Successful Blog

Mini-Session 3: Five Things about Creativity

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Guest Speaker: Mark McGuinness

Five Things about Creativity

1. Creativity happens inside the box as well as outside it – yes you need to free your mind and think laterally, but you also need rules, deadlines and constraints.

2. Creativity happens between people, not just between the ears – inspiration comes from conversation; if no-one ever hears about your idea, it may as well not exist.

3. What’s obvious to you is original to others – you’re often at your most creative when you stop trying to be original and say the first thing that comes into your mind.

4. Creativity is a mind-altering substance – when was the last time you were so absorbed in your imagination that time stood still, your surroundings disappeared and you were lost in another world?

5. Creativity can be managed – artists learn to manage their own creative process; the best managers do the same for others.

Thank you, Mark
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Visit Mark at his website and blog, Wishful Thinking, where he works with professionals on how creativity and business fit together. –ME “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Mark, how can I help businesses value creativity?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 2: The Importance of Visuals in a Post

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Guest Speaker: Sandy Renshaw

Graphics! Why do we need ’em?

Don’t underestimate the importance of visuals in a post. More than 60% of us are visual learners. A well-placed graphic can express your idea quickly.
They

  • Break up the text
  • Make life interesting
  • Extend meaning

How do graphics impact you when you are visiting blog sites?

Thank you,
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Visit Sandy’s blog, Purple Wren, where discuss visual images as part of life and the tools and techniques used to make visuals that communicate effectively.. –ME Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Sandy, how do you decide how many and which visuals to use?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 1: Mistakes and Laughter

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Guest Speaker: Robyn McMaster, PhD

Have you ever laughed at a mistake that could have sunk you? Not long ago, while leading a conference for doctors, business leaders and faculty, I spilled a glass of water on Ellen Weber’s suit. I froze. But Ellen laughed, and soon amusement bounced off walls of the room.

Laughter instantly changes people’s mood when things go wrong, because it releases into the brain, serotonin, a chemical of well being. I’d like to laugh more at silly annoyances – and hoped you lighter hearted bloggers might toss in a few tips.

How do you manage to laugh out loud with your readers – especially when stuff lets you down or you’re just too serious?

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Thank you, Robyn!

Visit Robyn’s blog Brain-Based Biz where Robyn taps into arts and mind to gather insights that stir creativity in business applications.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Robyn, what do you do when everyone is laughing but you?

 

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Welcome to the Virtual Conference and Bring-a-Link Event!

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Welcome!

All of the speakers have lined up a day of information and conversation about blogging. Do come in to check out the people who are here and what we’re talking about. Every hour we’ll put up a new post on a new subject for us to talk about. Bring a link to your favorite blogging post and join us whenever you are able.

Think theater of the imagination meets speakers and attendees in the comment box for conversation.

SOBCon07

When: Today, March 12th, 2007:

Here are some of the wonderful folks who’ve agreed to participate.

8:00 – Robyn McMaster on Laughter and Mistakes
9:00 – Sandra Renshaw on The Importance of Graphics
10:00 – Mark McGuinness on Creativity
11:00 – Joe Hauckes on Navigation
12:00 – Rodney Rumford on Videoblogging
1:00 – Chris Garrett on Blogger Blunders
2:00 – Ellen Weber on Sleep and Music
3:00 – Wendy Piersall on Blogging Beyond the Blogosphere
4:00 – Mike Wagner on Branding
5:00 – Terry Starbucker on What to Look for
6:00 – Chris Cree on Business Blogging
7:00 – Phil Gerbyshak on Being a Relationship Geek
8:00 – David Armano on the 4 Cs of Blogging

SOBCon Special

During the Virtual Conference, You can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.
Click the SOBCon 07to learn more about SOBCon 07.
Click Registration Link to take advantage of the special offer running during the Virtual Conference.

Enjoy!
— ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
The Secret’s Out: SOBCon 07 Is in Chicago May 11-12!

Bloggy Question 40: Um er . . . Your Enthusiasm Is Killing Our Ebook

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This Wasn’t Part of Our Winning Strategy

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 and a close friend each started a blog a on the same day. Friends since childhood, you’ve always enjoyed exploring new things together. Together you built a strategy for making a blog with influence. Your strategy was built on having a clean-coded, SEO-friendly template, quality, targeted, relevant content, ample link love for other bloggers in your respective niches. Each of you has begun to show up when people name the top blogs in the areas you serve.

About two months ago. you and your friend developed a resource — a phenomenal ebook for new bloggers that basically outlines the strategy you had developed together. Both of your names are on it and you share in the meager income it produces. One side effect that you had not counted on, but now enjoy is that the resource has increased your visibility and people have started turning to you and your friend as blogging experts. The Wall Street Journal called to include you both in an article they wrote last week.

But lately, your friend has become somewhat obsessed with the ebook. He can’t seem to write a blog post without flogging its benefits. He starts with a brilliant teasing introduction and then starts selling the ebook again. You’ve noticed his comment count is going down and you suspect his subscriber numbers are as well.

It’s hard enough to watch your friend lose track of his readers and your original strategy, but it’s even worse that your name is also on that ebook.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Bloggy Question 39: It’s My Presentation . . . What’s the One Thing?
Bloggy Question 38: You’ve Just Won a New Design!
Bloggy Question 37: Excuse Me, that Content on Your Blog Is Mine!
Bloggy Question 36: Mom, I Got the Part!

What is He Talking About? Chris Cree on Wanting

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“If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.” –Abraham Lincoln

One Way to CC It logo

Oh, how true it is!

How often do we find ourselves in that same situation? Or, if you are too uncomfortable to admit it yourself, how often have you seen someone else there?

I’m not sure what I’ve got. But I want something different.

I suspect a massive percentage of our problems in this world can be traced back to that simple state of discontentment. [Read more…]