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Tips for Community Evangelists

January 13, 2009 by SOBCon Authors

Let’s have a group project, shall we? Some folks have been talking about growing communities lately, and there is a heap of scattered information out there about the best way to do it. I thought we might be able to put some of the best advice together here and compile it into a resource that we can share.

toolbox
toolbox

Let’s harness the power of our connections and see what we can build. I’ll start with a couple of my own tactics:

A. Prove that you are a passionate believer.

As Hugh McLeod says, “The market for something to believe in is infinite.” People want to believe in something (or someone) so give them a reason to join your community. Express your passion with authentic language.

B. Make it easy to share the enthusiasm.

Provide a vehicle for community members to share with each other. Comments on blog posts are a simple method, creating an actual forum platform is even better. Depending on your community and its needs there are plenty of applications to choose from:

  • ning.com
  • Facebook
  • flickr.com
  • LinkedIn

C. Encourage new ideas.

Keeping the content fresh is what entices people to come back and to stay involved. Explore new concepts and get people talking about them. Reward innovation and collaboration.

Take it one step further

What say you? What would you like to add as advice for a community evangelist? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Filed Under: Attendees Tagged With: bc, evangelism, Group-Writing-Project

The Complete Metaphor Project Listing and Winners

June 16, 2007 by Liz

What Teachers and Learners!

What’s Your Metaphor?

When we know something well we have internalized what it’s about. That makes us flexible with our thoughts and our models. It offers us an ability to be fluent when talking about the subject. Our experience and knowledge allows us to teach others how it works.

When a concept or practice is simple, teaching is often an act of simple demonstration. When the concept or practice multi-layered or complex — when it’s process and information, people and data — sometimes a translation or a comparison that takes a person from the known to the unknown has a better chance. . . . That’s when a great metaphor comes in handy.

Thanks again to Char and Derrick for inspiring this project.

Welcome to the Complete Metaphor Project List!

Thank you all for being a part.

  • What metaphor do you use to explain blogging?
    at Ian’s Messy Desk
  • Blogging Metaphor–The Salad Bar Blog
    at Word Sell
  • My blog is a smorgasbord, come and eat…
    at Juggling Frogs
  • Feeding on Plankton
    at krooz
  • My Preferred Metaphor for Business Blogging
    at Business and Blogging
  • 10 reasons why blogging is like dating”
    at Romance Tracker
  • Equestrian Ecstasy – Portal to another Reality
    at INNside Innkeeping in Montana
  • Blogging Metaphors: Bridge-Building
    at Middle Zone Musings
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging is like Exercise
    at Virtual Impax
  • My Blogging Metaphor: BNI
    at Kiss2
  • Why Conversational Blogging Is Like A Conga Line
    at dawudmiracle
  • Blog 101 and the New Cocktail Party
    at What Would Dad Say
  • Bloggers, Brains and Metaphors
    at BrainBasedBusiness
  • Blogging is like a box of chocolates…
    at Small Business Marketing Ideas
  • Blogging Metaphors, or, What I am doing here
    at A Politically Incorrect Entrepreneur
  • Blogging Metaphor: Why blogging is like a Mommy
    at Moments of Clarity
  • My Blogging Metaphor
    at Carpe Factum
  • What’s Your Blogging Metaphor? Teaching by Bits (and Bytes) at ModernMagellans –
    Maps to Improve Your Business, Leadership, and Life
  • A Blog is Your Bullhorn to the World
    at Blawg IT
  • An Image Is Worth A Thousand Words! Huh?
    at Smart Wealthy Rich
  • Blogging Metaphor – The “Party Line”
    at Insight Advertising-Marketing Communications
  • Singing the “blogging song” around the campfire
    at Live the GREAT life you desire
  • Blogging is Like Baseball
    at Rush Nigut: Rush on Business
  • Raise your sails and blog on!
    at dsmBUZZ
  • One BIG small town
    at Runners Lounge
  • Metaphorically speaking, this is what I do
    at Passing It On
  • Kayaking as a Metaphor for Blogging
    at Loosely Speaking
  • A hug, metaphorically speaking
    at MamaBlogga
  • Blogging is like dancing on top of an iceberg, and other Metaphors
    at J.T’s Productivity Blog
  • 20 Blogging Metaphors – Rock Throwing and the Universal Monkey
    at marketing neophyte
  • Blogging metaphors
    at Roberta Ferguson
  • Blogging Metaphors
    at Lena M Holmberg
  • Blogging Metaphor (s)
    at Transition Capital Management
  • The Blogosphere is a Virtual Time Capsule : Another Viral Meme
    at Orbit Now!
  • Dexter’s Memetic Laboratory
    at Spooky Action ·
  • Really? Why? What’s a blog?
    at Art Dinkin’s Moment on Money
  • 10 Basic Tips for Starting a Blog Using Gardening as Metaphor
    at Circular Communication
  • Behold, A Blogging Sower Went Forth To Sow Links
    at The Frugal Law Student
  • For Whom the Blog Tolls
    at Idea Dude
  • All the Blog’s a Stage
    at Just Thinkin’
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging Is a Large City with Hundreds of Small Neighborhoods
    at A Writer’s Word, An Editor’s Eye
  • What’s your blogging metaphor?
    at The Junky’s Wife
  • Blogging is a Tapestry
    at Grow Your Writing Business
  • Blogging Metaphors
    at The Gift Idea Help Blog
  • 7 Ways That Blogging is Like Opera
    at Randa Clay Design
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging Is Like Catching Dreams and Setting Them Free
    at Online Public Relations
  • Blogging Metaphor
    at Better Business Blogging
  • I’m Baking a Blogging Cake …
    at Writing Thoughts
  • Why Blogging is Like Fishing
    at Freelancing Journey
  • The Metaphor Project
    at The Marketing Whore
  • and my own A Blogger’s Sunset

