5 Reasons to Pay Attention to the Little Guys
Our host today is Casey Brazeal. If you're interested in getting in front of the readers of Site Sketch 101, check out our guest posting invitation here.
I’m not qualified to write a post for Site Sketch 101.
I wondered how I could help Nicholas Cardot teach folks to be successful bloggers. As a new blogger, my success and online income is modest at best. One of the few things I have done successfully is put myself in contact with more proficient bloggers like Nicholas. When I started to write a list post the only list I could come up with was 5 reasons not to listen to me:
- I am not an A-list blogger.
- I have only been at this for about five months.
- I only average about 30 visitors a day.
- I don’t publish on my own URL for now I am stuck at northandclark.blogspot.com.
- I haven’t made a pot of money on the internet.
But there is one thing that is useful to you about me. I need connections and, if you’re reading this, chances are you do too!
The top 5 reasons you need a friend like me.
- You need a place to write guest posts, even a modest forum for your ideas is a new forum and can get you in front of a whole new audience.
- You need someone to write guest posts for you. I know what a blessing it is to have someone else helping me by creating content I would guess you could some extra free content too.
- Even a novice on the internet is going to have some tips you haven’t thought of – we’re probably dealing with a lot of the same issues.
- As someone new to the blogging game I need connections more than the established folks do, and am likely to give you more attention.
- The internet is a great big, lonely place, chances are, I am going through the same things you are.
In short, you probably need a Blog Buddy.
The bad news is there’s no guarantee that a fellow blogger will even talk to you, much less be your buddy. Some bloggers can’t follow up with all their feedback and comments. They are too busy, too swamped or not interested. Often even the most thoughtful, well-crafted messages are ignored.
The good news is I need blog buddies just as badly as you do. If you send me an email at [email protected] or, better still, write me a comment on this blog I promise to check out your site and personally write you back.
Maybe we won’t be able to share content or trade links, but I am going to consider, read, and respond to every email or comment I receive.
I want to get/write links and guest posts just like you do. And if I think you’re really sharp, creative or neat I will recommend you to Nicholas and maybe you’ll be the next one writing a post on this site!
I’m not qualified to give you advice, but that sounds like a good deal to me.
A Note from Nicholas Z. Cardot: Remember when you were just starting out? I do. I remember that a lot of people disregarded me as a small fish in the big pond. I’ve determined that I won’t treat anyone like that because you never know who might be the next Darren Rowse or John Chow.
Some small-time blogger could end up being the next blogging super star so take the time to interact with every person you meet. You won’t regret it. This article is a perfect example of a new blogger who wants and needs connections. Who are you reaching out to?
Eric B. said:
A blog buddy sounds like a good idea
.
I don’t know if it still applies today, but I don’t think you should use a mailto: link because of some spambot stuff. I’m a bit paranoid about spam, so I even convert my email address to HTML entities when it is published on a website.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Eric B. –> I didn’t even think about the spam factor when I published this. I should have been looking out for him better than that, but I’m glad that it’s an email just for this. That shouldn’t be too big of a problem then.
Eric B. said:
If it was created specifically for this, then everything should be fine.
Casey Brazeal said:
Eric – I am glad your looking out for me. I set up this email just for this post it is not my general email, but that’s a good point about spam.
I will be checking up on your site and giving you a shout out at your own blog shortly.
Ruchi said:
I am motivated with your article…Blog buddy is great way to interact and learn new things. Thanks for mentioning that you will respect other small blog also.
Casey Brazeal said:
Ruchi – Thanks For your kind words if we bloggers can’t look out for and respect one another it would be hard to get anyone else to.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Ruchi –> I think that relationships are the key to success and small bloggers need relationships so what better group of people to befriend and get involved with.
Dave Sparks said:
Lovely article, I’m gearing up to set up a blog on my new site soon so I shall no doubt be in touch then Casey.
In the meantime good luck with the blogging.
