How To Be a Good Blogger: Karma

This article isn’t about how to make your blog good, it’s about how to be a good blogger. I don’t mean a skilled author; I mean a beneficial member of social networking society. Doing the right thing seems to be missing in many of our sites.

There are tons of ways to do good things, but this is about promoting and giving needed validity to your fellow community member’s articles. Being a “good person” is far more important than being popular or making money.

What is important in a blog? Obviously, the content is supposed to be. How do you make your content count? Making other people’s content count is my favourite method. Much of it depends on what yours is about and who your audience is. I could cure cancer in an article and put a picture of a cute puppy in another; the puppy will get all the attention and nobody will care if I save the world…haha (I’m ok with that and I love being sarcastic).

Unfortunately, mine will not be a “keyword targeting” success story. I’ve seen authors who incessantly game the system with a dedication to creating landing pages while they say viral marketing only brings useless, unrelated links.

They think they are better than someone who goes the viral route. I have news for you, it’s of the same ethical value; it’s gaming the system. One is more complex and difficult to employ than the other, but are both essentially “cheating the system”.

I don’t care which method of self promotion you use, it’s all cheating. Is it wrong? I say absolutely not. I am trying to get over my aversion to self-promotion because I do have something to say, and I want as many people as possible to hear my message.

I write about what I think humanity needs. I call people out on doing the wrong thing, and write about world peace and how each of us need to take responsibility for living. Without any effort on promotion, I am limiting myself.

Many of us, after writing for a while, say things like, “I don’t care about links, I don’t care about popularity. People that do are greedy idiots!”

What if your favourite music artists felt like that, saying, “I don’t care about recording an album or having listeners.”

I suppose all your favourite artists, musicians, writers and actors wouldn’t exist. What kind of world would that be? I have done nothing to promote my blog in a very long time. My page rank is still an unjustified zero. I’m not complaining though, because I do have a great base of readers and do well in natural search engine queries.

Some Solid Ideas For Your Blog

One thing many of us don’t do is write a weekly link post. Why don’t you? Like many people who put a lot of heartfelt work into valuable posts, I feel disappointed when no one notices or links to my good work. It’s not a “me thing”, it’s a “we thing”! I’m always on the lookout for good articles on lesser known blogs; you should too if you aren’t already.

I believe that if I have any popularity, it is because I give to others. It’s a byproduct of giving and helping others, not a goal. Here are my recommendations for some good things you should try:

You really should do a weekly link post; start one now (mine’s every Sunday)!

Find great articles written by your community members and link to their posts. Try to actually find and link to good work even if it’s unrelated to your content.

Look through their archives and find past posts that need a link.

Create a list of your most valuable posts and put it in your side bar (I’m working on that). You may have already written your best posts. Let people know what they are and you’ll increase your chances of being read or linked to.

If a niche blog is good enough, it could be a big hit with only a dozen posts - hardly ever adding a new one. It can become a well known reference for a plenitude of any type of content.

Remember, blogging is a social communication technology. It’s alright to want attention in moderation. Just don’t develop “Britney Spears Syndrome” or what I call BSS (it’s BS with an extra S). You may need to check into a blogaholics clinic to get clean if that happens…haha!

Memes and awards are great, but a link to deserved post is the greatest of all awards!

Be sure to check your incoming links regularly on Technorati. Go thank people for linking to you. It’s also a great way to see who maybe scraping your content.

Stick by your friends and don’t let money affect your judgment. Never forget where you came from.

We all start equally our first time here.

Don’t go around asking for links. Give, give and give some more. Participate in this digital society and it will come back to you.

Nothing is better than good Karma!

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: doing the right thing, ethical value, making money, social networking, world peace

February 2, 2008 · Filed Under blogging ethics, blogging tips

Comments

35 Responses to “How To Be a Good Blogger: Karma”

waterlearner on February 2nd, 2008 2:51 am

Hallos Bobby!

Thanks! This is one great post!
I will start one link post day soon too!

