Successful Blog

50 Chicago WordCamp Blue Feather Tweeters

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Sweet WordCamp Chicago

When I attended WordCamp Chicago I spoke on pencil and paper camp …
how we all write code — ABCs …
how we all ARE code — DNA …
during that discussion we shared Twitter names that I promised to compile and post one day.

Unfortunately, time, travel, great clients, and a friend’s passing have slowed my abilitiy to get to this list, but finally I can say …

This is the day I start sharing Blue Feather Tweeters from Chicago Word Camp …

First the speakers and organizers …

  1. Matt Mullenweg, founder of our favorite blog/CMS platform, @photomatt
  2. Jeremy Wright, CEO of one of the largest global new media blog networks, @jeremywright
  3. Jim Turner, business and social media blogging consultant, @genuine
  4. Erin Blaskie, CEO of global internet marketing strategy consultancy, @ErinBlaskie
  5. David Dalka, marketing and digital technology coach, @dalka
  6. Liz Strauss, online social strategist, owner of Successful Blog and Founder of SOBCon @lizstrauss
  7. Micah Baldwin, VP of business development of search-powered web application, Lijit @micah
  8. Tim Frick, who creates design-driven communication solutions with his company, Mightybytes @Mightybytes
  9. Doug Hanna, head honcho of running the day-to-day operations of the WordPress showcase @douglashanna
  10. Kevin Palmer, social media expert consultant and talent behind Social Media Answers @kevinpalmer
  11. Brian Gardner, Chicago WordCamp Organizser, Freelance Web Consultant, and Designer of the WordPress Revolution @bgardner
  12. Lisa Sabin-Wilson, Chicago WordCamp Organizer, Author of WordPress for Dummies, and Awesome designer @LisaSabinWilson

    13. The attendees and their WordCamp taglines

  13. Jeff Melvin, local targeted traffic, @jlmelvin
  14. Susan Hayse, Web Developer / Cycling Gear Editory @susancycles
  15. Troy Christensen, WordPress, Geek @TroyChristensen
  16. Chris Hajer, Love WordPress @ChrisHajer
  17. Sophia Madana, WordPress beginner @smadana
  18. Nancy Loo, evolving journalist @NancyLoo
  19. Mike Paradiso, passionately determined @mikeparadiso
  20. John LiCausi, WordPress is the heart of my businesss! @JohnLiCausi
  21. Marcie Hill, blog addiction @Marcie_Hill
  22. Sharon Kelly, need to know why @sharon_kelly
  23. Elaine Luther, jeweler, artist, writer @ElaineLuther
  24. Amy Ravit Korin, learning and excited @InteractiveAmy
  25. Anne Asher, Body posture @AnneAsherr
  26. Doug Devitre, Real Estate @dougdevitre
  27. Len Mason, bored weekends, @lenmason
  28. Alex Falkenberg, thank you, @AlexFalk
  29. Denise Wiler, likes learning, @dqwiler
  30. Beth McBride, need knowledge, @BethMcB
  31. Kristin Koskinen, still searching @kristinkoskinen
  32. Larry Null, Learn WordPress Better, Don’t Follow Rules @Larry_Null
  33. Joe Besenjak, Pastoral care, @JBesenjak
  34. Brad Williams, hardcore developer @williamsba
  35. Ryan Powszok, Social creativity @RyanPowszok
  36. Josh Feck, new experience @joshfeck
  37. Steve Racine, to learn @Quickshot56
  38. Chris King, build websites @fendmark
  39. Jessica Searles, WordPress Security @techwriterjess
  40. Jacob Santos, take video @JacobSantos
  41. Melissa Feeney, socially connected @Melissa Feeney
  42. Todd Krause, curiously social @toddjob
  43. Deena Mayne, WordPress artiste @Deena_Mayne
  44. Jane Goodwin, muuuust speeeak … @mamacita
  45. David Peralty, to make friends, I’m lonely 🙂 @brandingdavid
  46. Josh Byers, Love creating @joshbyers
  47. Steve Gassner inspire possibilities @stevegassner
  48. Brandon Zeman, Fun people @BrandonZeman
  49. Ryan Villnow, Design and Development @Villnow
  50. Terri Ford, Seeking change @TerriFord

More Blue Feather WordCamp Chicago Tweeters to come next week!!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Raise your influence and income. Be Seen! Be Heard Be Hired!

Provocative vs. Genuine

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sealionI’ve been thinking about the difference between being provocative and being genuine lately.

We all read stories or see ads that are “provocative.” They are fun to read and see from time to time. But I wonder… do you trust a provocative story or would you prefer genuine writing?

There have been a few blog posts going around this week about being provocative in your blogging, marketing or overall strategy. I read that being being provocative has value in challenging people and pushing them to think.

Sure, I can agree with that.

Another blog I read suggested, “Being provocative isn’t about being controversial. It’s about being ahead of your time, solving problems in new and interesting ways, and creating awesome brands and products.”

But what does the word “provocative” really mean, I wondered. Here’s one definition that seems to be generally accepted: “Making people angry or excited: deliberately aimed at exciting or annoying people.”