Casey Brazeal said:
Congratulations! I hope your new blog is a success make sure you let me know when you get things up and running.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Dave Sparks –> I can’t wait to see your blog. Make it great and know that I’ll be right here if you have any questions or need help with anything.
Typhoon said:
Great to see a guest post here. Well I am also waiting for guest post from you and other authors on my blog as I think I will be a lot too busy in this month due to exams but will secretly give time to internet and my blog.
By the way are you on Twitter?
Casey Brazeal said:
It’s funny how much time a blog “secretly gets.” I’d love to be featured on smart bloggerz. I really am hoping to build and help build up the connections to other bloggers(z) through this post.
I am on twitter @northandclark, same pic as my Gravatar.
Bruce Teague said:
Nick is a great example of this. Just three short months ago was this blog even live? He’s not a super star yet, but I think he’s well on his way. He’s had exceptional growth in his short stint on the web.
When I first saw his blog I could have thought nothing of sitesketch. I was already reading a few other blogs about blogging, why add another? Because I agree with you. Never underestimate the little guys. They may grow up.
Casey Brazeal said:
I am in awe of what Nicholas has got going on here. There are so many good articles, and so much good active traffic. I was green with envy when I first stopped by.
But, at the same time I was inspired. Even though I mostly do interviews and he mostly does site tips we have been around for a similar amount of time and produced a similar amount of material. I look to Site Sketch for ideas in its articles and as a site whose success i want to model some of my own work after.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Casey Brazeal –> Thanks guys. I’m just excited to know you all and I certainly don’t want to make anyone jealous. I just want to help as many people as I can to achieve the same success.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Bruce Teague –> Exactly. I bought this domain name on June 14, 2009. It hasn’t even been 3 month yet. When you employ the right principles you CAN achieve success quickly and you can reach people and build a community.
Melani said:
Seriously? Only 3 months ago? Damn that’s some nice traffic and huge number of comments each post is getting then.
Sorry Nicholas, jealous here =p
My Latest Blog Post: Freebies Page Updated – List Building with Alex
Nicholas Cardot said:
That’s alright. There’s some people that I’m highly jealous of also but it just drives me to work harder and smarter.
Daniel A. said:
I have been looking for a blog buddy for my site. i am just like you
1.I am not an A-list blogger.
2.I have only been at this for about couple months.
3.I only average about 15 visitors a day.
4.I don’t publish on my own URL for now I am stuck at RTGfxs.weebly.com
5.I haven’t made a pot of money on the internet
Casey Brazeal said:
Daniel we’re gonna make that pot of money soon you know that right. (wink)
I would love to have you as a blog buddy. There’s a lot I don’t know about Photoshop that I am sure you could teach me too. For one thing I am trying to make myself a cool logo. I love this picture of my shadow on the sand dune, but it is high time I had a logo that represented my site a little more directly.
Daniel A. said:
I would be glads to make a logo for you. You and I can probally come up with a great logo for your website and stuff. Just give me some basic info and I will see what i come up with. Here’s my email [email protected]
Eric B. said:
I’m also almost exactly like this, except I feel lucky whenever I get 10 visitors in one day!
I’m just letting my site grow slowly, because my blog is more of a side project, and I don’t plan on making money from the site itself soon.
Casey Brazeal said:
I think a lot of the money made from blogs is not in ad or affiliate revenue but rather in promoting and lending credibility to the author.
As someone involved in design your blog can be a showcase for your talents. I think of my blog as a proving ground for me as a writer, an interviewer, and an entertainer.
Eric B. said:
Yeah. I might start putting up ads on my site if it ever gets lots of visits, but it will mostly be a place for my portfolio once I’ve done enough work to actually have one.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Eric B. –> See. That’s a great way to generate some revenue by using your site to showcase your work. It’s a really good idea.
Mukund said:
A beautiful article. Something which is very true. Once I shift my blog(www.newbloggingtipz.blogspot.com) from blogger domain to a custom domain, I will look forward to Casey.
