This is another guest post from Robby G at Shite I Like.com where he gives expert dating advice for both men and women, amongst other advice.
I’ve only recently realized the benefits of good Karma. Greed and blogging doesn’t go well together at all. Right off the bat I wanted to say that if you’re thinking of starting a blog strictly for money and your heart isn’t in the blog topic, you will not only fail but you will lose all that time you’ll spend creating the blog and writing content that will be extremely difficult to produce just because it’s not something you believe in but just something you think has a high monetary rate of return. There are two ways to looking at blogging: 1. Every other blogger is your competition, or 2. Every other blog out there is an opportunity.
Though other blogs, particularly that write about a topic similar to yours, are your competition, they are also your ticket to success. Now allow me to explain.
Opportunity in the Blogosphere
Think about this, if you were the only person on earth with a blog and no one would have caught on to this wonderful innovation then your blog would quickly die because there wouldn’t be enough demand for blogs, blogging, or bloggers. Since there is a blogosphere and people are enjoying each others’ blogs, that means that there is room for you to grow and create a leading blog in your niche. But what if there are already tens or hundreds of blogs writing about the same topic as you are? Well, use that in your advantage. I’ve noticed over the years that mostbloggers are quite good people (nevertheless I have run into one or two a**holes) and they don’t mind to share their knowledge, their friendship, and most importantly their love for blogging. There is opportunity in your competition because if you are a good-hearted individual and aren’t greedy about attracting all the traffic to yourself, there is room for you to grow. Now what are the ways to attract Brownie Points with Karma? There is a list of ways that you may think do not help your blog, but in fact they eventually attract much more people to come to your blog overtime than you would have if you did not take part in them. Here’s the list:
- Provide useful comments on other blogs: By doing this I did not only get lots of traffic from people clicking on my link, but I also received emails from the authors of the posts asking me if I could broaden my comment into a full post and submit it to them as a guest article. This doesn’t happen for every comment, but there’s that chance people will really want you to share your knowledge as a guest post without you even asking for it.
- Link to other blogs in your posts:Linking to other blogs may seem like a sure way to lose readers because they will simply jump ship and start reading your competitor’s posts. But that’s a mistake many bloggers have in mind. By providing readers with relevant links, they see that you know what you’re talking about and you want to help your readers with the most informative links.
- Blogroll: I personally do not have a blogroll on my blog, but what I do have is a post with my favourite blogs that I follow daily. Since only recently I have been getting out there and making lots of friends in the blogging community, I have decided to create a full-blown blogroll linking to the blogs of my friends, which is in the works. I do not ask anything in return from the blogs I link to, because I leave it all to Karma, and more often than not the people I link to end up linking back to me.
- Attract guest posts: Guest posting attracts you links and new traffic, but when you allow other bloggers to guest post, you attract bloggers, sometimes a link from their blog, and again a wave of good Karma. When someone guest posts on your blog they right away feel a certain companionship with you and that can last for a very long time. From simply allowing and attracting guest posts, you open yourself to an opportunity of new friends and new openings for yourself to maybe one day create a certain campaign with that friend that will attract a much wider audience than your current one. If you think you have ideas for a guest post relevant to my blog topic, feel free to contact me.
- Get expert opinions: If you’re not too sure about something, go ahead and ask an expert. People love to be praised and a great way to do that is to ask an expert what they would do in a certain situation. For example, my blog is based on giving dating advice, so if I was to be stumped on a reader’s dating question, I would ask a fellow expert on their opinion and I would throw in some of my ideas to complete the most perfect advice I could possibly provide for my reader. This way I am showing my reader that I care about their issue and want to provide them with the most help I can, and it also allows me to get in touch with interesting people who may eventually want to conduct some sort of business later on, seeing that I cared enough to reach out to them for their expert advice.
- Interview and help promote others:Interviewing others gives your readers fresh new content. It also gives the person being interviewed exposure of their product or website. And what about you, the blogger? Well, it gives you the opportunity to grow. After interviewing an expert in my field, I did not only get to give my readers new content, but I also received an advertising offer from the person. It builds your credentials, authority, and broadens your circle of friends.
- Fill your ad-space. Once in a while when you don’t have advertisers waiting to fill up the empty space-ad you have on your blog, contact someone that may be interested and give it out for free for a month or so. This is an act of goodness, plus it gives more exposure to your advertising services, and maybe some day that person you gave away an ad-space for free to will help you out some way or even pay for some ad-space in the future.
