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How To Win At Blogging and Keep It Real

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by Guest Writer Alex Shalman

I have been blogging actively since December 15th, 2006, and have gained a world of experience while doing so. If there was any technique or trick for increasing visitors, or comments, or captivating an audience, I have tried it.

Some people would say forget the tricks, and stick to content, after all, content is king. I’m not here to say whether or not content is the ONLY thing that matters, but I’m here to let you know how to take your content element to the next level.

Be the content. In the beginning of my blogging career, not everyone in my life was actively involved in what I was doing or knew about my blogging. The more I became a personal development blogger in my life, the more that reflected on the blog.

Personal development, meaning constant and never ending growth, is part of who I am in every facet of my life. People close to me no longer think that this is a passing hobby, it’s more of an identity now.

Tell the people. If you don’t tell them, they won’t know. I took responsibility for people not knowing about my site, and actively began telling my friends about it. I would enroll them into all the possibilities of what the site is, and where it is going.

They became excited to be on that journey with me. My friends jokingly say, ‘Hey Alex Shalman, from www.AlexShalman.com.’ I think that’s hilarious! My girlfriend tells everyone she knows about the site, I think that’s precious.

Be your word. Not everyone took what I do seriously, not even after I told them. Two of those people were my parents. Over time, the more I became this personal development person, and the more this made our good relationship a great relationship, the more they believed in the validity of what I do.

The other day we had relatives staying with us, and I caught my parents telling them about the website. My dad even asked me about my Alexa traffic. Now that’s funny, and heartwarming.

From the heart. I remember Liz told me that when I write, I sometimes sound like I’m talking down from a podium. It wasn’t personal. I think this was partly due to me being an inexperienced writer and not having control of what my writing voice sounded like.

Now days I try to incorporate my life, and get as personal as I can, in order to give a part of myself to my readers. This is a much more engaging form of communication, because I’m talking to you, my friend, instead of a crowd of people I don’t know. I want to know you.

Remember to be proud of your work and tell people about it. Be the content, be your word, and blog from the heart.
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Alex writes about personal development at AlexShalman.com.

Thank you, Alex.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Outstanding Question From An Outstanding Mentor

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Guest Post by Alex Shalman

Liz and I go back to about mid-march of 2007. I had just launched a donation contest, and asked Liz to participate. Her initial reaction to the contest was that it was transparent link bait, and she was a bit annoyed. I immediately apologized for offending her, she saw past it, and the rest is history. I now consider Liz one of my best friends, and feel like I’ve known her forever.

As far as mentoring goes, we’ve had quite a few phone conversations, where Liz has been a great listener, as well as given me powerful injections of wisdom. I remember the exact moment when I first heard Liz use this question. It was during live open mic night of SOBCon. Yes, she’s even more amazing in person!

It’s simple:

“What do you do when you’re not doing this?”

I’ve used this very question to start countless conversations, and have been nothing but amazed each time at how people opened up. Whether talking to a new classmate, or even a random person I decided to talk to during my day. It never ceases to amaze me at how much people appreciate when you take an interest.

It also helps to practice the arts of proactive and empathetic listening to dig deeper into the conversation. It’s funny, but most people ask a question, listen to the response, and then go on about themselves.

Experience the outstanding response I’ve been getting with Liz’s magic question. Ask it of a stranger, really listen to what they say, and follow up at least 5 questions deep. You might be amazed just as I have been.

Btw, I would like to hear some other questions that you use to open up conversations with strangers. Let’s all share in the comment box below!

Alex Shalman

Thanks, Alex. The question seems to have served us both well. I’m smiling to think that we have met at the core of the matter where we both agree. . . . I consider you a friend, as well.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Alex Shalman and Steve Roesler Are B.A.D. Bloggers!

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Hello, Hello! I’d Like You to Meet . . .

BAD Blogger Button

It’s a fine way to spend a Sunday visiting some B. A. D. Bloggers I know. Without hesitation, these are folks who are worth getting to know. I can say that because I did.

Have you met Steve Roesler?

Steve Roesler knows Ann Michael and Valeria Maltoni. It took a while to find out. He called me. I called him. Then called me, and I him again. But in the end I know he knows them because we finally made a voice connect, and he outright told me. We talked about who knew who and how we knew each other. We even talked about how much we like them, and about how we met.

