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
Awwwww…
Y’know, you’ve been through a lot and not only survived but really thrived. It sounds weird to say “I’m proud of you” to someone older, wiser and more experienced…
But I am. Fiercely proud.
You rock Liz, sorry I couldn’t join you next week for SOBCon 🙁
Commentus apparitus!
Hmm. Guess it didn’t work that time.
Liz,
Good thing the $1001 prize is being selected randomly. A poignant tribute to five people you admire (one of them being the judge of the contest), is pretty powerful stuff.
Mike
P.S. Love the blog goal, too!
Hi Mike!
I don’t know how Darren does it, but at the last minute he gets me to write my heart out. I always say not this time and then I do it two days before it the contest ends. 🙂
Thank you for what you wrote. I won’t ask your definition of the Latin. 🙂
Not latin. A Hogwart’s style incantation to restore a comment lost in the ether. We’ve seen it work before…
Well, there’s *you*.
Curt Rosengren’s Occupational Adventure (http://curtrosengren.typepad.com/occupationaladventure) is another mainstay (you’re probably tired of hearing me repeat his name). His blog reminds me there’s more to life than the job that takes 40 hours of my week, and that I’m defined by more than my job. And his enthusiasm for what he does just radiates through the computer screen.
The Motto blog (http://www.whatsyourmotto.com) — formerly Worthwhile — because they blog about such a wide range of topics and because I’ve been turned on to more books, etc. by them that I would not have heard of otherwise.
Michael Stelzner’s Writing White Papers blog. Although this is a VERY SMALL part of what I do, I read him because I like what he’s been able to do with what others would regard as a tight niche. He’s pithy, precise, professional, and pretty friendly (can you hear the groan of that alliteration trying to make the stretch?).
CopyBlogger, because Brian practices what he preaches and is, as a result, a good role model for everyone else.
Oh heck, Jeremy!
If you could see me. . . .
Goes both ways, especially the fiercely.
We’ll have that drink one day.
Hey Whitney!
Good on you to know the folks who make a difference and to be willing to say so.
Thank you for including me in such a list. You know you’ve taught me a thing or two yourself. 🙂
Darren would be near the top of my list also. His effect on bloggers is subtle, but very definite, at least in my case.
Hi James!
Welcome! Yes. How well said. I think most folks don’t really realize what they’ve taken away from interacting with Darren until they reflect on it. 🙂
Well – you’re number one on my list!
There are so many others – Mike Sansone, Phil Gerbyshak, Roger Von Oech, Richard Charkin, Scott Karp, Steve Reubel, John Dodds, Pam Slim. I’ve not talked to them all, but they have all made a difference in my thinking!!!
All of them great people I might have never known about if it weren’t for blogging!
Hey you!
You’ve made a difference too! You get me thinking about all kinds of things. I think you’re brilliant! 🙂
thanks Liz – you’re too kind.
Hey, great topic, Liz.
Let’s see…my list:
1. Darren Rouse – He really helped me get a start with his helpful posts on blogging.
2. Liz Strauss – BIG surprise, right? Always available, always helpful.
3. Brian Clark – Copyblogger has been very informative, as far as design and basic content guidelines.
That pretty much wraps up my inspirations because I came into the game so late. I’ve picked up several other great reads that are totally packed with inspiration, but I was already driving 100mph and would put about 20 blogs that I read nearly every day into a “coaching” category of great examples of what a blog is supposed to be.
Hey Jesse,
With your list, it almost seems that Brian should change his last name to Krauss to fit in propoerly. 🙂
You’ve done so much for SOBCon, lifting the heavy weights that I have you in my gratitude hall of fame. 🙂
‘twern’t nuthin’, ma’am. 🙂
I can’t believe I misspelled Darren’s name. (Sorry, Darren!)
I will be cutting it close with my arrival time, but can’t wait to get there. The hotel said the shuttle comes by the doors every 20 minutes.
Hey Jesse,
It may have seemed easier and nothing to you, kind sir, but it was a universe lifted off my shoulders to me. 🙂
Darren,
I’m not too kind. You are a decent human being, who treat people well and respects them with honor. I am just the right amount of kind, at least in your case I am.
I know what I know.
Hi I am sure you won their admiration too just because you know the importance of gratitude.
Yes all the great man says that gratitude is the first step of attracting more in life.
I have also set up a blog. Its focus is to share with people the principles , examples and techniques of law of attraction so that I can benefit more people and empower them to take charge of their life.
I think your idea is very correct. Every successful blogger is a relationship blogger. I like your phase!
Hi Karen,
Gratitude is something that we all should value more — both the giving and the receiving. It’s a bond that weaves a strength into a relationship. It may seem to place two at unequal positions, but in reality it levels the playing field and makes both people the recipients of a gift. 🙂
Liz, the problem is that I can’t contain the list to five people no matter how hard I try. This is all I can come up with:
Liz Strauss
Liz Strauss
Liz Strauss
Liz Strauss
Liz Strauss.
Can you help?
Nevermind, I KNOW you can.
OMG!!!
You found out about my MPD! I’m ruined!
Too funny.
Thank you, Lisa. I was happy to help you. That kind of thing is what I am good at doing. So it’s fun for me. 🙂
What an excellent list Liz. In my mind, you yourself should be at the top of a list like this for a lot of people.
Now I’m really wishing that I could be at SOBcon.
Hoping to see you at the b5 meet in New York if you will be attending.
Only heard of the first blogger (Darren) will check out the other bloggers. Some useful pages on your blog. 🙂
Hi Alden, Thank you so much for what you said. 🙂
I would love to meet you there too. I’m not sure I’ll be able to go, but I’m hoping.
Hi Richard,
I’m delighted to introduce you to these great bloggers. I hope you find them as inpriational as I do.