Successful Blog

The Mic Is On: We're Talking about (acting like) Kids

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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.

What’s the Matter with Kids?

Here’s a few ideas to get us started:

  • my kids
  • your kids
  • other people’s kids
  • grandkids
  • kids on TV
  • those kids we love to hate
  • the kids we used to be

NO KIDDING!!!

kids in pool

And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.

Oh, and bring links about kids to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: We're Talking About Kids

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Yes the Mic Will Be on Tonight

Join Us Tonight

We’re talking about (acting like) kids!!

We can talk about your kids, my kids, those kids across the street, the kids we were growing up, the kids we love to hate, the kids on television, grandkids, other people’s kids, no kidding!

Oh, and bring links about kids to share!

The rules are simple — be nice.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

1 Word, 1 Sentence, As Many Words as You Need Test

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SIMPLE SALES SERIES

Still The Decision Model

insideout logo

Chris Garrett and I had a conversation yesterday morning. We discussed the difference between the way we see our blogs and the way our readers see them. That got us talking about testimonials.

Testimonials are more than meet the eye. They tell us what customers value . . . what we do for them.

Chris and I talked about using surveys to focus a businesses. We agreed that the key is to listen carefully. Read every word that is said. Look deep in the text for the hidden testimonials.

One goal of great survey is to gather what customers say and use it to promote our businesses.

But don’t stop there.

Look closely at what the testimonials say — testimonials often reveal what we don’t know about ourselves and how people see our work.

That’s what Chris and I were talking about . . .

The 1 Word, 1 Sentence, As Many Words as You Need Test

Other people see what we do in ways that often surprise us. Try this test about your own work then pass it on to a friend. Here’s how it works.

Do a favor. Write a testimonial for someone’s blog — in this case would you do mine, please? (Write your answers in the comment box.)

1. Describe my blog in one word. _______.

2. Describe my blog in one sentence. _______________________________. < 3. Describe my blog in as many words as you need. _____________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Now write a testimonial for your business or blog. Write your answers in the comment box too, if you are ready to. 1. Describe your blog or business in one word. _______. 2. Describe your blog or business in one sentence. _____________________. 3. Describe your blog or business in as many words as you need. _________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ What do you think other people will see in you? Make a prediction. Now print out this page and do it a few more times. Each time as another friend to do it with you. Compare each new person's testimonial to the one that you wrote. Write a new each time, you'll find you'll get closer to your message if you do. Pay attention to what bits your friend calls out. When you have finished the exercise, check to see how close your prediction was. You might be surprised what you learn about yourself. --ME "Liz" Strauss Is your business stuck? Check out the Start-up Strategy Package. Work with Liz!!

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To follow the entire series: Liz Strauss’ Inside-Out Thinking to Building a Solid Business, see the Successful Series Page.

Personal Identity: It's Just a Little Lie

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Can we talk about . . .

a little lie.

This weekend I had a conversation with someone who told a little lie. He talked about what I do as if he followed my work each day. He was pretending, guessing. It’s sad to report. His guess was miles away.

“If you’re going to lie to me, please have the decency to be convincing.” Hugh Prather, Jr. said.

I suppose this young man, in his own way, was paying me a compliment. Maybe he wanted me to know he thought I was important. But what he did was say he wasn’t confident that I would be okay if he admitted he never read my work. His problem? Yes. But then he handed it to me.

It’s just a little lie, but what do I do with it?

I’m caught between the truth and embarrassment. In my younger days, I would have gone straight for the truth as gently as I could, thinking that I would save the misperception from continuing. These days I do that less.

I didn’t tell the guy he had it wrong. I figured I can’t fix all of the misperceptions in the world. I figured sooner or later folks who’d hear from him might consider the source.

Have I gotten old and lazy or realistic? Have I quit taking myself so seriously or sold out?

After all, it’s just a little lie.

Liz's Signature

The Blog Herald: Rock Star Bloggers, Do You Chase Readers Away?

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It’s as Easy as 1,2,3

I’ve noticed something about bloggers. We’re all rock stars. It’s true and there’s nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to have 1000 readers to be a rock star. You only need one loyal fan.

The problem is that, over the long haul, we sometimes change the way we blog. Like rock stars, some of us peak too early. Some of us get better as time goes by. Some of us get tired of the daily grind, and some buy into our own PR.

Read the whole feature in today’s Blog Herald by clicking the logo.

The Blog Herald

It’s about blogging and real life.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
At the Blog Herald, I write about books, information, and relationships, making connections from the patterns she sees. I consider these keystone articles.
Authenticity and Transparency in the Real World
In the Real World — The Half-Full, Half-Empty Glass
The Universe of People, Black Holes, and Stars
Connectors and Mavens on the Tipping Point
The Writer’s Dilemma and the Blogger’s Secret
The Two Webs: Information or Relationships?
Social Networking: Am I Person Or an Item?