Casey Brazeal said:
That transition business can be a pain, can’t it. I have purchased a .net domain and am slowly trying to figure out how best to transition my work over there. If you have any insights I would love to hear you tips or tipz.
Arisu said:
Hey Casey! It´s a nice surprise to see you guest-posting, and I must say is a really cool post.
And make it big together, of course 
I think little guys are the important ones, cause you can actually make friends with them, help each other and grow together
I´m just starting to build my own blog, and I don´t know much about bloggin, but if you need some design help, I´m always happy to help!
Casey Brazeal said:
Arisu how are you? I’ve been reading a lot of your comments (it looks like you’re at the top of the leader board).
I think there is a lot new bloggers can do for each other. Just by exchanging comments two bloggers make each other look better and often its new bloggers who are if not taste makers than at least people with a voice.
Because my blog is about interviews and not blogging specifically I don’t know that my audience has as many bloggers in it as this one does, but that is exactly why I reached out to Nicholas. I want to be connected. I want to read and be read by people who are doing what I do.
Arisu said:
Doing fine, thanks
How about you?
Were you nervous to have your article published today?
And yeah, I comment a lot. But mostly cause I´m bored at work XD At first it was great cause Nicholas answered most comments through the day, and now other people are starting to answer to each other and “talk” – so I have more things to read in my “free time” at the office.
You should look for some other blogs with similar content and ask them an opinion about your blog, is a good way to get quality comments, and since you do interviews, I think you have even more chances to find reader-bloggers and connect with them!
Casey Brazeal said:
I was a little nervous. This is a site i have a lot of respect for. But I wrote this post a couple weeks ago so that part was kind of already sorted out.
More than nervous I was excited to see how the response to this article would be and what kind of connections I could make.
As to your other point, I am always on the look out for other interview blogs or blogs like mine. If you find any you like let me know.
Arisu said:
Well looks like the response is great ^^ And I bet a lot of peole will check out your site. I did, but can´t really look it all and make a comment cause… you know… I´m supposed to be working
But it looks really interesting and I promise to read it all -and if I find some others that I think can relate I´ll let you know- but meanwhile this one: http://omgthatrocks.com/ might give you some ideas 
Casey Brazeal said:
Done!
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Casey Brazeal –> I have seen blogs that are not necessarily about a mainstream topic become very popular simply because the author took the time to get out and meet new people and network. This is a great way for you to get new readers even if there aren’t as many people in your blogging niche.
Jiefeng said:
We have the same experience as Casey Brazeal do, especially at the very beginning.?We’ve just started our blog for nearly 3 months, and we have much in comment. Just keep on.?
Casey Brazeal said:
Solidarity Jiefeng, that’s what it’s all about.
Is there anyway I can read your blog in English, it looks intriguing.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Casey Brazeal –> I have this bookmark added on my browser bookmarks:
javascript:var%20t=((window.getSelection&&window.getSelection())||(document.getSelection&&document.getSelection())||(document.selection&&document.selection.createRange&&document.selection.createRange().text));var%20e=(document.charset||document.characterSet);if(t!=”){location.href=’http://translate.google.com/translate_t?text=’+t+’&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=’+e;}else{location.href=’http://translate.google.com/translate?u=’+escape(location.href)+’&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=’+e;};
When I click that bookmark, it contacts translation.google.com. It then autodetects the pages language and translates it to English. I read non-English blogs all the time with this bookmark.
Casey Brazeal said:
Wow, that’s cool.
I feel like the part of The Matrix where he says “I know Kung Fu” except “I know Romanian”
Or any number of Asian languages
Casey Brazeal said:
I love answering these comments.
Its like I am a guy who drives a serviceable Hyundai and my buddy Nicholas let me borrow his Lexus.
Arisu said:
Well, have fun at it… it´ll help you to keep the goal in mind, till you have your very own Lexus… or maybe even a plane!
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Casey Brazeal –> You are too flattering my friend. And if I ever get a Lexus you are welcome to come out and hang out and ride around in it…especially since we just realized that we are only about a 1 1/2 from each other when I’m at home.