Indeed the true value of karma is to do good first. In this way only good will naturally come your way. You are really one great blogger, dude!

waterlearner’s last blog post..Fitness vs Weakness II
Revellian on February 2nd, 2008 3:05 am

You really should do one Karen. I start a draft every Sunday night - as I surf throughout the week and find good posts, I add them to my draft. When the next Sunday morning arrives, my post is almost complete…saving time. Thanks Karen!
Judy on February 2nd, 2008 7:04 am

I will work on this. I am truly feeling the pressures of blogging right now. I am trying to show that Blogging is important and I have a place in it, to my Husband…. I also took on another blog I felt needed to be written and that and SQD, fueling, commenting and my real life is about to explode…..
Pray for some resolve… Hugs, Judy

Judy’s last blog post..Big Bang Meme- Lets smoke em….
Revellian on February 2nd, 2008 12:02 pm

Judy!!!! I believe you should relax on blogging. It’s so easy to get burned out. I don’t look at my blog some days, and whenever I start feeling pressure…getting a knot in my stomach, I stop.

I can’t visit all my friends everyday, so I don’t even try. I got so tired from all this at a few different times…I just can’t let myself get too caught up in it. My weekly link post is easy as I do it during the week as I surf. I try to visit all my friends at least ONCE a week. If I feel great, I’ll visit more.
Terry Heath on February 2nd, 2008 7:22 pm

Bobby,

You make several great points and I’m definitely going to start writing link posts. I like your suggestion of working on it throughout the week so it isn’t overwhelming when you finally sit down.

I also like the “you comment, I reply” button. I’ve been trying to do that anyway, but if I advertise I do respond to all comments I’ll be less likely to let any slip by.

Thanks for the great tips and reminders! Guess which link I’m saving first for my first links post?
Terry Heath’s last blog post..Infuse Your Reports, Articles, and Blog Posts With Moments of Being
Revellian on February 2nd, 2008 8:19 pm

Thanks Terry! I find it to be the best thing I’ve ever done. I try to have a very wide variety in my choices each week; every link has it’s own purpose.

One thing comes to mind when doing this; what is we lived our lives with this same spirit? I believe that fame or great success separates people into groups, even further than previously existed. My tips are basically all the things the most successful writers don’t do.

If I became a well known, wealthy author, I would not only have he “right” to be snobbish - It would be expected of me. I am so happy you’ve decided to give this a try, I’ll bet you will love it! Thanks so much
Speedcat on February 2nd, 2008 9:40 pm

I think the best part of this post was that a link to another great post is the best link of all. Links fly around like crazy now, and it seems like awards are somewhat meaningless after they travel back and forth a 1000 times. FUN - yes, but overdone a bit lately.
I remember when Mariuca linked to a story about loosing my dog. That’s the key right there - I remember that, but not many of the other links that have been sent my way.
Also, when I see my badge on your site, it reminds me of a nice gesture by a good blogging friend … his name is Bobby.

Happy weekend!
Speedy
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 12:54 am

Eric, you are one guy who knows and loves to have fun. You spread cheer and are a meme madman…haha! I think you should just be yourself and do what you like. Your blog is very unique and unforgettable to anyone visiting.

I only have a precious few hours to blog each week and do the best I can. I think if I had a lot more free time, I’d be participating in everything!
Top 13 Commentators - January 2008 | My lucky number 13 on February 3rd, 2008 6:20 am

[...] Bobby Revell have a great article about How To Be a Good Blogger: Karma. You should follow his advice, because there are really [...]
nimrodjo on February 3rd, 2008 6:45 am

This is the reason I love your blog …when I started reading about it, I’ll never skip even a word because sometimes I read I just browse through the important points …I’ve started to link other blogs as well through my taglines of the week project…I look for taglines in blog and link them out…Currently, my blog is unaccessible because of some problems relating to my web host…I’m hoping it will be online soon…
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 7:02 am

Thank you! I noticed your site was down earlier and hope it’s back up soon. I’ve had that happen many times. I found that certain plug ins really drained my bandwidth (depending on which theme I use).

Your tag lines posts are a unique project, definitely fun! I’ll be by as soon as you’re up!
Andy Bailey on February 3rd, 2008 8:20 am

I’ve been wanting to do a weekly link post for a while, I see lots of great blogs when I search for commentluvvers. I think I’ll create a new text file to store links to sites that I see on my weekly travels so I have them all in one place when it comes time to put the post up.
thanks for the kick up the bum to finally get some movement on this!

