Successful Blog

Net Neutrality Is in Jeopardy

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Net Neutrality

Brian Clark at Copyblogger defines Net Neutrality in way that we can all understand it.

All of your current Internet marketing plans depend on Net Neutrality. And likely a lot that you do online outside the scope of business depends on it too. Net Neutrality allows everyone to compete on a level playing field and is the reason that the Internet is a force for economic innovation, civic participation and free speech. —The Four Horsemen of the Internet Apocalypse

Why is Brian talking about Net Neutrality?

Because Doc Searls is . . . and so is Jeff Pulver . . . and so am I — on all three of my blogs. [Read more…]

Pick a Number–Just Make Sure It’s a BIG One

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The First One to Pick a Number

HAS POWER. I found that out last night. It was exciting. Here’s what happened.

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In yesterday’s article, Job [and Client] Hunting ala Liz, I added three bits of advice I had learned about negotiating meetings. This was one.

The first one to name a number loses. To me that’s self-explanatory. If I say a number, they’re not going to go higher. If they ask, I usually answer with . . . what the work is worth, let’s talk a little more about what’s involved and what you usually pay for this kind of work.

I found out in less than 2 hours I was wrong. WAY COOL. [Read more…]

Job [and Client] Hunting ala Liz

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Gosh You Look Great

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You have your act totally together. You know how to answer every question. You can explain how to capitalize on your strengths and how you make your weaknesses irrelevant. You can explain your biggest challenge and how you handled it with finesse and outstanding interpersonal skills. Your resume is a personal branding brochure and an inviting picture of who you are. You can see yourself as a leader and explain what your best traits are in simple, clear sound bytes. Your personal branding BIG IDEA shines through your eyes, your words, and everything you do. You are cool.

That doesn’t change the fact that job [and client] hunting is stressful. Even if you didn’t put your pants on backwards. [Read more…]

If He’s a Pulitzer Winner, Call Me a Citizen Journalist

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Busted

In every Greek Tragedy, the protagonist has a tragic flaw that causes his downfall. I don’t see a protagonist here. I see someone who never outgrew schoolyard.

Last night the LA Times suspended a Pulitzer Prize winner’s blog for something he did that any 7-year-child knows isn’t right.

His name is Michael Hiltzik, and he lied by pretending to be someone else.

He’s a journalist, and he lied in print. He wrote comments under pseudonyms–nice ones on his own blog and not so nice ones on blogs that had content that disagreed with the content on his. [Read more…]

Blogging Improves Job Prospects

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The Boston Globe Says So

On Apri 16, boston.com, the blog of the Boston Globe, ran a story called Blogs ‘essential to a good career’. It’s a paid subscription to the old paper’s archives so I’m going to summarize the argument — use it when you need to explain blogging as more than an online diary.

The main points of the blog post are that

  • blogging gets folks visibility
  • blogs update more often and so rank higher in search engines when employers Google candidates, which employers are doing
  • blogging forms connection with other bloggers much like networking
  • blogging shows a blogger starting conversations and interacting with others, which are positive traits that employers look for
  • blogging is the consummate home page, resume, and interview put together
  • blogging is an education–in order to blog on any subject daily a blogger gets to know it well
  • blogging opens up opportunities–blogging IS walking the walk–a blogger can pretend to know and so opportunities start to show up.
  • blogging offers a chance to add content to the Internet rather than always taking it away.

But then, if you’re a blogger, you already knew that. In fact, you probably don’t need this list at all.

Here is the link to PAY FOR What’s Obvious.

Just kidding, Boston Globe. I’m the nice one. Really I am. I was also careful to have the article in the other room while I wrote this summary down.

[Hat tip to Kaps for helping me source link the article]
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles:

Your Resume-The Brand YOU Brochure
Writing–Ugh! 10 Reasons to Get Jazzed about Writing
Brand YOU–You Are What They See
Who’s a Citizen Journalist?

There’s No Putting ME in a Box

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A Heartwarming Story

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One more story–this one will explain the last. You may already know it. It’s inspiring and heartwarming. I’ve encountered it more than once myself.

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.

They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back……every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.

It’s a lovely read, but it’s not what happened. [Read more…]