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

Are You in my Top 10 List of Influential Blogs?

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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

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