Andy Bailey’s last blog post..Contest! - Win a set of ipod portable speakers from iMaingo
hersh bhardwaj on February 3rd, 2008 1:19 pm

Bobby, I have been thinking of stating a weekly post on my new blog about my fav posts frm blogospehere. But I couldn’t fgure out a right shape for it. You havegiven me that here! I m gonna start by giving….thx.Starting with a trackback to yours!

hersh bhardwaj’s last blog post..Are You a Fluorescent Pig, or, a Purple Cow? Ebay Knows!
shinade on February 3rd, 2008 2:08 pm

Oh my Bobby it’s game day and I am running way behind. I hope this isn’t in conflict with what you are talking about. Because I just popped in to say that I shared some link love today…and, I included you!!

http://shinade.blogspot.com/2008/02/blog-roll-amnesty-day.html

Hugs,
Jackie:-)

shinade’s last blog post..Someone Truly Inspired Me
Genie Princess on February 3rd, 2008 3:10 pm

Good morning Bobby! Wow, awesome post with great tips, thanks for a wonderful read!

PS. I’m going to characterize u as sarcastic on FB lol..
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Scared To Switch!
Ann Clemmons on February 3rd, 2008 3:11 pm

I love your posts. Great ideas Bobby. I’m going to pass by on Sunday, and I think I shouldn’t have a problem finding some great posts to link too. And one of the things I love about weekly posts (mine is Tuesday’s Question) is introducing other bloggers to each other.
Thanks for another great read~

Ann

Ann Clemmons’s last blog post..Mouse Dreams
Madhur Kapoor on February 3rd, 2008 5:42 pm

Great post bobby. I have been linking to various blogs once in a while but i think i will start doing it more often now.

Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Zeiss Cinemizer video glasses for iPod
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 10:46 pm

Thanks Hersh! It’s just a really nice thing to do
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 10:47 pm

Of course there’s no conflict, it just something to think about! I shall come see!
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 10:49 pm

I’m sarcastic and you’re scared…hahaha! Are you really going to do that?
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 10:50 pm

Thanks Ann! I’m running just a tad late, but will be done shortly!
Revellian on February 3rd, 2008 10:53 pm

It’s a great thing to do for so many reasons. I’d love to see what your choices are!
trinity on February 3rd, 2008 11:28 pm

wah Bobby thank you for the tips… I haven’t done some of them.. *grin*
Todd Morris on February 4th, 2008 1:31 am

Hi Bobby,

I’ve been in a bit of a disorganized blogging funk for about a month now. Too many pans in the fire I think. No biggie, I know I’m on the upswing again. The one thing I have most regretted letting slip is my weekly link posts. Thanks for the reminder, I’ll start it up again later this week.

Todd

Todd Morris’s last blog post..Confessions of a Wordpress Theme Junkie
Revellian on February 4th, 2008 2:14 am

What? Haha…you should get busy then Trinity!
Revellian on February 4th, 2008 2:16 am

Is that a contagious condition Todd? I know how that can be, that’s why I only have one blog going right now, I just don’t have time for my other one…maybe later!
Brown Baron on February 4th, 2008 9:44 am

A link love post is a fantastic way of reaching out to others. Let’s spread the love people.

Brown Baron’s last blog post..Brown Talk #35: Community Day Sunday
Revellian on February 4th, 2008 6:55 pm

It’s my favourite thing to do and I think most people who try it, really like it!
Mike on February 5th, 2008 1:59 pm

I always enjoy doing link love posts, unfortunately lately I seem to suck at remembering to do it every week
Mike’s last blog post..The art of finger fighting
Revellian on February 5th, 2008 2:12 pm

It’s ok Andy! A cool contest is also a great way to give!
Revellian on February 5th, 2008 2:14 pm

What on Earth is a link love post? Nevermind…I just remembered
Super Sunday Links Episode 1 on February 10th, 2008 4:58 am

[...] How to be a good blogger - Karma by Revellian [...]
Syahid A. on February 10th, 2008 7:03 am

Link love is nice but a link love to a deserved post will be much better. Nice, thoughtful article by the way. (found this by madhur’s link love by the way!)
emila yusof on February 12th, 2008 4:09 pm

Great tips Bobby! I will definitely put up a weekly link love and link to this post! Thanks Bobby!

emila yusof’s last blog post..More items in etsy
» CommentLuvvers - Interesting sites that use CommentLuv > FiddyP on March 11th, 2008 10:15 am

[...] net due to immense workloads that take priority. I am taking a bit of advice from Revellian about blogging karma and having a regular spot for linking out to blogs I have seen. What better way to promote [...]