The document provides 3 ways for bloggers to grow their blog with groups: 1) Start a blog carnival where bloggers write on a monthly topic and share each other's posts. Consistency is key. 2) Form a critique/mastermind group of 5-7 bloggers who give feedback on draft posts using a checklist. This improves writing quality before publishing. 3) Organize blogger meetups on Meetup.com to find others and potentially create your own meetup group to build community. Working with others through groups engages more readers and supports bloggers.
2. Hello, Im Tea (aka The Chef)
20+ years in
marketing
Author of
Attract & Feed a
Hungry Crowd
Passionate about
food & stories
Proprietress of
StoryBistro.com
@teasilvestre
3. First, Make Sure
1.
Your blog addresses a REAL
need in the market place (do
your research!)
2.
You've done the requisite
homework to understand
your Ideal Client/Ideal
Reader
8. Whats a Blog Carnival?
A blog post that contains links to
other articles covering a specific
topic.
Most are hosted by a rotating list of
frequent contributors and serve to
both generate new posts by
contributors and highlight new
bloggers posting in that subject area.
10. After 1 Year Together, We
Rotate the Leadership
Pick a monthly topic together
Commit to writing 10 out of 12 months
Comment on each others posts
Share via social media
Create your own website
Start an email list (publish via RSS)
Publish eBooks to give away
11. What to Look For
Quality writing!
Regular posts (2x/month)
Similar audience
Size (look at social media)
Type (same readers?)
Fresh Voice/Perspective
12. Be Consistent
The Leader Must Lead
Pick one day per month (e.g. Last
Wednesday)
Reminders
Membership Guidelines &
Expectations
Communication!
14. #2: Focus on the Writing
The Critique/
Mastermind
Group
15. Polish Prior to Publish
You could spend ALL DAY posting and
emailing links to your blog. If your writing
sucks, your readers
Wont Finish Reading
Wont Share
Wont Comment
Wont Turn Into Subscribers
16. Fiction Writers & Playwrights
Small Groups work Best (5-7)
Gather to share pieces of their work
Give constructive feedback
Brainstorm ways to approach topics
Provide a supportive environment
Publish together
17. Critique Checklist
Does the title/headline hook you?
Does the opening line pull you in?
Is the point of the post clear?
Does the post fulfill the promise of the headline?
Is it interesting?
Is it easy to read?
Does it tell a story?
Is it relevant to your Ideal Client?
Is there a call to action?
(Full checklist avail by email: tea@thewordchef.com)
22. It Wont Be Perfect
People will come and go always be
on the lookout for the right new blood
Create ways to build community (e.g.,
private Facebook group, teambuilding and purely social events)
Communicate, communicate,
communicate
23. Questions?
Whats one thing you will implement
immediately?
What did you find unclear or want more
examples of?
Other burning questions?
Talk to me! @teasilvestre (Twitter)