I think you nailed just about all the general concepts of networking online.
I think of networking through blogs as “on-blog” and “off-blog” modes of communication. On-blog is commending on posts, while off-blog is follow-up email, etc.
Now I think you need a post explaining how to network when others contact YOU. The strategies you list are more push instead of pull.
ex) if someone wants to guest post on your blog
ex2) if someone wants to offer you an opp through email
Well I just got around to reading this after it showed up on my tracker and I must say Thank You. Granted I haven’t blogged in a few weeks and I know I need to get back on the horse but life has been quite hectic and I’ve fallen very behind with writing and reading. I think your recent post is going to get me going again, even if it’s finding that extra few minutes in the day.
The tips were really good and I plan on using them across YGG and EE as well as some of the others I track.
Michael – Cool, I look forward to reading more from you. I’m not suggesting YGG and EE are the only websites to target for guest posts – they just happen to be the two I’ve done so far, and it’s been a good experience with both. Good luck with your networking!
wow hey Monica, thanks for the link. I guess I do get credit for commenting almost too much!
Something you mentioned: I would like to use my full name, as it would be more personal, but when googled my full name may link me with clients (through their newsletter) – though I don’t speak of them (and overall it wouldn’t even be too bad), there’s a certain disconnect I must maintain.
In fact when I first started (on typepad) last year, I went with full name…then backed off once I googled myself after a proposal I had submitted!
It’s interesting you don’t want your work to get googled, even though you admit it wouldn’t be too bad either way. Why is it important to stay disconnected from clients? It seems counterintuitive to me since you are in a niche – I would try to establish myself as an expert.
Using your name online is a personal decision, but I really enjoy knowing people’s actual names when reading their stuff. It helps form a picture in my mind of what that person is actually like and goes a long way in networking.
I also wonder if there’s a way to unlist your blog with google? Just a thought if you’re worried about getting googled.
I currently link to the main blog site. There are two – three writers and the top articles change almost every day; would you suggest that I link to a specific article of my own instead of the main page?
I think it’s awesome to have a blogroll, and it can certainly get the attention of someone you link to. I still need to get mine going…
I tend to link within my posts, but it really depends. A lot of my articles piggy-back off of other people’s posts or bring a lot of other people’s ideas together with my own, so I link to the specific article. Another benefit is that if the other person’s blog allows trackbacks you get a link from their blog automatically, on that article. There’s an example of that on this post even. Good luck!
You are awesome. I am a newbie on blogging but I am a successful businessman and I would like to blog to inspire and get inspired by progressive thinkers. I came to this country with $20 and in less than 10 years have owned three hotels. If I can do this, anyone can in America. This article will definitely help me promote my blog. Is there any blog that explores technicality of trackbacks, links etc ? I would love to invite you to visit my blog and I would be honored if you can subscribe.
Shilpan, sounds like a great life story. You must be very successful. I would just suggest problogger.net for help with blogging. I can’t direct you to any specific post, they are all pretty good. I think he has a few top 10 post lists for new bloggers. Good luck!
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
"Must read for business owners, marketing professionals, or students looking to understand the next monumental shift in marketing and advertising." Patrick Ambron, CMO of Brand Yourself software
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you nailed just about all the general concepts of networking online.
I think of networking through blogs as “on-blog” and “off-blog” modes of communication. On-blog is commending on posts, while off-blog is follow-up email, etc.
Now I think you need a post explaining how to network when others contact YOU. The strategies you list are more push instead of pull.
ex) if someone wants to guest post on your blog
ex2) if someone wants to offer you an opp through email
Sounds like a good idea. I’ll keep those in mind!
Well I just got around to reading this after it showed up on my tracker and I must say Thank You. Granted I haven’t blogged in a few weeks and I know I need to get back on the horse but life has been quite hectic and I’ve fallen very behind with writing and reading. I think your recent post is going to get me going again, even if it’s finding that extra few minutes in the day.
The tips were really good and I plan on using them across YGG and EE as well as some of the others I track.
Happy Monday!
Michael – Cool, I look forward to reading more from you. I’m not suggesting YGG and EE are the only websites to target for guest posts – they just happen to be the two I’ve done so far, and it’s been a good experience with both. Good luck with your networking!
wow hey Monica, thanks for the link. I guess I do get credit for commenting almost too much!
Something you mentioned: I would like to use my full name, as it would be more personal, but when googled my full name may link me with clients (through their newsletter) – though I don’t speak of them (and overall it wouldn’t even be too bad), there’s a certain disconnect I must maintain.
In fact when I first started (on typepad) last year, I went with full name…then backed off once I googled myself after a proposal I had submitted!
Again, thanks for the link! Love your work…
It’s interesting you don’t want your work to get googled, even though you admit it wouldn’t be too bad either way. Why is it important to stay disconnected from clients? It seems counterintuitive to me since you are in a niche – I would try to establish myself as an expert.
Using your name online is a personal decision, but I really enjoy knowing people’s actual names when reading their stuff. It helps form a picture in my mind of what that person is actually like and goes a long way in networking.
I also wonder if there’s a way to unlist your blog with google? Just a thought if you’re worried about getting googled.
I currently link to the main blog site. There are two – three writers and the top articles change almost every day; would you suggest that I link to a specific article of my own instead of the main page?
Great info, by the way
Kristen,
I think it’s awesome to have a blogroll, and it can certainly get the attention of someone you link to. I still need to get mine going…
I tend to link within my posts, but it really depends. A lot of my articles piggy-back off of other people’s posts or bring a lot of other people’s ideas together with my own, so I link to the specific article. Another benefit is that if the other person’s blog allows trackbacks you get a link from their blog automatically, on that article. There’s an example of that on this post even. Good luck!
Thanks for the info Monica!
Another thing I forgot to mention in my first post is that I love how you worked examples into this post.
Monica,
You are awesome. I am a newbie on blogging but I am a successful businessman and I would like to blog to inspire and get inspired by progressive thinkers. I came to this country with $20 and in less than 10 years have owned three hotels. If I can do this, anyone can in America. This article will definitely help me promote my blog. Is there any blog that explores technicality of trackbacks, links etc ? I would love to invite you to visit my blog and I would be honored if you can subscribe.
Take care and congrats on your success.
Shilpan
Shilpan, sounds like a great life story. You must be very successful. I would just suggest problogger.net for help with blogging. I can’t direct you to any specific post, they are all pretty good. I think he has a few top 10 post lists for new bloggers. Good luck!
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
Monica, great post. I think what I like most about it is that a) you offer succinct examples of times when your strategies have helped you personally and b)you don't talk about gimmicks such as linkbaiting, SEO, etc, all of which I consider to be ineffective and take away from the quality of a blog you're trying to establish. You also don't disillusion the reader with the amount of hard work it takes to run a successful blog. I'll be bookmarking this and coming back to it.
Thanks Vicki! I am actually putting together a more comprehensive version of the techniques I'm using to build my blog now. It's definitely hard to grow a blog the organic way, but as my blog has grown I really appreciate the sweat equity it has taken to get to this point.
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