Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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

January 12, 2009

Muppet Metaphors of Social Media

Amy Derby wrote this at 8:00 am

Sometimes I meet Liz – in the city, or on Twitter – to talk about not talking about social media.

“So here’s what I want to know,” I asked one night, “Does talking about not talking about social media count as talking about social media?”

“I think I talk more about the muppets,” she responded.

We decided I’m Cookie Monster. She’s Grover.

I giggled a little as I wrote back, “This is you.” And I linked to this video:

She proudly retweeted. Because this is who we are. And this is what we do.

We go around and around, thinking up ways to change the world by connecting with it. Talking, walking, sometimes getting tired…

I don’t know much about social media.
I know more about cookies.

Since I was a kid I’ve had a delicious talent for intuitively choosing the best cookie in the jar. And as a kid, if you were my friend and I only had one cookie, I’d always give you the bigger half. I like to think that’s the most valuable thing Liz and I have in common. (I mean, who needs tools when you’ve got COOKIES? Ahem.)

Liz knows how to share, how to connect, how to get people through things – how to get to the core of who they are and walk them through the stuff they need to do to get to the places they want to go.

Sometimes she speaks in metaphors. Sometimes she’s like Grover. Sometimes the other kids don’t understand her. But the ones with the best hearts love her, because she’s like them.

Liz once told me, “Every star shines — brilliance is relative.”

I don’t remember why she told me that, except that that’s who she is. Her heart is always golden. Even in the moments I have no idea what she’s talking about, I trust her with all my heart because I know she would never let me fall.

We don’t have to talk about social media to teach social media. But to learn it, we’ve got to live it.

That’s what Liz does. That’s what Liz helps me do.

So when Liz asked me, “While I’m at WordCamp Las Vegas, will you hijack my blog? Maybe you could write five things people don’t know about me, like I wrote 5 Tips about Surviving on the Road with Lorelle that one time?”

…. And my response was….
“Huh? You did what? Who’s Lorelle?”
… “I don’t know five things!”

… I knew I probably know just this one:

I’d rather learn the Muppet Metaphors of Social Media than bang my head against the wall studying the Cruel Calculus of Communicating Online.

I’d rather share cookies with a friend.

What has Liz taught YOU?

Or, um, who’s your favorite muppet and why?





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43 Comments to “Muppet Metaphors of Social Media”

  1. January 12th, 2009 at 8:42 am
    Christa M. Miller said

    There is a whole ‘nother blog in here about the Miss Piggys of the social media sphere!!

  2. January 12th, 2009 at 8:46 am
    Amy said

    Christa — what have I told you about making me spit coffee out my nose? :-)

  3. January 12th, 2009 at 8:56 am
    Christa M. Miller said

    I’m afraid I’m drawing a blank… what DID you tell me about that? ;)

  4. January 12th, 2009 at 8:57 am
    Kim H said

    That clip brings back so many memories…

    ‘Liz once told me, “Every star shines — brilliance is relative.”’

    Great quote! ;D And great post too!

  5. January 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
    Michele said

    What a fantabulous post, Amy! I love it!

    My favorite muppet? Well, my favorite muppet as a kid was Miss Piggy. Why? ‘Cause I was a chubby kid and I identified with her. But I liked Kermit, too. ;-)

    *smiles*
    Michele

    P.S. I can’t believe so many folks don’t know who Lorelle is. (Maybe I just read too many blogs? Nah!) :-)

  6. January 12th, 2009 at 9:13 am
    Amy said

    Christa — I probably said “Don’t do it!” which really translates into “Do it again!” ;-)

    Michele — I could never get into Miss Piggy. They prettied her up too much for my taste… I did like Kermit though. It’s not easy being green. (Please sing along with the song in my head!) P.S. I don’t know who anyone is. Ask Liz. She’ll testify — it’s true. :-)

  7. January 12th, 2009 at 9:19 am
    Michele said

    Amy,

    It wasn’t the fact that she was all doodied up, it was just ’cause she was a pig and pig = fat, which I was. I’ve never been into makeup and jewelry. I can barely tolerate wearing a watch! LOL

    I sang along in your head. Did you hear me?

  8. January 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am
    John said

    Amy,

    Liz has taught me(or at least reminded me) that social media includes face-to-face time with family and friends. Physically meeting people or talking on the phone with them energizes the heart in a different way than just commenting on their blog.

    For example, now that I have spoken with Chris Garrett, Rebecca Leaman, Cindy King, Graham Richards, Grant Griffiths, Michael Martine - and finally my true love Amy, I feel a deeper connection. I am now invested in their causes and committed (even in just a small way)to their dreams.

