How to Seduce Someone into the Blogosphere
While having coffee with my friend the mayor yesterday morning (yes, I think I’m cool), two of his friends stopped by to say hello. Somehow (I swear I don’t remember how) the topic of blogs came up and one of his friends denounced them saying she doesn’t have time to read some 27-year-old’s personal diary. Aghast, I handed her a blard (blog card for the uninitiated) and invited her to drop by this space and this space. I’m sure if I were to meet her again and were able to get to know her a bit, I could seduce her into the blogosphere by finding out where her interests lie. In fact, with what little I know thus far, I’ll bet she’d read her friend the mayor’s blog. I’m fairly certain she works in the nonprofit world, so Beth’s blog would probably rope her in as well.
The interaction inspired a how-to list, as in How to Seduce Someone Into the Blogosphere:
1. Have a conversation and find out what he/she likes. Is she a rabid shopper? A knitter? A vegan tree hugger?
2. Find blog links to send to him/her, blogs themselves and specific posts you think he/she will find of interest.
3. Help your new friend subscribe to a feed reader like Bloglines or Google Reader so she can start following the blogs she likes.
That’s it. Once she starts reading she’ll find she has blogs she wants to keep up with regularly. Then she’ll find she has something to say, and will comment here and there. Before long, she’ll think, “I want a blog!”
Works every time.
Good job explaining how to seduce others to blogging
I think I need to get myself a blard too
The thing is, about number one, that’s what kept me from blogging for a really long time. I’d read everyone else’s blog and then think about how I wish I could blog – but I CAN’T – because I don’t have a niche. I’m interested in everything (well, almost everything) but I’m not incredibly passionate or focused on one particular thing.
One day I decided to forget the niche and blog about whatever.
It totally works for me.
It DOES totally work for you, Jeannette. You’re interesting. You have interesting things to say. I’m pretty random in this space because it’s a PERSONAL blog — no real agenda — just what’s on my mind. Since I write a lot about being a working mom and try to offer insights there, I’ve attracted a lot of working moms — but a lot of dads, people in my community, friends, fellow PR people, etc. Keep it up, Jeannette. You are a rock star blogger.
Since I think I have mastered the art of seduction
, I started to blog about it so that I can teach something on the Internet. I guess by showing your friends the authority that you have gained throughout the process of blogging will be able to seduce her.
So far I’ve gotten 2 people into blogging! Although not entirely (they don’t post all the time) but I might use these tips to see if it can spark a little more blogging fire in them.
And yeah, many people need to learn about Google Reader or Bloglines