BONUS: 10 Winners

These ten contributors, selected randomly by a man, who paid so little attention that he doesn’t know what this contest is about, will receive an autographed copy of Lorelle’s book “Blogging Tips — What Bloggers Won’t Tell You About Blogging.”

If your blog’s name is listed below, please email me, using the subject line METAPHOR WINNER and include your email address and postal address. We’ll ship the book to you.

  • 10 reasons why blogging is like dating”
    at Romance Tracker
  • Bloggers, Brains and Metaphors
    at BrainBasedBusiness
  • Blogging Metaphor: Why blogging is like a Mommy
    at Moments of Clarity
  • What’s Your Blogging Metaphor? Teaching by Bits (and Bytes)
    at ModernMagellans
  • Singing the “blogging song” around the campfire
    at Live the GREAT life you desire
  • One BIG small town
    at Runners Lounge
  • Blogging Metaphors
    at Lena M Holmberg
  • 10 Basic Tips for Starting a Blog Using Gardening as Metaphor
    at Circular Communication
  • 7 Ways That Blogging is Like Opera
    at Randa Clay Design
  • Blogging Metaphor
    at Better Business Blogging

Congratulations to the winners!

Everyone won will all 50 metaphors! You drew unforgettable pictures with your words. Thank you, again!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Filed Under: Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, Blogging-Tips, Group-Writing-Project, Lorrelle-VanFossen, Whats-Your-Metaphor?

Metaphors Post Four — We’re Good at This!!

June 12, 2007 by Liz

The Metaphor Project: What Fun!!

What’s Your Metaphor?

This list is the fourth set of metaphors you’ve sent. I’ve gathered all I could find in every corner where they might have come together. I’ve visited most and hope to read the rest today. Each one I read makes the experience even better.

To think that Derrick’s Pizza Makers and Char’s Famer’s Market got this whole thing going is quite the statement of how the blogosphere works. A great idea takes hold and gets growing — each one inspiring another.

Check this new batch out and pass them along to your readers. The more ways we look at blogging the better we’ll be able to explain it when we need to.

