A Guest Post by Joel Key
Well, I don’t mean that that you have to have 100,000 subscribers to be considered a top blogger, or that you have to be making huge sums of money through courses and affiliate sales to be doing a good job. Although these things would be nice.
The question is, how do the top bloggers become the personalities that we all and love, and how can you become one too?
How can you create a legion of adoring fans that hang off your every word?
Well the answer isn’t cut and dry, although I’ll help to fill in one piece of the puzzle.
What top bloggers know
It’s tempting to think that the best bloggers are omnipotent entities who’ve grown their blogs organically from day one through sizzling content and wild-fire, word-of-mouth marketing.
They’re not.
They started small, worked extremely hard, and made lots of mistakes. They suffered from growing pains like the rest.
For even the very best bloggers, it wasn’t plain sailing.
But even during their early days, these bloggers attracted dedicated readers, and supportive communities.
So how did they do it?
Honesty
Sure, part of the reason is that they write great content, promote the hell out of it, and make excellent connections in their niche.
But, there’s more.
Top bloggers are honest, and they write with integrity.
They’re real.
They don’t sugarcoat their troubles, telling their readers they’re doing brilliantly.
Instead they publish their woes for the world to see, hopeful they can use their difficulties to teach and inspire their readers.
They know that being human, and being flawed, is their best asset. Readers can relate to that.
They aren’t some faceless, corporate entity with a business strategy, but just normal people, trying to write helpful content for their followers.
They’re self effacing, and happy to acknowledge they don’t have all the answers.
We can all empathise with that.
Some of the best posts ever written are about bloggers overcoming adversity, or learning from their mistakes.
It shows character, and reflects the kind of positive change we’re all looking to make in our lives.
Keep it real
Well, I don’t mean that that you have to have 100,000 subscribers to be considered a top blogger, or that you have to be making huge sums of money through courses and affiliate sales to be doing a good job. Although these things would be nice.
The question is, how do the top bloggers become the personalities that we all and love, and how can you become one too?
How can you create a legion of adoring fans that hang off your every word?
Well the answer isn’t cut and dry, although I’ll help to fill in one piece of the puzzle.
What top bloggers know
They’re not.
They started small, worked extremely hard, and made lots of mistakes. They suffered from growing pains like the rest.
For even the very best bloggers, it wasn’t plain sailing.
But even during their early days, these bloggers attracted dedicated readers, and supportive communities.
So how did they do it?
Honesty
But, there’s more.
Top bloggers are honest, and they write with integrity.
They’re real.
They don’t sugarcoat their troubles, telling their readers they’re doing brilliantly.
Instead they publish their woes for the world to see, hopeful they can use their difficulties to teach and inspire their readers.
They know that being human, and being flawed, is their best asset. Readers can relate to that.
They aren’t some faceless, corporate entity with a business strategy, but just normal people, trying to write helpful content for their followers.
They’re self effacing, and happy to acknowledge they don’t have all the answers.
We can all empathise with that.
Some of the best posts ever written are about bloggers overcoming adversity, or learning from their mistakes.
It shows character, and reflects the kind of positive change we’re all looking to make in our lives.
Keep it real
The modern Internet contains too many self confessed experts, who pretend to have all the answers.
Real bloggers don’t have to pretend.
They’re honest about their limitations, and are happy to publish their aborted endeavours and most embarrassing failures. They provide an accurate reflection of life in all its glorious colors.
They create audiences that rejoice in their success and commiserate them in failure.
Symbiotic communities.
Learn from your failures by writing about them. Inspire your followers, and take solace from their unwavering support.
Be a top blogger.
Joel Key is a writer, journalist and blogger. When
he’s not indulging his passion for motorcycle adventure, he’s finding
inspiration through writing over at www.joelkey.com.
Pick up a free copy of his ‘Change Manifesto’ today.
Joel has just created a new campaign on his site called WRITE FOR LIFE, the purpose of which is to raise awareness of worldwide illiteracy.
He will donate one cent to a literacy charity for every word I write on my blog, or as a guest post. And guess what? This guest post is his first contribution!
Be sure to check out what Joel is doing here, at WRITE FOR LIFE.
Follow Joel on Twitter and Facebook.
Real bloggers don’t have to pretend.
They’re honest about their limitations, and are happy to publish their aborted endeavours and most embarrassing failures. They provide an accurate reflection of life in all its glorious colors.
They create audiences that rejoice in their success and commiserate them in failure.
Symbiotic communities.
Learn from your failures by writing about them. Inspire your followers, and take solace from their unwavering support.
Be a top blogger.
TWEETABLES
Top bloggers are real and they write with integrity - two tips from @Joelkey.com on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The tips you need to becoming a top blogger from @joelkey.com on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Top bloggers are real and they write with integrity - two tips from @Joelkey.com on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The tips you need to becoming a top blogger from @joelkey.com on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Author bio
Joel has just created a new campaign on his site called WRITE FOR LIFE, the purpose of which is to raise awareness of worldwide illiteracy.
He will donate one cent to a literacy charity for every word I write on my blog, or as a guest post. And guess what? This guest post is his first contribution!
Be sure to check out what Joel is doing here, at WRITE FOR LIFE.
Thought the bit on honesty was spot on! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phoebe. To build a community of dedicated readers, honesty is always the best policy as they can empathise with your message. Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insights, Joel! Being honest and keeping it real are certainly my goals in writing/blogging. It's so important to be vulnerable, especially with a topic like mine.
DeleteI started a group blog with several other writers in January. If you have a chance and want to take a look, I'd love to hear what you think.
http://girlsnightin40.com/2014/02/28/the-great-marriage-eligibility-test/
What a great post. Thanks for your insight and for sharing. My husband and I pursue a motorcycle passion also. I even named my blog, Navigating Life's Curves, after our adventures. I think it's great that you are contributing to worldwide illiteracy. People miss so much without the ability to read.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara. I've just visited your blog and it looks great! One day l'd love to do a bike trip in the US but until then, I'll look forward to keeping up with your adventures! Thanks for reading!
DeleteThank you for the encouragement and guidance - love your blog and your honesty- makes you a top blogger, Edie :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Verna!
DeleteI'm a fairly new blogger and come here often to glean. Thank you, Joel Key. And thank you Edie for continued support to us newbies.
ReplyDeleteHi Terri, thanks so much for reading, and good luck with your new blog. Please feel free to share a link as I'd love to take a look!
DeleteVery nice post. I just started a blog about adventures in motherhood, and I can guarantee you--it is full of honest "I'm just a human being" insights. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHi Krista, your blog is a perfect example of when coming across as a real person suits the topic perfectly. Well done, and the best of luck with the blog! Again, feel free to share a link !
DeletePreparing to start my first blog and appreciate the tip. Honesty is always the best policy.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading, and good luck with the blog!
DeleteJoel, I'm so glad you've visited with us today. Your post is full of valuable tips and advice. Thank you! Blessings, E
ReplyDeleteHi Edie, thank you so much for allowing me to contribute on your fantastic blog!
Delete