Successful Blog

44 More Blue Feather WordCamp Chicago Tweeters

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Sweet WordCamp Chicago – Part 2

Last week I wrote about some of the great people we met at WordCamp Chicago. This week I send you the rest of them.

At WordCamp Chicago this year we shared our twitter names with our WordCamp “tribe.” WordCamp is the spirit of small business come alive offline. We work together to make a community event happen when just a short time before there was none.

We go home knowing we’ve learned. W leave friends we can still reach out to online. Here are the rest of the WordCamp Chicago Blue Feather Tweeters who left their information with me.

  1. Tom Attana, technical, @TomAttana
  2. Christopher Cross, serial entrepreneur @cmcross
  3. Lin Chen, web designer @linchen
  4. Tom Evans, Small Biz and Sports Athlete @timothymevans
  5. Debbie Kong, creative helpful @kongsterville
  6. Darren Champen, new blogger @dchampen
  7. Barbara Rozgoyni, PR professional @wiredprworks
  8. Tillman Bauknight family freedom @Tilly85
  9. Bryan Hauer, theme designer @bryanhauer
  10. ryan Imel, web designer @ryanimel
  11. Jeff Chandler, networking communication @WPtavern
  12. Steve Blaskie, Erin’s Cheerleader @zepphead
  13. Dan Schultz, forum junkie @Dan Schultz
  14. David Griffith, lifelong learner @DDGriffith
  15. Jason Pelker, freelance developer@dougdevitre
  16. Len Mason, bored weekends, @lenmason
  17. Alex Falkenberg, thank you, @JPelker
  18. Brian Lis, irresistible, @brianlis
  19. Beth McBride, need knowledge, @BethMcB
  20. Jeff Milone, theme builder @jeffmilone
  21. Cory Miller, Theme builder @CoryMiller
  22. Jeremy Wright … @jeremywright
  23. Alex Cancado, learn networking @acancado
  24. Hirsch Fishman, Passion for usable design @Addicott Web
  25. Dave Bost, technology evangelist @davebost
  26. David Lawler, learning experience @davelawler
  27. Mike McCallister, writer @workingwriter
  28. Jessica Searles, WordPress Security @techwriterjess
  29. Bob RandKlev, website development @BobRandKlev
  30. Grant Gannon, seeking epiphany @grantgannon
  31. Adria Richards, technology training @AdriaRichards
  32. Craig Tuller, Taking blogs to the next level @craigtuller
  33. Ashley Hittinger, student, philosopher @arae
  34. Darryl Markette, I sent my songs to the world. @DMarkette
  35. Theresa Christensen, to network for my blog @GradingGirl
  36. Gary LaPointe, WordPress convert @GaryLaPointe
  37. Paul Shailos, expand knowledge @Filthygoods
  38. Denise Hayes, @birdbeauty
  39. Matt Thiessen, open code @stillatmylinux
  40. Theresa Christensen, to network for my blog @GradingGirl
  41. Ellie Smith, learner @n2turtles
  42. Rachel Baker, IT consultant @rachelbaker
  43. HopeBertram, perky, smart, fun @interactivehope
  44. Beth Rosen, extraordinary @bethrosen

I connect things … and people.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

10 Ways You Can Use Twitter for Small Biz

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Twitter Friends

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I’ve been working on a new Twitter presentation for a client that wants the whole team — the whole company — to be part of the conversation. The one I used last was built a while back and Twitter has changed some since then. As I was working on this new presentation new ideas about how the Twitter culture has grown kept coming to me.

They became this simple list and I thought you might find them useful too.

10 Ways to Use Twitter for Small Biz

When you’re on Twitter, you might try a few of these ways to add value and extend your relationships …

  1. Curate a small biz reading list that you filter and share links from.

    2. @BeckyMcCray writes Small Biz Survival

  2. Follow the leaders.
    @smallbiztrends

    3. @barrymoltz
    @TobyDiva
    @problogger

  3. Share ideas that have worked for you … or not.

    4. @stacybrice tweeted: i just got my Play Doh from #sobcon hopelessly stuck to a piece of paper.

  4. Talk about what other folks do well.

    5. @johnhaydontweeted: @Veribatim Can @JeffHunt make robots? Have two ever seen “The Iron Giant”?

  5. Share resources when you find them.

    6. GrowMap tweeted: This is the blog post by @designstrike where I found those and many more #dofollow Social Networking sites. http://su.pr/5ggaxe

  6. Retweet what’s good.

    7. KennedyIAm tweeted: RT @warrenss: Great collection of “must read” whitepapers for social media & business curated by @123socialmedia http://bit.ly/D3wFU #smwp

  7. Share events and announcements

    8. @roundpeg tweeted: I’m attending Citizen Debate: Healthcare, presented by Smaller Indiana – http://hcdebate.eventbrite…. #indy will you be there?

