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SOB Business Cafe 05-18-07

Filed Under Great Finds, Successful Blog | 4 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

Beth’s Blog goes deep on finding out how our blogs are working for us.

Measuring Your Blog’s Outcomes and Use of Other Social Media Tools

Copyblogger proposes that all blogging is selling. Do you know what the product is?

Why You Are Always Selling With Your Blog

Business Blogging Tips tells why we need to get into the kitchen quick!

WE’RE NOT BLOGGERS – WE’RE PIZZA MAKERS

chrisg has a special offer hidden inside this blog post.

What is a Blog Meme?

The Instigator Blog writing project brings timely news into one productive format.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Productivity

Smart Wealthy Rich wants us to pay some attention to our financial planning.

What If You Could Save Some Of That Hard Earned Money?

Related ala carte selections include

A Glimmer of Hope in Microsoft’s Marketing?

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

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Dear Jim, Stephanie, and the Entire Sofitel OHare Chicago,

Filed Under Successful Blog | 10 Comments

Dear Jim,Stephanie and the entire staff at the Sofitel OHare Chicago,
We’re just five regular people who wanted to have a small convention at your luxury hotel. It was for a bunch of spectacular individuals who do amazing things as part of their daily workload.

Chicago OHare Sofitel

You know the type. I know. I’ve watched you in action, and as one of my friends and colleagues from Montreal would say, “Wow!”

It was minutes within the arrival of the first guest that I heard the compliments to the hotel’s service. I’m still hearing them days since I’ve left. Every small problem was made even smaller. Every person was a delight to work with. What a pleasure you made our visit for the people who came to have what many are calling “the experience of their life.”

The food, the service, the attention, the facillities were elegant and of the highest quality in every respect. It was nice to have a truly quiet room to return to.

Thank you, sincerely.

Liz's Signature

Liz Strauss

cc: Lisa, Chris, Terry, Mike

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Why DO I Blog . . . ? Uh-oh! The Deep, Meaningful Answer

Filed Under Successful Blog | 16 Comments

I've been thinking . . .

When a close friend, Chris Cree, asks me a question, like the one at the end of this post, “Why do you blog?” I have to figure out whether to respond with my default response –a deep meaningful answer.

Some questions — “What are you doing?” — don’t ask for philosophy. I find I keep more friends, and they are happier, if I sort which questions want a deep, meaningful answer and which call for information. (Hey, in the end, you can walk away, but I’m stuck listening to me rattle like an old three-wheel bicycle.)

Gosh, . . . I might have already said more than you needed to know.

[Sorry]

Why do I blog? was the question.

I have three blogs of my own and two others that I blog on regularly. I did two interviews this weekend. Why do I blog? The answer to that has grown, but the reasons haven’t changed.

Chris, you asked for five reasons. When I look out at my blogs these are the ones I see.

  1. I blog because I said I would. When I wrote my first blog post, I made a commitment to myself to write every day. With the next blog, and the blog after, I made more commitments to myself and to anyone who reads what I write. Keeping my word is important to me.
  2. I blog because people need a friend. For years I gave away copies of two journal-like books by one writer. I gave them to folks I knew who needed to know they had a friend. Then those books went out of print. I wanted to make a blog that would offer a place where anyone could go to find a best friend at any hour of the day. I think people deserve a safe place.
  3. I blog because I am an entrepreneur in the 21st century. Blogging is one strategy of my business. Blogging gives my service business substance and a voice. I know that any business supported solely by print and word-of-mouth relationships is isolated and insecure. Blogging directly and indirectly supports my family. It is my credibilitiy across more than 2000 blog posts.
  4. I blog because I value the wealth of the blogosphere. The people, the relationships, the generosity of spirit, the joy of discovery, the learning and laughter, the humanity I experience are what bring me back day after day. Who with curiosity could be bored? We’ve set the bar with words I strive to live — authenticity, transparency, trust, respect, acceptance.
  5. I blog because I believe words can change the world. How could I walk away? Blogging is not an addiction. It’s a heady way of communicating, a meeting place for ideas where they become visible — more visible than the people who have them. I cannot turn my back on the possibility of being useful.

Nothing in my life could have prepared me to be a blogger, except everything in my life.

Now I wonder, you are each unique, Lisa, Brian, David, Tony, Chris . . . Why do you blog?

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SOB Business Cafe 10-20-06

Filed Under Great Finds, Successful Blog | 18 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 title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are



Brain Based Business wants everyone to know migraine isn’t about stress.

A Migraine Alters Your Brain



Nektros wants the emperor to wear decent clothes.

What You Write Is Important But



Tech Buzz reports on a clever scheme that mashes a click exchange with the 80/20 rule to game the traffic at Digg.

Spike the Vote - A bulletproof way to cheqt Digg



TechZonline didn’t miss a step in getting to know his way around.

I didn't stumble upon stumbleupon.com



Writing, Clear and Simple explains how some reporters only offer half of the information they should.

Creeping passive voice in public discourse



Shards of Consciousness answers a question as basic as day and night.

Why We Sleep



Small Dogs Paradise offers sound advice — perfect information for sharing with kids who will be out this Halloween.

How to Avoid Being Attacked by Dogs

Related ala carte selections include



Christine Kane offers 10 ways to stop choosing disaster.

10 Ways to Set a Powerful Intent



Success CREEations is letting the world know the past doesn’t have to predict the future.

Putting the World on Notice

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

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