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This is part of the the book BLOGTASTIC! Growing and Making a Difference Through Blogging. You can read the table of contents and follow the book on this page:
See the table of contents for the book here: BLOGTASTIC project
Previous article: Your blog can change who you are.
BLOGTASTIC: Your blog can change your readers.
If you consistently produce high-value posts for your blog, you will be certain to introduce some positive change in your long-term readers. I have been fortunate to follow the blogs of my heroes and mentors. They have transformed me. I owe it to them, and they know that. I have told them so!
I have been blogging since early 2005. At the time of this book’s publication, there were more than 1,000 articles on my blog. Whenever I get an email or phone call about what my blog means to someone, it re-energizes me to blog more.
Blogging can be time-consuming and sometimes tiring. Over the past year, I have even sometimes thought about quitting my blog. However, I never seem to stop. Whenever I was about to pull the plug, I would receive feedback from a fan. Someone would send an e-mail, make a phone call, or comment somewhere about my blog. The person would tell me how my blog has made an impact. And with that contact, I instantly became re-energized about my blog.
For example, this was a comment by Stephen Hopson (who is an inspirational blogger himself) for my blog post on the importance of “thanking” someone
Rajesh:
Every so often I feel compelled to write in even though I’ve enjoyed almost every post you’ve written. Today is one of those days where I want to reach out to you.
You’re absolutely right to remind everyone how important it is to send a “thank you” note to someone. In fact, I’m a big proponent of this gesture – I keep a stack of thank you cards next to my printer, reminding me to think of someone to thank. One time I was in a huge gratitude mood, I ended up sending almost 40 thank you cards! Imagine how tired my hand was that day – wink, wink.
I heard back from several who were surprised but one in particular cried when she got mine. She is suffering from cancer and the note made it all the more touching for her. I was touched that she was touched. But I didn’t send it because of her cancer. I didn’t even know she had it!
The universe is exact, isn’t it? Thanks for the important reminder.
Stephen Hopson
Remember that you may be transforming the lives of strangers. You may never meet these people in your lifetime. If you’re lucky, a small percentage of the people who benefit from your blog will reach out to you. These people will give you a precious gift. They’ll remind you that it’s all worthwhile. Treasure them!
You don’t have to expect that your blog will change the world and improve lives. Just know that you may be transforming people through your blog. That itself is a good thing. Of course, you can only change others’ lives through strong blog content and a powerful personal brand.
If someone’s blog transforms you, please take the time to reach out and let them know. Those notes are good for you, for the blogger, as well as the blogosphere as a whole. All bloggers thrive on this type of positive feedback.
Blogging Tip: The larger your influence, larger the responsibility
As your influence grows, so does your responsibility. People who you may never meet in your life are right now reading your blog. Some of these people are making changes to their work or their lives based on what they are reading. These small changes can cause ripple effects leading to bigger changes. In other words, you have a tool that provides you an opportunity to make a difference in the world. Take that opportunity seriously!
Rajesh Setty is an entrepreneur, author and speaker based in Silicon Valley. He maintains another blog called Life Beyond Code and tweets as @UpbeatNow