Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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

How to Beat 80% of the Competition from the Start

Filed Under Marketing, Successful Blog | 12 Comments

Do Worry, Do Something Anyone Can Do

When I was at WordCamp LasVegas, I met the guys from Voodoo Ventures. That’s a picture of Gerard Ramos, Lorelle VanFossen, me, and Chris Schultz after we spoke — all of us a presenters and in the conversation I’m about to share.

Chris, Gerard, and I sat for a couple of hours talking talking business, strategy, brands, and futures. In the course of that conversation, I was relentlessly asking questions, as I’m prone to do when I’m in that mode.

One series of such relentless questions was this one.
What do you bring that others don’t? Why will I be grateful that I’m working you and no one else? We already know that your work is quality, your people are top professionals, and you solve problems without causing them. What’s your secret ingredient that no one else does like you?

Chris Schultz [please know I'm paraphrasing] said

I’ve got 80% of the competition beat from the start, just because I show up. I answer every email — AFTER I read them to end. I return phone calls. I keep my promises. I do what I say I will. I listen and respond. And I like what I do and the people I do it with.

That’s a difference I’d pay for at most any place I do business with.

What about you? How easy is it to find service like that?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Buy the eBook. ane Register for SOBCon09 NOW!!

The Fairy BlogMother Lorelle

Filed Under Community, Successful Blog | 7 Comments

Once Upon a Time at WordCamp Portland . . .

On the Worldwide Day of Play, Lorelle VanFossen gave her Keynote at WordCamp Portland as the Fairy BlogMother.

Amazing in every way!

Live TV : Ustream


How did you play today?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Get your best voice in the conversation. Buy my eBook.

See the WordCamp Dallas Videos at Your Leisure.

Filed Under SOB Business, Successful Blog | 7 Comments

Word Camp 2008

Some folks have emailed asking where they might see the WordCamp Dallas presentations. Here are the videos released so far.

Liz Strauss WordCamp Dallas 2008

WordCamp Dallas 2008: Liz Strauss – Cmon, Lets Talk! It was a totally bad hair day, but the words went well — Well most of them.

WordCamp Dallas 2008: Lorelle VanFossen – WordPress Power Tips

Jonathan Bailey — Detect and Stop Content Theft

WordCamp Dallas 2008: The WordPress Podcast

WordCamp Dallas 2008: Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell

WordCamp Dallas 2008: John Pozadzides’ 45 Ways to Power Up Your Blog

WordCamp Dallas 2008: Matt Mullenweg, WordPress 2.5 and Beyond

Thanks to the folks who did the video and to John P. for posting them.

– ME “Liz” Strauss
Image source: John P.
Need help with writing? Work with Liz!!
SOBCon08 is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. All of that expertise in one room! Register now!

Reviewing Your Face to Face Networking Techniques

Filed Under Business Life, Strategy, Successful Blog | 9 Comments

Liz Goes, Lorelle Guest Posts, Lorraine Gets Control

relationships button

When we’ve got a lot to do, we rely on friends to help us out and over the mound of work that we’re facing. I was delighted when my dear friend, Lorelle, jumped in to help me by writing a guest post for the time I’ll be gone to SxSW.

But as relationships work, sometimes our friends come with their own circle of relationships. A few months ago, Lorelle and I invented an alter ego of hers named Lorraine, who keeps popping up when Lorelle writes certain kinds of blog posts.

Well, Lorraine caught a thought that Lorelle was writing about networking for me and you. Lorraine’s fabulous street-wise, huge-size ego could not allow Lorelle to write that post on her own. Next thing we knew, Lorraine had taken over . . .

Lorelle and I want you to know that we hope you’re in no way offended by Lorraine’s take on the subject. She’s . . . um, er . . . direct and sometimes a little colorful. Enjoy!

Reviewing Your Face to Face Networking Techniques

by Lorraine, alterego of THE famous Lorelle VanFossen

Who are you more willing to come to aid of? A complete stranger or someone you’ve met?

Okay, so we know the answer. People are typically more willing to help those they know than total strangers. So it helps to know as many people as you can so you will get help if you need it, right?

Attending a business conference is about turning strangers into acquaintances into friends. You want to work with your friends, people you trust, people who trust you, and the ones you know can get the job done as well as help you get your job done. Right?

You want the experts and you want to get to know the experts.

Oh, wait. At a business conference, especially one on blogging, you are also the expert. People want to know you. You are the one they are waiting for to come to their aid. This is your chance. Are you ready? Are you trained? Are you prepared for the moment when the moment to perform arrives?

The Successful and Outstanding Bloggers Conference (SOBCon) is the place where experts come to rub shoulders with other experts – no matter what your expertise.

Are you ready to share your expertise and meet the experts at SOBCon in May?

Let’s review your preparation techniques.

