Michael Fletcher is currently living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. Michael worked as a manager for 7 years, where he first discovered his passion for helping others excel and now runs Monetize Your Life a personal development blog focused on increasing your ability to produce results that are meaningful in your life. Michael over to you;
Too often when I go through my daily ritual of web-o-philia I’m smacked in the face by the callous insincerity of a lot of online personalities. You’ve seen them during your daily trip through comments sections, forums and blog posts. The web is full of these trolls out to catch a free ride and make a quick buck. While we all have goals for our own blog, the reality is we can’t really achieve any of them on our own. We can’t visit our own blog 1000 times a day, well we can but erm… unless we’re looking to relocate to a nice quiet padded room to blog from what’s the point?
Blogging makes us dependant on others
If we’re going to succeed at blogging the only way to do it is through others. Now the problem with other people is, unlike google bots, they’re not dumb. In fact trick one of these other people once and they’re likely not going to return. Worse still unlike those poor miserable bot bastards, other people have friends. Worse still many of these other people live lives so depressing they have nothing better to do than to complain about annoying webmasters who use their sites to try and distract you as they pick your pocket. When we venture out into the world of blogging, we need to remember growing your blog is an organic process. You cannot cheat the system. Sure streamline the crap out of your system. Have your content pouring from you like water. Promote at the press of a button. These are all tools but ultimately we, like the farmer and his crops, are dependant on our readers. Treat them with respect and grow your relationship with them slowly. Make sure you give them what they need and pretty sure your manure will turn to roses or some other thing that grows in the ground.
Blogging makes us responsible for others
The only way to get what you want is to give what you want. If you want loads of comments, you’ve got to give them. Oh yes, if you want loads of quality comments then you can probably guess how to get them too. No one owes you anything. You’re going to get what you give most days. When you make yourself responsible for others success you become authentically involved in their blogs and lives. These are the kinds of interactions that will send your success skyrocketing. When you genuinely and sincerely take an interest in others you’ll find they’ll begin to take an interest in you. Without that genuine-ess though you’re going to find yourself alone or worse still sitting at your blog with the vultures circling.
Authenticity makes the blogging world go round
You want lasting results for your blog?
Do:
Write about topics you’re passionate about
Don’t:
Write about the latest and greatest thing just because it’s a hot topic. This kind of sensationalism might bring in some quick google traffic but will probably annoy the life out of your regular readers.
Do:
Retweet, share links and bookmark the great content you find as fast as your over worked mouse can carry you.
Don’t:
Spam your loving social network with affilliate links and obviously automated content designed to trick the masses into your twittering clutches.
Do:
Comment on blogs you enjoy
Don’t:
Use the words great and post next to each other. Don’t hint at the fact that you’ll whore out your comments if you receive comments in return, if your comments are good they’ll generate traffic for you without the tackiness.
Do:
Reply to all the comments you get
Don’t
Take your readers for granted. Most readers don’t bother subscribing to comment feeds or emails because they have become accustomed to being ignored. Get stuck in there and reply to everything
What does everyone think?
Please Comment
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: allynpaul
December 30, 2009 at 00:52
great post! ROFL

I must first say that dude, you look like you wanna hurt somebody in that pic up there… but anyway,
I actually enjoy commenting and socializing with my online “friends” and I like making new ones. However, i want to take issue with this statement:
“If we’re going to succeed at blogging the only way to do it is through others.”
(note to Info Dude, I am gonna be friendly with this and not brash ok?)
back to the topic..
There is nothing wrong with being a lone wolf blogger. Blogs are good for many things other than being social. In fact, the blogs that make me the most money have no comments at all; no Twitter link, no Digg links, nuthin.
The fact I use a blog platform is for the SEO value (like the fresh content bonus and pinging) and the ease of building them. Plus, people trust blogs these days. So, essentially, you don’t need anyone to MAKE MONEY/succeed with a blog. If you are wanting to make money, social traffic will actually get in your way sometimes. I am very sincere about my blogging too, trust me
What do you think?
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 30, 2009 at 05:11
I agree blog/info type sites are great in terms of SEO, constantly updated and healthy for links etc. It would be interesting to see the sites your talking about that have no social side to it.
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Is your blogging sincere? Authentic bloggers win every time – Guest Post
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 06:45
Hi Niall,
Yeah it’s a tough old balancing act, a lot of us bloggers do try and make a buck or two by monetizing our sites, when that becomes the only reason we’re filling pages we’ll be caught out very quickly. For the rest of us I agree we’ll achieve our goals if we stick to it, but blogs like this are a great reminder that you don’t need to be underhanded to achieve great success quickly.
Michael Fletcher´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: shackledmuse
December 30, 2009 at 17:54
Yeah I’ve been telling Mr. Fletcher forever to change that pic, but do you think he listens? Nooooooo. Lol.
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 18:25
bah humbug – It’s my ode to Mr. Potato head and his angry eyes
Michael Fletcher´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: donpower
December 30, 2009 at 01:46
Hey Michael!
