? Perhaps, they haven’t said anything offensive but ,instead, they haven’t said it in the ‘right’ way. How would you deal with that kind of comment that may be from the reader who is a novice to commenting?

The questions above can act as a starting point to help you work out the best way to assist the offline customer to understand your blog community as demonstrated through your comments section. If your non-blogging reader has a clear understanding of what kind of comments are ideal and which are not, then all members of the community, blogger and non-blogger alike, will benefit from the positive aspects of a vibrant blog conversation.

If you’re a blogger, leave a comment to let me know what you do to help non-bloggers understand your own comment ‘culture’? How would you encourage non-bloggers to leave the ‘right kind’ of comment?

If you’re a non-blogger, tell them what they can do to help you to contribute to the conversation.

–Scott McIntyre

Related

Week 1: Connecting with the Offline Customer: A Non-Blogger’s Perspective
Week 2: Targeting the Offline Customer: Do You Blog for Non-Bloggers?
Week 3: Reaching the Offline Customer: Do You Promote Your Blog Offline?
Week 4: Attracting the Offline Customer: Why Do You Promote Your Blog Offline?
Week 5: Top 10 Social Media Tips for Connecting With Non-Blogging Customers
Week 6: Welcoming the Offline Customer: Does Your Blog Create A Good Impression?
Week 7: Engaging the Offline Customer: Do You Talk With Non-Bloggers?
Week 8: Offline Customers: Do You Meet The Needs of Non-Bloggers?

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In 2006, Time Magazine named us as “. . . an explosion of productivity and innovation, and it’s just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy.”

This morning, listening to the cars on the wet pavement outside my window, as I consider requests for real-world causes, I’m thinking about what we’re doing with that explosion of innovation Time magazine described and the opportunity they saw within it.

This is an opportunity to build a new kind of international understanding, not politician to politician, great man to great man, but citizen to citizen, person to person. It’s a chance for people to look at a computer screen and really, genuinely wonder who’s out there looking back at them. (Time Magazine)

Oh yeah, we’re doing lots of that, but have we lost track of how few of us there are and how small our conversation really is?

Few people in the cars driving by think or care about the words flying from my computer to yours. But I care and I know that if you’re reading this, you probably care too.

It’s awfully fun to explore these innovate tools of communication, but the truth is Internet tools aren’t much if they can’t fix problems the Internet didn’t cause.

Some folks never missed that point from the start. They’re not the ones who are always quoted. You can’t measure their success in followers. They’re the ones with their feet on the ground.

Let’s celebrate the folks who are using social media tools to change lives and businesses slowly, solidly in concrete and lasting ways. They’re the ones who are changing the world.

I’ve started a list with those three: Beth Kanter, Robyn McMaster, and JP Rangaswami. Who are the real-world social media heroes you see? Who are the folks using the tools to make a difference in the world?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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I’m writing in response to Brogan’s blog post. He’s only telling his part of the story.

Last year at BlogWorld Expo, the first person I met in the hall was Chris Brogan. I already knew him.

Yet everywhere I went there he was again. In the hallway, Chris Brogan. In the breakroom, Chris Brogan. In the lunchroom, Chris Brogan. I love Chris Brogan. I think he’s awesome, but I was beginning to think there were 55 of him.

Finally, I ducked into the b5 Chris Brogan-less educational session. What a joy! Who should I spy there in the front row, but my dear friend, Glenda Watson Hyatt and her husband! Of course, we had no chance to talk, because speakers were speaking. (Speakers seemed to be doing that in every session.)

Do you know Glenda Watson Hyatt? She’s the one you really want to go to BlogWorld Expo to meet. She’s a published author, an accomplished blogger, and an adovocate of accessibilty rights like no other. She’s also an SOB like most folks around here.

Of course, when I got my opportunity to talk to Glenda, who should be there already romancing her . . . yep, the infamous Mr. Chris.

We got Brogan to take this picture — the three of us got some quality time talking together.

She’s the gold.

Forget about meeting me. Forget about meeting him. Glenda is the one.

