I had some great professors in college, although even the best of them made me want to fashion voodoo dolls from old leg warmers (hey, it was the 80s) and spend afternoons slashing their little voodoo term papers with a thick red pen. One I remember quite vividly is my freshman English Lit. professor. I had spent tons of time on a paper that was returned to me with a pulsating “C” on it. “What gives?!” I thought and marched up to her desk, requesting an explanation for why she panned my 18-year-old brilliance. “This is nothing...

Not sure if you’re cut out for blogging? Try this: Start blogging. Build an audience. Get some response. Interact. Get excited. Then stop. If you’re a blogger, you won’t be able to get blogging off your mind. Blog post ideas will pop into your mind as you choose the best peaches, walk the dog and get your car inspected. You’ll obsess over missed opportunities to share ideas and insights, and conversations you wished you’d started but didn’t. How do I know? Check the dates on my last few posts. Yeah, I’m a blogger. If...

Social media offer many potential benefits. Any social media enthusiast can talk all day about “engaging with your customers,” “permission-based marketing,” and “listening and monitoring” and how they may help. But most small businesses are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the answer to that bugaboo question, “What’s the ROI?” Best practices will emerge and benefits will become clearer as time goes on, but there’s one thing that time can’t give you – the appeal of doing something...

When I feel crummy (like I did this morning), I look around for things that will inspire me and change my perspective. Today, I found my inspiration from you – via twitter. Thank you! Please add more inspirational ideas in the comments. LisaHoffmann: Where do you turn when you need inspiration? about 2 hours ago Thu Apr 30 13:01:14 +0000 2009 Narciso17: More often than not: MUSIC…I use it when I paint, write and get my groove on…! about 2 hours ago Thu Apr 30 13:02:20 +0000 2009 BeeRealty: I turn to the great outdoors for inspiration....

A good lunch for me consists of online reputation management talk over a nice Greek salad. I actively seek out people who won’t tire too quickly of my enthusiasm for online networking. My kids call me a “twitterholic.” So when I meet people who think my rants against making people register to comment on blogs mean I’ve just had too much caffeine, what do I talk about? You guessed it. Just as twitter is the Chuck Norris of Ice Breakers, social media is a great conversation starter. Because almost everyone wants to know more about it....

People who withhold information from you never have your best interest in mind. Oh, they’ll tell you that they’re trying to protect you – from anxiety, hurt feelings, worry or loss. But what they’re really saying is “You can’t handle the truth. I’m saving you from yourself. And, by the way, I’m afraid of how you’ll react to this information.” This is controlling, relationship-killing behavior. The same secrets that destroy marriages (I didn’t want to tell you that we have $10,000 in credit...

Everyone knows a fantastic blogger who hasn’t yet been discovered by the masses. Today, I’m inviting you to post a link to and short blurb about your favorite not-yet-discovered-but-awesome-just-the-same blog. Forget the rules usually observed for posting links in comments – just tell me about the best blog I’ve never read. Thanks to Jessica Gottlieb for the idea. Photo credit: McBeth via Flickr  

Late one night last week a message appeared in my inbox from a local TV reporter. “Hi Lisa. I’m looking for a social networking expert to quote for a story. Are you game?” I called her the next morning to say that I’d be happy to talk to her about social networking but that I’m no expert. Social media are evolving so quickly that there are no experts, I explained. After the interview the reporter looked me in the eye and said, “You know more about this than 99 percent of the population. I’m calling you an expert...

OK, everybody. Steve Woodruff put me at the helm of Five in the Morning today (I know, what was he thinking?!) and I’m going to rouse you from your mental slumber with a few inspiring posts from some of my favorite bloggers. It’s time to stop talking about how awful everything is and open ourselves up to opportunities. What’s that? You have to get a few more things off your chest? Go right ahead. I’ll wait. Ready? I think I’ve got something for everyone here. Have at it! Get the job I never miss Penelope Trunk’s (Brazen...

When: Thursday, February 12 – doors open at 6 p.m. Where: CANS Bar & Canteen – 500 W. 5th St. What: Food, fun and prizes Free nibbles provided by Charlotte Nightlife and CANS Emcee: Nate from 106.5 The End Raffles for entertainment, gifts and a cruise for two Local media celebrity appearances Wii bowling competition The great feeling you get when you do something nice Buy tickets now. Prices start at $5. Special perks for VIPs! 100% of ticket price goes to Charity: Water Imagine you’re thirsting for your favorite soda –...