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The Blogger's Guide To Hustling: Networking, Promoting & Getting Your Blog OUT THERE! (Part One!) ♥
in I Want... Blogging!, I Want... Career!, I Want... Life!15 Jul 2010 | 49 Comments
''But your name isn't Perez Hilton or anything, what could YOU possibly have to teach ME about blogging?!'' an imaginary person might ask. At which point I would smile, shrug and say hey, pipe down, imaginary person! Sure, Perez Hilton my name might not be, but that doesn't mean that I haven't collected my own thoughts on blogging and the inevitable hustling, networking and promoting process that's so closely tied into it all if you actually DO want to get your blog or website out there, no, no, no! However: please note that when I say ''out there'' I definitely mean onto the laptops and computers of other people, and 100% not in a UFO, X Files style fashion, okay? Okay!
So! You've got yourself a blog. How exciting! Can you send me the link to it? (No, really - I want to read it!) Now that you've created a little home for yourself on the internet, the first question to ask yourself is: why? Why blog? Is it because:
x You want to use it as some kind of futuristic resume`/platform to create a name for yourself on the internet or real life/as a sort of door to open up new opportunities? Yes? Excellent! Read on.
x You created it with the intention of selling your handmade kites/earrings/lobster jackets or another product or service? Brilliant! Continue.
x You genuinely enjoy writing and even though you would absolutely still be doing it regardless of whether or not anyone was reading it, knowing that people are/could/will be fills you with a sort of '''what? There's CHOCOLATE in the cupboard?!'' delight, and makes it all seem so much more interesting and meaningful? Wonderful! (Because after all, it's kind of like public speaking - why speak to an empty room when you could integrate others and share ideas and know that they were enjoying your words, instead?)
x You want to earn an income from it, whether through selling advertising or, as previously mentioned, offering a product or service?
Answered yes to any of these questions? Fantastic! (Answered no to all of those questions? Fantastic! Come along for the ride anyway!) Let's roll onto our next topic, building an audience. (Because really, while you can produce all the beautiful, unique rhinestone encrusted jackets for lobsters that you want, or slap all the affiliate programs or Google advertisements over your page that you like, what's the point of doing so or how will you truly benefit if nobody even knows that you exist or is visiting your page? Hint: there isn't one, and you will probably become disheartened and frustrated VERY quickly!)
How To Build An Audience, No, We've-Established-That-My-Name-Isn't-Perez-,But-Hey,-I've-Still-Learned-Stuff Style!
Create A Facebook Page For Your Blog/Website
And send invitations to your real life friends to join it! Now, I know that this is scary. It is. (I think I may have had a substantial glass of red wine before choosing to do this myself!) Because regardless of how comfortable you are with putting yourself out there or not worrying about what other people think, sharing your writing with people you know is a completely different ball game because it's just so personal! Seriously, you can discuss lip balm and you're STILL revealing a heap about yourself, because your personality/thoughts/opinions/sense of humour/hopes and dreams are so subtly intertwined in everything that you type. But don't let that deter you - why not just invite your closest friends, family members or anyone else that you think could be interested? (For example, if your website is largely written for females, then why not send it to all of the females that you know?) You don't have to inform Bill from Accounts about it!
Have Business Cards Designed
''What? BUSINESS cards?!''
Oh, jeez - there's that indignant imaginary person again! But seriously, having a set of business cards with your name and website information on a piece of cardboard isn't a ridiculous practice, because as soon as you start telling people about what you're working on (and it will come up in more conversations than you might think! Friends/family: ''so what's new, what are you up to at the moment?'' Everyone from shop assistants to strangers at parties: ''so what do you do?''), they will usually ask for the name of your project so that they can look it up at a later date; which is lovely! But, being only human, it's natural that they will probably forget what it's called or to do so. Not with a business card, they won't! Don't worry: you don't have to brandish one at every social event as soon as somebody asks what your name is, but if you find yourself engaging in a conversation and think that the other person could genuinely be curious in what you're doing, then what's the harm in allowing them to find out? You're right: there isn't any!
♥
Parts two and three to The Blogger's Guide To Hustling: Networking, Promoting & Getting Your Blog OUT THERE! ♥ will be coming soon, but in the meantime: tell me! Do you have a blog, and if so, why? And was it created strictly for personal use, or with the intention of publicizing and promoting it?
xoxo
UPDATE: Part two can now be found here!
