I was over at Peggy Baron’s blog called Adventures In Internet Marketing where she wrote this interesting little post titled 5 Things I Do Well With Internet Marketing. I thought it was an interesting idea to pursue, only I’m not going totally on the internet marketing piece.
I figure that I’ve got a long online history and there’s some things I’ve gotten right in spite of lots of failure. Yeah, I know, I’m the guy who wrote a post saying that it’s never really failure, so I’ll modify it and say there’s a lot I haven’t done right for one reason or another. But I have had some successes and there are some things I do well, and thus I’m going to share these 5 things with you.
1. I have my business website listed on more than 10,000 sites and directories for the term “diversity”. Even though that term scares a lot of people in this country (it does!), it’s important enough for me to be listed all over the world for it because one never knows. The thing is, I can’t tell you how I did it, but if it got picked up it’s all good right?
2. I have a lot of articles on the internet. With my own 5 blogs, lots of other blogs I write for, some guest posting, interviews, and articles in many places, I’ve made sure to get my name out there. It’s still hard to overcome Jimi Hendrix drummer and this reporter for the Ft. Worth newspaper in some respects but it all builds up not only a following but a profile. And it gives me a lot of material to turn into something else, as I’m working on the editing of my next book, which is a compilation of some of my early newsletters and blog posts off my business blog.
3. I’ve got commenting on lots of blogs down to a science without realizing it. I have a large group of blogs that I visit regularly and yet just last night I commented on 4 or 5 new blogs I’d never seen before. I’m not sure I’d ever commented on Peggy’s blog before last night. I think it’s important because it means that every time I do that I have the possibility of reaching a new audience in some way.
4. I talk to a lot of people on Twitter, including some famous people. In my post yesterday about Twitter I mentioned a couple of ladies I think are spectacular from my past that I’m connected with. I’ve talked to other famous or well known people over the years as well, including having the opportunity to help Guy Kawasaki edit his book once. I’ve also helped other people edit their books and read some books that were sent to me to do reviews on here and there. I think that’s pretty neat; it shows that I’ve earned at least enough respect where people trust my opinion and, oddly enough, my perceived “clout”.
5. I respond to people who are “real”. I think that’s important, and it’s also an important distinction. Back in February I talked about bad blog comments being like spam and how if I didn’t think the comments were good comments but weren’t bad enough to send to spam that I wasn’t going to respond to them. In essence that means I respond to a lot of people, and they seem to appreciate it. I’ll often follow those people back based on what CommentLuv says they’ve written about and if I leave a comment, I’m sure they appreciate that as well. And I do that for all 5 of my blogs; that’s a lot of writing and following.
There you go; now, what can you say are your top 5 ‘whatever’ as it applies to being online?
Hi Mitch,
I saw Peggy’s post too and your comment on it so I also thought it was a great idea. Maybe like you to just approach 5 things we do well and not necessarily in any given area.
I didn’t know if what I had mentioned was really in internet marketing but I shared mine anyway.
I love your list and I love how you took this idea and created a post too. See, this is what happens when you visit new blogs. Not only do you connect with new people but you got your next post out of it as well.
Bravo Mitch, job well done.
~Adrienne
Thanks Adrienne. Not only was it a bit of fun but it hopefully shows people that there are all sorts of inspirational things out there that they can find to write about. Glad you had fun with yours also.
I think you are very good in more than 55 things online, Mitch and I think it just takes time, yeah I remember a post “What do you view as a failure”, but I think we learn from every step we make, just exceptionally wise or too lucky people are doing everything right.
Carl, I hope you meant 5 things because I don’t think I’ve done 55 things online lol I hope I’m learning something; sometimes I think I’m going backwards.
I am sure that you have done, Mitch of course some paths of online business are shorter and some are constant. For example you also produce good videos and you are consistent, there are so many excellent interviews with you, I am sure that you also talk on some forums, etc.
That is pretty cool Mitch. A couple of things that amazes me, about your online presence, is the rate at which you churn out posts here – that too with real life narration. Second, I didn’t know that you have contributed to editing of Guy’s book. Great going, you indeed are a good writer and presenter of thoughts (from your recent videos)
Cheers,
Ajith
Thanks Ajith. I always wonder how long I can keep all of it up, or if I slow down if that will disappoint people. We’ll see.
That’s a hectic pace, and your replies are as impressive as your blog posts. I found it a challenge to think of 5 things I do well on line, I still feel like a newbie, so maybe I’ll get there someday.
Sue, it’s something we all strive to achieve, and I’m looking for bigger & better things.
Hi Mitch,
I think the building relationship part is very much important as well. Building trust and relationships is important. You can really get genuine followers if you actually talk or communicate with them.
Pat, that’s why I write people back when they leave pretty good comments; camaraderie & acknowledgment can go a long way.
I’m not as active online, as you are) But that’s really great that you achieved so many results and success in it. When I visit any other blog and see your comment, then I have notion about you activity, I know what blogs you have and so on. Probably other people think the same. Your popularity is becoming more and more! My congratulations to you)
Thanks Amanda, though I’m not so sure about that popularity thing just yet.
I agree with what you say about failure not really being failure Mitch: usually it’s the process of being able to improve upon your work or a good indication your wasting your time and to focus on something more productive.
I have to say I am very impressed by your linkback count of 10k Mitch. Apart from Dmoz, I haven’t come across that many quality directories, I was wondering if you had any suggestions, so I could submit to some more.
Actually Richard, I’d tell you how it worked if I could. I know that when my friend created the site for me in 2003 I submitted it to only a couple of directories, but after that all the rest found me somehow.
No problem Mitch. I guess that’s a sign of quality, that you didn’t need to submit 🙂
Really nice points! Your advices could make one a better blogger, I am assured! Because it can be seen on how you behave yourself, you are always replying etc.
I do what I can Julie, but I’m also getting tougher in the comments I’m allowing to even show.
Here are my top 5 Whatever…
1. Research
2. Play Facebook Apps
3. Write
4. Comment on 1,000++ blogs
5. Read and answer mails..
😀 that’s how my day is..not usually but yes, everyday. SO can you the routine.
Shaira, that’s a full internet life! lol