Florin said:
I’d like to help you transition from blogspot to your purchased domain. Please contact me.
Mukund said:
Hey Florin! I definitely need your help with the transition provided I win this contest! I will look forward to you once I win some cash here!!
Casey Brazeal said:
Thanks Florin. I could use plenty of help, but I should warn folks that the sites current budget is 0.00. Something about the rent being due.
vasiauvi said:
Thanks that you respect all of us that are small bloggers.
I read often this blog and I was surprised that someone else than Nicholas is writing on it!
Best luck to you and also to Nicholas!
Casey Brazeal said:
Too often the small blogger is disrespected by the media or popular culture. Yet they love it when we come across a story or an idea that they can steal without citing a source.
Thanks for your good wishes. What language is your blog written in?
vasiauvi said:
It’s romanian! You heard about Romania?
Casey Brazeal said:
I know very little about Romania. Eastern Europe, home to Bucharest, we have some Romanians in Chicago, but I can’t pretend to be an expert.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
vasiauvi –> I welcome guest bloggers on here so don’t be surprised. Anyone who submits an article to me that I like, I’ll gladly share with the world!
Enea said:
Hi !
I would be really interested in having a Blog Buddy. I have seen that being only on your own won’t get you as far as you wanted to go.
Good luck and I hope to hear from you soon
Enea
Casey Brazeal said:
Great let’s be in touch.
Enea said:
Ok, Thank you
Daniel A. said:
hey if you want to hook up, we can keep in touch adveriste each other’s blog and stuff just hit me up at [email protected]
Jamie Favreau said:
I have to agree with you. I tried contacting Guy Kawasaki about writing a post about his experiences playing hockey at age 46. Starting out and I found it exciting and relevant to me because I love hockey and the thought of someone growing up in Hawaii taking to ice hockey. Well I found it out of the ordinary and never living in a state which had snow. Unique.
He gets a ton of requests I get that. But he also wanted to know how many readers I have. I had started out and haven’t really found my niche. So I nixed the idea.
But your post brings out the point. You are going to need someone sometime and why not write something small for someone just starting out?
I could really have cared less about the great stuff he did for Apple because what I wanted was how and why he started playing hockey. To me this was the story I wanted.
Casey Brazeal said:
Jamie – I have a lot of sympathy for your position. As a writer, I have tried to write for any number of blogs and publications. Sometimes you can get folks excited about your idea, and sometimes you can’t.
To me the important thing is that you keep trying to expose your work to new audiences.
When I have an idea for an article I try and put together a blurb and pitch it even if I am not sure the publication will take it. Better to shoot and miss than not to shoot at all.
Diane C said:
I found this post very encouraging. One of the main reasons I haven’t started a blog of my own at this point is because I remember how long it took my husband to get his sites out there and for people to faithfully come back.
I really like the idea of a blog buddy. Maybe I’ll start my own soon.
Arisu said:
I´d love to see your blog too. Let us know if you do start it!
And I think, the reason why many bloggers fail is cause they lose their enthusiasm very soon.
There are a lot of people with a simple blogger account -no fancy design, no custom domain- that have really great blogs! But the point is, they have worked very hard on their content and have spent at least a year blogging. Two of the friends I made when I made my very first blog have sites like that.
So yeah, it takes time, but the friends you can make and all the other wonderful blogs you´ll get to know while doing your own, are definitely worth it.
And with all the advice and experience from Nick, it´ll be easier for you – also the web is full of people happy to help out
Just ask.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Diane C –> I think that the real reason you haven’t started one yet is because I haven’t set one up for you yet. Maybe this weekend we can set one up for you!
Casey Brazeal said:
That is a good trick Diane C. Do you know any cute chick designers in Chicago I could marry. Talk about a blog buddy.
