Last Updated on: January 26th, 2021
20 Blog Post Must-Haves is officially available to everyone now! I’m pleased to say that you can get it for free, too, if you hurry!
Let me tell you my story about how this came to be.
Yesterday, I had a guest post published about editing blog posts on a site called Mad Lemmings. Another one, on a different site, was published today on Dear Blogger!
That’s not the half of it, either! The two places where I’m guesting this week are on blogging blogs (blog about blogging)! Imagine that! I’m on my way becoming a pro blogger!
Wait – it get’s better! The two guys who are “having” me have never allowed guest posters on their blogs before!
Yes, I feel pretty special right about now.
WOW.
And having my name appear in close proximity to Problogger’s Darren Rowse is kinda neat.
Today’s post is about reaching new heights nearly unheard of in blogging.
My experiences have knocked my socks off!
I’m shocked at what’s happening, especially since it seemed to happened so fast…
Guest posting, blog post writing, and the fact that I wrote an ebook and didn’t know it have mixed to form a crazy couple of weeks for me and has made me feel like I’ve been elevated to “pro” blogger status – even though I haven’t.
The true story I am about to tell you is a bit unbelievable, but I swear on my dead grandmother’s name that I’m telling the truth. (My Nana Kay Reguly must be looking down on me with love. Either that, or I am incredibly lucky. Or my stars are aligning. All I know is that something is definitely going on…)
Before I tell you what happened, let me ask you something. Have you heard of Darren Rowse (Problogger)? Greg Narayan (Dear Blogger)? Ashley Faulkes (Mad Lemmings)?
What about Brian Clark (CopyBlogger)? Jon Morrow (Smart Blogger, formerly called Boost Blog Traffic)? Seth Godin?
Have you heard of me? 😉 (I know my loyal readers have!)
If you don’t know these people, that’s okay. Ten months ago I didn’t know them either. In fact, I still don’t know them at all. Except two.
I know Greg and Ashley. These guys are pretty great. They have knowledge I don’t yet have, but that’s because they’re two of a kind. (They both love me.)
They just got introduced yesterday, too. By yours truly.
They also both run blogging blogs — blogs that offer tips about blogging to bloggers.
For the last ten months, blogging has been a large part of my world.
In my never-ending quest for knowledge and willingness to improve my own blogging skills, I began reading hundreds (yes, hundreds) of blog posts about blogging, taking notes, putting what I learned into practice, and doing experiments. (Hey, Mad Lemmings, maybe I should be called “Mad Lorraine” since I feel like a scientist, of sorts.)
What I Decided To Do
About five months ago, I started compiling a checklist of all of the elements that make up a great blog post. I included steps to take once the post was written, too. Tips like adjusting the permalink of the post to make it more SEO-friendly, writing a fabulous title, and promoting the post.
Originally, I planned on publishing this helpful post on my blog, to help other bloggers.
Then I had an idea. I thought I would offer it as a guest post to someone. So I spiced it up, added more content to it, and linked to every pertinent post that I deemed worthy enough to be included in it.
I don’t like sharing junk.
I am all about quality! I strive for perfection in all that I do. My standards are high, and I expect a lot from myself. I fall short, however, when it comes to adding nice pictures/images to my posts. But that’s okay. I don’t want to be a perfect blogger. I want to be a writer, and am. (There’s a difference.)
I had read about the benefits of guest posting, watched videos, and was finally convinced that the “big” bloggers knew what they were talking about, like the dudes that run Problogger and Copyblogger.
Since I had a lot of Copyblogger links, I decided to approach the editor, Jon Morrow, who also runs Boost Blog Traffic (now called Smart Blogger), and advocates a lot FOR GUEST POSTING. I have never been ANTI GUEST POSTING – in fact, I have four guest posts under my belt – on a variety of blogs, including
- a leadership blog
- a memoir blog
- an emotional eating blog
- a copywriting blog
These are only four of my personal interests, and out of the four people I approached with offers to write guest posts, all four were accepted.
When I wrote my blogging post and added to it, I found that it was long enough and of a high enough quality that a pro blogger would accept it.
So I approached Jon Morrow. For those of you who have never heard of Jon, he is a guy who is physically paralyzed due to having a condition called spinal muscular atrophy and is “a pretty big deal” in the blogging and entrepreneurial worlds.
But I didn’t get past his assistant.
I was naive to think I could have contacted Jon directly through the form on his site. Having only five months experience on a free little blog (yes, this one!), I was by my own admission, a newbie blogger. Remember, I hadn’t owned a laptop before January of this year.
I got someone named Marsha instead. She shot me down quickly.
Here is Marsha’s rejection response reply:
This is my first rejection letter. The second one came from Carol Tice the day before she accepted a guest post from me. (It’s still in the queue to be published.)
Because this blog was originally created as a personal documentation of my writing journey, I had to document this. I actually liked it.
