Forget Brogan, Forget Me While You’re at It! Meet GLENDA at BlogWorld Expo!

Filed Under Successful Blog | 12 Comments

Go for the Gold

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.

Glenda_Watson_Hyatt_and_Liz_Strauss_BlogWorldExpo07

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!!

Get your best voice in the conversation!

Three Dads, Three Social Networks, and Quality Time

Filed Under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | 11 Comments

Three Dads I Admire

Dad

When I talk about my dad, people often assume that we must have been inseparable. Actually, we only got short bursts of time together. My dad had two families — one at home and the folks who came to his saloon.

When Jason Falls. talks about his barely two-month old daughter, I think, “Yeah, she’s going to look up to him like I look up to my dad.” Then my brain immediately connects to a photo of a young Brogan girl. I’m fairly certain she’s sure that the sun rises over her dad. I’m lucky to know two more guys who, like my dad, seem to have two families — one at home and one related to the computer screen.

Three dads, three daughters, three families at home, and three huge social / professional networks to tend.

Bet it’s not just their daughters who have felt the value of quality time.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Image: lizstrauss

Five Tools Chris Brogan Uses for Listening and 8 Ways We Get the Most From Listening Tools

Filed Under Marketing, Successful Blog | 12 Comments

Getting to the Heart of the Data

Can You Hear the Internet?

In a beautiful post tonight, Chris Brogan highlighted the value of listening. He pointed out how it’s too easy to

rush right into the “speaking” side of the toolbox without giving much thought to the “listening” part.

and he offered his favorite tools for a company who wants to be “listening to their audience, their customers, their partners, and their detractors.”

I’m so with him. You can find the five tools Chris uses most for listening here.

What to Listen for and How to Get the Most from Listening Tools

Just as when we write we have to know what we want to say. We have to know what we’re listening for . . . we’re listening for what people aren’t saying, but want to.

  1. Listen for quantity of response. Lots of folks saying the same thing is worth taking note of. Are they a crowd or a mob following each other? Are they a trend of individuals who have discovered something worth pointing out?

  2. Listen for the odd response that is way out of line. Someone on the edges of the responses could be offering am Einstein-like response.

  3. Listen for the spaces between the words. Ask some question about what’s not being said and listen again and again.

  4. Listen for the source of the speaker and the bias the speaker might have. Listen for who’s trying to get attention, who wants favor with the listeners.

  5. Listen for the things that you don’t want to hear. They’re the most important information you’ll gather on any listening trek.

  6. Listen to find the people who have more to offer than opinions, but innovative ideas and product plans. If you can, find a way to make a relationship with them.

  7. Listen to find the evangelists who love your company, who defend you when you’re attacked. Let them know they’re appreciated.

  8. Listen for ways that you might bring back what folks said to show the people who work hard on your products that people are paying attention to them..

Listening isn’t all data, all quantity and remarks. Listening is not a science, but an art that brings in human thought. Listening is the most important part of a conversation. Conversations are how communities begin.

Don’t let the tools draw lines around the way you hear.

I don’t. Brogan doesn’t either. Listen every way you know how.

What other ways do you use tools to listen to what people aren’t saying.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Check out Models and Masterminds too

SOB Business Cafe 08-03-07

Filed Under Great Finds, Successful Blog | 6 Comments

SB Cafe

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

Chris Brogan is thinking like a leader.

Think Like a CEO

Chrisg is thinking about the kinds of bloggers we are.

What Type of Blogger Are You?

Escape from Cubicle Nation is thinking about how we can run ourselves ragged.

Entrepreneurs who love too much: Tackling the dilemma of wanting to do it all

Life Beyond Code is thinking about the stories we tell.

Do you know your “Story Ignorance Index”?

Servant of Chaos is thinking about creativity.

Why Won’t Armano Grow Up?

Alex Shalman gets to thinking about his goals.

Why Is Goal Acheivement So Fulfilling?

Related ala carte selections include

This Garden Is Illegal is thinking about a flower.

Nasturtium: The Flower Growing Under False Pretenses

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