Successful Blog

  • Home
  • Community
  • About
  • Author Guidelines
  • Liz’s Book
  • Stay Tuned

Mini-Session 12: Relationship Blogging

March 12, 2007 by Guest Author Leave a Comment

Guest Speaker: Phil Gerbyshak

  • Want more people to comment on your blog?
  • Tired of blogging in a vacuum?
  • Want to make friends with your readers?
  • Wondering how to score some great interviews for your blog?

The Relationship Geek will answer these questions and more from 7 – 8 PM.

Thank you,
__________________
Visit Phil’s blog, Make It Great!, where he offers a daily dose of relationship blogging — one of the many things Phil that has earned him the title of Relationship Geek. –ME “Liz” Strauss
______________________

Let’s open the Q&A . . .

I’ll go first. Phil, what do you do when something’s gone wrong, and you’re not feeling very much like the Relationship Geek we all know you are?


SOBCon 07 link

During the Virtual Conference today, you can take $100 off registration to SOBCon 07.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Make-It-Great, Phil-Gerbyshak, relationship-blogging, Relationship-Geek

Comments

  1. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:01 PM

    Great question Liz: When I’m not feeling like much of a relationship geek, I go find my friends who I know ARE in a better mood than I am, and I live in their world for a bit and soak in their GREATness!

    Reply
  2. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:02 PM

    Welcome everyone 🙂 I’m here for an hour, and I can type like the wind! Ask me anything. I’m here for YOU.

    Reply
  3. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:04 PM

    So, Phil, how do we make sure we’re not blogging in a vacuum?

    Reply
  4. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:05 PM

    One other thing I do is I think about a time when I was feeling like a relationship geek. What was I doing? How did that feel? And I focus on that.

    Reply
  5. Joe says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:05 PM

    Hey Phil,
    Didn’t I just see you on Chris’ post? 😉
    Anyway, how do you suggest bringing your readers into a conversation? Sometimes (on what I think are really dumb posts) my readers comment without asking, but when I write something I want and/or need comments on, I get nothing…
    Any ideas?

    Reply
  6. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:05 PM

    Carolyn – the first thing to do is something you do very well: comment on other people’s blogs, and then take the conversation back to your place in your own post.

    Reply
  7. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:06 PM

    Hey Joe – Glad you’re here.

    Getting comments requires you to leave margin for comments. Where can a reader fill in a gap, or ask a question for more clarification. Don’t give them everything, leave some for them.

    Great question 🙂

    Reply
  8. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:07 PM

    Being a non-vacuum blogger also means linking out whenever possible. If it’s just you, then it’s like you’re talking to yourself. Share some of someone else’s ideas, especially if it might contradict yours, and the vacuum is gone.

    Reply
  9. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:09 PM

    Joe – Another way to get comments is to share your thoughts with others you know feel like you do, or feel different than you do, and ask them to comment on it.

    Or comment on a post like yours on another blog, and change your URL to your article.

    Reply
  10. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:09 PM

    Great questions thus far. Thanks Joe and Carolyn.

    Reply
  11. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:10 PM

    Sometimes it seems I forget about that margin for comments.

    Reply
  12. Joe says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:10 PM

    Here is a question I asked of my readers and did get quite a response.
    Do you think RSS is hurting the Blogging Community?
    What’s your take on RSS and the conversation that is a part of blogging?

    Reply
  13. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:11 PM

    Carolyn – we all forget that. Easy to do. I do it all the time. Perhaps you can save some for the next post, as a follow-up?

    Reply
  14. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:12 PM

    Follow-up sounds like a wonderful idea!

    Reply
  15. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:13 PM

    Joe – I don’t think RSS is widespread enough to hurt the blogosphere, and in general, I think RSS is a good thing for information flow. As Microsoft embeds RSS into more and more applications, blogs will get more and more widely read. Comments will probably stay at about 1% of readership, as folks at corporations often cannot comment from work (I can’t now, and I know other companies will likely ban this as well, as you can trace the IP addresses back and make it look like corporate is sponsoring this).

    All in all, anything that gets the message out to more people is a good thing, in my opinion.

    Great question!

    Reply
  16. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:13 PM

    Oh, Phil. Since you asked, let’s talk a little bit about scoring interviews, too.

    Reply
  17. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:14 PM

    Conversationally, RSS makes things a bit tougher, but again, this is where leaving margin, or adding great graphics, helps. And why you have to post when you make a cool graphics change. Or put a video out there that doesn’t come through RSS. Do something to put their butt on your site, and they’ll comment. 1-2% will anyway 🙂

    Reply
  18. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:16 PM

    Phil, how would you say quantity and traffic counts are related, if at all?

