You know that old saying of ”It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? Well that maybe true in your place of work, you know the wrong person getting promoted simply because they play golf with one of the directors, but on the internet it’s a completely different story.
What you have to say is interesting to some people, sure some will ignore it because it’s not for them but some will love everything you publish and produce. Is that enough?
- Friends
If you are a loner you will found it near impossible to create a presence on the internet and that’s because you need friends and lots of them. Now these friends won’t buy you a birthday present or bring you some medicine when you are ill, but they will support your site.
Friends are fantastic for spreading your content to their own friends and commenting and adding value to your content and or business and the great thing is, it’s so easy to be friendly. If you treat people the way you want to be treated you have cracked and it’s done by respect. You respect their own interests (like their site or business or their time) by visiting them or spending time with them in the comments area of your site or by other means and you keep the relationship healthy, those who ignore their followers, readers or customers are doomed to be lonely.
You will have different types of friends, the ones who you hang around with all the time, the friends that you support so they support you by reading and spreading everything you produce. You will have friends that don’t visit as often but when they do add just as much value and will always rememeber you. You will then have the friends of friends who grow from remembering your site to a full blown avid visitors and the cycle continues.
The secret to keeping that cycle going is to look after those friends, because they will help you up if you ever fall.
photo credit: The U.S. Army
- High Places
Having come into this market 4 months ago I didn’t know anyone so I made friends and very quickly I decided to start guest posting and doing interviews. Now every reader is just as important as the next in my opinion whether they are a problogger or a teenager running a hobby site.
The good thing about guest posting is every now and again you get the opportunity to guest post for big traffic sites, again before I continue I would like to say each guest post is important to me and I care and reply to every comment on that post no matter where it was posted. That said I have guest posted and been reviewed interviewed etc for some big high traffic sites.
Below is a few examples of what I am talking about;
- NathanHangen.com – Guest Post
- EscapingThe9to5.com – Interview
- RobbSutton.com – David Risley saying I was an inspiration to him.
- ExtremeJohn.com – Guest Post
- BloggerIllustrated.com – Review
- DavidRisley.com – Guest Post
Now this is just a brief selection of some of what I am talking about, again everything I do and everything people involve me with whether it be a review or allowing me to guest post for them is really important to me, but having the right people talk about you is extremely important and it’s all down to association.
Being associated to these sites draws their readers to have a look at this site, it brings fresh eyes and fresh clicks, but how do you get to this position? You leap frog into it, everyone of the people above are helpful and approachable, but for me I used the leap frog method to get into this position. I started guest posting for other sites which were in similar popularity to this one. I coupled this with commenting and contributing to very popular sites. Then I sent a guest post to a slightly more popular site and then a really popular site and so on until this site started to be mentioned places without any prompting.
Don’t get me wrong here your friends are important, really important, but it’s usually your friends in high places that can unlock doors that are stubborn to open sometimes.
- Humble
Going back to what you know and how, it’s immensely important you remain humble and keep grounded. We have all seen it happen before, someone suddenly gets lucky at work and then thinks they are the big cheese and starts rubbing people up the wrong way, because they have forgotten where they came from.
I came from nothing and I have worked and saved hard to put a roof over my families heads and for me that’s what all this is about, but it would be quite easy to start big timing it, but why? The internet thing is just a screen it can be switched off in seconds so don’t get too caught up in all the hype, be yourself and remember those who where there at the start.
Below is a quick video;
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Hiya James
Another very interesting post and video.
The Internet is great for networking. I have made some good business contacts through social media especially Twitter. A lot of these people I have now met in person and with some still to see.
It is strange how people soon grow to trust and deal with each other more quickly via The Internet than you would person to person. In fact many of the people we would never get the opportunity to meet in the ‘real world’.
Keep writing and filming! You are now a Video Star!
Roland
.-= Roland Millward´s last blog ..Why Commenting is Good =-.
