By Terez Howard
A blogger is not just a blogger, not just a writer. Sure, the basic nuts and bolts of blogging includes stringing words together to make an entertaining, informative blend of copy. A truly great blogger also is a follower.
What? A follower? Thatâs what I said. And you thought that a major part of blogging was uniqueness. Youâre not incorrect. That one-of-a-kind feel is necessary. You see, top bloggers make it to the top because they learn from other top bloggers.
Itâs starting to make sense, huh? We bloggers learning the ropes (I include myself) can benefit greatly from regularly checking out what the bloggers who know their way around the web have to say.
But who are these great leaders?
I have my favorites, which I will share. But first, let me say that this will be different for everyone, depending on your niche, style and goals. In addition, there are business professionals that you might discover that have nothing to do with your specific niche, style or goals. You just like what they say and see the benefit from their words of wisdom. Letâs examine each of these.
1. Niche. What is your niche? If you are a fashion blogger, you should read well-established fashion blogs. Emulate what they do, while making your blog your blog. Do not be a copy cat.
I havenât yet found a blogger who exactly does what I do. If you know any bloggers for businesses that willingly share their knowledge, please let me know.
2. Style. If you are looking to improve your writing skills, visit a blog that helps you become a more prolific writer. I believe a multitude of these blogs exist. If youâre like me, you donât have the time to follow everyone; so find the person who blogs in a way that makes sense to you.
As for style, my absolute favorite blogger is Jennifer Mattern. I found her blog allfreelancewriting.com about six months ago, and Iâve been following her advice on writing and building a business, tailoring it to make it work for me. If you follow what she says, you will not fail.
3. Goals. What goals do you hope to achieve with blogging? If you want to make money selling your own product, you should visit blogs that tell you how to do this.
Hint: Look for ones that offer tons of free advice and donât reek of sales copy. These are the bloggers that will truly have a desire to help you.
One of my goals is to make a modest living by blogging. I look to Chris Brogan on chrisbrogan.com to help me see how I can get my name out there. I notice that he primarily focuses on helping people. While I want to make money (Iâm being honest!), I sincerely want to help people. I refuse to use fraudulence for material gain.
4. I like it. I ran across successful-blog.com when I was looking for leaders. I enjoyed what Liz Strauss had to say and how she got her point across. Sheâs the businesswoman who makes you think and motivates you to do something. Iâm very grateful for the time she has taken with me.
You have your leaders. Now what?
Now you be you. Be unique. Take what leading bloggers say, apply it to your blog and make it your own. This isnât a mindless game of follow the leader. The blogger does a dance, and you attempt to imitate the routine precisely. No. You dance to the beat of your own drum.
Who are some of your favorite bloggers and why?
—
Terez Howard operates TheWriteBloggers, a professional blogging service which builds clientsâ authority status and net visibility. She regularly blogs at Freelance Writing Mamas . You’ll find her on Twitter @thewriteblogger
Thanks, Terez!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!
:: kind of a highly standard to have a blog on your ways.
:: kind of a serious must be for someone’s blog.
:: do we have to be a genius one to be the favourite of you?
:: what about fun? Artistic? Beautiful words? Psicological chemistry? Love and giving?
:: well, maybe becoz i am not a newspaper lover. Just a fullcolor magazine lover and mania. Hehe
:: a good posting, pretty much for trusting your infos.
Interesting choice of Jennifer Mattern since she’s not a Liz Strauss fan and has joined Amanda Chapel in publicly bashing Liz on Twitter.
Christopher,
No worries about people who don’t “get” me.
Terez wrote this blog post. It’s her opinions and I stand by them. 🙂
Christopher, Yes. I like both of them (Jennifer and Liz) because I personally can learn from them both. Just because Jennifer “isn’t a Liz fan” doesn’t mean that I share in her sentiments. I do, however, agree with many of her business techniques and her writing style.
I try to take what I think I can benefit from and use it, no matter who provides the information.
Thanks, Liz! I appreciate your support.
Christopher,
I’m grateful to have you point out who and what I am and am not a “fan” of. Apparently you have more insight than I do.
Just because I don’t agree with or like things Liz has said, done, or been involved with doesn’t give you the right to twist it into any more than just that.
Terez has it right — you take what you can from people you choose to listen to / read / follow, and you make it your own. You form your opinions. And I’ll form mine, thanks.
And Terez, thanks for the mention. I’m glad you’ve found some of what I’ve shared useful, and I hope you’re getting even more from the rest of the AFW team. 🙂
Jennifer,
I actually think if we ever talked you might find we’re more alike than it appears.
I’m just old. heh heh
Liz
… and I’m just “loud.” No biggie. 😉
I think that Liz is right. I see a lot of similarities between you both.
Liz and Jennifer, you both are very honest in your blogs. That truthfulness is the one characteristic I like most about you both.
I’m grateful to all the information I find in your blogs. Some days, I search through your old topics to see what gems I can uncover. I always find something useful!