    Reply
  19. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:16 PM

    Scoring interviews – this is easy, in my opinion. Just ASK people who’ve written books or are selling software if they’re willing to be interviewed. It’s cheap (not free) marketing, and if you’ve done this before, you can get bigger and bigger and bigger names.

    Shameless self-promotion: I’m always open to an interview. Just let me know. I know Ted Demopoulos is the same way. Most of the folks I interview are that way. They want to get their message out. Bloggers are (to use a Seth Godin term) sneezers.

    Reply
  20. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:18 PM

    #18 should read “comment quantity…”

    Reply
  21. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:19 PM

    Chris – Quantity of posts to traffic is a tough question.

    Quantity of posts: 1-3 per day max, in my opinion, is optimal, at least if you’re starting out. If you’re amazing like Liz here, you can crank out 10 quality posts a day. She’s an exception.

    This will get you a steady increase in traffic, at least if at least 1 a day is a quality, thought provoking post.

    I’d say CONSISTENCY of posting is what will drive traffic. Post at least 3 days a week if you can, and that’ll help.

    Reply
  22. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:20 PM

    Comment quantity: I think more traffic leads to more comments, not the other way around, unless…

    You put the number of comments in your Feedburner feed. If I see you’ve got 10 comments on a post, chances are I’m going to click in to see what’s going on.

    Reply
  23. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:21 PM

    Great question Chris. I hope that answered your question (and the other half of it too). 😉

    Reply
  24. Joe says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:21 PM

    Carolyn,
    The best was to get an interview is to ask, plain an simple.
    I asked Liz and she gave me an interview.
    I asked Darren Rowse, he gave me an interview.
    I never thought it would happen, but both of them are real people just like us. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:21 PM

    Great point Joe. Just ASK. People are people.

    Reply
  26. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:22 PM

    Phil, which do you find better for building relationships, blog commenting or email (and why)?

    Reply
  27. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:24 PM

    Great question Chris.

    I am an e-mail guy. If you’ve been to my blog, you rarely see me in my own comments. I love the intimacy of a 1-on-1 e-mail. The folks that leave comments are the special ones, the 1-2% folks I mentioned. Those are the folks I want to come back to my blog, to become my friends. They’re the evangelists.

    That being said, for the reason I mentioned above (to boost traffic) I am going to start, in April, responding to comments in my comments, along with e-mail.

    And I’ll let you know how it goes. We’ll see. 🙂

    Reply
  28. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:27 PM

    I also find that commenting on OTHERS’ blogs is a great way to build relationships. I love to comment on other people’s blogs. Great stuff deserves praise. A nice thank you for sharing your insight goes a long way. If only 1-2% of people are commenting, it’s tough to stay motivated. Remember: 100 readers = 1 comment (or less). Don’t get discouraged. Love your commenters, and be a good commenter.

    Reply
  29. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:27 PM

    Does that get to your question Chris?

    Reply
  30. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:28 PM

    Phil, I gotta tell you how cool those e-mail answers are. On the flip side, I’m glad you’ll be adding yourself to your comment section. It’s good PR.

    Reply
  31. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:28 PM

    Carolyn – follow-up is fun. Pull out a comment, put it in the context of your original post, and use it as a post. See if that gets more commenters.

    Reply
  32. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:29 PM

    Thanks Carolyn. I think it’s good PR too. So we’ll see how it goes. Yvonne DiVita (http://www.lipsticking.com) reminded me that I’m leaving my readers behind by taking the comments off blog.

    So I’ll try both, because I’m an intimate guy. I only hug 1 person at a time, with both arms, before I move onto the next 😉

    Reply
  33. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:30 PM

    I think you covered it very well.

    I tend to do just the opposite, jump on the comment with a response as soon as I am able. And I think I might start emailing more. I see what you are saying about it building a stronger bond with the commenter.

    Reply
  34. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:30 PM

    Interesting concept — building a post from the comment up.

    Reply
  35. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:32 PM

    Thanks Chris – here’s another reason why I e-mail: I personally don’t go back to posts I’ve commented on, unless I’ve really added some value to the conversation or asked a question, and even then, sometimes I forget to do so. If I don’t go back, I wonder how many other commenters do go back and re-read? It’s great with WordPress because I can subscribe to the comments via e-mail, but not with TypePad. And that’s where I am, I’ve got a ton of juice there, so I’ll stick it out.

    Reply
  36. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:33 PM

    Yep, building a post from the comment up is fun. It’s a great way to encourage reader participation, especially if instead of linking to the comment link, link to the commenter’s website, and your original post article. Link love, instead of link LIKE. Works for me!

