Successful Blog

Bloggy Life Question 27 — Can You Spare a Ten?

by

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

Related articles
Bloggy Life Question 26 — Do You Wish to Comment?
Bloggy Life Question 25 — Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex?
Bloggy Life Question 24 — Hello, Blogger, I’m Her Parent!
Bloggy Question 23 — Would You Live Blog the Wedding?

“What’s Your Most Successful Post, Liz?”

by

Did You Really Think I’d Pick Just One?

The answer to the What’s yours? question that you’ve asked me is that I have two most successful posts here and one at my writing blog.

If it has to be one, my choice is a favorite child that think of as the most outstanding piece — it’s human, heartfelt, and hopeful. It still moves me when I read it.

Walking on Water

It’s the essay I offered as a prize. And, Starbucker, there is a car in it.

Liz's Signature

20 More Successful Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: Afternoon and Evening Links

by

Who’s Paying for This?!

A few days before the party we’d had quite a discussion about whether people would be wrong to take money for writing comments that they sincerely felt. In the last comment on that post I left a message for a blogger friend, Chris Cree. . . .

Lorelle couldn’t be here, but she emailed to say,
Give my love to all the fellow SOBers and wish I was there!

I did.

Outstanding Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: Afternoon and Evening

    1. Mark Ryden’s cabinet of curiosities and popular antiquities by Stephanie
    2. perfect cheese sandwich by SeanRox
    3. How to Write E-mail that Sucks: An Incomplete Guide

At comment 278. Chris Cree discovered that I said he was paying for each comment at this birthday party. Chris said

OK! I must insist: Everyone stop commenting on this post!
I just noticed that Liz promised that I was volunteered to pay for all these comments!

I better call Visa and up my credit limit!

Of course, no one listened.

  1. Commentary: Economy Foam by Debbie Millman
  2. If You’re Gonna Write Crap, Journal by Carolyn Manning and We Are Family by Carolyn Manning
  3. Cubicle Warrior – What it takes by Scot Herrick
  4. In the side of a mountain, there exists, a place named paradise by Jessica Doyle
  5. The Battles Hymn of the Blogger by Mike Sansone
  6. Crash Davis and the Belief Statement – My Turn by Starbucker
  7. Putting Holes in Walls by Ann Michael
  8. Blogging in Person by Sandra Renshaw
  9. Customer Service Difference #3: Ritz Carlton and Who else wishes there were no moronic idiots in customer service?
  10. Content Theft? Please, Tell Me What You Think About This… by Mark Wade
  11. A Brief History of Digg Controversy by Tony
  12. What Happens During Euthanization? by Renée
  13. Writing for WOM ^ Branding the Croc Hunter Way by Kammie K. and Be Unique, Kick the Critique – Self-Love is Where it’s At by Kammie K.
  14. Successful Blog by Cat
  15. Simplified Business Plans for the Real World.by Becky McCray
  16. Comments From Students on Using a Class Blog by Dr. Delany Kirk
  17. Case File 060805 by Timothy Johnson

 

Mike Sansone gave me a party hat and poetry. Liz Strauss Wears a Cap.

SeanRox had promised a cake.

What kind of cake do you like Liz? I’m stopping by the bakery later, so I can get your favorite. . . . Ok Liz, a flourless chocolate cake — with confectioner’s sugar only on top it is. I just put in the order and I’ll pick it up on my way back to the party.

I think he ate it himself. . . . Gosh I hope he didn’t get sick. (They don’t call it “killer cake” for no reason.)

HART brought HART’s Famous Chili. So I finally got something to eat.

We talked and partied until almost midnight.
It was an SOBirthday.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
27 Outstanding Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: The Morning Links
The Mic Is On: Happy Birthday to SOBs Everywhere!

27 Outstanding Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: The Morning Links

by

The Party Post Was Up at 5:33 a.m.

Everyone who attended the blog birthhday party October 24, 2006 was invited to bring a link to their most successful post and to explain how they made that choice. Each blogger made a choice based on his or her own criteria. During the party, people left to read posts and came back to talk about them.

