April 17, 2012 186 Comments

Earning Attention

Radar

When I post something new to this blog, I make the effort to go onto Twitter and ask a question that leads back to the post. I also do some things to get people’s attention via Google+. It’s become part of what every media maker does. Most people who run blogs say something to the effect of “I don’t know what I did to get more traffic before Twitter came along.”

I try my best to create useful information that helps business professionals and those seeking to grow their own capabilities. When I post this information to those outposts, it’s with the intent of being useful and catching someone’s attention. But I also don’t do a lot to try and shove any posts hard into anyone’s face. I just push it out, see if it has legs, and let it go from there. Even if I’m trying to sell something, I’m never about the hard sell. I just hope.

I see more and more people asking for attention. More and more people ask me for retweets and reposts and shares. More and more people ask me to amplify their media. Not their “very important” stuff, not their “trying to cure cancer” stuff. Just their “post that I really want people to read” stuff.

Asking for Retweets Isn’t Marketing

These requests for retweets and reshares fall into two categories: desperation and nice-to-have. I’ve just started to outright ignore the desperate. If you’re counting on me to save you with retweets, you’re not quite marketing, are you? If it’s nice-to-have, I’ve taken to thinking about whether you’ve talked to me socially in any capacity except to ask me for something in the last several months. That lets me ignore another whole swath of requests.

But There’s Just More to This

This feels a bit like a whining/complaining post. It is, a little bit. I’m really sick of “friends” seeing me as a force amplifier and not someone you want to actually interact with. But that’s not the bigger point.

What makes any of this sustainable marketing and business generating if it all relies on this hand-sharing effort? If the media isn’t finding its way to the right eyes just on its own, then how is anyone selling this as really effective and important marketing? Wouldn’t effective marketing be the kind of marketing that doesn’t require you to leg-hump people for shares and retweets?

Thank the sweet zombie that I’m not in tech blogging. I get the pitches, because people somehow don’t really read my blog, but instead send form letters about how they really love what I write, and could I cover their amazing start-up that is going to really turn the Klout/Kred thing on its head? But dear lordy, every time I see that pitch, I’ll see a story that’s almost a copy and paste of the junk that came with the pitch show up as a blog post somewhere else. Hint: I stopped reading the major tech blogs months and months ago. Hint2: I get the best stories from you, so I don’t have to read them to stay up.

Media isn’t sustainable marketing material if it requires begging to keep it fed.

Is This Worth It?

Some of you have noticed that I stopped blogging daily. Know why? Because Julien Smith asked me if it was worth it. He asked me what would change if I blogged once a week or so. Answer: absolutely nothing. Subscribers stay. You comment on the ones you like. You share the ones you think are useful to you. Business comes sometimes. It doesn’t other times. It’s just what it is.

Do I fuss over everything? No. Not even a little.

But What If You’re Starting Out?

If you’re starting out, you need a little more traction. You have to try and find more eyes. Sure, I get that. But do you get them by leg humping and begging, or do you get them by writing really great stuff, by showing up and participating where really great communities exist, by writing really useful guest posts on sites that are brethren to your own material? It’s B, not A.

If we want to earn people’s attention, it’s not through begging for tweets and retweets and shares. It’s through creating information that’s useful, that others can benefit from, and that will grow the space beyond just our own needs. That’s what will earn attention.

How I Earned My Attention, and Keep Earning It

People pay attention to me for the following reasons:

  • I write useful things you can use for your own purposes.
  • I share mostly positive opinions about what might help in the future. (Sorry this post isn’t as positive.)
  • I seek to do something more than talk about what everyone else is talking about.
  • I intend for small and large businesses to use this information for their own needs.
  • I write like I care about you (because I do).

Nowhere in there do I say that I earn attention by begging. Nowhere in there do I say I earn attention by pestering people beyond a few quick posts to the outposts. It’s all the basics: write useful stuff. Share useful stuff. Care about the people you hope to reach. Repeat.

It took me 8 years to get my first 100 readers.

Earn it.