These are just some of the ways you can use to help other bloggers and get good Karma. It all usually comes back to help you out somehow or someway. As long as you find ways to share the love and don’t feel the need to be greedy, good things will always come your way.
Do you have any ideas for ways to share the love and still reap the benefits? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. Cheers!
Time for Kosmo’s broken record …
CommentLuv. CommentLuv. CommentLuv :)
Seriously, CommentLuv is a fabulous way to allow commenters to highlight their own blogs, without making them feel guilty for doing something “spammy”. Also, it’s a great way to stumble across other blogs. I’m a non-niche blog, so I wouldn’t have stumbled across many of them without CommentLuv showing the way.
Another suggestion would be to tweet articles from other bloggers.
It really is true that helping out fellow bloggers will get you going a lot more quickly than if you try to do it solo. Great advice, and the CommentLuv and KeywordLuv is something that a lot of bloggers I know think well of.
I think being open to helping others is the best way to succeed online. If you really do love the topic you write about then it is easy to think about more than just the money involved. Yes there is money in blogging, but if you get past that and actually work on becoming an expert on your subject, the money follows.
I love what you say about comments here.
I just realized the power of comments and how much traffic that they can send to your blog.
You must provide value, and typically being one of the first ones to comment helps out a lot too.
I’d never thought about linking to other articles in my comments though. That’s an interesting idea… ; )
Thanks again,
Will
It’s funny how people keep trying to come up with new, quick ways to drive traffic to a sight. But old-school techniques and simple reciprocity are usually the most effective.
Like my mom used to say, “Be kind and kindness will be your reward”.
I agree with the other poster regarding CommentLuv – it’s a great way to really help both your commenters and yourself as well.
It’s one of my favorite plugins.
And including links back to favorite blogs – what goes around, comes around. I definitely agree with that and do that myself.
@Kosmo: I use commenluv on my blog and it does stir up people some comments, however since my blog is read mostly by people who don’t actually have their own blog, it doesn’t have any real effect. I still keep it so the friends I’ve made in the blogging community can easily get a link back to their posts.
Update: While Darren was processing this post, I ended up creating a place for a blogroll in the bottom right corner of my blog, and that widget spot was actually inspired by Yaro at http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/
It is important for a blogger not to be greedy. It means we should also provide links to other blogs of websites that contain useful information related to our post.
I’ve always been unsure of linking back, directly to competitors, even though I do it. I understand what your saying about providing useful external content for your readers, but then they might ‘jump ship’ for that exact reason.
I am definitely interested in attracting guest posts and doing interviews. I just need to figure out how to go about doing that. I’m sure the answer is here on this blog somewhere and I will find it :)
Hi there,
I am completely agree with your opinion that if you don’t blog heartily you can fail.
Yes it’s true that if you don’t have the interest in topic then you can’t write perfectly because interest can give you more opportunity to think and review anything you like.
But Darren some bloggers hires the writers and they make in millions.How is it possible?
Brief light on it please….
I’ve got to get so much better at linking to other blogs. I’m in a unique situation because there aren’t too many men writing on the topic I write on (disease research for cystic fibrosis). What I need to do more is expand a little to a related topic, fundraising, an link more to those types of blogs.
So that’s my thought…expand slightly into a related topic that can offer you more options for blogging relationships.
It is true, however remember one thing. Do things in moderation. E.g. Comment on other people’s blogs only if you provide added-value to the article.
I’m struggling with this whole idea because I’ve been burned quite a few times. I’ve interviewed fellow bloggers out of genuine interest and have even linked to them through articles and posts, I even used to comment quite often on their blogs. The favor has never been returned.
I’m not sure if it’s because the niche we’re in has become quite a sensation online and now everyone and her mother has a blog that is very similar?
I want to network with these women, but unfortunately it appears that the deep seeded competitiveness is hard to break.
Any advice is appreciated!
So true. Competition is just a sign that the market isn’t dead. I would also stress, that you find your own ‘niche’ and don’t cookie-cutter someone else’s site/blog. When you develop your own personality, your readers begin to grow with you, you develop a relationship, then if you have a product you think could really help them; you release it. Just be sure you don’t spam them with: “Check out my new ebook! IT’s AWESOME! It’s JAM PACKED with awesome advice,tips,and ways to turn your worthless blog into a money hole overnight!”
The only thing you will achieve in doing so: is a loss of your (best) subscribers, and make yourself look like a used car salesman.
Awesome post!
