A guest post by Katie Tallo of Momentum Gathering.
The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most. ~ Dale Carnegie
Every blogger searches for that royal road. We want to touch the real lives of our readers – that’s why we talk about their children, their food, their homes, their hobbies, their businesses, and their beliefs. That royal road shines brightly when we infuse our blogs with our real lives, but it shines brightest when our blogs reflect, ignite and enhance the lives of our readers.
You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. ~ Dale Carnegie
But how do we win friends and influence readers if a lot of readers love apples and we write about oranges? We can’t be everything to all readers.
Or can we?
We can if we join forces, pool our resources, help each other and engage in communities.
1. Join an aggregate blog.
By pooling a bunch of unique, engaging and diverse blogs, an aggregate blog gives readers everything they need in one roadside oasis. The Daily Brainstorm is a new aggregate blog that launched this week. It is a blogazine featuring some of the best bloggers on the planet, along with promising up-and-comers. It reaches into the hearts of readers and talks to them about their health, food, writing, exercise, diet, news, homes, gardens, travel, hobbies, money, blogs, careers, science, technology, politics, entertainment, simplicity, productivity and relationships. All the apples and oranges of life and more. By joining an aggregate blog, you’ll stand side-by-side with other bloggers, you’ll engage with more readers, and you’ll extend your influence by association.
2. Find a community of bloggers.
There are forums, clubs and communities of like-minded bloggers across the web. The support, guidance, expertise, camaraderie, laughs, resources, opportunities, lessons, networking, and friendship is priceless. I joined Leo Babauta and Mary Jaksch’s A-List Blogger Club three months ago. Since that time, I have picked up bucket loads of friends, readers, experience and momentum that I could not have gathered alone.
3. Guest post and mention your friends everywhere.
By guest posting, you step outside your blogging comfort zone, blend your blog with another and push yourself beyond the boundaries of your niche. You’ll end up creating orangapples that might appeal to a whole new reader. Tweet about your friends and mention their blogs in your posts. Their success will become yours.
And on that note, here are some of the friends I am now collaborating with at The Daily Brainstorm and first met in the A-List Blogger Club. They are definitely worth checking out:
- Mary is the passionate, fun-loving blogger behind Goodlife Zen and Write to Done.
- Leo is an inspiring, genuine, thoughtful blogger of Zen Habits, Mnmlist and Write to Done.
- Barrie is the bold and insightful life coach extraordinaire of Live Bold and Bloom.
- Jean is the gregarious, motivational force behind Virgin Blogger Notes.
- Arvind is the authentic and kind voice behind the blog Make It Happen.
- Angela is the wise soul and gentle presence at Powered by Intuition.
- Manal is the heartfelt and honest voice of One with Now.
- Alison is the friendly and sincere blogger of Loving Nature’s Garden.
- Lisa is the lovely and engaging blogger of Privilege.
- Leah is the vibrant and profound blogger from Peaceful Planet.
- Farnoosh is the wonderfully real and powerful voice behind Prolific Life.
- Jeffrey is the thoughtful and philosophical presence behind The Art of Great Things.
- Linda is the reflective and truthful blogger of Thought Medicine.
- Doug is the clever and warmhearted blogger behind The New Wealth Paradigm.
- Tammy is the sassy simple living blogger at Rowdy Kittens.
Those are some of my friends and some of my favourite places to hang out with them. I hope you’ll visit, get involved, join aggregates, find clubs and, in the process, win friends and influence readers. When we enrich our virtual lives with collaboration, connection and friendship, we enrich the real lives of our readers. We become the royal road, a pathway to their hearts.
Your turn: Do you have some friends, clubs, communities, or aggregates that you’d like to mention? Join in the conversation and tell us about them.
Katie Tallo is a Contributing Writer for Write to Done, a Managing Editor for The Daily Brainstorm as well as a director, motivator, runner, vegetarian and mother who writes a blog called Momentum Gathering where she encourages simple, positive actions for joyful and vibrant life change.
Thanks for the mention of Thought Medicine Katie!
Besides being a proud contributor to The Daily Brainstorm and a devoted member of the A-List Blogger Club, I’ve gained a lot of inspiration as a writer from Pace & Kylie’s World Changing Writing Workshop: http://worldchangingwriting.com/
My pleasure Linda. Writing inspiration is something many Write to Done readers will cherish. Thanks for the link.
