30+ Blogger-Sharks Spouting Oceans of Knowledge

Picture of sharks in an ocean with 9 peoples' (bloggers') faces embedded on the sharks' faces

 

This post is kind of a “Part 2” to 8 Action Tips For Guppy-Bloggers In An Ocean Of Sharks.

(This a guest post of mine that was published on Aha!NOW that performed extremely well and has over 130 comments on it).

Here are the actionable takeaway tips for bloggers to start feeling like a blogger-shark instead of a guppy:

  • Determine the Type of Blogger You Want to Be
  • Make Time For Learning
  • Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Bloggers
  • Realize that Blogging Growth Takes Time
  • Write Well and Own Your Own Voice
  • Build a Support System of Your Own
  • Position Yourself Properly and Support Others With Gestures of Appreciation
  • Focus on the Positive, and Don’t Give Up

NOTE: If you are a new blogger, read 5 Things New Bloggers Need to Know.

The Reason for this Post about Blogger-Sharks

I am considering this post to be an addendum to the aforementioned post because I want to tell you about the bloggers behind the faces, in case you aren’t familiar with them.

Plus, there was some information that I could not include in that post because there simply was no room for it, and so I’m including it here. 🙂

I also wanted to mention a few more people who are considered “sharks” in the blogging world that I have learned from and admire.

Some people might think that I’m only writing this to get the attention from those bloggers, but I’m not. I’m merely passing on what I’ve learned to YOU so that you can learn – and grow – too.

Just remember that growth takes time… and a lot of work!

Learn from these top bloggers. They’re sharks! #blogg­ingtip­s

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Blogger-Sharks from the Above Picture

The first four bloggers on the list below have been grouped together in other blog posts before. I’ve even had the pleasure of being grouped with them in 9 Inspirational Bloggers to Give You a Blogging Boost.

I’m pleased to be grouped again with them today, too, even if it is only in one of the specially created images that Mr. Singh made for me! (FYI, becasue I do not know how to use Photoshop, I paid Mr. Singh for his work. You can hire him, too. Just contact him via Google+. Here’s a link to his profile. Just tell him I sent you.) 

Now, let me introduce you to some helpful people!

Ana Hoffman

Ana Hoffman photoAna Hoffman (@AnaTrafficCafe) is the brain behind Traffic Generation Café. She gives away an ebook called, “Mommy, Where Does Traffic Come From?” and it’s chock-full of useful information you can use to grow your blog and business.

Ana might seem a bit intimidating because she’s so techie-smart, but she’s actually very helpful. Plus, if she doesn’t know the exact answer to a questions, then she knows someone who does.

Case in point: I was reading a post last week on backing up a website that was a bit complicated and so I shared it on Google+ and asked Ana and another techie-smart lady, Sherryl Perry, if there was an easier way to perform this task. Ana guided me to MaAnna Stephenson, who gave me one of  her free reports on how to do just this.

You can see our entire interaction on Google+ for yourself.

Here’s a quote from Ana: “I’d say a blogger becomes a shark when other sharks start sharing their content.”

This is a picture of a some sharks with Ana Hoffman's quote superimposed on top of it.

Thanks for all you do to help #bloggers and #marketing folk, @AnaTr­afficC­afe!

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Neil Patel

Neil Patel photoNeil Patel (@neilpatel , @CrazyEgg and @KISSmetrics) is the epitome of inspiration to anyone with a dream, and living proof that simple will, determination, and passion is what it takes to be successful. Read his about page to see how he went from a vacuum salesman to the co-founder of Crazy Egg, Hello Bar, and KISSmetrics, as well as being recognized in the top 100 entrepreneurs under the age of 30 by President Obama (and one of the top 100 entrepreneurs under the age of 35 by the United Nations).

Hiten Shah (@hnshah) is Neil’s other co-founder.

Thanks to Neil and Hiten, you can get your website analyzed.

More importantly, you can learn a lot from Neil’s Definitive Guide to Copywriting.

There aren’t enough words to describe how great Neil is. Take a look at his about page. He’s “kind of a big deal.”

Thank you for helping #bloggers and #entre­preneu­rs @neilpatel!