  8. Find people who share specialized tips, tools, and tricks.

    9. @philrichards tweeted: The Temporary Workplace Rules explained – http://bit.ly/2PTKPW

  9. Talk to people … use the @ sign a lot.

    10. @david_body tweeted: @rubbish That’s what the sellers probably thought. (Doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.)

  10. Let your personality shine.

    11. @brentleary — tweeted: I always get the scrunchy face when I hear that guitar solo. if anyone ever doubted Prince’s skills on the guitar, send them a link to that!

Twitter has a lot in common with small business. It’s nimble, quick, and versatile. It takes time to get started. but can reach customers with care.

What’s Twitter has that most small businesses don’t is a far reaching network at little cash cost. Learn the culture and the lingo, you might find a world of friends and new ideas that make your small business take on that thrill of a new beginning again.

Twitter doesn’t just extend relationships, it makes it easy to make new ones. We find new friends, new customers, new people to partner with, new ideas, new channels of feedback. It’s an open channel for asking questions about our businesses and learning what others see, experience, and know. A curious learner can gain a wealth of knowledge a generous, experienced person can gain a wealth of followers.

Have you found even other ways that Twitter helps small business? Which work best for you?

I connect things … and people.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Extreme Hesitation and Extreme Strategy: Are You Willing to Own Your Life?

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I've been thinking . . .

about hesitation and strategy.

I was painfully shy as a child. If you’ve been there, then you know. Painfully shy is literally painful — it scrapes at your being. You know who you are are, but for some cloudy reason, a wall prevents you. You can’t let the world see you. All you are or all you can be stays tucked away .

It’s what today would be called Extreme Hesitation.

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Yet leaders outgrow those childhood fears and walls, don’t we?
Do we?

I was faced with a situation last winter. What was awful was that — even to me — the question looked so trivial, but it had to do with what I had named “visible authenticity.” They said wear this. I said “no.” They cared more than I did. But we had agreed that I would be dressing to reflect the essence of my personality. “This” wasn’t me.

I felt painfully shy once more … I recognized the conflict, but now I was grown enough to put words to the feeling.

I knew me better than they did. Authenticity was my choice, and choosing for me was my responsibility..

I learned about owning my life.
I think of it as Extreme Strategy.

Choose your own path, but always choose wisely.
Leaders don’t need to follow, nor do they choose the road that will draw the most followers.
They don’t say “yes,” when their hearts and their feet are telling them to say “no.”

Traveling other our path is what makes being shy truly painful.

Leaders don’t hesitate in moving forward.
People who are afraid do.
Leaders don’t look for approval.
They know.
They go where their head, their heart, and their purpose compels them to go.

And people follow.

Because deeply knowing where you’re going is irresistibly attractive.

Authenticity is the key to leadership strategy. Own what you know and find the opportunities. The rest is just learning. We’ve been doing that since we started school.

Are you willing own your life?

I make connections.

Liz's Signature

The Mic Is On: It's a Virtual Cookout Tonight!

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It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

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.

Bring Whatever You Like to Eat!

Let’s get some friends and enjoy the evening in the backyard. Let’s forget about bosses and mentors, outsourcing, or hiring a virtual assistant. We can talk about mosquitoes, and the fire burning, and maybe tell a story or two. Just like when we used to have time to do things like that …

Remember when?

Let’s bring it back for the heck of it!

172385_cookout_1

image: sxc.hu

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 links of your favorite CookOut things to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Have You Got a Change Manager?

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The Value of an Outside Observer

insideout logo

A while back, I was at lunch with a consultant from a top tier strategy firm, a specialist in change management. Her company works with international mega-corporations. They investigate communication disconnects, process model breakdowns, and unproductive beliefs, habits, and behaviors. Their studies are qualitative and quantitative. Their strategic reports are solid, multi-leveled, interdepartmental, focused and team-based. It’s fascinating to hear how it works.

At the core of the process is helping corporations and individuals see themselves so that they can change to accomplish their goals. No one knows the value of an outside observer better than a world class firm in the business of doing do so.

Yet as the conversation continued, I heard the fatal flaw. The top-tier consultancy was performing a “change management” project within their own firm. No outside professionals were invited to help.

“We can do it ourselves. It’s our business,” was what she said.

I thought, I suppose every one of their clients thinks the same thing.

…

Of course, we’d never make that sort of mistake.

Have you got a change manager?
I started working with mine right after that lunch.

I make connections.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Need a change?

Buy the ebook. Learn online conversation.

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: We're Having a Virtual Cookout Tonight!

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Join Us Tonight

Bring Whatever You Like to Eat!

Let’s get some friends and enjoy the evening in the backyard. Let’s forget about bosses and mentors, outsourcing, or hiring a virtual assistant. We can talk about mosquitoes, and the fire burning, and maybe tell a story or two. Just like when we used to have time to do things like that …

Remember when?

Let’s bring it back for the heck of it!

Oh, and bring cookout links to share —

The rules are simple — be nice.

Do be nice. 🙂

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?