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

Newer Comments →
  • http://twitter.com/AMauiBlog Liza Pierce

    “It took me 8 years to get my first 100 readers” – that line you wrote … that to me is a powerful testimony. Chris, you earned it (our attention), you really did.  Take me for example: I do not like subscribing to a lot of blogs. I subscribe to only a handful and you’re one of them.  Why? Because I always learn from you. Not only do I subscribe to your blogs, I even buy your books, in print!  And yes, you write it like you care, and you do.  You inspire me to do my best, and to persevere, and that’s worth the attention.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I’m grateful for your kindness, Liza. Thanks for being here. I try to earn that right every day. 

  • http://www.creative-solutions-direct.co.uk/ Creative Solutions

    Well said.  Pestering everyone for attention is not marketing. It is rude and yes, smacks of desperation. I believe it is disrespectful to demand people’s precious time over fluff. If what you have to offer is life changing, or at least life enhancing, to the audience – if it has legs, it will run and run.

  • http://twitter.com/rdopping Ralph Dopping

    Thank you. I am right on track. One year, 29 readers……Great points on leg-humping. Not sure I’ve done that but have tried the other. You are now the umpteenth blogger that has suggested guest-posting. Guess I fall in line and get it done or is that not “seeking more than what everyone else is talking about”?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Get into it. It works. : ) 

  • Brandi Schoch

    My blog is informative in nature as is yours. I think asking questions and letting people know where they can find information on twitter is all that is needed. I don’t get too many retweet this requests thankfully. I also find begging for donations to be a bit annoying as well.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      With donations, at least I feel like I’m trying to help something/someone. 

  • Elaine

     ”It took me 8 years to get my first 100 readers” – you have NO idea how much you have just encouraged me Chris.

    A mentor of mine who knew how hard I was (and still am) working once said to me “some day people will look at you and say She is Lucky – they will have no idea of how much hard work it took”.

    Thank you — I’m so glad you are one of the few I did’nt unsubscribe to.

    Elaine

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I’m glad it resonated. People forget that success isn’t a fast food ordeal. 

  • http://twitter.com/DerekWriteLines Derek Thompson

    Thanks Chris (and to Julian Summerhayes who pointed me to you via Twitter). It’s a timely reminder that having a vision at the outset helps to keep the focus and stay on track. And also that more readers / followers doesn’t automatically mean a comparable number of conversations to customers.

  • http://www.suzemuse.com/ Susan Murphy

    One point I’d like to make about what I’ve learned about getting retweeted by someone who has a big following. Sure, it’s kind of fun when it happens….your traffic spikes and your twitter notifications go wild for a little while…maybe, if your post is really good, you spend a few extra hours that day responding to comments.

    But traffic spikes generated by people like you, Chris, are very fleeting. I might pick up a few new subscribers (must more likely not). I might get a couple of new followers on twitter (I have met some interesting people this way). But I guarantee, that even thought you might have sent 500 or 600 people to my site (which I appreciate), the next day, I’m back to my 75.

    And I am totally okay with my 75. Why? Because I’ve earned every one of them. Those are the people who have changed my business. Those are the ones I’ve really worked for.

    My advice to people is, don’t spend all your time trying to get the attention of the big names. Produce spectacular content, and find the audience that will respond. You can do it. You don’t need the Chris Brogans of the world to hoist you up on his shoulders. He’s got his own audience to nurture.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Exactly! Totally and utterly! You pick up a few trickles, but even if you got a million views in a day, that doesn’t really do much for the longer run. My busiest day didn’t start a new age of wealth for me. It was just a high traffic day. 

  • http://blog.writethat.name/ Brad Patterson @ Kwaga

    Love it, Chris.

    No more leg-humping, indeed.  Earn it.  It can be tempting from time-to-time to ask for that extra push from our community, but really it boils down to:1) Is the info useful and pertinent?  SHARE and grow your community.2) Is it a leg-hump? If so, then you’re better off humping yourself because you’re the only one benefitting, and any ‘needy’ favor ends up detracting from your community.People are thinking too short term these days…  fine post, and you’re right… we comment on the ones we like!   -Brad

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      To me, this is one of those things that won’t need a checklist once you check yourself. I think people just kind of forget and get too anxious. 

