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Posts Tagged ‘Networking’

#FollowFriday

July 16th, 2010

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Admin


What is #FollowFriday on twitter?

If you use Twitter, you’ve probably seen this, #FF, or this, #FollowFriday or even these –  #ff, #followfriday. If you are new to blogging, you might be wondering what it is all about…

#FollowFriday is a Twitter meme, useful for networking, wherein you suggest or promote Twitter users that you like and think others may like to follow. After all, it is nice to promote what you already enjoy. Also, it is like a little shout-out to the peeps whose tweets you follow. :-)

It is important to include the hashtag (the number or pound symbol that looks like this: #) and the Twitter IDs of the people you want to suggest for #FollowFriday in order for it to work properly.  The hashtag allows people searching for #FollowFriday suggestions to see your tweet when they search #FollowFriday or #FF.  #FF is becoming more and more commonly used as it takes up less of your precious 140 characters, but I still see plenty of people using #FollowFriday as well, and either one works.

You must also include the @ symbol before the Twitter ID of each user you are suggesting for #FollowFriday so that the Twitter user’s name becomes a hyperlink to their Twitter page, which will allow your followers to easily find and follow the user(s) you are suggesting.

Usually, when people participate in #FollowFriday, they list several Twitter ID suggestions.

Here is an example of how a #FollowFriday tweet might look:

“#followfriday @BetterYourBlog @GiftDetective”

This post may not have been helpful to those of you who already know the ins and outs of Tweeting, but I hope to make Better Your Blog helpful to all levels of bloggers and would love it if you would take this brief poll for me! (only four questions!) Please use the scroll bar within the post to answer all four of the questions and be sure to click “Submit” when you are done!

Happy blogging!

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Posted in Networking, Twitter Tips | 1 Comment »

Comment With Sincerity

June 20th, 2010

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Admin
This post is on the longer side but I think it will be worth it!

I read this post over at beckyknitstoo and could imagine exactly how she felt.  We’ve all had “that” sort of call and it feels, not only like it impinges on your time, but also insulting.  It is like a bad banner ad in your Yahoo! account that advertises the newest mom who has figured out the best trick to whiten your teeth.  It feels dishonest and downright dirty.

Do these sorts of tactics really work? I tend think they don’t.  In fact, I hope not!  Perhaps if you’ve got zillions of dollars to spend in advertising/telemarketing, maybe.  But I think the trend is moving away from this kind of thing because it works less and less.

So, how does this relate to blogging?

Well, we’ve all had “that” sort of telephone call but have you had “that” sort of comment on your blog? It sucks doesn’t it?  If you are focusing on providing quality content and someone leaves a comment that is just “Hi stopped by from so and so site, I followed you, hope you follow me!”, how do you feel?  Worse, have you ever had a comment that tried to be more genuine by picking up on some keyword by skimming your post but, when they left a comment it readily revealed that they hadn’t actually read your post at all?  I tend to think of people like this as, and forgive the crudeness of this but I don’t know how else to phrase it…comment-sluts.  Do these tactics work on your blog?  Do you go to their site and engage?  Or do you return the favor never to return again?

If you want to Better Your Blog I urge you not to make these comment faux pas. It leaves a bad taste in the blogger’s mouth and I doubt you will get the type of return visitor you want by being a comment-slut.

Comment (and network, in general) with sincerity.  The top bloggers became popular because of what they offer – they didn’t become top bloggers because they won a popularity contest.


Here is a real life example:
It was a wintry, cold, Sunday afternoon in Boston and I had a dog leash in hand to head out for a walk with Isabelle, probably to get an iced coffee, and, “Brrrring!”, the doorbell rings.  Yup. It sounds like an old telephone.  Only much louder, maybe more like an old school bell ringing.

Two men are standing at the door, cheeks flushed from the icy wind.  One middle-aged and one fresh-faced guy who might have been in his twenties.  The older guy introduced himself as a politician running for some office or other and his side-kick was just helping him out.