  • Really? Why? What’s a blog? at Art Dinkin’s Moment on Money
  • 10 Basic Tips for Starting a Blog Using Gardening as Metaphorat Circular Communication
  • Behold, A Blogging Sower Went Forth To Sow Links at The Frugal Law Student
  • For Whom the Blog Tolls at Idea Dude
  • All the Blog’s a Stageat Just Thinkin’
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging Is a Large City with Hundreds of Small Neighborhoodsat A Writer’s Word, An Editor’s Eye
  • What’s your blogging metaphor?
    at The Junky’s Wife
  • Blogging is a Tapestry at Grow Your Writing Business
  • Blogging Metaphors at The Gift Idea Help Blog
  • 7 Ways That Blogging is Like Opera at Randa Clay Design
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging Is Like Catching Dreams and Setting Them Free at Online Public Relations
  • Blogging Metaphor at Better Business Blogging
  • I’m Baking a Blogging Cake … at Writing Thoughts
  • Why Blogging is Like Fishing at Freelancing Journey
  • The Metaphor Projectat The Marketing Whore

Oh, I hope I found them all.

Because this project spread so quickly and not all links are making their way to me, if you’ve written a metaphor and you’re not on the list, please email me a link.

This weekend, when I’m sure that I have them all together with none missed, I’ll compile the entire lot into one list. (If you sneak one in late I’ll add you, you know that.) That’s when I’ll announce the winners of the ten copies of Blogging Tips That Bloggers Won’t Tell You About Blogging by Lorelle VanFossen.

Thank you for all of the submissions to The “What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?” Group Writing Project.

In respect and gratitude to all who took part and all who blog, here’s my metaphor:

A Blogger’s Sunset

.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Filed Under: Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, Blogging-Tips, Group-Writing-Project, Lorrelle-VanFossen, Whats-Your-Metaphor?

More Metaphors to Explore

June 7, 2007 by Liz

The Metaphor Project: Wow! Even More!

What’s Your Metaphor?

This is the third set and I’m so enjoying reading these metaphors. I always knew that bloggers were teachers at heart. The variety and the depth blows me away with enthusiasm for how well we know the subject.

Thank you for all of the submissions to The “What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?” Group Writing Project. Some of you are new to me and I’m so enjoying this introduction to you and your blogs. Some are familiar faces and it’s so exciting to get to know a new part of who you are.

Check this new batch out and pass them along to your readers. The more ways we look at blogging the better we’ll be able to explain it when we need to.

  • Kayaking as a Metaphor for Blogging at Loosely Speaking—A VA’s Blog
  • A hug, metaphorically speaking at MamaBlogga
  • Blogging is like dancing on top of an iceberg, and other Metaphors at J.T’s Productivity Blog
  • 20 Blogging Metaphors – Rock Throwing and the Universal Monkey at marketing neophyte
  • Blogging metaphors at Roberta Ferguson
  • Blogging Metaphors at Lena M Holmberg
  • Blogging Metaphor (s) at Transition Capital Management
  • The Blogosphere is a Virtual Time Capsule : Another Viral Meme at Orbit Now!
  • Dexter’s Memetic Laboratory at Spooky Action ·

Let’s find some more.

Because this project spread so quickly and not all links are making their way to me, if you’ve written a metaphor and you’re not on the list, please email me a link. If you’ve already done that before 10pm CDT on June 6, please forgive me and send it again.

Be a Part of the Project

So, what’s your blogging metaphor? Join the project. There’s still time to be a part – I’ve extended the list to 10pm Chicago time (GMT-6hrs.) June 11th the Monday I return from NYC. So you have plenty of time to take part. Here’s the original post for the background — the whats and the hows.

C’mon tell us. How would you explain blogging to someone who knew nothing about it? What’s your blogging metaphor?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Filed Under: Community, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: basics, bc, blogging, Group-Writing-Project, What-Is-Your-Metaphor?

The Second Submissions: What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?

June 4, 2007 by Liz

The Metaphor Project: Wow! More!

What’s Your Metaphor?

The next bunch of submissions are in, and like the first batch, they’re colorful creative and inspiring. They show the individuality of each blog and each blog author, while at the same time they show what we all have in common.

It’s such fun reading all of the submissions to The “What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?” Group Writing Project. Some great blog writers have taken on this challenge. Again, the creativity is reflected in the titles! Check this new batch out and pass them along to your readers. The more ways we look at blogging the better we’ll be able to explain it when we need to.

