What Everybody Should Know About Self-Promotion
Contrary to (un)popular belief, 
self-promotion and good karma are not mutually-exclusive. Read on if I didn't just blow your mind:
ChrisG - Comment!
According to Chris, bloggers don't comment well or often enough. No, no they don't. Additionally, they often miss the point of commenting entirely.
As you well know, you can't swing a cat in the popular blogosphere without hitting a few clumsy attempts at self-promotion (e.g., "Hey, check out my blog at www.ignore-me.com"). These individuals are missing the (evidently) arcane karmic secret: the best self-promotion is about giving, not receiving.
Take the advice in Chris' post, and whether your comments are three words or a paragraph, analyze them like any post you would write. Ask: "What am I offering to the conversation, and why should anyone take the slightest notice?"
Successful Blog - Truly Unique and Outstanding Blogs - Recap Week 1
Speaking of clumsy self-promotion, Liz's quest to find 200 one-of-a-kind-OMG-hotness blogs has turned up a number of cases in point.
Nominating yourself for a list like this is, let's say, not the karma-conscious way to go. This, again, is an opportunity to contribute something to a good conversation; and if you do truly add something of value, it could be good self-promotion as well.
Liz is eager for more exceptional blogs to add to the list, by the way; if you know of some blogs that fit the bill, share the hotness.
Two Knives - The real true story of what happened, including details previously not mentioned
Money-making blogs aren't the only way to learn how to make money online; you can learn important things from any good post. This one is an amusing example of the power in candid stories that pique your interest and hold your attention to the end. Now that's self-promotion.
self-promotion and good karma are not mutually-exclusive. Read on if I didn't just blow your mind:ChrisG - Comment!
According to Chris, bloggers don't comment well or often enough. No, no they don't. Additionally, they often miss the point of commenting entirely.
As you well know, you can't swing a cat in the popular blogosphere without hitting a few clumsy attempts at self-promotion (e.g., "Hey, check out my blog at www.ignore-me.com"). These individuals are missing the (evidently) arcane karmic secret: the best self-promotion is about giving, not receiving.
Take the advice in Chris' post, and whether your comments are three words or a paragraph, analyze them like any post you would write. Ask: "What am I offering to the conversation, and why should anyone take the slightest notice?"
Successful Blog - Truly Unique and Outstanding Blogs - Recap Week 1Speaking of clumsy self-promotion, Liz's quest to find 200 one-of-a-kind-OMG-hotness blogs has turned up a number of cases in point.
Nominating yourself for a list like this is, let's say, not the karma-conscious way to go. This, again, is an opportunity to contribute something to a good conversation; and if you do truly add something of value, it could be good self-promotion as well.
Liz is eager for more exceptional blogs to add to the list, by the way; if you know of some blogs that fit the bill, share the hotness.
Two Knives - The real true story of what happened, including details previously not mentionedMoney-making blogs aren't the only way to learn how to make money online; you can learn important things from any good post. This one is an amusing example of the power in candid stories that pique your interest and hold your attention to the end. Now that's self-promotion.
One blogger did a great job of nominating her own blog. She wrote about why I would want to read it with as much passion as she blogs.
ReplyDeleteThe key to self-promotion is being fully-expressed as a person in what you do. Then, when you talk about what you do, you're not selling, you're talking about your service etc. like you might tell a friend about anything that gets you jazzed.
It's the self-consciousness of self-promotion that makes that anyone with any sensitivity want to shoot themselves rather than watch. OK so I exaggerate. In editorial, we used to call that humor. :)
Liz
Hey Liz,
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, thank you. When we turn our noses up at someone directly promoting themselves, is it because of the act itself, or because they give us no reason to care? -j
I'm completely agree with Crhis G's post/advice about comments. The fact is, "While a wise/useful comment will earn potential readers for your blog, a comment full of self-promotion tricks will make you look bad. And if the blogmaster is like me, he'll surely delete such tricky comments."
ReplyDeleteBlog readers need to understand this fact. They waste their time leaving a wrong comment.
Oops!
ReplyDeleteCorrection: "I'm completely agree with **Chris G's** post/advice..."
Sorry for the typo!
Yo Av: You are forgiven, sir. (:< And you are very right. -j
ReplyDeleteJohn, you have blown my mind. A site dedicated to helping bloggers blog better/increase revenue is the LAST place I expected to be mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my post. I especially appreciate it because I went a bit outside my comfort zone in writing it. The affirmation is encouraging.
Thank you so much!
Your faithful reader, TK
Hi TK,
ReplyDeleteYou did all the great writing, all I had to do was notice. Slacker paradise. (:<
About going outside your comfort zone - I know exactly how you feel. I think it's absolutely essential for getting better at what we do. -j
good Job! :)
ReplyDelete