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Why You Should (+ How to) Act IMMEDIATELY When Hit With Inspiration

image that displays a quote about taking action

Do you take action when you are hit with a moment of inspiration? You should… regardless of what you are doing!

Read on to find out why.

My Inspirational Nugget of Wisdom Once Disappeared

A few weeks ago, I had an idea for a blog post that I thought was simply brilliant. I went to the dashboard of my website, opened a “new” post, wrote something in the “title” field and a few sentences, then went to find some cool images to use in my post, and then… blanked out.

My idea did not get fully developed. My inspiration had disappeared. All I was left with was… a few really cool pictures that I found.

I was upset with myself. I knew I should have written down everything the moment my inspirational idea hit me.

Now, try as I might, I cannot retrieve that glimmering thought from the recesses of my brain.

Ugh!

I know I’m not alone

Has the same thing ever happened to you? Have you ever forgotten what you were going to say?

Have you ever gone into your office (or kitchen, or bedroom, or another room) to get something, and then “forgot” what you went there for?

(I can see you nodding.)

We’ve all been in that situation, I know. That is why you need to act IMMEDIATELY when you are hit with inspiration… so you DON’T forget.

Why You Should Act Immediately When Inspiration Hits

Our brains are like computers,  but only to a point.

Although we have an information retrieval system, we tend to only remember that which is most familiar to us.

We struggle with “new” ideas, ideas that are “outside-of-the-box,” and ideas that bring us outside of our comfort zones.

This is why it is often difficult to “hold that thought” when we have it.

And this is why we should IMMEDIATELY write it down. So we don’t forget it!

In addition, when you are hit with inspiration and plan to write it (or about it) at a later time, chances are you will not remember your initial excitement, why you were so inspired, and so, when you finally do write about it, the magical feeling will have dissipated or disappeared completely.

Others have testified to this, too:

“When it finds you, act, don’t wait, act!”

– taken from Don’t go searching for inspiration

“I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t write these flashes of inspiration down straightaway, they’re usually gone forever, or even worse remembered but not understood in the same clarity of when they were received.”

– taken from When you are inspired – act immediately! (SOURCE LINK NO LONGER WORKS)

Why You Should Act Immediately When Inspiration Hits #memorytips

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How to Act Immediately When Inspiration Hits

Because I don’t want this to happen to you (or to me… again!), I’ve put together a list of 5 actionable things to do to help you to remember your inspirational idea.

Do these 5 Actions When Hit with Inspiration

1. Write it down. Quickly. BEFORE you forget. Use Evernote. Use Post-Its. Record it… somehow!

“Ideas slowly trickle into your mind. And before you know it, you’re infused with passion and carried away in that magical state of ‘flow’ where the world fades away and nothing matters but you and the words in front of you.”

– taken from Kat Eden’s guest post on Write to Done: Why You Should Stop Waiting for Inspiration

2. Develop it as much as you can while the idea is fresh in your mind.

3. Don’t worry about sentence structure, grammar, editing your writing, or even typos! Get it out, onto paper or an electronic device, as fast as you can. There’ll be time enough later for refinement. Read More

Steps I Took To Self-Publish My Book + An Important Announcement about Wording Well)

Ebook Cover - Risky Issues by Lorraine Reguly

If you have not yet self-published a book but want to, there are certain steps you could take to do so. Most new authors do things haphazardly, however, because they are uninformed of what to do first.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. Other times, you can listen to someone who has self-published a book and has “been there, done that.”

Self-publishing my book took me a long time only because I procrastinated a lot. In actuality, I could have gotten that darn thing out there a lot sooner than I did. (And yes, I know I shouldn’t call my book “that darn thing” but it’s my book, and I can call it whatever I want!) 😀

Steps I Followed to self-publish (which you should, too)

Here are the steps I followed to self-publish my book.

This link will bring you to my author site… which brings me to my announcement.

An Important Announcement about the future of Wording Well

Dear Reader, I really enjoyed my vacation, and it’s good to be back. 🙂 The time off from blogging allowed me to figure out a few things that have been weighing on my mind.
I have decided that I’m going to refrain from posting information about self-publishing on Wording Well and am going to post it on Lorraine Reguly: Laying It Out There instead. I’m also going to be posting all future book reviews on my author site as well.

