Pick the Hit for the Playlist
For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life not-so-hypothetical question. . . .
We do it when we go to concerts. We’re hoping they’ll play that one song. . . .
With SOBCon07 just 9 weeks away, I have my presentation coming together in a uniquely Liz-like fashion. Based on a true a story, the saga will reveal through photos and bloggy observations how a bashful, clumsy, toddler grew through her gawky, invisible teenage existence into adulthood gathering knowledge as a writer to finally find that everything she learned about blogging, she learned in two places — her father’s saloon and dancing school.
It will be a comedy and an interactive relationship experience. However, as with any production I know, folks will come with preconceived notions of what they hope I will include. And to be frank — I know I’m Liz, but you know what I mean.– I want folks to get that one thing they’re hoping for.
So I’m asking, if you were going to SOBcon 07 — even if you can’t, suppose you were — what one thing just has to be part of my presentation “playlist” for folks to got what they came for? “What one thing would you hope that I would talk about?
Write your one thing in the comment box and I’ll fit your ideas in my time to talk.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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I’m interested to know more about how corporate blogging can influence and affect marketing and bottom line sales of a company.
Hi Doris!
Welcome! getting a business involved in the conversation is the same topic — small business or large. We’ll be talking about that in the afternoon. That’s a good reminder. I’ll make sure that the guys have it on their agenda. Meanwhile we’ll have some conversation about it here. 🙂
I don’t know your stories as well as some others. I would be the guy trying to sing along without knowing the lyrics 😉
If I was there I would want to hear what you get out of blogging, what keeps you motivated and what you like to see when you visit another blog. What moulded your approach to blogging and where you see things going into the future.
Hi Chris!
Thank you for that. Since one thing I see in the future is me sending you a name tag with SOB on it, because you couldn’t make it across the pond for the event, you might take a peek at My Blogging Goal — it hits several of your interest points — personal payoff, ongoing motivation, and what molded me.
These will all fits nicely into what I’ve planned for the interactive-intro session. What I see and where blogs are going fits will in our blog critique in the afternoons.
Thanks Crhis, you’re not stranger. I like that too.
Hey Liz,
I really wish I could teleport over to hear you speak.
Anyway, if I had that ONE thing to hear from you, it’ll be: “How do you manage your time, between all the things you do as a writer – blogging on several blogs, reading and getting to know so many people in the blogosphere?”
Hi Kian Ann,
It’s so interesting. Some folks predicted there would be only one question, and no one has it.
Time — Priorities are always in focus or I am lost. Do the big plan. Then only think of what is next, not beyond or you will get ‘whelmed. 🙂
Liz,
I never tire of the Famous Canoe Analogy!
Mike
Hi Mike,
Actually that story is excellent in person. 🙂 Maybe if someone asks, I’ll tell it on LIVE Open Mic night!
I figured it would be! 🙂
Liz,
I think I would want to know the one thing that blogmeisters insist is a “must” but that you have discovered is a “myth.”
Blogging myths … aah, a perfect topic for a conference where you can actually *discuss* rather than get attacked or fill your post with caveats!
Here are some for you
– content is king
– anyone can do it
– google loves blogs
– people don’t read on the web
– blogging is a fad
– blogging is forever
– blogs are diaries
– blogs are for people with no life
– there are too many blogs now to be noticed
– you have to write every day
– you have to be a good writer
….
Hey Chris,
Those are wonderful! Pretty I’m going to be looking for a sponsor to fly you over. We’re making every presentation interactive, so there’s plenty of room for discussion.
I’d like to add:
design doesn’t matter
every blog is unique
the more feeds the better
Hi Steve!
Wow! I like your question in #10. There’s one in my comment 12 . . . But I’m going to be thinking on that I don’t usually listen to “the rules,” so I’ll need to review. 🙂
Liz, here’s what someone asked about SOBcon at my blog: “What are they going to tell me in person that I couldnââ¬â¢t read on various blogs for free?”
I think what he’s really asking is for some proof that blogs have financial meaning for companies (cif #1).
The myths would be good too.
Hi Mark!
That’s a great question! An experience is different in person. A person who attends will be able to meet and ask specific questions. I’ll be telling things in more detail than I could ever write efficiently. We’ve also organized the conference to be interactive. One whole session I’m doing is going to be blog critiques — something almost impossible to do well in text. That session will be high in audience participation as well.
PS Mark,
I left out the part about the financial meaning for companies. We have a panel of marketing/branding guys speaking to using blogs for busines. But let me answer this way. . . .