To celebrate DWB’s one year b-day Cat created a shared banner page. Take a look it is incredible — like the blog it comes from.

Timothy Johnson offered these words his sales for charity.

And since you made a semi-obscure reference to “Race Through The Forest,” check out the charitable promotion I’m running right now. I’m basically donating my book-sales margins, so I want to sell as many books as possible to benefit three very deserving child serving organizations. . . . Let’s hope those Amazon reviews help raise a whole lot of money for some really great charities: A Time to Give.

Outstanding Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: Morning

Outstanding bloggers identified these posts as their most successful in the first 250 comments of the party.

  1. Motley F….. Crue by Martin (warning: some words my offend).
  2. You’ve only Got 30 Seconds or 20 Words… by Char and The Queen of Multitasking or ADD? by Char
  3. Your Life, Your Greatest Work of Art by Rick
  4. Biphasic Sleep : 30 Day Summary by Scott
  5. The Ingenious Thomas Heatherwick by Mark McGuinness
  6. My Three Most Influential Teachers by Kent Blumberg
  7. Negative Thinking Power by Chris Cree
  8. The Power of 48 Minutes by John Richardson
  9. 3 Valuable Lessons from 1st Grade Career Day by Tony D. Clark
  10. You’d Have to be Brain Dead to Listen Up! by Ellen Weber
  11. What Adoption Usually Looks Like by Kate and No More Gratuitous Celebrity Mother Mentions
  12. New to Blogging? So was I at one time… by TechZ and My # 1 Digg I heart geek boys
  13. What Do You See in This Drawing? by Robyn McMaster

    14. Acomment 80 that we started tallking about the importance of breathing and what it meant when we were breathing through one notril more than the other.

    In the middle of that discussion — at comment 96 — Tony decided that he would see whether co.comments could keep with the number of comments this post would be getting. . . . more on that later.

  14. Ignore the Sun by Roger von Oech and Do You Recognize This Symbol?
  15. 21 Ways to Be More Creative by Christine Kane
  16. Amusing PowerPoint Slideshows in Hart’s email by HART
  17. Writing like Dead Grass by Michael Stelzner
  18. Net Neutrality Threatens Grandparents/Vets by Joe

    19. At comment 180, Tim asked Is there a World Record for most comments received on a single blog post? Who/where/how would track?

    I found this link — Most Comments Ever.

  19. We Can Still Pass The Combating Autism Act by Big Roy
  20. Who Do You Think You Are? by Steve
  21. The Purpose of A Hearty Life by Hsien Lei
  22. Pisa & Florence With Kids
  23. media strategic myopia by Mike Dunn
  24. Keep moving toward your goals by Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D.
  25. Breaking: Bach Joins Keller Williams Realty by Benjamin
  26. Home At Last by Debbie Call
  27. The Shoes by Candice

Candice did elaborate.

There are actually many other posts about shoes, like “the shoes the laptop wears” and my red shoes. (The laptop wears a pair of pointy-toed black leather high heels that were the talk of my cousin’s wedding. Heh.)

The coolest people were coming to this party, and It was only 1:40 in the afternoon.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

PS If I missed your most successful post link from the morning of the party, please let me know and I’ll update the list.

Related articles
20 More Successful Bloggers’ Most Successful Posts: Afternoon and Evening Links
The Mic Is On: Happy Birthday to SOBs Everywhere!

Successful Blog 25-Word Birthday Challenge

by

Whoa! You Folks Are Good!

25 Words Birthday Card

Writing something that has meaning in 25 words is about as challenging as it gets. That didn’t stop these folks. Here are the bloggers who took up the gauntlet fo the Successful Blog 25-Words Birthday Challenge Post.

THE WINNERS ARE
$25 ipopin Gift Certificate
— Sheila
10 Ways to Make It Great!
— Joe
Walking on Water Essay
— Starbucker
Guest Post or Interview
— TechZ

Winners were drawn randomly.

