Spotlighting the Best - Liz Strauss

Liz Strauss is one of the most influential and interesting bloggers on the Web. I had the chance to talk with her today and asked her if she would mind a post and some attention, and as I expected she was more than happy to help and answer my questions. Liz is busy like the rest of us, but I was really quite amazed to find out just how involved she is in both the digital and physical worlds.

This learned blogger maintains several sites including Successful-Blog which is one of my favorites (when I have time to read that is), lettingmebe , LizStrauss.com and SOBCon08. According to every one I have ever talked to - it is quite apparent that Liz actually never sleeps. Given the way she comprehensively responds to comments and comments herself (along with 1000 other things), this is not really hard to imagine.

With a background in print, software, online publishing and obviously business relationship experience, Liz seems imminently qualified to excel at nearly anything, so it is no huge surprise that she is such a successful blogger and organizer. What is perhaps more important is that she is just plain friendly, intelligent, helpful and cool .

I find these same dominant traits in so many of my friends and contemporaries (and in all those spotlighted here) that this came as no surprise in talking with Liz. When you get down to it, it takes a special kind of person to give so much without taking a lot in return. We have always said that Web 2.0 is about the people who contribute and here is another example of a person who contributes daily to our experience on the Web - knowledge, caring, advice, business savvy and kindness for all who care to visit. This is the essence of collaboration and applied intellect that can be found at out fingertips if we look.

She and I talked for almost an hour today, and once again I was quite amazed at the depth and breadth of knowledge and information some of my contemporaries possess. Liz seems to be informed and interested in a wealth of topics, and especially anything to do with blogging and journalism in general. One of the most interesting things we discussed was how knowing people in the digital world can often be easier and as worthwhile as those we meet in conventional ways.

This "socialization" aspect of the Web made for an easy into something near and dear to Liz's heart - SOBCon. Liz ís the founder of this "business school for bloggers" and based on our conversation this years conference promises to be even better than last year's. Liz elaborated on the rather seamless way in which the attendees of last year's events made the transition from "online" friends "real" people and we both agreed that really knowing people here is both a reality and a gift.

SOBCon08 is scheduled to crank up on May 2-4 in Chicago with limited invitations for only 250. Some great speakers are scheduled to be there including my friend Muhammad Saleem who is scheduled to talk on social networking. Liz has put together what appears to be a rewarding experience for the attendees and I hope that I can make it myself as no blogger is in greater need of a business plan.

I am thankful for friends like Liz who endeavor to make our world a little better day by day and also to our editor Svetlana for making these "spotlights" on great people possible. These are some of the most rewarding posts to write in my book and there are so many people deserving of reading out there. Check out Liz's take on this whacky Web if you get a chance - you will never be sorry.