Then we moved on to other topics.

Steve and I had a delightful discussion about blogging and conversation. We wound through ways to invite readers to participate in what we have to say when we write — how to leave more room for them. It’s always fun to consider with an intelligent blogger how we present ideas on our blogs and the people who come to read them.

Steve works with client companies All Places World. The folks he works with become stronger communicators and better team builders. Steve handles All Things Workplace — he specializes in communication training and development and works on improving systems, relationships, and large-scale change. He has deep interest in the global nature of business and business relationships.

Steve’s a people person. It comes through when you talk to him.

Steve likes his family too. He’s worked all over the world, but he’s partial to the woods near Philly where his family is.

. . . And Ann and Valeria are nearby for a blogger meetup whenever he needs one.

Oh and, do you know Alex Shalman?

Alex Shalman says, “. . . a life stems from the realization that the past is gone and the future hasn’t happened yet, the only moment which we possess is the one in which we live.”

Alex is a student, son of a dentist. He’s going to be one himself. He IMs me from the library. Well, that’s where he always says he is. So that must be. Except when I was younger than Alex, I used to put 250 miles on the car going to the . . . um, er . . . library. . . . Of course, he’s past that stage. He’s working gainfully on a career.

Alex likes learning. He reads books on personal development and participates in a mastermind group. He seeks out mentors where he can find them. He’s a membor of the attendees at SOBCon 07.

Alex’s personal goal to be a dentist will make him the fifth generation in his family to choose that profession. His plan is to be an entrepreneur by developing a practice that will be franchised, provide mentoring, dental education, and lead to a career as a speaker and teacher.

Alex’s blog is a result of his exploration into personal development and his continuing interest in it. He has an undergraduate degree and a passion for psychology. He likes restating it in an understandable form.

Yet the coolest thing about Alex is his laugh when he’s relaxed and being himself.

Alex and Steve, you are B.A.D. Bloggers!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Want to be a B.A.D. Blogger see the. . . a B.A.D. Blogger? page in the sidebar.

SOB Business Cafe 05-25-07

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Smart Wealthy Rich wants a scientific formula to measure success.

Technosailor points out an even more serious technical issue.

The Blog Herald’s Gary King solves one technical difficulty.

chrisg suggests we set aside our fear.

Good Word Editing sheds insight on what is worth our attention.

Steli Efti explains “the dip,” and why it’s not the time to quit.

Related ala carte selections include

Christine Kane offers a challenge about lying.

Alex Shalman has found a key to life.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Gotta Get Goals — Yeah!

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Sit Up Straight

Alex Shalman and I have been talking by email. He’s a most engaging blogger. He seems to have a new idea every week minute that involves other bloggers interacting with him.

He’s the real deal about what he’s doing. I know, he’s managed to survive a whole string of emails with me. This morning even survived a phone call. Then IM’d me that I’m hilarious. Go figure!

Now, I’m doing a meme . . . because with three blogs of my own, two more that I write for, three important clients, several writing students, SOBCon 07, a book, the 200 Outstanding Blogs Project and another start-up project . . . I’ve been feeling like, a bit of . . . . um er, . . . . a slacker.

Alex started this project, but apparently he got Aaron involved. Aaron thought I

gotta get goals

So, Aaron, here they are:

  1. Build something that makes a difference to humanity.
  2. Write something that moves people to realize their potential.
  3. Learn something that pushes my thinking deeper and truer.
  4. Dance more. Laugh more. Inspire more people, including myself.
  5. Finish the amazing and fun book about Larry and the dog.
  6. Gather enough money of my own to help anyone I want to help whenever I want to.
  7. Be extraordinary, live in extraordinary circumstances, do extraordinary things, without worrying about it.
  8. Fly around the world once a year again to see my friends.
  9. Give away everything that I know.
  10. Earn a 7 figure salary by serving those I love who love what I do.

I was going to tag some other slackers like me, but I think you all know who you are. So if you gotta get goals, spread some link love while you figure out the path to your dream. Don’t blow this off . . . having goals is the first step to getting there.

One little goal is enough for now . . . gotta get goals.

It doesn’t hurt. I promise.

–ME “Liz” Strauss