Creating a useful and successful blog networking plan
June 24, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blog Traffic
Social networking isn’t that hard. Anyone can tweet, leave comments, ask for link exchanges, or IM readers and blogging pals. These are all general networking ideas that can work. However, if you’re focusing on the wrong blog networking tactics for your specific blog you’re wasting your time.
In my mind we network for one basic reason, to draw readers to our blog. Maybe you’re networking for another reason; to get read for personal reasons, to promote a cause, to get a job, or to gain clicks on ads, but it really all comes down to getting people to your blog doesn’t it? Bloggers want traffic and with so many blogs around the competition can be brutal. Following are some tips that can help you fine-tune a plan for your specific blog.
Your blog comes first: You can network to your hearts content, but without a decent blog to back it up, you’re not going to gain any long-term readers. Write good posts often. Write posts your readers want to read (you can even poll readers about this). Showcase older and popular posts that new readers may have missed in the past. Other good ideas include offering easy access to rss and email options for your posts, making your blog easy to navigate, and creating an attractive blog that will entice people to look around. Taking care of your blog insures folks who land there stay and visit and hopefully come back.
Choose some, not all networking options: You can’t do it all, so you may as well choose some social networking options you enjoy. If you hate Twitter, it’s just not a good networking option for you because one, you won’t stick with it, and two, I think people can tell when you’re not really into what you’re doing.
Be selective about links: If you’re into emailing people for blogroll minded link exchanges, make sure you do your homework. I get link exchange requests frequently at Tree Hugging Family, which as you might guess is an eco-minded blog. However, I get link exchange requests from all sorts of bloggers who have nothing to to do with green. I’m not going to link a blog out of my niche so these bloggers have just wasted my time and their own. Make sure you send link exchange requests to blogs in your niche or at least in a sub-niche. Note – it’s also smart to send out link exchange requests after you’ve been blogging a while. I tend to not link brand new blogs (under 5 mos) because I have no clue if they’re in it for the long haul, and I hate having to change my blogroll.
Speaking of sub-niches: It’s smart to network with other blogs in your niche, but you can widen the field by networking with bloggers close to your niche as well. For example, if you write a thrifty blog, there’s a good chance readers of a DIY home project blog or a budget gardening blog might like your blog too.
Use the readers you have already to make networking decisions: If you have some stable readers, ones who leave comments, and also have blogs, head to their site, to see what else they’re reading. Check their blogroll and visit those blogs to leave comments. Often your readers will visit other blogs that might be good to network with.
Network with the bloggers on your level: Not to apply labels, but if you’re a less than B-list blogger (or new blogger) trying to get A-listers to notice you is a lofty goal. You might have better luck networking with less popular bloggers. We all start somewhere. You might be creating a long lasting networking relationship with a new blogger now, but who know where they’ll be in two years or less. Case in point, I became friends with a brand new blogger a couple of years ago, she had emailed me asking questions, and we hit it off. Then she managed to become way popular in under a year (rare but cool) and because we were pals she had all my blogs linked at her site, which tossed me some decent traffic. That’s not the only reason I like her, but it’s a nice bonus for sure, one I wouldn’t have gotten had I ignored her emails early on. An added benefit of non-A-listers is they get less email, usually have more time, and tend to be more open to new networking relationships.
Chill out: Online relationships, like offline relationships take time to build and grow. Asking favors too early on, frequently bugging a blogger you just met, using spammy behavior, and expecting too much is not chill behavior. Allowing relationships to grow naturally makes for longer lasting connections.
Of course when it comes to networking, there’s always more you could be doing. What are some of your best ideas for networking that meets your specific blog’s needs?
Blogging & Web Writing Gigs for June 19, 2009
June 19, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
So in bad news I’ve seen almost zero decent anywhere gigs this week, however, if you’re lucky enough to live in the right areas, you may find a good job below. For you anywhere writers, you can also check out Deb’s latest job listings (not totally blog-web specific).
Job tip o’ the day: Do you have a contact me page at your personal blog? You should if you’re looking to score jobs. If people can’t contact you, they can’t hire you. You’d be surprised at how many blogs I come across that contain zip contact info; don’t be one of them.
