OK, so I realize that in the original post I wrote up about the ten habits, I had this as part of the tenth habit. But I wanted to touch on this first since we’re doing an interactive series. Speak up!
Make Introductions for Others
Sometimes this means being willing to introduce two different people in your network to each other. Something I actually did twice just today. Two mothers with a common medical interest and cause so I said, “Hey! Have you met @SoAndSo on Twitter yet? She’s dealing with this exact issue right now.” In another case it was two writers, one with an opportunity she couldn’t do alone, and another with fantastic qualifications to help! An email introduction meant that both parties knew who the other was and were able to connect to work on mutually beneficial projects I wasn’t personally the best suited to take on.
Leave Comments and Introduce Yourself
If you’ve never left a comment on someone’s blog before, you should really consider doing so. A comment says, ” I see you. I am paying attention. I find you of value.” A comment can be a great way to introduce yourself to someone new you hadn’t previously connected with.
Join in the Conversation
Over one hundred people read my Ten Habits of Successful Blogging post the first day. Several commented to me privately via Twitter DM or email but relatively few left a public comment. Sometimes one of the scariest things, especially for those who are just starting out and don’t feel “qualified to contribute” is to speak up and put themselves out there. It can be very tough unless you think of it as just sharing your opinion vs contributing an expert tip. Everyone has an opinion. And yours is every bit as valid as mine, right? So don’t be afraid to share.
So then – any guesses what today’s “assignment” is?
1.Leave a comment below. Be sure to put your blog website in the link and include your Twitter ID in the comment field. Take a second to introduce yourself, your blog, and share what you hope to gain from this series.
2. Look for ways to introduce people in your community who may not know each other, but should.
3. Take the time to click through onto one of the other participants blog/website and check out some of their posts. When something catches your attention, leave a comment offering an opinion, thought, different point of view or expanding on what was said.
And of course – if you have an opinion about speaking up, leaving comments and sharing your thoughts on others’ blogs I’d love to hear it below! 🙂 Or blog about it on your site and link back here – just let me know so I can come and comment! Lol!
1.Leave a comment below. Be sure to put your blog website in the link and include your Twitter ID in the comment field. Take a second to introduce yourself, your blog, and share what you hope to gain from this series.
My name is Janelle Thomas @AnjelleJanelle . My blog is about my personal journey through social media. I hope Angela’s blog will help me perfect and produce more quality posts of my own.
1.Leave a comment below. Be sure to put your blog website in the link and include your Twitter ID in the comment field. Take a second to introduce yourself, your blog, and share what you hope to gain from this series.
My name is Janelle Thomas @AnjelleJanelle . My blog is about my personal journey through social media. I hope Angela’s blog will help me perfect and produce more quality posts of my own.
I love getting comments on my blog. I’ve been a web developer for 14 years and have tons of experience with databases, programming and HTML. I’m pretty tired of sitting in a cubicle coding all day and thinking about trying to branch out into social media – maybe start with a blog demonstrating some high tech tricks for social media platforms. Anyway, I’ve found commenting is a great way to get traffic for my blogs (I use Woopra to track it). My two blog urls are http://corbinclan.blogspot.com (family) and http://thenaturalistasblog.blogspot.com (adventures in natural/healthy living).
Noelle Corbin (@noellecorbin and @the_naturalista)
I love this habit and is one that speaks dear to my heart. I am a blogger and although my site stats show that I have visitors week, my readers do not comment regularly. I love comments! (it strokes my ego!)I make it a personal habit to comment on several blogs every week. I also love the idea of introducing people who are a good match in business or other interests. However, I need to work a little harder at doing so. Thanks for these tips! Certainly will be putting them into practice.
BTW My blog is http://www.sandrahicks.blogspot.com and my twitter handle is @hicksgirl93 and @BeautifullyWell
I’m enjoying lurking because I could really use some good habits regarding my writing. I refer to my blog http://ideasbygenna.blogspot.com/ as “my sadly neglected blog” because I write on it in fits and starts. I do have a concrete concept for it, but I’m easily distracted online. I’ve really enjoyed meeting other writers with the #amwriting hashtag on Twitter. I’m @gacockerham
@Genna – My first blog I started solely to promote traffic to my Suite101 articles. It was – ahem – a bit of a mess. To put it mildly. Lol!
