Archive for the Category »Networking «

Mar

Since Monday, March 30, 2009 will mark my two year anniversary of blogging, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned and how some of what we read is not true.

Today’s Lesson

The common myths on blogging:

Blogging is easy.

Yes, writing a post and hitting the “publish” button can be easy, however, there’s more to blogging than just writing. In order to gain exposure and stay current, we’ll often find ourselves engaged in social networking, answering emails, commenting on other blogs, learning coding, and/or performing blog maintenance.

Typos in blog posts mean the author is careless or can’t spell.

Although most bloggers try to be careful, nearly every blogger will make typos. Keep in mind, words are also spelled differently in other countries and for some bloggers, their first language is not English.

The only way to succeed in blogging is to have a niche site.

Although a niche site is great for targeted advertising and can become a great “go to” place for a specific topic, success can also be had by mixing it up.

Having a blog is an easy way to make money.

Money can be made with blogging, however the numbers we see the big shooters speaking of are the exception, not the norm. In most cases it has taken the A-list bloggers YEARS to make a six figure income. In truth, most money bloggers make will be from products they sell or promote, speaking engagements and/or jobs they procure as a result of blogging (such as freelance writing, coaching or web design).

If we don’t visit a another blogger often enough, they’ll forget about us and unsubscribe from our blog.

Whether we visit our blogging buddies once a month, or once a day, the other blogger will most likely always remember us and stay subscribed.

Never leave a comment that says “great post”. The author will mark it as spam and delete it.

If the comment is written by an active blogger and the comment links back to a reliable site, in most cases it will NOT mark it as spam.

In order to succeed, we must follow in the footsteps of the big boys/girls.

It’s true, we can learn from the big boys/girls, however copy cat blogs are quite boring. Whether we post product reviews, write 2000 word articles, 7 word haikus, share our favorite photos, write rants or tell our readers all about our children, it’s all okay. It is OUR blog and we are free to use it as we see fit. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself, be an original and build off of that.

In order to get our blog found, we should comment on high profile blogs.

A comment on a big name blog will get our name listed in their comment section, but changes are our comment may not even be acknowledged. To build a community and/or relationships with with bloggers, time needs to be spent visiting small to medium size blogs. Unlike the A-list bloggers who have bigger fish to fry, authors of smaller sites are more apt to show their appreciation by reciprocating the visit and subscribing to our blog.

New bloggers should wait until they have a following before they monetize their blog.

Quality content is what visitors are looking for. Placing advertising on our site will not deter visitors unless it overpowers the message.

If we link to other sites, our readers will leave us and never come back.

Linking to reliable resources shows our readers we’ve done our homework. Instead of leaving our site, they will consider us as an expert and keep coming back for more.

Today’s Assignment

Prior to having a blog, what did you read about blogging that you found out not to be true?

Did that make you question other myths you’ve read?

Care to share?

P.S. Come by on Monday and see my new theme and celebrate my second anniversary. There won’t be any cake and ice cream, but there will be lots of surprises.

Photo Credit: smellyknee

Category: Archives, Blog Maintenance, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Comments, Lessons Learned, Linking, Making Money, Networking 34 Comments

Mar

The Snowball Effect of the Social Web

Barbara Swafford

Good Day Class

I don’t know how he found the time to do it, but I’m glad he did. Today we have Lance of “Jungle Of Life” as our substitute teacher (guest writer).

As with his own posts, Lance will get you thinking with this one as well.

Without further ado, I give you Lance.

2318649324 98a5ff68f8 The Snowball Effect of the Social Web
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” ~ Rudyard Kipling

Thank you, Barbara.

Welcome to today’s class here at BWAB University.

Students, please note: Even though we are talking about snowballs, there will be NO snowball fights going on during class!

Today’s Lesson

Our words, they are indeed powerful. Today, we’ll be discussing the wide-ranging effect these words can have, and how this may or may not change how we write.

We blog.

We comment.

We share photos.

We Twitter. We Facebook. We email.

We connect via the telephone.

We meet in person.

(and probably a myriad of other ways)

The Snowball Effect: is a figurative term for a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous (a vicious circle, a “spiral of decline”), though it might be beneficial instead (a virtuous circle). Source: Wikipedia

What we each do here on the World Wide Web has the potential to take on this snowball effect. Our words, our voices – they are not islands unto themselves. There are no walls that keep these words within a confined space. They become more like that note in a bottle, dropped into the sea. Drifting maybe to be viewed only by an island just off shore, or drifting maybe to be viewed many times the world over. And we never really know exactly where these words of ours have traveled.

Writing here on the Internet – our words can travel to faraway lands.

Our voice is heard, and our reach is wide – for each and every one of us. We can’t really tell how far our words may travel, and to whom they might touch in some significant way.

Like a snowball, growing bigger and bigger as it moves on – so too our words move on to a larger and larger group of people hearing them. Some move and grow faster than others. The point, though, is that when we put something out there on this social web, we really don’t know how large the audience base seeing that message will grow to be. Or where it may travel.

Today’s Assignment
The words we say can snowball into something greater (in a good or a bad way). And that’s in all our interactions on this web we call the Internet, a web we’ve all become a part of.

Does this thought change how or what you write?

Do you think about what you write and how it might portray you? Does it matter?

Do you care how your words might affect someone else reading them? Does that matter?

When Lance isn’t on his blog, Jungle of Life, you can find him making the rounds in blogosphere, leaving meaningful comments on dozens of blogs or tweeting on Twitter. Check out his blog, check out his archives, check out his tweets. You’ll be happy you did.

Photo Credit:House Of Sims

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Networking, Writing Tips 56 Comments

Jan

Attract Readers – Make Your Blog A Safe Haven

Barbara Swafford

People innately desire to belong. It makes us feel safe, secure and wanted. The sense of belonging gives us the courage to speak up and share our thoughts and feelings.

In safe surroundings we know we won’t be judged. We find our voice, and often find others who think like us. It’s in those safe places, friendships often blossom.

Today’s Lesson

As I travel through blogosphere I’m amazed at how some blogs have phenomenal content, but their comment section is dead. Then I land on other blogs where the content is good, doesn’t necessarily have that “WOW” factor, yet the comment section has exploded with responses, and I feel welcome.

Wondering why that might happen is revealed in an article titled Psychological Sense of Community. The authors (McMillan & Chavis) cite there are four elements to the sense of community.

1) Membership
2) Influence
3) Integration and fulfillment of needs
4) Shared emotional connection

Under membership, five items are listed. They are:

a. Boundaries
b. Emotional safety
c. A sense of belonging and identification
d. Personal investment
e. A common symbol system

When I look at each of these items, I begin to understand why great content may be just that; and why other blogs soar and quickly become the “go to” place(s) in blogosphere.

If our visitors feel comfortable when they land on our blogs they will often log in and leave a comment. Based on what they witness in our writings and our comment section, they feel safe and believe their voice will be heard. We, as blog authors, now have the opportunity to welcome them with open arms, reply to their comment and/or express our gratitude. When the commenter returns and reads our response, that sense of belonging may inspire them to join our online community.

As blog authors we have the power to create that safe haven. We can make our blogs a place where our visitors feel comfortable voicing their opinions. A place where they will find interaction. A place where they won’t be judged. A place to which they’ll want to return.

Often it’s not the blog post that draws in our readers, but the essence of feeling they have come “home”.

Today’s Assignment

Do you have favorite blogs where you feel “at home”?

What was it about the blog that inspires you to go back?

Have you ever visited a blog where you felt unwelcome? Did you return?

If you felt unwelcome, what elements of the blog turned you off?

Knowing psychology plays a huge role in the community we find on blogs, I’m curious to hear your answers.

Special thanks to Jodith @ Administrative Arts and Rich @ FeverBee for the inspiration for this post.

Photo Credit: Broken Arts

Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons, Comments, Networking 59 Comments

Jan

Join Twitter – It’s Easier Than You Think

Barbara Swafford

As some of you know, I used my time off from blogging to take the plunge and join Twitter.

It all began in an earlier post when I asked, “Do You Really Care What I’m Doing”? Many of you responded and let me know the Twitter question “What are you doing?” is misleading and Twitter can actually be a great resource for bloggers, business owners, and/or anyone who is looking for valuable information online and/or to increase traffic to their site.

It was Hunter’s guest post (Twitter – Social Media’s Hidden Gem) and the views he shared about Twitter that began to make my hesitations about Twitter vanish. Convinced it would be to my advantage to give Twitter a try, I signed up. The lesson for today is what I’ve learned thus far.

Today’s Lesson

The process I followed to become a Twittering blogger was as such.

1) Signed up for Twitter – a fast, free and easy process.
2) Set up my Twitter page, added my avatar, background image and color preferences
3) Signed up for TwittterDeck. TwitterDeck is an desktop interface which allows you to organize your tweets into columns (plus much more).
4) Added the WordPress Plugin – Twitter Tools
5) Began “following” other Twitter members. As the list of those whom I follow increased, so did the list of those who follow me.
6) Joined in and began Tweeting messages
7) Added a Twitter widget to my blog which shows my latest “tweets”

Below is a list of great articles which helped me as I researched Twitter.

1) Twitter FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

2) Video Post – How To Use TweetDeck

3) How To Use Twitter To Grow Your Business (a link I found on Twitter)

4) Twitter Apps, Badges and Widgets

5) Twictionary A dictionary of Twitterisms or abbreviations

6) 100 Remarkably Beautiful Twitter Icons and Buttons (another link found via Twitter)

7) The Second High Traffic Method – Twitter by Ciara, of Web Design Servers.com. (Someone whom I’m following based on this great article she published.)

8.) From Darren Rowse of Problogger and TwiTip 11 Ways to Use Twitter To Help Your Site Go Viral

Terms I became familiar with:

Tweet = A message on Twitter (either sent or received)

Following = The people you choose to befriend so you can read what they’re twittering about, as well as have the ability to communicate with.

Followers = Those people who have chosen to read your tweets and may want to communicate with you.

RT = Re-tweet. Let’s say I tweet a message and you want your followers to be aware of it. You can “re-tweet” the same message to your followers. Hence, you’ll see “RT” in front of the tweet. A “re-tweet” could be considered the same as using StumbleUpon to let others know about a great post.

DM = direct message. This is a private message between Twitter friends. Direct messages are preceded with a “d” in front of the message.

@ – As seen in blogging comments, the ampersand is used to “point” a message toward a fellow twittering friend.

As many of you know, my greatest fear was Twitter would be another time consuming endeavor. I can see how it could be, but as with any social media platform, it takes discipline. When I’m working on other projects, I can easily turn the TweetDeck notifications off and avoid the distraction.

I also questioned whether my “followers” would “unfollow” me if I wasn’t active enough on Twitter. Based on the size of your Twitter community, it would actually be difficult to track who is active and who is not. Unless you’re hung up on the numbers, this shouldn’t become an obsession.

In recent weeks, I’ve been hearing of major television networks taking advantage of Twitter and the importance of listening to what people are saying (on it). Based on what I’m hearing, it makes me realize Twitter is (probably) here to stay.

I’ve decided I want to be a part of it. How about you?

Today’s Assignment

If you’re on Twitter, what other hints and/or links can you share with those who are not.

If you’re not yet using Twitter, what concerns still plague you?

As a new Twitter user, I’m curious to hear your answers.

As a footnote, Twitter was recently compromised by a phishing scheme. To read more about it, and what precautions you should take, read this post on Twitter’s blog.

Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons, Comments, Increase Traffic, Networking, Social Networking 55 Comments

Dec

Twitter – Social Media’s Hidden Gem

Barbara Swafford

Good Day Class!

Today I have the honor of introducing Hunter, of Hunter Nuttall.com, as your substitute (guest writer) teacher.

Please take your seats.

It’s great having you here, Hunter.

Without further ado, I’ll turn my outstanding, well behaved class over to you.

I’ll check in on you later and see how it’s going.

Twitter Social Medias Hidden Gem

Hello, class.

Let’s all take a seat and open our books to page 115.

Hey, who put this whoopee cushion on my chair?

Cath Lawson, I’m looking in your direction!

Enough of that! Let’s get on with the lesson

A new blogger quickly discovers that blogging involves far more than just writing posts. There seems to be an endless number of things demanding our attention, and it’s no wonder that bloggers often feel overwhelmed.

With so many things to do, how do we decide what’s worth spending time on?

Recently, I’ve come to see Twitter as one of the most valuable blogging activities.

Today’s Lesson

Twitter is a social media platform that lets people write short messages called tweets, limited to 140 characters. You can follow other Twitter users, meaning that you’ll see all the tweets they write.

The alleged use of Twitter is to answer their question “What are you doing?” But Barbara posed the question, “Twitter – Do You REALLY Care What I’m Doing?” That’s a good question, and one that’s been on the minds of many people considering Twitter.

You can see an example of a tweet in the picture at the top of this post, where a Twitter user (I call them twits) has announced that he’s sitting on the toilet. Does that make you want to rush off and join Twitter immediately?

Probably not, but I’ve learned that Twitter is immensely more valuable than I first thought. Let me share some tips.

1. You need to use a Twitter application, rather than the web interface.

After you sign up for an account on twitter.com, you’ll probably start sending tweets through the web interface. But once I switched to using TweetDeck as my Twitter application, it suddenly came alive because of the real time aspect. It’s hard to explain why, you just have to try it.

2. You don’t need to answer the question “What are you doing?”

Some people say the first rule of Twitter is to never answer the question “What are you doing?” If you’re only posting mundane tweets about everyday life, people will probably stop following you. Instead, you can share jokes, quotations, useful links, epiphanies, etc. However, I also like to know what people are doing.

3. Twitter doesn’t have to be a big time commitment.

It’s not like email where you have to read everything. You’ll miss most tweets, and that’s OK. I only sign in when I’m doing tasks that don’t require much concentration. Sometimes I won’t be on Twitter for a few days in a row, and I don’t feel guilty at all. There’s absolutely no time pressure.

4. Twitter is great for blog traffic.

I see it as similar to commenting on other blogs. The difference is that tweeting is easier and more visible. Twitter is currently the 7th biggest traffic source to my blog.

Today’s Assignment

Have you been hesitant to give Twitter a try?

What concerns do you have?

If you’re using Twitter, so you see it as a benefit or a burden?

Feel free to ask any questions you may have about Twitter, and I’ll be happy to answer them.

Did I see a hand go up in the back of the classroom?

Yes. Go ahead with your question

Want to find Hunter on Twitter? His address is Hnuttall on Twitter. Or if you prefer, on his blog you will have access to a variety of fabulous ebooks he has authored, as well as dozens of articles that share his insight.

Photo credit: cambodia4kidsorg