  • Bloggers, Brains and Metaphors at BrainBasedBusiness – Using your Brain to succeed in Business ·
  • Blogging is like a box of chocolates… at Small Business Marketing Ideas – Marketing Idea Blog
  • Blogging Metaphors, or, What I am doing here at A Politically Incorrect Entrepreneur
  • Blogging Metaphor: Why blogging is like a Mommy at Moments of Clarity
  • My Blogging Metaphor at Carpe Factum
  • What’s Your Blogging Metaphor? Teaching by Bits (and Bytes) at ModernMagellans – Maps to Improve Your Business, Leadership, and Life
  • A Blog is Your Bullhorn to the World at Blawg IT
  • An Image Is Worth A Thousand Words! Huh? at Smart Wealthy Rich
  • Blogging Metaphor – The “Party Line” at Insight Advertising-Marketing Communications
  • Singing the “blogging song” around the campfire at Live the GREAT life you desire
  • Blogging is Like Baseball at Rush Nigut: Rush on Business
  • Raise your sails and blog on! at dsm BUZZ
  • One BIG small town at Runners Lounge
  • Metaphorically speaking, this is what I do at Passing It On

Let’s find some more.

Because this project spread so quickly and not all links are making their way to me, if you’ve written a metaphor and you’re not on the list, please email me a link. If you’ve already done that before 10:00 on June 4, please forgive me and send it again. (I had dental surgery yesterday . . .)

Be a Part of the Project

So, what’s your blogging metaphor? Join the project. There’s still time to be a part

I’ve extended the list to 10pm Chicago time (GMT-6hrs.) June 11th the Monday I return from NYC. So you have plenty of time to take part.

Here’s the original post for the background — the whats and the hows.

C’mon tell us. How would you explain blogging to someone who knew nothing about it? What’s your blogging metaphor?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Filed Under: Community, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: basics, bc, blogging, Group-Writing-Project, What-Is-Your-Metaphor?

The First Submissions: Your Blogging Metaphors

May 31, 2007 by Liz

The Metaphor Project: What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?

What’s Your Metaphor?

When a nonblogger asks, “What is a blog?’ How do you answer? Have you tried using a metaphor? Would you mind sharing yours? A few bloggers have.

The first submissions are in. Like the blogs they come from, each metaphor is a unique representation of the writer. We see blogs almost everywhere. They are a County Fair. They’re underwater. They’re a line of koalas. Like life, blogging seems to lend itself to metaphorical explanation — maybe more easily than it does to a straightforward definition.

These are the first submissions to The “What’s Your Blogging Metaphor?” Group Writing Project. I’ve discovered some great new blog writers and fun ways to talk about blogs. Just look at the titles! Check them out and pass them along to your readers. The more ways we look at blogging the better we’ll be able to explain it when we need to.

  • What metaphor do you use to explain blogging? at Ian’s Messy Desk
  • Blogging Metaphor–The Salad Bar Blog at Word Sell
  • My blog is a smorgasbord, come and eat… at Juggling Frogs
  • Feeding on Plankton at krooz
  • My Preferred Metaphor for Business Blogging at Business and Blogging
  • 10 reasons why blogging is like dating” at Romance Tracker
  • Equestrian Ecstasy – Portal to another Reality at INNside Innkeeping in Montana
  • Blogging Metaphors: Bridge-Building at Middle Zone Musings
  • Blogging Metaphor: Blogging is like Exercise at Virtual Impax
  • My Blogging Metaphor: BNI at Kiss2
  • Why Conversational Blogging Is Like A LineConga at dawudmiracle
  • Blog 101 and the New Cocktail Party at What Would Dad Say

Let’s find some more.

Because this project spread so quickly and not all links are making their way to me, if you’ve written a metaphor and you’re not on the list, please email me a link. If you’ve already done that before noon on May 31, please forgive me and send it again. (I had dental surgery yesterday . . .)

Be a Part of the Project

So, what’s your blogging metaphor? Join the project. There’s still time to be a part – I’ll keep adding to this list until June 5th at Midnight Chicago time (GMT-6hrs.) Here’s the original post for the background — the whats and the hows.

C’mon tell us. How would you explain blogging to someone who knew nothing about it? What’s your blogging metaphor?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Filed Under: Blog Basics, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, Blogging-Tips, Group-Writing-Project, Whats-Your-Metaphor?

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