Successful Blog

TheGoodBlogs Joins SOBCon07

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We’re pleased to announce that Vernon Lun and folks over at TheGoodBlogs have agreed to join with SOBCon07 as a sponsor!

TheGoodBlogs is a company that is working to create community amongst bloggers so partnering with us here at SOBCon seems like a natural fit. Check out their Goal from their Concept page:

To create distributed communities of bloggers who actively promote each other every time readers visit their blogs.

You say you don’t know what TheGoodBlogs is all about? Take a look at this cool graphic they put together to explain what it is they do: [Read more…]

How Many Truly Unique Blogs Can We Find?

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Only One — The Rest Are Imitators

Finding Ideas Outside of the Box logo 2

You are the only you. No one can be you better. Once you get you to your best form, no one can knock you off. They can only be a bad facsimile. What folks say is not approval — it’s only opinion.

Each of us is a unique and wonderful individual. That is the key to our personal branding.

I’m Looking for Unique Blogs

I’m looking for truly unique and wonderful blogs. The blogs I am thinking of are one-of-a kind, stand-out, nothing-like-it, wow-will-you-look-at-that. only-one, wish-I-had-that-idea blogs. Every blog in the bunch will be outstanding in its own way. Some might be

  • outstanding in content.
  • outstanding in thought leadership.
  • outstanding in concept and execution.
  • outstanding in design and production.
  • outstanding in style.
  • outstanding for a blog in their category.

You get the idea.

When you see a outstanding blog, you’ll know it because you want to tell other people about it. You really like the idea of going back with them to show them around. It’s a category of one.

My goal is to find 200 of them.

So Many Possible Responses

I have so many questions that could bring so many possible responses, I’ve made a numbered list for you to use in the comments If you use the number and the bold keyword that will help everyone reading along.

  1. If you know a blog like that — here’s your chance to show it off. Leave its link and yours in the comment box below this post. Let us know why you choose it.

  2. What you think my chances are of finding 200 of what I have described right here. If you hold no hope for me, tell me why you think I won’t succeed at this challenge.

  3. What qualities should I be looking for? What is a unique and outstanding blog? What does it take for a blog to be a category of one?

  4. What if I offered resources to work with you to turn your blog into a unique and outstanding blog? Do you think we could make one happen?

Your turn.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOBCon07 – A Different Conference Experience

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We’re putting the final touches on Successful-Blog Conference and Networking Event.

This event will be different from other blogging camps, summits, and seminars because it begins and ends with relationships. It’s centered deeply in blogging as passion and an interaction between publisher and readers.

[Read more…]

13.1 Meet Glenda Watson Hyatt

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Glenda Watson Hyatt’s Virtual Book Tour

Glenda Watson Hyatt's photo

It was the photo, Glenda’s photo, that led me to write to her.

After Wendy suggested that Glenda would be someone Successful Blog readers would love to read about, I went over to Glenda’s blog. I poked around a bit. I read some posts about Glenda and her book. Then I did a Google search, and I read a few other interviews from her Virtual Book Tour.

But I kept coming back to the photo at the top of Glenda’s blog. It was what I saw and what I felt in that photo. I’m right there when it comes to meeting someone who knows the feeling of joy.

Joy that’s what I saw.

Glenda Watson Hyatt has achieved incredible things. She made a life as an author with cerebral palsy, typing with only her left thumb — hey, becoming an author is no small feat for us with two hands to type. But that’s not why I introduce you to Glenda Watson Hyatt.

I want you to meet her, because she is a woman who has felt joy.

Hi Glenda! First let me tell you, one reason that drew me to write was your photo. I take photos of people very seriously. I look in their eyes. In yours I saw intelligence, but more than that I saw joy to match the smile on you face.

So, darn it, how are you? and who are you?

Hi Liz, thanks for the warm welcome and for conversing with me in this manner. This is great because the written word is my best means of communication. I’m awesome, and extremely busy with my virtual book tour, promoting my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself.

To introduce myself, I am Glenda Watson Hyatt from Surrey, British Columbia, on the westcoast of Canada. I’m married to a wonderful, supportive man Darrell. Faith is my four-legged feline baby. I am forty and am excited to have reached that milestone.

I have been self-employed for eight years; initially, it was out of necessity because job prospects for someone with a significant physical disability weren’t plentiful. I began my business Soaring Eagle Communications as a web accessibility specialist and several interesting projects in the field but the work was sporadic. Right now the Eagle is undergoing a transition and finding a new direction. I am seeing new opportunities everywhere and I sense the Eagle will soon catch an updraft and soar to heights unimaginable.

Despite my cerebral palsy, I have lived a fairly full life. I focus on what I can do and what I do have; so many have much less than I do. I believe in possibility thinking and making things happen for myself. I am in a point in my life where life is good and I truly believe the future is mine.

Thank you, Glenda! You are awesome! See you tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear more.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
A 4-Part Series: An Interview with the Amazing Glenda Watson.Hyatt

A 4-Part Series: An Interview with the Amazing Glenda Watson.Hyatt

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Glenda Watson Hyatt’s Virtual Book Tour

I'll Do It Myself Book Cover

Wendy Piersall wrote to me that I must meet this amazing woman, Glenda Watson Hyatt. Wendy was about to interview Glenda for eMoms at Home as part of Glenda’s Virtual Book Tour for her new book, I’ll Do It Myself.

Glenda’s new book I’ll Do It Myself chronicles her story of growing up with cerebral palsy. This beautiful, bright woman with the engaging smile and intelligent eyes was a pleasure to interview, and I missed her when it was over.

You really must meet her.

I’ll be sharing Glenda this week in a four-part conversation.

Monday, February 26 — Who iis this author and why is she smiling? 13.1 Meet Glenda Watson Hyatt

Tuesday, February 27 — What surprises happened while writing the book? 13.2 Glenda Watson Hyatt, published author

Wednesday, February 28 — How did Glenda learn to be a writer and find her wonderful writing voice? 13.3 Glenda Watson Hyatt, Learning to Write

Thursday, March 1 — What message would this author like to give the world? 13.4 Glenda Watson Hyatt, the person I met

Thanks, Glenda! It was wonderful that you let it be such a two-way conversation. I hope you really will come to Chicago so that we can meet person to person.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Question 38: You’ve Just Won a New Design!

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And You Said You Never Win Anything

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. . . .


At the grand opening of a social network, they gave away prizes. By some stroke of luck you won the grandest prize of all. It’s a $10K blog vacation on an island in a luxury private home for two weeks while your blog gets a $10K makeover by a famous blog designer.

You were excited, bought the sunscreen, made the plans. Then you met with the famous designer. He didn’t listen to a thought you had. Even worse, his favors a color — one that you absolutely cannot stand.

You’re getting a bad feeling.

The rules are that the vacation and blog design are one package. As part of the prize you get to live with new blog design for one year or you happily get to pay the designer.

It’s time for you to accept the prize by signing your permission and releases.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Bloggy Question 37: Excuse Me, that Content on Your Blog Is Mine!
Bloggy Question 36: Mom, I Got the Part!
Bloggy Question 34: Time Is Money, but Content Is Free for the Paraphrasing!