I know The Social Network told us we can't reach a million friends without making a few enemies. While that may be true, in the blogging world, you won't reach thousand followers by being a jerk.
All right, what do you need to be then?
You need to be an encourager. You need to congratulate those who are succeeding and support those who are struggling.
You need to give back to the community. You cannot take without giving.
You must be positive. No one wants to be around someone who is negative.
You must be consistent. You cannot be sweet and endearing in one forum while being rude elsewhere. When things don't go your way, you must maintain an even temperament.
You must be genuine. Your reasons for blogging cannot be self-serving. You are here because you genuinely want to connect with others. You are not here just to promote your product, book, site, or service.
You respect others and do not steal their joy. You don't bash another’s work, beliefs, or efforts.
You are humble. You realize you did not get here by yourself, but through the support and belief of others, and by grace.
You speak ill of no one. You understand karma and good will towards men.
You have earned the admiration of many. You understand that with much power comes much responsibility. And you are mature and wise enough to act appropriately.
And why am I telling you all of this? Because four of my blogging buddies are about to hit that milestone, and each more than qualifies:
Matthew is the epitome of giving back. His site is dedicated to helping others improve their query letters. Matthew also participates in and creates blogfests designed to help others. Even on his down days, Matthew is still uplifting and genuine. He sees the bigger picture, which includes his impact on the future of many writers. Matthew does not take his responsibility lightly he is a true friend to many.
His real name is Jesse, and his site is not for the faint of heart. There is some crude humor and no sacred cows. Or urinals. Or bizarre Amazon products. However, his comments are always positive, genuine, and thoughtful. Jesse really does care about his fellow bloggers, and it shows. He even designed a site called Bloggerdise that links products, authors, and bloggers together. Don't let his edgy humor fool you – Jesse has a heart of gold.
This fantasy author is about his down to earth as you can get. She has the wisdom of maturity with the sweetness of innocence wrapped in one package. Nicole is always sharing and giving to others. Right now she even has a Christmas Critique Giveaway, something she generously offers every year. Everything about her reflects peace, stability, and a place of refuge.
Roland is a writer who resides on a level far deeper than most of us will ever reach. He could easily be one of those authors who is haughty and aloof. Instead, every post is a gift of inspiration. He strives to give what he has learned to others. He is currently giving away all profit from the sale of his books to the Salvation Army, an organization that helped him when he was a child. Roland possesses a truly giving spirit.
These four friends of mine are amazing. They are all so close to a thousand followers, they can taste it. If you do not follow these bloggers, I’d highly recommend you get to know them. You just might learn some things about being a genuine person.
Do you follow these bloggers? Do you know anyone else who fits this description? Who? Tell the world – and be sure to tell them.
(And remember Wednesday is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posting and the announcement of my giveaway winner.)