@Amber – Your blog is awesome, I’ll definitely be browsing. And now that I have a video camera that is from this millennium I will do a guest video for you like I promised. Lol! I’m glad you joined and posted because I had completely forgotten about it. Something about having a new baby, getting pregnant….all that jazz. 😉
@Chris – You’ll want to pay special attention to FOCUS. Hahahaha. Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.
@Noelle – I’m the opposite I think. I went from teaching music and drama (ie stages and spotlight) to being a SAHM mom of little-bits. Online friends and connections became a way to preserve that grown-up-time-sanity. Now it’s turned into a way to impact our family budget. I love that it can be BOTH.
My name is Chris McLaughlin (@Suburban_Farmer) and I’m a garden writer/blogger/author. I love when people leave comments on my blogs or articles because then I know that people may be getting something from what I write. I write to give people ideas and jump-off points in their lives and it’s nice to once in a while know that your work is doing just that.
I’m so looking forward to the Ten Habits series because I have so many ideas (plus back logged work) and I know that the only thing holding me back from getting it done is not having a good routine. I need some good habits (other than mochas)!
My website is A Suburban Farmer http://www.asuburbanfarmer.com/
Comments are definitely motivating. My fave post still has no comments although it’s had hundreds of hits. I blog at Because Babies Grow Up and talk about child development, literacy and music. The first year was a fun adventure, but now I’m ready to seriously improve my blogging habits.
I agree networking is where it’s at and hope to be brave enough to say hi to new blogs and look for opportunities to introduce people who may benefit from knowing each other.
On Twitter I’m @ajpassey and have already connected with some great people there.
@Janelle – I think that learning to write around themes or series was the biggest key for me to maximize my time and efforts. I’m so glad to have you join us!
@Sandra – You’re like me – you know a lot of people from multiple groups. You’re a natural connector so don’t be afraid to use that.
Hello Lovelies–
I am Sara Sophia and I blog at http://www.Tout-Est-Des-Roses.com
I will have my one year blog-o-versary this month and just moved from Blogger to WordPress—so I feel a bit odd in my own shoes at the moment:) After a small absence over the holidays, I am still trying to regain my writing and commenting rhythm.
My site focuses on the areas of adapting to a sustainable lifestyle–and sharing organic and eco-friendly products that I love. I also love sharing all things creative, handmade, poetic, Waldorf and Montessori styles of teaching, my faith, and finding beauty in the mundane.
Sometimes “the-day-to-day-simple” is the most amazing:)
I cannot tell you how much comments mean to me personally–and I try to remember that whilst I lurk about on the blogs of others. Mostly for me, it isn’t about wanting to leave a well thought-out comment…but just wondering why anyone would want to hear from me if I’m not connected to that particular community. When I’m online in the wee hours of the early morn’–its hard to keep in perspective that I have to start connecting SOMEWHERE:P My goals for this year are to further my online relationships by getting out there and making meaningful connections with my fellow blogging buddies.
The friendships I gleaned in ’09 brighten my every day<3
On Twitter I am @sarasophia
Please find me so I can sling a bit of love your way<3
I Love this!
Hey! I’m Cheryl
I have been blogging for almost a year. I am finally on my way to feeling confident about what i’m doing, while still having fun with it. I am looking forward to coming into my own more in 2010. Learned alot this past year, very excited for 2010! Can’t wait to get to know everyone!
@TheBudgeBunch
http://www.thebudgebunch.com
http://www.cherylbudge.com
Hi I’m Gina, and I’m a recovering long-time blogger! Been at it since 2002, but not great at getting comments. I know I have no one else to blame, since blogs need care and feeding, and key blogs to reciprocate with. I just love all the parenting, writing and spiritual blogs I find so it’s hard to find a good list of them to keep up with consistently. (I do find myself here frequently, though!)
My blog is Mom-Blog.com. I used to blog on my struggles as a parent and a still being me, but since learning both my kids have special needs, I tend to focus on that and those struggles. I’m also a fiction writer and a web designer, but I love blogging. I dropped the ball over the holiday so I need to get back on tracks, esp if I want to do podcasting and vlogging in 2010! My twitter name is ginabad.
What great comments so far! I love that everyone is really sharing where they struggle not from a “beat-yourself-up” perspective, but from an honest-assessment point of view. It’s so key in my mind.
@Cheryl – I hear you. Sometimes it’s about just pushing what you’re doing to the next level. That was last year for me…taking what I already knew and really focusing it on moving to the next logical step.