  • http://twitter.com/KatieDavisBurps Katie Davis

    Love this. An extreme example of a request for re-amplification, is an email a reader sent, seriously asking me, “Why should I have to set up my own platform when you’ve already got one. You could illustrate my book, and then we could market it through you.”

    Thanks, as always, Chris for your honesty and thoughts. Love it.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Hahahahahaha! I love those kinds of letters. : ) 

  • Teri Johnson

    Real. Authentic. Truth. That’s what this post communicates to me, not negative at all. Thank you for sharing this…it encourages me to keep on keeping on! It took me 2.5 years to get 274 people to subscribe to my email list — then all of a sudden it trippled because of a series of good content in 30 days. No begging or “leg-humping” just perseverance and creativity. I’m a newbie at your site — and I’m grateful I found it. Thank YOU!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You’re already doing great stuff, then, Teri. Faster than me. : ) 

  • Nick

    Great post. 

  • http://twitter.com/barryharvey Barry Harvey

    Thanks Chris – a heartfelt and inspiring post. If it took you that long, there is hope for others.

    By piggy backing on those who have done all the hard work, one is just guilty of mass marketing. Effectively it becomes spam.

    If someone naturally disseminates information, then it will be because they feel that some, at least, of their audience may be interested. Then it is more natural and their may be some synergy between the two sets of audiences. If it isn’t natural, it wont work.

    Any audience should be listening to a particular business or person because what is being said is relevant and they want to hear it. Hopefully, they are prospects or interested third parties who have some influence on your prospects.

    They are following for a reason. If it is taking a long time to build followers, that is also for a reason. Because there are many demands on time and many sources of information and a mountain of people who are not convinced they even need the information being providing.

    The answer for all of us not already successful is to get better at what wedo and stick to the strategy – there are no shortcuts.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You’d be stunned by the WHO of this particular argument, though. I’m not going to name names, but it’s unfortunate. 

  • Mary Ulrich

    Okay Chris, now I have this image of you as the superhero “Force Amplifier” in a series of graphic comic books on marketing/social media.

    Instead of the Batman cape, it’s more like Joseph’s technicolor quilt coat with each square saying, “Google plus” “Twitter” “Facebook”… 

    “Force” (as he is known to his friends) flies through the social media web (glittering like in the Matrix) and constantly has to decide who he will save with his retweet wand and halo power (“Halo” is the psychological term for hanging with people who are influencial and famous). The bad guys are the spammers and masses of lazy, greedy people who don’t want to do the work, just want megabucks.

    This comic book could be a great teaching tool. I bet your audiences would love it. I’d love it. Plus, isn’t FORCE a great name?

    • Sgregory57

      hahahahahaha! thanks for the laugh Mary!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You’re a hero, Mary. Thanks for the smile on an otherwise bleak day. 

  • http://paulinemwangi.com/ Pauline

    ” It took me 8 years to get my first 100 readers.”

    Chris, this is very encouraging, am barely 1 year old online and was already getting restless. It is easy to assume that those who are good at it and have many readers became successful overnight.

    I also like what you pointed out about posting a blog post daily or the need not to if you have nothing really worthwhile to share.

    Thank you

    • http://twitter.com/bcoelho2000 Bruno Coelho

      Pauline that phrase also stuck with me! Because we surround ourselves with so many success stories that we lost track of two important things: 

      a) the number of people trying to do the same thing that didn’t make it yet
      b) the impact that we can make on ONE just ONE subscriber’s Life.

      If this is true, when we look at the numbers of our readers or members list and begin to stress – it’s our EGO that’s getting in the way whispering things like: “you’re not worth people’s attention”.
      Thanks to honest and humble posts like Chris we can check our EGO and realize that Success is a journey where we have to practice the right concepts over a long period of time while facing either a little or a lot of adversity.

      I believe that the only way that we can do this is together.

      How about you?

      • http://paulinemwangi.com/ Pauline

         How true Bruno, how true! It is only with this kind of support and encouragement from others who are doing what we are,that will spurs us to the next level.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Everyone around us is a success story with roots long before we showed up. : ) 

  • thetiniesttiger

    I am so glad that I read this post first thing this morning. Just when I was feeling discouraged, I got a pep talk from you reinforcing that slow and steady does indeed win the race. Thanks for the gentle reminder.  

