Here's Why I Don't Need to be an Influential Blogger

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Read my lips: I don't need to be an influential blogger.

That's all there is to it, guys. You can go home now. Nothing new here.

You want to stay a while? Suit yourself. Nobody is stopping you.

About me and influential blogging. Here are a few quick points though -

1. I don't need to be an influential blogger. I know myself, I know what I want, and I know where to go. In the grand scheme of things, at least I know that striving to be an influential blogger is the least of my priorities.

2. This blog writing project is just a game for me. I will not lose sleep over it if I don't win. I will not even obsess about making a good showing. Whatever happens, you will find the same Jan even after the contest. Win or lose. You wanna bet? I'm up for that, too.

3. But I will be going out of my comfort zone to push for the nominations of my Top 10 List of Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009. I owe them that. I've shoved them into this without seeking their permissions. I feel responsible on their behalf.

4. To this extent, I can be relied upon to be scheming and devious and active supporter. If there were only ghost bloggers I'd round up people on behalf of those dead bloggers to vote for my candidates. You know what I'm saying? You got it. I am a loyal friend. At least that part you got right.

5. Beyond helping my candidates get their fancy titles, I will ask nothing more. So don't worry if I visit you. I can put on a big show in your blog but I'm just doing this for my kids. I'm not there to charm your pants off. I hope that's clear enough.

What do I want

I just want my friends to have fun. To make them push themselves and test the limits of possibilities in the blogosphere. And for them to stay friends while being competitive. That's one way of making them understand themselves and the needs of their fellow bloggers.

I don't need fancy titles to keep myself happy. I am quite happy with the little I have in this world. If that means no Kindle2 e-reader for me - fine. If that means I'd be forever in a hunt for secondhand computers and laptops - so be it. If that means I don't get to hobnob with and call the Movers and Shakers of the blogospheres by their first names - well, it's no skin off my nose. I have simple needs and I am fine with that.

I just want to write

And write.

And write some more.

Because doing so will make me understand myself more. Writing as a daily discipline gives me a chance to do that and thus become a better person in the process. Perhaps.

Here's Michael Martine's superb blog post on how blogging can make you become a better person.

What can be more priceless than becoming a better person, pray tell me?

In my book - nothing. And please -

I'm Yoda for crying out loud

So don't wave that box of tissues in my face. I'm a bit peeved, and yes, a little teary-eyed writing this - that I admit. But hey, Jedi knights don't cry. Do remember that.

Besides, I'm armed to the teeth. I have my own box of tissues here, thank you.

Over to you, guys. So what happened in the blogosphere today? Feeling particularly influential today? Please share us your stories. I'm listening.

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Tags: Top 10 influential blogs 2009, top 10 emerging influential blogs, influential blogger, blog promotion, writing project

The Art of Getting What You Want in the Blogosphere

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In this post I'm going to tell you how I get what I want in the blogosphere. My needs are modest - you maybe lusting after something completely different - but the same principle may apply. So hold on and listen.

My blogging needs are simple -

1. Readers - Check
2. Engaged Readership - Check
3. Blogging Buddies - Check
4. Recognition - Check
5. Self-hosted WordPress blog - Check. [Note: Please bear with my false alarms. We're working on it.]

Getting readers

I did not get my readers by sitting on my ass all day marveling how powerful my latest post is. I get them myself by actively seeking them. I read both high trafficked blogs and those with only a handful of readers. True, I have a bias for blogs with large, bustling readership, but my heart beats as well for those who have only their mothers for a reader. I know how hard it is keep on blogging with no one giving you an encouraging pat in the back. I want my new found friend to remember me "as that guy who'd been there with me when no one else believed in me." Sweetness!

Promote your buddies with FriendFeed

When a visitor reads my post and leaves a comment, I check out his blog. Who is this guy? What does he need? How best to talk with him? Those are my concerns.

Now, this is very important. If he has a brilliant post, I leave a comment. And I share his post in FriendFeed. Why FriendFeed? Because it's the best social media aggregator there is - it pulls in your subscriptions to the various social media sites. If you want to simplify and make productive use of your social media presence, I recommend using Friendfeed.

So what, you say. Do you know that once I share your masterpiece in Friendfeed your post appears simultaneously not only in FriendFeed but also in my Facebook page and Twitter? If only two tweeters retweet what I've posted you've just gained possible eyeballs for your post. But what if an uber blogger retweets what I've shared? Think big - think Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, or Darren Rowse. Can you imagine the ripple effect of that single benevolent action?

About FriendFeed:

1. You can sign up for FriendFeed account or use it by signing in with your Facebook, Twitter, and Google account. Here's a link to answers to your other FriendFeed related questions

2. For easier sharing of post in FriendFeed use a FriendFeed bookmarklet and drag it to your web browser. With FriendFeed bookmarklet you can both share the post and a picture to go with it at the same time. Nifty, huh?

Note: If you think the blog author is not that social media savvy, you can tell him nicely that you've shared his post in the social media. Don't twist his arm and make him believe he owes you. That's bad form. Just say you're so pleased with the quality of his post that sharing it with others is the least you can do to repay him. Or something similar.

Giving incentives is a powerful blogging strategy

Giving incentive to readers is a fail-safe blogging strategy. You condition them that there's something in it for them when they visit you. Do it often. It's the best way to win their affection.

If my visitor prefers to lurk in my blog and refuses to drop a comment, I have no beef against that. Suit yourself, amigo. But let me tell you, I'm going to visit your blog, read your post and leave a comment. I'd break the ice. Get comfy with me. You're in good hands, buddy.

