I was reading Matt the Unlucky Devil’s post the other week and thought I could add a thing or two to his points.
I commented:
I thought I’d just elaborate on that further. I started blogging so I could talk to other bloggers and meet up with them if logistics permitted. Because I had a blog, I was not just some random commenter. I have skin in the game. I’ve met about 7 or 9 people off the RVF and have met several bloggers who were near my place of residence at one point. In addition, I regularly call or text many more.
So I did follow the advice that Matt gave three years ago. I commented on blogs I liked and told them what I like about the blog or commented on the post. Whenever a blogger replied to my comment, I usually emailed them through their contact page. Usually I’d introduce myself as Wald, writer of scartissue.us and then would ask a short question – either advice on doing something they did, how they came to a conclusion on a blog post, or just ask how they’re doing and say I hope they keep writing.
I’m not saying spam people and email everything single blog you see, I’m saying do this for blogs you really like.
Eventually, when you correspond enough, you and the other blogger figure out that you’re both cool guys.You might link to his blog and he might link to yours. He might offer help in an area of his expertise and you yours. What I am saying?
You should network because you want to make new friends and learn a new thing or two. The collateral goodness of getting linked to, books to review for free, is only a side benefit of making a friend with whom you can discuss just about anything with more of an open mind than most people you’d find on the street or in some cases even your own house.
Wald
P.S. People on this side of the moon prefer their privacy if they’re anonymous and probably have had weird haters or stalkers if they aren’t. Keep your messages simple (Hey – I’m so and so and I think your work is such and such. Signed, my name). If you want to get to know these guys in person, the onus is on you to reveal who you are first. Provide your skype/number/name/other first before you ask for the other blogger’s information)
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This is fantastic!
About a year ago I started commenting on posts, discussing on forums and linking to other bloggers and was eventually welcomed in to a community with relative ease.
Because I was genuinely curious, and didn’t ask dumb questions, this made it much easier.
For example when I first started blogging, out of nowhere it seemed, a blogger by the name of Halfbreed asked me if I wanted to do a review of a book of his.
Fast forward to now and I’ve had several bloggers ask me for reviews. A free copy in exchange for a review? sure!. It’s pretty cool.
This post and the Unlucky Devils one are great advice to new bloggers like myself.-dcl
Glad to hear it’s working for you DCL.
I’m familiar with Halfbreed and his work and correspond with him every now and then. A solid guy by all accounts.
Thanks for the commment.
Wald
Now, how do I leverage your work to my benefit?
I think only you can decide that.
I guess I am not very sociable.
Yours is one of the few blogs I like, because it has spirit. Most is just boring SJW bashing and technical game advice.
How does it have spirit?
Wald
The pictures on top. Your personal style of writing about your experiences. The story comes to mind where we talked about smell and scent. You share stuff from your dad, which is intimate and helpful and parts of your relationship there shine through. You tell about it all as an experience you make, rather than as another how-to guide. You have been in this for years and yet you keep it personal and honest. While other idiots – like me, admittedly – start writing without a clue and their first articles are how-to articles with instructions.
In that way, your style is one I can most empathize with. It is real. Not just another attempt to look great. Hah. I think that is it. You do not try to look like a superhero and make it all extravagant like ‘The blog for the masculine man’ or ‘How to rock life and fuck girls’ or ‘How to beat every challenge’. You just write it as it is instead of trying to impress mommy and daddy with your narcissism.
Also, the blog has kind of a dark, simplistic and reserved edge in its layout and conciseness of articles, which harmonize with me.
Thanks, Tom.
I really appreciate that comment.
Wald
You can return the favor by commenting on my articles.
Nice snow, by the way. That is the most surprising internet experience I had today. And quite subtle.