Comments (49)
Excellent article! I've done most of what you talked about and found that tying in Facebook with my Wedding BLOG helped it jump from an average of 20 to 35 hits per day to an average of 200 to 250 hits per day. One day peaked at 382 hits! Another reason is because I post something NEW about weddings every 4th day. You must also have great content and a lot of it to attract a lot of visitors. - Celebrate Love!
7 Aug 2010, Larry James, http://www.CelebrateIntimateWeddings.wordpress.com
Heya, just took your advice and made myself a Facebook page (I already have business cards).. now to just do more posts! :) Thanks for the suggestion!
~Kathleen
2 Aug 2010, Kathleen, http://blog.kathleengreen.com/
I'm trying to do all those crazy things that people tell me I should be doing. Traveling, living in New York City, hiking high mountains, learning to scuba dive. And I'm just a normal girl; single, sort of shy, but fiercely determined to not wake up at 60 and ask myself what the heck I've been doing all this time!
1 Aug 2010, Lauren, livinglifebarefoot.blogspot.com
Just hustling, your blog is fab btw, lovely to meet you at the event yesterday!
http://jademusing.tumblr.com/
26 Jul 2010, Jade , http://jademusing.tumblr.com/
I also found you via Rock N Roll Bride, but will be adding you to my blog list - you've got some great advice and articles and as I get rolling on finding a place for my blog, you can be sure I'll be using the advice!
23 Jul 2010, Heather, http://onegirloneguytwocats.wordpress.com/
What a great article - I found you via Rock n Roll Bride but will be adding you to my reader list as of now!
My blog is still in its infancy - I started it because I am a frustrated artist who would love to be making a living from my pictures and although I don't have much in the way of traffic just yet, I'm grateful to articles such as yours for all the advice. I have posted a page on Facebook and my numbers are slowly creeping up - I even got my first commissioned portrait via my Facebook page (albeit from a good friend of mine!)
Thanks for your great article.
23 Jul 2010, Nicola, htpp://www.pointypix.blogspot.com
Blog
www.paulreidphotography.blogspot.com
Love your Blog!
I've been blogging for a couple of years now and really would like more people to read it as well as take a look at my website. I've been a wedding photographer in Cumbria for over 15 years now and seen a lot of changes in ways to promote your business in that time. Sometimes I feel that although I have the talent as a Photographer not many people get to see my website due to my poor marketing skills. Then I see poor Photographers being much more successful because their marketing is spot on. Blogging definately helps!! I intend to do it more often! I just need to promote it all better.
23 Jul 2010, Paul Reid, www.paulreidphotography.com
Hi! Really interesting, thanks for this! It's funny, I'm a writer by profession but the idea of showing my blog to my colleagues fills me with dread. So much easier to have random strangers read it. But you're right, it's good to get it out there and let people you actually know look at it....I'm just going to have to take a very deep breath (and a large glass of wine) first.
23 Jul 2010, Emma, http://thehoneymoonproject.com
Great article - I keep thinking that i need to wait until the blog is 'good' (still very in it's infancy - need to work on the photography aspect) bhefore sharing, but hey, it's about cakes. What's not to like?
23 Jul 2010, Ellie, http://londonreviewofcakes.blogspot.com
so true about the biz cards, never thought I needed them but just got some printed and its tres exciting.
great post, found you via RocknRollBride x
23 Jul 2010, Alexis - OMG I'm Getting Married Wedding Blog, www.omgimgettingmarried.com
Thank you for such stellar advice! I JUST started blogging and definitely haven't gotten the hang of it yet but I really enjoy it, and this article has some great ideas on gaining traffic that I haven't seen before!
22 Jul 2010, Noelle, http://www.elevenelevenwishes.blogspot.com/
Thank you for this article :)
I'm still not brave enough to share my blog via Facebook... I think I'll need a few glasses of champagne before I muster up the courage!
xxx
21 Jul 2010, Laura, lifebeautylaughter.blogspot.com
I do, I do!!!
I created it with the intention of promoting and having it be my little money maker. Still a huge work in progress but I'm taking everything in!
