I love the Tumblemoose community. I know I’ve said it in the past but it’s worth repeating. I don’t have a huge number of subscribers or anything but I do have some dedicated folks who come and comment all of the time.
I was thinking about it the other day. I’d say my regular community (community = my regular Twitter-folk, my subscribers, my commentators, the blogs I subscribe to) is less than 100. And it can be hard to keep up with comments and everything else that goes with being active in the community. It occured to me though, that 100 is a mere drop in the bucket.
My circle of influence is strong, but it needs to grow. So this is what I’m going to do and I challenge you to do the same:
Today I’m going to pick one of the writing blogs that I subscribe to. I’m going to research the archives and find an interesting writing article that has a lot of comments. I’m going to visit each one of the commentator’s web sites and reach out to them by leaving a thoughtful comment on their latest post, and I am going to subscribe to those that hold even the slightest interest for me.
My hope is that I will find some new perspectives on the writing niche. I’m also hoping to have some of those folks with new perspectives come by for a visit.
There is just so much out there, I feel like I’ve yet to even scratch the surface.
I’ll update next week and let folks know how it went.
Are you up to the challenge? Of course you are! Stop back by and let me know what you think and how things went.
Hey! That’s a good idea! I’m going to give it a shot week after next, as I’m going to have family in town this coming week.
Another thing I want to do is touch base with all the first time commenter on my blog in the past month and just say Hey, I’m still here.
Tracy´s last blog post..Beef Cheek Casserole
Let me revise that, I’m not going to literally say HEY!!!! I AM HERE!!! COME BACK TO MY BLOG!!!!!
Although that might be funny.
Tracy,
Hehe. That WOULD be funny.
I wonder if you could set up comment relish to do that for you? Great idea, I think I’ll research it.
George
I haven’t been able to get comment relish to work for me, it sends out an email each time. I think what I am going to do from now on, since I have to manually approve new commenters is have an email I send out saying thanks, hey, y’all come back and btw, I have forums, too!
It’s worth a try, especially on those viral posts that get tons of comments from people who might not have a blog.
Tracy´s last blog post..Beef Cheek Casserole
This is an awesome idea. I don’t have many readers that comment but when they do I always reply to them.I have found great blogs of interest that way.Great post Tumble TY
Tracy,
Since comment relish isn’t working, I would suggest comment mustard or comment mayo – no, wait – I’ve got it!
Comment Baconnaise!!!
G
Hi Pam,
Thanks for that! I think it will be interesting to see the result. I’m pretty excited about it.
George
George, I couldn’t agree more with you needing to grow your influence…as many people as possible deserve to hear what you say.
You really are one of the best at communicating about writing, and it’s not fair for people who are interested in the subject to not know who you are. I’m not just blowing sunshine up your kilt either, I really mean it. Your humility and humbleness have kept me coming back, but to a point it could also be holding you back. Get out there and toot your own horn a bit! You owe it to the people who have yet to find you, they’re just sitting out there in the dark right now wondering where they should go for writing advice…and it’s right here!
Stepping off soapbox now.
Matt
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog post..Don’t Create Your Business Website Without Reading These Five Tips
Yeah, I like the idea of commenting on blogs that comment on blogs you read daily. I did this for 2 weeks start and my feed reader grew a lot those 2 weeks. Also, my blogs traffic went up big time.
Now I started a new blog, lets see how well it does.
Matt,
I am truly humbled by your comment. Thanks, man. I’ll let you know how this turns out.
Cheers
George
Deneil,
Thanks for dropping by. Here’s to the best for your new blog. Feel free to post the URL here so folks can check it out.
George
No problem, I like reading your blog.
Thanks, the link is in my name. Well it is my name.
George,
That’s a great idea. I’m eager to hear the results.
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George,
I can only support Lillie – great idea! That’s a think I should do, too, especially because my community is a lot smaller than yours.
Ulla Hennig´s last blog post..Walking back from the Mountaintop Or: The Powers of Nature
Lillie,
Thanks! Today is the day I choose the blog and start the process. I’ll post the progress next week.
Thanks for dropping by.
George
Ulla,
You are such a kind soul. I know that people will respond to you in a very positive way. If you do this, I’d be interested in seeing the results.
George
Hello George!
You are right on target with this idea, my friend.
One might look at it this way …. From one tiny raindrop of genuine appreciation comes an ocean of reflected love.
OR, put another way … what if Jesus had waited at his carpenter’s bench for the world to change, selfishly keeping all his good ideas to himself?
No, instead he went out and MINGLED with the people, meeting them WHERE THEY WERE (both physically and metaphorically), extending kindness where there was none, healing blindness where there was some, and ultimately conquering the human condition by applying that childlike, yet powerful axiom … The Golden Rule.
WHY is it “Golden?”
Because it is used so seldom in modern life, that, when it IS used, honestly, and without any strings, it can literally change the world.
Just goes to show you that, when you really try humbly to re-center, all the important things really are, or at least should have been, learned in kindergarten.
And I lay another challenge at your writerly feet, George. Try starting a Writer’s Gratitude Journal. You’ll be amazed at how expressing gratitude each day will ultimately translate to (read: TRANSFORM) your “bottom line!”
Cheers!
Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Internet Publisher
http://www.LongShortStories.com
Where the Short Story LIVES!
This is a fantastic idea, George. Building blocks for one’s community in a more natural way. Not artificial or contrived. And more importantly, you can work at it at your own pace. Love this idea. I will adopt this method, too.
I’ve found that most of my die-hard loyal readers were….”secured” for lack of a better word….by commenting on their blogs after finding them on other related blogs. I’ve actually made some really good friends that way. The extra traffic doesn’t hurt either.
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Hi Wayne.
And thank you. I absolutely believe in the power of gratitude. In fact I’m one of those folks who carry a gratitude rock with me every day. It’s shaped like a little pink heart and my daughter gave it to me. Whenever I feel it in my pocket it reminds me of her and how thankful I am for everything I have.
Cheers
George
Jan,
I think it is a good idea. I’ll let you know the results!
George
Cassie,
I do believe that organic growth, while paying attention to the readership is the way to go.
George
My little personal blog is giving me a lot of joy because I’ve made contact with some amazing thinkers and writers. Tumblemoose is an outstanding blog and has taught me loads in a very short time. What I admire most about Tumblemoose is the consistent professional attitude tempered with just the right amount of friendliness. Tumblemoose is always straightforward – I like that a lot.
Everybody should feel free to comment – nobody’s judging you – it’s all about give and take and sharing.
Paisley´s last blog post..The Last Word
Thank you for you post, i recently came across your blog and have been reading along.. Are there any forums that you recommend I join ?