The First 100 Days: Observations of a Nouveau Blogger

I've been a blogger for a whopping 100 days, and it's been a delightful and educational experience. Some readers (Omer Trajman, in particular) asked me share my observations about my blogging experience, so here goes:

1. The more popular a person thinks he is in the blogosphere, the thinner his skin and the thicker his hypocrisy. This should be exactly the opposite: the higher you go the thicker the skin and thinner the hypocrisy.

2. The more a blogger uses the pronoun “I,” the less he has to say. Many bloggers apparently believe that people not only give a shiitake about everything they say, but that these people are hanging on to every word.

3. There are three kinds of bloggers: human newsbots (is this an oxymoron?), ranters, and essayists. Each kind is an art form. The third category, the essayists, might be the most difficult kind of blogging, and unfortunately, the category I aspire to. It's a good thing I have eight books to plagiarize. (Two “I”s in one paragraph!)

4. Not to be sexist, but some men make the blog, and some blogs make the man.

5. An expert who blogs is more interesting than a blogger who experts.

6. Blogging technology is a piece of cake. TypePad powers my blog, and this product is very well done. Plus, almost all the things that one would want a blog to do are (a) available and (b) free--or very cheap. For example, Ecto, Endo, FeedBlitz, StatCounter, BlogFlux, NetNewsWire, Feedburner, and FreeFind. The only two things that I can't find are:

• An automatically-generated table of contents. “Recent posts” only puts up the last ten posts. I need something that will go back to the very beginning.
• I want to do a “Dear Abby” column in which people post questions, and I answer. These can't be comments tied to a specific post because they would get buried. I'd like to create an archive of questions and answers that people can search. I looked at a couple of Wiki products, but I didn't have the mental energy to adapt them to my needs.

7. The vast majority of people who read my blog are kind, helpful, and intelligent. One, Thomas Kang, voluntarily proofreads for me. Sometimes readers will even write software for you: for example, three people offered to create a page counter that resets itself daily since I couldn't find one. (This is what you see as Kuba Choinski's “KubaKounter” on my blog.) A big cheese at TypePad also wrote a Widget for me that cause links to automatically open new pages.

How cool is this?! With this whole Widget thing in TypePad, maybe someone will create Widgets that create a table of contents and a “Dear Abby” column.

8. A tiny amount of people who read my blog are clueless. My favorites are the ones who complain about four things: the top-ten format; the bulleted-list format; the long length of my posts; and my plugs for stuff that I like. This is akin to going into a sushi bar and complaining that it serves raw fish. That's what a sushi bar does. Long top tens, bulleted lists, essays, and evangelism are what I do.

I especially love the people who threaten to stop reading my blog unless I stop doing one of those four things. Let me get this straight: You're going to stop reading my free blog? I hope they have a SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Bozo Apparatus) tank because they won't be able to hold their breath long enough.

9. I love this Technorati ranking thing. I know it probably doesn't mean much, but it's fun. I'll never play in the NHL, and I'll never start a billion-dollar company, but I could get into the Technorati top ten. Everybody has to have goals, and this is one of mine...

9 a. I don't get this “exchanging links” thing. IMHO, you should link to a blog if you believe it's good for your readership. The other blogger should link to back your blog if she believes it's good for her readership. In a perfect world, linking is about quality, not reciprocation, with all due respect to Dr. Cialdini. :-)

10. It's hard to make money blogging. The advertising revenues don't add up to much, but there are other significant rewards like helping people change the world..

Finally, a little story for you: At 11:00 pm a few weeks ago, my wife asked me, “What are you doing?” I wish I could have said, “Making money.” Instead I told her, “I'm changing the world, 15,000 people at a time.” To which she deadpanned, “Oh, you're blogging again...”

Technorati Tags: blogging

Comments

[john t unger]

Guy, as for the idea of a "Dear Abby” column in number 6, here's a suggestion:

1. Do a blog post letting people know that you are now taking questions for your advice column. Explain in the post that they can leave questions for you in the comments, and that you will answer the questions as a separate, new blog post.

2. Place a link to the advice column post in your sidebar with a title like "Ask Guy Kawasaki." Now it will always be accessible.

3. You can quote the comment that you're answering in the body of your post, (including the permalink of the comment). When you answer the question, go to the advice column post and link to the answer post in the comments, so that readers can find the answer to the question.

[Bill Bradbury]

great post Guy! Glad to see that you have a blog. I used to really enjoy your column in Macworld. Even sketched out some ideas for "the art of the start" but never got far enough with them to submit for that contest. Anyway, I'll be reading.... Bill

[raj]

Guy,

For the "Dear Abby" thing, the closest solution available is to set up a community forum. You can set up some initial topic threads.

Anyone who wants to ask a question (or answer one) registers first. Their info (minimal details or maximum - your choice) are stored in a database. Members can create new topic threads, if you allow them to.

Check out Drupal.org for the Drupal software, which has great forum/ community-based features. The only drawback is that Drupal requires your hosting provider to allow certain database privileges. Neither of my two providers allow this, so I'm not set up. Check out Performancing.com's forums. (Andy did a piece on the main page a few days ago.)

[Fred Schoeneman]

Guy,

You write: "9 a. I don't get this “exchanging links” thing. IMHO, you should link to a blog if you believe it's good for your readership. The other blogger should link to back your blog if she believes it's good for her readership. In a perfect world, linking is about quality, not reciprocation, with all due respect to Dr. Cialdini. :-)"

I used to believe this, but don't so much anymore. What I think is a better way to handle this is to organize your links in such a way that people who're looking for business advice -- the core of your readership -- have a list of links they can go through, and then a list of links to blogs not related to your core readership, or people who're just friendly, in a less visible part of your homepage. You wouldn't even have to link them all, just one single link to the friendly folks.

It's analogous to those situations where you're trying to get ahold of a VP of Engineering, and rather than try to bluff your way past a gatekeeper or be a jerk to him/her, you treat them with respect because a) it's the right thing to do and b) you never know what they can do for you or what can come from serendipity. You don't have to give those links the same priority, but the linkers really do appreciate it. And it's the right thing to do.

So yeah, link to everyone, just have categories for easier navigation by your core readership. I've never seen people object to their links being categorized.

regards,

f

[martin]

the first book i read that you've authored is "how to drive your competition crazy" (the cover and title attracted my attention). I got it off a book sale for next to nothing. And I absolutely loved it. That being said, you'd know what I think about your blog. Let the good times roll!
kaw-wa-bung-saki!

[john]

Re: 9 a

I'm in full agrrement re reciprocation, so go ahead and recommend my nascent blog safe in the knowledge that you won't be getting anything in return!

[Louis]

Guy,

Thanks for bringing the true meaning of being a Mensch to the blogosphere. Checking in on your blog is like attending a virtual lecture, thanks for a great education.

[bob corrigan]

Nice ad, Robert.

[Robert Millard]

If you come across a 'table of contents' like you describe, please blog about it - I'd love to hear about it. My blog 'Aventure of Strategy' (www.robmillard.com) is rapidly developing into almost a mini-MBA resource for professional services, but would be MUCH more effective with a proper table of contents or index.
Rob Millard.

[bob corrigan]

Lovely recap of your first 100 days. What are you planning to do differently for the next 100? I'm looking forward to reading how your perspective has changed/evolved (or not) come the end of July.

[Monica]

Assuming that typepad.com has the same templating system as Movable type, setting up a Simple Table of Contents is simple.

I tried to post the how-to here in the comments but it actually got a little involved. Full instructions are on this blog entry:
http://geeked.fibergeek.com/2006/04/tinkering_with_typepad_movable.html

[Mary Beth]

>>9 a. I don't get this “exchanging links” thing. IMHO, you should link to a blog if you believe it's good for your readership. The other blogger should link to back your blog if she believes it's good for her readership.

I disagree. I link to who and what I like to read. I like to share the goodness with anyone who happens upon it. <<

Me too - goes back to the original concept of "surfing the web" that you find one site, follow the links, follow those links, find things you might never have known about otherwise. Although searching was a "someday" when I started, it's still fun to find things that other people have found and thought good/important enough to link on their page.

I pretty much ignore the requests to exchange links that I get. sometimes I check out the sites but they're often just commercial and not very good.

Table of contents: on TypePad, isn't that what categorization and archiving does for you? It's the whole UI thing - you only have 100 days now, not much to dig through but in awhile people will need ways to sift through your entries.

[Jack Yan]

One of your best posts, Guy! I have wanted to summarize my thoughts being a relatively new regular blogger as well. I love number eight!

[Andrew Kossmann]

Guy, Love reading your stuff. Keep up the good work.

A Fan.

[Caleb]

A quick addition to #3: an article writer who blogs.

One might think that's the same as an essayist,but I disagree because essays rarely make good articles for the simple fact essays are usually BORING while an article writer has the task of captivating readers...

And blogging that article adds more marketing value.

[Vicki Davis]

You are an exceptional blogger and are making a difference.

I echo many of your thoughts, particularly on wanting to be an essayist.

Me too, Guy. I aspire to be an essayist. An inspiration. A motivation.

A connection with other teachers of all kinds, ages, and walks to tell them that amidst their days of exhaustion and frustration they are producing a beautiful thing.

Like Michealangelo working on the Sistine Chapel -- sometimes we are too close to see the beauty of the art that is being created in the lives of our students!

I have passion on my topic of teaching and education too but I read you daily because you inspire me.

[VK Narayanan]

Chanced upon to your blog today via tompeters.com's tpwireservice. Excellent introspections.

We are great fans of your books. What do you think in considering blogging as a best investment which directly make it to the market.

PS: We have linked you from our blog to stay in touch. Cheers!

[Javier Marti]

I love your point number 8, the issue of readers wanting to tell you how to do your blog. You made the point clearly.

Each one of us has different personalities and different goals for our blogs. I think it is healthy that we are true to ourselves in the blogs, even if these "readers" stop coming. What are they giving us, anyway? Why do they keep on coming if they don't like us?
You can never please everyone, you know it. And blogs are a pretty good way to remind us that every day...
BTW, I see your last post is about customer service. Coincidentally, mine today is similar...

regards!
http://niquel757.blogspot.com

[Murad James]

I found Guy's blog on Chuquet - I'm impressed - after 100 days he's number 3 in the top 10 - I think that's a first!

[Kelly]

Only 100 days? Why does it seem like longer?

>>5. An expert who blogs is more interesting than a blogger who experts.

Amen!

>>9 a. I don't get this “exchanging links” thing. IMHO, you should link to a blog if you believe it's good for your readership. The other blogger should link to back your blog if she believes it's good for her readership.

I disagree. I link to who and what I like to read. I like to share the goodness with anyone who happens upon it. I've never even thought to link to someone because it benefits me in any way. It a bit like inviting someone famous to a birthday party in order to attract more and 'better' people. Ick.

[David Keys]

Guy:

Please reassure your wife that you are in fact changing the world every day. Personally I think 15,000 a day is too modest, because you can't know about, and therefore underestimate, the effect that your disciples are having.

I'm a huge fan, up in the Great White North, where, by the way, it was 70 degrees today. I look for new posts every day, devoured the Art of the Start in a day and buy a copy for each company I work with.

I've repeatedly said that The Art of the Start is the best technology oriented business book I've ever read.

For context I've read all of Geoffrey Moore's books, and by the way, have also met him in person and spent a few days at with him at a corporate planning session. I don’t want to take anything way from the Chasm Group, but I frankly believe that your style is more effective and much more relevant to the young entrepreneur.

Please keep it up.

David

[Marian Crkon]

Sounds like you need Smart Archive (Word Press plugin) for your prior posts (not just last 10): http://justinblanton.com/projects/smartarchives/

Marian

[lenkov]

Guy,

For "automatically-generated table of contents" you may try to use http://feeddigest.com

[Lisa McGrath]

Guy-
Congrats on 100 days. Been reading your blog since N-TEN. Your content is helpful and inspiring. Keep it up ... and thanks!

[alek]

Guy,

Per point #8, if you ever stop blogging, I'll stop reading your blog ... and where can I get a SCUBA tank?!? ;-)