    “The voice does the Buddha’s work” is a favorite quote of mine. Through the voice (and physical communication) we say who we are. Our voices do the Buddha’s work on our blogs, on Twitter, on the phone and during our walks with people talking about not talking about social media.

    John

  9. January 12th, 2009 at 9:31 am
    Amy said

    Michele — Hmm… I don’t remember her as fat. (That’s probably weird. Isn’t it? And you know me well enough to know that now I’ll have to go look up a picture. Hehe.) As a little kid I always got made fun of for being skinny. I was sickly skinny looking from age 6-11ish. My third grade teacher held me in from recess once to talk to me about whether or not I had enough food at home — which, by the way, was humiliating. That kind of skinny. I was always getting made fun of for something or other. I didn’t get fat until high school age. Then I learned about a whole new kind of hatred. And not just from kids either. People can be so mean, can’t they? It’s no wonder we needed muppets. :-| P.S. Yes….. I heard you. :-)

  10. January 12th, 2009 at 9:33 am
    John said

    P.S. - I’m Kermit

  11. January 12th, 2009 at 9:38 am
    Amy said

    John — That’s so true for me too. I become more invested once I feel like I’ve really met someone. Some I never meet in person, but my best relationships with clients are the ones where I really feel like I know who they are. I’m more invested in anything I care about — naturally — and part of caring for me is getting to know the person behind the cause. And yeah, it works like that with friends for me too. I would defend you in a street fight now that I’ve talked to you… where before I might have been like *shrug* “Who, that John guy? Yeah, I’ve heard he likes funny t-shirts…” (Just teasing, honey. You know I loved you before. I just extra-special love you now.)

    P.S. You are TOTALLY Kermit. Even though you don’t have an accent. :-D

  12. January 12th, 2009 at 9:42 am
    Michele said

    Yeah, kids are so cruel. Well, adults can be too!

    I had a friend who was skinny like you in school. She always got made fun of. It was funny because she was so skinny and I was so chubby and we were inseparable. I forget what kids called us…

    Oh, I’m glad you heard me singing! ;-)

  13. January 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am
    Karin H said

    Hi Amy

    Liz taught me not to ask more than is humanly possible from myself and from others - still a very true and wise lesson!

    And she taught me that morning coffee and afternoon coffee in social media areas are exactly the same ;-)

    I love Kermit best - gentle, friendly and a so generous but oh dear when he comes across unfairness then you better duck!

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  14. January 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am
    KatFrench said

    I’ve learned from Liz that you don’t have to be “business-business-gungho-business” all the time to succeed in social media. That it’s okay to be a blend of touchy-feely, inner-child-aware and practical, as one tends to see people leaning very hard at one end or the other of that spectrum.

    Oh, and I am most definitely Gonzo.

    Except when I’m being all mad scientist experimental, on which I feel like the Swedish Chef (because nobody understands a word I’m saying.)

    And except on particularly crazy days, when I feel like Beaker to Jason’s Bunsen.

  15. January 12th, 2009 at 10:46 am
    Amy said

    Michele — My best friend’s name was Ethel, so I remember what they called us. :-)

    Kat — Yeah, I’ve learned that from Liz too. I have always been both — only separately. I have always been corporate and mean in work life (I work with lawyers) and touchy-feely-writes-with-crayons in my personal life (which I sort of lost track of someplace between escaping paralegalism and work-from-home-aholic-ism <— it’s a word now). It’s kind of funny actually, the first stuff I ever read of Liz’s was creative… which is why I liked her. Then I was like “Oh, you can do corporate? Let’s see!” I honestly didn’t think it was possible to do both, and do them well, and at the same time without becoming schizophrenic. But I’m pretty sure Liz isn’t schizophrenic. (I like that about her.) I like that she’s taught me I can be more than one thing at the same time, and that not everyone will look at me like I need to be medicated. Sometimes I’m a little slow… Which is why I think she rocks as Grover. Gonzo is cool too. I was always fascinated by him as a kid. (”What kind of animal is he, Mommy?” “Amy, dearest, muppets aren’t animals. They’re not even real.” “WHAT??????”) P.S. I recently had a conversation with a lawyer about the Swedish Chef. I feel like that a lot. :-)

  16. January 12th, 2009 at 11:00 am
    Liz Strauu said

    Amy,
    From this Grover to your Cookie Monter

    thank you for showing us all …

    I love you.

  17. January 12th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
    amy said

    Kim — Sorry you were stuck in moderationville. I just now figured out I had the power to get you unstuck. (Bwah ha ha! < -- oh wait, that's The Count! 1 - 2 -3!) Thank you for liking the post. I like that quote too... a lot. :-)

    Karin -- *points up* Sorry you were trapped too. If it makes you feel any better, Liz was stuck in there with ya. :-) Lessons... learning not to ask more than is humanly possible from myself and from others. That's a hard one for me. I DO ask a lot of myself. I don't ask much of others, but they automatically assume I expect a lot out of them because I expect a lot out of myself. Ugh. Humans. We’d do so much better as muppets. Coffee… well… I drink coffee around the clock. Which is why I talk so much. So I’m always available for coffee, even 3am coffee works for me. :-D P.S. Kermit is cool like that. I agree.