Casey Brazeal said:
Great! I am an inherently social person, that’s part of why I enjoy responding to these comments so much. I have found the access that a reader gets to the blogger to be really a cool facet of writing a blog. If you do start a blog please let me know I would love to see it.
Chris Cline said:
I really enjoyed this post. It is good to know that us little people are still needed.
Sat Chen said:
Great post! This post made me realize how important it is to have a blog buddy. Thanks
Casey Brazeal said:
Chris and Sat – thanks so much for your kind words. You can both expect at least one visit from a Chicago blogger in the coming days.
Casey Brazeal said:
Sat Chen – Your comment didn’t lead me to a post. Are you still getting ready to launch?
Sat Chen said:
I am still working on mine. Hopefully it will be done soon
Tycoon Blogger said:
Well said and I definitely agree with you. I have many blogging buddies and I am always looking for more. I would like to extend and invitation for you to Guest Blog on my blog Tycoon Blogger. I am averaging around 400-500 daily visitors so I think it could offer some decent exposure.
Casey Brazeal said:
Done deal! Let’s figure out a topic and I will write you a post. Also if you want to right something more personal and entertainment focused than blog advice oriented I could find a spot for you and we could trade content straight up.
My email is in the post above, expect to hear from me in the next seven days.
Reza Winandar said:
Hey Casey, why you don’t buy a domain? It’s very cheap and you can use it on your blogspot blog. My blog is blogspot too and now I’m using custom domain.
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Hey Reza – I am still stuck on a blogger URL more out of legacy than anything else. I am working on moving to my own domain and switching to WordPress. I already have a place holder at northandclark.net, but I am still learning WordPress and looking to improve my theme.
Scott Madden said:
Blog buddies sounds like a good idea
During the last month in my spare time I have been developing Live Dev Feeds (ldfeeds.com), though I’m not very good at writing or have much time when it comes to my 9 to five job and taking care of the few web clients I have I’ve been working on a blog section along with a resource and forums section for the site.
Though I already have several articles (about 20) lined up for when the blog section goes live I well be continuously looking for more. If anyone is interested in submitting web design/development related articles for the site please feel free to shoot me an email to [email protected]
HelpfulAdvisor said:
Casey, as a fellow blogger and soon-to-be-huge authority in my niche of choice, I just have to commend you on a fantastic article!
I really appreciate how the article starts with something that could be perceived as a negative, or even an excuse to write someone off. In life, we’re all looking for reasons to “disqualify” someone, right?
But then, BAM! You turned the tables and accentuated the positive. Way to go.
If you keep putting out content like this, which is sincere, and focuses on the positive, I have no doubt you will go far!
Keep up the great work, Casey!
-Jay
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
HelpfulAdvisor –> I agree. Casey going somewhere with his online ventures and I for one and looking forward to his ascent.
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Thanks guys!
I think a lot of what makes successful bloggers has to do with creating good will.
You do it first and foremost by creating content that ingratiates you to your readers, but there are so many other things that we can do to seek out allies or blog buddies. A big thing is just recognizing the work of your peers.
So, thanks to both of you (Jay and Nicholas) for your kind words.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) –> I like that concept. I think that Good will really is what makes a blog so much more fun than a traditional website. Networking with other bloggers and building blog friends really is key.
Ron Boracay said:
Inspiring. Never let somebody or someone big hold you down, instead treat them as competitors of yours (as what I learned from one of the great articles of Nicholas).
Seth W said:
Wow… I really liked this post a lot. Not only is it inspiring but shows a great point… that blogging is about being apart of something more. Blogging started out as a sort of communal learning system, people helping people, and a variety of ways to teach each other. Now it is about money and its lost some of its freshness. Thanks for the reminder.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Seth W –> I agree. Some modern ‘money making’ blogs really disgust me. I want to make money on my blog, but I only want to do it without selling out and throwing myself 100% out there as a cash hungry, greedy person. I want it as a reward for doing something I love…that is connecting with people.
Pinaybackpacker said:
I couldn’t agree more, Nick. I think being greedy and money-hungry will never work in the long run, at least for me.
