Standing Out Can Be A Good Thing
How do you feel when you walk into a place and you don’t know anyone?
Do you…
1. Approach a stranger, smile and introduce yourself
2. Wait for someone to approach you
3. Wish you could disappear
Starting a new blog can be like that. If you don’t already have a following no one really knows what you are about, and at times you can be overlooked. For some bloggers this can be extremely frustrating. It seems as though everyone knows each other, and there you are the new person wanting to join in but perhaps unsure of your approach?
With my new website, I purposely didn’t talk about it here on vegan momma because well I wanted to go through that newbie experience again. Two of you found me, and I was impressed. Many thanks to Catherine from the Business Advice Blog and Pete of My GPS Camera Phone for stopping by and welcoming me properly to my new virtual home. What impressed me was they did a tiny amount of digging to locate me. That is something I would have done. I did leave some clues.
As a new blogger or a person with another new website you might have to work a lot harder to get people to stop by your virtual home. Although I’m not doing anything differently than I do here on vegan momma what I do usually gets some type of attention. When I visit others I make sure I read the post before commenting and only respond if I truly have something to contribute. It’s not a race to me. I’m not trying to rack up enough comments so I can appear on their Top Commentators list (if they have one.) I comment because I want to. I even responded to other commenter’s with my replies.
I don’t need an incentive. I always notice well thought out post from others, and you better believe I’ll click on their name. Naturally people will do the same if you leave similar posts. Looking at my stats every website I commented on I received referrals. I even had some people leave comments. I imagine people wanted to see who was behind that catchy title.
Currently my new website is averaging 30 visitors per day. That’s not bad for a website that will turn two weeks old tomorrow. I’m slightly surprised because well I’m new to freelancing it’s not like I’m writing ground breaking info they’ve never heard about before. They’ve been there.
Although new I went out of my way to be friendly. I didn’t wait for people to make me feel welcome. In the past few weeks I’ve received five link backs from people. I didn’t expect any of them but it was definitely appreciated. That brought more people to my new home and I’ve chatted with a few via email. They’ve been extremely helpful and have been more than willing to answer the questions I’ve asked. The freelance writing community has been very friendly. I appreciate that.
Not Everyone Can Become A Great Writer But A Great Writer Can Come From Anywhere
I’ve always written, but I’m new to freelance writing. I realize that there are certain rules you should follow if you want to be a successful freelance writer. Of course, I want to be a success. I’m learning as much as I possibly can. In order, to do well I believe I need to read as much as possible about the topic an also interact with those who are already doing it.
Yes I know that anyone can write, but that doesn’t mean that a person can sell what they write. I want to do a great job. I want my clients to be happy with my work. Realizing that I can always improve I decided to purchase books on the subject and frequent freelance hangouts.
[tags]freelance writing, My GPS Camera Phone, Catherine Lawson[/tags]
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
So now, you should expect for some of the rest of us to find you., right? :roll:
Looks real good!
Take care. :wink:
Mike’s last blog post..The tweakings done ? for a while ? now the WORK begins.
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Mike,
Thanks! I think some might, lol. You found me fairly quickly. I should have kept my mouth shut about that. ;-)
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
You’re welcome! It had been kind of quiet here and I wondered a little what you’d been up to.
Mike’s last blog post..The tweakings done ? for a while ? now the WORK begins.
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
That took up a little time but the main time has been devoted to studying, article writing, and of course hanging out with my daughter. I have an upcoming test so I want to be ready.
I’ve also been reading some of the freelance writing books I bought. I purchased twelve total. Those should hold me for a while. I don’t want to be one of those people automatically assumes that I can be a paid writer just because I can write.
I figure if I am informed and have a better understanding of what editors are looking for and know how to submit queries it will increase my chances to have my work featured in a print publication. I want to be prepared. If I fly by the seat of my pants I have no one to blame but myself if my work continues to get rejected.
on January 8th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thats a great way to do it! :P
kaylee’s last blog post..That scared me
on January 8th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I remember when I started my very first blog. It was really weird and I kinda felt left out some what. All the bloggers were together and here I was just learning and often at loss for words.
I just kept typing away, and finally found myself in love with blogging.
I now own several blogs and have allot of fun with it.
I promoted the heck out of my blogs on Blog Catalog, My Blog Log and some other popular blogger hand outs.
I think if you are determined to be successful you will be!
WAHM Tara’s last blog post..Being A Work At Home Mom
on January 9th, 2008 at 2:57 am
I often go out of my way to welcome new readers, it makes me feel good…it also makes them feel good too! Lately, I’ve been finding new, talented bloggers from all over. I believe there are many great friendships to be made, no matter what they write about. :smile:
Bobby Revell’s last blog post..The Beauty of Friendship
on January 9th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Opal - I love your new site. I couldn’t wait to go out and find it as soon as you mentioned you were building it.
I’m just impressed at how quickly you’ve launched yourself as a freelancer - it’s brilliant. And I’m keen to follow your progress. Well done.
CatherineL’s last blog post..Are You Exploiting Your Child For The Sake Of Your Business?
on January 9th, 2008 at 5:43 am
kaylee,
Thanks! I always have a plan.
WAHM Tara,
I agree with you. You have to keep working at it and don’t get discouraged.
Bobby Revell,
It’s a win-win situation. There are some who won’t visit your blog if you don’t have a lot of traffic. I never understood that mentality. At times, I hear people write about it on their blog. If I like a blog I’ll comment regardless of the traffic.
Catherine,
Yes that is one way to find me, lol. Although I was quick to create the website it had been my plan for quite a while. That applies to all the websites I create.
When I announce them here I’ve been working on them, in my mind, and notes for quite some time. Having a well thought out plan will make me successful.
on January 9th, 2008 at 9:17 am
when i was young, i used to wish the earth could open and swallow me in. Now I am much better :0
chinnee’s last blog post..Twins Miracle Story
on January 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for the link, much appreciated. :)
pete’s last blog post..Blooming Sour Grass
on January 10th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Good luck on your writing ventures. I’ve always enjoyed your style, compassion, and keen insights. I hope more of the world has the opportunity to be enlightened by them.
on January 10th, 2008 at 1:30 am
By “writing ventures” I meant your new freestyling pursuit. You’re already an accomplished writer.
on January 10th, 2008 at 2:57 am
I don’t ever have a plan, generally. I generally just wing it and land on my feet. :roll:
I’ve already gotten some responses on that other matter we were talking about earlier.
Hope Ganesh is OK.
(It is kind of fun playing I’ve got a secret, but it’s not something I could do for very long or very often)
Mike’s last blog post..BIG BUMP in the road for my online plans?. perhaps.
on January 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
“Currently my new website is averaging 30 visitors per day”
Opal, that’s really good. It just verifies that if you have good content, people will search it out and find it. BTW, you asked about Chloe the other day. I posted some pics of the little weasel in her play tube.
on January 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
30 visitors per day for website that started in December(according to archives anyway) is really good, but that ain’t surprising given your writing-it’s passionate in a way, at least what I’ve read so far is, which is one of the prerequisites of good writing I’d say. So as long as you can write at this level or higher you have nothing to worry about.
on January 16th, 2008 at 5:11 am
I would choose option 1 when i’m in a business gathering - does miracles to the business
option 2 when i’m feeling lazy just wait around - there would be 1 or 2 dudes coming over..
3 when i don’t feel like it for that day…