    Liz — Love you too. Here, have a cookie. :-) Wait… aren’t you on a plane or something??? (Note to self: Liz is magic.)

  18. January 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    The cool thing about Liz’s point of view, is that it’s an open door: show up, walk in, and play well with others, share the neat stuff .

    Perfect clip BTW. Cheers.

  19. January 12th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
    Kelly said

    Amy,

    This post is SO you. Love it. (Liz, you picked a great hijacker!)

    I sang along with the song in your head, too, because Kermit/Jim Henson was my idol. Did I ever tell you his (Henson’s) is the only picture I have in my bedroom? (The Kid’s photos are in other rooms.) He/they were an incredible inspiration to me.

    I’m probably more Bert, but I aspire to be Kermit. The best laid plans…

    Liz, to me? One word. Sharing. Yeah, that’s got to be Grover.

    Regards,

    Kelly

  20. January 12th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
    amy said

    Janice — Yeah! Open doors, playing well with others, and sharing… yep… I think so too. :-)

    Kelly — You’ve seen more of my writing than anyone in the universe ever should have to –seriously– so I’m extra-special glad that you think it’s me. :-) No, you never told me you have Jim Henson in your bedroom. (How tall is he??) But somehow I am not at all surprised by this bit of information. I am, however, laughing a little too loudly — in that way that would have the neighbors worried about me if it were late at night… kind of loudly. Hehe. You’re TOTALLY Bert. And you know what that means, don’t you?? You can steal Ernie’s rubber ducky!! (You’re too Capricorn to be Kermit. It’s not your fault.) P.S. Liz = sharing. Yeah!!

  21. January 12th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    (Oh, I immediately thought of rubber ducky too…silly song is stuck again in my head…)
    ;-)

  22. January 12th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
    amy said

    Put down the duckie… you gotta put down the duckie… if you wanna play the saxophone.

  23. January 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
    Firgs said

    I’ll never forget the day that Liz “beat me up” and told me to get my life on track and then introduced me to Amy at the same time.

    Amy, you and Liz are by far my favorite Muppets!!! And this is coming from a HUGE Jim Henson fan! :D

  24. January 12th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
    Kelly said

    Amy,

    Henson’s very tiny. About 4″ high, in a gorgeous handmade frame. I really adored him. One of the true geniuses of the 20th century.

    IRL—about 6′2″, I think ;) but very confused. And y’know, dead now, so that’s right out.

    Re: Bert—at least I know myself, hehe!

    I’d watch Ernie learning about not getting crumbs in his bed, moving over to put crumbs in Bert’s bed, when I was a little person, and I’d want to tear my own hair out. I felt Bert’s frustration. Why do my friends get their crumbs in my bed???

    They still do.

    But I’m mellower now. Well, a little mellower. Still aspiring…

    Later,

    Kelly

  25. January 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
    Michael Martine said

    My favorite Muppets were the Twiddlebugs.

    Liz taught me that not talking business is the best business there is.

  26. January 12th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
    amy said

    Kelly —

    “about 6?2?, I think”

    Yeah… I thought so! Perfect for you… except for that whole dead thing. (Take a picture of your picture for me?? Just one… not 42?) You’d have hated me as a little person — ok, you’d still hate me now. Crumbs are my friend. My very close personal friend. When no one is here to chase me around with a dust-buster, I’m all like “Hey, look! A cheeto!” And I’m totally excited about it, even if it’s from two days ago. Yeah, I’m THAT kind of messy. ;-) I like that you know yourself. People who don’t know themselves kinda bug me. But you don’t. Ever. That’s why we’re friends, even though we’re nothing alike… mostly. :-)

  27. January 12th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
    amy said

    Michael — Twiddlebugs rock. Liz has taught all of us some pretty cool stuff, hasn’t she? We need a scrapbook. She can use it as a fake-powerpoint at her next conference. :-)

  28. January 12th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
    amy said

    Firgs — I remember when I met you, and I was like “Liz would NEVER beat anyone up!” and then, like three hours later, she beat me up too. (I like the way she does that.)

    Legal Disclaimer: she didn’t actually beat us. The beating was a metaphor.

    I’m so glad I got to meet you. Now…. which muppet are YOU. Hmmm…

  29. January 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
    Kelly said

    Amy,

    Let me get a sunny day in this *ahem* state and I’ll take a good photo for you. It’s so grey today that even indoors I’d get a horrid photo.