Besides, it’s too tiring to think of numbers all the time.
Kidding aside, this article made me more conscious about finding a blog buddy. Paging Ron Boracay…:D
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Pinaybackpacker –> That’s good. Start connecting with other bloggers right away and build some good relationships.
ZXT said:
I’m sold Casey. Very nice and well written article. Going to your blog now.
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Cool! I have checked out your blog too, it looks like we’re both brand new in this endeavor.
Andrew said:
Wow how did I miss this post Casey? Great to see you getting out there bud and making it all happen for you.
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Good to hear from my first blog buddy. I hope everything is still going well for you my man.
Andrew said:
Everything is going great guns bud. Starting to get on top of the projects and should be able to get back into ours before too long.
And why are we doing this here? There’s your blog, my blog, even email and we come to Nicks blog to chat. LOL
Ron Boracay said:
Ha Ha Ha, I am sure, Nick will love this conversation of yours. Nicholas did a great job attracting same minded bloggers eh?
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Definitely.
I would love to have my blog be a space where people went to discuss things and where commenters really talk to each other like this. Earlier in the comments I talked about how much fun it is to respond to all this feedback, it’s another motivating factor making me want to build up my own blog and it interviews.
Andrew said:
and you haven’t done that till now because….?
Just kidding!
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
Ron Boracay –> I am enjoying the conversation. I like to see everyone interacting with each other.
BM said:
This is the problem with ‘big’ bloggers they don’t pay attention to newbies as if they don’t experience the same stage we go through.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
BM –> That’s right. It’s so meaningful when bloggers interact with their readers.
akira07 said:
“Big” blogger should looking back when their are newbie.
Maybe my request for new article in this blog is about a ways to make “big” blogger care of newbie?
Ron Boracay said:
That’s a neat Idea huh. It will cover some traits and how to value where you started. Also, it can cover helping out others who are just starting and making its way to the top of blogging world.
akira07 said:
Anyway, reading about northandclark is open for guest post, its so good. Maybe i’m the first who interested. I will try to contact him and ask if my guest post is accepted or no. One more time, guys, my article oftenly refused because grammar.
Casey Brazeal (North and Clark) said:
Akira,
I’d love to get a guest post. Send me an email at [email protected] and I would love to hammer out an idea with you.
Nicholas Z. Cardot said:
akira07 –> I recommend that you get an English grammar textbook and study it. I speak English and yet I keep one near my desk at all times so that I can keep getting better.
Ron Boracay said:
Then I suggest that you use some dictionaries, grammar related books or sites and of course any software that highlights and correct grammar or spelling related mistakes, just like MS WOrd does.
Also, make sure to invite someone to proofread your article first.
Ron Boracay said:
I think Casey will be helping you out a lot on your first guest post in his blog. I am sure about that! Right Casey?
Robomaster said:
The problem I’m having right now is finding someone to work with in the first place! Anyone I find either is in a different niche than me or is not willing to work hard. I end up with almost no way to get links back to my own site.
My Latest Blog Post: The Recipe to an Awesome Webapp
Nicholas Cardot said:
Robomaster –> It’s difficult starting out. You just need to keep exploring around with new bloggers and meeting new people. I have a couple of bloggers that I chat with all the time and I always invite people to contact me as well and even at this blog it took me a while to develop those contacts.
Dave Keys said:
Liking this idea! I run several blogs oriented around web design, SEO and photography. Strange mix but that’s where I’ve ended up.
I made $5.45 in ad revenues this week- not a pot of money but I’ve gained clients through my blogs.
My Latest Blog Post: Orange County SEO Expert | Search Engine Marketing
Eric said:
This is so true and if everyone took a bit of time out of their day to respond those those who aren’t as far as they may be, everyone could get a bit further in the blogosphere.
Great post and welcome to 2010!
My Latest Blog Post: Happy New Year 2010
Nicholas Cardot said:
I completely agree and Happy New Year to you also!