I want to fight for the little guy… Mostly because I still feel like myself and this blog fall into that category. I have zero intentions of setting up an IPO for 78P, putting together a business plan, or making more money than it costs to run this site. Honestly, we just want to be a resource for you.
So this is a call to arms for networking, community, and encouragement for all of those bloggers out there without a place they can let out frustration, look for some guidance, and find new blogs to add to their RSS feed.
- I want to feature you. Several times i have had people come up to me and ask how to reach more people. Short of the hard work in networking, the time it takes to make unique and quality content, and do the necessary social media and SEO techniques, you really can’t. That being said, I might be able to help a little.
Share your blog in the comments and tell us why you blog. What pushes you to do this. Then I will give you a little blogging love on G+, Twitter, my Links of the Week, or whatever. We won’t just share anyone. You have to have that quality I just talked about in your posts and appropriately express your passion for your site, but we want to help reward that.
- Join the commenting army. Leave a link to your blog in the comments below and explicitly state that you want to be apart of the commenting army. That means you are committing in 2013 to leave at least 5 comments on blogs you read every week. That’s it. Even better, every quarter I will share who is apart of this commenting army so that you might add them to your RSS feed or go check out there site and leave a comment sometime this year.
Why the army? Networking and community! I want you to engage with websites instead of quietly consuming them. Plus, you show a little blog love with a comment, they may visit your site, love what they see, and you just gained a loyal follower. Win-win!
- Share a hope and fear for 2013 Blogging is exciting and scary. I get that. Will people read? Will they agree? Is it worth my time?
I want to pray right now for your blog. If you share a hope and dream, I will offer a specific prayer request that very second I see it and then like your comment so you know I prayed for you.
We are not alone in blogging and I hate that too many of you are without support, so lets make 2013 all about community and networking!
Larry Deane says
Hey Jeremy, fantastic idea and thanks so much for doing this. I firmly believe that networking and relationships are going to play a key role to having a successful blog going forward.
My blog is Side Income Blogging (http://sideincomeblogging) – Where I strive to teach and help others about blogging and help them earn a side income through their blog.
I blog for two reasons: 1) I’m passionate about blogging and helping others and 2) I desire to earn a side income from my blog. My articles are all about sharing not only my knowledge and experience growing successful blogs, but also interjecting a lot of personal experience and stories to help teach. I enjoy sharing my failures and much as my successes.
I would be honored to be part of the commenting army and pledge to leave at least 5 comments on blogs I read each week.
My hope in 2013 is that myself and my blog becomes an authority for those trying to start and build their blogs. I see so many people start blogs on something they are passionate about, then fail do to be overwhelmed and lost. I want to keep that from happening.
My fear – Not making a difference in my online community. As I said, i want to help people, and I don’t want to see people fail.
Thanks again for this, and for your offer to pray – I sincerely appreciate In turn, I will pray for this effort and it’s success. Let me know how I can assist in making this successful.
seventy8Productions says
Larry, I love the ideas of blogging about failures and successes and hope that works out well for you! How frequently do you try to blog? Also what social medias do you heavily invest in?
I hope that you gain some serious traction with this strategy and get that side income! (Who do you advertise through?)
Larry Deane says
I try to publish at least 2 posts a week. My primary income right now is design/development for clients, so that takes priority sometimes but I’ve been working hard to find a better balance.
re: Social Media – Facebook and Google+. I’ve been working at Facebook for almost a year with a low amount of success. In December, I returned to G+ and frankly love it. G+ has become my social media of choice. I definitely feel G+ is where my primary audience hangs out. I just followed you over there.
Right now I’m using a combination of affiliates and Adsense. Monetizing was not a focus until recently, as I’m still trying to build up traffic. I’d like to branch out with private advertising and by selling some products I’d like to create. Adsense was a huge success on my first blog, a Christian Personal Finance blog. But blogging about blogging doesn’t seem to have the same level of revenue….or least not yet.
seventy8Productions says
Love it! Keep pressing in with it. As for the ads, have you thought about BeaconAds.com?
Larry Deane says
Haven’t heard of them, but I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks!
seventy8Productions says
Love that you are going for the personal approach. That is not an easy thing to do to be vulnerable and possibly get critiqued by strangers and loved ones too. You rock!