    “The sun will come out, tomorrow”… maybe. (sez Bert)

    Michael,

    Oh my goodness I loved the Twiddlebugs. Good call!

    Later,

    Kelly

  30. January 12th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
    amy said

    Kelly — It’s a deal. And after the sun visits you that day… please send it on over here when you’re through with it. ;-)

  31. January 12th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    Twiddlebugs;-)….Okay I really have to go paint.. it ’s just way too fun around the bloggasphere today…just can’t seem to put down the duckie.

    Martine- ” Not talking business” …True that.

  32. January 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
    amy said

    Janice — I know! I kinda feel like I’ve been following you around all day!!! Hope you post a photo of the latest painting. I’ll be glad when those pastries are off your front page…. they’re way too yummy looking, and even when I’m not hungry they still make me hungry. :-)

  33. January 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    It’s a vicious crazy cycle, oh and now Friar is discussing bunny habits… I am really going into to paint now so I can show you what I am doing on Wednesday. Now probably the pink blossoms will have a bit of bunny ear to them.

    I’d love to hear more about the “beat you up’ that Liz did sometime.

  34. January 12th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
    Amy said

    Janice — I think I just cleared up the bunny thing. :-) Happy painting!

    (There was no REAL beating involved. I swear! Liz just has a way of drawing out professional problems you didn’t know you had and teaching you how to fix them in a way that Liz calls beating… but really it’s more like a mental smackdown until the problem runs away all scared and timid-like… because Tenacious Liz Mode is a little like, um, talking to a lawyer. But a nice lawyer. One who shares cookies.)

    I love when the parenthetical thought is longer than the original thought. Heh.

    I’ll be looking for pink bunny blossoms on Wednesday. :-D

  35. January 12th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
    Janice Cartier said

    Thanks for sharing…;-) Later.

  36. January 12th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
    Terry Starbucker said

    I’m Kermit. And this is a fantastic post. You nailed it - to learn it, we have to live it.

    Amen (and Bearista agrees).

    :-)

    Terry

  37. January 12th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
    amy said

    Terry (and Bearista) — Hmm… lots of Kermits here today. But no Elmos. That’s interesting!

    So now I’m thinking about Kermit and Grover, and this is the only scene that comes to mind: Kermit And Grover The Sunglass Salesman

    :-)

  38. January 12th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
    Firgs said

    Which Muppet am I? I think I’m a cross between Scooter and Animal. :D

    “Tell the folks what you do Animal.”

    “Eat drums! Eat drums!”

    “Noooo! Beat drums Animal! Beat Drums!”

    “AHHHH Beat drums! Beat drums!”

  39. January 12th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
    Amy said

    Firgs — Yeah… I can see that! (And I’m totally laughing. Hehehe.) that reminds me… There I’d someone in twitter whose avatar is Animal. Now I’ve gotta remember who…

    Liz — Thanks again for having me here to play. It’s been fun. Glad you’re back. Chicago missed ya!

  40. January 13th, 2009 at 12:25 am
    Laura Smith said

    Hello!
    My favorite muppet was the Swedish Chef-’Uncrdoorlsnufr’- favorite group of muppets was ‘Pigs in Space’ (could you here me saying it the way they did at the beginning of that segment? =P).

    I just wanted to stop by and say ‘Thank you’ to Amy for this happiness tonight. The nightly, familiar banter that begins around 10ish between Amy and Liz is truly one of my favorite things about Twitter.

    Your nightly banter reminds me of a passage from one of my most cherished books, ‘The Little Prince’:
    “It would have been better to return at the same time,” the fox said. “For instance, if you come at four in the afternoon, I’ll begin to be happy by three. The closer it gets to four, the happier I’ll feel. By four I’ll be all excited and worried; I’ll discover what it costs to be happy! But if you come at any old time, I’ll never know when I should prepare my heart… There must be rites.”

    Thank you both for sharing your wisdom, humor and friendship with us.
    Love from Athens,
    Laura or @devotionl

  41. January 13th, 2009 at 11:20 am
    amy said

    Laura — I love “The Little Prince” - one of my absolute favorites, to this day. :-) Thank you for tuning in. I’m looking forward to meeting you at Sobcon!

  42. January 13th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
    Shawna R. B. Atteberry said

    I’m Gonzo. Animal is my favorite, but I don’t have that much energy. :)

    I learned from Liz that you connect with people online the same way you do at a cafe, church, or bar. You start talking and do some listening.

  43. January 13th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
    amy said

    Shawna — I don’t think I have that much energy either! Connecting… yeah, I like that. Liz is awesome at that, isn’t she? :-)

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