Successful Blog

The Mic Is On All Day: Reflecting on Being Too Sick to Be Here

by

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.

I Won’t Be Here, But the Mic Will be. . .

As soon as I write this, it’s back under five blankets for me.

Sometimes the fact that no one died of the common cold is no consolation at all.

Feel free to leave . . .

  • a comment
  • a quote
  • a poem
  • a recollection
  • a story
RIP

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 a link about every disease and cure that you know.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Are You Invested Enough to Succeed?

by

Understanding Return on Investment

SOBCon08 Logo50

The hardest part of building a business is the signal to noise ratio. Every second someone offers something to tilt our sails in another direction. What keeps successful business folks unwavering and always on course? Serious business folks see everything as return on investment.

Invest in a Plan

They say it takes money to make money. Not so. Some folks do it with sweat and charm. But like every well-funded business start-up, the key is that they invest wisely. They’ve thought through a plan to get from point A to point B, and that plan is no pipe dream. The plan is everything.

You need to invest to build a business.

Folks who succeed are invested — in with “both feet.” They put their time and money down, and then they make sure that they get a return. Look at Wendy.

An example: Was going to SxSW a good business decision? I made it so. I put my money down and held my feet to the fire — Mission: get that value back. I pre-arranged meetings, had a plan. Sounds basic, but I talked to plenty of folks who didn’t do that.

I got the return I planned on — more really. An investment outlook changes everything.

Starting a business is a decision, not a “let’s see.” You can’t be “half in” without being “half out.” Who wants to give their important work to someone who’s not fully committed to being there tomorrow?

Are you invested? Do you know where your business will be in three years?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!! SOBCon08 is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. Invest in Expert Models, An Actionable Plan, and the Support of a Mastermind Team! Register now!

Found My Sense of Humor — Still Blowing My Nose

by

I've been thinking . . .

unbending my view of the universe.

I know a few things about myself . . . and one is that when I’m frustrated with other folks, it usually means that I’m really frustrated with me. I had a conversation with myself about this cold I have, all of the good things happening, and dug through my desk to find my sense of humor. Soon as I did I was reminded of this video. Hope you enjoy it.

Don’t think it’s sexist, because I’m fairly certain that I’ve had the man’s role covered on this one. [via Yahoo Shine]

Smiles,

Liz's Signature

Cheapskate Blogger Seeks Roommate for SOBCon08

by

Are you interested in defraying conference costs? Me too! If you’re a nonsmoking female blogger who might want to split a room at Club Quarters for SOBCon08, please e-mail or Skype Kristen King (kristen(at)kristenkingfreelancing.com, www.inkthinkerblog.com) to talk about being roomies for a few days.

Thanks!

And the Winner Is………

by

It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of our 2008 Marketing contest.

The grand prize is a free registration to SOBCon08, plus two hotel nights.

We’d also like to give one more big shoutout to our contest co-sponsor, Plante Moran Financial Advisors.

In a close contest, Todd Jordan prevailed over a field of 22 entrants. He took an early lead and never relinquished it, despite strong challenges along the way.

Congratulations Todd!!

And thanks to all who participated in the contest – your promotion of this event has been most appreciated. And hey, don’t despair, there’s still time to register if you haven’t already done so (if you are a returnee, remember that the special $350 price expires on April 1).

Have a great week!

Wendy Wouldn't Wait. Will You?

by

See the Difference

Wendy Piersall and I were talking this morning. Our conversation centered around this point.

A blog is a blog. A business is a business.

A blog isn’t a business any more than a building is a company. We can work our hearts out in the name of our blogs — reading feeds, writing posts, commenting, and social networking — but without a plan, those things won’t get us what we need to pay the rent.

I like having conversations about business with Wendy because she “gets” it. She knows that a blog can make money, but a business with a future requires a plan. Once Once Wendy decided that she was going to have a business, a business is what she built.

Wendy Wouldn’t Wait. Will You?

Wendy Piersall was invested in having a business. She wouldn’t wait for someone else to show her how. She made it was her job to research and do the work that needed to be done. She didn’t wait until every star was aligned. She aligned them for herself.

“I saw it as investing.” Wendy said. “I carefully choose what would move my business forward, then I went after the resources to make those things happen.” She scrimped to find time and money. “Do it that way, put your work and money down, and I assure you, you’ll make sure that your investments pay off.”

Wendy made a plan, found the best models, put together a mastermind team for support and went about building a business. Have you paid attention to how far Wendy has come?

This is Wendy’s blog last year.

eMoms February 2007

This is Wendy’s BUSINESS now. By SOBCon08 it will have expanded further.

eMoms February 2008

Wendy wasn’t flush with cash, time, or teachers. She wasn’t waiting for the future. She was ready to make a business. It took her less than a year.

I asked her what was the most important part. She said, “A blog is not a business. Business is a serious leap. You have to be ready to take it on.”

Wendy’s formula for success is familiar — Models, Mastermind Support, and a Plan.

I’m pleased to announce

I’m speaking at SOBCon08

What are you doing to build the business of your dreams now?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!! Models, Masterminds, and an Actionable Plan — SOBCon08 is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. Register now!
Steal this badge:

SOBCon I’m there!