Bloggy Questions Archives - Page 17 of 23

Bloggy Life Question 30 — How Does He Get the Book to Readers?

November 19, 2006 by Liz

The Return of Door to Door Sales?

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 hypothetical question. . . .

A friend has written and self-published a targeted, much needed book, Turning a HIgh School Teaching Career into a Profitable Business Training Practice. It’s solid and well written. Every teacher who’s read it wants a copy.

The audience for the book can’t be reached by direct mail. Direct mail no longer works. It goes straight into the circular file. The no call law means telemarketing is out. Your friend has only 800 emails for prospective customers. He can’t afford to take a book tour. Besides, how would the customers know he’s coming to town?

He asks your advice on how to let people know that he’s got this great information to help them start a new career.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Life Question 29 — Will You Sell the URL to the Porn King?

November 12, 2006 by Liz

On Second Thought . . .

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 hypothetical question. . . .

You’ve been blogging a children’s book for three years. It’s part fairy tale, part science fiction meant for kids who are 10-12 years old. Hallelujah and happiness! You’ve not only finished it, but you’ve got agent who’s sold it to a publisher — one of big ones. We’re talking major advance. You’re not J.K. Rowling yet, but you’ve made the minor leagues. Your book will be on library and classroom shelves.

The story is about a boy named Jack who is genetically altered. He can become a giant when the world needs saving. Jack is a superhero with all of the qualities that kids need to read about. The publisher loves Jack but wants to call him Slate to make the book appealing to a wider audience.

You don’t mind. You kind of like the name. Besides, they’re going to build you a fabulous website, and they are already talking a movie deal.

One condition of your contract is that you take down your old URL. You plan to remove the content, and so you put the blog up for sale.

As soon as you put the URL — www.jackthegiant.com — on Site Point the bidding goes crazy. Suddenly you realize what that means. . . . It would make a perfect porn URL.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Life Question 28 — The Prince and the Pauper in the Blogosphere?

November 5, 2006 by Liz

From the A to the Z List

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 hypothetical question. . . .

You went to school with a blogger who happens to be on the A-List. Everyone knows his name. Even mention it and folks get excited to hear that you know him.

Last night you had dinner with your A-Lister friend. He said that he was tired of the constant complaining about A-Listers not linking to people. He tried to make a case that A-Listers blog the same as everyone else. You tried to explain all sides of the issue without taking a stand.

Your A-Lister friend called today to say that he was about to make a free blog. He planned to put up a few posts on his usual subjects and comment where he usually does under an unknown name to see whether people treat him differently.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Life Question 27 — Can You Spare a Ten?

October 29, 2006 by Liz

I’m Down and Out

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 hypothetical question. . . .

A friend has fallen on hard times. He lost his job and hasn’t been able to replace it. His family is barely getting by. In fact, they’re racking up some serious debt. Now, a year later, he’s about to lose his house. He’s thinking about announcing it on his blog and asking for help — outright asking for money. Many folks from his family, your family, and your community read his blog, including possible future employers.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Life Question 26 — Do You Wish to Comment?

October 22, 2006 by Liz

Money for Nothing?

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 hypothetical question. . . .

About two weeks ago, you visited a blog that had a post about a cause that you believe in Ã¢â¬â helping homeless children get a solid education. The post you read was well written and quite moving. You left a comment about your feelings and your ideas, thanking the writer for a great posting. You actually linked to the post and shared the link with a few friends.

This afternoon you received an email from that writer, she was writing you with an offer. Since you are passionate about the same issue, would you want to help in raise awareness? Would you want to read and comment on other blogs discussing the education of homeless children? A group that she is part of is willing to pay you $5.00/comment and provide you with a list of 50 blogs on which you might comment.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Life Question 25 — Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex?

October 15, 2006 by Liz

Mr. um, I mean Ms. er, Sir, Ma’am?

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 question. . .

You’ve been approached by a well-financed enterprised to blog for them on a high-end blog, called Views. The blogging team will be you and one other person, someone of the opposite sex. Each of you will be paid US$60,000/year to post at least six times a week about your opinions on any topic– from music to arithmetic.

The blog will be launched with a massive media blitz, and you’ll have access to the resources of an entire media library for photos and content.

The catch? Each of you must blog under the guise of a member of the opposite sex — in other words, you’d be switching roles — and your contract binds you to keep your true identity secret.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss