“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones”
~ St. Theresa of Avila
When I look at the life of a problogger, I’m often in awe of all they’ve accomplished. In the world wide web, they have found their place.
Their voice has a reach new bloggers can only dream of.
Today’s Lesson
Knowing many of us have a burning desire to make it big in blogosphere, and tagging onto the article of Tracy’s post going viral, let’s have some fun today and play the game of “What If”.
Are you ready?
Let’s say you just won the title of “World’s Best Blogger”.
You become an overnight sensation – much like Susan Boyle
Your blog and it’s content goes viral. The whole world is reading it.
Word of your accomplishment makes the news. Even Oprah’s calling.
The internet is all abuzz.
Your traffic sky rockets, as do your earnings.
Your Twitter followers increase to a million overnight.
Everything you’ve ever done online is now being critiqued.
Each and every word, each and every photo is being scrutinized.
The blogs you’ve frequented are being combed for your comments.
You’re being bombarded by reporters, bloggers and emails from all over the world.
They all want a piece of you.
They all want your story.
And, some want to take you down.
Today’s Assignment
What would you do?
Would you be ready?
How could you have planned for this?
Raise your hand and play along.
~Barbara.
Photo Credit – you-did
What would you do? I would be delighted, and keep on blogging, but I would make changes to accomodate all that new traffic!
Would you be ready? Um, probably not.
How could you have planned for this? If one is confident in their abilities, I think one plans, at least somewhat for contingencies!
Great questions.
A good reminder of be careful what you wish for.
I think the best filter for the negative, is a focus on the positive. I’d stay focused on finding and sharing the world’s best patterns and practices for work and life. But maybe I would go to Disneyland.
It’s also a great reminder that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your response.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Don’t Always Go for the Long Shot
Hmmm…what would I do? That’s a good question… I’d continue to be me.
I’d probably be thrown off with the traffic and requests. My schedule is busy as it is but I’d also be open to doing all of those extra things as well. While I have the publicity I’d reach out to Redbull, Rockstar & Starbucks and ask them for some complimentary beverages (you know, to keep up with all the new stuff).
All in all it sounds like all of that means being more busy. But it also means loads more fun. So I say, bring it on!
Ricardo Bueno´s last blog post..Gizapage: The Social Network Organizer
What would you do?
Give myself permission to feel really darned good! 🙂 Then get to work….work being, ensuring I take advantage of the traffic NOW (because tomorrow things could change at a moment’s notice. Trust me. I’ve been there).
Would you be ready?
Yep – it would be the second time it happened (the first time was strictly because of SEO/google). Methinks I definitely learned my lesson back then! And that is, everything is dynamic. Things could go from superb to horrific at a moment’s notice. When things are going good – maximize, maximize, maximize.
How could you have planned for this?
By having all of your autoresponders in place AHEAD of time BEFORE the huge traffic swamped your server.
Remember…you ARE unique and gifted and utterly magnificent. It’s just a case of the world finding out that particular fact. Always be prepared for what WILL happen….sometime down the road.
Great question!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog post..Dogs of Valor award won by a Pitbull
Hi Barbara,
You’ve got me dreaming now. My mind is racing with thoughts on how to respond to this post.
At first, I thought that I wouldn’t be prepared for such fame. But then I thought that I could use it to get my screenplay turned into a film and my novels in print. That is what I have been working towards for the past few years. That would be awesome!
I would continue to do what I do with the blog otherwise. I probably wouldn’t be able to respond to each comment anymore but I would certainly try to read them all. I might have to cut down to three posts a week to manage it all though.
But this is just a daydream. I highly doubt that I can become a famous blogger. I do this because I enjoy it and I have something to say. It would be nice to have more people reading though. Just a thought.
Chase March´s last blog post..Be Careful What You Wish For
Hi Barbara – It would be a good opportunity to prove we wouldn’t be changed, wouldn’t it? Like winning the lottery! I would hope that I’d be ready, but the reality is that you can never really plan for every contingency. The best thing to prepare would be to cultivate resiliency and self-definition. Resiliency for appropriate response to whatever is thrown at you, and self-definition to ensure your authenticity remains intact. Great questions!
Betsy Wuebker´s last blog post..I LOVE YOU MORE THAN EVER
I wouldn’t be totally ready. I’d never write another SEO post about lawnmowers again, that’s for sure. Then I would blow the dust from any one of the three dozen ideas I have for novels ready to write. And I would continue to be 100% me.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..Serial and Milk: AvailableDarkness – Chapter Five
I dont’ know if I’d be ready or not but I do know that pretty much everything I’ve done in my life that was worth doing I wasn’t ready for. In fact, I didn’t even know I had to be ready! That’s part of the “fun,” isn’t it?
Laurie | Express Yourself to Success´s last blog post..Don’t Take It Personally
I don’t think I’d be ready, but I know I’d be me and just keep travelin’ local.
LisaNewton´s last blog post..A Garden Tour of Malibu’s Adamson House
Definitely something interesting to think about! I don’t know if anyone can really be ready for this kind of situation. I would like to think that I would be, that I would be so happy to have countless readers and commenters, but I most likely would be overwhelmed and paranoided that someone would try to hack into my computer or stalk me… Great food for thought here!
Positively Present´s last blog post..5 things happy people do
Oh what a great question to toss out today!
Would I be ready? Sheesh…I don’t think so! It would be a bit overwhelming for sure. I agree with Positively Present…I’d get a little paranoid about hackers, stalkers, and crazies…lol.
What would I do? Hmmmm…just be me! I have learned that you can’t please all the people all the time…so be yourself all the time. If I became a overnight success because of that…then that’s cool.
And the $$$, sure…I’d gladly take that 😉
Caroline´s last blog post..Fabulous Friday!
This is a great prompt – and really quite timely. I recently won a short story competition, and as a result of that, a reader tagged me in a meme to learn more about me.
I am now terrified – and that is a millionth of what you described above! I am still freaked out that someone wants to know more about me, which is odd, seeing as I am blogging and revealing more about myself than ever before. When I blog and comment, I choose what to say, but the meme asks questions (fairly harmless ones) that I would feel odd answering.
What if the above happened? Well, I hope it would get me my book deal… but I am now realising that I would find recognition very scary, and I would be totally unprepared. I just want my book to be out there and recognised, with me hiding behind it like a shy geeky girl with a beautiful drama queen sister who hogs all the limelight with pleasure.
Emma Newman´s last blog post..The rule of three
Definitely not what I planned to do when I started my blog, and still not a goal of mine, so no, I would not be ready.
What would I do? Probably be a bit excited by the huge amount of hits, but then freak out at who was actually looking.
Great question for today, and yes, I often wonder how people like Susan Boyle handle it all…
RC – Rambling Along…´s last blog post..Fallen hero
I love this question!
Blogging or not, I don’t think I could ever cope with being a celebrity. I know they are well-compensated for their loss of privacy, but I don’t think I could have handled it.
Here in the Silicon Valley there are tons of talented people who are doing really well without sacrificing their privacy. I think this is a far more desirable model of financial success than the celebrity model.
Vered – MomGrind´s last blog post..A Rose Garden
I am ready to be overwhelming with your thoughts and saying, I just can’t simple do things like that because I’m a little bit conservative with my thoughts and feeling. I only like reading blogs to gather some information which may I need from now and then. But I am glad that this a good opening to me to have an opportunity to try something which I haven’t tried before.
Well when this happend to me I was a little overwhelmed at first I mean really? Me? It didn’t change me much. I just keep on having fun and the money part is a nice bonus. It’s pretty tough having to turn down Oprah and Dr. Phil for interviews but I have my family to take care of you know…the kids are only young once. I did just have the theme redone on my blog yesterday so I guess I have changed???
😉
Sherri (Serene Journey)´s last blog post..Focus On Your Strengths
What would you do?
Bite myself to make sure I’m not sleeping
Would you be ready?
No way 🙂
How could you have planned for this?
I’m not planning that, it’s in the realm of almost impossible 🙂
Miguel de Luis´s last blog post..Thursday Haiku: What we are starved for
Wow, I don’t think I would really change anything, except my advertising rates! As for the writing and such, it wouldn’t need to change. That is nice to think about, but I don’t plan on planning for it! LOL That would stress me out way too much!
Eve @ Confessions of a Housewife´s last blog post..I don’t WANT to! You cant make me!
Hi Barbara,
I’d revel in the magic of it all…
And then I’d probably scramble frantically to fix things that were broken (like getting more bandwidth, etc).
In the end, though I’d remain true to who I am. It would probably become more difficult to interact. What wouldn’t change – would be the friendships, though, that I’ve developed already. They are the glue that holds this all together for me, the reason this is as much fun as it is.
And I might just have a big party and invite everyone I know (including you Barbara, and so many others here who have impacted my life in such a positive way)!
Lance´s last blog post..Loving Life!
Would I be ready?
I would like to think so, but can you ever be ready for over night fame?
What would I do?
Be very grateful and continue to write. Might spend some money upgrading my computer and making sure it can keep up with my new found fame.
How could I have planned for this?
Can you really plan to have your world rearranged in a moments notice?
Lori´s last blog post..Laughter Helps
What would I do? Realize fame is fleeting and leverage it as best I could without selling out.
Would I be ready? I think my years in Aspen as a young adult helped prep me for that kind of world.
Plan for this? The best plan for fame or disaster is just to be the best you can be.
I would scream. Loudly. First in glee. Then in fright. And head to a quiet bookstore in dark glasses and a long red wig to read a good book, sip a latte and enjoy some anonymous peace.
I would NOT be ready. But then again, are we ever really ready for major things that happen so fast, anyway?
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..“Sugar Lady” Video
It’s always wise to consider the potential “trappings” of fame and fortune BEFORE you attain them.
I’m a firm believer in visualization and work closely with clients to help them build in certain parameters and conditions of their fame and/or fortune desires.
Conditions / parameters can be determined and pretty well covered by going through a thorough list of any fears or concerns around your desires.
A few examples:
Loss of privacy
Tax concerns
Having to always be perfect or “on”
“Misplacement” of self-identity
J.D. Meier said it perfectly: “Be careful what you wish for.”
As for me, I do my best to practice what I “preach” by establishing my own conditions and terms for success whenever I visualize.
Your points are well-made and well-taken, Barbara. Thanks for this important reminder. 🙂
Mary Anne Fisher´s last blog post..Who’s Number One?
What a lovely thought! For myself, I believe in consciously creating that intention. We do get what we wish for. So I hope to be clear what I really want first, before creating any intention. At this point, I am not sure if becoming a celebrity is really something that I am hankering for. I would also like to be known for the right reasons, if at all.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..The 1st Age of a Business Enthusiasm
Frankly, I’d be frightened. Change in any form means that your current way of living must be uncomfortable while you adapt. I’m doing my best to be ready for what’s coming by staying who I am and having good friends who can support me emotionally and who are also incredibly smart with code. 😉
Jillian´s last blog post..Pet Airlines?
Can’t reassure you I will be ready. I don’t even have my first experience yet with trolls or readers with unrepentant mean streaks in them.
I am not sure I’d be coherent the day it happens.
But come day two: I’d still be me. I’d get over it. And still write as if I were writing for my friends who brook no nonsense from me. Because this will I think save me from myself.
I’d conduct myself with the same frame of mind. True, it will severely test my character and notions of self-worth. But I’d take comfort in the knowledge that this is just blogging. It’ s not the whole of me. And if the shifting whim of fortune comes down against me, it will still be all right. This too shall pass, it’s been said. Could not have framed this thought any better.
But for sure, I’d stop drinking instant coffee. I will not be denied: I will have the best coffee in the world! “,)
jan geronimo´s last blog post..It is Done: Here’s Writing to Exhale Now
Hi Barbara.
I really like meeting new people a few at a time. I enjoy visiting my blog’s guests back in their own, browsing about, leaving a note here and there if there’s a connection.
So, no, I wouldn’t in any way be ready for that kind of celebrity. And like Vered, I don’t think I want it.
I may grow into wanting it, but I doubt it. Going down through your list of what-if’s, I got a bit uptight thinking my every word might be scrutinized, rehashed, and — depending on my particular point of view — maybe even trashed and misquoted.
The idea scares me. And yet, I want to be read by lots of people whose lives might be affected positively.
A conundrum then… and a very good question.
Barb Hartsook´s last blog post..Do You Have a Minute, Jack?
Hi Barbara — Well, I have to admit, I’ve been wanting to secure a book deal for some time now, and so the situation you talk about would give me a good chance to do that. I’d be fairly indifferent about the other aspects of blogging fame. 🙂
Food for thought. I hope I would stand firm in the face of adversity and continue to share what’s on my heart.
Tea with Tiffany´s last blog post..Stand By Me Video, Playing for a Change
To be honest – what you describe sounds like a nightmare to me. Since my blog isn’t set up to monetize traffic – there would be no silver lining to the scenario you describe.
I think it’s important to note that just because your traffic has skyrocketed does NOT necessarily mean your earnings are skyrocketing… as a matter of fact, in the beginning a big traffic “boost” may only result in a big bill from your internet hosting company – if you’re lucky.
(Just ask Cath Lawson about what it’s like to have a big blog traffic boost when your hosting company sucks.)
Be careful what you wish for – many blogs are NOT prepared to be “discovered”. Even a minor “success” can be overwhelming if you don’t have all your i’s dotted and your t’s crossed.
Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Why Ask Why – a Tale of 3 Bloggers
I think that I’ll sit back and enjoy my fame while it still last.
Paul @ Palabuzz´s last blog post..Zorro, to be cancelled?
Hi Karen – What you’ve said is true. If we have contingencies in place, we might be able to handle celebrity a lot easier.
Hi J.D. Disneyland? Good answer. I agree. “…you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your response.”
Hi Ricardo – Yes. The experience could be a lot of fun. And I’m guessing, Redbull, Rockstar and Starbucks would be happy to accommodate your needs. 🙂
Hi Barbara – How fascinating that you’ve already had this experience. I’d love to hear more about it. That’s a great suggestion – to have autoresponders in place AHEAD of time.
You’re right. We are all unique and it’s just a matter of WHEN we get discovered.
Hi Betsy – Definitely. Remaining authentic is key. Celebrity would be a great test to see how we survive – and if we changed.
Hi Chase – Being discovered would be a great way to bring more attention to your screenplays and novels. Never stop dreaming.
Hi Writer Dad – That’s one thing about being discovered, it would give us a greater opportunity to share what else we have to offer.
Hi Laurie – Oh yes. Some things are a lot more fun when we’re NOT ready.
Hi Lisa – Remaining who we are would be the key to surviving all that comes with celebrity.
Hi Positively Present – Good point. Some might want to hack our into our computers/blogs or stalk us. Unfortunately that is part of being famous.
Hi Caroline – *smiles* Yes, the money would be a great bonus.
Hi Emma – Your comment about the meme does raise an issue that many wonder if we should share information about ourselves we’re not comfortable doing. Personally, I say, if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it, or….maybe do it at a later date.
Hitting celebrity would mean many are asking us uncomfortable questions, however, we’re not obligated to answer.
Hi RC – Like you, I also wonder how Susan Boyle has been able to handle it. It would turn our life upside down – for awhile.
Hi Vered – Thank you. You’re right. Celebrities do get compensated for their loss of privacy, but one has to wonder, is it worth it?
Hi Sherri – Good point. I wonder how many would make a change to their theme.
Hi Miguel – LOL. Yes. I would probably bite myself, too. But, never say never.
Hi Eve – Definitely. Our work as well as our advertising space would be worth much more.
Hi Lance – Did you say you’re having a party? WooHoo. On the serious note, you point is well taken. An increase in popularity would mean most of our blogs couldn’t physically handle all of the traffic.
Hi Lori – No. I don’t think we can ever be ready for overnight fame. Until it happened, we wouldn’t even know what all to prepare for.
Hi Jannie – LOL. You could be sitting incognito in the bookstore as others are raving about the blogger who just made the headlines. Sweet!
H Lori Hoeck – You’ve said it so well. “The best plan for fame or disaster is just to be the best you can be.” I like that.
Hi Mary Anne – You’re welcome. I think you’ve been reading my mind. The purpose of this post was to remind everyone to be ready for the unexpected. I like how you teach your clients to set parameters. Smart!
Ironically, I almost titled this post “Be careful what you wish for”
Hi Evelyn – That’s so true. We do need to be clear on what it is we want blogging (or anything) to do for us.
Hi Jillian – Instant success could be very frightening. Not only would others want to know your secret, but some might want to take you down. It would definitely knock us out of our comfort zone.
Hi Jan – Staying true to ourselves is what would get us through. Dealing with trolls or readers with mean streaks in not fun, however, we do have to remember, that is their problem, not ours.
Bring on the coffee. 🙂
Hi Barb – Thank you. It can be disheartening to know becoming popular brings out those who want to scrutinize everything we say, but in the end, those who enjoy our work, will remain loyal and supportive.
HI Chris – I’m guessing with blogging celebrity would come a chance for a book deal. However, you may be able to secure the book deal first, and become a renowned blogger second.
HI Tea – Continuing to share what’s on our hearts is the perfect way to remain true to ourselves no matter what.
Hi Kathy – That’s very true. Even mild surges of traffic can affect our blogs in a negative way. I remember what happened to Cath and it was a nightmare.
Hi Paul – Enjoying the fame while it lasted isn’t a bad idea. Who knows how long the ride would be?
Hi Barbera
Well I’d have to contratulate myself on the great achievement of getting all that traffic….
Seriously monitize it ….
Then help others by telling them how I did it 🙂
Dean
Dean Holland´s last blog post..Free Report – NO Opt in !
I’d definitely blog more since I no longer blog the way I used to. =(
Julie Y.´s last blog post..Backyard Observation
I am such a private person and protective of my family. It is a conundrum. We all want validation and recognition, but at what price? I know we cannot have the sweet without the sour, but I guess I would braid hands with Sean and jump.
cindy platt´s last blog post..You are a Writer
That kind of fame is so far off my track I can’t even imagine it.
Paisley (Paisley Thoughts)´s last blog post..My ‘Salad Days’
You always have such great posts that make me go “hmmm”.
Although I don’t blog or comment anything that I would be ashamed of, or feel uncomfortable with, I am, to be honest, quite happy not to have any posts go viral and highly doubt any of them ever would. After reading your post, I realize that it is a limelight that I would be quite uncomfortable with, and would rather not experience. Thanks for making me think about it!
Daisy
Daisy´s last blog post..Daisy needs her space
Hi Dean – Yes. Congratulating ourselves on our accomplishment is important, as is sharing the lesson with others. I’m sure everyone would want to know our “secret”.
Hi Julie – Going viral would be great motivation to blog more, wouldn’t it?
Hi Cindy – That’s true. When we blog, we do end up taking the good with the bad. Having a partner to help us through it would make a huge difference. In Sean you’ve got unconditional support.
Hi Paisley – That kind of fame is probably difficult for most of us to imagine.
Hi Daisy – You’ve made an interesting point. Although many of us do blog to “get discovered” (to the extent we have visitors and a great community) or to make money, we may not want to have our blogs go viral to the extent we would have to deal with notoriety.
I’d be so ready – I already know how much I’d charge to do speaking events and have a good idea of what I’d say. I have scalable programs set up and I know exactly what type of person I’d bring on to help me deliver programs (and I know who I’d hire as a Virtual Admin).
My only question is: when is it going to happen already? 😉
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Stop Waiting, Start Living: The Launch of a Someday-Busting Ebook
Yikes! I would not be ready…. I would be, frankly, shocked. And the pressure to keep up the content, oh…. No, please. Let’s take it slow for now.
Jeannette´s last blog post..Good old Beeb
I would hire people to help me so I could revel in the glory. I would repay anyone who helped me get there and would be a mentor for others. I would still be me.
I’ve always accepted my flaws and lived out loud so there wouldn’t be anything real secretive revealed.
Great questions, good class!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog post..Mondays = 1/7 of Your Life
I think it is being a celebrity! to have 500 folks come to my blog every week and from all over the planet. I am just so grateful and pleased that people are reading and making comments. How lucky am I?
I have no idea how to prepare to be a pro-blogger and what that would entail, but that will have to be at tortoise speed and one step at a time – cause that is who I am.
It would be a lot of work too! when I think of how much work I am doing now! that rather overwhelms me
Patricia´s last blog post..Hesitation
I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. When I started blogging this is what I wanted. I wanted to share my stories and struggles with Down syndrome so others could be educated and more accepting. However, the more I’ve gotten into blogging, the more I see just how many parents are out there blogging about their child. We all have a story to tell and connect with certain people. We all have different challenges that not just one of us could cover. Then there’s the criticism and hate and rude comments. I just read a post of a mom who had to defend her family getting to go to Make a Which and Hope Kids activities and meeting celebrities. She has a very ill little boy with life threatening problems, no health insurance and an unstable paycheck. Of course the commentor didn’t have the guts to leave a name. Believe me, this mom and any other family attending these events would give them up in a heartbeat for a healthy child that you didn’t fear wouldn’t survive another day.
So between Tracy’s trials and others I’ve seen, I think I’m happy where I am. I don’t know if one of my posts will ever go viral, although I doubt it, but I’ve made some good friends. I’ve learned a lot from others. I’ll keep doing my thing for my small following and read and post where I can with respect and kindness for others. Let the nasty people who have no courage to stand behind their cruel words go somewhere else.
Debbie Yost´s last blog post..Remember Me?
Hi Alex – I love your answer. It sounds like you are ready and have some systems in place. I do hope when it happens, you won’t be a stranger here.
Hi Jeannette – I agree. Taking things slow would give us the chance to adjust to each new stepping stone.
Hi Tess – Thank you. Hiring others would be a great way to give us a chance to revel in the glory. And yes, you would make a wonderful mentor.
Hi Patricia – Oh, we are lucky, aren’t we? Whether 1 person or 1 million people read our blogs, we do have a lot to be grateful for. And you’re right, being a “star” means a lot more work.
Hi Debbie – Thank you so much for sharing the story of the mom with the little boy who has the life threatening illness. How sad it is the mother had to defend herself to others. I’m sure the cross she bears is heavy enough already and she certainly didn’t need more added on.
You’re right. With celebrity comes scrutiny. For bloggers, this is a great reminder to ask ourselves what it is we truly want to gain from blogging. It sounds like you now know what that is.
Hi George – That’s true. Notoriety would put resources at our fingertips and that’s something that could make the shift to celebrity easier.
I know. Whatever happens in your future, you’ll use your powers for the good of others. You’re just that kinda guy. 🙂
Barbara,
Interesting that you would post this because that very thing happened to me last week!
Ok, so maybe it didn’t but the important thing is that it could! And that is what keeps a lot of folks going.
In reality, I’m not sure it would change me too much, although it might change what I do. It would put resources at my fingertips that are kinda out of reach right now.
Just know that I would use my powers for good, not evil.
🙂 George 🙂
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..What Kindergarten taught me about writing today
What would I do? I’d be thrilled and jump up and down, then freak out, then go back to being thrilled, then freak out a little more, then I’d call my mom. After that five minutes was over, I’m not sure.
Would I be ready? I’d like to say I would be, but one thing I’ve noticed in my life is that events never really happen the way I think they would, so probably I’d still have to roll with it. I guess getting better at taking things as they come is my best preparation.
Planning for this? The coaching will help me a lot, like I said, I don’t know that you can say A will happen like this and I will feel B and others will C so I should D, E and F. Instead, I think learning to be a more flexible person with good boundaries and a firm sense of my own values is the best preparation.
Tracy´s last blog post..Beef Cheek Casserole