What social networks are you very invested in so I can connect there?
seventy8Productions says
Never heard of ya. ๐ I love the ten talents piece, should have added that, but I was too wound up to stop and jump in the Scripture. I have you on the group too!
seventy8Productions says
Keith, your content is something that I read carefully because of the wisdom you have. I hope you feel that from the youthmin contributors too, but that is truly my viewpoint. I have you marked for the group!
Keith Parker says
Thanks, Jeremy. That means a lot. I always appreciate the thought-provoking posts you come up with. Keep up the good work!
Josh Robinson says
Hi Jeremy, I’m Josh and I blog about student ministry, life and leadership at joshrobinson.cc.
I’m trying to create more helpful resources, encouragement and tips to help other youth workers. I want the blog to be a place for personal growth for me to share and write and at the same time giving helps and encouragement for others in ministry.
I also contribute to youthmin.org a few times a month. It is the best network out there on youth ministry and I hope all of you read and get connected!
seventy8Productions says
First off, love the website design you have. What is it? Secondly, you are definitely on the list. Keep pressing in with it.
Josh Robinson says
urrent Theme
Pinboard
By One Designs
Version 1.0.6.
That is the theme I’m using but I thought about using standard theme possibly? Thoughts on that.
seventy8Productions says
Standard theme is so easy to use and SEO benefits are SO worth it… but I do like your design on a desktop. ๐ Either way. If you do buy it, tell them I sent you because they are doing an affiliate program.
Dustin W. Stout says
Standard Theme = the Chuck Norris of WordPress themes. ๐
seventy8Productions says
That’s great! What social media accounts do you have so I make sure I network with you well on the right ones. We are connected on G+ but I didn’t know if that is your main one or if you have another one.
seventy8Productions says
Tom, just found the comment. Stupid spam folder. You are added sir! I love that you are giving back from what you have already received. What is your top social network you invest in?
Tom Shriver says
Twitter, facebook (youthmin.org and uthmin facebook groups), and trying to get a bit more involved in G+.
seventy8Productions says
Great. Thanks for sharing!
seventy8Productions says
Sweet! Is G+ profile or page more important?
Tim Young says
Profile.
Christopher Jennings Penders says
Hi:
Thanks to Dustin Stout (who is in my G+ circles) for sharing this. I actually write two blogs
–Wisdom and Life
A spiritual Law of Attraction blog
http://cjpwisdomandlife,com
–Scranton Page Turner
A readers advisory blog
http://scrantonpageturner.wordpress.con
I’ve been blogging for several years now. It’s the only formal writing I’m now doing. Still writing every day as it is an incurable habit. I write 1st for myself and I don’t believe that what I write is coming through me.
I think I’m directed what to write. Oh sure I’m the one typing but the information is coming from a higher source.
seventy8Productions says
Love it and glad you found this Chris. You on social media anywhere?
seventy8Productions says
Rod, these fears are So normal that I do not know people that don’t have these fears. Hopefully that normalizes it and takes some of the anxiety away. I am adding your site to my RSS feed. What networks do you focus on?
Paul Alan Clifford says
Thanks so much. I need to tweek a few small things, but I’d love to guest post. http://trinitydigitalmedia.com I blog about church technology (especially social media, new media, video, and the web) and service.
seventy8Productions says
Love it Paul and any time you want to guest post, you can! Here are my guidelines that have everything: http://www.78p.tv/posting-guidelines/
seventy8Productions says
Jeremy, actually it is the exact opposite blog wise, but you are correct in that large churches get more notice, but there are hundreds of youth ministry blogs out there and that is half the reason I want to do this, so they do not feel insignificant and alone.
seventy8Productions says
Love the passion you have and have put you in my circle. Welcome!
Shawn MacKay says
Thank you!
seventy8Productions says
Thank you for joining! What social network do you primarily subscribe and interact with so I focus my efforts there.
Carson Weitnauer says
Right now, primarily on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/reasonsforgod, but increasingly at Google+: . Thanks for your interest!
seventy8Productions says
Welcome to the group! Do you have a Google+ account too? Which social network are you primarily engaged with?
Kristian Dale says
Thank you!
I do have an Google+ account, but I rarely use it. After reading a post from mr. Dustin.tv above here, I might have to change that!
