The Blogosphere’s Original S.O.B.
She’s the creator of the SOB badge you see so many Successful Outstanding Blogs wearing proudly. She’s both an inspiration and hero to bloggers all around the world who are passionate about building better blogs and businesses that are founded upon authenticity and community.
She was the mastermind behind this year’s first annual SOBCon where bloggers joined together to learn the insight of blogging experts and to explore ways to create better, more meaningful online communities.
She is Liz Strauss, the voice of Successful-Blog.
Although Liz has the reputation of a guru in the blogging community, while on her blog I feel that I can easily strike up a conversation with her in the comments box that she will participate in. Liz feels approachable. The first time I visited Successful-Blog, I got the immediate sense that she honestly cared about her readers and that she made time to listen to them and thoughtfully respond to each one individually.
When I talked to her for this interview, we traveled by phone in a taxi through the streets of Chicago to a restaurant where she would be having a good-bye lunch with her son before he moved away for the first time. Still, she made time for me – and for you, so that you could learn how to become a better blogger.
I hope that you’ll get as much out of Liz’s sage words of blogging wisdom as I did.
Liz’s 4 “Rules†of Blogging
Though she doesn’t like “rules†per say, she does say that there are a few to blogging if your goal is to build relationship-driven communities.
1. Leave your posts incomplete
Our eight grade teachers burned it into our minds that we should end our writings with a nice neat conclusion. But Liz says that when blogging, you’re not writing for your eight grade teacher.
By over editing to tie up all of the loose ends on your post, you leave no room for readers to add to the conversation.
Blogging is a dialogue – a conversation, and a good conversationalist invites others to join in by leaving room to talk.
If your post is a list, Liz suggests posting the first several things that come into your mind and not hunting for more things to add to the list. Leave some stones unturned and let your readers join in the conversation by allowing them to add ideas to the conversation.
2. Don’t be a reporter
Liz says that unless you’re a journalist, don’t be a reporter. For one, unless you’re a trained journalist, you open yourself up reporting misinformation. For example, if your post is review of a particular site, talk about the way the site made you feel (crowded, comfortable, etc), instead of spouting facts about the site. No one can argue with the way you feel.
Secondly, Liz says that people come to your blog to read about your unique point of view – your presence.
The more you talk about my own experience, the more people can find themselves. If you’re general, the less people can find themselves. You can’t find yourself in a piece of white bread.
3. Don’t be an expert
Liz says that most bloggers take themselves too seriously. They try to be experts when they would be better off just being genuine.
Most people think that if you’re sitting in the blog post box that you’re supposed to be an expert. It’s more fun not to be one. You can become an expert by not being one.
She says that the more you try to become an expert, the more people will try to knock you down. Instead of approaching topics from an authoritative point of view, take a more community-based approach.
Instead of being authoritative, try going on a quest to find information and asking others to come along.
Liz makes a good point about how portraying yourself as too much of an expert can weaken your community. Many people already feel intimidated about leaving comments and setting a precedence that you’re a high authority expert only increases this level intimidation. In order to build a relationship-based community, your readers must feel comfortable engaging in dialog with you and other readers.
Come down off the podium and don’t lecture. The minute you’re up on the podium people don’t want to talk anymore.
4. Engage in comment conversations
2 years and 39,000+ comments ago, in an email from reader Hartley Singer asking that the comment feed be fixed, Singer so wisely said “half the show is in the comments.â€
With lively dialog between readers being such a critical part of a blog’s success and attractiveness, Liz says she’s amazed at the number of bloggers that don’t respond to a second comment from a reader in order to carry on the conversation.
When you answer my comment and I answer back, answer again!
The statement just makes so much sense. Instead of considering replying to comments as a way to be polite or because a blog how-to guide said this was a good idea, reply to comments because you want to continue the conversation, to dig deeper into the thought, and to get to know your readers! Leave it to Liz to point out the elephant in the middle of the room that no one else seems to notice.
So much more than a list of tips
I don’t want to turn this into simply a list of tips on blogging. What I learned from Liz I found between the lines of the words she spoke to me –something that revolutionized my thinking.
I was curious; how had Liz become such an authority in the blogosphere after just 2 years of blogging? How does anyone rise to the top of their profession while others labor for years hovering somewhere around the middle?
The answer again comes back to the importance she places on people and the value of their perspectives and ideas – the same principal she is so passionate about when it comes to blogging.
She truly values the perspective, experience and knowledge of other people. She genuinely wants to know what you think. She talks to a blogger every day on the phone because she is interested in bloggers. In her words, “It’s just one of the things that I do.â€
She’s gained a wealth of knowledge by first respecting the insight of others and then by actively seeking it. Couldn’t we all do more of this?
How has Liz affected you?
Liz regularly turns the spotlight onto others. She never seems to make a big deal of herself, though she has impacted the lives of thousands of bloggers out there – maybe even you. I want to know, how has Liz impacted your blogging, your business, or your way of thinking?