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You’ll get there. Just help others. Over and over. 

  • http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

    Earn.  Sadly that has become an old-fashioned word in this world of immediate gratification.  Fortunately, I believe those who do understand it’s meaning will accomplish more…and feel more accomplished… in the longrun.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I’m bringing earning back, yeah! (Go Justin Timberlake!) 

  • http://mountcomp.net Mountcomp

    Well said, Chris! I’ve been a subscriber via RSS for a long while, but this is the first post that has had legs enough with me to comment on. Having been associated with an organization with newly famous athletes, I was blown away by the number of people asking for retweets!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I’m glad to earn your comment, sir. Thank you for decloaking. It means more to me than you’d imagine. 

  • startmywebpage

    Finally someone said it!

  • Glory2727

    Extremely useful for beginner’s . My Social Media began two years ago at the age of 78. I am still in Social Media 101 and now beginning to blog a little. I put my blog outthere once in a while and wondered who read them. Now I am beginning to get comments. So this info is important. Thank you.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Glory, you’re a hero. I would love to know where you blog or do your media. Send me the URL? chris @ chrisbrogan . com 

    • http://www.donnamaria.com/ Donna Maria Coles Johnson

      Yay for you, Glory!

  • http://www.brittanybotti.com/ Brittany Botti

    Yes, well said Chris. Thank you for calling all of us out! :) I like how you said that you don’t hard sell, you just hope. I’m drawn more towards people like that, and are off put by a hard sell. I’m sure I’m not alone.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I sell. I sell every day. I just don’t push it down anyone’s throat. 

  • http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

    You had me at ‘leg humping’ :)

    But seriously. I’ve been trying to watch my own sharing habits lately and there is one obvious difference of what gets shared and what doesn’t. There is a lot of GOOD content out there, but this level is generally useful in very specific contexts for individuals who need that information RIGHT NOW.

    Then there is great content. The stuff you simply cannot miss out on because it’s cool, fun, useful, thought provoking, etc. It’s not always easy to create content at that level (and to do this consistently). But I’ll be damned if I don’t try!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You know what’s funny? I knew the phrase “leg humping” would steal the show, and yet, you won’t forget the post. : ) 

      Thank you, Rick. I’m glad you’re part of the story. 

      • http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

        Funny you should mention that. My goal lately is to live a life so that I have a story worth telling :)

  • http://twitter.com/RhondaHurwitz Rhonda Hurwitz

    It’s called earned media for a reason!  This antic of “begging for likes” has bothered  me, so I am glad you wrote about it.  FWIW, you have earned a place in my inbox and I  welcome your content because it has value:) 

  • Claudene (aka @RunnerBliss)

    Yeah.  Hell yeah.  :D

  • http://twitter.com/RebekahRadice Rebekah Radice

    This post resonated with me for so many reasons Chris. You’re dead
    on with calling out the whiners and beggars. Asking for RT’s or mentions reeks
    of desperation and no one wants to spend time promoting or socializing with
    someone pleading for others to take notice or simply looking for a free
    ride. 

    Thank you for your candid comments about backing off on blogging
    every day and the fact that it hasn’t made a difference. I also appreciate your
    last line about how long it took to build your community. I have been blogging
    for 3 years and often feel frustrated with my results but know that they only
    way to succeed is to keep pushing forward. Thanks for the nudge this morning!!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      That’s why I say it, Rebekah. Because you’re doing great work, and if you’re worried that you don’t have 100K subscribers, that’ll come in time. With lots and lots and lots of hard work. 

  • Michelle Barry Franco

    So good. Yes. My favorite part:
    “It took me 8 years to get my first 100 readers. Earn it.”
    There is no overnight success (which you teach us beautifully) and the road to getting there is full of time, energy, commitment to quality Contribution and heart investment. That’s just it.
    As for me, four years in, I’d guess it’s around 2am in my process – maybe 4am ;)

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Overnight success is for people who work nights, evidently. : ) 

  • http://www.ryanhanley.com/ Ryan Hanley

    Chris… 

    I definitely not big-time enough to have people ASK me to re-tweet something so it just seems crazy that people actually do that…

    I mean if you were to re-tweet something of mine it was me an Honor… An achievement… But it wouldn’t feel that way if I had to solicit it and you Pitty Re-Tweeted my stuff.