Cultivating engaged readership

You want an engaged readership? Be accessible. Get down from your ivory tower and talk with your readers. Spar with them in contentious issues - but be civil. It pays to be humble. It pays to show you're not Mr. Know-It-All. And that you're willing to learn from your readers.

They want banter? Give them fun. They want high brow conversations? Then engage them with your lofty thoughts and expertise. They need help? Help them - if you can't - find somebody who will. Being useful to them means you are -

1. ready to give them the gift of your time.

2. sensible enough to concede that sometimes your conversation with your readers is the main event in your blog. It's the star of the show. Not your post. Not even you - you're just the busboy that wheels in the topic of the day. Live with it.

Put your best blogging foot forward

Winning friends is an art form. There's no cut and dried formula to it. In my post Top 10 List of Influential Blogs of 2009, I said that to get what you want you've to ask for it. Clarification: this call to action is best said in your own blog - get your readers to do something for you. They most likely will because they like you in the first place.

But when you're out there getting readers, you had better be on your toes. Be subtle in your approach. Check out the profile of the author, observe how he handles his own readers, dig into his archives to see what makes him tick. Knowing these is essential so you will know how best to conduct yourself in his blog.

Bring out your best social media ninja moves

It maybe tough. You maybe intimidated with his erudition. But guess what - you have not come empty handed, right? So bring out your gifts. If he's really that good - well, be generous with your social media gifts. Tweet about him, give him a thumbs up or a review in StumbleUpon, bookmark his post in Delicious or in Digg, promote it in Yahoo Buzz, share it in Facebook.

If he knows what's good for him and his blog, he'd remember you. Visit him next time and repeat the process. Wear him down with your Mother-Teresa-meet-Chris-Brogan style of blog promotion and you'd most likely win a friend.

The art of getting recognition

Being cited as one of the Top 10 Influential blogs is cool. Makes your heart beat a little faster, right? Here are my marching orders for my top 10 nominees:

1. If the blog post is good, promote it in Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Delicious, and other social media you're comfortable with. Make it a part of your routine.This is a must.

2. If the blog post is average and you fear that posting it to your social media sites will irk your friends there, don't. What to do? Engage the blog author by leaving a wonderful comment. This means you don't show off your expertise. Express your thoughts in such a way that you make your comment contribute positively to his post. It's his show - make the author shine.

3. Subscribe to the comment feed. The author most likely will reply to you, or even his readers. You will never know that unless you're subscribed. Remember you're not only there to win over the blog author but his readers as well.

4. If you fail to get the nod of the blog author, keep at it. With all due respect to Janette Toral and her great writing project, it's just that at the end of the day: a writing project. You might not get the vote, but hey, guess what - gun instead for the ultimate prize: the respect of the blog author and the admiration of his followers. You're in blogging for the long haul, aren't you?

The blogosphere owes you nothing

In a nutshell, my point is this: To get ahead in the blogosphere you need to stop acting with a sense of entitlement. You maybe brilliant, you maybe pedigreed, you may have come from the perfumed set of society, but you're nothing. The blogosphere owes you nothing.

Be useful, helpful, and generous instead and watch your readership and sphere of influence explode.

Over to you, guys. What do you think of my master plan? Am I too full of myself in this post? Let's share insights.

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Tags: blogging tips, blogging promotion, social media, FriendFeed, getting readers to your blog

The Secret To a Successful Blog Promotion Strategy

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Do you know the secret to a successful blog promotion strategy? Well, good for you if you do. In this post, I'd like to share a few lessons I've learned in my five months of blogging.

Especially the slow learners. Fine, maybe it's not you. But stay awhile because I may have something you haven't heard about yet.

For my slow learners, here goes. It's staring you in the face all this time but sometimes you hardly notice it. Why? Because you're so wrapped up devising plots to get what you want. You hardly think of nothing else.

Blog promotion through active blog commenting

Yes, you are genius. You've just written a post so compelling in its humor, depth, and originality. You know that's not enough, so you visit other blogs to get your readers. Perfect. Way to go, guys. But in your haste to dominate the blogosphere you've committed blunders. Take a look at what you've done -

1. You left a bland comment. Are you crazy? Even a spammer can write a better spiel than your anemic one-liner.
2. You asked for a link exchange. Hello? It's your first visit, pal. Get real.
3. You asked for a favor right after you said hello. My reaction - You're a first class moron.

Leaving bland comments

Leaving a bland comment means you never bother to listen to the writer's main points. You're in a hurry to be at the next blog on your list. You've maybe 20. Ah, five more to go. And you're off. Selfish bastard.

Okay. You've done your blog commenting quota for the day. Now, is that an effective strategy? Guess what, you fail. Twenty inane comments means nada. You've just wasted your time for nothing.

Try this: Comment on just 10 blogs a day. But engage the writer in a meaningful conversation. Use humor when the post is controversial. Suggest an important point that the writer leaves out in the article. Offer a contrary view when everybody agrees with the blog author, but be respectful and gracious.

What do you get out of this? Respect. Yes, respect or recognition from the author and other readers who have read your comment. You get return visits, referral traffic from the blog, and more importantly you may have won over a potential blogging buddy.

Link exchange

So let's examine how you hustle getting links to your blog. It's your first visit in my site. You've left a comment praising my craftsmanship as a blogger. Fine. But you end your spiel with a request for a link exchange.