    Reply
  37. Lisa says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:33 PM

    Hi Phil,
    I want to comment about generosity. Your generosity, specifically. Authentically sharing yourself with others via email, showing up and going the extra mile to promote someone else on your site and others. I see the ethic of giving before getting.

    Can you talk about that?

    (You are who I want to be when I grow up.)

    Reply
  38. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:37 PM

    Lisa – you’re making me smile (and blush). Don’t stop 🙂

    Seriously, I don’t know how (or who) else to be. I love to give, and I want to give as much as I can, as long as I can, until I can’t give anymore, then squeeze the giving out of me so I can give just a little more. Heck, that’s why I’m here. To give the world a better place, a GREAT place.

    I’m just glad to have friends who are willing to take what I’m giving (that’s usually a BIG HUG, if you ever see me in person).

    And really, giving is the root of all love. So I’m glad to give what I’ve got.

    That answer it, or do you want more?

    Reply
  39. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:40 PM

    Phil, my only caution would be the danger of seeing everyone through your own glasses.

    Not everyone is like you (as totally cool as you are).

    Some of us are a bit ocd about the refresh button! I go back to most of the places I’ve commented to see how the conversation is going.

    Likewise I should make the effort for a more personal email from time to time.

    Reply
  40. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:42 PM

    Great point Chris. And that’s why I’m going to try something new.

    One thing to note: I can’t comment during the day, when you might be commenting. Do you care that I comment hours (sometimes a day or 2) later?

    Reply
  41. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:44 PM

    Me? I totally don’t care. If what you have to say is worth saying now, it will probably still be worth saying in a day or two.

    I keep track of all the comments on my own blog. I respond to comments deep in my archives all the time.

    Reply
  42. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:44 PM

    A late comment is preferable to no answer at all. To get no reply is, again, being in that vacuum.

    Reply
  43. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:45 PM

    It’s something I learned from Liz 😉

    Reply
  44. Lisa says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:45 PM

    Personally, I enjoy visiting the 20 or so blogs I read daily–in person. And I like coming back to look at the comments. So yes, it’s okay.

    I believe this is the preoccupation of the newbie blogger, however. Probably won’t be able to do that foreever.

    Reply
  45. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:46 PM

    Good point Chris and Carolyn – I’m curious…if you leave a comment at my blog, and I don’t respond for 3 days, do you feel like that’s a vacuum? Would you prefer an e-mail? Do you care if it’s already been a few days?

    Reply
  46. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:48 PM

    Good for you Lisa. I’m honored to among those you stop by and say hi to. Thank you VERY much.

    I used to do that too, until I started using Bloglines. I’m thinking of switching to Google Reader to clean out some of the cobwebs/junk. I’ll keep my favorites, but some, I have to leave behind. Especially those that never stop by and comment. I value relationship more than content, though I value content first, then relationship.

    Reply
  47. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:48 PM

    Even though I can be a bit compulsive about checking back, I’m not really all that emotionally attached to getting a response.

    Besides, at your place you’ve kinda trained the kids to take care of the comments amongst themselves. 😆

    Reply
  48. Lisa says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:48 PM

    Phil,
    Yes, a three day span feels like a vacuum to me. Sort of feels like a first date with no phone call for days and days afterward…

    Reply
  49. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:50 PM

    Ooh, first date and no phone call. Does she love me? Probably not.

    I remember my first response to a comment. (humming It Feels like the First Time)….

    Yeah, I try to respond faster, though when I travel, sometimes I’m not so good.

    And yes Chris, I think I’ve trained the kids well 😉

    Reply
  50. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:50 PM

    The fact that a response has been made takes it from the vacuum. My objection is when I leave a comment and get no reply at all. Everything can’t be immediate, but all things deserve good manners.

    Reply
  51. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:51 PM

    Gotcha Carolyn. Thank you.

    Great comments = at least good manners. Excellent point!

    Reply
  52. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:53 PM

    But think on this: If you respond individually to each comment with a comment, not only are you publicly recognizing each commenter (who doesn’t appreciate a little public recognition?) but you are also instantly doubling your comment count, for what it’s worth.

    In the military we were taught to praise in public and punish in private.

    Responding in the comment box is a great way to publicly encourage more commenting.

    Reply
  53. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:53 PM

    Yikes! So much for this hour.

    Reply
  54. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:54 PM

    Good point Chris. That’s a really good point.

    One note (just to give you the other side): If you tell me what a great job I did, but I wasn’t around to hear it, does it still count?

    Reply
  55. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:54 PM

    Yikes? Carolyn, I am SO glad you’re here. What’s 60 minutes among friends?

    Reply
  56. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:55 PM

    5 more minutes – anything else I can help you with?