Anywhere gigs:
Freelance Writers/Bloggers : Mosquito Control
health/eco/lifestyle writers (Santa Monica) – says SM, but looks like an anywhere gig to me (ask)
Location specific gigs:
FoodNetwork.com Online Site Director – Food Network – NY
Staff Writer/Editor – PHI – Bronx, NY
Web Content Producer – WebMD – San Clemente, CA
Online Editor/Producer- Autos – 4 Month Contract – U.S. News & World Report – DC
Education Writer/Reporter – LRP Publications – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Sr Content Strategist – Web Editor – General Mills – Minneapolis, MN
Social Media Paid Intern – Reser’s Fine Foods – Beaverton, OR
SOCIAL NETWORKING ON SOCIAL SITES - (HENDERSON)
Online Copywriter - danville / san ramon, CA
Entry Level: Web Writer/Marketing Copywriter - (Fort Lee near Washington Heights)
Associate Web Editor – BowTie Inc – Lexington, Kentucky
Web Content Writer/Blogger - Lynnwood, WA
Writer/Editor for CoverAwards.com - (New York)
Web content/copy writer - (Los Angeles)
Wiki Editor - mountain view, CA
SEM Specialist & Social Media Coordinator – Chicago, IL
Writer/Editor - (Seattle)
Writer/Assistant Editor - (Alexandria)
Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for June 5, 2009
June 5, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
Some decent looking gigs today, which is good since weekends pickings tend to be slim.
Job tip o’ the day: Blogging is more than just writing. You may need to know basic HTML, SEO, how to fix a small glitch, or set up a widget. Make sure you learn everything you need to about blogging to score gigs.
Anywhere gigs:
Huddle.net looking for bloggers
Blogger at Task.fm – NOTE: they say, “You’ll be working as part of a fun start-up” so check out to see if they’re actually paying.
Community Manager for 700+ Australian bloggeres
Eco-website needs writers – a maybe job, they want you to check out a bunch of stuff at their site, which to me is a red flag, in that they’re doing PR via a job listing, not hiring, however, check them out if you like.
Copywriters with experience in writing for websites and SEO
Florida Tourism Web Personalities (Freelance)
Skilled Technical Writer / Researcher Needed for Web Site
Freelance writer, personal finance
Local specific gigs:
Part Time Online Project Manager – Online Marketing Company – NY
Hawaii website business is looking for a writer - (Hawaii)
Internet Marketing Company In Brooklyn NY Seeks writers / bloggers - (Brooklyn College Area)
Website Content Wrtiter - (Bellevue, WA)
Writer Blogger/Social Networking Coordinator – BMX Company (berkeley)
Social Networking Consultant – Lebanese American University – NY
Leading Internet Company Seeks International Channel Manager - (Denver, CO) – almost didn’t post this since it’s for Examiner (and they don’t offer great pay scales for writers) BUT this job does pay so… torn? hmm.
Game Content Writer - (financial district, San Francisco) Might be a telecommute gig?
Brandon Area Writer/Reporter (SE Hillsborough – Brandon Area – Tampa Bay area)
FREELANCE WRITERS – for Redding, CA Casino (odd little add – but check it out I guess).
Copy Editor (Freelance) (san carlos) – Bay Area
Community Editor / Multi-media Professional – Maricopa, AZ
Managing Editor for Major New Site – San Francisco
Social Networking Marketing Manager – Heifer International – Little Rock, AR
Editor – WATT PoultryUSA – WATT – Rockford, IL
Trends Blogger/Strategist Intern (paid) – NY
Also check out Deb’s posted writing gigs.
Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 30, 2009
May 30, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
A fair amount of gigs going on yesterday and today – hopefully you find something useful here.
Bonus job tip o’ the day: Having been blogging for a good long while, I’ve built up a list of pet blog peeves. However my biggest peeve (ok, one of my biggest) is when bloggers fail to quote sources. Annoying! If you’re guilty of this it only make you look like an amateur and when potential clients visit your links, they’ll notice too and it may mean you don’t get the gig.
Anywhere gigs:
Environmental Writers Online Magazine
Assistant Producer, Internet Media
Nutritionist with great writing skills to create an on-line weight-loss manual for web site. – it says Houston based, but since it’s online, I’d apply even outside of Houston.
