We all want to get ahead. We all want more traffic, more comments, more links, more online friends. How can we attract these desirable outcomes? There are a lot of methods and techniques you can use to go after your fame, or whatever you are trying to achieve with your online ventures. I’m going to put my effort into helping others reach their goals, and I’ll tell you why. This is going to be aimed at things you can do on BloggingZoom, and other social networks, but it applies to ‘normal’ life in some ways too.
Let’s examine the case of a person who finds BZ and thinks “What a great idea! I’m going to join up and get busy submitting my articles. Finally, a joint that doesn’t penalize me for putting in my own work.” Now, with several articles submitted, this new member is barely making any progress at all. “I don’t get it,” they cry out. “I thought this place was going to help me get more exposure.” As they look at how well other people’s posts are doing, they become enraged, grab a high powered rifle and climb the nearest watertower.
It doesn’t have to be this way. First of all, sitting on a tower can be pretty lonely and cold. And, second, there are things you can do to ensure your success. If you are too busy planning your shooting spree, I’ll leave you to it, but otherwise, lets crack a Blue Beaver Beer and come up with a more reasonable course of action.
You have to give before you can get! If I, or many other BZ users, see five of your articles all submitted at nearly the same time, and I know darn well you haven’t bothered to read anyone else’ work, I probably won’t read yours and I won’t make you my friend.
It’s that simple. Your profile will show what you have been up to, so don’t think you can hide it. It doesn’t matter how good your articles are if other people can tell you are being self serving.
On the other hand, if I am looking at various entries, and I notice that not only has a particular user zoomed these articles, but also commented on them and commented on the respective article’s blog, I am going to be predisposed to like that person by association. If I see their name on an entry, I’ll probably read it even if it’s not in my main interest area. I will try to like it. I will try to comment when I have to struggle for something to say. I will probably zoom it.
Another area that needs emphasizing is comments placed on a blog. It costs nothing, and takes such a small amount of time. All of you know how good it feels to know that someone out there is paying attention. There are times when a new blogger is wondering if it’s worth it, maybe ready to throw in the towel. Well, you need that new blogger. You need that person to read your articles! You can’t afford to let them quit. I know that most of you produce how-to and other helpful posts, to show others what you know. I love these articles, and all those new to blogging can really use your help.
And all you veteran bloggers with the scars to prove it, I know you appreciate the comments too. If you like your commentors, reply to them! If I go to a blog and I feel like maybe the writer doesn’t even read the comments, I will only leave a couple before I give up. If my comments get answered, I know that there is a two way street there. It isn’t all about them.
So there you have it. Share your toys, help others, play nice, and you too can get ahead in this world. And stay away from water towers. You never know who might be up there.
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6 responses so far ↓
1 jblu // Nov 29, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I agree. Blogging works better when there’s a give and take system…notice that give comes before take.
jblu’s last blog post..Right Minded Gadgets: Where The Lefties At?
2 No Nonsense // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:21 pm
You hit the nail on the head. Its fine to take from social sites, but you also need to give back for it to become really useful. Commenting is also a great way to increase your own blog’s exposure whiel adding a little value to someone else’s. Commenting on other blogs has helped me a lot with building readership to my blog as well as has scored me some more links when the blogger reads one of my posts and decide to link to it from another post or their blogroll
No Nonsense’s last blog post..Why Article Marketing Does Not Work Round Two
3 janet // Nov 30, 2007 at 10:42 am
Totally agree! Very relevant to real life too. The world would be a better place if we all gave first without thinking about what we’d get back!
janet’s last blog post..Increase Your Presence on the Net with Hub Pages
4 Lin // Nov 30, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Fabulous post! It’s interesting that I found your post with 10 zooms but only three comments prior to this one. Hmm. I often wonder if people sometimes zoom a post simply to show they’re zooming, but don’t really use the link to read the article in its entirety. I like to look for the social networking pics, like yours on your sidebar, to see who actually pulled up the link.
Great job!
5 Brian // Nov 30, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Oh but of course! The (2nd) golden rule. Give before you receive. But my question to you, is that if you are giving, then that person is receiving before they give. Shouldn’t you always give before you receive?
Brian’s last blog post..November In Review
6 Tim Ebl // Nov 30, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I’m glad you agree.
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