Successful Blog

Beware the Single Biggest Time Sink on the Web

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I've been thinking . . .

about time sinks.

When I first got to the web I spent my time wandering, exploring. I was learning and making friends. We’d discuss things, sometimes long delicious thoughts would last for days. Those conversations hardly happen much anymore. Everyone is so plugged in.

My inbox seems to be so many ideas coming at me. Each one is colorful and attractive. Many are doable. Some have potential to be huge. Some will never run.

I used to volunteer time helping folks think through their idea, put together the pieces so that they would have something whole and workable. Eventually I found that I can’t help every idea and get anything of my own done. A great idea deserves a commitment.

How many commitments can one person make?

Getting ideas is so much fun. Making them happen is where the real work starts.

We lose interest, find a flaw, get seduced by a new idea, or land a job that offers more.

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Have you found that biggest time sink on the web are ideas that never get done?

Liz's Signature

What Is Facebook?

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The LANGUAGE of SOCIAL MEDIA

Words have a deep effect on
how we interpret and interact with the world.
The words we use and how we define them
reveal our interests, concerns, and values.
This series explores the words of social media.

 

facebook

 

Facebook — Has the Small Town Grown Up?

Facebook … is it part college yearbook and part small town? What’s been called the walled garden of Facebook is now a new place since they’ve invited mom and dad to move in. It’s even more changed since they added the dynamic stream of FriendFeed.

Wikipedia says:

Facebook is a social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc.[1] Users can add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region. The website’s name stems from the colloquial name of a book given to incoming students at Zuckerberg’s high school alma mater, Phillips Exeter Academy. The book shows the faces and names of the school’s students and faculty.

Still at the core of Facebook seems to be two highly different community ethics going on. A huge population of Facebookers never had a choice about being there — soon as college started they became part when friends uploaded their pictures and invited them to see which ones. The other population joined later. We’re newcommers to Ellis Island. Some of us are setting up business, trying to make a buck. Some of us are trying to find our past loved ones who’ve emigrated there. Some are trying to connect, fit it, make sense of it all.

The first population and the second population will never quite view Facebook the same. It’s kind of like anywhere … it’s different if you grew up there.

Here’s how some folks answered the question, “If twitter is a huge networking room, what is Facebook?”

@OwenGreaves: “If twitter is a huge networking room, what is Facebook? – A Chinese Bath :)”
@jeffw171: “outdated and arcane”
@AmberCadabra: “The same. With a different crowd. And stupid quizzes on the cocktail tables.”
@gurnage: “Facebook is an online reunion. Twitter is new friends, Facebook is old.
@abbebuck: “Liz, FaceBook is a soda fountain with pictures!”
@MargieNewman “high school”
@markramsey: “a network of interconnected microcommunities?”
@netcitizen : “its more about the people,faces,friends.”
@djwaldow: “It’s a huge networking house!”
@judel “I see twitter as a utility to meet people and have conversation before actually meeting in person, and for business leads & rel.”
@jennydecki “Facebook is a huge Frat Party – you can still make great connections but mostly it’s about funny farm animal stories.”
@AlliWorthington “chit chatting with everyone you already know?”
@cheapsuits ” it’s a cafe a bunch of friends show up at.”
@my3boybarians “a huge, creepy networking room?”
@JasonFalls “Lunchroom at most high schools … but now with old people eating there.”
@piero_ “your lounge?”
@ssmirnov “FB is a painfully awkward highschool reunion.”

@cassieaiden “facebook is a very informal resume….I think.”
@blancastella “more to click/type/apply yourself to, perhaps?”
@Cosecha “a huge, creepy networking room?”
@berrybrewer “Twitter is a conference where I pass out business cards; Facebook is a class/family reunion where I show pics of my kid.”
@Gestalt “Facebook is a walled garden. Today’s version of AOL.”

@hehotiron “Chuck E Cheese?!?”
@berrybrewer “Twitter is a conference where I pass out business cards; Facebook is a class/family reunion where I show pics of my kid.”
@Gestalt “Facebook is a walled garden. Today’s version of AOL.”