    So basically you get messages that say “Hey, can you re-tweet my post so I poach your twitter follows that I haven’t earned?”

    Nuts… Maybe I’m missing something but that doesn’t seem like a good way to start or maintain a relationship with YOU… Forget your followers… 

    Crazy dude… Also BTW just an observation… I think since you’ve gone to less frequent format of posting on a per post basis the articles have been so much more valuable… 

    Keep up the good work!!

    Ryan H.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I don’t know about big-time or not, but I know that it doesn’t feel well at whatever time. 

      And thanks for the feedback. I don’t disagree. 

  • Jason

    Great post. 

  • http://www.MacStartup.com Kevin Cullis

    And you’re greatest “earn it” is THANKING  me personally for something I wrote that you liked!! That meant TONS to me and I posted your comments on my blog. Your thank you endeared you to me, not like others that steal or take and do not comment, not that I’m expecting it at all.

    And, you’re a Mac fan. :D

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Of course, Kevin. But that’s the thing. That will earn a MUCH better longer term relationship than leg humping. 

      • http://www.MacStartup.com Kevin Cullis

        And, it is OK to ask someone to reply to your posts/comments/answers, I just think it’s NOT good to go begging for it, which is what you’re saying.

        Asking is OK, begging is not.

  • Catherine W

    Chris, its not whining when you tell it like it is.  While social media has opened amazing opportunities for creators to share directly with their audience, it also has unleashed the electronic social climber, the cyber link-collector. Kudos to you for calling them out.
    Earning is how we collect the stories which resonate. Trying, and failing, changing, re-evaluating, lead to the heart of our story.
    Communities grow one reader, one comment at a time. Thanks for reminding us of this simple truth.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      The electronic social climber. Would make a swell article. : ) 

  • http://ajleon.me ajleon

    Great post, my friend. Hope you are well. :)

  • http://www.marcensign.com/blog Marc Ensign

    Nice post Chris!  When I was working regularly as a musician on Broadway I was constantly getting 3-4 sentence pitches to be my sub. The majority of them went something like “I’m great. I play really fast. I can read music. You should hire me.”  Very rarely did anyone ever mention how I could benefit from the relationship…it was always about them.  The guys that I always ended up choosing were the ones that reached out by saying “hey, I know it’s tough playing the same show night after night so if you ever need a break I would love to sub for you. It’s a big deal to me so I can make sure to be available even last minute so you can always rely on me!” Wow…much different experience!  Those were the guys that ended up working the most while the others just kept sending out the same 4 sentences over and over again with no results.  

    By the way, can you do me a big favor and retweet this comment?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      You’re already on my “forever awesome” list. : ) 

  • Steven

    You’re right. And as for people who are using Twitter and other “social” media outlets to push their wares like a dope dealer, I believe that in the long run it will do more harm than good. I’ve reached the point where I want to unfriend or unfollow people who I’m actually interested in following. It drives me crazy, and as much as I’d like to support those people, I don’t want to put up with their “look at me” approach to marketing themselves.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Agreed. It won’t be where we go to look for what’s new or interesting. 

  • http://twitter.com/robzie81 Rob Zaleski

    This post both inspired and scared the bejesus out of me. I just started blogging this year and I have like 6 followers so far, and not a single comment. 8 years for your first 100 readers? Whew, this is a long road ahead, isn’t it? I’m strapping in. I really like the idea of finding my own niche, but I’m still looking for that unique voice. Thanks for the very honest post. This kind of stuff reminds the rest of us that the greats started off plugging away to barely a few followers too. 

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      It’ll take you less time than it took me, but longer than you think. : ) 

    • http://twitter.com/MagnetismFactor Lauren Fritsch

      what keeps me coming back to blogs: 
      1. great content
      2. great design
      3. consistency. down to the hour they post each day (or whatever) though i do love me some Derek Halpern and he’s not in the consistency camp.
      4. an actually good newsletter 

      In that order. 

