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SOBCon 08 Reports – Lorelle Van Fossen

Lorelle speaking at SOBCon 08

Blogging firecracker Lorelle took the mic and immediately challenged everyone. She went around the room asking SOBCon participants what their blog was about, and could they explain what they did. As you might imagine, most people stammered something vague.

The big takeaway from her workshop was an exercise in which we had to construct a statement of what we do in ten words or less. Then the brave shared theirs with the group and Lorelle praised or bashed them for being too general–a good thing, entirely. You could call it tough love. Thomas Clifford had the best one, I think.

Here’s mine:

Remarkablogger helps freelancers and small business improve their positioning and customer relationships through blogging.

I’m not 100% happy with it, yet, so I’ll keep working on it.

What’s your 10-word value proposition? Tell us in the comments below.

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19 Responses to SOBCon 08 Reports – Lorelle Van Fossen
  1. Dave Navarro
    May 7, 2008 | 5:48 am

    Michael –

    Congrats on shattering the 2K RSS barrier!

    Wish I could have been at SOBCon .. guess I’ll just have to settle for being an SOB …

  2. Liz Strauss
    May 7, 2008 | 7:55 am

    Hi MichaeL!
    That session was everything that Lorelle set out to do and more. My ten words?

    I help businesses make lasting and profitible relationships with customers.

  3. Dave Navarro
    May 7, 2008 | 9:30 am

    My 10 words?
    I get people “unstuck” and teach them to kick a$$.

  4. Michael Martine, Blog Consultant
    May 7, 2008 | 9:31 am

    @Dave – thanks! It would have been great to meet you, maybe next year! :)

    @Liz – I like how you have the word profitable in yours, but it doesn’t say how you accomplish anything. Do you feel that isn’t necessary? Just curious, trying to get my head around this.

  5. Dave Navarro
    May 7, 2008 | 9:40 am

    @Michael –
    Maybe! Let me know if you’re ever down in NC ..

  6. Abhijeet
    May 7, 2008 | 10:17 am

    Even I am not happy with your “about me” – just kidding.

    I had decided one for mine.

    “It’s about life, seo, internet, technology, reviews and money”

    That’s what I write about, nothing beyond that.

  7. Gizzy Withers
    May 7, 2008 | 10:50 am

    Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, blogger’s man.
    Improve my positioning fast as you can.

  8. Gil Gerretsen
    May 7, 2008 | 11:09 am

    My 10 words … We teach small business owners how to become Marketing Superstars!

  9. Thomas Clifford
    May 7, 2008 | 11:20 am

    Hi Michael,

    It was fabulous meeting you at SOBCon08 and many thanks for mentioning me about the 10 word statement :-)

    For those who missed it, here’s mine…

    “I capture your organization’s heart and soul on video through personal stories.”

    Take care and keep up the great work!!!

    Thomas Clifford

  10. Janice Cartier
    May 7, 2008 | 11:30 am

    Michael- not exactly ten words yet but today’s post is for you :)

    @Dave- go look …this IS an NC painting…and BTW , I felt the distinct kick in my a$$$e at 4am this morning…I’ll get you for that!!! :)

    @Liz- you forgot to say you put the heart back in business.

  11. Bill Stevens
    May 7, 2008 | 11:52 pm

    I just want to say thanks for all the info you’ve provided on SOBCon 08 in your blog posts as well as the tweets and vids you provided. It helped feel like being there.

    Thanks,
    Bill

  12. Michelle Vandepas
    May 7, 2008 | 11:57 pm

    It was so great to meet you and sit by you on Saturday. I’m already looking forward to next year!

    My 10 words?
    Unveiling, Unleashing and Manifesting Passion and Purpose in Life and Work.

    working on it still

  13. Nicole Horton
    May 8, 2008 | 6:20 am

    This is something I had thought about, but not to put in down in 10 words. So here goes;

    I show mums how to avoid the dinner battle.

  14. rjleaman
    May 8, 2008 | 9:27 am

    For a couple of years, my business partnership’s tagline has been “No flash, no bull, no 3-martini lunches: real communication for real people.” – 12 words there, but close. It’s served us well for a decade or so, but now it’s high time for a value proposition makeover: I’ll be working on it!

  15. leona dawson
    May 8, 2008 | 4:36 pm

    Caoching in Heartfelt Listening and Expression for aligned living.

  16. Sonia Simone
    May 9, 2008 | 1:39 pm

    Michael, what do you think of this:

    “Remarkablogger takes pretty good business blogs and turns them into rockstar business blogs.”

    That’s how I see you, anyway.

  17. Michael Martine, Blog Consultant
    May 9, 2008 | 2:16 pm

    @Sonia – Thanks, that’s great! The only thing is many of my clients have no blog at all at first. ;)

  18. Sonia Simone
    May 9, 2008 | 4:29 pm

    Well, hm, ok, there’s that. Typical customer, I think everyone = me. :)

  19. isabella mori
    May 11, 2008 | 3:00 pm

    oh, THAT’S what @tojosan was twittering about!

    nicole, i love yours!

    mine is 16 words but for now i’m happy with it. what do you think?

    ** “making lives better, making better lives.” change therapy is about psychology, creativity, spirituality and social justice. **

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