Gosh, I’ve Been Lucky

If you look in the sidebar of my blog, you’ll see something someone named the “Liz Manifesto.” It says that I want to make one person’s life better.

It’s my experience as a blogger that so many people do that every chance they get. I learn so much from every one of you. I value every relationship. Guess that makes me . . . a relationship blogger.

Bloggers help each other in little and big ways, head on and sideways. It’s what we do. No argument about that.

But five highly successful bloggers made an outstanding difference in my life. I’d like to thank them.

My Top 5 Successful Bloggers Who Made a Difference

When I started blogging two years ago, I was a newbie who knew how to write and who cared a lot. Like the rest of us, I didn’t expect to find a world of communities and people who would become so important to me. I didn’t expect to learn so much in such a short time. I’d like to introduce five people who have taught me the most important things. (They’re in no particular order.)

• Darren Rowse I can hardly remember a time that I didn’t know Darren and yet each day I feel I get to know a little more about him. He gave me my first link at Successful Blog. He is a man of his word, who goes deep. More importantly, it was his Blogging Goals writing project that got me to write My Blogging Goal. That document made me think through my future. I jumped with both feet that day. Thank you, Darren.
• Paul Scrivens When I first started at Successful Blog I was writer working for Scrivs. He is a busy man, and always has been one. Successful Blog was part of a small network of his called “Fine Fools.” At one point, a blogger wasn’t very nice to me. Paul Scrivens stood up and publicly defended me in what was, then, the Wild, Wild West of Blogging. Paul Scrivens won my heart and my respect that day. A few months later, he gave Successful Blog to me. He also won my gratitude. Scrivs changed my life with his generosity. I’ll never forget where and how I got my start. Thank you, Paul.
• Jeremy Wright At time when I didn’t know whether I should keep blogging. I called Jeremy to ask him about my option. We talked a while. He called me back later that Saturday and invited me to be a member of b5 media. Jeremy also became my channel editor. A busy guy, he always had time for me. He gave me perspective and straight talk about how I might handle the business of my uniquely Liz style of blogging. Jeremy changed my life by making a place for me and sharing his experience and his humanity. Thank you, Jeremy.
• Seth Godin Last June I went to a Seth Godin seminar with Ann Michael. I usually find plenty of reason not to attend such events. But the combination of those two — Ann and Seth — was unbeatable. I learned so much by going. To this day, I’m still quoting Seth, his clear view of the world got me to see that I had left part of my skillset behind when I decided to leave educational publishing. I went back and got it. Thank you, Seth.
• Doc Searls Until this week, I had never talked to Doc Searls, I had only read what he had written. But I long ago called him my Walter Cronkite. He is the blogger I look to for clear thinking on the issues about the Internet. He cares about it for the right reasons. Now that I’ve had a conversation, I can only confirm what I already knew. He has improved my thinking. Thank you, Doc.

Five remarkable bloggers have made a difference in my life — not just my blogging. In their own ways, each one has made me a better person. How could not I take advantage of this chance to tell you about them?

Who are the bloggers who have made a difference in your life?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
My Blogging Goal