    Reply
  57. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:55 PM

    I think it was Leah Maclean who ran a cartoon a few months back: if you post on a blog and no one comments . . . .

    Reply
  58. Sandy says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:55 PM

    Hi Phil (and everybody),

    Great topic. I usually answer comments in the comment section. But I’m behind and have probably left people sitting by the phone. Oh no, I feel bad about that…

    When I leave comments, I would like to check back and see how the conversation goes, but I got overloaded. I’m trying out co-comments, but that’s just another layer of reading.

    What’s a girl to do?

    Reply
  59. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:56 PM

    Yep – good stuff Carolyn. That’s funny 🙂

    Reply
  60. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:57 PM

    Hey Sandy – I say go for the e-mail response for quickies (thanks for weighing in), and leave the ones that add value for the blog, or for a separate post.

    And cut yourself some slack because you’re only a wonderful human being, and you can’t keep it ALL straight 🙂

    Reply
  61. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:57 PM

    Totally. Because remember, it’s only 1-2% who are commenting anyway.

    Even if the first person doesn’t notice (and I bet most of them will) the other 98-99% see the response and may become more inclined to comment as well.

    I sometimes say things in the comment box that are entirely for the benefit of the lurkers (even though no one else may realize that’s what I’m doing or why I say something.)

    Reply
  62. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:58 PM

    I’ll be working on a plan for interviews. Should be lotsa fun. This day is turning out to be a GREAT one 🙂

    Reply
  63. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:58 PM

    One of the most obvious examples of that was comment #14 in the last hour.

    Reply
  64. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:58 PM

    Chris – you have convinced me friend. Thank you for your excellent points.

    So are we all going to SOBCON or what? I hope to meet you all in Chicago!

    Reply
  65. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:59 PM

    Cool stuff Carolyn. Feel free to start with me if you want to get a warm up in. 🙂

    Reply
  66. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 7:59 PM

    I’ll be there Phil. (Even if means I have to get a hug.) 🙂

    Reply
  67. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:00 PM

    I’m going to say my goodnights now friend. Bye Chris, Lisa, Carolyn, Sandy, Joe (I think he left before) and all the lurkers at home. Thanks for sharing your GREATNESS with me tonight! Stay tuned for David Armano!

    Reply
  68. Carolyn Manning says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:00 PM

    You’re on, Phil. I’ll be sending you an email. Thank you.

    Reply
  69. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:00 PM

    Definitely a hug for Chris.

    And talk to you soon everyone!

    Reply
  70. ann michael says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:01 PM

    Am I too late?!! I heard Phil was giving out hugs and ran right over!

    Reply
  71. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:01 PM

    Ann – I’m still here!

    Reply
  72. ME Strauss says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:01 PM

    Phil,
    You are the man!!!

    Reply
  73. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:02 PM

    Thanks Liz! I’ll stay here if you like 🙂 I kinda like this place.

    Reply
  74. ann michael says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:02 PM

    Thank god! I couldn’t stand to miss a virtual hug! I hear you give the best ones too 🙂

    Reply
  75. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:03 PM

    I try to do that. I give better ones in person though. You’re getting at least 2. 🙂

    Virtually, it’s tougher, but I can do it! You can too. I hug me, you hug you, close your eyes, and smile. Feel the love!

    🙂

    Reply
  76. ann michael says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:07 PM

    oh yeah! – see you over on David’ post!

    Reply
  77. Chris Cree says

    March 12, 2007 at 8:07 PM

    OK this is getting a little to weird for me. 🙄

    Reply
  78. GP says

    March 12, 2007 at 9:58 PM

    i know i’m a late check in here 🙂 Sorry.. wow Phil sounds like you did make it GREAT!!

    Like the idea of building a post from a comment. Awesome perspective
    GP In Montana

    Reply
  79. Phil Gerbyshak says

    March 12, 2007 at 10:08 PM

    Thanks GP. Never too late 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recently Updated Posts

How to Build up Your Career by Showing Off Your Uniqueness

How to Build up Your Career by Showing Off Your Uniqueness

How to Know if Your Marketing Strategy is Working

How to Know if Your Marketing Strategy is Working

3 strategies for achieving business growth

Three Strategies for Achieving Business Growth

Build a foundation that will grow with you

Build a Foundation that Will Grow with You

Should Computers Have Warning Labels – The Disgraceful State Of Computer Safety

Why Your Company Is Chasing Too Many Bad Sales Leads

Why Your Company Is Chasing Too Many Bad Sales Leads



From Liz Strauss & GeniusShared Press

  • What IS an SOB?!
  • SOB A-Z Directory
  • Letting Liz Be

© 2022 ME Strauss & GeniusShared