Articulated to a ‘T’!
It comes as no surprise that James should have such quality guest posters.
In fact, I was just replying to a comment from James on my blog that lead me here – and to your blog. The first post of yours that caught my eye was
IF.
I saw this poem framed and hanging on a wall in a doctor’s office many, many years ago, and I thought WOW! If I ever have a son, he will know this poem and he will know this sentiment!
Well, I now have threee beautiful kids – a daughter and 2 sons. The oldest son is 4 and is just about old enough to get the meaning of this poem. (And in fact, I’ll take a liberty and recite this poem for my daughter too – come to think of it1)
Honesty, integrity, courage…You know what? Recently I’ve taken issue with a newbie blogger who abused these virtues in the name of self promotion and greed – and I took him to task in a post that your readers can discover from my commentluv link below if they choose.
But a more important outcome is all new bloggers and people of honesty and integrity that I have met as a result of all of this. And something else that has come as a real surprise to me in my long 4 weeks of blogging…
That is, I have encountered 1 dishonest blogger – and DOZENS of honest bloggers and I am thrilled that at least in my experience, the people of integrity actually greatly outweigh the tricksters, the scammers and the usurpers!
I’m normally a cynical person – and I’ve got a degree in philosophy and a lifetime of reason that tells me I should feel as if I’m swimming with the sharks …
But I don’t.
In fact, the opposite is true. I feel support from strangers. I feel friendship developing from these relationships and I feel a commaraderie that I haven’t felt in the 9-5 business world in a lifetime of effort!
So, take hope Michael. If, as Kipling said, we can keep from dealing in lies, even if others have chosen to do so all around us, then we will be men (and women), my friend!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 30, 2009 at 05:12
Don,
Grade A comment yet again, it’s becoming a habit! great attitude and yeah you’re right Michael is a great writter.
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Is your blogging sincere? Authentic bloggers win every time – Guest Post
Twitter: donpower
December 30, 2009 at 10:55
Thanks James – you’re not too shabby yourself
- Don
And by the way, where were YOU on Y2K? Maybe in a sandy foxhole somewhere? Or maybe with a copy of Posse Commitus and a lighter in your hand? – hahaha!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Where were you on Y2K?
Twitter: theinfopreneur
December 30, 2009 at 11:18
Not far off, I’ll visit and comment
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Is your blogging sincere? Authentic bloggers win every time – Guest Post
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 07:30
Phew thanks for that, ok so we now have a definition for a quality comment.
If by Rudyard Kipling has long been my favourite poem, it so simply articulates the near impossibility of perfection, while providing a road map to more virtuous living. During periods of my life I read it twice a day and it is a great way to center oneself during difficult times. I hope you and your son have a great time learning it together.
I agree fully the blogging community is filled with great people. I think the problem is not how many dishonest bloggers there are but the scale of their dishonesty, as your spam queue on any popular blog will attest too. More of us need to start pointing a finger at those bloggers who give the rest of us a bad name.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment on my post. Live long and prosper
Michael Fletcher´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: donpower
December 30, 2009 at 11:00
Live long and prosper – Another one of my favorite quotes! I think we must be doing a Vulcan mind meld or something!
Thanks for the thumbs up and thanks for your comment on my blog, by the way. I look forward to reading more from you!
Cheers!
Oh – and now I’m getting really curious because of some of the folks who have commented on this already, but where were YOU on Y2K? If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, check out the Comluv below!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Where were you on Y2K?
Good stuff Michael and all well made points. I think there are tons of people out there blogging who are just in it to get extra business or to try and make a living out of it but they get found out very fast. If you stay sincere and blog from the heart about the topics you are passionate about that will shine through and you’ll achieve your goals as a result
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 07:39
@allyn Ok so I’ve screwed up my attempts at replying by neglecting my RDA for coffee before 8am. So this reply to you will be floating in the middle of nowhere oh woe is me.
I stand by the comment “If we’re going to succeed at blogging the only way to do it is through others.”
I think first off, in the example you cite with static pages targeting specific keywords, you’re using wordpress more as a cms system than blogging system. Secondly even with those pages where you don’t encourage social interaction, ultimately it’s people clicking on your links. I agree that the lone wolf blogger can succeed. With good SEO and targeted traffic one can do very well, however ultimately, you’re still providing quality relevant content to another person, if you weren’t you know as well as anyone no one would hang around long enough to click on anything. Ultimately I have no doubts about your sincerity or authenticity if people thought you were ripping them off you wouldn’t be making any money.
Michael Fletcher´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: bluepop13
December 30, 2009 at 08:09
I believe this is one of the most intelligent blog posts I’ve read that really gets down to the main points of blogging. Every blog has its own style and brings out something fun and useful into the blogosphere. However, this post was definitely amazing and I think everyone should be doing this. Everyone. Awesome stuff and it kind of reminds me of my favourite author and what he has to stay about life and such. My favourite author is Larry Winget.