What is Facebook?

For more information see:
Wiktionary
Wikidpedia
Campus Firewatch
techterms.com

SEE ALSO:
What Is Social Media?
What Is Social Networking?
What IS a Social Community?
What Is Online Social Media Conversation?
What Is a Blog?
What Is Twitter?

If twitter is a huge networking room, what is Facebook?
Got more to add? C’mon let’s talk.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

The Mic IS on: We're Talking About What 21st Century Schools Should Be

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It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

An Apple for the Teacher Means Something Different

Once an apple for the teacher was gift of fruit for her desk. Should it now be a Macintosh Pro that will offer her resources and connectedness better than any school librarian might concieve of offering?

Computers, cell phones, and Internet apps … kids are learning in new ways from their interaction with new technology. What should 21st Century School be doing?

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And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring example links to share —

–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

What Would Be Missing If You Weren't There?

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You Are More than the Average

“If I had another resume just like yours, what three things would you bring to the work that the other person would not?”

I’ve used that interview question for well over ten years. It’s not a test of reactions or a comparison. It’s how I find out more about what a person values and who that person is. I’ve never thought about a “right” answer; never heard a “wrong” one; might have caught one or two that seemed a little unreal.

In over a decade I’ve never gotten the same answer twice.

What happens is the person stops, thinks for a while then says something of unique value.

  • I always listen when people talk.
  • I know what I know and make sure to ask when I don’t.
  • I’m honest. I’ll never lie to you.
  • I’m a quick study and I’m thorough.
  • I see things that other people don’t see.

Every answer is a bonus, above that person’s job qualifications. Sometimes it’s a natural talent. Sometimes it’s a skill. Sometimes it’s a core value or quality that speaks to his or her humanity. Always it’s a statement of an individual’s uniqueness.

We are our uniqueness, our skills and our abilities, our image, our traits, and our potential. Each of us as a person fits and fills a need or solves a problem in a way that no other person ever will.

You’ve got your own unique talents, skills, values, and human qualities.

You are more than the average person.

We all are.

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What do you bring that would be missing if you weren’t there?

I’ll go first.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your web presence!!

Open Mic 7pm Chgo: What Should 21st Century Schools Be?

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Join Us Tonight

An Apple for the Teacher Means Something Different

Once an apple for the teacher was gift of fruit for her desk. Should it now be a Macintosh Pro that will offer her resources and connectedness better than any school librarian might concieve of offering?

Computers, cell phones, and Internet apps … kids are learning in new ways from their interaction with new technology. What should 21st Century School be doing?

Oh, and bring example links to share —

The rules are simple — be nice.

Do be nice. 🙂

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Priorities for Entrepreneurs #4

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I recently had the opportunity to review a book for entrepreneurs that had some great advice, a list of seven priorities for the critical first year of business. The more I thought about this list, the more important that it seemed to me. So I have decided to create a series of posts elaborating on this theme. While “Young Guns“, by Robert Tuchman, is targeted to a just-out-of-college-and-wondering-what-to-do market, I believe that these priorities apply to anyone starting a new venture.

Talk to absolutely everyone about what you do.

During the first year, you must be the mouthpiece for your business. Talking to people about your business at parties, at family gatherings, at outings like sporting events should become second nature. Consider every person who crosses your path a sales opportunity, even if he or she might not ever be the end customer. In addition to continual word-of-mouth marketing, pick up the phone and call reporters to let them know what you are doing.

This strategy of always talking about your business is essential. Blog about it. Tweet about it. Leave comments on other people’s blogs to show your knowledge and credibility.

I also like Tuchman’s advice about reaching out to reporters. In fact, Free Press Release.com has a service that allows you to publicize your business and Peter Shankman has a pretty cool service called Help a Reporter Out that allows you to answer questions or provide interviews to journalists looking for help with stories. [Ed. Note: I do this all the time, it is fantastic]

Do you have any other suggestions for getting the word out about your business? Share them in the comments.