The Blogging Advice That Kept Me Up All Night
July 26, 2008
On Thursday, I received some blogging advice that kept me up all night. It was so amazing, it even caused me to miss Liz Strauss’s Blog Showcase (sorry Liz – I was really looking forward to it too).
It was late but I just didn’t feel sleepy, so I downloaded an ebook that I’ve been desperate to read: The Secret To Writing A Successful And Outstanding Blog by Liz Strauss.
Do you read reviews before you buy a book? I know I do. Buying a bad book is a waste of your time and money right? So this was the first book I bought in a long time where I didn’t even bother to read one review. The reason is simple – I trust Liz. I trusted her not only to write a good book, I trusted her to write an exceptional book. If you read her blog for a little while, you’ll understand why.
How many bloggers do you trust enough that you would buy anything they were selling without reading a review? But I bet you would love for your own blog community to trust you that much right? And you’re probably a trustworthy person. But that isn’t enough. You’ve got to prove to your readers that you’re trustworthy. And Liz explains how to do that in her book.
By the time I’d finished reading, it was morning. And I was really sleepy. Had it been any other book, I’d have gone to bed. But I began reading over Liz’s book again and I went over to her blog. I wanted to work out how she was applying the advice she’d given in The Secret To Writing A Successful And Outstanding Blog, on her own blog.
So I was so tired after missing a nights sleep, that I went out for an early dinner then went straight to bed. So I missed signing up for the Blog Showcase but I did learn how to write a successful and outstanding blog.
Would you like to learn how to be a successful and outstanding blogger, or did you read the book already? Did you sign up for the blog showcase?
If you could listen into your reader’s conversations about your blog, what would you like to hear them saying?
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The Secret To Writing A Successful And Outstanding Blog.
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Comments
18 Responses to “The Blogging Advice That Kept Me Up All Night”
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Successful And Outstanding Blogger
I’d like them to say:
“OMIGOSH that is the most INCREDIBLE gathering of wisdom I’ve found in one place, and wow, isn’t it a coincidence that I own Channel 7 News so I can dedicate the 10 o’clock news hour to this magnificent shrine of wonderfulness?”
Failing that, I’d like them to say,
==> “Gee, that touched my heart .”
Plain and simple.
‘Twould be joyful if that was followed by “Let me add the blog to my feedreader and signup to her newsletter and tell all my social networking friends about it” too.
Enjoy, Barbara
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..Should you have THIS tattooed on your forehead?
I’m really going to enjoy reading the comments for this one, Cath!
I firmly believe that building an interactive community around a blog is a key part in any blog’s success.
A blogger can write brilliant content, but without passionate readers, it goes to waste.
Readers who comment, communicate, share with each other and help shape a blog’s content are the lifeblood- they keep it alive.
Thank you, Cath, I sit and stare at the beautiful story you told, amazed that my name is inside it. Touched and honored beyond what my words can say..
Liz Strauss’s last blog post..SOB Business Cafe 07-25-08
[...] Read Cath Lawson’s “The Blogging Advice That Kept Me Up All Night “ Tags: 25-words of work / life wisdom, 25-words project, SlideShare, social-mediaShare This [...]
Hi Barbara, You crack me up. Hopefully the owner of the 7 oclock news will find your comment on Google and check your blog out.
Hi Scott – That is so true. Liz has built a wonderful community. And if you build a passionate community, they’ll tell all their friends about you too.
Hi Liz – You are welcome. What a brilliant book. You must be really proud of it. It’s the best non-fiction I’ve read this year and I’ve read many, including The Dip by Seth Godin, which was good. But your book is outstanding and anyone who blogs needs to read it and refer to it often.
Liz is one awesome blogger! I was amazed at how she was willing to host a blog showcase open to anyone. The amount of work that she has to do to set it up is a very generous offer. It shows how she’s sincere about the concept of community for a blog.
Al at 7P’s last blog post..What’s the Best Way to Start the Day?
Hi Al – Liz is brilliant isn’t she. The blog showcase is a really generous offer and it will take up a lot of her time. And she’s also put together a slideshow of all the contributions to her 25 word event. It must have taken her ages.