Ha ha hardly a star, but I’m really pleased the way it’s taking the site to new levels.
Yeah I think it’s really funny how some find it easier to make efriends rather than physical friends, but what ever works for you I suppose, not right nor wrong just do what’s right for you really
James– your video presence is getting better and better! The more you practice, the more comfortable you will get.
The best part about you is that you know your message well and that makes you believe-able… in other words, your message comes out loud and clear in your passion and that is good to see.
Let me know if you need any advice about better microphones. A nice cordless lavaliere mic would make your vids pop big time. My good friend Steve helped me with that early on in my vid blogging and he was right. Sound makes a huge difference in how you are perceived.
AL
.-= Allyn´s last blog ..How To Get Links By Darren Rowse And I Agree! =-.
Allyn, I’ve just seen your video post, (I’d read your content before but not seen you in action) you certainly rock on camera.
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
Yeah I would like some advice actually I’m using my HD camcorder to record it at the mo, can you send me an email on how best to incorporate a mic with the camcorder?
Well done!! Brilliant video and so very true.
Twitter has opened up a whole new world for most people. Personally I would never have got to even talk to the likes of Peter Jones never mind meet with him.
Through Twitter I have also been on the Radio and have been tweeted by the Prime Minister’s wife!!
I admire these people but I am not in awe of them because, as the video says, we are all born into the world with nothing. Very few of us are born with a silver spoon in our mouths and even then we have to find a focus and ‘do’ something. It’s human nature. Sad to see those fortunate enough to be born rich because of rich parents who then just destroy themselves with excesses of alcohol or drugs.
So are they fortunate really? Perhaps not. Perhaps those of us who work hard to achieve a level of income where we are comfortable and don’t have to worry about bills are the fortunate ones because we have a sense of achievment then, self worth and are surrounded by the love of true friends and a loving family.
My reason for starting up in business was because my husband was made redundant and I was sick of things happening ‘to’ me and to ‘us’ as a family. I decided to get up and fight and make our lives rich myself instead of relying on others to do it for me.
I look forward to the day when I have enough money in the bank to feel safe, secure and content. After all – is that not what everyone wants?
I guess even then I would continue to work, to dream and to be grateful for everything I have and most of all my health and the love of my family.
Very inspiring comment Amanda. I do like Twitter and I do get a fair bit of traffic from it. I’ve contacted a number of ‘famous’ names but never actually got much of a response.
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
PS. I’ve just been over to your site. My good friend Ali @millyandpip makes very complimentary products to your own and can be seen at:
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/millyandpip
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
Hi Matthew, thank you for your kind comments and the referral to Ali. Actually I already know Ali quite well – she is lovely!!
Ah! Small world, yes her and her other half were our witnesses at our wedding.
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
Amanda another inspiring comment, seriously when are you going to guest post for me?
Peter seems like a real genuine guy and from his tweets speaks and thinks very highly of you, great job Amanda, new video coming out tomorrow which I think you will really connect with
LOL!! I’ll guest post asap! Just so busy at the moment. Thankfully I have a volunteer to help us with admin. The more partner companies we bring on board, the more admin which takes me away from pushing the business forward.
I would like to have a proper business launch soon – a forties style tea dance! Whaddya think?
That would be amazing, what a fantastic idea… complete with hats and fancy dress
I’ve subscribed to your channel James!
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
Awesome brother new one coming out tomorrow
I will agree with the other readers, you are seeming more comfortable in your video posts. I really took your point of being very sociable to light because when I felt like I had writers block and didn’t want to publish nothing I normally wouldn’t. I made the mistake of not working for the relationships with other bloggers/readers. That itself produced results I saw and I am now working on bouncing back. Everything you preach is effective and worthwhile for anyones blog. So keep on preaching even if it is just reiterating, I love hearing it!
.-= Ryan Hanzel´s last blog ..Going with the flow =-.
