How To Create Blogging Synergy
The Web 2.0 and blogging era give us a great way to connect with each other, but on what level are we really connecting? I know for a fact that e-mailing somebody and commenting on their blog will only take your relationship so far. Humans need something more, they need something real.
The Real Trick To Networking Online Is…
… to take the dialogue off line. Meeting a blogger face to face, or even over the phone will get you in a relationship forming position. People trust people more than they trust computers, and creating a physical impression will take you way further than an avatar ever could.
“Relationships are everyone’s business and every business is about relationships” ~ Liz Strauss
How I Do It
This weekend was the first (of many) annual SOB Conventions. An event that brought together a diverse group of bloggers, with the intention of building relationships and helping each other grow. You get a great deal of blogging tips when you get fourteen professional bloggers speaking in a seminar. You get even more blogging tips when the microphone is passed around the room to each and every person in attendance to share their best blogging tip.
My Blogging Tip: No tricks or gimmicks will ever compare to really caring about and catering for your readers.
Reading John Chow dot Com is a great way to learn about blogging, making money on the internet, delicious food, and exotic cars. Imagine how much more you could get out of talking to John Chow on the phone or better yet, having a nice conversation over some Pho.
One great thing I learned at SOBCon occurred after the actual seminar, when everyone was being social around the bar and lobby. I’ll save what I learned for a future post, but I’ll tell you that you get some really great blogging tips after people have a few beers. 
What You Can Do
If you don’t have the time or money, it really isn’t necessary to fly around the country to meet fellow bloggers. Something as simple as picking up the phone, and giving someone a call, is enough to take your relationship with a fellow blogger to the next level.
It’s happening all over the world as we speak. Bloggers are Skyping each other, brainstorming ways to improve their blogs, and creating stronger bonds, friendships and relationships. It’s free, so you get your money’s worth, and if you’re smart you get to double up the conversation as a recorded podcast interview 
Never underestimate the power of synergy: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
This is a guest post by Alex Shalman. Alex writes about self help and personal development on one of the fastest growing blogs on the net.
- Posted in The Net
- 42 comments what's your take?
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Loading ...
so you’re an author here at john chow dot com now, alex?
Reply to this commentAlways good to have different voices on a blog
Looks like John is ramping up on the guest bloggers in preperation for his trip.
Reply to this commentNothing wrong with some more voices, I agree. I tried to get John to fly me into Taiwan with him, but he wouldn’t budge =)
Reply to this commentor you’ve been here for a while, and i didn’t notice it
Reply to this commentThis is actually my first post, but I’m a long time reader. I hope to bring much value and a different post to John’s many (MANY) readers.
Reply to this commentI mean to say different voice, not post
Reply to this commentCongrats on becoming an author here!
Reply to this commentThank you
Reply to this commentNice post, i enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to more posts from you
Reply to this commentAnd I am looking forward to more comments from you, thank you.
Reply to this commentSo, can I call ya? How’s that for synergy? I’m rather new at this blog, but I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed. I’m hoping to grow my blog a little more and was looking for new ways. I think mine is somewhat of a difficult niche, but I’m workin’ on it.
Take care
Reply to this commentI’m completely booked for this week, if you go to my site and use my contact form, I’ll get back to you. Next week we’ll be able to do phone calls.
Reply to this commentGood meeting you at SOBCon, Alex. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of personal contact - it’s all too easy to hide behind our boxes and gadgets. Hope to see you at future conferences!
Reply to this commentYou too Easton. The next 2 conferences I’m going to are in NYC. FOOA June 7&8 and Blog Bash June 9.
Reply to this commentI’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about Blog Bash in NY. Are you speaking there or just “mingling” like the rest?
Reply to this commentLast year I met some of my blog readers in person. It was a slightly different situation because they didn’t have blogs of their own, they just liked to read mine, so it was a slightly one-sided situation.
While it was nice to meet them in person it was also an odd feeling, because they already knew so much about me but I knew barely anything about them. The moral of the story is bloggers: connect with your readers and readers: leave comments and don’t be lurkers! (Not that JohnChow.com is lacking comments.)
Reply to this commentI think on average only 1-2% of readers leave comments. That’s not really a problem though. Some people are on the run and just want the cold hard facts, others do it for community. This is why I think it is important to find a perfect balance and cater for all your readers (although it will never be possible to please everyone).