  • Sgregory57

    I got involved in a lower level version of what you are talking about and wish I hadn’t for the exact reasons you’ve outlined.  On a LinkedIn group I belong to, someone posted a discussion that invited everyone to like everyone else’s FB page.  I did a few and a few people liked my page back.  Then I realized how ridiculous this was.  People who couldn’t care less about my page were leaving messages there saying nice page, please please like our page too.  What a totally useless endeavour.  I felt rather shallow after engaging this way.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Glad you found a different way. 

  • http://www.rizzotees.com/ Chris @ Rizzo Tees

    I do not believe there is anything inherently wrong with asking your friends for assistance. Therefore, on the rare occasion where I’m working on something that’s important to me, I will sometimes add “PLS RT” to the end of a tweet. I won’t say it “works” or “doesn’t work,” but it does help to spread the word on said project, which is one small micro-goal which hopefully leads to project success.

    You say “earn it,” and I feel that, amongst our friends (i.e. Twitter followers, email subscribers, etc), we have earned it. I’ve commiserated with my followers and friends for years now. Like you, I’ve offered advice in person, in speeches, in blog posts, and in private via email responses. If we follow each other, we’re buds. We owe each other nothing. Yet, if you ask for my assistance, I’m there for you. If you ask me to RT something, and we know each other well, I’ll assume what you’re working on is of great importance to you.I understand where you’re coming from, Chris. As a high profile person with a large following, strangers must constantly ask you for RTs and other favors like long-lost relatives crawl out from under rocks when one wins the lottery. This must be time consuming and draining, as you dispense no after no, and many of the requesters must be nothing more than complete strangers to you. Even I sometimes get tired of dealing with stuff like this, and I get about 1% of the inbound inquiries and attention you get. It gets old.

    We are fools to think there are shortcuts in life. 550-day-old companies selling for $1bn will only add fuel to this fire. There are no shortcuts, and hard work is the only path to reaching your goals. I believe in doing great things, taking chances and hopefully doing something to, as Simon Sinek says, help the human race. However, when the time comes to lean on a friend, I feel comfortable in doing so.

    • http://www.knektion.com/ Brittany Highland

      @RizzoTees:disqus , after reading this article in my Feed, I clicked over to @chrisbrogan:disqus ’s blog to comment…but found that you had already said what I wanted to say. Like many other things in business and life, there is a healthy balance to find. Asking my neighbor for assistance carrying a heavy piece of furniture upstairs isn’t abusive if we know one another and have built a mutual trust. The same concept applies to professional relationships and sharing on social networks. My blog on Austin, TX has blossomed over the past two months because my business partner is intentional about asking for help in the social share realm. But he’s also intentional about building the relationships before asking for help, and he’s always generous when it is time to reciprocate. 

      I think it’s a pretty simple equation. We just need to remember what works in our personal relationships and apply it to business.

  • http://www.moneywatch101.com/ RichUncle EL

    This is really eye opening but something I already knew in the back of my mind was going to be difficult to attain. Messing with people’s emails is becoming more and more sacred as spammers messed it up or us bloggers. I am into this blogging thing for about 6 months now and I only have 27 readers, 38 twitter followers, and 13 google friends. At times it’s fustrating but It is a challenge to do better and earn them as you mentioned.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Six months in? I had half of that. : ) 

  • Shannon

    “Leg-Hump”  LMFAO!!!  I LOVE reading your blog posts!!

  • http://twitter.com/JudyHelfand JudyHelfand

    Chris,
    I remember the first time you “tweeted” about something I wrote. You had tweeted or retweeted about women and equality and I shared a link with you to a post I had written about Lilly Ledbetter. I was startled, honored, and yes even humbled that you thought enough about my post to share it with others.  You see, I didn’t ask you to share it…you opted to share it. And, that my friend, was why I was honored. PLUS I could tell that you actually read my post.
    This is what drives me more crazy with sharing, retweeting, etc. I am not always sure that the ”star” has read the article, post…whatever. It seems I can read movie reviews and even book recommendations and realize that the reviewer really didn’t preview the movie or read the book.  

    Anyway, what I have come to appreciate about you is that when you do RT or share something it almost always has value…and that, my friend, is what makes the difference.

    Talk to you later.
    Judy

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Thanks, Judy. It seems to me that if we don’t curate, we’re not doing our job for others. 

