First things first, a toast to everyone that has helped hold my hand going into Web 2.0!
As many of you know, I’ve been giving this whole blogging thing a go for almost six months now. I started out over at the Suited Productions‘ website, blogging about the video production and marketing projects we were working on. Then, I decided to move over here to Who Is Jon Ray? in an attempt to show a little bit more of my personality and allow me to blog about more than just one or two topics. I’ve been on the new blog for about a week now and I can’t say that I’ve achieved what I set out to do. I’m being myself, but I think I’ve been writing in a way that lacks some important things that make up my personality.
I’ve grown to learn blogging by reading other bloggers. Most notably, those bloggers to the right of this site in the “Who I’m Reading” section. I love reading all of their blogs and many have reached out and embraced my eagerness to learn. But, I think something all of us new bloggers have to think about is this, “Are we blogging our thoughts, in our own words, or are we regurgitating things that we read elsewhere?” I like to think that I’m putting my two cents in and adding to the conversation, but still feel that I and others just getting started could add a little bit more of ourselves into our posts.
I’ve always been a huge Seth Godin fan. I’ve read all of his books and have read his blogs for years (before I even knew that what I was reading was a blog). I love it when Seth releases limited edition copies of his books, enclosed in a collectors milk carton (Purple Cow) or cereal box (Free Prize Inside!). So, naturally, when I decided I wanted to start blogging, I called on Seth’s advice and sent him an e.mail that read something like this:
I’m new to blogging and I’m not sure I’m going about it the right way. I read almost thirty blogs a day and try to model my blogs after those I read, but I’m still just kind of winging it. Do you have any good resources that might encourage me to blog in a better way, or understand the intricacies of becoming a part of a blog community? How do so many bloggers know each other? Do they just comment on each other’s blogs and then become active readers?
To this Seth sent me back this short e.mail that made me grin:
Hi, Jon Ray. I think you should blog the way you want to, not the way others say. There are some terrific books out there, but you’ll do better if you ignore them!
I think that is great advice for anyone who is just starting out as a blogger. It doesn’t matter how everyone else blogs, because blogging is all about communicating ideas the way you want to communicate ideas. I think for a while I was intimidated by all of the other bigger bloggers that had larger readership than me. I didn’t want to break out and do anything that other people weren’t doing. But, that goes completely against who I am. I’ve always made a name for myself by going against the grain and screaming louder than others. So, a couple of months ago, I sent the same e.mail to several other bloggers that I had grown to admire.
Chris Brogan is a social media and networking expert specializing in the use of digital tools to build and strengthen online and offline communities. You’ve, no doubt, heard me mention him before. He is co-founder of PodCamp, a free unconference that explores the benefits and uses of new media community tools. Basically, Chris is one of a handful of GO-TO guys when it comes to social media, blogging and building communities. I’ve learned so much from his blog posts that reaching out to him seemed to be the next natural step in becoming a better blogger.
This is how Chris responded to my e.mail:
Hi Jon–
This is a great story! I love hearing about your stellar rise. This is amazing stuff, and I’m so excited you reached out.
Your blog looks great! I have a quick change I’d recommend: that stellar graphic at the top (Jon Ray: referring to old blog site) of the blog eats up the entire “above the fold” area of my screen. I can ONLY see that striking image, and not see the blog text below. You might consider slicing it, or otherwise reformatting to show me at least the first headline on your blog (the way newspapers are set up).
Your posts were great. BTW, I’m a big fan of Wes Anderson movies, and I hadn’t seen or heard about The Darjeeling Limited yet, so I got so excited when I saw the movie poster. (Jon Ray: Thanks to Chris Thilk at MMM for showing it to me!)
The best post on your page was the Joe Vitale one, because it had something personal mixed in, but the posts where you talk about the films and things you’re interested in are helpful too. (Jon Ray: One of the few posts where I blogged the way I wanted. Thanks, Seth!)NEXT LEVEL STUFF
I love that you do pictures with every post. You’ve got “reporting” right down. Now, the next level. Your site is entertaining.
Now, make it useful. Can you show people WHAT in these clips is turning you on? Can you talk about the film techniques or how someone could reproduce some of it? Can you give people something USEFUL they can do with the stuff they watch on your site?