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 13:22
I hadn’t heard of Larry Winget, looks intersting will definitely try and check him out. Thanks for the feedback I think there’s tons of space for authenticity in todays web if only we start concentrating on the act of blogging rather than the desired outcomes.
Michael @ Monetize Your Life´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: KiwiGordie
December 30, 2009 at 08:40
Hey Michael,
Great stuff. I can’t fault your suggestions. I think that we actually have to give more in the beginning than we get. Much more. The rewards can often come slowly. When that happens, we just have to keep on giving. Gary Vaynerchuk did that for the first couple of years and now look at him.
Gordie´s last blog ..Look, Mom! My Blog’s Sprouting Pubes!
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 11:40
Indeed our mutual friend Mr. Bravery springs to mind in the giving stakes too. The rewards do tend to come slowly but that’s normally the case with most worthwhile things. When you’re sincere and authentic I reckon the giving happens by itself.
Michael @ Monetize Your Life´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Twitter: vinoun
December 30, 2009 at 12:54
Hi! What a coincidence! That’s exactly the same sentiment that I have in mind lately.
If you go to my site, you’ll notice that I removed all the affiliates links except to products that I personally have purchased and use. I also removed adsense. I feel that I want an honest upstart in the blogging world. I want to write about something I’m passionate about. At the same time I don’t want to talk or write about things that I don’t have or I didn’t get my hands on to. I only write about the things I have and use, those that I put my time and effort into, and probably review some product that I believe will do good to me as well as others. I want to be honest and believable while maintaining some level of transparency.
The blogging world is already piled with so many zero-to-half-thought sh*ts and I don’t want to add more to that pile.
Rick – vinoun.com´s last blog ..Blog Profits Blueprint
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 13:25
The internet is a big big place strange then how so many people are trying to crowd into the same space. I applaud your efforts to focus on your passions on your blog. Ultimately you’ll get what you focus on and a clear targeted monetization strategy is always going to beat the scattergun approach.
Michael @ Monetize Your Life´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Hey James,
I felt like I was reading the next page in the book I’m reading-Trust Agents. Just getting into the blogsphere in 2009, it’s good to hear the flowing theme among bloggers – we’re human and we exist for you and because of you.
Scott
Twitter: mikezilla14
December 30, 2009 at 14:28
Amen! “for you and because of you” I like that line a lot. It is extremely humbling when we remember we’re only as important as we are useful. When we start forgetting our readers are real people and start treating them like money making opportunities we’re headed down a slippery slope.
Michael @ Monetize Your Life´s last blog ..What’s more important what’s Right or getting caught
Wow loved the do’s and don’ts and yes I do write what I am passionate about , I guess that is why I write now on four websites.
People inspired people of all kinds. thank you so much.
Cathy ´s last blog ..What are we all looking for?
Twitter: mikezilla14
January 6, 2010 at 23:42
You can’t put a price tag on passion. Blogs without passion definitely have shelf life.
Michael Fletcher´s last blog ..Lessons from Avatar – The Power of vision and integrity
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 7, 2010 at 18:11
Exactly brothee, I don’t think you can even manufacture passion, if you could bottle it, you’d be golden!
Twitter: Bigredtomato
January 13, 2010 at 23:20
I agree with Cathy, the do’s and don’t are a very useful checklist.
I do worry with all the blog love going around the only people actually reading your blogs are other bloggers looking for higher rankings!
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..6 Days only – 31 Days to Build a Better Blog + 3 Free Bonus Offers
Twitter: yogabarry
January 29, 2010 at 16:31
Hi Mike. Very Nice.
Funny how many times I leave a comment with no reply.
Comments to me, priceless.
Thanks for an encouraging post.
Twitter: mikezilla14
January 29, 2010 at 17:43
Indeed while there are many reasons for not replying to comments there really is no excuse for it. The authentically sincere bloggers realise that readers are spending their valuable time writing comments. It’s a great compliment and one that at the very least deserves acknowledgement. Even if you’re a great blogger you can only mistreat your readers for so long before the stop bothering.
Michael @ Monetize your Life´s last blog ..If you best is not good enough do better
Good advice. Basically if we put our readers first by offering them useful content, reply to their comments and nurture interaction, then we all win, reader and blogger alike. When we serve them we also serve ourselves.
We just had a great Twitter chat today on #kaizenblog about the value of community. Much of what we discussed relates also to your post. Our blog readers can develop into communities where they chat with each other as much as they do with us. These communities can also spread across to the other blogs we read, Twitter and various social media spaces. If we write to serve all of those people, those who read out blogs and the blogs of those we comment upon, then we help to nurture those communities. In return they provide additional knowledge and feedback and help spread the word about out sites and support our brands. If we put the community first everyone wins.
Heidi Cool´s last blog ..Top Web Development Blog Entries for 2009
Twitter: travelsofadam
February 7, 2010 at 18:46
So true. If you’re authentic, you’ll get authentic readers & commenters.
Adam´s last blog ..Wombat Wednesday: Going Gothic