Copywriter for Investment Company
“New Dad” Message Board Facilitator Wanted for Parenting Site
Copywriter for website / print brochure - (Herndon, VA)
Local specific gigs:
Web Editor – TheLoop21.com – Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles)
Copywriter for E-Commerce Start-Up (Contract Basis) - (Pacific Palisades)
Online Content Manager – Women’s Travel Portal - (Midtown East) NY
Food Copy Writer with strong knowledge of Mexican Culture & Cuisine - (Manhattan On-Site)
In House-full time Copy Writer for several website and internet market - (Irwindale, CA. 91010)
ONLINE CONTENT DIRECTOR – LOS ANGELES FM STATIONS – CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO – Burbank, CA
West Coast News & Style Editor – OK! Magazine – Beverly Hills, CA USA
Online Content Director - (TriBeCa)
WEB EDITOR / WRITER - (Seattle)
Online Publications Content Specialist - (Bethesda, MD )
Writer/Editor – The RedFlash Group – Encinitas, CA USA
Online content director – NYC
Sr. Web Editor – Kaiser Permanente – Pasadena, CA
Experienced Web Copywriter (Columbia, MD)
Freelance Copywriter Wanted – Part Time - (North Chicagoland)
Online Content Editor – Gazette Communications- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
BONUS: If you’re an eco-writer, you may be able to find some gigs here (not all online); Markets for Green Writers
Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 22, 2009
May 22, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
Some decent looking gigs today.
Bonus gig tip o’ the day: It looks like social media gigs are taking over lately; if you’re not on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites now is the time to connect.
Anywhere gigs:
Social Media Intern – can’t tell if you have to be in San Francisco or not.
Fashion, tech, home and garden blogs – freelance contributors wanted – NOTE: only decent pay if you blog fast.
Writer Needed To Post On Social Website for Search Engine Optimization (L.A. ) – sounds like they’re looking for low pay writers, but hey, bid what you like. You never know.
Writer to update website about kid’s parties
Online Social Networking Writer
Anorexia information needed for new website (Utah County)
Dating bloggers who are social media savvy
Location specific gigs:
Web Editor – Arizona Capitol Times- Phoenix, AZ
Travel Website Content Developer - (Salt Lake City (Brickyard Area))
Content Manager/Writer – Priority will be given to residents of Western Pennsylvania, although residents of other nearby East Coast cities (New York, DC and Philadelphia) will be considered as well.
Internet Merchandising Content Associate (Burnsville, Minnesota)
Popular Web Site Needs Writers (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette )
Alternative Health Writer - (West Palm Beach)
Seeking Motivated Energy Reporter – Energy Intelligence- Washington, District of Columbia
Seeking Marketing Writer for Healthcare Field (Longmont) North CO.
FYI: Not sure if I’ll be posting leads on weekends yet – pickings tend to be slim then anyhow. If I’m not around, I hope everyone has a fun and productive weekend.
Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 21, 2009
May 21, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
Blogging and online writing leads that I think are worth your time have been slim lately – plus I’m in sort of a rush today – blah. Below are some gigs that look decent…
Blogging gig tip o’ the day: When looking for blogging and online gigs, you don’t just have to stick to the job boards. You can also sometimes find jobs by heading directly to the website source – i.e. the website or blog you’d like to blog for, look for an editor/manager email, and send them your bio / cover letter.
Anywhere gigs:
ZUG.com Contributing Writers – they’re saying this “is a place to get noticed” so not sure if there’s pay, you’ll have to ask. It’s at a decent job board so I took a chance posting it.
Luxury Handbags/Jewelry Ring Blogger Wanted – low pay but super short pieces so might be worth it.
Online Freelance Writer, US Nationwide
Location specific gigs:
News and content writers wanted - (Boston – financial district)
Online News Producer - (Seattle, WA)
Blogger Needed – (Los Angeles)
Staff Editor/Digital Media Editor – Ball Horticultural Company- West Chicago, Illinois
Food Writer for eco online mag (Toronto) – pay TBD – BUT this gig would be really cool – I’d apply if I lived in Toronto.
Social Networking and Branding Interns – (Westport CT , Manhattan NYC) – paid internship.
Medical Copywriter/Website Content Manager – (Irvine, CA)
Copywriter – Web, Print, Ads, Broadcast - (Clearwater – Tampa Bay)
Of course, Deb posts writing gigs too – check them out.
5 Reasons You’re Not Making Money as a Blogger
May 3, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Monetizing Blogs
Thanks to that famous $100,000 Google check and the whole “make money online” craze, everyone who blogs thinks they’re going to earn enough money so they can quit their day jobs and retire in style. It’s a nice thought. Realistically very few people make hundreds of thousands of dollars blogging each year. It’s not a stretch to earn a livable wage as a blogger, however.
If you’re spending all your time blogging and have very little in the bank to show for it, you may be taking the wrong approach. Whether you blog on your own, or blog for someone else, there are plenty of factors to ensure a profitability. Not knowing enough about what it takes to make it as a professional blogger, or making the wrong choices can hinder your success.