Thanks for the mention Katie! I love the way you put it: “creating orangeapples” when you join an aggregate. Absolutely! It’s like opening up the whole kitchen to guests instead of just offering them the cake and cookies :)
I’m just fascinated and inspired by all the amazing people along the Royal Road! Lots of momentum here :)
Nicely put Leah. And I love sharing cookies! It is a wonderful and amazing bunch, isn’t it? You included.
Katie – you are a blogging ninja! I loved this article and thanks a million for the mention.
Some of the sites I love include: The Daily Brainstorm, the A-list blogging club, Far Beyond the Stars, Becoming Minimalist, and your blog, Momentum Gathering. :)
You’ve mastered some pretty amazing ninja moves yourself, Tammy. Great sites you’ve mentioned (she says blushing). Thanks for the support.
Hey Katie! Wow you mentioned quite a few of my fav blogs here :D
Although I didn’t get the scholarship, I’m not going to let it put me down! I’ll just have to follow your tips and work harder to improve my blog and myself until I get there. Maybe next time ;)
Keep up the great work,
best of luck,
Jessica.
Hey Jessica, I was sad to see you didn’t get the scholarship, but it is worth the investment to join. Your blog will grow so much and you’ll meet some amazing people. I understand if it’s not in the cards right now though. Sounds like you’ve got a great attitude and I can’t wait to check out your blog … right now.
Katie:
Great post and reminder of what really makes posts stick with readers–focusing on their interests.
Thanks for the reference to my blog and the kind words, too.
You continue to inspire me. You go girl!
Thanks for the kind words, Doug. I feel blessed to have the support of such a great community. Blogging and writing can feel very lonely and these kinds of adventures are best shared with friends. Cheers.
Katie,
I love Dale Carnegie and his message. You are now pro at doing guest post with confidence! Go girl.
I like all blogs that you mentioned only a few I do not know, so I will check them out. Sorry Jessica did not won, but she has a great blog and good subject I am sure it will do well.
By the who won the scholarship?
Isn’t he the best. Such honest and down-to-earth values. I’m glad you like the blogs. Yes, Jessica’s site is so great. She’s going to be a star.
Ohhh, dang you beat me to the topic. I was half way done writing a similar post that went into the book and its relationship online.
Either way, I really like how making a single decision (like you joining the A-List group) has changed up everything and opened so many doors of opportunity.
I try my best to link out to other bloggers whom I respect when the post fits – great way to show your gratitude :)
Hey Murlu,
Your post sounds great. I’m sure it’s valid and worth writing. Riff off this one if you like. You’re right about that one decision. It’s changed my entire trajectory as a blogger. This isn’t something I would have stuck with unless I had daily support. You are very smart to connect with other bloggers and practice gratitude.
I saved this article to read when I had a quiet moment and what a nice glow it brought from both your kind words and from the feeling of being among so many wonderful friends. I’m grateful for being able to work with you, Katie, and I hope to make a career of it!
I’m also collaborating with three other bloggers to form an ‘unusual mix’ of niches and voices on a blog. I think these sorts of collaborations are the wave of the future. Surf’s up :)
Jean, we’re having a bit of a love-in here, but I think it’s just a testament to how significant these kinds of alliances can be to a blogging career. We believe we can do it, because all around us are, in the words of Julia Cameron, we have gathered “believing mirrors” — each other. Congrats on your future collaborations. I can’t wait to see what great things you accomplish. I hope to be there, right with you, side by side.
As a new blogger, I found this post to be invaluable. I always seem to be looking at the pride, completely ignoring the lion with the bad breath breathing down my neck. Thanks for pointing out some obvious and not-so-obvious ways to improve as a blogger AND to be of better benefit to the blogging community. It really is about helping other people! Your post also helped me decide to go ahead and start that OTHER blog, you know, the one I REALLY want to do. Thanks, again.
Linda, I think it IS all about helping each other and our collective readers. It’s great to hear you’ve decided to start the blog of your dreams. Go for it! Roar!
Hi Katie, I already Tweeted this fantastic post yesterday but just wanted to tell you that the Daily Brainstorm is bringing a lot of excitement and fun to my life too – not the least of which is our growing friendship.
As to your question, I also enjoy hanging out in the Thesis forums – the help is tremendous and everyone participates in solving a problem. The sense of community is strong and unmistakable in blogosphere. We have chosen such a fabulous space in which to thrive and grow!
