Which computer you use is not a religion. Some folks really want information on how to make a choice. So this week on Tuesday Open Comment Night, we’re discussing the question of the ages . . .
You’ve probably seen this.
But have you seen this?
Equal time . . . and of course, we’ll be nice.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
Every WordPress blog comes with an initial test post titled “Hello World!” as if the world might notice another blog post appear. We jump in. We write. We put our thoughts, sometimes our hearts, in the words and spaces. At some point we wonder if anyone, or enough anyones, will notice that we’re here . . . .
If we want to seen, we can’t lurk in the shadows. Sitting at home won’t get hordes of fans crowding around our web address. Commenting on blogs gets us noticed, but it takes time. What more we can do to get folks to see what we’ve got going on?
The key to visibility is being in strategic locations where people will show you off and where other people gather to look. Try ramping up your visibility from these 10 locations.
Build a plan for letting folks know that you’re out here. Take your time. Pick the one location that most fits you and get going there first. Then move to your second choice. Every location offers an opportunity to reach out and let the living web know that you’re here.
What places and spaces for raising your visibility have worked for you? Which haven’t worked out at all?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
As soon as I turned on my computer, an IM popped up. This is the conversation that occurred. I’ve changed the name and location of the other party because . . . um . . . I’m the nice one. Truth is, I suspect that the sender doesn’t read my blog and won’t know about that post. I hope I’m wrong about that. If I am, I hope that we might try the conversation over.
Here’s what was said.
sender: hi liz please give me some trik for my blog
ME: Hi What is that?
sender: 🙂 for some make good my blog
ME: Do I know you?
sender: :-oooh sorry. I’m from [name of country]ME: again . . . do I know you?
sender: ok sorryME: You might tell me who you are.
[I’m pretty sure he was gone before I typed these words.
Did he want links or money?]
Ask yourself these two questions. Then fill in the blanks in the sentence that replaces [what is asked for] with the phrase lots of money.
Using the answers from the IM Saturday morning the sentence now reads.
Hi complete stranger, would you give me lots of money so that my blog will be good?
Doesn’t sound as if it has anything to do with me.
It’s worth saying something I said once before.
I want a relationship, not a one-link stand.
Links might stay and stick for a few months. Over time, they die out and break. Links to people I don’t know have the protential to harm me. Relationships with like-minded folks are good things and have the potential to grow.
This is a an unusual blog request story. Not everyone gets a IM at “dark o’clock” in the morning. What’s the most interesting blog request that has come your way? Would you say it was blog begging?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
One customer. That first customer. That next customer. Will that customer click away before you connect?
Most businesses don’t realize that the missing out on a single customer relationship is more costly than it appears. The customer that passes by today doesn’t mean the loss of one sale. That one customer gone represents
Every customer that doesn’t connect takes those benefits to another business.
Strong businesses are built on strong relationships. Strong relationships are built on connections that stick.
I’ve been working on a way to make useful 20+ years of education, the strategy, business, and relationships. The result is a sleek and flexible set of courses called Connection Central for Solos. They’re smartly focused on conversations connections, relationships, customers and paying the rent.
Connection Central is two carefully crafted curriculum — one stands alone, one comes in three versions. Each is designed to show you how to attract, delight, and form long-lasting relationships with customers. Both offer solid methods and strategies you can use to connect quickly, profitably, and predictably. I only made two because I only have so much time
Choose the course that fits your situation. Or call to discuss something tailored precisely to what you need. Visit SOBNet: Connection Central. If you have questions, call or email me. Don’t let those customers keep passing by. Isn’t it time that you connect?
Are you ready to charge more for your services? Are you having a problem naming your fees?
Work with Liz to set the rationale for your fees. Use value, time, and math to discuss what you charge. Develop and price smaller offers. Check what you offer for missed opportunities to deliver value. Learn how to change the amount of work rather than lower your fees.
Enroll at Connection Central.
3 Telephone sessions with Liz ……………………………………………$295.00
Learn on your own with all of the tools you need or learn through conversations with Liz. See the complete 16-Step Curriculum in the box at the bottom of the page.
Self-coaching means just what it sounds like. You’ll get the tools and information and a push in the right direction. Weekly coaching plans and worksheets crafted by experienced educational publisher will guide you to define your product or service, fine tune your presentation, write a compelling offer, attract ideal customers, and close the deal. Begins January 20th, 2008
Enroll at Connection Central.
16-Step Email Self-Coaching Course …………………………………… $ 97.00
It’s the same curriculum with all of the same content, but fast-tracked through telephone sessions with Liz. Identify, connect, and form a relationship with your ideal customers by providing them with an atmosphere they recognize and an offer they value more highly than the price.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz …………………………………………… $585.00
Invite a colleague to work alongside you and share the benefits.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz ……… $970.00 [$485.00 each for two]
TeleSeminars are available to limited number immediately.
The first session of the email course will begin January 20th.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.
A.P. Lawrence focusing on something he heard us say a lot. This morning I was reading Successful-blog.com and noticed how so many people were talking about “focus”.I’d like to focus on that for a minute.
Levite Chronicles reflected on moving through life with our friends.
Those of you I know in the 2.0 world, they ask about you. They want to know how you are doing. They care about your lives. They are interested. I am, for you and they, the mutual friend. And I can assure both of you all, 0.0 and 2.0, that you would really like each
Confident Writing searched her blog for answers. As I get ready to look through my own writing archives for the year gone by I jotted down the questions I would ask myself – or rather, ask my blog. A note of the things that I would be looking out for, that would help me to learn. These are the 7 searching questions I came up with . . .
