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The Mic is On: We're Going on a Road Trip!

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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.

Liz is Out of Town & We’re Going On a Road Trip

Liz is on the road heading home from SXSW tonight.

But never fear she left me the keys to the blog so Open Comment Night is SO on. And while we’re talking it up we’ll be munching on our Klondike Bars and whatever else Liz left us in the side bar.

Bwaaah-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Chris Cree Gravitar

Here are some ideas to get us started

  • Favorite Road Trip Stories
  • Places We’d Most Like to Visit
  • Must-have Road Trip Items
  • Passing the Time on the Road
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And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and did I mention Klondike Bars? (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring example links to share — especially examples of great road trip destinations!

–Chris Cree

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: We're Going on a Road Trip

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Join Us Tonight

Liz is Out of Town & We’re Going On a Road Trip

Liz is on the road heading home from SXSW tonight. But never fear she left me the keys to the blog so Open Comment Night is SO on.

Bwaaah-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Chris Cree Gravitar

We might talk about favorite road trip stories, places we’d most like to visit, must have road trip items, passing the time on the road, and especially Klondike Bars! (Mmmmm….)

Oh, and bring example links to share — especially examples of great road trip destinations!

The rules are simple — be nice.

Do be nice. 🙂

–Chris Cree

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

The Mic is On: We're Talking about Permission vs. Interruption Marketing

by

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.

Cold Calls, Spam, and Uninvited Visitors — What’s the Difference Between. . .

. . . the folks who are helpful and the folks who want to sell ya? How can you let the people who have something of value get to your door and keep the others away? Who’s a friend? How can be one? What the best way to approach someone you don’t know?

How do you differentiate between

  • Givers or Takers
  • Invitations or Spam
  • A Fan or A Stalker
  • A Cold Call or A Warm Hello
953196_62159173.jpg

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 example links to share — especially examples of great ways to say hello!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: It's Permission vs. Interruption Marketing

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Join Us Tonight

Cold Calls, Spam, and Uninvited Visitors — What’s the Difference Between. . .

. . . the folks who are helpful and the folks who want to sell ya? How can you let the people who have something of value get to your door and keep the others away? Who’s a friend? How can be one? What the best way to approach someone you don’t know?

We might talk about the difference between givers or takers, invitations or spam, fan or stalker, cold call or warm hello, or whatever else comes up, even flamenco dancing.

Oh, and bring example links to share — especially examples of great ways to say hello!

The rules are simple — be nice.

Do be nice. 🙂

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

How to Network at a Social Media Breakfast

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My Name Is Liz Strauss

relationships button

In a few minutes, I’ll be leaving to attend Jeff Pulver’s Chicago Social Media Breakfast. If you haven’t heard, Jeff is going around the US meeting folks from the world of Tech and Blogging. He came to Chicago for this event. Bloggers are gathering to me him and each other. Yeah!

As the host, Jeff has invented a way for his guests who just met to find it easier to talk to each other. Take minute to watch him talk about his “Social Networking Toolkit.”

I’m having a few thoughts about how I might make those two hours successful. Here are my tips for anyone who might be doing the same in the near future.

  • Dress comfortably. In clothes that make you feel good about who you are. It’s no fun to meet people feeling like you are really who you are.
  • Keep your goal for attending realistic and low stress. I want to meet new people and find out what they do.
  • Know that even though the other folks there might be looking at you. They could be thinking about you looking at them. Smile as if we’re all in on the secret. Break the ice for them by making yourself approachable, most will be grateful.
  • Have a question ready for that moment when the air seems call for a conversation to start between you and another person. Mine is “What do you do when you’re not doing this?”
  • When someone asks a question that leaves you feeling self-conscious or without an answer say so. . . . “I make everyone at these events so important. It throws me a bit. Could you hold on while I recover my ability to think? . . . Often just saying so gets past the feeling and moves me on to the next part of the conversation.
  • If you make everyone else the center of the universe, it’s hard to feel self-conscious or under a microscope. Get curious and see how many people you can get to tell you about themselves. Ask broad questions such as how they got where they are, what they wonder, or how they’d rewrite a recent industry event if they could.

I remember a friend who, when she and her husband started a new business, they made a contest to see who might get the most rejections from sales calls. I’ve made a contest for myself. I’m going to see how many folks I might get to talk to me when I go there.

What advice can you add for networking newbies about to attend their first networking breakfast?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

The Mic is On: We're Talking About Aliens!

by

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.

Have we seen one lately?

We might talk about:

  • UFOs
  • Area 51
  • Twilight Zone
  • Dr. Who
  • Star Trek
aliens.jpg

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 about aliens to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?