It woke me up and made me realize that I still have a lot to learn about the freelancing world.
I mean, you don’t walk into a doctor’s office and immediately see the doctor, do you?
No. You approach his receptionist. Then you have to sit in a waiting room. When your name is called, a nurse leads you into an examination room, where you remain until the doctor is ready to see you.
What made me think that some disabled guy was ready to see me just because I had an idea? Because I have a disability, too? I must have been experiencing some kind of after-effects from smoking crack.
To this day, I still have no answers.
I was able to land guest posts on other sites easily, so I think I took it for granted that I’d automatically be accepted.
I decided that I wasn’t going to let the mighty Mr. Morrow or his assistant Marsha get me down.
I moved on.
Like fish in the sea, there are other blogs in this blogosphere.
Millions, in fact.
Dear Blogger is one of them. Mad Lemmings is another.
I impressed these guys enough that they both gave me positions during the week following the post that announces a book giveaway.
As for the blog post I wrote about blogging? It became my first ebook, 20 Blog Post Must-Haves. I even designed the cover myself!
It’s on sale this week until Friday for $2.50 (USD) in the Dear Blogger Bookstore. After Friday, it’s $4.99 BUT you can also download a free copy if you tell me and Greg how you would use this book!
Yes, I’m as shocked as you are that I managed to get an ebook together without realizing I was doing this. Of course, I have Greg Narayan to thank for helping me package it all up and get it out to as many bloggers as possible.
For more about the book and its creation, jump over to Dear Blogger and read my post about the checklist that will help you to become a pro blogger!
You will be super surprised at the quality of that post.
Next I’ll be writing for Forbes. 😉
Lorraine, congratulations on your book. I have seen you over on Twitter and don’t think I’ve read your blog before. I really love how you write! I’m amazed at what you’ve done in a short time, you just got a laptop? And you have been blogging less than a year? Really amazing Lorraine. I’m sure I could learn from your book too.
Lisa, thank-you for stopping by! Yes, we’ve crossed paths on Twitter and, I believe, were introduced by another blogger (Barry Wells, maybe?) when I had a tech issue – remember our emails?
It is true that I have only been blogging since January 13/13. 😀 I am a quick study, though! I would advise checking out the link to Dear Blogger’s post (my guest post) since it gives tips NOT in my ebook! (I did this on purpose.)
I hope you find that post, and my ebook, useful. It took me a long time to research and is jam-packed with useful information, regardless of your blogging skill level.
Please stop by again. I’m inspired to thrive – pun intended. 😉
You have come up with some awesome tips.When you write a post it shows that
you are about quality. You will leave a comment on someone’s blog and if they ask a question or you want to add more your do. This all takes time. You can really tell you are into blogging which I can see can be addictive. Good luck on your new book
Arleen, I am happy you have noticed that I try to actively engage others. I do love blogging, and am thrilled to be recognized for my efforts. Newbie status doesn’t last forever! After only ten months of blogging, I have accomplished a lot, and I am proud of my achievements. But I’m just getting started! 😉
Thanks for the good wishes, too! See you soon!
Lorraine, you are welcome to be a guest author on my blog. I’d be happy to have you! 🙂
My website is about, well, everything related to work, careers, jobs, etc. So you could have any kind of article to any kind of story .. so long as it is related to your life, personal or professional, I hardly ever turn down guest authors, and even if I do, often make suggestions.
Some blogs can be picky, I guess. I just love a good read or an article containing knowledge and information that me and my readers can learn from!
I’m not as picky as the blog image you posted above that rejected. I might not be a #1 blog, but I definitely have a loyal fan base of readers!
Check it out – it is called Confessions of the Professions
Thanks for the invitation! I will definitely take a look at your blog and see what it’s all about!
FYI, your comment went to my spam folder because of the link. I generally only allow links on the thread called Promote Yourself and Your Blog! Please post your links there, so everyone can see! Thank you, and see you soon!
Congrats on putting out an eBook about all you’ve learned when it comes to effective blog posts. You’rr awesome for posting such helpful tips as you’ve learned them.
Thanks, Jeri.
The ebook is actually a compilation of all the tips the pro bloggers give – I’ve consolidated them into an ebook and accredited each and every post and blogger that I have found to be the créme de la créme!
Lorraine — you remind me of me when I first starting blogging almost five years ago. A friend told me about a blogging webinar (12 weeks) that she had taken for only $99. So I signed up — and the rest is history, as they say. I got hooked. We bloggers are a strange community. We live for blogging and I’ve never met a group who are more helpful to each other than bloggers. So, go girl!
Bloggers are definitely a unique bunch! We are awesome, for sure! LOL
Thanks for your support, Jeanette!
Congratulations, Lorraine.
I tried to find Blogging Blogs but had no luck. Is this a new name for an old site?
Blogging blogs are simply blogs about blogging, that offer blogging tips to bloggers.
Just click on the blue links in my post and you will be brought to where you need to go!
