Liz Strauss is a superstar. She has helped more bloggers and businesses understand what each other needs (she helps bloggers understand business, and she helps businesses better understand how to use blogs to their advantage), and I’m particularly amazed at her ability to synthesize information using both her passion for the topic as well as her background as an educator and publisher of education materials.
A few months back, I flew to Chicago and participated in her SOBCon event, which was subtitled Business School for Bloggers, and ever since, I’ve been taking her advice there (and the advice of others I spent time with) and running with it. I’m thinking you should, too. I know that Liz is working on several projects, including some useful information for bloggers to consider in bringing their game up, especially if they’re considering business blogging, or blogging as part of their business. I can’t wait for that.
And in the mean time, I want you to start thinking about the skillsets you have on board, and the ones you need to add. For instance, I’m a great writer. I’m a great thinker. I’m great at relationship building and maintaining. I’m a pretty decent marketer. I’m not great at sales. I’m not great at negotiation. I have nothing with regards to legal or financial issues, except the understanding that I don’t know much about them.
If you were to need business skills as a media maker, what would they be? And if you were to be a business type looking at how blogging and other media might impact your business, what are some of the tools you would want to better understand? I’m sure Liz will be able to help you out a great deal, and in the mean time, I just wanted to start a conversation and understand what matters to you.
Are you already subscribed to Liz’s blog? It’s worth spending some time and getting to know her. She’s done a lot for me, and she’s where I look for advice and inspiration lots of times. And, if you are a decent sized corporation looking for some help in understanding the landscape, the educational requirements, and the business impact of blogging, Liz is a great resource to consider.
What do you need to know about business and blogs and vice versa?