@Gina – Wow! That’s great that you’ve been online so long. I can’t wait to learn more about your blog and your ideas. Have you considered trading guest posts with related blogs to increase your network? I will be checking out everyone’s blogs as I’m able (also doing tax-prep for a client today!) and will be able to offer additional suggestions too. 🙂 I will say this, if you’re interested in vlogging check out MomTV.com. There are not only some amazing tv shows online (Cheryl from thebudgebunch.com being one of them) there but also really helpful video technique tools I’ll be using this coming year.
Hellooo!
*Waves wildly*
Sooo…I’m Amanda from http://www.highimpactmom.com. I’ve been a blogger for 3 years, though only publicly for about a year.
I am working on strengthening my community of readers and one of my major goals for HIM is to increase reader interaction. I’m actually pretty bad about lurking myself…never the one to say something if it isn’t well-thought out (that sentence alone took me entirely too long.)
As a theater major in college I feel most at home when I vlog…though it seems I’ve forgotten to stop saying Um.
OH…and if you’re on “The Twitterz” be sure to look me up…I’m @highimpactmom.
Great post and very true Ang. I’m also amazed how many people will stop by our blogs and not comment. Everyone knows that comments make people feel good; makes them feel “heard!”
With that said, here goes with the assignment:
Hi everyone! I’m Tamara, the voice behind The (Un)Experienced Mom.
Why is that my blog title? Because many of us have those rookie days when we feel like we have NO idea what we are doing in parenthood. (Ok, and sometimes we have WEEKS like that!). My philosophy is that it’s okay to feel that way…don’t waste energy feeling guilty if we have an “off” mommy day. It happens. Move on!
I write about motherhood, entertainment news/gossip, and anything else random that entrigues me. I’m also a weekly columnist at http://www.MomActive.com. You’ll see me chatting away on Twitter most days: @unxperiencedmom. Professionally I am a marriage and family therapist with lots of experience working with clients suffering from alcohol and drug problems, especially teens.
And you can check out my blog here: http://www.theunexperiencedmom.com
Gotta run – the baby is crying! (Occupational hazard!) Have a great afternoon….
Ang – this is so in line with you – wanting to help people and motivate them to connect with others! Think this is great. Like everyone else, I love comments – and am always amazed by the number of visits vs. comments – though often times, people reach out (as you mentioned) via twitter/FB/DM or email instead.
I do know I need to be better about commenting….so this is a two-way street for developing habits.
I love to connect people. I love the satisfaction of knowing I may have just put two people together who can really help each other. Really looking forward to this series.
I’m Danielle from http://www.ExtraordinaryMommy.com and @ExtraordMommy on twitter.
How to get people to comment on your blog is THE question everyone is asking!! I read somewhere that you (the blogger) should start the conversation by adding the first comment. Of course, you can put open ended questions at the end of the blog, but I have found that it doesn’t always work either. When I comment on someone’s blog, it is because they have written something of VALUE to me and I can personally relate to. And I want to give feedback and encouragement to that blogger. Bloggers that write from the SOUL and are REAL get the most comments I feel.
Oh, I forgot to add my site name (www.kathysykes.choseit.com) and my twitter name is @kathysykes
Thanks again!!
Hello, everybody.
I’m Lorie. I’m a veterinarian and write mostly pet related stuff. I started my blog a while ago and then sort of abandoned it for a time. I’m trying to get back into the habit of contributing to it regularly and growing its content. Now that the holidays are over, it’s really time to get back to it 🙂
I’m looking forward to this blog series. Thank you, Angela, for taking it on. I think it will be a huge benefit for all of us.
My twitter handle is @LorieAHuston. My website is http://www.pet-health-care-gazette.com/
I love to see comments. My primary goal is education and knowing that my writing is being read is gratifying. I also love questions and try to help out as much as I can.
I recognize some familiar names from the posts, here. And I’m looking forward to talking with old friends and meeting new ones :-0
Hi there – I am blogging at http://www.needsnewbatteries.com & soon at my business site: http://www.gentlebalancebirth.com
My twitter stream is karenebayne
My personal blog focuses mostly on the three kids, one of whom has special needs, as well as our recent move to our beloved Northampton, MA.
At the work blog, I’ll be talking about all things birth! I can’t wait to get it into high gear.
I was just reminded of the importance of leaving a link to my site today. I commenting on someone’s blog who is also on a message board I frequent. On the message board she reminded me that I might get more traffic to my site if I left a link with my comment. Ah yes! Of course! So here is my link http://joyfulbreathmag.com/home.htm
It’s a Christian Natural Living site that is brand new and I haven’t started a blog for it yet but will soon.