WOW, WOW, WOW! Need I say more? I don’t think so. Blessings to you. Look out, Forbes. Here she comes!
Ha – I was kidding about Forbes. But hey, you never know…
Thanks for your comment, Johnny. Blessings to you, too.
That’s right. You never know. Can’t hardly wait to see where you will be next. Blessings.
Well, wherever I end up, the journey is certainly exciting! 🙂
Wow, congrats Lorraine. Girl you are on fire! Isn’t that the name of a song? Well, anyway, you’ve worked hard and you deserve the success.
Thanks, Donna Jean! I have no idea about the song…but I have worked hard, and am still working hard! Things just spiralled, too, so it’s really been a whirlwind. I just hope that people find this ebook useful!
Can’t wait to read the full post on Dear Blogger! Kids are waking from nap time now, so no can do at the moment. I am excited to learn from you!
The post on Dear Blogger shares information not in my ebook, so it’s a good idea for you to take a look at it. You will pick up a few tips for blogging better, for sure!
Thanks for your comment!
Wow Lorraine, you have been so busy! I feel so small in my little blogging corner as the only thing I did just before I started my blog was read the book Blog Inc which my son’s girlfriend gave me for Christmas. It helped me with a few things and then when I started my blog and ever since I’ve just flown by the seat my pants, so I’m probably doing it all wrong! But I want to write and that is what I do.
Anyway, many congratulations on all your recent success and I’m going over to Dear Blogger right now… get some rest lovely lady 🙂
Are you on Skype? If so, look me up. I’d like to connect with you, too, Sherri. We seem to have so much in common.
Being busy is kinda my middle name. 😉 See you on your blog later, after I rest. If I can. Just follow your heart, Sherri.
Hope you are resting! I’m not on Skype as the last time I tried it it kept disconnecting. Not sure why. I’ll let you know if I get back on it.
Thanks Lorraine, and yes, this is always the very best advice, to follow our hearts 🙂
Being true to yourself is definitely best!
I’m still tired, but I am trying to put things behind me. 🙂
I still have homework to do… See you soon!
Again, you have great ideas and you’re so willing to help other people. I know I will benefit from reading and implementing your ideas.
Yes, all bloggers will!
Psst – how’s the VA post coming along?
Outstanding!
Your journey from my point of view is almost like that of a Father (Old Guy Blogger…notice I didn’t say “writer”) watching a child (new blogger) growing into an adult (e-Book City, baby!).
Lorraine… I am amazed at the progress you have made since I first “met” you so many months ago. Your dedication and enthusiasm for your craft have been nothing short of remarkable, your growth even more so.
Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment!
I am very happy for and proud of you.
Dad….I mean….Toby 🙂
Dad – lol – yeah, I know how you feel. I can feel the love and support through the computer screen. The funny thing is – my parents don’t have any idea of what I go through when I’m online. Emotionally, right now, I am drained as I have not slept in nearly three days. Weird things have been happening around my city, like a bridge inexplicably catching fire, followed by inclement, wet weather that has made life depressing again.
Plus, I have been writing so much that I lose track of time. It feels like I really am on some kind of drug, yet I know it is just an adrenaline rush that keeps going with each new victory and personal success.
Now I am crying and exhausted and am going to force myself to turn off my computer and rest. I will pray that somehow your son’s life will be touched and he will return to you like mine has returned to me – which has been a strong motivator for me to succeed. I have to prove to J that I can do this…
Thanks, Dad, Fearless leader, Toby, my friend, and Sam’s Uncle. 😉
Your support and encouragement has been wonderful and I appreciate it more than you will ever know.
hahaha, “next i’ll be writing for Forbes” – really? and i thought there is a post waiting to be published there already – but you didn’t tell us yet LOL
So proud of you, Lorraine! I praised you today enough on various platforms – no more, please. I will just say thank you for sharing your experience and your book with all your readers (that includes me!). Go girl, up and onward!!!
Diana, our friendship is great, too, and I love you like a sister – you are part of my family. Speaking with you on various media sites and on Skype has certainly brought us closer together.
I know who my true supporters are; and you’re one of them. And the saying is “onward and upward” – mi amiga who hablas espanol or whatever other languages you parle. 🙂 English is funny, and the hardest to learn, I hear.
But it is the only one I know.
And now you are up to 85%. LOL (Private joke to anyone reading this…)
Thanks, Diana, for all you have done to show your support!
Who knows, maybe one day I’ll link to Forbes – and mean it!
hahaha, onward and upward, huh?! Here, that thought in the back of my head that something isn’t quite right… well, cannot be perfect at all times LOL
No one is perfect all the time. I have made mistakes, too. In fact, I was looking for a specific tweet earlier, and found three errors in my tweets. Ugh.
I thought you would like to be informed of the saying. I like teaching, can’t you tell?
I don’t expect perfection from others, only myself.
I like you just the way you are, Diana.