Being provocative to me means trying to get people to react emotionally, quickly, instead of giving them something to think about, and respond to in time. It can mean prodding someone’s emotions instead of challenging the way they think.

If you were talking to a person face-to-face and you could tell they were being “provocative” or controversial just to get a reaction out of you, how would you feel? Would you feel challenged intellectually, or emotionally annoyed?

Every now and again I catch myself getting incensed by something I read which *I* know is “wrong.” I start a post and am writing away but I stop myself because what I am in fact doing is reactionary. I’m not carefully considering the points put forward and formulating an intelligent response.

That could very well be because in many provocative ads or blog posts there are few ideas to think about, only phrases to react to. I’ve read that writing like this is like the loud person at a party who swears a lot and is “controversial” just because he or she has nothing intelligent to say.

Do you read “provocative” blogs and enjoy “provocative” marketing strategies because you are enriched or learn from them, or do you just enjoy the controversy?

By Kathryn Jennex
www.kathrynjennex.com

25 Words of Social Media Wisdom — Pass It On!

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Can 25 Words Change the World?

The Living Web

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 25 Words of Social Media Wisdom Project. It was another amazing example of the power of writing. It was also another challenge to make this one shine as brightly as the words.

Thank you for your wisdom!

You were inspiring
You reminded us.
You asked and you answered.
You set the bar and touched touched hearts.
You showed our realities and imagined new ones.
Broke the rules and jumped the walls.
Put the people in the center of it all.
In every way you showed the value of every voice online and off.

Here’s what you wrote.

25 Words Of Social Media Wisdom Project

View more presentations from Liz Strauss.

Click “full” to see it on the full screen. Click the single right arrow to move to the next slide. To embed this on your blog or share it with others, just click the “embed” tag on the viewer.

I checked twice to be sure I got everyone’s selection. But if I missed you please let me know and I’ll edit and add you in immediately. The 25-word authors are:
Courtney Chowning
Liz Strauss
Claire Druga
Karin H
Christa Miller
Suzanna Stinnett
MaryS
Liz Hover
Writer-Mommy
Tim Tracey
bobjones.nl
AppFail
Regina Lark
Summer Huggins
ANDI
Anna
Karen Putz
that damn redhead
Tim Bursch
Niro
Tracy Fox
Joseph Crockett
Jen
Lorraine Ball
Ike
Dave Haber
Tre~
Jim Storer
Rebecca E. Parsons
Sheila Scarborough
Jim McGee
Francie
nerdmuffin
Julie
Avil Beckford
Glenda

Thanks to everyone who participated by writing or reading!

If I missed yours please, please, please, let me know.

And if you missed it . . . 25 Words of Work / Life Wisdom — Pass It On!
25 Words that Connect Us — Pass It On!!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

40 Tweeps Answer "What 3 Tools Should Any New Twitter User Adopt?"

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Not What You Expect, But Delicious

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Truth is I had a plan for an entirely different blog post today. Then, I was working on a slideshow for a client tonight. I threw out a question …

What are the first three tools any Twitter user should adopt?

The answers were so awesome I decided to change my plan and share the answers with you instead.

The three tools suggest for any new twitter user are:

  1. @Silver_Craig said: a hammer, a crowbar, and a shotgun.
  2. @RonaldWilsher said: Faith, hope & love.
  3. @longstride said: 1) open mind – 2) good nature – 3) brevity 😉
  4. @RandyLivingston said: AllTop, Adjix
  5. @jonathanfields said: truth, courage & wisdom
  6. @harrisja said:Twitter search, hashtags and Seesmic Desktop
  7. @jfouts said: Tweetbeep, Seesmic or Tweetdeck and Lazyfeed
  8. @dustyhawk said: i would say twitfox, followed by tweetdeck and err i forgot
  9. @karmacom said: brevity, wit and value-add 🙂
  10. @alexchantastic said: A mobile twitter client
  11. @digiphile said: First tools a Twitter user should adopt? Here’s my take, in podcast form: http://bit.ly/gpUZo | Search, mobile & desktop clients
  12. @MiNutrition said: Evernote, Twitter Twerp Scan
  13. @vanillacokehead said: 1st, a personal set of rules of engagement for using Twitter. 2nd, an open mind. 3rd, a good Twitter client like TweetDeck
  14. @Asfaq said: For the tools bit, I’d say: Tweetdeck, a camera enabled phone and a cheaper mobile data plan 🙂
  15. @TweetThisBabe said: 1) Manners – be polite and courteous to all 2) Learn the lingo but don’t be afraid to ask some1 3) REFRESH pg always 🙂
  16. @DigitalWoman said: 1st 3 Twitter Tools: Seesmic Desktop or Tweetdeck to manage tweets, Bit.ly to shorten urls, & Tweetie or TwitterBerry for mobile
  17. @FreeRangeMom said: 1st three tools for any new twitter user: TweetDeck, pick one url tracker supported by Tweetdeck, and a clearly defined POV
  18. @JoeCrockett said: Dictionary of abbreviations and small words, grammar/spell checker, sense of humor?
  19. @ChicagoDiane said: Tweetdeck, Twitpic and I guess Tweetie or UberTwitter. Need a URL shortener, but incl w/Tweetdeck.
  20. @Lazy_Libra said: tweetdeck, twitter search, bit.ly
  21. @binarywolf said: Seesmic/TweetDeck, Twitter Search, Twitpic
  22. @mcb927 said: Better interface w/ org/mgmnt tools (TweetDeck); add’l connectivity (Twitterberry, etc); tracking tool (ie Monitter)
  23. @patty_reiser said: Good relationship building skills, the ability to communicate effectively, no following spammers.
  24. @bethbellor said: I would be lost without TweetDeck.
  25. @dave_lo said:localtweeps (or some other local search tool), wefollow, tweetdeck Localizing your Twitter early on helps new users to stay engaged and continue building their niche. Also cool to hang out
  26. @adamstahr said: 1) Twitter search 2) Tweetdeck 3) Mobile app (if applicable)
  27. @RealHomeLogic said: replies, direct messages & the ability to converse w/ others are 3 crytical tools to master on Twitter.
  28. @NicoleJensen said: a good desktop client (twhirl or tweetdeck), cleaning app (like friendorfollow.com or twitoria.com) and @twtapps. More than 3 🙂
  29. @nironash said: The best tools for me are: respect, ethic, truth, intelligence, knowledge, communication competence and etc. Sorry no answer!
  30. @mgharavi said: Tweetdeck, bit.ly (for tracking clicks), and ReadItLater. Honorable mention: mobile app compatible with their phone
  31. @StoryAssistant said: My FIRST 3 tools 4 Twitter R all around finding the right followers: 1) @TweetLater (keyword search), 2) @Twellow & 3) @MrTweet
  32. @brianjohnriggs said: an awesome question. What are the first three tools any Twitter user should adopt? a schedule and adopting a no fear apprch
  33. @ZackLuby said: tweetdeck, twellow, and a link shortener that has analytics. Also NOT an auto follow tool 🙂
  34. @btrandolph said: 3 tools: !)tweetdeck @) topify 3) bit.ly account
  35. @stevegasser said: That is a great question. Here are a few I recommend: TweetDeck, a great Firefox Extension, Twellow
  36. @deafmom said: Listening, sharing, caring.
  37. @reese said: I like that the tools ppl suggest aren’t all ‘techie.’ 🙂 here are mine: 1. generosity 2. curiosity 3. value
  38. @KimSherrell said: First 3 Tools for Beginner [1] Twitter Search [2] http://hashtags.org [3] http://wefollow.com
  39. @photobiz said: three best early twitter tools : tweetdeck, twitterchat, twellow
  40. @allanschoenberg said: Just 3? Fine, Tweetdeck, bit.ly, Twitpic

The point is that we all have our own way of looking at this social tool and our own way of using it.

Kind of like we have our own way of making use of paper and pencil … it’s all in the messages and connections that come through what you do with it.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

Buy the ebook. Learn the art of online conversation.

Should the Conversation with Big Brands Be Going Two Ways?

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relationships button

Flashback: We were sitting in a lovely Italian Trattoria. I was hot-shot Executive Editor in my thirties with my editor team having lunch with the President of the company. He asked us what we thought of a competitor’s product.

Replies came from around the table. All responses were negative observations.

He listened without remarking until every person had finished their critiques. Then he simply asked one question, “If their product has so many flaws, why do you suppose they sell 100,000 copies of each of the 104 little book in the series every season?”

One question pointed out that we didn’t know as much about our competitor as we thought.

What about Big Brands Are Social Media Folks Missing?

After SOBCon and BlogHer and recent conversations with Becky McCray, Stephanie Smirnov, and Sheila Scarborough, that story has been coming back to me. We’ve been talking about how big brands have been going after bloggers with a clearer intent to capture our page view and sometimes even gather our ideas.

For some of us, it’s become a heady experience. For other’s it’s lead to some regrettable behavior — we all know the stories.

What stands out is that the focus seems to have shifted hugely in one direction. Sometimes it can appear as if new social media folks are only here to learn. We know the culture. They don’t.

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Hmmm.

My curiosity leads me to my own questions …

If the big brands are so confused about serving customers, how did they get to be big brands?

If we only see what we’re good at fixing, we’re overlooking a huge opportunity for cooperative learning.

Flash Forward: Now I sit at a meeting table with a Branding agency, a PR agency, a traditional marketing firm, a direct mail expert, an email expert, a radio and TV person, and two other support team members. We’re writing the strategy and tactics for a huge product launch. Most of them don’t know much about social media beyond that it exists, but they know their own specialities deeply. But they build on what each other has planned and they learn from what each other has to say.

Presentation is a one-way communication. We talk and they listen. We broadcast and call them to action — in a mainstream advertisement or in a meeting, the goal is the same.

A conversation is a two-way communication. Both parties talk and listen. No one is in control.

Have we stopped listening to the big brands? Is it time to start listening again? Should the conversation with big brands be going both ways?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

Buy the ebook. Learn the art of online conversation.