Every Tuesday, we feature someone in a NON-sponsored interview like you just read above. You can learn more about “Interview Me†by reading this page. If you would like to recommend someone (including yourself) to be featured, please e-mail Christine [at] Create Business Growth [dot] com and tell us the WHY behind your recommendation.
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Hi Christine,
Oh, oh! Gosh, I sound bigger than life. Wow! Thank you ma’am!
You say I revoluntionized your thinking. Well, whatever did, do that often. Sweep out the old thoughts and bring some new ones at least three times a year. That will keep you blogging. . . .
The only way to do that is to talk to the people who are interested in what you are interested in and to talk to the people who are interested in stuff you have never heard of, to the ones who are incredibly helpful and nice — like our friend, Jonathan. Wow!
Other than that, give all of your success away to the folks who read your blog by promoting them. You’ll never have to worry about having a friend to meet you every day.
Hi Liz! I think that one of the downsides of working for oneself is not having lots of people around interact with and share ideas. I just love the fact that you make it a point to talk to a blogger everyday - wow!
I have discovered so much from you during our brief conversation. I hope everyone reading will find something in this interview that clears out the cobwebs and sparks some fresh new ideas - thank you Liz!
Hi Christine,
Liz sounds like a very interesting person, I also like the idea of holding a dialogue with the comments, I can tell you there have been times that someone has commented back to my comment and I would get excited about this interaction and comment back only to be ignored. End of conversation.
No one likes to feel like there talking to themselves!
A comment box is not a chat room but it is a good place to share ideas and make great connections and share ideas that are only going to make your blogs that much better.
I can see why Jonathon would choose Liz as a mentor! Or should I say they chose each other.
Good Job Christine!
Karen
Great points Karen!! You are so right. When someone leaves a comment, they are investing their time and more importantly opening their point of view up for debate. Not getting a reply is akin to being flat out ignored. Who likes that?
I appreciate your comments and always look forward to hearing from you!
Not trying to be a reporter or expert are pearls of wisdom. As well as the points you mentioned, doing this is an easy way to get writer’s block.
If you’re not an expert, writing like one becomes a chore.
Great interview as usual Christine!
This one really stuck out to me as well Andy - Liz is just full of pearls. And you are so right. When you try to be someone you’re not, writing can be a chore.
Liz said that when she is at a loss for something to write about, she reflects on things that have happened in the last 24 hours - even something like a trip to the hair salon - and thinking about some of these life experiences could be turned into topics that relate to your readers.
Thank you Andy!
What a great conversation you have going on here, Christine!
You listen when folks talk to you and hear what they’re saying. That’s a sign of respect for the time they took to stop by to read and comment. Good on you!
Well thank you Liz! We have some amazing readers here. Just look at these two. Karen has a keen insight about people and always has something to add to the conversation. And Andy has created a project/blog (http://damblog.fillthedams.com.au/) to help solve Australia’s water crisis. It is all the wonderful readers and commenters like them that make this blogging journey so worthwhile and hopefully, interesting and informative for others.
Well, what can I say? Christine sent me an e-mail to let me know about this interview, I just cannot not comment! hehe That’s what a comment section is for! (when are we taking those conversations out of the comments boxes again Liz? Can’t wait!)
Liz is my favorite, among all bloggers (and that means, what? 75 million?) She’s my fave! If not for her, I probably would’ve gave up blogging after my first month, or would still be stuck on trying to find why my sidebar is falling down (I’m sure you remember that Liz hehe)
You know Liz, I sooooo love that part “Come down off the podium and don’t lecture. The minute you’re up on the podium people don’t want to talk anymore., that is exactly the Liz I know, online or offline, you’re totally genuine!
That’s why I visit your blog, link to you, mention you in my posts, talk to you, even fly to Chicago to meet you (would do it again in a heartbeat).
Liz, you deserve a huge WOW!
You’re always there to help, and remind me of the things I tend to forget, you’re an inspiration, a gem!
Oh Jonathan!
Christine is a beauty, isn’t she? She’s invited us to her home and puts up with us gushing all over each other.
I’ll just say “Take every word you said and play it right back on you!! I have a friend in Chicago who heard all about this guy from Montreal who took the pronunciation of the word “Wow!” to an artform.
You are my idol.
another great interview, christine! my favorite tip is ‘don’t be an expert’. the biggest turnoff to reading a blog is, in my opinion, being an authority. it’s great to provide information, but it can so easily come across as fake or just plain egotistical. not fun to read. my favorite ones are those where you feel almost like you are learning with the author rather than from them.
Thank you Erin! I’m so glad you are enjoying these interviews - I certainly am enjoying doing them and find the experience valuable on so many levels. I would recommend that anyone follow Liz’s example and make an effort to talk to new bloggers on a regular basis - wow - it’s been an incredible experience for me.
Liz’s advice to ‘not be an expert’ seems to be a favorite with just about everyone. It’s one that really stood out to me as well. I completely agree with you that the most compelling posts are those where you feel like you are learning with the writer. Great observation Erin!
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