I want Wording Well to focus on offering freelancing tips, writing tips, and blogging tips.

I want my author website to offer book reviews, and tips on self-publishing, and personal stories about me (something previously found on Lorraine Reguly’s Life – the name of this blog before it became Wording Well – but which are still found here on Wording Well, in the archives).

I also need to focus more on my freelance writing and editing business. It’s time that I make these important changes now, especially since my Amazon Author Central page is linked to the blog on my author website. (This page also displays my latest Tweet!)

Originally, when I started blogging, I had no direction. I was still learning what blogging was all about. Granted, I know there are still things to learn (there always is!), but I’ve come a long way since my early blogging days, as I’m now earning money from writing and editing (which I love). 🙂

It’s going to take some time to get both Wording Well and Lorraine Reguly: Laying It Out There to a point where they are clearly defined and where I want these sites to be, but I know that I can do it. I have diligence. 🙂 Juggling more than one blog is tough, but I know it will get easier with time.

Many bloggers have multiple blogs, depending on their niche.

Although both of my sites pertain to writing, their niches are actually very different (or they will be, soon)!  Wording Well is going to have an emphasis on freelancing and blogging, with the niche for Lorraine Reguly: Laying It Out There having an emphasis on books (whether they are written by me or not!), book reviews, and self-publishing (and all that self-publishing entails, which is a lot).

Furthermore, I’m writing posts about different blogging tips for Dear Blogger at a rate of one per month. I strongly urge you to read them. Often, they begin as posts I’d publish here! However, because I get paid to guest post there, and have a contract to produce posts at this rate, I am not going to publish them here when I can make money publishing them there! (You would do the same thing, if you were me.) But because I know all of you don’t follow that blog,  I generally try to write two posts dealing with the same issue, and with my post on Wording Well linking to my posts on Dear Blogger, because the post on Dear Blogger offers more information. It has to; Greg doesn’t pay me for nothing! 😉

What this all means for you

Depending on your particular interests, you might have to follow both of my sites! You might want to follow one or the other. That choice is yours. I can’t make you do something you don’t want to do. What I will promise you is that, regardless of when and where I post, I will be completely forthright, honest, and provide you with as much information as I can, in a clear manner.

Also, if one post relates to another, I will link to it. I don’t want you to miss out on important info!

 

An Invitation for you

Now that I’ve explained what my new site will contain, and when I will be posting things there, I’d like to invite you to visit and follow my new author site, Lorraine Reguly: Laying It Out There. You might even want to sign up for my author newsletter. 🙂

And please do me a favour and share this post. It’s best if we’re all on the same page. Pun intended. 😉

Thank you.

~Lorraine

How do you Take a Vacation from Blogging (or Freelancing)?

Today’s post will explain how you can take a break from both blogging and freelancing. I will also explain why I can only do one and not both right now.

Before I give you some useful information, I want you to know that I feel like I need a vacation. Badly.

I’ve been working my butt off trying to attain some of my personal writing and publishing goals.

And, in addition to being an author, I’m also a blogger AND a freelance writer and editor. (But you knew that, right?) 😉 I have a lot of responsibilities to many people. Fortunately, I don’t have a lot of clients to deal with. Some have been one-timers, some are occasional repeaters, and one is long-term. Because my freelancing business is on the smaller side right now, I’m able to effectively take a break from freelancing. Plus, one of the upsides to freelancing is setting your own hours. (I love that part!)

However, I really wanted to take a vacation from blogging, but I cannot. At least, I can’t right now. I have too many responsibilities to others that I need to fulfil.

It’s no secret WHY I want a break – it’s SUMMER!

Aside from the obvious reason of rejuvenation, I wanted to take a vacation from blogging because summer has finally arrived. In the great city where I live, it only lasts for about two month  – if that – and so I need to make the most of the nice weather while it’s here.

I have posts planned already and duties to fulfil to authors who’ve taken me up on my offer. Plus, I’ve recently released an ebook (my very first one – YAY!) and have started another blog on my new author website.

I wanted to do this last month, but the weather here has been pretty bleak. Hopefully the rainy days will go away soon and allow me to do things I want to do – like go swimming outdoors!