Reply to this commentConsidering the number of comments John recieves he must have 100K+ readers!
Reply to this commentI think John’s comment percentage is a BIT higher than average
Reply to this commentGood advice! Question: How can this apply to a hyperlocal news blog?
Reply to this commentContact me - http://alexshalman.com/blog/contact - and send me more details about this blog. I’ll try to help you from there.
Reply to this commentI agree with the idea of networking and getting to know other bloggers..and one can also use msn messenger or facebook…to facilitate this.
Reply to this commentHi all;
Pretty basic stuff.
No offence to JC (nor Alex), but I really think you (John Chow) should pick better articles to write about. These kinds of articles are pretty much basic stuff, even for me, a humble newbie. It’s pretty much common sense.
To sum it up:
1.) Comments are good, but it’s only the start;
2.) Meet people offline to make connections;
3.) John Chow’s blog “rawwwks”.
I would like to see more useful articles that would benefit us, your loyal audience, regardless the author. The fine dining, cars, gloat posts, massive paid reviews, youtube videos and the alike, don’t work for me. I never clicked on your ads either.
Talk more about your main site, better yet, talk about your past errors, hardware/software/host recommendations (without being a paid review!), how did you started from scratch, who did you meet when you were struggling in the beginning, any kinds of tips that will increase our productivity, make small interviews with others big bloggers and so son.
Unfortunately, I know the only way for you to consider this is when your blog earnings/visits starts to drop, but if you keep this way, that day might not be very far. I’m starting to read more negative posts about your blog (through your free batches) nowadays.
Take care.
Sorry for the poor writting skills, but english isn’t my natural language.
Reply to this commentSo who can give me John’s phone number ?
Reply to this commentAlex, are you from the Chicago area? I chatted with Wendy Piersall via email about attending but in the end family time/commitments won out over the event.
Nice post and welcome to JC as a guest author!
Reply to this commentNo derek, I’m from New Jersey.
Reply to this commentCongraculations Alex, i tagged your blog too
Reply to this commentso what tips did you get after everybody had a few beers.
Reply to this commentI like the few of beers, like John says
Reply to this commentGreat post and I completely agree that bloggers should form relationships. Ive sent emails to a few, but I should start calling. Great post!
Reply to this commentits actually the best thing you can do: connect with fellow bloggers.
networking is a very good way to maximize your income as well, because you get to know other income sources
Reply to this commentWhile a more personal connection is useful in taking project ideas to the next level, I don’t believe that blogging fits this description unless one intends to partner with someone for content. While it might fulfill some social need, a personal relationship is not more effective than the usual means for blog promotion and social networking.
Reply to this commentIt’s so easy to fire off short comments and communiqués that we become lazy and forget about the importance of other forms of communication.
Refreshing post.
Reply to this commentIt usually happens on a forum I used to access. At the end of the years the writers gather a lot of their readers on a disco. A friend of mine and I went to this meeting.
The detail is that I live in Rio and this friend in Espirito Santo, and we went to Sao Paulo (the economic center of Brazil) just for this party. We also met another great blogger friend of both. It was fantastic; a great opportunity to improve your relationships and also discuss the blogosphere (”blogosfera”).
Reply to this commentParty at John’s place; lobster for everyone! I’ve never been to British Columbia.
Reply to this commentEstablishing offline relationships with the people you do “business” with online is hardly a new concept, but I appreciate that you gave it much emphasis, Alex. It has definitely bridged gaps more and made personal connections stronger.
Reply to this commentThe link where u mentioned abut “Pho” John Chow on the phone or better yet, having a nice conversation over some Pho. is not correct, it refers to http://www.johnchow.com/bluefur-meets-pho/http://www.johnchow.com/bluefur-meets-pho/….so giving the 404 error. Plz correct the duplication.
Reply to this commentHey John what is your phone number? so we can call you?
Nice post Alex, and you are right nothing better than a face to face, or at least hearing the other person.
Reply to this commentHmm I think there is room for different relationships some work better over the net and others in person. Nice post.
Reply to this commentGreat post here … I have met so many people through blogging … it’s crazy!
Darin
Reply to this commentIt’s quite amazing how many people you can come into contact with when you start blogging! I just wish I had time to know them all better!
Kenneth
Reply to this comment