Of course, then, you could meet all of us at BlogWorld Expo. It’s Sept 20-21 in Las Vegas, NV.

I hear the BawldGuy is going to be there too.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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That Brand New Blogging Feeling

They say no one forgets the first time . . .
It’s the first flowers of spring.

It’s a waterfall.

It’s a new pack of crayons.

It’s unveiling a new blog . . . And have we got a deal for you!!

It’s a $3900 Brand New Blogging Feeling Event!!

We’re Giving Away 50 Prize Pairs of

• The Secret to Writing a Successful and Outstanding Blog, (The Insider’s Guide) the $29 eBook, by Liz Strauss!!

Blog Design Studio and I have teamed up to offer fifty bloggers that “brand new” blog feeling!! Whether you’re just starting out or you want to get back to the excitement of your first blog post. We’re ready to fuel the fire.

Click to see: EDGE –the Premium WordPress Theme by Blog Design Studio

Play with the demo EDGE DEMO BLOG

Check out the features!!

• Mouseover headlines that expand to show excerpts
• Advertisement ready
• Full Feedburner integration
• Google Analytics
• Color variation

Click to see: Insider’s Guide to the Conversation eBook!!

It’s filled with tips, ideas, and checklists,
that show you how to:

You also get Classic Blog Review Checklist to Publish a Blog Magnet

Want to get back that brand new blogging feeling?

To get a copy of EDGE and a copy of my eBook, here’s what to do.

1. Take a picture of something that shows that brand new feeling like the one goes with a first blog post.
2. Compose a one sentence message that describes what your picture is saying. Yeah you could call it a caption.
3. Enter those and your contact information over at the form BRAND NEW BLOGGING FEELING EVENT. Upload a jpeg, tif, or png of your photo that is no larger than 400×400 pixels.
4. Check twice to make sure that your information is complete.
   The first fifty who follow directions with clever pictures that show that brand-new feeling will be featured here with a link back to their blogs (if they have one).

The EDGE theme and the Insider Guide prizes are for personal use only and not for resale purposes.
One entry per person.

Your entry might look something like this one.

A new blog is like
a brand new sports car peeking out of the garage.

Good luck!
Contest ends with the 50th accepted entry or by September 14th, whichever comes first.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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I grew up with two brothers - one who is 8 years older than me and one who is 15 months older than he is. Winning at anything was a losing proposition unless they were placating me. One brother says he decided that I was his personal pet. The other brother said most days somewhat of a pest.

That’s not to say we don’t love each other to death . . . But relationships and little kids can wear on big brothers’ smiles, and I was a little kid who was particularly good wearing things out. It was a lonely “talent” and it often caused responses that made me feel smaller than the little kid I already was.

Yet as I look back, I realize that I learned a lot from my brothers who choose not to entertain the pesty, persistent interrupter that I was.

I learned to find my own measure of how big I am.

With enough practice walking off with my chin on my chest, I figured out that it’s hard to smile when I’m looking down. I also noticed that sidewalks and feet present limited possibilities to think about. We’ll not even talk about how boring I find mulling over the idea of the world is against me again.

Looking up has much more to offer than looking down.

Just raising chin makes me feel taller and like I belong. Looking up offers new perspectives and possibilities. Even if I imagine myself tiny enough to stand under a flower I feel important enough to accomplish what I came here for.

Looking up is where the light is, where the clouds can take any form.

When things get big and I’m overwhelmed by it all, I look up. I feel power.

It’s hard to feel less than anyone else under the sky that’s bigger than everyone.

What do you do when the world makes you feel small?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
Work with Liz!!

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Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

Do You See Stars?

Since time began, people have been looking up with questions, finding answers, telling stories. Which ones do you pass on to people you care about? People and stars have a lot in common. Tonight we’re talking about the stars and the universe.

• Do you wish upon a star?
• Do you know the constellations?
• What do you know about Astrology and Astronomy?
• Would you want to travel to a star nursery?

ahem . . .

And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring example links to share —

–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

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