Online I have always said it boils down to “who knows you”
So…
It’s not what you know or who you know, but who knows you.
You hit this right on the head in your video talking about producing good content, guest posting and interacting with people. Spending the time to build up a good group of friends online makes a world of difference for getting your content spread. You have shown just how quickly you can leap frog others with a high level of interaction. Most people sit and wait for things to happen few go out and take it. Keep up the excellent work.
.-= The Real Josh´s last blog ..Do you need no fluff social media consulting and Internet Marketing advice? =-.
Hey brother thanks man
I actually have a bit of an interesting question after watching that. I agree with you that looking after your readers is VERY important, supporting them, answering questions, helping where you can, and so on…
The question I had was, what if, say, somewhere down the line you end up being stalked online? It’s something I’ve not really seen addressed on many blogs (possibly looking in the wrong places right enough), but surely that’s one of the easiest ways to find someone?
Hm, now I sound vaguely paranoid. Honestly only curious because its the sort of thing I could see happening, especially if you are active with your readers and commentors. Just wondered if you knew
That said, it’s certainly not something that’d ever stop me commenting and respecting the people that visit. Guest posting seems like an amazing way of leap-frogging up, commenting definitely does work as you’ve proved before, some really good advice here. Also I agree with Allyn, your presence is getting tons better in your videos the more you do it; great job.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
Hey Heather,
Good question I know Darren Rowse has said either in a comment on here that he ended up being stalked as a result of a site slating him constantly. Yeah I’m not sure really.
Yeah videos getting better should have another one up tonight tutorial and one tomorrow hopefully
Hm… may have to look into it a bit more then. I just find it strange that no one really mentions it to be honest. May have to ask Darren
I swear, I know you’ve told us how you found the time, and run us through a typical day for you, but seriously… do you have a power outlet that you plug into the mains that allows you to keep going on (and on and on, like the bunny. In an energy way, not a rambling way)? Looking forward to it!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
ha ha you just love that bunny! If I could bottle it I would, I’m sure there must be a way to market it, Britain’s answer to Gary Vaynerchuk!
It fits and you know it lol
Bottling it would be awesome, but in the absense of large amounts of genetic equipment, laboratories, and dangerously unstable chemicals… we’ll have to do our best for ourselves.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
Hi Heather,
You hit a nerve with me because it’s something that has been on my mind lately. As a fellow woman, I know that you realize that we have to be a little more careful with what we are putting out on the internet. There are real cases of stalking with real consequences.
Being able to see our friends on videos is great, but when does it become too much personal (in a bad way). Along with all of the other traces of information that we leave while being online.
Just something to think about.
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Friday’s Links =-.
Hi Karen Heather, are both your websites protected by whois?
Probably not in my case James, since I hadn’t really heard of it being used for protection before. Should probably look into that!
Anyway Karen, I think it’s been playing on my mind a bit too because it occurred to me that if (as an example) you had a stalker and they happened to find your blog they could comment as much as they wanted under another name and you wouldn’t know any different. Or if you did figure it out after talking pleasantly to them, what are you meant to say? (since by then all your readers that bother about comments will have seen the exchange)
Possibly its more of a deal for women, but it’s still bound to affect men too. If you’re out there talking and interacting with people its going to make things even easier for them. Bit of a thorny one I’d imagine.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
If it does happen Heather you could always block their IP
Very true. Had completely overlooked that of course.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Webcomic: The Mayans – Day 1 =-.
Amazing
Dude I now fear you as some legit competition
Welcome to the World of DO FOLLOW
You will like it and so will everyone
Watch your next page rank update
also anyone that still doubts the power of do follow should Google
do you still doubt the power of do follow
Also remember not to give your page views away to sites that don’t care about you like the digg blogcatalog hootsuite toolbars it makes a BIG difference no one comes to my blog and my alexa purrs
Shoot I may have to make a post announcement on this one
PS James I know your busy but if you want an admin acct on that new project commentdrop DO FOLLOW of course so you can pop DROPS of your on it would be an honor to make you one Sir
and I don’t call any Brits Sir I’m 100% Irish
Thanks it’s awesome to watch a blogger rise the right way
Best wishes
John Sullivan
.-= John Sullivan@The Blog No One Reads´s last blog ..Ping that Post =-.