  • A concoction of well written, witty and entertaining content, it excites the reader and involves you to the fullest with every post. Simply put, extraordinary. –TechZ

  • Sharing her knowledge, fun spirit, and generous (linking) nature, ME “Liz” Strauss writes Successful Blog to help you become an SOB – Successful Outstanding Blogger. –Becky

  • Successful Blog helps bloggers become better at what they do (improve writing, grow their audience, make more money). Come and join the fun. — Scott B.

  • My favorite is Tuesday Night
    cause spelling doesn’t count
    and you can link your site,
    There are drinks in the sidebar
    whatever your delight.
    (+1) BermaShave –Joe

  • “What adjectives do people use to describe your blog? Nice, pleasant, somewhat interesting? Scrap it! Start reading the Successful-Blog and make your blog OUTSTANDING!” –Innovation Zen

  • “C’mon. Let’s talk!” That’s how Liz Strauss warmly welcomes Successful Blog conversations. She listens, links, nurtures and guides. A blogosphere Insta-Friend….just be nice.
    –Sheila

  • Successful Blog – an active voice for positive communication and community with stops for pizza, great views, and a little vacation every Tuesday. –Rick

  • A good blog is like a four-lane mountain road – fascinating, stimulating, inspiring and smile-inducing – and that metaphor fits Liz and her Successful Blog perfectly
    . –Starbucker

  • If the essence of blogging is community; Successful-Blog is that essence. If you don’t feel welcomed here, it’s time for another session with your therapist. –Carolyn

  • I love to read Successful Blog.
    I hope some day I’ll be one.
    If I can’t I won’t despair
    I know I’ll always read one! –Ann

  • Successful-Blog is a bung-puller. That’s the plug that holds all the
    good stuff in the beer cask; pull the bung–it’s all yours. –Saml

  • “With Successful-Blog Liz Strauss has built a friendly community where writers and bloggers can come together, share ideas, and grow better at what they do.” –Chris

  • Successful-Blog is a fun community where you can rub elbows and learn from successful business professionals, writers, bloggers, and even a code writing donkey.–Chris

  • Something clever just for fun,
    Successful Blog is turning one,
    ‘Cause it’s late I cannot wait,
    But want to say “Your Blog is GREAT!” –Sandra

  • Please accept my Ball of Whacks®
    – My entry to your Gala Bash –
    You’ll love it — it’s really true –
    Play with it till you turn blue! –Roger von Oech

  • Successful Blog is one of the coolest place to meet new people and leave a comment in the blogosphere. Long Live Open Comment Night! Yay! –Phil

  • HART’s Hypothetical Entry #1 – HAIKU FORMAT
    The Successful-Blog
    Your Host Is Always Friendly
    Come! Join The Party

  • HART’s Hypothetical Entry #2 – LIMERICK FORMAT
    Bloglines has all of my feeds
    I use it to track all my needs
    But If you’ve got a business
    You too can witness
    Why Liz is on my Daily Reads!

From Thilak @ Tech Buzz:
Thilak's Card

6 Reasons Readers Don’t Click Your Ads and What to Do about It

by

Busted!

Customer Think Logo

Last night I did something that I found curious. Here’s what happened.

I was writing a piece and I needed to think. To get some space, I put the idea on hold, while I clicked over to check my stats. I’d hardly started, when a comment came in on Successful-Blog. I went back to talk about the Jolly Green wearing PayPerPost on his chest.

That done, I returned to my stats, but the window was partly covered.

By accident I clicked on an ad!

Oh no! Not that! Busted!

Someone Already Knew

The second the ad came up, I automatically looked away. NO! I’m not an ad clicker. No, no no! I needed out of there right away!

I looked around for a witness to my reckless clicking. No one here saw. Still I knew Some place, somewhere, in some stats, someone already had tracked me there.

Then I had an epiphany. Okay, I woke up.

[Read more…]