Knowing how to use a blog to develop relationships is the key. Busieness is relationships, plain and simple. Folks on the phone talking to customers, folks in the exhibit hall talking to customers, folks on a blog talking to customers. All of these should be actively listening for what the customer isn’t, can’t, doesn’t know how to say — his or her point of pain. So the company can solve it.
Of the three examples above, only the blogger has the ongoing opportunity to build a community. Community is a place where I trust the people I talk to. I go to them for solutions and recommedations.
I know how to build community. I’ll be speaking to that SOBcon. I can’t imagine a business not wanting to know how to build a high-trust community with its customers. 🙂
Those are good answers, Liz. I’m still amazed that some companies don’t seem to get it.
Or maybe blogging is just really hard to do well–and they recognize the risks of doing it poorly.
At any rate, I will be there if I can be!
Mark,
Think only of being there. Intenion means to stretch toward. Aspiration means to breathe twoard. 🙂
And Inspiration means to breathe life into–which you have been doing for many blogs for sometime now. Thanks for the continued encouragement and practical advice you offer people here.
I’ve gotta unplug now and do some old fashioned pen and paper editing. : )
After that, Mark, will you do my work for me? 🙂
Liz,
You are obviously fantastic at building community, and all references to you that I see and hear are positive.
A wonderful aspect of what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve been reading your blog is that you care — about people and the things that you do. You are building networks because you actually care about them and want to get to know them. You then build trust and rely on the people in your network. Your relational model is real rather than forced. It’s part of what makes your blog and comments on other blogs a joy to read.
I wonder if that relational model can be taught. I know that it can be encouraged in others who already have the right mindset. However, there are those that usually form relationships from a selfish perspective. Even enlightened self-interest will not be as successful as real caring in a relational model.
Perhaps wrong perspective can be changed through real-life examples at SOBCon07. Maybe a person with selfish motives can learn from examples, or learn by being around people with right motives — the caught rather than taught idea. I don’t have a good answer, and was hoping that you or your readers might.
Tariq,
Thank you for what you said about me. Yeah I care. Without people I would be shallow and not of much value. Who would make my thoughts bigger? Who would help untangle me?
Who would know my name? Who’s name would I call when the night is frightening, if there were no people around me?
Do I believe that a leopard can lose his spots? No. Do I believe that people can come to realize how and why caring about the other guy is the coolest thing? Yes. Will it be everyone? Heck no. Some folks won’t ever like me either.
What do I base my thinking on? I’m a teacher. I’m also different enough that for me learning how other folks think was a survival skill. 🙂
You see, some people think that caring about others, that giving yourself away is losing something . . . but it’s not. Every act of generosity benefits the giver as well as the receiver.
It’s hard work fighting to hold on things. That makes a person tense, distrustful, and cranky. It’s costs to be selfish.
The logic holds up no matter how someone tests it. The ROI is higher on taking care of other people. One generous act leads to another. Generosity gets to be a habit — joy is addictive. 🙂
That’s why it stands a chance. 🙂
Liz,
You are welcome. You deserve the comments.
I agree with your thoughts and the logic in them, and also know that the change is possible. Thanks for being someoneone willing to reach out, to help bring about that change.
Tariq,
Thank you for believing it’s possible. 🙂
Darn it, Liz! I have to edit. But that comment was just so wonderful…
Mark, (whenever you get back on line) You could point the skeptics and the unsure to some Evidence that Business Blogging Works. 😉
Then you could tell them that folks like me, Mike Sansone, and Ben Yoskovitz and many other incredibly knowledgeable people will be at the conference available to chat with folks who want to know more.
I’m just saying. If they’re asking… 🙂
okay Mark,
mmmpf, mmfpph, mmmfph. 🙂
Liz, The one thing I think “must” be included in your presentation is the answer to this question:
What is the key ingredient to building community around a blog? Is there more than one?
I’m with you that business is all about people. So is blogging. And with a blog, as the sense of community grows, so does the traffic. (I’m assuming that is the correct order.) And lots of good things can happen as the traffic grows.
But how do you explain to folks, especially those who are just starting out, what it takes to build that sense of community?
Hi Chris,
You just answered Mark’s original question about why go to the conference. :0
That is one question too large for a comment box. It starts with a high-trust environment and room to listen.
And you’re so right about community and traffic working together to make a space grow.
But the way to get all of that to happen is a conversation that would take several blog posts and still not translate as well as just one presentation.
Did I answer your question?
That’s why I’d like to see you address it at the conference. 😉
Hi Chris!
I think it’s a question that belongs at a conference in relationship blogging. After all that’s the heart of what we’re about. You bet I will. 🙂