No offense to you, but that's not how it is done. See those guys in my sidebar? Ninety percent of them have not asked for a link exchange, but they are there. What's my requirement? These guys are generous people. They've given me the gift of their time, humor, company, everything a friend in real life will give you. A tacky link to these individuals' blogs is a lousy payback, if you ask me.

The other ten percent? These are the guys who kept me company when I had no one to turn to in my first months of blogging. They supported me, taught me a few tricks and generally made me trust in my abilities.

Off-tangent: Here's the good news. I've a separate page for my blogroll in my WordPress blog which is due anytime soon. I can afford now to be more democratic in giving links to you, guys. You've suffered in silence, I know. I know everyone of you so please be patient. We're getting there.

Asking for favors

If you desperately need a vote for some web awards you've participated in, please don't show your desperation. You've already asked nicely. Stop. No more pitches.

You can only get that nod, that precious vote by giving. To get what you want in life you have to give away a part of yourself. Again and again. And then some more.

That's true in every area of your life. It's even truer in blogging.

Now, that I'm done insulting my slow learners let's what they can do to get back on the right blog promotion strategy.

The art of giving. Let's count the ways -

1. Share the blog post you've just read in the social media. You're comfortable using Twitter? Tweet about it. You're a Facebook netizen? Share it in Facebook, what's stopping you huh? The aim is to be helpful and generous. Be creative in helping your fellow bloggers. They will appreciate it and notice you in no time.

2. Bounce off the blogger's post by writing about it in your blog, crediting the writer as the originator of the idea. Enlarge on areas he had skipped. Take a contrary view even, but if you must do it tastefully. Be controversial, but tame your inner snark.

3. Engage the blog author in meaningful conversations. Contribute to his ideas in the comment section of his blog. Don't skimp on your time. Make return visits, especially when the blogger replies to your comment. It shows you're interested in what he has to say.

4. Write guest posts. But here's the clincher - select your best blog post idea and give it away. Now, isn't that a perfect gift? Forget about gaining new readers from the host blog - that's already a given, considering the effect of your brilliant post on his readers. What's breathtaking about this strategy is that you earn the respect and friendship of the blog author. That in my book is priceless.

5. Get up close and personal. Write him a personal email that shows you've given a lot of thought to your message. If you've made your pitch previously then drop it already. Talk about something else - like what the blogger has written. Find a common interest. Connect on a personal level.

So what's your formula for world domination, guys? Let's brainstorm and scheme together, shall we?

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Tags: blog commenting, blog promotion, blogging tips, link exchange, guest posting

It is Done: Here's Writing to Exhale Now

Guys, I'd be transferring to my new WordPress home atWriting to Exhale tonight.

I hope all goes well with the blog transfer. And that you will still visit me once my new home is ready to welcome you. Not to worry. Rocky of WeBlogZone who gifted me with this great WP blog assured me that it would be a smooth transition.

Doc Z of Zorlone asked me a relevant question about the change of domain and how it affects my being nominated to the Top Ten List of Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009. Will changing my domain name disqualify my nomination? I've asked Ms. Janette Toral about this and she assured me it would not. Says Janette:

No. In the end, the qualification of a site is based on the archive date. As long as your archives are intact reflecting when you really started, it will all be ok. You will need to ask those who mentioned your site to update their entry to point to your new site though in order to transfer their votes.

A shout-out to those who nominated my blog in this writing project: Please update your list and put in Writing to Exhale instead of Sa Labas ng Mandaluyong. Thanks!

See ya in my new home, guys. Just between you and me: Doc Z promised to bring pizza!

Are You in my Top 10 List of Influential Blogs?

Image by Michael Hirst via Flickr

I need just one uber blogger to complete my list of top 10 emerging influential blogs of 2009.

Do you want to be included in my list? Here's the deal: if the shoe fits, then you've come to the right place. The 10th and last slot is yours.

What you need to do

1. Ask for it. Nominate yourself here. Or -
2. Nominate your top choice or choices.

Dan Miranda who writes practical advice for success in Command Your Time makes a perfect case why I should choose him to complete my top 10 list of influential bloggers.

Here is the powerful pitch Dan left in the comment section of the previous post:

Over the past month and 18 days, I have been blogging on the topic of self-fulfillment. What makes me so influential? 1. I've already written for influential blogs like TwiTip and Blogopolis Blueprint and 2. Just check out @timecommander and click my Favorites to see testimonials about me. These people have been inspired and INFLUENCED by me and my blogging.

Hope to see my name on the list, but if not I'll show no remorse.

Guys, Dan is a 13-year-old blogger who started blogging in April 1, 2009. Dan weighs in with 21 blog posts, two guest writing stints, and an Alexa Ranking of 414,736 as of today - all these he accomplished in 50 days of blogging.

Bravo, Dan! I say that's how it's done: When you need something, ask for it. This tactic works with God, in internet marketing, in wooing your significant other and in getting that job promotion. Hey, it works for me, too.

Nominate your top choice of influential blogger

Tell me your top choice. Or choices as the case maybe. Make a case for him or her so I can make an informed choice. Impress me your generous praise of your candidate. As long as your claims are verifiable, I don't mind. You can even invite your candidate to pay us here a visit so we'll get to know him/her better. A personal appearance here will make a strong case for your candidate - a bonus point. Besides, that will be fun, right? Can you see it now? A relaxed and fun interview with my readers!

How the winner will be picked

The grand council of my online friends who call themselves Jedi masters will later convene online to pick the winner. Pretty democratic huh? This means concerned online buddies need not ply my inbox with heart-shaped GIFs and porn links. It's a waste of both our time, I tell you.