That turns your site from a “sit back and watch” to a “take this and do something.” And that, to me, creates sticky.
Engage your audience more. Ask them for their favorite whatevers, mixed in with yours. Show them a clip you like, and challenge them to find what they see in it. It wont happen overnight, but they’ll get there.
Add your blog to your signature file on emails. More and more people are looking for blogs to better understand the person they’re dealing with. And it gets the name out there more.
I love this. PLEASE stay in contact with me.
-Chris Brogan
WOW! Chris Brogan, who I was initially intimidated to talk to, wrote ALL THAT back to me in an e.mail. Since that e.mail to Chris, I have sent many back and forth and continue to learn from him everyday. Thanks, Chris! But, Chris made some good points that I have never really taken to heart. This is one reason for this post.
Here are 5 things I’m going to implement into my blog to make it more informative and more entertaining based off of advice from Seth, Chris and all of the other bloggers that have held my hand, while I figure out this Web 2.0 thing:
- Blog the way you want to blog. Don’t worry about how others are writing their blogs. Make your blog your own.
- Blog with something personal mixed into your post. There are plenty of blogs that regurgitate ideas and information. But, the reason that big bloggers get big is by always sharing that information from their own point of view. People like people. So, show your readers that you are a real person and not just an information bot.
- Make it useful. Sharing information on events and content that you enjoy or have found useful is great. But, why did you enjoy it? How is it useful? And how can the reader take what you’ve just told them and somehow apply it to their situation?
- Start a conversation. Your blog is a conversation that is started by you, but should be continued by your readers. Engage people in thinking and action and get them talking. Then, sit back and listen to what people have to say.
- Have fun! There’s no point in doing anything that isn’t fun. I think I started out blogging because that’s what you were supposed to do in “Web 2.0″ It never occurred to me that maybe I wasn’t blogging for the right reasons.
Seth Godin had an interesting post on his blog this past Labor Day, which you can read here. He begins by saying this:
I’m working today. In fact, if I’m conscious, I’m working. That’s largely because it doesn’t seem like ‘work’ today. I’d write this blog even if no one read it.
I’m going to start having more fun with my blog and I think you should too. Having fun doesn’t mean I’m going to stop talking about marketing and video production (because I think those things are fun!). But, it does mean that I’m going to try and inject a little bit more of me into my posts. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know many wonderful people through their blogs and the conversations that they are starting. I hope, from this day forward, that this blog will allow you to know me a little better, so that together we can engage in a conversation that will benefit all of us.
Hold me to this! If you read a post that seems cut and dry with little personality or usefulness, call me on it in the comments section. What am I missing here that you would add to this post? Why don’t you share with all of us how YOU engage your readers and add personality to your blogs? What stories do you have about your blog’s success?
Just trying out some new types of writing to those who read this far. Apparently, I’m a writer now, so that means I have to find a voice, supposedly. Feel free to tell me exactly how you felt about this style, story, content, etc. Hurt my feelings if you want, I just need the feedback or the people who pay me money will beat me with a bone whip. And if you're enjoying this blog, consider commenting or subscribing for free.
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Jon, I’ve learned to trust Chris Brogan’s judgment. So when he gave you a shout-out on Twitter, I added you there … and followed you over here. Great post today. I’ll enjoy browsing around and learning more about you. Glad to make the connection with you!
Thanks, Connie! Looking forward to grabbing coffee with you and sharing conversations here in Austin.
I came here because of the entry on Chris Brogan’s site. I didn’t remember how I came up there actually.
What I wanted to say is, thanks for the tips! :) And yes, it should go about you not what other’s think or expect.
I started blogging about 6 months ago, a couple of months after my father died, and in spite of still very little traffic, I continue to blog, just because I like doing it :) Even though it seems like no one is interested.
I look forward to reading your next post, it’s fun reading your blog. You have the talent to be entertaining :)
@Julynell - Thanks for commenting and the kind words, I’ll do my best to keep you entertained in the future, but as long as you and I are entertaining ourselves, that’s really all that matters, right? :)
Yes, that’s all that matters :) After all, life is all about having fun! :D
I can never refuse a toast, so I’ll raise my glass and say it in my language (Italian): “Cin Cin!!”
Great Post