I heard “politician” and I feared the worst.  This could have been like a telemarketer at the door but, you know what?  The guy pulled it off because he actually seemed sincere.  He didn’t go on and on about any issues.  He didn’t pump my hand and ask for my vote.  He read me in an instant – dog at my side wagging her tail, leash in hand, uninviting weather – and he turned the encounter away from potential imposition to a friendly conversation/encounter.   He asked me if I was heading out for a walk, he found some common ground and then we chatted for a moment about a place we both loved to walk and he mentioned what he was running for and said that it was a pleasure to meet me, left me his info and wished me a good day.

He was honest, he related to me, he gave me his information but wasn’t aggressive or pushy. He was sincere.  The encounter was just as memorable for what it wasn’t (pushy, vote-for-me, I’m-better-than-the-other-guy tactics), as for what it was (a friendly encounter where we both learned a little bit about one another).  And, now, I will remember him when it comes time to vote, which is probably half the battle.

When you leave a comment for someone on their blog, remember that your comment should benefit them and if it benefits you as a result, that is wonderful, but it shouldn’t be the goal at the outset of your visit.  Sincerity goes a long way.  Sure, you can get a whole bunch of followers and visits will last about a minute from people who are “returning the favor”  but you want people to stop by your site because they like what you offer, not because they are fulfilling an obligation.

People who like your site for what it is will spend time and really engage.  People who are stopping by to “return the favor” aren’t going to increase the value of your site long term.
Sometimes we follow the “rules” that worked for others without realizing that yes, they did do the things they suggest, but they did them before they were “rules of blogging”, and did these things because they were excited to connect with the people who found them interesting.

Sincerity will Better Your Blog!

Keep networking and commenting on other bloggers blogs but, I think you’ll notice the people who are most successful are writing superbly, offering something great, making you laugh and hooking you in.  Yes, they network and comment but they first provide you with something and networking is a byproduct of blogging.

I would love to know your thoughts on networking through comments!  What works for you?  Have you ever made a comment faux pas?  What sort of comments make you feel the best on your own blog?  If you are a member, remember to sign in before you leave a comment, so that you can link to your most recent posts and other bloggers can access your profile info!

Happy blogging and happy Father’s Day!
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Posted in Blogging Tips, Networking | 6 Comments »

New Look!

June 10th, 2010

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Admin

Hello, fellow bloggers!

I’ve gotten lots of fantastic feedback about the new look and I couldn’t be happier to hear how much people love it!  HUGE thanks to, Belal Design, who performed the magic and created everything I’ve asked for.

But, are we done?  Hell no!  The forum is next and, let me tell you, it is going to look super-fantastic!!!

And will we be done after that?  Nope.  This is just the beginning.  I have some terrific ideas to make this community even better and, as we are able to, I’ll be working with people like my designer to bring you even more great features.  Features that will help you connect with one another, define and reach your goals and Better Your Blog!  ’Cause that is what it is all about here.

I got a couple of very wonderful mentions by Members Kate and Nolie!  Please, check out their posts, Aren’t I so Glam?! and Warm Fuzzies.  Don’t forget to network with your fellow bloggers and leave them comments!

Speaking of networking…

  1. Log in to comment!  You’ll be able to advertise your most recent blog posts with ComLuv.
  2. Be sure to keep checking the forum – we have new members and I’ve encouraged them to introduce themselves so check the Introductions or answer a question for someone.
  3. Leave a link to one of your recent posts if you’ve been doing the homework for 31 Days to Build a Better Blog under whichever topic you’ve done homework for.  Free advertising your blog!
  4. Be sure to support your fellow Members and check out their homework!  Where can you find it?  Here!

Who is our newest member? GeekyGirl!  Check out her site, leave her a comment, show her some love from the Better Your Blog community.

There are still those of you who are members but haven’t introduced yourselves…what are you waiting for?  It is a supportive community, so take a leap of faith and say hello and let everyone know who you are and where to visit you.

Happy blogging!

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Posted in 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, Design | No Comments »