One of the Primary Reasons I Blog
I mentioned just the other day that I write my blog as much for me as for you. That said, there’s countless reasons that I blog, but one of the primary reasons I blog is because I’m passionate about connecting with, and helping people.
I realize that a lot of the big guns probably get so many e-mails like this that they could never answer them all. Being relatively new at this, I still don’t get a whole lot of them, and so I still take the time to make sure I answer every one of them. Just as my blog sometimes propels my readers to keep moving forward with their goals, getting e-mails like the one below, inspire me to keep pushing forward (sometimes through the everyday grind) to continue blogging, trying to inspire, and helping passionate people with their marketing dreams.
Take special notice of the bolded part of the e-mail. And thanks Anthony for connecting.
Dear Ryan,
My name is Anthony Harris and I’m a college graduate from Post University. I have been working in the marketing field over a year now and I enjoy every bit of it. My main priority is to make a transition into the sports marketing field. I am person that is willing to put the time and effort in to make it happen. I follow your blog on a consistent basis and every time I read each one it just influences me to continue to go after what I want to do in life. I have the potential, work ethics and the determination to be what I want to be. As mentioned, I am eager to learn as much information in the marketing field, or should I say Generation Y industry, and I feel that you will be a valuable resource to speak with.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Anthony Harris
As a blogger, do you get lots of e-mails like this? What is your reaction to them? Do you take the time and effort to answer the majority of them?
Popularity: 15% [?]
I think I’ve only received one email that was like this. The guy thanked me for helping him figure out some problems with his life, which absolutely floored me (I’m a jackass who stumbles through things usually). I made sure to get back to him with a grateful/humble response.
But it’s a good feeling when you get that kind of message. You must be doing something right!
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admin Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
@ Charlie – I’m certain you’ll receive MANY more in your blogging tenure. And I’d like to think I’m doing something right. Sure, I’d love to have more readers, subscribers, etc. but then I look at the people that do have more than me and the work they’re putting in, and I realize it’s a tough task to achieve, one that takes a lot of TIME. I’m satisfied just getting messages like Anthony’s periodically.
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E-mails like this are very reinforcing! Ryan, you’re an excellent person, a great connector…and you deserve every one of the kind words in this email. Continue writing and continue sharing
As for taking the time to respond…I take the time. I take the time because it’s people like this that motivate me to move forward.
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admin Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
@ Ricardo – That’s precisely why I’ve always taken the time to respond to any such e-mails. It’s why I try to respond to almost every comment posted on any of my blogs, etc. Thanks for stopping by Ricardo!
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Hi Ryan,
Maybe you have reached the tipping point? I found that after a period of reading & learning from the best, my quality of writing greatly improved (along with my networking & ability to build my community). It was logical then that people would start reaching out either thru email, Facebook, DM or on my blog.
I answer every one of them because that’s how generous others were to me. Now it’s my turn to mentor & yours too. It’s an obligation to give back. This will create new friendships & allows more people to be uplifted.
There will never be a day when I’m ‘too busy’ to respond to my community. As I get busier, I’m finding ways to connect people to each other to encourage peer support.
By the way, for your friend Anthony – I know of a company that is planning on adding a comm mgr (sports oriented). I’d be glad to connect them if you’d like. email me at conniebensen@gmail.com
Connie
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admin Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
@ Connie – I would say that I’m nearing the Tipping Point (but not there yet) and I’m very humbled to know that I’ve impacted people with my posts.
One of the things I think you’re phenomenal at (and others like Jeff Widman and Ricardo Bueno) is not only reaching out to connect with other people, but also taking the time and having the initiative to create others within your network to bring even more value to the relationships.
Whether it’s self-dubbed or not, you definitely deserve the moniker of “Connie the Connector.”
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