Drew’s marketing Minute analyzes what happened to us in 2007. Fabulous, Drew! And then Greg left #7 blank — asking readers to share what they thought was the 7th significant trend of the year. So, here’s my take. A year ago, Time Magazine named YOU (meaning us) the person of the year….heralding the power and influence of social media.
Damn! I Wish I’d Thought of That! reveals the secrets that great event marketers use.
Here are a few videos interviews with smart folks I met at the Corporate Event Marketers Association conference:
SuccessCREEations announces something worth congratulating! As of the new year I will no longer be employed full time in my old position in the maritime industry. I’m leaving that job to focus on growing SuccessCREEations, Inc. It is a big step, no doubt. and that is one that Gorgeous and I have been working towards for quite some time.
I finally did a decent radio interview . . . you can download it at blogtalkradio/PowerfullLiving
Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.
Have a great weekend! See you when I’m home again!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
All through the year, we offer a fare of the best in thinking — articles on business, blogging, and just plain living. On a day of celebrating 2007, we’re bringing hit selections to share with you in this very special menu.
Please enjoy these as much as I enjoy having you visit.
Success from the Nest pointed out that As a home-based business person, not knowing where your nuts are can make you crazy. Now, at this point you may be wondering to which nuts I am referring (and those of you snickering, I know what you’re thinking). Well, the nuts I am referring to are…
Shards of Consciousness explained . . . I found several how-tos on the domain moving process itself. However, none of these were clear enough for me. And none of them covered all the issues involved in changing domains. There are six main aspects of moving a WordPress blog from one domain to another.
Copyblogger pointed out Since different people connect with different things, joining in on a conversation that naturally compares and contrasts your style and expertise with that of your peers is smart marketing. More importantly, it exudes confidence.
Spooky Action gave us the model and said Why is a model of game design important to experience designers? Because the game design paradigm is DESIGN ONCE, EXPERIENCE MANY TIMES.
Seth’s Blog wondered What do most people get out of blogging? After all, most blogs are virtually unread by outsiders… Be sure to read the comments that follow it.
Logic and Emotion challenged us to consider If we claim to be marketers, advertisers, designers, public relations or communications professionals—we must take it upon ourselves to fully comprehend the significance of a lone consumer who takes on a huge company with nothing more than a blog and tape recorder.
The Life Coaches Blog started by saying Believe in people. See them better than they see themselves.
Steve-Olson.com offered an incredible curiosity quencher. I decided to provide you with some of my favorite websites, news articles, and blog posts about understanding intelligence.
Alister Cameron put it bluntly If what you do with the best hours of your day is not also the thing you’re passionate about, stop right now!
Manage to Change outlined why The real power of blogging is that it’s one more way to forge meaningful relationships with people and actively participate in communities and conversations.
ChristineKane.com laid out a challenge. Who among us has said this very thing – or some variety of it – to her/himself? And – here’s the kicker – who among us has been lying when we said it?
Design Your Writing Life takes up Where ChristineKane.com left off. What? Write for 15 minutes? What the hell can you accomplish in 15 minutes? See all there is about Writerly Lies.
DaveOlson.ca was questioning I don’t know when it happened but somewhere in the last few years of life, I forgot how to ask learning questions and honestly it’s kinda got me freaked out.
Circular Communications invented a genre. In this context is the deciding difference however that the interviewer has to do all the present work including picking the topic, choosing the participants, formulating the questions and finding the answers.
Chrisg got to thinking about the kinds of bloggers we are. While I patiently explained the different types of blogs to those guys I realised many of us probably have some sort of cross-over between types and rarely consider what our dominant blogging style is.
JeffPulver.com shows the online conversation in the offline world. When checking out, I noticed a personal note from their general manager, Barbara Gross, who made reference to a blog post I had written earlier this week . . . it is an example of how many small (and not so small) businesses can benefit from implementing their own social media strategy around their customers.
Instigator blog writes when we see examples of people building out mini-media empires like TechCrunch, GigaOm, ProBlogger, Know More Media, Positive Media Blog Network, and others, we feel like it’s possible for us as well.
Carpe Factum connects that Sometimes, it’s important to find the support that is hidden to the naked eye. That applies in our professional lives also, doesn’t it?
Jonathan Fields asks Have you ever lost time doing anything? You know what I’m talking about. Those moments when you become so absorbed in what you’re doing that an hour becomes a minute and a day becomes and hour. You blink and it’s time to go home, but you’d kill to be able to stay just a little bit longer.
Pick the Brain motivated us with There’s a big myth in our culture: that passion can only be spontaneous. . . . I disagree. Passion can be created. Even for things you don’t currently enjoy.
Orbit Now! characterized things in a way. Here is my spin. It is perhaps NOT as sticky, but that should come as a surprise to no one.
chrisbrogan.com explained
There are SO MANY situations where a social network’s communications functions, when aggregated as part of the “informational whole,” have more value than a more formal tool like a document or email.
Codswallop offered efficiency. Are you working with Excel and want take your Excel skills to the next level? Or do you want to learn Excel and don’t know where to start?
The Artsy Asylum questioned How do we communicate with each other in 2007 and beyond? How does that make a difference in how we think about the world, and our lives, and each other? How does the 3-D web play a part? Big brains are thinking about this so I don’t have to do it all.
Please enjoy these 144 links from Successful and Outstanding Bloggers.
Sit back. Enjoy your reading. Nachos and beverages will be right over. Klondike bars and Fat Tires are in the cooler under the sidebar Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.
Have a great celebration!
–ME “Liz” Strauss