-Tristen R. Royal
“Interviewing others gives your readers fresh new content”
yes, you are right as interviewing others in the same niche will
1 – give your readers fresh new content (as you tell)
2 – give you more traffic by search engines
3 – give you a huge traffic if they market the interview in their blogs
4 – give you a good relationship with them
5 – give you more knowledge in your niche
thanks,
Blogging and Money Group
Thanks for these tips, we always miss them.
I agree.. I’ve only been at this blogging thing for about a year now, but I’ve seen so many people change faces on me quickly. When I was a nobody and I had not a clue about any of this blogging stuff or how to make money with it, I had all the friends in the world, and now that I seem to be catching on and my blog is starting to do pretty well with Google etc.. It seems like I’ve lost that “connection” with them..
We need to stick with each other and help out when we can.. if we don’t who will?
Great guest post. I actually just added your blog to my RSS today and I’m enjoying it quite a bit so far. I write a good amount of posts about my experience on the dating/bar scene and I definitely plan to send over some guest post ideas. I just read anti-community post on another blog I follow today and I plan to cite your guest post in my response about how the blogging community is actually a very good and useful thing for bloggers of all levels – despite the unavoidable spammers who linger in all social media venues.
I appreciate all the discussion surrounding collaborative blogging recently. Robby G makes a really good point that if there were no other bloggers, our blog would die. We thrive on the conversation and discussion created by many bloggers writing about similar topics within a niche.
Fill your ad-space:
Hello readers, If you own a blog that has an Alexa rating less than 500,000 and would love to place an ad on my Blog.
I have a free space for you for two months.
Contact me, send me your blog address and the 125*125 ads banner. and it will be up within 24 hours.
PS: Only the first 4 blogger(s) will get the free offer.
The Karma Gods love good bloggers who AREN’T STINGY and jerks to other bloggers. We’re all in this together. Great post.
Fabulous post! I must say once my motivation to earn a salary from blogging and chasing after every single potential lead calmed down, I settled into blogging to meet people and spend pleasant free time mingling in a like minded community! I think I had to get past all the “gotta earn because the big blogs are earning and your blog is not “successful” if you are not earning a fortune…” that I started to love blogging and certainly just being friendly and linking up to similar niche blogs has grown my blog faster and better than any hunkering after better advertising and seeking out articles to write.
Great Post.
I spent my first couple of years online trying to build sites that would make money,
Until about three months ago when I simply decided I was going to build a site and blog about something that I could very easily spend my life working on if I had to.
Only now am I starting to build relationships and contacts with other people who are sharing the same interests as I am.
I feel like I wasted so much time, but if I look at my experience in a positive light I have had a pretty good education and learned a heck of a lot.
These are tried and tested methods, I am sure. I don’t usually link to other blogs within my post. I think I should start doing that now.
Being helpful to other bloggers indeed would gain good karma for you. But doing it without expecting anything in return should be the intent, because you tend to get disappointed if you expect something in return.
Almost always bloggers do a favor for you in return or they tend to advterise your blog through “word of mouth” to their friends.
I should thank Jan Geronimo for providing this link. Thanks for a very useful post.
@Mariam: I’d say just try to keep in touch with them just to even chat. Add them as friends on facebook and try to keep in contact. Overtime build a friendship and I’m sure the favor will get returned and you may even collaborate on some future program.
@Jenny: I appreciate you adding my RSS Feed, and if you have any good ideas for a guest post, I’m actually fishing around for some. Happy to link to another fellow blogger. Contact me whenever and we’ll talk more. Also, I’m happy you enjoyed this post and want to share it with others. Cheers.
@Se7en: I actually went through a similar process with my first blog, but after learning off my mistakes I made sure to do it right with my current blog. It’s made all the difference. All the best, Cheers.
The article is great about not be greedy but I have few question about it.
First one that everyone can’t do everything if he does not have time to study on this things.
Second one do we really need to do everything because I heard that if we help enough people than we will get everything in our life not just blogging a post for only money but also helpping them for what they are looking for.
Thanks for sharing this useful information, great…
Alam
Hi, thx for the gr8 post.
One question: How do i know what i can charge for my ad space on my blog?
I know it depend on PIs and UVs, but can i determine a specific price?
thx
Rob
Never mind, i pasted the question into google and i found you on place no. 1.
Great SEO :)
I like all the points you made. I agree that most bloggers out there are helpful and I, too, have found a few a-holes in the bunch. I am hoping to take your advice and interview an expert or two. I can see where that could generate a lot of traffic. I am just venturing out into the “guest-posting” venue on other more popular blogs.