Time is of the essence

I need my 10th emerging influential blogger immediately. I'd be putting my last nominee at disadvantage if I procrastinate further. Our team of emerging influential bloggers needs to get going, with both guns blazing. We need to get out there and kill it - whatever it is that needs slaying.

Over to you now. Sit closer. Who's that great young blogger again? Oh, that one. Well, make your pitch now. I'm listening! ",)

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Tags: emerging influential blogs 2009, top 10 influential blogs 2009, blog promotion, Command Your Time, influential blogger

Top 10 Influential Blogs of 2009 - Almost, But Not Quite

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Here are my partial nominees for the Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009.

1. Ada of Adaphobic - Cute blogger
2. Dee of Tales From the Mom Side - Cute mom
3. Kelvin of Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 - Knows how to win
4. Rye of Flamindevil - Cute, single and available
5. Silver of Dare to Speak Out - Cute and acute and shoots from the hips
6. Snow of Dear Bloggery - OMG cute
7. Roy of The Struggling Blogger - My kind of writer
8. Doc Z of Zorlone - My kind of poet
9. Fedhz of Fedhz/Home Buddies - Cute Mom
10. Ask for it - I know you wanna

You'd all get a decent write up when I have completed the line up. Please bear with Lolo Jan.

Why partial list?

I am not lacking for possible nominees. I'm not, however, too confident with my bench warmers. I need reassurance that they are hungry for this kind of project. I need bloggers with fire in their bellies. If I'm going to push for your nomination I had better make sure you'd do the following -

1. blog hop to gain exposure and more readers for your blog
2. ask your own readers to write a post about this writing project themselves.
3. convince your followers to include you in their own top 10 list.
4. keep doing your outstanding work in your blog as this translates into more votes.
5. coordinate with me and among yourselves so we'd be making significant results.

Lolo Jan's advice: You need a vote - ask for it

Use every weapon in your arsenal. Be charming. Be eloquent. Be funny. Anything to make yourself heard so you get the vote of the blogs you're visiting. Throw yourself into this project wholeheartedly. If you don't get the vote you covet, take heart, at the very least you'd get yourself more readers and friends. Not so bad, right?

Be anything but coy. To get what you need you have to ask for it.

Vote for me, too

I need you to vote for me. There - I've said. Quite simple, right? Okay, one more time with feeling: vote for me, capice? Ahahaha.

Now, that's not so bad huh? Moving on....

Take no prisoners, guys

Really now. I need you to win. Barring this, you have to make a very strong showing. As of now, you're all influential to me. But take this to another level.

Be exasperatingly (for the opposition at least) INFLUENTIAL.

I will end this with a warning: I reserve the right to replace the persons I listed here. That's allowed - and I will use it without remorse. Nobody is safe.

Go get your vote now.

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Tags: emerging influential blogs 2009, influential blogger, blog promotion, writing project

Top Pick: Walk in the Dark with Luke

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Blogging has snared a prize catch yesterday when a Jedi commenter whiz launched his own blog A Walk in the Dark.

Our friend Luke, blog commenter extraordinaire to all of us, dealt a temporary setback to the Dark Force by becoming a proper blogger himself. Well, to the minions of the Dark Force, here's my advice: grin and bear it.

Victory has many fathers. I don't take credit for this happy occasion as it is a conspiracy among Luke's friends that has finally pushed him to do the inevitable. This, however, is Luke's version of how his blog came about.

Now that he's one of us, I'm now issuing this directive to pay Luke a visit. Failure to do so will be dealt with harshly. My security guard and volunteer barangay tanods are well versed in the art of caning so take heed.

What's with the long face huh? I don't ask many favors from you guys. But this is a special occasion. Give this cool dude a warm bear hug of a welcome. And please leave a comment, too. Let's keep this guy busy: ask for coffee, check for dark chocolates in his cupboard.

Be a friend and walk with Luke in the dark side.

You can also connect with Luke in twitter. His user name: @dezertsnow

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Tags: Walk in the Dark Side, Luke, blogging buddy, blog launch

Bah! You Can Curtsy Now - I'm an Influential Blogger

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Reynz of Reyna Elena has nominated this blog as one of Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009. Our good friend Roy who wrote the previous post was also named to Reynz elite list.

Reyna Elena's nominees to this writing project -

1. Dare to speak out!
2. Dear Bloggery
3. It’s Johnonymous!
4. The Struggling Blogger
5. Chocolateword
6. Desert Fishing
7. Sa Labas Ng Mandaluyong
8. Brother Utoy
9. Extra Super Special Batchoy with Egg
10. Flamindevil

Thank you, Reynz.

This came a bit late, I know. I've been dragging my feet about this, but let me assure you my secret operatives are already hard at work behind the scenes as we speak. I have already readied my favorite weapons for arm-twisting, water-boarding, and other nifty gadgets to secure a fair showing in the polls.

Dark chocolates and dirty tricks

If all goes well, my emissary to secure the minions of the Dark Force will be in shortly so we will have an ample supply of aphrodisiacs. Or dark chocolates to secure our place in the hearts of the unbelievers.

I'm not too comfy with my palapa to keep my followers in line. This means I'd be borrowing your trusted bullwhip from time to time. Just in case.

Sharpen your social climbing skills

Guys, I'm inviting you to check out these fabulous bloggers and make friends with them. The edict has come down from the Queen of Pinoy blogosphere herself and will do us all a lot of good if we comply. Besides, doing so will sharpen your "social climbing skills" - a much sought-after but least understood skill set in the world of uber blogging.

While you're at it, I encourage to you to check out Reynz blog and learn how to really connect with your readers.

Emerging and influential blogs

This project of identifying new and emerging blogs is a brainchild of Janette Toral of Influential Blogger. Says Janet, " I've decided to come up with a part 3 of this writing project of identifying new and emerging blogs that are making an impact to its readers in 2009. These are blogs that started anytime from May 1, 2008 to the present. They are gradually gaining a considerable amount of readership and influence."

Who can join?

Any blogger in the world is qualified. You must have your profile or email accessible or visible online in order to qualify.

How to join?

* Blog about the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 and link it to Janette Toral’s original entry.
* Select 10 bloggers who you believe have what it takes to be influential.
* Make sure your choices started their blogs from May 2008 to the present.
* Link to Janette Toral's post which you can find here.
* To be included in the raffle, links to the following sponsors should also be in the entry. They are Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, and Business Summaries.
* Post a comment on Janette's post so she will know of your entry. Only one entry per blogger is allowed.

Help me complete my list of 10 emerging influential blogs

Although I have several names for my own list, this is far from complete. I need your help. Please feel free to use the comment section to let us know your recommendations.

If you think the above list is exceptional and need not be changed you can write about that as well. I'm open to your suggestions.

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Other Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009 Articles:
1. Pinoy New Bloggers, ang aming mga manok...
2. Good Social Climbing Pays Off
3. To Reyna Elena and Her Majesty's Top 10 Emerging Influential Bloggers
4. Roy of Struggling Blogger: My List of Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs
5. Jena Isle: My Pick for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs - (Partial List)
6. Kelvinonian.com's Top 10 List of Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009

Tags: emerging influential blogs 2009, Reyna Elena, Janette Toral

A Drive-Thru the Oddities of the English Language

Image by mhuang via Flickr

When Jan read my post called “Can we really expect the unexpected?” which is really about words and phrases that aroused my curiosity, he asked me if I have another list which he can feature in his blog with me as his guest blogger.

Such an honor is definitely not something you want to pass up. But there's a problem: I don’t really have another list. So I whacked my brains out… walked around the city… dug old notes… browsed books and magazines… scrounged around so I can write my second list.

And these are (the best of) what I can come up with - signs, words and phrases that you might want to take a second look at.

Buy one, take one
The complete sentence should be “Buy one, take another one free!” but for marketing purposes it was shortened to “buy one, take one.” However, one sleek businessman does not give “free one” to his customers even though he has the sign “buy one, take one” in his store.

When a customer complains, the store owner’s ready answer would be, “I’m not cheating! That sign is correct. When you only buy one, of course you will only take one!”

So you had better pin down any ambiguity the next time you see the sign in any establishment.

No parking on both sides
It was actually my English teacher in college who mentioned to us this street sign. She said it is definitely wrong because no vehicle can park on both sides, unless it is really big or long enough to cover both sides once it’s parked.

She said the correct sign should be “No parking on either side.”

Drive-thru
I have always wondered about this. Why do they refer to it as drive-thru when they don’t let vehicles inside the store? And you don’t actually drive-thru, but you drive around instead.

Just imagine the damage it would create once you try to drive through any restaurant.

The Lift
A very common term for the elevator, and rightly so, because it ‘lifts’ you up and takes you to higher floors in the building.

But what about when you’re going down? Is it appropriate to say that you are being ‘lifted down?’ Haven’t really heard of a movie with the dialogue, “let’s take the lift to go down.”


Better-half
Okay, this is actually included in the original post. But I really want to know… if a spouse is referred to as the better-half, what kind of half does that make of the other party?

Sunrise/sunset
A perfect example of how we only want to see things from our ‘own point of view’ even if science has already proven that the sun doesn’t rise nor set. It is actually the Earth which revolves around the sun.

But I guess, in the absence of a more convenient term, we’ll do with sunrise and sunset for a long time.

Help: Wanted
When I see this sign in any establishment, I’m always itching to rush inside the store and ask the store owner, “What now? What’s the problem?” Signs like these are like Bat Signals to a loony on the loose like me.

“Now hiring” or “Looking for” I guess would make a more comprehensible sign, don’t you agree?

PIN Number, TIN Number, etc.
Isn’t that redundant? The ‘N’ in the acronym already stands for the word ‘Number’ so by saying ‘PIN Number’ you are in effect reciting it as ‘Personal Identification Number Number!’

Saying PIN and TIN alone would do.

LPG Gas
LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas. See above.

Expired ID
It hurts when they say your ID is expired, when the expiration actually refers to the privileges attached to the ID card – such as a driver’s license or a professional practitioner’s license.

And I have a separate post about this, where I argue that an expired ID card should be considered a valid ID, because in fact it is. The sole purpose of requesting for an ID is to ID or identify a person. An expired ID card doesn’t change who you are - you’re still the same person on the ID for heaven’s sake!

Press ENTER to exit
This is a classic because you don’t see it these days anymore. Lucky for you if you haven’t encountered this during the pre-Windows era. I am referring to those who have been using computers during those DOS prompt days, and some applications would suddenly flash in your screen “Press ENTER to exit.”

There you are… my latest finds of ordinary words and phrases. They are supposed to be innocent… until I chanced upon them.

How about you – are there words or phrase that leaves you scratching your head in puzzlement? What other expressions have stumped you lately?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Roy is a prolific blogger, poet, short story writer and entrepreneur. He pens The Struggling Blogger and presides over a constellation of 12 other blogs covering his varied interests. Roy is a widower and practices brinkmanship daily as he doubles as a mother to his three kids. It’s this daily struggle that inspired the name for his flagship blog, but to me it's his commitment that largely informs his writing which are spread over 13 blogs. Visit Roy's blogs and discover what perseverance, courage and integrity really mean as applied to blogging.


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Tags: guest posting, Roy, the struggling blogger, oddities of the English language, blog promotion

Warning: Next Time You Say Your Writing Sucks I'll Agree

Image by Stephen Poff via Flickr

Your writing sucks. You did not tell me that directly. You don't have to. I can smell fear. You have this tendency to shoot yourself in the foot every time we talk about your writing.

So how can I help you?

The power of words

Let me begin by saying that I believe in the power of words. You are what you say you are. If you say your writing sucks - you'd achieve the awesome feat of writing sucky content in record time. It does not not matter -

1. that you've mastered writer's block
2. that you've squeaky clean posts - no grammatical errors at all
3. that you've people skills and knows how to network
4. that you've a brain humming with wonderful ideas

These things are all for nothing if you don't believe in yourself. So get this self-limiting belief out of your system fast.

Now.

If you don't, I'd be the first to say, "Yeah, I agree. Your writing indeed sucks." And the sad part is that the world will in all likelihood nod in agreement.

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Don't give a damn - just write

The good news is that you still have time to shape up. Keep at it. I'd be here with you on your journey. We'd help each other out. We'd find ways to raise our writing mojo.

I'd be with you, my friend. Totally. Unless, of course, our perceived enemies use water-boarding and they bribe me with coffee - can't stand torture, can't resist coffee - you have my complete loyalty.

Sinclair Lewis says, "It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write."

There. Isn't that something?!

So, for a change, I'm asking you to leave a comment telling me why your writing rocks. Are you the next Hemingway? The next Faulkner? What makes you a great blogger? Time now to toot your own horn, my friends.

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Grow Your Blog's Reach By Guest Posting

Image by rita banerji via Flickr

Here's another valuable way to attract readers to your blog: guest posting.

When you let a fellow blogger guest posts for your blog, you open your blog to new readers. Your guest writer has a blog community behind him or her. When you allow a fellow blogger to hold court in your own home, guess who'll be knocking at the door to check out what's up. Yes, it's the guest writer's friends, online buddies, fans and hangers-on.

The good thing about this is that the benefits are mutual. You both help each other out.

And it's not all about the return on investment for the blog owner and the guest writer. Think of the friendship being forged and cemented. These buddies will be there for you when the going gets rough farther down the road. I just hope you hold your end of the bargain when your blogging buddies need you.

So what's the latest? Let me invite you to check out the guest posts of our own friends:

1. Holly of Do I Have to Spell It Out? has a guest post in Elmot's Ani-mo: Don't Tell Me I Don't Value My Family!

2. Dan Miranda of Command Your Time has appeared in Darren's TwiTip: How to Avoid Making Twitter a Procrastination Tool

3. Sean of WriterDad has guest posted for diTesco: Make Money Online the Get Rich Slowly Way

4. George of Tumblemoose has featured Sharon Hall: Six Tips to Avoid Being an Overworked Writer

Go now, kids. Just say Grandpa Jan sent you.

And please greet my great friend Roy. It's his birthday today. Happy Birthday, Roy!

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Blog Commenting Tip that Drives Traffic to Your Blog

Image via Wikipedia

Leave a longish comment. It's that simple.

That is my secret to gaining readers to my blog. I leave in-depth comments (I hope they are that anyway) every time I go make my rounds of blog commenting.

You maybe earnest in saying "that's a great post, dude." You even care enough to plant here and there a smiley to spruce up your comment. But does it help?

No, your comment still sucks.

Size matters

Leave a 500-word comment. Yeah, you heard me. Expound on the author's main points, preferably on things he'd failed to mention. Write specific examples culled from your experience. Believe me, the author will notice you. You'd earn a return visit. And if you do this often enough, you'd not only attract readers to your blog. You're likely to gain a friend, too.

And please avoid cliches and lame congratulatory noises of approval. If the blog owner is at the top of his game he has already heard them all before. They are not spam technically, but they sure are a pain in the neck.

Examples of irritating small talk or obligatory praises:

1. Another great post! (Frankly now, do you somehow expect him to fall flat on his face?)

2. You did it again! (Hold your horses, he won't be an A-lister if he's a one-trick pony)

3. Cool! Awesome! You rock! Or variations thereof. (Very juvenile - exercise your mind.)

4. Thanks a lot! (For what? For breaking your silence, and leaving all doubts about your state of mind?)

5. Nice post (Enough already, that word is lifeless and now must be consigned to the museum, thanks to you)

Imagine if the blog you're commenting on belongs to an A-lister. If your timing is right and you are one of the first commenters, I'm sure you'd attract a good number of other readers to check out your blog.

Marko of How to Make My Blog has a good story how one good blog comment drove a lot of visitors to his blog .

An in-depth blog comment of course has to be meaningful. Give as much care to it as if it were something you'd publish in your own blog. Make it powerful by cutting out the flab. Let go of your pet phrases. And when you've made your point, stop.

Commenting out of context

To write long comment you have to read the post. Really. How can you make a two-paragraph comment if you just read the first or last paragraph of the post? You're likely to miss the context of the post - sure recipe for disaster. It happened to me once and I still cringe, knowing it is still somewhere out there mocking me.

Good comment shows your guest posting potential

A long blog comment showcases your mind. If you're thinking of submitting a guest post in that blog there's no better way to get the big time blogger's attention than leaving a comment that adds value to his post. When you leave thoughtful comments you're laying the ground work for future collaboration with the blog owner.

You can't do this, of course in every blog you visit. If you have a daily list of 15 blogs to comment on, just pick a couple of high profile blogs in your niche. For practice, you can drop your gems here in my blog and we will see how it goes.

If everybody agrees with the blogger, then feel free to disagree with his main points. Just don't be petty and mean. Always remember your mission - to gain readers for your blog. No one wants to be associated with smarty pants and jerks.

Plan B

When everybody else leaves long comments then feel free to drop a terse comment packed with value and good humor. That's a nice way to make your comment stand out, of course.

Over to you now, guys. Care to share your sure-fire blog commenting tips?

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I Have a Confession to Make...

Image by Leeni! via Flickr

And I'm sorry for keeping things from you.

Let me, however, start by quoting Woody Allen. He says eighty percent of success is showing up. What's this got to do with my secret? Bear with me as I meander for a while.

Where are we exactly? Yeah, about showing up. I have taken that to heart. I show up every day to write. Even when I'm not scheduled to write I show up. To listen to what you've to say. To read your latest posts. And of course to have fun while doing other blogging chores.

Showing up and the compulsion to write

Success is a good thing, but I'm more after the process - to perfect the system of my blogging routine. I need it to be a compulsion and to make it as fundamental as breathing and eating.

Wait - we're getting to the good part. Almost there.

What do you think makes up the other twenty percent? Passion? Could very well be.

When luck comes in handy

How about luck? Here it is - my little secret.

Luck has dealt me a generous card last May 2. Here's the deal: I won Rocky's WordPress blog contest.

This means I'd have a WordPress blog running on Thesis theme anytime soon. This also means I don't have to run around sa labas ng Mandaluyong anymore as I'd have a new home with my own domain name.

Thank you, guys

Let's stop the chest-thumping for now. Let me thank the following persons who made this possible:

1. Rocky of WeBlogZone for holding this contest. I'd also like to say thanks to his four friends who helped him pick the winner - John, Rob, Gigi and Pete.

And my friends who refused to join the contest to give me a better chance at winning:

2. Yatot and Elmot - for pointedly giving way so I'd have a fair shot at this.

3. Joji - who thinks tending to her carabao is far more important.

4. Lemuel - can't take his eyes off environmental issues to bother with blog contests.

5. Adrian - who'd rather obsess with cinematic art.

6. Jade - who can't be peeled from his new video blogging. thing

7. Earthlingorgeous - who threatened to join, couldn't wait and moved house all in the same breath.

8. DeepThroat - who offered free webhosting for my blog way before I joined Rocky's blog contest. I had to ask for more time since I decided to try my luck with this contest. DeepThroat is kind enough to assure me if I did not win our deal is still on. Thank you, DT for your generosity and understanding - even though I demoted you to Plan B.

9. DiTesco - for your brain-friendly SEO tips and most surprisingly your generous invitation. He asked me to consider him as my Plan C.

10. To all of you for wishing me well and keeping me less jittery these last few days. You all rock!

Domain name suggestions

Darn. I still have some problems with my domain name. Should I use my name as my domain name? Will keywords relevant to writing, blogging and the social media be more appropriate?

I'm open to your suggestions. I'm thinking of using my tagline: writing to exhale. Do you like it? Isn't it a tad obscure? I'd be happy to hear your suggestions. Anything. Be thoughtful. Be ridiculous. I'll consider everything you'd say.

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Top Commentator for April

Cover of The Appeal

Elmot of Ani-Mo - a blog on Philippine politics, news commentary and blogging - is this blog's Top Commentator for April.

For his enthusiastic participation in this blog, Elmot will receive by mail The Appeal by John Grisham. It's a courtroom thriller set in Mississippi Supreme Court - a new battleground for this big chemical company which previously lost a case for dumping toxic wastes in a small town's water supply. The company has now appealed to the Supreme Court in its bid to overturn the previous verdict. The struggle now unfolds as it campaigns to win over the 9 justices. What happens next? I don't know. Elmot - how about a book review? Kidding.

Elmot, please tweet me your mailing address.

Readers who made it to the Top Ten Commentators for April -

1. Elmot - 34
2. Fifi - 26
3. Roy - 21
4. Holly - 18
5. Dee - 17
6. Zorlone - 12
7. Lucrecio - 12
8. Jojigirl - 11
9. Bingkee - 10
10. Yatot - 9

One-two punch

Please take note that for the first time we have a tag team of readers in Dee and Lucrecio. Of course, you already know Dee as the unflappable writer of Tales from the Mom Side. Guess what - Lucrecio or Luke is Dee's better half. Luke has no blog but he serves full time as Dee's editor and ombudsman. Well you know - the one who plies Dee with drinks, offers the much needed back rubs, and if all else fails flashes the piece de resistance - dark chocolates!

Thank you, Luke! The dark side must be nuts by now, figuring out your whereabouts. You must brush up on your best Yoda-speak so you'd get off lightly when you report back to the overlords of the dark force.

Do I have to spell it out?

Please also welcome Holly. She's gifted me lots of info filled with good humor. She also welcomed me warmly in her splendid blog Do I Have to Spell it Out? She's inspired me to integrate CommentLuv plugin in this blog. Our friend Zorlone has successfully installed it in his blog as well. Yatot and Elmot both like this plugin and just might adopt it one of these days.

Here's a post I wrote recently on how to integrate CommentLuv in your blog.

Best blogging advice

Lately I've been bothered with a small sector of Philippine blogging community which acts as if they're God's gift to Philippine blogging. Here's Holly's good advice:

That whole business of being an "accomplished blogger"? Reminds me of middle school. There are the popular kids, the sycophants, the totally clueless, the nerds (but who doesn't run to the nerds when there's math homework to be done?), the outcasts, the cliquish, and the ones who really couldn't give a pig's curly tail where they fit in, because they dance to the beat of the drummers in their own heads.

The only worthwhile advice I can give anyone? Be yourself. Because that's all that's ever going to work for you - win, lose, or draw. And don't worry about everyone liking you or approving of you, because they won't. And if they did, it would only mean you're as bland, as inoffensive, and as uninteresting as sliced white sandwich bread.

Thanks, Holly. I will commit this useful tip to memory.

Project: better Alexa ranking

I have a favor to ask you, guys. I know we're all active in each other's blog: leaving comments, emailing each other to shoot the breeze.

Gosh. Even Luke who has no blog is very active giving us support with his engaging insights and delightful conversations.

My little project is about us raising our blog to the next level. Elmot, who is hands down my favorite nightmare on Elms street, is asking for your help. His project this May is to improve his Alexa Ranking. And I promised him my help.

Making blog improvement a community project

On second thought, we will be more motivated if if we make this a community project. Elmot needs help. Yeah, but so does practically everyone of us here.

That's a more democratic way of doing it, right?

This is my question then: What specific steps do you suggest so all of us will have more traffic, resulting in better Alexa Ranking? Over to you now.

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Tags: top commentator award, blog commenting, Alexa Ranking, blogging buddies

30 Blogging Tips, Links and Social Media Resources

Image by churl via Flickr

Here is a list of 30 hot tips, links, blogging and social media resources I've found on the web for your reading pleasure.

Best writing tips. The bottom line is that we need to be good writers to be read. I've skimmed the cream of the crop in writing and I've stumbled into Skellie, Terry and George.

1. How to Write Like a Painter
2. Aesthetic Poets and "To Thine Own Self Be True"
3. Your Writing is Killing Your Writing

What's hot right now. The sad thing about Philippine blogosphere is that some of us get off on assigning derogatory labels to our fellow bloggers who don't fit into our pet notions of class and what constitutes accomplished blogging. Here's Janette and Reyna Elena to give you the lowdown on this pesky issue. To make up for the heavy feeling you might have after checking out these links, I reward you with Holly's useful and humorous post on blog commenting.

1. Politics of Blogging
2. Are You Serious Carlo Ople?
3. Blog Comments: Conversation or Junk Mail?

Most viewed in this blog. In case you're slacking off, I'm giving you a recap of what Google Analytics says are the most read posts in this blog in April.

1. The Lost Art of Being Silly
2. CommentLuv Plugin for Blogspot Users
3. The Secret to Earning a Good StumbleUpon Review

Best blogging tips. Skellie, Daniel and Marko all conspire here to help you raise your blog to the next level.

1. 5 Content Strategies That Top Bloggers Use + 3 Things That Set Them Apart
2. Calculus of Blogging: The Whys and Hows of Blogging Success
3. 6 Steps to Make Your Blog Visitors Loyal Commentators

11 SEO power tools and 34 nifty techniques. We can't avoid being our own handyman in our own blog. We have to if we're into blogging for the long haul.

1. 33 Foolproof Headline Writing Strategies
2. 11 Tools for Effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO Tools)
3. A Headline Title Trick to Maximize Social and SEO Traffic - the One-Two Punch


Making heads and tails of the social media. Some useful read to help you manage the surfeit of social media sites you're subscribed to. Plus a valuable post on Friendfeed as the social media aggregator to beat.

1. Eight Forms of Social Media Depression: Are You Suffering?
2. Friendfeed as a Productivity Tool
3. Five Ways To Take Control of Your Personal Brand Today

Twitter: What can I say except that whenever social media is mentioned I snap to attention and burst into melodic tweets. Ahem.

1. The Science of Retweets
2. Twitter is the New Recess
3. How to: Get Twitter Tweets on Your Cell Phone

StumbleUpon. My original Significant Other. I've known it long before I joined blogging. Always has a special place in my heart.

1. How to Get the Most Out of StumbleUpon
2. How to Use StumbleUpon: A Step by Step Guide
3. A Comprehensive Guide to StumbleUpon: How to Build Massive Traffic to Your Website


Facebook: It's currently going after Filipino account users on suspicion that their user names are fake. No mystery there - Filipinos love nicknames with repeating syllables: Tonton, Jayjay, Leklek, and so on. These are not fake names, Mattt. Oh Facebook, you're so clueless. Never mind, we still love you.

1. How to Create and Promote Your Facebook Fan Page
2. 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know
3. 10 Facebook Tips for Power Users

Digg: I can't stand the verbal abuse in Digg. Its comment section is not for the fainthearted. Tread slowly and carry a taser to protect yourself if you can't help lusting the rewards of Digg anointment.

1. Beginner's Guide to Digg
2. How to Play the Odds Game and Win with Digg
3. How to Level the Playing Field with Digg

Over to you, guys. Care to share valuable links and blogging resources you've stumbled into the last few days?

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Tags: blogging tips, writing tips, blogging resources, Twitter how-to, Facebook how-to, Digg how-to, StumbleUpon how-to