Thank you, Farnoosh. I love that we hang out in some of the same spaces and look forward to witnessing your growth, joy and success.
Katie, I’m looking forward to getting to know my fellow contributors better. I’m glad someone is finally doing this type of collaboration, where it’s not all one topic, yelling into the echo chamber.
Hey Drew, it is a wonderful way to “meet” other bloggers, by contributing to a collaboration. We can all yell together!
Katie,
What magnificent article chock full of great advice!
Making friends online, what can I say? Had anyone told me I’d have “virtual friends” just 6 months ago when I came to the A List, I would have burst out laughing! But,it’s so true. Now, the first thing I do in the morning is look in my in-box for new published posts by all the bloggers I now follow.
I’m truly grateful for the mention – some days I feel from wise though.LOL
It’s a pleasure to know you thanks to the A List Blogging Club, and now a pleasure working with you on The Daily Brainstorm!
Your “virtual” friend,
Angela
Oh Angela, I know exactly how you feel. I’m amazed at the depth of my online friendships. I used to laugh when someone told me they had virtual friends but now I get it. There is a whole world out there beyond one’s own backyard and I’m so glad you are in it, and that we’re sharing it together. Today, I am feeling very grateful.
Great list! I am familiar with Jean and Leo but the rest are all new to me. I do agree that well-connected bloggers are much more successful than loners.
Cheers,
Tia
Hey Tia,
Thanks. Jean and Leo are great. Hopefully, you’ll make some new discoveries. That’s what this is all about — connections. Cheers!
What you are saying is be part of something Katie. Contributing to the whole adds to the benefits for yourself and everyone. Where the community was (and still is all around us where we live) there are new shared ethic communities springing up that we can connect to cultivating good relationships and joint development. Like all those you mention.Where we can learn and earn, give and get back in equal measure. A true shared message blog.
John, I like what you say about giving and getting back in equal measure, learning and earning. It’s great to share and yes, these communities are a terrific place to start.
It’s so wonderful to see how much blogging has changed from being such a solo activity to being so community-oriented. Even in the few years I’ve been blogging, I have seen big changes.
Wonder what the next couple of years will bring?
Very true Dave. It’s exciting to be a part of it. We shall see where it takes us all, together.
Blogging can be such a lonely experience when you start out. I learned the hard way that everything just seems tougher and more ‘never-ending’ when you feel like you’re doing it alone. I wish I had have made an effort to reach out more earlier in my blogging career, but at least I’ve taken those steps now, and these days one of the things I value most is my growing relationships with other bloggers. I’m also SO excited to have recently joined A-list blogging bootcamps.
Whatever you do – don’t be like me and think you don’t have enough time to network when your blog is brand new! I’ve found that making friend online and learning from others is giving me a brand new energy and drive.
Hi Kat, I’m so glad you’ve joined A-List. Your advice is bang on. Networking is worth making the time for early on and brings energy to your blogging efforts no matter what stage you’re at. Way to go! Can’t wait to hang out with you in the forums.
Thanks Katie, likewise!
It’s all about relationship and community building these days if you want to engage your readers online. Yes, we may all have that desire in captivating our readers’ attention, but if we don’t look genuine enough — we might as well as lose our chance over a click of the back button. Thanks for the tips you wrote here. Sometimes, you can forget these basic things.
Thanks for the comments, Issa. I’m so glad you appreciated the tips. Sounds like you know what works and are practicing it yourself.
This is such great information. I am thinking of guest blogging and where to go for my niche, which honestly ranges from wine to travel. And, yes, sometimes mixed together. I also blog for a living for a few consultants, so I have that as well.
I guess, my long winded point is that I am bookmarking this and tweeting it and I love all the helpful links. This is a great post and I am so glad I stumbled on your site!
Lee
Lee, I’m thrilled that you found the article useful and will pass it along. I hope your guest posting efforts come to fruition. Best of luck!
Hi, i found your blog through search engine.you have the amazing knowledge it is such a nice information.Thanks for sharing the great information.
Thank you, Harly. I am actually a contributing writer for Write to Done. The amazing knowledge found on throughout this blog comes from a collection of voices of contributing writers, inspired by Mary Jaksch and Leo Babauta. I’m glad you found it useful.