△ MENU/TOP △

Holtz Communications + Technology

Shel Holtz
Communicating at the Intersection of Business and Technology
SearchClose Icon

There are two Shels

For many years, being named Shel had the advantage of uniqueness. “What an unusual name,” people would say. “Is it short for something?” I was never confused with anyone else.

Then along comes “Naked Conversations.” Not only is one of the co-authors named Shel, but we wind up at a lot of the same events. We write blogs on a similar topic. In the last 24 hours, I’ve received a comment on my blog that reads: “Nice to meet you Shel, and I enjoyed your lunchtime presentation with Robert Scoble.” My post praising the Ether launch prompted a trackback to the Ether blog linking to my post but reading, “Already on the first day there’s an incredible energy flowing out there in the ether: the super-quick Mike Arrington, Stuart Henshall, Shel Israel, Tom Keating, Mitch Ratcliffe, Rich Tehrani and the super-genuine Robert Scoble.” Even when my name is in the blog URL, they thought I was the other guy just because they saw the name “Shel.”

And these are just the two most recent examples. I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve received from people asking me how “Naked Conversations” is selling and how I liked working with Scoble. (I’m sure I would have liked it had I done it.) Even at the TechCrunch party, where my name tag clearly displayed my first and last name, people thought I was the guy on the other side of the tent signing books.

So let’s get this straight once and for all, okay? There are two Shels out there now. Two of us. Shel Israel co-wrote Naked Conversations. He’s a helluva nice guy. I like him a lot. But I’m not him.. I’m Shel Holtz. Okay? The other Shel. Got it? Ask me how “Corporate Conversations” or “Blogging for Business” are selling. Ask me about the podcasting book Neville Hobson and I are writing for McGraw-Hill. But I didn’t write “Naked Conversations” (which is a wonderful book), so please take that question to my friend, Shel Israel.

I have black hair and grey in my full beard; Israel has pretty much just grey in his goatee. I only wear reading glasses; Israel wears glasses all the time. I was born in 1954. Israel was born…umm…earlier.

Just for purposes of additional clarification, see below. I’m on the right. Israel is on the left. Any questions?

Shel Holtz

Photo credit: Josh Hallett

Technorati tags:
NewComm Forum
Shel Israel

03/04/06 | 12 Comments | There are two Shels

Comments

  • 1.I wonder how often Shel Israel is mistaken for Shel Holtz.

    On a related note, I just ordered the Blogging for Business book that you wrote with Ted Demopoulos. Can't wait to read it. Need to catch up if so I?ll be ready for the Podcasting book.

    What?s ironic is Amazon offered Naked Conversations as the ?Better Together? book. Maybe you're just going to have to embrace the two Shels game.

    stephen turcotte | March 2006 | Boston, MA USA

  • 2.It's more complicated than that Shel!

    Our book has an endorsement from yet another Shel, Shel Horowitz, who also blogs and writes books. I'm somewhat responsible, and amused, by that. I *almost* got another "Ted Demopoulos" to endorse our book, but it didn't work out - I'm often confused with him for some reason.

    Now if one of you shaved there would be less confusion I think!

    PS: Let me add, you guys look like hippies with your beards and peace signs :)

    Ted Demopoulos | March 2006 | Durham NH

  • 3.That?s a good one Ted. I was going to say something like; Just be glad your name isn?t James Frey, but the hippies with peace signs comment is so much funnier.

    stephen turcotte | March 2006 | Boston, MA USA

  • 4.But the mistake is extremely easy to make -- you are both so handsome!

    And are you *sure* you guys aren't trying to tell us how many of you there are, as distinct from giving us peace signs? I always thought the peace sign had the fingers the *other* way around... :-)

    Lee | March 2006 | Adelaide

  • 5.OK Shel, I think I've got it now. So could you send me a copy of Naked Business Blogs when you get a chance?

    Dave Traynor | March 2006 | Hamilton, Ontario

  • 6.Those aren't peace signs; we're saying TWO -- there are TWO of us!

    Shel Holtz | March 2006 | Vienna, VA

  • 7.And there I was thinking that you were letting the waitress know how many sugars you wanted in your coffee...

    Lee | March 2006 | Adelaide, Australia

  • 8.You didn't answer the question: What was it like writing a book with Robert Scoble?

    Eric Eggertson | March 2006

  • 9.And more to the point, how do you feel about that *other* bloke who's been riding on the back of your and Scoble's fame and pinching your readers?

    Lee | March 2006 | Adelaide Hills, Australia

  • 10.The orientation of the fingers in a peace sign varies depending on whether you are down under or up above the equator I believe.

    More interestingly, Scoble and I have been discussing a potential book called "Shel is my Co-Author." Maybe Neville can join us too?

    Ted Demopoulos | March 2006 | Durham NH

Comment Form

« Back