I love your advice and will keep reading :)
21 Jul 2010, Mimi, http://www.irresistibleicing.com
ahhh i can't wait to read all this advice!! i already have business cards though (my mum is a printer!!) but i am yet to hand them out.
thanks for reaching out to all the bloggers who need a bit of help to get noticed!!
Charlotte xxx
20 Jul 2010, Charlotte, girlnextdoorfashion.wordpress.com
yup! i answered yes to a lot of those questions! i started my blog just a little under a month ago...i somewhat-ashamedly admit that part of it was definitely about making money. whether through selling my creations, advertising, whatever. but the other part of it was simply because knowing someone is out there reading & watching & (hopefully) enjoying what i'm doing makes me so much more motivated to keep doing it!
thanks for this post! i still haven't taken the tell-people-in-real-life leap. haha. soon!
20 Jul 2010, Michelle, http://whollyafool.wordpress.com
Hi,
tx for the articles. It makes me want to print namecards and hand it to strangers ! Lol
I just started a blog n because I have this information overload in my head that need some mediums. And then I realized that I love writing.
Www.lovelittleapple.blogspot.com
it's still néw and Raw but getting there.
19 Jul 2010, Natalie, Www.lovelittleapple.blogspot.com
Yes! To almost all of the above!
I decided to create a blog for many reasons:
I wanted to share all of the inspiration I got from other websites, because in italian there aren't many, and sadly english is not always affordable for everyone in Italy.
The double language helps me, to keep my english and translation skills fresh.
To show myself that I could handle a scheduled project even if I was finishing uni, that I could pick up my writing, and maybe get a bit out of my shell.
And most of all I realized that maybe someone will benefit from my mind tribulations, and will save her/himself some time in overthinking.
19 Jul 2010, Euforilla, http://euforilla.blogspot.com
I write because sosmedays it feels like I have to write or else. For years I have listened to friends and family beg for me to tell them another story, or re-tell a tale from the past. I write about humor and depression and the crazy that invades my life.
19 Jul 2010, Dawn, http://crazyundefined.blogspot.com/
My blog. http://www.befit4lifenow.blogspot.com/
I have a health and fitness company. We do Online programs, corporate fitness, Kids programs, Fundrasing services, and more. My blogs will be a mix of personal views as well as articles from my database of hundreds of Health and fitness topics. Any advice would be wonderful.
19 Jul 2010, Ken ward, www.befit4lifenow.com
Hey, do any of you know a good blogging network? that has really active members? :)
19 Jul 2010, rux, http://sintomodicreativitaa.blogatize.net
I want to see what your business card looks like...:)
18 Jul 2010, Holly, http://www.tangerine-eater.com
I decided to start my blog to get back in to the swing of social media again, and also to consciously create a positive, empowered space for myself and whoever else decides to jump aboard!
I want Bits & Pieces to be a space full of self-love, comfort enthusiasm and extreme respect. :-)
18 Jul 2010, Lissa, http://lissaorelse.blogspot.com
I just started a new blog a few days ago, and I seem to be writing a lot about life.. ways to live it, how to survive it, and all kinds of things. I plan on putting up recipes, and lots about art and crafts (my passion!) This article was super helpful to me and I'm so glad I've come across it.
18 Jul 2010, Kaitlin, http://tangletree.blogspot.com
Thanks, this is a great post. It's interesting how intimidating linking my blog to my facebook is for me, but I'm definitely considering it. I've been blogging for about eight months about being a new mom, recipes and other interests, but am still figuring out what my blog will become. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
17 Jul 2010, Emily, trailofbreadcrumbsblog.blogspot.com
I had a personal blog for quite a few years on livejournal but decided to do a "proper" one on blogspot on alternative fashion, travel & nightlife, once I finished up as fashion Editor of Fiend magazine. And as I kept travelling more & more, esp to Japan!
I guess I want to share the great alt, goth, punk, lolkita etc fashion I come across, my DIY successes, and would love to present TV shows on the goth scene in japan (as La Carmina does!)
Looking forward to the next parts of the series :)
17 Jul 2010, trashtastika, http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/
I just found your blog and love it. This is a great post. I'm really looking forward to parts 2 & 3.
17 Jul 2010, Clare, http://www.clareherbert.ie
This is my third blog, and I hope I'll write everyday in it because that way I'll improve my writing. I love to write about anything, so my blog posts vary from art to interesting news worldwide to personal thoughts.