  • http://www.bernixiong.com/ Berni Xiong (sh-UNG)

    You had me at “leg hump.”

    Another excellent post, cuz! Thank you for the wisdom!

  • http://thoughtwrestling.com/blog Mark Dykeman

    If you had asked, I wouldn’t have ReTweeted this or shared this on Google +.  But I did, so you must be doing something right.  Or maybe I was just impressed by your Karaoke rap in Chicago during last year’s SOB Con.  Or your vast knowledge of comic books.  I don’t know.

    Fair point, though and, as always, Suzemuse is right.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Lord only knows what that karaoke does to RUIN my perception in the eyes of others, so if it won you, I’m thinking you’re the right kind of crazy. : ) 

  • Pingback: The Spin Within» Blog Archive » 5 PR Links You Need to Read

  • http://twitter.com/LedgeDancer Angela Moore

    This topic kept me up all night last night. It’s like you’re always in my head!  P.S. Love “leghumping” may I please borrow?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      It’s all yours!

  • http://www.MikeWilliamsPro.com/ Mike Williams

    I recently learned this when I decided to get serious with blogging and work the best way I can. I started with Twitter in 08 racked up followers and still to this day I am  not sure what to do with them LOL. I am happy I can start over and engage with people who actually give a “ish” and that goes the same for me too. I have followed you for a while. I finally get what you have been saying for years. There isn’t any rapid success with social media, you must build it, build it, and build some more. Thanks for consistently bringing value and I promise to get better each day.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Numbers are a weird game. They actually DO count for something. They just don’t often count for what we really need them to count for. Does that even make sense? : ) 

      • http://www.MikeWilliamsPro.com/ Mike Williams

        It makes plenty of sense. Thanks

  • http://twitter.com/JosephPutnam Joseph Putnam

    Hi Chris,

    Unfortunately, I have to admit that I have fallen on occasion into the trap of being one of these annoying “please RT” people, and I apologize. It really is lazy marketing, and I can’t imagine what it’s like sitting on your side of the table with everyone wanting you to amplify their message. This may not be a “positive” post, but it is a post you’re entitled to write. Thanks for keeping us honest, and sorry for the hassle. 

    Joseph

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I think we ALL do it sometimes. This is just a reminder to not do it. : ) 

  • Amani Channel

    Thanks for these reminders Chris. Great stuff. 

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Always glad you’re here. : ) 

  • http://twitter.com/epicenterone Aaron Nelson

    Brilliant! I think I’ve chocked back loud LOL’s at the leg humping line for the past 15 minutes that I’ve been reviewing 74+ comments here. 

    Earning online success. Yes! Preach it. And thank you for sharing that it took you 8 years to get 100 subscribers. There is hope! 

  • http://twitter.com/MightyWiseMedia Eric T. Wagner

    Chris, you really do rock.  

    So down to earth — so real.  Love it.

    You have a new fan here my friend…  :-)  Eric

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      I’m plenty of flawed things, too. Thanks for being here. : ) 

  • http://twitter.com/vkippes Victor Kippes

    Thanks Chris.  I share your stuff with my employees often.  The leg humping stuff was funny.  Great post. 

  • http://twitter.com/joannapaterson Joanna Paterson

    Hi Chris, I just wanted to say I’m enjoying following your blog more now you’re posting a bit less often. It feels more measured somehow.

    I’m also sensing through the various strands you share with us that you’ve been finding your own way of being and doing in this slightly crazy online world, and I’m glad if it’s getting to a place where you can see the patterns and cut through some of the stuff that isn’t so good for you personally – including people who for whatever reason didn’t or don’t see you as a human being, but ‘just’ someone with reach.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      It’s a lot bigger world being shoved into a different perspective and expression of that perspective than before, yes. And I’m so glad to still have you here after so many years. That’s fun! : ) 

  • http://www.anandmpatel.com/ Anand Patel

    Although I have heard of you and your blog so often, this was actually my first time taking a look and reading a post…definitely enjoyed it and your candidness. Hope the post gives your leg a little freedom ;) 

    • http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

      Funny that this is the first one. Fancy that. : ) 

Newer Comments →