My name is Prerna Malik and I blog at http://themomwrites.blogspot.com My twitter ID is @themomwrites. I am SAHM/writer/homemaker/wife. Writing is my way of retaining some of the grown-up sanity that Angela talks about. I love getting comments on my blog and am also, an avid commenter. However, am not very active on Twitter and other social networks.
I am so looking forward to the 10 habits series 1) I need a routine that’ll help me get more done in lesser time 2) get to know more people who do what I do and do it better 3) Learn how to develop a routine that will help me write more, network better while giving my family the attention it requires:-0
Glad to “meet” all of you.
Hi everyone. My name is Ginny. I am the creator and main writer for the blog Make a Difference to One. I could go into the whole story about why this phrase has been my motto for as long as I can remember, but in more recent years it’s due to the fact that I love working with kids and families.
Before I had my own kids, I worked with kids with special needs, specifically autism, in our local public school system. I also helped run the children’s ministry at my church. The only way I could keep my mind focused (because the needs of families are so great), is to tell my self that I couldn’t help them all, but I could help this ONE. Which ever one(s) God put in my path.
When the idea for doing my blog looked like it was something that could work, I recruited a bunch of friends from varying backgrounds and careers, and we all started writing posts that included information, and sometimes stuff just for fun, to “help ordinary families get through everyday life.” Since starting my blog last April, I now have several people from all over the country that contribute every now and then. It’s great to see our little community growing.
I love this series of ten habits. I hope to learn a lot from it, as well as contribute what I’ve learned over the last eight months from blogging. I would love to expand the current reach of my blog and move it to the next level… whatever that may be.
Twitter: makeadiff21
Website: makeadiff21.com
I’m Dominique – the voice behind Midwest Guest (a regional travel blog) and @midwestguest on Twitter
It’s funny how many people seem paralyzed when thinking about making a comment on a blog. I had a friend who took three weeks to work up enough nerve to comment on my blog…and I don’t think she’s managed another one since 😆
I’m developing a workshop for a writers’ conference this spring (the conference director asked me to do the class–and you want to talk about paralyzed!), so I’m interested in seeing what works well for people to get started and keep motivated…and what keeps them from starting a blog or keeping one going.
I’ve managed to keep my blog going since August 2008, but I’m trying to see what “the next step” might be for my own blog this year as well.
@Amanda – I hope you do speak up more often. I loved your video, pneumonia or no. 😉
@SaraSophia – I had no idea you’d only been blogging for a year. You’re a naturally gifted writer. Keep doing what you’re doing. Find your rhythm again…it’ll come.
@Tamara – It’s going to be great seeing what you do with your blog after our conversation last week. I’m really excited for you.
@Danielle – You forgot to mention you’re a MomTV Star as well. 🙂 But you’re right, it’s easy to read and think “That was interesting” but not SAY SO to the other person.
@Lorie – You forgot to tell them that you’re my hero for saving Jasmine! 🙂 She is perfectly healthy thanks to you.
@Kathy – That’s the thing we cannot control. Asking questions helps. I’ve found that responding to comments help. But you cannot MAKE someone comment. 😛
@Karen – ooohhhh….another birth junkie. Awesome! Stay tuned for exciting news about a pregnancy/birth MomTV coming soon!
@Emily – with message boards and things, a signature link not only has the potential to increase DIRECT traffic, but also counts as an incoming link to Google. A bonus! I suggest all user profiles be filled out including URLS to your sites. 🙂 You need to check out my UntrainedHousewife.com website if you haven’t seen it yet already.
@PRerna – you are growing by leaps and bounds with your writing, blogging and just everything. I think the key for you will be writing in series and not trying to “start from scratch” with every project and site.
@Ginny – You are singing my song girl! I’m not sure if you were following me in October with the whole Jaeli thing, but one of my coming posts speaks to the story a bit. Make a Difference. I love it.
@Dominique – I think it’s that first comment that seems to be the stickler you know? 🙂 I do have a couple dear friends that I can count on to “get the ball rolling”. I’ll ping them on Skype or IM and say “Read this. Leave a comment”. LOL! What is your workshop topic about? Is it a local group or online or ??
What a great reminder that it’s not all about creating content. You have to connect to get people to come and comment.
I like your emphasis on introducing people who share common interests, and connecting people who have needs. I LOVE playing matchmaker like that as well.
