A couple of weeks ago, Lisa Gerber and I were headed to Sean McGinnis’s #Cocktails4Causes and stopped at the Bloomingdale’s building on Michigan Avenue for a latte and biscotti. Coming up the escalator, we see a woman on her phone who, on second glance, I recognized.
It was Liz Strauss. Liz and I have spoken on a couple of panels together and have, for more than a year, been trying to figure out a way to work together. So I really didn’t think much of chatting with her for a few minutes and introducing her to Lisa. But, as we stood in line for our snacks, Lisa said, “Wow. That doesn’t happen at home. I don’t just run into people I really respect.”
Lisa, for those of you who don’t know, left her husband, her dogs, and her life in Sandpoint, Idaho to come work with us on Project Jack Bauer. So running into someone like Liz Strauss randomly like that is a pretty big deal. After all, Liz is a pretty big deal.
And she is today’s #FollowFriday.
Though she probably needs no introduction, Liz, along with Terry Starbucker, founded SOBCon, a think tank of the successful online businesses that keep ahead of the trends and form the theories that drive other online companies forward. Started in Chicago four years ago, SOBCon launched in Colorado last year, and (without putting words in Liz’s mouth) I think they have plans to move across the country. It’s limited to only 150 people and it’s the not-to-be-missed event if you’re doing business online.
SOBCon started as Successful and Online Bloggers and Liz’s blog still reflects that branding. She highlights up-and-coming blogs every week and has guest bloggers highlighted almost daily. But when Liz, herself, writes, it’s a true gem. Last September she blogged, “Five Signs a Social Media Star’s Reputation Is Spin,” for us and it remains one of the most popular guest blogs.
When she blogged earlier this week about the trust and credibility Groupon is missing and how they can fix the backlash from their Super Bowl ad, 370 people tweeted it, 79 people commented, and I can only imagine how many people linked back to it.
Liz is one smart cookie and she’s a must have in your daily blogging reads, as well as your Twitter following. If you aren’t already paying attention to her, please do. You won’t regret it and you’ll learn a thing…or 10.
Couldn’t agree more, Gini. Liz is a terrific counselor and a reliable source of seriously good information. Bravo for the shout-out!
Roger
Still killing this curious cat with your Jack Bauer mentions.
Taking #FF to the next level, I like it! And now I know about Liz…
Liz is simply awesome, I had the pleasure of meeting her last year. #agree 🙂
I have to say, it’s funny to meet people IRL for the first time that you feel like you already know so well. All Gini had to say was, “this is Liz.” and I knew right away. And the funny thing is, Liz said, “haven’t we met before?” (well, yes but only online!) The beauty of the technology. it was great to finally meet you in person, Liz.
@coffeewithjulie 🙂 If you’re on the subscription list, you’ll get an update later today.
@GuyisaGeek Yeah…I much prefer to do #FF this way.
@lisagerber Ha! Did I not introduce her by last name?! LOL!
@ginidietrich Awesome. Looking forward to it.
Yay Liz! And wow running into Gini at Bloomies! I always thought @ginidietrich was more a Hot Topic lurker. Anyhow….
As you can see by your Groupon post number crunching it’s not the ‘Social Media Rockstar Talking Heads’ with the real Klout, you don’t have to jump up and down and draw attention with ‘look at me’ for the smart people to know who the really smart people are!
You guys should go out for latte more often!
@ginidietrich Can I take this idea? 🙂
@johnfalchetto We should is right! And the little coffee shop in the Bloomingdale’s building is PERFECT for working offsite.
@HowieSPM Thank you. I’ve always been a “work hard and the rewards will come” kind of person. So I attract people with that same mentality.
@johnfalchetto Take it, yes!
Just recently started reading your blog, love it by the way. I am a huge fan of Liz, when I first started blogging and tried my hand and some small biz social media consulting I went to my first blogging conference, Blissdom, where Liz was speaking, I fell in love with her instantly that I immediately signed up for her annual conference SOBCon. I see her at conferences all the time and get a little shiver when I hear her talk, she is a really special person that has such grounded insight, an amazing woman and I can see a lot of people feel that way which makes me happy that good people are recognized for their goodness!
@andi_fisher First, thank you! Secondly, I totally agree with the shiver when you hear Liz speak. She’s really, really, really smart.
She needs no introduction, but here is last week’s #FF http://tinyurl.com/4vgeky2
RT @ginidietrich: She needs no introduction, but here is last week’s #FF http://tinyurl.com/4vgeky2
RT @ginidietrich: She needs no introduction, but here is last week’s #FF http://tinyurl.com/4vgeky2 | I couldn’t agree w/you more