It’s funny but I never look at other bloggers as the competition. So far, they have been very helpful and I think that to get ahead you need the help of others who appear to be ready and willing to share their experiences.
The blogosphere, so far, has been quite an enjoyable place to play in.
Best,
Bob
@bob bessette: I checked out your blog and the writing style is pretty well worked out, I must say. If you ever feel you may have an interesting guest post idea in mind that may be relevent to my blog topic, I’ll be glad to read and post it. Feel free to contact me anytime through my Contact form and tell me your guest post idea. Hope everything works out well. Cheers mate.
The bottom line is to be as helpful as you can to your fellow bloggers. Some call it “karma.” Some call it, “What goes around comes around.” It’s all the same thing for “reaping what you sow.” Jesus said, “Whatsover you sow, so shall you reap.”
Thanks for sharing with us such good ideas of how to help one another. I have helped in some of these ways, and try to keep myself open if another way to help presents itself.
krissy knox :)
follow me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/iamkrissy
old school techniques and simple reciprocity are still the best ways to attract visitors
Sadly most people start blogs out of greed.
Such a great article. Being helpful to fellow bloggers is the most wonderful thing as a blogger. And Krissy, I like that bible quote, what we sow is exactly what we reap. I’m glad you have shared great ideas and help others too.
Hi,
Great article. I am Buddhist. So I am well understand about greeding and karma. I ‘ll use your advice with my upcoming blog. Thanks for sharing.
A lot of articles are so similar but everybody has a different perspective making their blog as different as themselves. I don’t get why some people are hostile to other writers when working together actually helps. :)
What a nice post to read on this auspicious beginning of Durga Puja, perhaps one of the biggest community festivals on earth!
Thanks Darren for the post, but I’ve a small rejoinder. I believe Karma truly comes only after the needs for body and hunger of the soul are met.
When and how that happens is something that varies from person to person.
@parthabha
Couldn’t agree more…
I always give out this advice to bloggers:
“Put up good content, work on getting authority to your blog and money will follow”
What you have mentioned is surely going to help you in the long run. Your good work and your good gestures will of course give you returns, albeit after some time. Your karma will help you in the end. If your contents have quality, whether it is your comments or your guest posts, you are sure going to be a winner in the end notwithstanding the initial period of struggle.
Well I think bloggers are usually nice. I mean you ask for something/favor and they dont even ask much questions.. It’s true that being a nice blogger can do a lot, darren rowse here is a living example…
Anyways I think I have become greedy at some point last year but it has all changed now.. =p
Well there are thousands of blog on money making but only few hundreds are coming under the list of success and other people are just following them and giving their own voice to their words …
If I will tell honestly than points which you mentioned above already discussed by hundreds of people and thousands time.
This is so true! I think you can tell by writing styles when people aren’t particularly interested in the subject, and are just blogging for the sake of it.
Aren’t these points true for most things in life? Being selfish only works in the short term. We reap what we sew. Thanks for the thoughts.
This all sounds very nice, but, it’s not really true. I mean look at all the very many, and there ARE many, bloggers who have hundreds of blogs, obviously no interest in them, and yet making lots of money.
It’s not my style, but, I do get down at times worrying about competing with hundreds, and thousands of blogs generated by one person with my little homemade blog.
I talked to a marketer I just met the other day on the phone, and right away he tells me he has 120 blogs, and is making really good money.
So, how does the single (or even 2 or 3) blogger survive, especially if they are starting out new.
Sometimes it’s depressing…
From reading the other comments it seems most are focused on making money blogging. I (at this point) am not. I’ve got info in me that I just need to get out.
As far as competition, good points. There is a reason that you’ll find McDonald’s next to Burger King next to Wendy’s. They all drive traffic to each other while they are all in competition with each other. As for me, I’ll keep writing and working to try and get more readers.
Ruth – for people to find your blog you’ve got to be on the first or second page of Google for whatever it is people are looking for – so if your blog is about ‘making cupcakes’ the people have got to see it when they search on Google. To get to the first page of Google you need backlinks – but you haven’t even made your name into a backlink that people can click on. Blogs need promotion (i.e. backlinks), there’s just too much competition for people to find your blog if it isn’t promoted. Most of the people who have commented here have made their names into links that people can click on to go visit their site. :-)
Robbie,
Karma always comes back to you in some way, shape, or form. When you focus on sharing life becomes so much easier. Many forget this when taking to the cyberworld. Treat fellow bloggers like you would offline and you’ll become a success.
Great insight.
RB