Successful Blog

Mini-Session 5: Maximizing the Effectiveness of Videoblogging

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Guest Speaker: Rodney Rumford

Video Blogging: How to maximize the effectiveness of a video blog can present some real challenges. It is too bad that most bloggers don’t leverage the power of video in a more efficient and effective manner.

Here are a few questions to ponder:

  • 1. Why even create a video blog?
  • 2. Should I use a video delivery service such as YouTube?
  • 3. Do i want my video blog to ba a “Real Video Podcast Channel” so it
    can be on iTunes?
  • 4. How can I leverage my video blog and make it spread everywhere and allow people to put the entire video blog into their blog?
  • 5. Would it be cool if other video viewers could connect and form a
    community around my video blog?
  • 6. How can i make my video blog more viral?
  • 7. What makes a “good” video engaging?

Feel free to ask any questions or add your thoughts and
comments to the conversation on this hot topic.

Thank you, Rodney!
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Check out Rodney’s soon to be released product Video Sticky where you can connect with other like-minded video viewers and blog readers. –Me “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Rodney, what are the advantages of using video on a business blog?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 4: (Why) Navigation is Important to You and Your Readers

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Joe Hauckes

Liz has invited me to be a “speaker” at this Virtual Version of SOBCon07. I’m not really sure why she picked me, but I was more than happy to accept. So, whether you are able to attend the Conference in 3D in May or in 2D Now, Everyone is Welcome to join in Today at the SOBCon07 Virtual Version.

(Why) Navigation is Important to You and Your Readers

What’s the most annoying thing you encounter when you are looking for something specific? Let’s say you already found a Blog that looks promising as a place to get some answers to some questions you may have. You see the original article you landed on, but you have more questions.

You go through “Archives”. You hit the “Previous post” and “Next post” links in search of some specific information but you can’t seem to find what you are looking for. You know it should be there somewhere (and it very well could be) but you just can’t seem to find it.

What do you do next? You go somewhere else to find what you need.

That’s where NAVIGATION comes in…

When someone visits your Blog, especially for the first time, you need to give them a way to find other things that could be of interest to them. You want to draw them deeper into your site. In order to do that you should give them access to the places they can find what they are looking for by providing things like Series You Have Written, some of your Most Popular Posts and Posts related to the subject of the post they landed on.

Show them your Recent Posts so they can get a better idea of the overal Theme and Subject Matter of your Blog. Provide a Category List covering the various topics you have covered previously.

Put links to the Most Recent Comments and any Special Projects you have running at the time. Invite visitors to join in, let them know you want them to be part of your community. The more Intra-links you provide the deeper new readers might dig to find information and possibly become Loyal Readers and Friends.

The only way I can achive my objective to help out others working at home is to makeit easy for them to READ what I’ve WRITTEN. And this can Best be accomplished by providing really Good NAVIGATION to other posts on My Blog.

What are your thoughts about NAVIGATION? Can you think of other reasons NAVIGATION is important to you? Your Readers?

Thank you, Joe!
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Visit Joe’s Blog Working at Home on the Internet where his main objective is to help others through my experiences in Working at Home by writing helpful articles. .–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Joe, what’s your biggest frustration when navigating blogs?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 3: Five Things about Creativity

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Guest Speaker: Mark McGuinness

Five Things about Creativity

1. Creativity happens inside the box as well as outside it – yes you need to free your mind and think laterally, but you also need rules, deadlines and constraints.

2. Creativity happens between people, not just between the ears – inspiration comes from conversation; if no-one ever hears about your idea, it may as well not exist.

3. What’s obvious to you is original to others – you’re often at your most creative when you stop trying to be original and say the first thing that comes into your mind.

4. Creativity is a mind-altering substance – when was the last time you were so absorbed in your imagination that time stood still, your surroundings disappeared and you were lost in another world?

5. Creativity can be managed – artists learn to manage their own creative process; the best managers do the same for others.

Thank you, Mark
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Visit Mark at his website and blog, Wishful Thinking, where he works with professionals on how creativity and business fit together. –ME “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Mark, how can I help businesses value creativity?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 2: The Importance of Visuals in a Post

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Guest Speaker: Sandy Renshaw

Graphics! Why do we need ’em?

Don’t underestimate the importance of visuals in a post. More than 60% of us are visual learners. A well-placed graphic can express your idea quickly.
They

  • Break up the text
  • Make life interesting
  • Extend meaning

How do graphics impact you when you are visiting blog sites?

Thank you,
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Visit Sandy’s blog, Purple Wren, where discuss visual images as part of life and the tools and techniques used to make visuals that communicate effectively.. –ME Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Sandy, how do you decide how many and which visuals to use?

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Mini-Session 1: Mistakes and Laughter

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Guest Speaker: Robyn McMaster, PhD

Have you ever laughed at a mistake that could have sunk you? Not long ago, while leading a conference for doctors, business leaders and faculty, I spilled a glass of water on Ellen Weber’s suit. I froze. But Ellen laughed, and soon amusement bounced off walls of the room.

Laughter instantly changes people’s mood when things go wrong, because it releases into the brain, serotonin, a chemical of well being. I’d like to laugh more at silly annoyances – and hoped you lighter hearted bloggers might toss in a few tips.

How do you manage to laugh out loud with your readers – especially when stuff lets you down or you’re just too serious?

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Thank you, Robyn!

Visit Robyn’s blog Brain-Based Biz where Robyn taps into arts and mind to gather insights that stir creativity in business applications.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first, Robyn, what do you do when everyone is laughing but you?

 

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Welcome to the Virtual Conference and Bring-a-Link Event!

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Welcome!

All of the speakers have lined up a day of information and conversation about blogging. Do come in to check out the people who are here and what we’re talking about. Every hour we’ll put up a new post on a new subject for us to talk about. Bring a link to your favorite blogging post and join us whenever you are able.

Think theater of the imagination meets speakers and attendees in the comment box for conversation.

SOBCon07

When: Today, March 12th, 2007:

Here are some of the wonderful folks who’ve agreed to participate.

8:00 – Robyn McMaster on Laughter and Mistakes
9:00 – Sandra Renshaw on The Importance of Graphics
10:00 – Mark McGuinness on Creativity
11:00 – Joe Hauckes on Navigation
12:00 – Rodney Rumford on Videoblogging
1:00 – Chris Garrett on Blogger Blunders
2:00 – Ellen Weber on Sleep and Music
3:00 – Wendy Piersall on Blogging Beyond the Blogosphere
4:00 – Mike Wagner on Branding
5:00 – Terry Starbucker on What to Look for
6:00 – Chris Cree on Business Blogging
7:00 – Phil Gerbyshak on Being a Relationship Geek
8:00 – David Armano on the 4 Cs of Blogging

SOBCon Special

During the Virtual Conference, You can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.
Click the SOBCon 07to learn more about SOBCon 07.
Click Registration Link to take advantage of the special offer running during the Virtual Conference.

Enjoy!
— ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
The Secret’s Out: SOBCon 07 Is in Chicago May 11-12!