1. You’re Not Giving it Enough Time
Blogging takes time. If you’re starting your own blog, or your pay is contingent upon traffic, please know you’re not a failure if you don’t have thousands of hits and page views in the first few months. Very few bloggers become overnight sensations. How can you gain immediate traffic if no one knows you’re around. You have to build up a community first. Read up on traffic building techniques and become involved in other like minded communities. You’ll find a slow steady rise in traffic helps to build buzz. Promoting a blog is a full time job in itself.
If you blog for someone else and your employer expects heavy traffic immediately out of the gate, find articles and blog posts on building traffic and help him to realize this doesn’t happen right away. If you’re starting a brand new blog, chances are it’s not going to earn any money for some time. If your pay is contingent on traffic, remember you’re only going to be earning pennies for at least the first few months, and probably some time after that. Read more
Wanted: Someone Who Gets It
December 14, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Community Building
by Deb Ng
Warning: Brief rant up ahead.
The other day I had a frustrating talk with someone about building community around a website. He’s going for celebrities and shock value rather than reach out to bloggers and social media, even though the bloggers and social media experts embraced the business early on. He called bloggers “amateur hour.” (Hint: Don’t wonder why no one is blogging about you, if you dismiss bloggers as amateurs.) I submit we can give you something the expensive, hot shot P. R. firms can’t.
Now that more businesses are looking to build up community and need to create a web presence, old school bloggers, especially those who are consulting or working outside the blogosphere, are going to run into more of this. I get that. But I wish more folks would at least try and understand what we do and why we do it.
Here’s the thing, if you’re going to hire me as someone to help you liase with bloggers, don’t ask me to hug them one minute and insult them the next. You can’t have it both ways. We’re not just here you need someone to write about you. Visit our blogs, talk with us on Twitter, seek us out at conferences…and you’ll find that we have a lot to offer. Bloggers create buzz around products, offer how-to’s and tools for making things work and foster community. Moreover, if we think a product, or the people behind a product suck, we’re the one’s who will write about it in a negative manner.
If you hire a blogger to help create a community, build up your brand, and give you a web presence, hear us out. Some of us know what we’re talking about or we wouldn’t have made it this far.
That is all…
Blogging (For Others) For Free
Blogging has evolved from being a cool little hobby that might make you a little bit of money to a mega business. Some bloggers report to making six figures or more a year from their own blogs. Other bloggers earn the equivalent of a regular, family-supporting salary as a blogger for hire. Which, of course, is where we fit in.
I came across this post at Gawker called “Volunteer Bloggers, Stop Subsidizing the Entire Internet“, and saved it to talk about here because it speaks to me. It reminds me of when I first started writing online in 2000. When I began looking for places to find freelance writing work I was appalled at how many websites expected writers to work for the glory and exposure. Indeed, writing is the only profession I know of where a potential client or employer expects to get something for nothing. Now I see the same thing happening for bloggers.
Should You Blog for Free?
I’m not talking about guest posts or blogging contests, exchanging guest posts is part of the job and in most cases it’s a fair trade. I’m talking about stocking someone else blog or website with content on a regular basis and receiving nothing in return except for a byline. Meanwhile, as in the case with the AOL bloggers and the Huffington Post, the owners are earning money from advertising.
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think many employers or webmasters are asking their web hosts to donate free server space. Nor do I believe their webmasters and sales teams are working in exchange for a byline. So why then, is the writer or blogger always the one to get the shaft?
Online is forever
Unlike a magazine or newspaper that is put out to be recycled, your words are online forever. That means there’s a chance folks will be reading your content every single day. In other words, it’s you and your labor who ensured the success of a particular website or blog. If you didn’t take the time to write a post that keeps them coming, if you didn’t take the time to research keywords or subject matter, mingle with the community and form just the right combination of words, there wouldn’t be any reason for anyone to visit said blog. Why then is the blogger not the one to get paid?
What’s in it for you?
Before giving away your work, find out what’s in it for you. Will you really, truly be getting good exposure or is your stint volunteer blogging for Joes Crappy Blog No One Will Read really going to bring you the glory its owner promised?
You deserve to be paid for your hard work. If you’re going to be building up someone else’s blog for free, you may as well create your own blog and collect your own advertising. Isn’t that better than letting someone else get rich from your labor?
Blogging? I love Blogging!
Well there you have it, folks. Blogging can get a girl back to your apartment. Who knew?