I’m Kelly, and I blog at The Centsible Life about family finances, and fulfilling your dreams on a budget. I am a huge twitter fan, you can find me @centsiblelife, which is where I found Ang, and how I got here. 🙂
Awesome series!
So excited about this series!! I’ve already picked a commenter with common interests and introduced myself via. Twitter! Yay!
I’m Erica and I blog about tech: software, hardware, blogging, wordpress, and social networking at http://EricaSays.com. My Twitter ID is: @EricaMueller
One of my goals this year is to discover a new blog each day, and leave a comment somewhere outside of my daily-reads network. I also want to follow a new blog once a week.
My workshop is Blogging 101 for Writers. I’m giving it at a small writers’ conference I’ve been attending in Ohio for about a half dozen years now. Conference attendees write in various genres, and mostly in print-with most if them being boomers who may be less than comfortable publishing and promoting their work online. I was the only regular attendee the director knew who jumped into blogging, and she seemed to think I had something to offer in the way of a class.
It will be a new challenge for me as I’ve never taught a workshop or class. Anyone who has resources to suggest or suggestions about creating some in-class exercises so I can keep folks busy and interested for 2 hours…I’m all ears! 🙂
@Kelly – Such a great topic. We’ve learned a LOT the last year about staying within a budget when we simultaneously had renters totally flake on us and took Dave Ramsey’s course at church. You should come contribute some family budget articles on Untrained Housewife!
@Erica – My fellow bloggy writer – I’m so glad you found another kindred spirit! That makes me totally happy. I love that your goals include reaching out more. I get so focused sometimes I forget. I love that you’ve made it intentional.
Okay, I know I’m a day late, but…. Hey everyone! I’m Jennifer and I’ve been searching for my writing niche for awhile now. Haven’t had much luck, so here I am! 🙂 I’ve flipped through some of your sites and they look pretty cool. I’m actually rather embarrassed to share my blog (if you want to call it that, hahaha). I just started a new one and have a whopping 3 posts! That is of course if a test post counts as one. 😀 I’m including a link to my old blog as well (which I haven’t updated in AWHILE), just so that you guys could get a better glimpse of who I am if you check it out. http://ahappylittlehome.blogspot.com
Sorry, but I don’t know how to make it clickable.
Also, I guess I need to get my butt on over to Twitter and set me up an account, huh? 🙂
My blog link didn’t post. Sorry, I’m not all that techy. 🙁
http://cookiesandcorduroy.blogspot.com
I am late to the game with this post but so glad you are writing this series. I’m @bayinghound and write http://www.houndsinthekitchen.com about my urban homestead in Columbus Ohio. As an aside, I birthed my daughter with assistance from a doula.
Not too late at all! 🙂 Easy to catch up or work at your own pace. Just let us know how we can help you. Feel free to check out Day 2 and 3 together since they actually are very related.
Urban homestead! Very cool! You need to connect with Chris – she’s @Suburban_Farmer on Twitter because that’s right up her alley as well.
As to your aside – I love being a doula. 🙂
I just read days 1-3. I hope this series helps me discover (and then work toward) my blogging goals.
My biggest problem, I think, is that I don’t really have a niche. I blog about this and that, whatever interests me at the moment. It started as me sharing my failures caused by procrastination and my victories of overcoming it. But now it’s more of a mommy blog, I suppose.
My twitter ID is jenwestpfahl, though I’m thinking I should change it to match my blog persona.
@Procrastinator – I’m LOL! At your twitter ID. I tend to create false deadlines for myself because I’m I work-under-pressure type of gal.
My name is Dana the Frugalistic Mama, my blog is PrudentWisdom.com, I am blogging our (my husband and I)journey to debt freedom while praising God the whole way.
@prudentwisdom
Hi! My name is Liliana. My blog, My Cookbook Addiction, is about cookbook reviews, recipes and food related stories. It seems that I am always running one step behind and never seem to catch up with my blog comments on other blogs. Certainly, I have to make an effort on resolving this.
My blog url is http://www.mycookbookaddiction.com
Twitter: @Liliana54
@Dana – Becoming debt free is a fantastic goal and one my husband and I have as well. My writing income has gone a very long way towards increasing our dave-ramsey-debt-payoff-snowball. 🙂
@Liliana – I so enjoyed seeing your cookbook reviews and I can’t wait to see what you do with it this year as you implement some of the things we talked about!
I REALLY late in the game here, but am so glad I came across your blog. I’m @thewahwife and my brand new baby blog is http://theworkathomewife.com. I can’t wait to be a better blogger! 🙂
Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog!