….is out there somewhere.
You just need to find it. And in a land of over 100 million blogs, how is that possible?
And besides, blog posts don’t change lives, right?
Wrong.
They can, and they have. I’m living proof of that.
One day in June of 2006, I found my way to a blog written by Liz Strauss called Successful Blog.
I found her by way of a link on someone else’s blogroll (Phil Gerbyshak) – I was just starting my blogging adventure and was just looking around, trying to get comfortable with this new world.
What caught my eye was a post she wrote about how writing a good blog post is like driving a Ferrari.
It was good- written with insight, verve, and moxie- and a very apparent desire to help other people. What’s more, it appeared that Liz just didn’t leave her post on the page and that was it- she invited, and responded to, comments from her readers.
So I commented, she responded, and that’s how I “met” Liz.
Of course, there’s a lot more to this story and how it resulted in a rapid (and still unbelievable) expansion of my known universe and friendships, the birth of SOBCon (a fabulous annual conference in Chicag0) and a long-term business partnership with Liz, but suffice it to say it was that one little post that set it off.
It was the most important blog post I’ll ever read.
And if it happened to me, it can happen to you. Yes, you can change your life by reading a single blog post.
But not just any ol’ blog post. It has to be one that is written in the same manner as Liz-with a little heart thrown in for good measure.
And, it has to be “conversational“- that is, an honest invitation for dialogue. That’s really where the life changing comes in.
Think about it- one way “broadcasts” can be influential, no doubt, and can lead you to a life changing moment down the road, or a revelation of some kind- but they are not life changing in and of themselves. You need to do all the heavy lifting after you read it.
But on a “two-way” blog I’ve described, it’s different. You’ve immediately expanded your circle of relationships, and that’s the catalyst to the life change- the power of those relationships.
So if you want to change your life, find those kind of bloggers and blog posts (you couldn’t go wrong by starting with Liz and Phil, if you haven’t already). You may have to look around a bit, but if you know what you’re looking for, it won’t take long.
Or you can simply put a comment on this post and see what happens. You never know.
What are you waiting for?
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Synchronicity in action: just as I’m contemplating getting a blog launched, and wondering if anyone will really care, with all the blogs out there these days . . . along comes this post (which I saw on Twitter, of course!). So now I’m re-energized, because who knows whose life I may change? And I won’t change anyone’s life if I don’t ever do it, now will I?
And by the way, I love the tile of your blog. Wish I’d thought of it first!
uh, make that “title” of your blog . . .
You are so right Terry. And I love the title to this post.
Glad to have you in my life Terry…All because of a blog post
Wow!
And now you are definitely a good friend…and someone I love to learn from and with!
Terry,
Great title. I know people are missing out on connections, opportunities, and new friends. Just make that comment people! You never know what might happen. Thank you for encouraging dialogue out here in the internets.
Great post, Terry. Liz & Phil have that effect on lots of folks.
The big take-away for me is that we as bloggers have the potential to help change the direction of people’s lives every time we hit the publish button.
Terry -
Nice reminder that it’s all about dialogue. And I agree with your other commentators: Great title for this post.
BTW: Found it through Jonathan Fields’ nod on Twitter. Proof of the value of connecting.
Cheers,
Donna
I like the notion of helping others without beckoning for compensation.
The impact of blogging is immense. As a side note, it works wonders for SEO in addition to building a genuine bond between your business and your readers but Cris Cree nailed it when he says…”bloggers have the potential to help change the direction of people’s lives every time we hit the publish button”…
Another great example of how Liz, influenced Terry, Terry influenced Chris, and so on and so fourth.
You have got to love the viral effect of great content, and thanks Terry for passing it on!
great content, I’m just beginning in the blogworld and blogs like yours are giving me a great start. Thanks
Hi Terry
I often wonder how many bloggers met first time at Liz’s. If I don’t remember where I ‘bumped’ into someone, 9 times out of 10 it must have been related with her and her huge ‘collective’ of friends.
Funny you should mention that all important blog post on Liz blog’s birthday. When I read her annual birthday post I had to find that one post in her archive that made the biggest impression on me ever. The conversation in the comment box made it truly remarkable IMHO and connected loads of people.
“What’s humility?” http://www.successful-blog.com/motivation/personal-identity-what-is-humility/
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business
So true! And that we can engage in substantive conversations through blogs has literally opened the world to us in ways never before possible.
Liz truly is a fabulous blogger. I have learned much and continue to learn from her.
Thanks Beth, Larry, Phil, Tim, Chris, Donna, Jeffrey and Susan for your comments!
Beth, launch the blog. Put yourself out there. Magic can happen. Good luck!
Larry, thanks – great to hear from you.
Phil, you are da man. Period.
Tim, the title is a homage to the “headline king” Brian Clark- they really are important! BTW. love your “be heard” banner on your blog- I think you get the idea.
Chris, you are one of those people that have enriched my life because of that post – thanks, and let’s keep the conversation going!
Donna, happy to meet your acquaintance! I like that you put your passion front and center on your blog- and yes, watch out for those fail whales! Look forward to our future conversations.
Jeffrey, yes, it’s the “viral” nature of this platform that is astounding to me – and a telling sign of its power. It’s a lot of things to a lot of people, but for me, it has to start with the conversation.
Susan, welcome to the blogosphere – go for it!! We’ll be there for ya.
Thanks again to all of you, and all the best!
I couldn’t agree more. This has been my experience personally, what I’ve watched occur around me, and that for which I advocate every single day!
Writing matters. Blogging matters. Online, “virtual” relationships are real.
And I’m of the persuasion that the more of ourselves we make “known” to the ever-growing online community, the more we will be changed. The more we are changed, the more potential there is that we will actually be able to bring needed, heartfelt, compassionate change to the world as a whole…all through the power of a blog. Amazing!
That’s worth doing. That’s worth writing. That’s worth blogging!
Awesome! Blog posts indeed are key to some fruitful contacts and I can’t wait to learn more from the people whose blogs I read.
Your post is a great reminder for those who desires to go where these great communicators are right now.
Feels like we’re always searching for the blog post – one that answers all of the questions that you have on a topic or issue. Then there are those of use that are always trying to write that post for others to discover.
Thanks to Chris Brogan for sharing this post via Twitter. Here’s to making more connections and great conversations to come!
Having just met Liz for the first time in person, I’m blown away by her attitude and smarts. Terry, what serendipity for you to have connected to her – and we all benefit from knowing you and Liz, online or off.
Terry,
This may well be “The Most Important Blog I have ever read”. Starting my blog was scary and hard. When I am writing I really enjoy it. Most of the time I question why anyone else would want to read it and what value I have to offer. Especially after I have read a really profound blog. Then I get a note from someone that I made laugh and it feels like they just gave me the greatest gift. Thanks for the encouragement (which obviously I took personally)and the words of wisdom.
M
Hi Terry, I love this post, thank you. I started writing my blog hell in the hallway…(when one door closes another opens but it’s hell in the hallway..)and I had the good fortune to meet so many wonderful people since.
This post reminds me to read and comment on more blogs. I love Ronna’s comments – thank you!
I’m not Pollyanna but I know I can and do make a difference.
Very cool Terry. I guess that this little connection is our first meet albeit virtually. I do love the serendipitous elements of reading blogs and articles. There’s so much to learn. I for one know that jumping/linking/surfing blogs have given me a great education on a variety of topics. I too have met business partners. Thanks for pointing it out.
Terry: This found its way to me via twitter, also — a RT from one of your e-friends. Thanks for the confirmation that my notion of helping others and touching lives is not off-base. I had a colleague tell me recently that I should “help yourself first.” While there is some truth in that, focus on my mission is key to making my work life meaningful.
I appreciate your sharing your story and perspective. Thank You!
Sandra Connor
I couldn’t agree with you more! Liz Strauss (and my other favorite, Chris Brogan) are truly inspirational in that they practice what they preach and they engage on a level that is beyond what most will do. I love Liz’s gentle but challenging nature. I also love hearing how she has inspired others!
Terry,
I loved your personal conversational blog post — and your insight that the best blog posts are those that are conversation-inspiring and life-sharing.
Thank you for your many creative blog posts (and your frequent smile-inducing, fun blog post titles, (e.g., “A View of Social Media from the Inside: The Cat Hasn’t Meowed Just Yet” and “Blog Years Are Like Dog Years).
Joanne Maly
Very interesting!
I love connecting with people, and some of my favorite places are IttyBiz and The Fluent Self. There’s just something about their transparency that works!
I’ve had similar experiences with my own blog, and connecting with people. Then the funny thing was that I started a new blog and many of these people had become friends and come along for the ride with me.
I had a similar experience to your “most important blog post”, but mine was a book — Chris Brogan and Julien Smith’s Trust Agents.
Ichi Go Ichi Ei
How could someone NOT read this post. The title itself makes you want to read it.
My blogging adventure has been restarted due to all the inspiration from other bloggers. Many of which tell you to just do it. So that is what I am doing. Putting myself out there is also allowing me to break out of my comfort zone.
Seems like a simple way to transition out of the confines of a prison cell, I mean cubicle. It is wonderful that blogs can have this type of impact.
Hi Ronna, Caleb, Andre, Stephanie, Michelle, Deborah, Ron, and Sandra – thanks for stopping by!
Ronna, love the title of your blog, and how you define renegade conversations. And, you’ve captured what I was shooting for with this post much better than I did!
Caleb, I see we share a love of chocolate – and dreaming. Keep learning! (and I’m following you now)
Andre, I have always felt that searching vibe too- and yesterday, I felt like I needed to share my insights about it. And here’s to Brogan for being the connector!
Stephanie, you are right – Liz is a gem. And darn smart. Serendipity indeed!
Michelle, loved your post about the duck!
(Now that’s value) Just Re-Tweeted it. And thanks for the kind words.
Deborah, I like that expression “hell in the hallway” – been there. And there’s no way you’re a Pollyanna – what you say is absolutely true. Go for it!
Ron, can’t wait to see what happens on your site on December 1st! And great to meet you.
Sandra, helping others helps us much more than the other way around, in my book. Thank you, ans I really like the “ThinkVault” concept (and will be happy to promote your contest!)
Thanks again to all of you, and all the best!
Ok, the headline got me. Saw it on Twitter and had to click. I am so glad it did though. I have a blog, and it doesn’t get a lot of traffic. I enjoy writing it though.
On occasion I will get a comment or an email from someone who has found value in what I have written and that is what keeps me doing it. A simple thank you from someone I will probably never meet. I don’t know that I have changed any lives, but I do know that I have helped a few folks and that is amazingly rewarding.
Thanks for the dare! I’ve never before commented on a blog. Stupidly intimidated by the technology. I’ve been happily following Liz Straus and a few others for a while. Your post is the one that got my feet wet. Good going.
My gratitude is larger than the words I own to share it.
I have had a very similar experience involving a virtuous quadrangle. Person #1 found my blog and we started conversing. He introduced me to his publisher and today I signed a book deal. I found person #2 online and after conversing, I started giving greater visibility to his articles on my blog and later he introduced me to his literary agent. And finally person #3 I met in person at the World Innovation after ‘meeting’ online, and after continuing the conversation online I introduced him to my publisher regarding a book he’d already published in another country and they are now in the contract stage.
It is very interesting to see how real relationships can extend and grow in the virtual environment and vice versa. It also reinforces my belief that when you operate from the center of an abundance belief instead of a scarcity mentality that everyone wins.
Onwards and upwards for positive real/virtual community!
Braden Kelley
@innovate
Came over through a Chris Cree tweet.
I think this is what I love about Social Media. It’s like a treasure hunt without a map.
On the interaction thing, I think that gets harder and harder. As Shirky notes in ‘Here Comes Everybody,’ at some point we are forced into broadcast mode.
This is a powerful post, reminding us of the benefit of blogging. It’s not for making money or building our businesses, although those are good results. But blogging is about communicating and expanding our thoughts.
I, too, have met Liz, first at a blogging conference and then through her blog.
From my blog, Twitter and other social media I have met many inspiring and creative folks who have given me ideas, other connections and opened me up to a wider world. The Internet is one of the things for which I’m very grateful.
I wasn’t sure if your title was link bait or an honest title, but with Chris Brogan’s introduction via Twitter I clicked thru. Glad I did.
I hope that for someone this is the most inspirational post that they ever read and that thanks to it they add to the dialogue. But there is no expectation that any post be “the one.” Expect to write badly. Expect to have few readers. Expect that blogging takes work and enjoy the thrill when you do help someone. You have to go through all of the bad ideas and writing to get to the idea and prose that strikes a chord. Be prepared.
I don’t write that to discourage anyone, but to encourage writers through the low traffic and small community to keep going and working to that end goal you are working toward and enjoy the process.
Hello Robin, Joanne, Nathalie, Del, Dan, Steve, Ian, Lauren, Liz, Braden, LL, Flora, and Thomas – thanks so much for stopping by (I know it might have been a bit difficult this morning because my server was acting up).
Robin, that’s it – practicing what they preach. Talking the talk and walking the walk. That’s real – that’s authenticity. Long may it reign. (PS, like the new haircut!)
Joanne, thank you for the feedback – quite inspirational, and much appreciated!
Nathalie, love your Raw Foods Witch avatar! Ittybiz is a classic example of a transparent world. We need more of it. I just followed you on Twitter so now count me in on the ride!
Del, Trust Agents is a fantastic book (hope you saw my interview with Chris Brogan on this blog). BTW, I liked your “Creating Influence” post and just retweeted it.
Dan, Domo arigato.
Steve, yes it is wonderful. Your “cubicle” is now a heck of a lot bigger. Just keep posting.
Ian, I know exactly what you mean. My first year of blogging was like that- all I needed was that one comment from someone who stumbled upon a post and liked it. After that first year, I got the hang of “just writing” and things got easier, and I got more comments. It’s so interesting how this works!
Liz, ditto my friend, ditto.
Braden, Wow! Congratulations on your book deal. A “virtuous quadrangle” indeed! Look forward to reading your book.
L.L., “A treasure hunt without a map” – love that (I’m going to Retweet it). I know, at some point broadcast mode is necessary, but we have to keep trying. PS: I need to read your book – it sounds very interesting.
Flora, “grateful” is a great word to describe how I feel as well. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Sometimes you have to sit down and write about it to fully comprehend how profound this has been.
Thomas, no link bait here!
Good points here. I have written badly. I have tried and tried again. But you have to keep working at it. After all, I was the one who “worked” by reaching out to other blogs and commenting – that was what really triggered my life-change. Gotta be Two-way!
Thanks again all, I’m truly honored.
Found your blog through a friend, who’s son and mine my own are very similar.
I started my blog not only as an online diary of sorts to keep family and friends updated, but as a therapeutic escape. That is now evolving in to wanting to educate others about the kind of condition my son now has, and the process involved.
Good luck to you.
I, too, began my conversational blogging through Liz’s community help. I believe you, Liz, Phil, and Mike Sansone were the first people to start back and forth commenting with me.
Boy, those were exciting new days of writing.
The interactive web has changed my life as well. I’ve met fabulous people – including you, and Liz and many others, and taught classes, webinars, upped by career several notches, my friends x 10 (not my ‘friends’ buy real friends I can call up, visit or have tea with) It all started with an email inviting me to be a ‘professional blogger’ for adoption.com about 7 years ago. At the time I had no idea what a blog was….. And so it goes..
Great post!
The point I wanted to pick up on was the concept of broadcast being “influential.” From reading a book by John MacArthur (at least I believe that who the author is), my understanding is that, in general, influence comes through relationship (and maybe even proximity/closeness). Broadcasting by its nature is more about making an “impact” and is generally to be done from a “distance” – physically and emotionally. It’s not really practical to “broadast” when you’re sitting adjacent to your friend. So the “two-way” blog, by its essence, creates relationship and opens up for “influence.”
Thx for this post.
Hi Wendy, Jesse, Michelle and JamaicaBob – thanks for stopping by.
Wendy, my best wishes to Joshua and your family – I understand the therapeutic value of putting thoughts and feelings on paper.
Jesse, I very much remember the post Liz put up about you that started our friendship – another life changer! Thanks for all you do for me.
Michelle, well, there you go – you are yet another example of the power of this medium! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and see you again soon.
JamaicaBob, thanks for the kind words. I like the distinction you make between “impact” and “influence” and how they relate to one-way and two-way communication. I need to look up that book by MacArthur.
Thanks all, and all the best!
Awesome post, Terry. Clearly an attention-getter. And so many familiar names in the comments. You’re managing to keep good company, I see. Kudos!
Hey Terry,
I double checked the book title and author. Look for ‘Becoming a Person of Influence’ by John C Maxwell.
jb:)
Troy, thanks for the kind words.
JamaicaBob, thanks for looking up the reference – I’ll check it out!
All the best to you both.
This is simply brilliant Terry.
Thanks for sharing this.
Made me think a lot about what blog post(s) have changed my life. There are so many of them but I had never made a conscious decision to notice and track them.
This was good inspiration.
Best,
Rajesh