Hey brother yeah I’m going to make a quick tutorial video about this tonight and will add a good do-follow logo to the site too if you can suggest one. I listen to everything dude especially you brother because you along with Allyn are killing it being yourself and I love that.
You know I think this post sums up one of the reasons I started blogging with the goal of earning a full time income. Because you can start something online with nothing and make something. It is so much easier to create an online presence and community than it is to get in with the exact right people in the real world who will propel you to the top. People online dont care who you play golf with or what kind of car you drive, they care about, content, passion, and consistency.
Right on James!
.-= DJ Wetzel´s last blog ..It’s All About The Angle… =-.
thanks brother yeah I totally agree the internet (on the most part) doesn’t know creed, race or ability. Let your site do the talking and you let it do that by producing great content and even better service
You have achieved quite a lot also you share good and useful stuffs. Your videos getting better too.
Wish you good luck in future.
.-= Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Interview with James Richmond – The InfoPreneur =-.
Thanks brother
Hmmm, I gotta agree with you here.
Who you know is important – it gets you guest posts, solid critiques, and visitors when you are first starting out. But, you can’t be absolute crap either, cause you won’t go far on the net in that case. It seems like what you know is much more important online than it would be in traditional jobs.
I agree with Josh that it’s important who knows you, because if you’re good, people that know you will pass you on to other people, etc.
.-= Fiona´s last blog ..Discover the Solution to Getting Stuff Done =-.
Yeah I agree people who know you is the same as who you know it all goes back to your ”friends” top comment, how’s your weekend?
My weekend is outstanding so far, thanks for asking! Have a lot of work planned, so I’m hella excited to get started!
.-= Fiona´s last blog ..Discover the Solution to Getting Stuff Done =-.
The networking on the internet can get you places that you could never get to otherwise. there are now people I regularly interact with in england, Africa, Canary Islands, and Canada as well as all over the states. Not bad for an introvert from Utah. I don’t have many friends in real life, I have other things to do. But the relationships and exposure you can get online where there are not as many demands can be fantastic. I like building a community with so many interesting people that can help me grow as a person and help with my blog as well.
thanks for all you do James!
Justin
.-= Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Fiction Saturday! Death With A Vengeance Part 5! =-.
thanks for the support brother it is great how quickly you can make conections a lot easier online, of course it all goes hand in hand with how much time you spend online too
There’s a lot to be said about ‘who knows you’. Here’s a perfect example… This is my first visit to your site. I kept hearing/seeing your name among the people I’ve been hanging out with. Glad I found your site, btw.
It’s interesting hearing other people comment how much easier it is to meet people online as opposed to in person. Maybe it’s because online, those people already have something in common to break the ice. If nothing else, it’s certainly a way to network beyond physical boundaries.
Great discussion… I’ll be back for more.
.-= Tim Zager´s last blog ..I’m A Fraud, A Liar, And A Cheat! =-.
Hey Tim,
Great to have you here brother, out of interest which sites did you see me on? If I can help with anything just give me a shout
Saw you mentioned a couple times by Nathan Hangen and Jimi Jones.
.-= Tim Zager´s last blog ..I’m A Fraud, A Liar, And A Cheat! =-.
Cool man thanks, Nathan and Jimi are awesoem blokes
Well said and I agree with the importance of having the right people talk about you. In fact, that is what brought me over to your site. I just read the review post that John Sullivan wrote about you and wanted to see what was up. Good stuff and I really enjoyed the “most talked about” posts as well.
.-= Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..How Can I get more Traffic from Google ? – Simple Tip =-.