17 Jul 2010, rux, http://sintomodicreativitaa.blogatize.net
I have been blogging for 5 years, but like any project/venture, am feeling a bit of burnout and feel like I hit a "Dip".
17 Jul 2010, Sandra Mendoza-Daly, www.debutanteclothing.com
I Started writing blogs in 2002 with myonlinediary.com and then went to blogspot in 2006 and ended up writing three blogs up until this year when I slimmed it down to 1 blog which is about Ambient and Electronic Music in Australia. I had to choose because I realised I'd never get the success I wanted from it unless i was passionate about posting and Electronic Music actually gets me excited enough to write. I dont get many readers because I dont Promote it enough so this is where your Article is definitely going to help me. Thanks for your great tips!
17 Jul 2010, Rascuache, http://ramoosic.blogspot.com
Really looking forward to part 2, I've done no promotion on my blog yet as it's brand new and I've no idea where to start.
I've just started this blog drawn out of my love of fairytales and children's liturature and how fantasy affects (or can affect and inspire) real life.
It's not really a self promotion thing - just drawn from the love of the subject.
17 Jul 2010, Roslyn, onceuponahereandnow.wordpress.com
Awesome post! And just what I needed to get down to focussing on mine a bit more.
I started my blog last year and have only really recently decided what I want to focus on. Positivity, picking the life you want, all written about in a (hopefully) non-cheesy way! I'm currently setting up a professional website but haven't decided if I'm going to link the two together yet.
17 Jul 2010, Kelly, www.immediatesurrounds.blogspot.com
Damn! I wish I were designing lobster jackets now. Are those jackets with lobsters on them or jackets lobsters wear? The latter would definitely be a challenge with all those sleeves.
17 Jul 2010, WendyB, http://wendybrandes.com/blog/
Photo Blog: www.talleyimages.blogspot.com
Personal Blog: www.blessedimpatience.blogspot.com
The photo blog is an extension of my photography website - where I can relate to my clients in a more personal manner... The personal blog is like therapy and I use it to document the growth of our family... :)
17 Jul 2010, Addie Talley, http://www.talleyimages.com
I've had a friends locked livejournal since 2000-ish and I've had several self-hosted blogs throughout the years with little to moderate success.
Recently I started little-skeleton.com because I realized that I really enjoy writing and I really enjoy writing about the things that I love and if someone where to read that, well, that would be pretty awesome too.
My secondary goal to accomplish with this blog is, well, if in the course of writing about what I love, I happened to network with the people who could help me publish the novel I'm working on, all the better.
I write about writing, love, happiness, art and fashion at little-skeleton.com
17 Jul 2010, Allie O'Bannon, http://www.little-skeleton.com
This is such a good article! I've blogged for about a year on goplacidly, and have a friends-locked livejournal I've had since 2003ish...I just love writing, and the connections/community you get through blogging. Even just "this is cool! look at this it's really awesome don't you agree?" posts. Love love kindred spirit conneciton-making, and blogging is just the most wonderfully fun way to find it, in my experience :) looking forward to parts II&III xxx
17 Jul 2010, rachel, http://www.goplacidly.com
I write about dreaming big and living out of the box.
http://www.inwanderment.blogspot.com
17 Jul 2010, Monica at In Wanderment, http://www.inwanderment.blogspot.com
My blog is http://fallenpeach.blogspot.com .
I started it to promote myself and my store, but I do love to write and I love connecting with people. It's a lot of fun.
17 Jul 2010, Lindsey, http://fallenpeach.blogspot.com
Yep I have a blog at http://drummbellina.typepad.com. I've been blogging for a few years I think, on and off, here and there! I started this after spending so long reading craft blogs - I knew I wanted to do it myself and that it would encourage me to actually find time to do creative stuff! I love the community and feedback and it's good to have a web presence for my little etsy shop too. It's really good fun and I love it when readers say it inspired them, that's the best feeling!
17 Jul 2010, Drummbellina, http://drummbellina.typepad.com
Great tips. Can't wait for parts 2 and 3
17 Jul 2010, Fajr | Stylish Thought, http://stylishthought.com
Great post! I think these are fantastic tips and I'm already looking forward to Parts 2 and 3. I started a blog about a year and a half ago because I'd been reading other blogs for awhile and realized, "Hey! Maybe I could do this too!" I was in the middle of a big life transformation -- turning my life from negative to positive -- and the blog was (and still is) a fantastic outlet for me to share what I was going through and get ideas and feedback from others. I'm really glad I came across this post. Thanks!