Hi Rita – I know you will love the book, as it focuses on writing a great blog and encouraging conversation, as opposed to some of those make money blogging ebooks you see.
I loved my birthday blog – thank you. The fashion police was ok but I don’t think it would have sounded as original. I like the way you play with words – eg. in that post, the word “crack” had two meanings, as did “piles” which you used in another post. That play on words really draws people in, then surprises them. I love it.
Cath- I did sign up for the showcase – to make my blog shine brighter, I added an image from the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.
Here’s my advice section: . . .
Think beyond the theme, the categories, the posts.
Look down the road, a few months or even years
ahead to map out where you’d like to go, who you’ll
invite to come along and how you’ll all get there.
Blogging is a transformational journey.
To answer your question: what would you want your readers to say about your blog?
It’s where I go to get the information I need to tell me how to communicate who I am and who I want to be.
Thanks for your post – and for asking the question.
@wiredprworks on twitter.com
Barbara Rozgonyi’s last blog post..Blog Showcase Features Over 250 Bloggers
Haven’t read the book but now I’m intrigued!
Signed up for the showcase – thanks to you.
What would I like my readers to say about my blog? That they look forward to a new post. That my blog makes them think, and laugh. That they would like to get to know me in person.
Vered’s last blog post..Being A Lawyer Was Sucking The Life Out Of Me
Hi Cath.
I just discovered Liz’s blog this week and am looking forward to reading this book.
As for my blog, I would hope that my readers are talking about how I made them think and invited new perspectives into their lives. My future goal is to have them laughing too. I have a great sense of humour but haven’t figured out how to showcase it in combination with great content. I’m aspiring to be as funny as Urban Panther is… a tough act to follow
Davina’s last blog post..Core Value Statements
Hi Catherine,
I’m laughing. Now I’m the third Barbara here.
You’re the second person who has raved about Liz’s book. The first was Lorelle. I know you’re both on target.
I did sign up for the Blog show. I’m # 226, under “Barbara”.
I would hope my blog is viewed as a place people can go to learn, converse, ask questions, get answers, and also have fun. I want to be helpful, kind and caring, and I hope it shows. I also want to help bloggers become better bloggers. I love my community and couldn’t do what I do without them.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Free ‘n Easy Friday Finds – Blog Protection
Hi Barbara R- Thanks for dropping by. I love the message you’d like to hear your readers pass along and also your advice section. They’re both extremely powerful.
Hi Vered – I certainly look forward to your new posts. I checked by this morning but I was too early. And the posts certainly make me laugh. I loved that ad about losing weight by eating sugar before your meals.
Hi Rita – you’re welcome. And thank you. I loved your post. You’re a great story teller. It’s nice to know that life gets better in your forties – that gives me a lot of hope. Thanks.
Hi Davina – your posts definitely make me think. I love the way you use morning pages. To be honest, many times I have used them when I’m feeling down. But you’ve used them in a more positive way and it worked. It shows us what is possible if we try.
Hi Barbara – You would love the book, I know it. And I’ll be checking out your entry in the blog showcase.
Your blog definitely achieves all those things you mention. And I know you love your community – that really shines through in your blog.
Cath,
You’ve convinced me that I have to read Liz’s book–not that I didn’t already know it would be terrific if she wrote it.
You said the most wonderful thing about my blog (or rather a specific post). When you told me your husband used some of the tips in my post on resumes to polish up his resume and got an interview, that made my day…my week…my month! To know that something I wrote made a difference makes it all worthwhile.
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..Develop Your Social Skills: Read a Novel
“If you could listen into your reader’s conversations about your blog, what would you like to hear them saying?” — Cath Lawson
Now THAT’S and excellent question! (I can’t answer it right away, but it’s food for thought)…
Hi Lillie – Your post really helped him a lot. It came at just the right time – he was really struggling with the resume. Thank you.
You will love Liz’s book.
[...] Liz Strauss is the Queen of conversational blogging. And I’ve learned heaps from her, through her blog and also, from her excellent book – How To Be A Successful And Outstanding Blogger. You can check out my review of Liz’s book here: The Blogging Advice That Kept Me Up All Night. [...]
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