Continuing the 31dbbb series…
Quoting from The Book:
While the tip sounds simple—too simple perhaps—it’s actually a technique that I used in the early days of this blog (ProBlogger) and it really helped build up reader engagement.
Strictly for marketing purposes, I called the book 31 Days. Please understand this mnemonic obligation of 31 tips even if some of the “days” are actually half-hours.
It makes me wonder: is everything we do these days part of a self-promotion? I’ve got two kids and a baby, a full-time job, weekend kid activities, household chores to ignore and guilt to feel about ignoring basic housekeeping tasks. If I send you an email, that means I love you. Very much. An email from me means I really appreciate the time you spend in my life making it all a little better. You know what else? The email is not to build blog traffic, but it’s to genuinely say hello. Even if my note simply says: dude, I haven’t had a chance to respond to your comment, but I’m coming.
The Book is feeling less like 31 days to build a better blog and more like 31 ways to sucker several hundred bloggers out of 25 USD per download. Having said all that:
New readers from the ourchurch.com 31DBBB project, welcome to fringe friday fellowship!
Each Friday when the mood strikes, I share with my readers the cool projects I’ve found on the ‘net that week. Sometimes, I’ll highlight the newest additions to my sidebar or Google reader. This week, I’m fellowshipping the bloggers who left a comment here at the fringe this week. Thanks! Your email is in the mail.
I love Kevin’s writing style over at Campfire Cowboy Ministries. In two days, I’ve learned how to ride a horse and properly open a bag of horse feed in the middle of the night, all without leaving my cubiffice.
Stuart runs Church Techy, which combines ministry and technology because who doesn’t love a little OS debate with his communion wine?
Paul is the youth pastor host of the 31DBBB shebang. He is welcoming, warm and very funny. This post had me cracking up while I was running late to work yesterday.
Nathalie blogs at Le monde de Nathalie in French, but the Google translator was all over it, so I got to enjoy reading in English about her family’s love for Legos and her take on the 31DBBB project.
Chris runs The Prayer Experiment, another well-written blog. He has nested comments like mine, which kind of compels us to answer each one. He must work in a cubiffice with a little time to kill between coffee refills.
31DBBB takes a break on weekends. I doubt if my fellow 31DBBBers are drinking away their weekends like I do when Little League is rained out, but I’m sure they have other things to do besides messing with their blogs. Plus, I’m headed north to pick up the baby. Breaks are good. Monday’s topic: learning how to become a successful blogger from successful bloggers by reading their sponsored promotional posts about successful blogging.
Keeping an eye on your wallet in comments…
Just spotted this one – thanks for the shout out and link love.
.-= Stuart Dyckhoff is dying for you to read I Get to Analyse a Blog =-.
Spotted it from overhead in some kind of techy arial view?
I was wondering about sending an actual e-mail myself. I’ve been responding to comments and trying to comment on a few of my commenters’ blogs every day this week, and that seems to be working well. But an e-mail? What will I say to them? I’ve responded to most of their comments already! Hmm….
Maybe today will send a new commenter my way to try this method with.
Have a great (& busy) Friday! (Your life sounds a lot like mine!)
~Jennifer
.-= Jennifer is dying for you to read 31 Days to Build a Better Blog =-.
Some people reply to their comments by email. I prefer to reply directly on the blog. Keeps a fun discussion going. Welcome to the fringe, Jennifer!
That’s what I do too. I don’t think there is one person (new or longer standing) that I haven’t contacted in some other way.
I’ll comment on the post at OC but I think I just may have to do nothing on this one.
Plus I’m plum tuckered today.
.-= Stuart Dyckhoff is dying for you to read I Get to Analyse a Blog =-.
visiting from 31dbbb,
very cool what you are doing here. Makes it worthwhile coming back again and making the intellectual investment by adding a comment.
As for emails, I have had limited success, really none at all.
.-= Phillip Gibb is dying for you to read Friday FilmMaking Links =-.
Phillip, welcome to the fringe! Thanks for the compliment. Have you had better luck with Twitter in promoting your blog?
btw, I couldn’t view your web page in IE 7. Happy Friday!
Another ‘happy’ blog from the happiest blog on the world wide web.
Great concept for the Fringe Friday Fellowship, very creative.
Aw, I don’t know if this is the happiest blog on the Web, but I’m glad you’re picking up positive vibes. Thanks for commenting today!
I feel loved!
I’ve responded by comment, email and visits. I do whatever feels right at the time and not really in a structured way. You know?
I’m a fly-by-the-seat of my lounge pants kinda gal.
Happy Getting the Baby Back weekend to you!
.-= Christine is dying for you to read Making Amends through a Stranger: Part One =-.
Maybe that’s the problem I’m having with this book and its self-satified smugness. I much prefer flying by the seat of my pants. With friends.
I’m also glad I found you through 31DBBB. I have been reading and commenting on those other blogs you mentioned too. Good stuff all around.
I agree with you about today’s lesson. I’ll do it, but don’t expect much from it.
.-= Richard Sipes is dying for you to read Church, Love It or Hate It — Spiritual Exam # 4 =-.
Always glad to be a resource! Welcome to the fringe, Richard. Stick around, please.
Hey Erica, I think you’re criticism may be warranted in this case. I think I’ll comment more on that in reply to your comment on today’s post.
Glad you got a laugh out of the Britney Spears/Barack Obama post yesterday.
Oh and just to clarify, I’m not a youth pastor. I’m the CEO of OurChurch.Com. We provide web design, hosting, and marketing services for Christian churches, schools, etc.
Oops, sorry about the youth pastor thing. Corrected, kind of. I replied to you at your place.
Great post/rant/criticism! I’m new to the whole blogging thing to gain followers. Done blogging for my business but it was more to get links, leads and etc..
I’m going to attempt to email a few but my blog is new so not many comments!
Good luck with soccer!
Scott, thanks for jumping into comments! And thanks for the compliment. Have a great weekend!
well i think you’re *fab* and i’m glad that we’ve connected!
& thinking back– i think we commented one each other’s *and* e-m a hello and thus a bloggy friendship was born!
ty for the tweet love (i wish i could insert a <3 right here. you know, like on facebook.
speaking of…do you have a fringe fan page set up?! HUGE way to expand connections, etc!
.-= Minnesota Mamaleh is dying for you to read Minnesota Mamaleh: Random Acts of Kindness =-.
Yep, it was love at first sight! I’ll think about FB as long as it doesn’t require a personal profile.
sad! are you a fb hater? it’s such a time-suck but couldn’t be more fun! and in terms of blog-dom, damn, it get the word out fast!!
.-= Minnesota Mamaleh is dying for you to read Minnesota Mamaleh: Random Acts of Kindness =-.
I am a registered fb hater. We get laminated cards.