How to Take a Break from Freelancing

Taking a break from freelancing requires planning. You have to clear your schedule if you want to really enjoy your time off. To do this, you should:

  • inform your clients of the days you won’t be available, giving them a lot of notice so that they can adjust their schedules accordingly
  • do extra work beforehand so that you do not leave them in the lurch
  • remind your clients of the great work you do for them in order to get them to be more agreeable to your terms and not cause friction in the relationship
  • offer to do something nice for them as a bonus
  • remind them of what it says in your contract regarding vacation time

If you have never taken a freelancing break, some clients may become upset with you and feel like you are abandoning them. They may even become difficult to work with or threaten to fire you, especially if they feel slighted or if you have not taken time off since you began working with them. If any of these scenarios occur and you cannot resolve your differences, then it may be time to re-evaluate your entire relationship and potentially end your contract altogether.

How YOU can take a blogging break – and not feel guilty about it

For those of you who are not freelancers (yet), but who are bloggers, then this is the section for you!

I’m sure most of you have thought about going on vacation, but DIDN’T, for whatever reason.

If you are wondering how you can 1. take a break and 2. not feel guilty about it, I’d suggest reading How to Take a Summer Break from Blogging (without Feeling Guilty).

It’s a pretty darn good article. Great, actually, if I do say so myself. (Yes, I wrote it!)

😀 Plus, it includes some personal pictures of my brother’s pool and my sister’s little guy. 🙂

It actually started out as a post for this blog, but I deemed it so good that I offered to sell it. (I’m a freelancer, after all, and if I can earn money for my writing, I will.) Because it’s available for all the world to see, you can pop over to Dear Blogger and pick up a few blogging tips. (Or should I say “blogging break” tips?) 😉

I know when you read it, you’ll be a bit confused. But don’t forget, I’m writing for two different audiences, who overlap but are different. Greg’s audience consists of people wanting blogging tips. My audience consists of people who want blogging, freelancing, writing, and publishing tips.

See the difference? Thought so. 😀

Now it’s your turn…

Are you going to take a vacation this summer – or did you already? 

Share in the comments here, or on Dear Blogger. I”ll be responding to everyone on both sites. 😀

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Introductory photo image courtesy of samuiblue/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

50 000 Emails? On Canada Day?

frustrated man

Ever try to take a vacation from your computer – but couldn’t for fear of your email piling up?

Ever get so many email notifications that you wanted to pull your hair out – but didn’t? (Sorry, baldies, I mean no offense.)

Vacation Emails

I think that most email programs allow you to alert others that you are going on vacation. I know that in gmail, all you have to do is

  • go to your settings (the “gear” icon) and then
  • go to your vacation responder setup to create your message and set your settings, shown in the image below:

 

vacation email setup instructions

 

Tons of Emails + NO TIME = Frustration!

If getting excessive amounts of emails or email notifications is your problem (as it was mine for a long time as a newbie blogger), then you need to learn how to hit the “unsubscribe” link – or at the very least, adjust your settings on every site you belong to.

I just wrote a guest post on this very issue, complete with screenshots and instructions on how to find your “settings” on many different sites.

I’m not going to re-hash it all here for two reasons. One, it’s Canada Day (akin to the USA’s 4th of July) and I am taking the day off!

Two, I seriously am stressed out and tired right now. (I’ve been trying to do 50 000 things this week, including dealing with “old” emails – which I am filing into their appropriate folders and/or deleting.) I’m frustrated because I’ve been trying to do this for weeks. Each day I make a little progress, but I still feel like the numbers are not decreasing fast enough!

However, progress is progress, and I’ve cut down the amount of emails I get by following the steps outlined in How to Cope With Massive Amounts of Email Notifications.

FYI, as Greg’s monthly contributor, I was paid to write this post. 🙂 So you know it’s darn good. 😉

And because I’m going to respond to all of the comments left on said post, I’ll simply send you over there right now to show you how you can cut back on your 50 000 emails before you get 50 000 more.

I’ll even join you in the gripe session at the end. 🙂

 

[red-button url=”http://www.dearblogger.org/change-email-settings” text=”Read the post on Dear Blogger  “]

 

Happy Canada Day!

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Photo credit: imagerymajestic from FreeDigitalPhotos.net