Hey brother,
I haven’t read that yet going to now though but John is an awesome guy simply brilliant. If you need anything just give me a shout
James,
I echo the sentiments of the other commenters, your video presentations are improving all the time and they’re adding valuable quality to your blog.
There is so much to learn from building relationships with the people we have access to today, not necessarily the ‘A’ list people, even the new blogger or Social media novice. When I am unable to think of what to write, I get so much inspiration from reading other blog posts and adding a comment. Reading the comments on those blogs can be so enlightening.
Thank you for sharing such an interesting post.
Regards
Paul
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Rocky Road =-.
Anytime Paul thanks for the support
Yes, what you know and say or post on your blog is important for your readers. But who you know can help get more people to your site. Then the what you know is important to keep those readers engaged and involved.
Networking online is new to me and is making more contacts and gaining JV partners is a goal of mine this year. I am trying to be more involved in the social marketing arena to help with the networking. I also want to attend some live events to take the networking to a more personal level.
Thanks and keep up the awesome posts.
- Rick
.-= Rick Byrd´s last blog ..Dealing With Distractions =-.
Hey Rick,
Yeah that’s my goal too is to start going to some live events, hopefully one day I will be on the stage
Making genuine connections with established people while staying true to your roots is really part of life. That’s also the reason why successful build “tribes”, where they support and promote each other for maximum exposure. I’m already starting that myself; it’s an exciting journey !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Whatever you think, think the opposite =-.
brother that sounds interesting man how are you getting on?
The same thing happens online. Garbage blogs/products get promoted time and time again simply because of the cliche they belong too.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..$100 – 10 Winners – Comment Contest! ‘Till Months End… =-.
Hey James,
I just finished writing a blog post for my site that this post inspired so thanks for that.
I couldn’t agree more on this post. I’m currently reading (and absolutely love learning about money) Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant (Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom) and am just enjoying the hell out of it.
I love learning and know more things about what I’m interested in. I also know how important it is to have people who know more than I do and get to know them. Each is very important in its own way as it brings value to your life.
I’ll add something here that I discovered in the book. It’s better to have two legs than one and know a bit on both sides of the quadrant. He is referring to knowing about being an employee or self-employed person as well as knowing about business and investing.
This can directly relate to your post about knowing a lot of good and useful information as well as people who can help you to really get far in life.
Great post James!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Build Your Blog With Fire In Mind =-.
Brother I wish I could get into books, I think I’m missing out massively. Fantastic comment. Let me know when that post is up
Hey man,
Books are great if you can get into them. After all, you really have to enjoy what you’re reading if you want to benefit from them I think.
I’ll let you know for sure man!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Build Your Blog With Fire In Mind =-.
Hey James, as usual another great piece full of good sense…. now matter what you are trying to build, or where you are trying to build it, now matter how successful you become… this one line from your post is vital to remaining grounded and human…….
“The internet thing is just a screen it can be switched off in seconds so don’t get too caught up in all the hype, be yourself and remember those who where there at the start.”
.-= Mick Morris´s last blog ..How to help yourself. =-.
You know what you said at the end was perfect and it’s what we should all be doing. Caring about our customers and our readers that’s of course not all but it will be the BIG ONE I will say.
.-= Wilson Usman´s last blog ..Why Should I Care About Social Media? =-.
Hey Wilson,
You’re absolutely right man without our readers we’re nothing
hi James,
Life is all about connections. We are all trapped in an inescapable network of mutuality. We need the support and collaborations of others in other to build our success in life. You can’t cope on your own, especially when it comes to starting an internet business.
I support Dorian’s point of making genuine connections with established people. Relations are good, but better when done with established people – people that can help expose the best of you.
Thank for the post
.-= innocriss´s last blog ..Social Entrepreneurship – Now is the Time =-.
Anytime,
yeah that’s a really good point, established people have made a stack of mistakes which they can pass on experience to you too.