The power of online social networking is amazing. You meet people you would never run across in your daily life. You rub virtual shoulders with the whose who of the web. It’s a never ending network of connections as you find new sources of information daily, and others find you as their source.

However, the potential in these networking possibilities only show up when you show up. Show up.

–
Lorelle VanFossen writes for Lorelle on WordPress,
Blog Herald – Taking Your Camera on the Road where you’ll also find
Lorelle’s Family History Blog. Order Her Book Now! Blogging Tips: What Bloggers Won’t Tell You About Blogging

Lorraine is usually locked away where she cannot cause harm.

Thanks, Lorelle!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz to get over your networking phobia!!

Work with Liz!!
SOBCon08 is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. Register now!

Liz’s Thematic Links Story: Lorelle’s Blogging Birthday Quest

Filed Under Successful Blog, ZZZ-FUN | 30 Comments

thematic-links

I Promised I Would Write This Story

In response to the Joanna’s Thematic Links Post WritingChallenge, I promised I would use the titles to write a story. Here is the story that I wrote.

Lorelle’s Blogging Birthday Quest

Once upon a time, a sweet young lady called Lorelle set out to celebrate her blog’s birthday. She went on a quest to find her passion. Seeking knowledge, success, and wisdom, Lorelle went to to the lighthouse at SuccessCREEations. There she saw Chris, the wizard, she had met at SOBCon07. Lorelle was sure that he could help.

In her swirling teal green dress that matched the logo on her blog, Lorelle timidly knocked on the lighthouse door. A very tall, but kindly, Chris pulled back the huge and creaky door. He held a Klondike bar as he looked down, down, down to see the young lady in the swirling teal green dress that matched the swirling logo on her blog. She was looking up, up, up at him.

She noticed that her neck was getting a little crick and stepped back a step.

“I’ve decided to take on more — show people real Blog writing with a purpose,” Lorelle said.

Chris questioned whether he should Fan the Flames. He listened as she spoke.

“I’ve done The Recommended Weekly Readings (2007-08-18). Project Management, ” Lorelle said, sounding like a cross between an encyclopedia and a librarian.

“I was just about to do a blog myself,” Chris said. “It’s called ‘Weekly Wrap-up: War on Clutter.’ Would you like to watch? First of course, I have to clean up the clutter.”

Lorelle caught on right away. “You want me to help you clean your lighthouse. No way!!”

“Perhaps, then . . . ” Chris said, thoughtfully. “Frankly Lorelle, I worry about Google and the Privacy Dilemma. We shouldn’t be in the lighthouse alone. Maybe you should go out to play.”

But our little Lorelle was not to be stopped.

Everyone who knows, knows that you don’t get in the way of a determined Lorelle. She crossed her arms across her chest firmly and stamped one foot in a lovely black patent-leather shoe (that looked so elegant with the teal green dress that matched her blog.) “Why go out and Play when you can be Inside Blogging?”

As the two stood on the doorstep of the lighthouse, several bloggers walked by.

“There you go!” Chris said, seeing opportunity. “Hey, Jon!”

Jon and Brad walked over. Jon said, “Yeah, Chris?”

“Lorelle here wants the “How to Best Pitch Bloggers – a Virtual Group Interview” Speech. Are you the guy who does that?”

“Nope,” said Jon. Brad said, “That would be Jan. He’s out showing GP Why Writing a Link Post Should Be Like Planning a Party. I don’t think you’ll be finding him for a while.”

“What do you guys do that’s a cool blogging trick?” Lorelle asked, stomping her other lovely black patent leather shoe that looked so elegant with her teal green dress that swirled in the same color as her blog logo.

Together the two men said, “We know How to read feeds without driving yourself mad.

“I already know that.” Lorelle said.

A woman named Anastasia walked up to offer Lorelle A learning whirlpool.

Lorelle immediately backed off protecting her lovely black patent leather shoes that looked so elegant with her teal green dress that swirled in the same color as her blog logo.

“Error Retrieving What You Wished For! Retry? Y/N?” asked Alina.

“What are you talking about?” Lorelle asked, not at all sure these ladies were talking about blogs.

“Shared Answers – Final Roundup & the Winner” said Yvonne.

“I don’t want my horoscope read,” Lorelle exclaimed. “I just want to be Linking with intention even When writing means spirit spilling.”

“You should rest. After all next week is A New Week. You might feel differently by then.” Chris finally said to Lorelle.

As Chris walked Lorelle back to her blog, the teal green one with the swirly logo down the road — the one that matched the dress that looked so elegant with the lovely black patent leather shoes. The two travelers were passing a tiny blog when they heard a woman’s voice say, I’m just writing to say thanks.

“Who’s that?” Lorelle asked.

“Can’t tell.” Chris said. “It’s either Liz or Joanna. They’re both always saying stuff like that.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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