I am mostly engaged in Facebook and Twitter.
You can find my G+ account here: http://plus.google.com/u/0/108605545135310892024/posts
Riley Adam Voth says
It’s been a month since I saw this blog post, opened it on my iPad, thought “cool idea” and then let it get lost in the shuffle. This afternoon I was going through old bookmarks on here and saw it again. Looks like ya stirred up some interest! I’ll add to the mix even tho its late.
– I blog because it gives me a great way to organize, practice discipline, and multiply my giftings for the good of others. I love reading other’s thoughts and always encourage people to blog; so I figure I better organize my thoughts as well. I especially want to help fellow friends in christian ministry work.
– I blog at http://www.rileyadamvoth.com. I’ll be starting / partnering on 3 others this year as well.
– I hope to make some resources, start 3 other blogs, and begin a book this year. I fear I won’t be able accomplish all I plan or I’ll lose track of the main vision in silly details or pride.
seventy8Productions says
I love it! Welcome to the group! The question I have been asking people is: what social network would you consider your primary one that you use? I’ve added you to my RSS feed and tagging you in the Call to Arms group post on G+.
Riley Adam Voth says
Ah yea I forgot to answer that one. G+ is growing on me so much. I really enjoy it. Twitter is the one I use most, but I use them all – even the hated Facebook. ๐ Thanks!
HeatherLeaCampbell says
Well hello ๐ My name is Heather and I blog about student ministry and life in general as a part of it. I blog on youthmin.org mostly now, but I also do the whole heatherleacampbell.me a bit here and there too (I’m planning on being more active).
I blog because (1) I think everyone has a voice and is entitled to use it. Hello, 1st amendment (2) Because I have to process ministry somehow, and my friends are probably tired of me processing with them about ministerial things they don’t know about. (3) Because to me, blogging is equated with networking. That’s why this whole Commenting Army is beautiful–I am committing not just to read your blog, but to live life with you. To process things as you learn them. To interact with the things you have to say. I also want to join to add some estrogen to the mix ๐
In 2013, I hope that people will be more engaged with my blogging, especially over at YM.
My biggest fear about blogging in general is that I’m not “good enough” to have a voice–that I don’t have anything worthwhile to say. But that’s bologna, everyone has something to offer. Even if I can’t teach anything new, I can show what I’m learning. And that’s kind of my style of blogging to begin with.
seventy8Productions says
Heather, you are totally added to the list! Be good to us.
Also, you throughly answered my questions and I hope that the success you have already seen doubles and triples as we progress. You are not only good enough but one of the best this year in YM in my opinion.
HeatherLeaCampbell says
Jeremy, you’re making me blush! bahaha. Thanks for the affirmation. Looking forward to affirming the rest of the team!
Christopher Kendalls says
http://www.blackperception.com/ My blog is pretty random. I post about YouTube, God, Internet, technology, television, cinema, music, whatever. I’ll post about whatever shows up in my feeds (YouTube, Twitter, etc.) if I like it; whatever I find in my inbox. Stumbled upon this post thanks to Jeremy.
Blogging is a recreational past time. I’ve written in a few other places, but I always return back to the blog. I really think this is a great idea. I was just on a blog that has a lot of followers; far more than what I have, but doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of hits, if the stats are correct and the counter hasn’t been reset. I’m not sure if the blogger wants the traffic or not but it is worth looking into. Is there a feed I can follow, so I can keep track of the blog, or better yet a Google +?
seventy8Productions says
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am confused by your last paragraph. Are you talking about a specific blog of someone else’s or 78P?
seventy8Productions says
Done! You want primarily Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ love?
kolby milton says
it really doesn’t matter! thanks jeremy.
seventy8Productions says
Nathan,
Thanks for commenting and I will definitely add you to the list! Do you have G+? (If so, can you post the URL to your profile?) Also, what is your primary social media network you utilize?
Nathan Roten says
I am on G+! It is gplus.to/nathanroten
I am a G+ fanatic (in the short time that I have been on it). I am a late bloomer when it comes to social networking. I am also on Twitter, but G+ is by far my fav.
Thanks!
Nathan
seventy8Productions says
Awesome. Added you to the list and the group!
Nathan Roten says
Thanks!