17 Jul 2010, Positively Present, http://positivelypresent.com
I read blogs forever and would sometimes even comment. I never thought I would start my own. But after being unemployed I had nothing but time. Plus, I've always had a website of some sort for 14 years. It just felt natural and I felt like I could share my opinions!
17 Jul 2010, Elle Sees, http://ellesees.blogspot.com
I started my blog because I have no one to talk to about fashion, and I was hoping to find someone to talk to about it. At this stage I'm more or less talking to myself about fashion (the odd comment I get is usually a half hearted, 'love the blog xoxo' i.e 'read mine!!!')
Of course, I would love to promote it, but I think everyone who started a blog dreams about being invited to special events because of their blog, and people actually reading it, and caring about your opinion. So hopefully your guide will get me a little closer to the main goal of my blog!
17 Jul 2010, Stef, tiaras-and-tulle.blogspot.com
What may be more important than hustling is to smack down those negative nasty thought that keep you small - which you did so eloquently in this post! You can't hustle if you're playing small. Can't wait for parts II and III.
17 Jul 2010, Meghan, http://www.shopsavvycinderella.com
I've been blogging for so long now, or had a website on which I'd keep a diary and that I'd update with photos.
My current public blog was set up because I felt the need to get back to writing. I've always been writing - when I was younger it was fiction and now that I'm at uni it's been articles that I felt happiest publishing. I like being able to express my opinion about something and have the chance to start a discussion with other people!
Business cards are so fun. In the past, when i was out shooting bands for a music website, I never had anything with me that I could hand to people when they asked me where they could see my photos. Now I have nifty cards with my blog on it (which is where I usually put the review up) and space to scribble the music website on!
17 Jul 2010, Anisha, http://livelifedeeply.net
This is awesome!
& Wonderfully written :]
I've been blogging on & off for a couple of years, but recently started again for real. This time I feel as though I've got somewhere, but I don't think I'm quite there yet.
But hey.
I really like writing, and sharing my thoughts so I really enjoy blogging.
Looking forward to the next part :]
♥
17 Jul 2010, Skye, http://www.missskyebloo.blogspot.com
I have kept an online journal since the year 2000 and until 2009 it was kept purely for personal use and for friends or fandom. In 2004 I had my first domain but did not have the discipline or direction to know where I wanted to go at the time, and my personal life was in chaos, so I kept it mostly for file storage.
Last year I finally decided to go big & bold and put myself out there to create a name for myself and see where it would take me, as far as a career in writing goes. I now have a monthly feature in a Los Angeles based tourist magazine because of it and I am continuing to build a name as a food/travel/event writer.
16 Jul 2010, Rachael, http://www.glassofwin.com
Raquel - Twitter is DEFINITELY helpful, sometimes I feel like I should dedicate an entire post alone to its greatness! And gosh, thank-you! That sentiment is entirely mutual, I can assure you!
Julie - Do, and make sure that you tell me, so I can join! :D And thank-you! I have so much to say!
16 Jul 2010, x Corrine/Frock & Roll x, www.frockandrollonline.com
I want business cards u_u. I can't really afford them right now... But I'd kill for some, I have the design stores in my computer waiting for the day when I finally send it to the printers. Someday, someday. I do have very cute business cards for my website building business :D.
Facebook... I've taken better to Twitter... I don't think that I'll share my blog in Facebook but I'm sharing my business website like a mad woman. No fan page yet, but I'm planning on creating it once I complete some more projects.
Can't wait for part 2!
15 Jul 2010, Julie, http://juliettemaxwell.com
Thanks for this! My blog is still very new. I'm not using facebook at the moment (though I have been tempted to return to it!), but I've found twitter very helpful! Also I've told some workmates/aquaintances about it too. And, obviously, there's commenting on other people's blogs. I hate it, though, when people blatantly comment JUST to advertise their blog. Keep it relevent and respectful, guys! I've never really considered making money off my blog and I don't think I ever will, but I like using it as a space for writing, getting things down and connecting with awesome people LIKE YOU!!!
15 Jul 2010, Raquel, http://misschiaroscuro.blogspot.com
