I am a social media guru. You may bow. And kiss my feet while you are there.
[flashvideo filename="videos/socialmediaguru.flv" width="448" height="361" /]
In all seriousness, I have been witness to some pretty shoddy “advice” lately online. While I am in absolute support of people making a buck AND finding a creative way to do so, be careful of who you are purchasing from. Much of the information that is “sold” can be easily figured out from Google or for free in exchange sites like Mom Bloggers Club, Type A Mom, and the MomDot forums.
Recently on MomDot, several girls came to the site very upset that another blogger was saying if you suck, you should just quit. Although, I think we vary on the definition of “suck” cause I think her advice sucked. No one should ever leave a session feeling bad about themselves. Its counter productive to “teaching” someone to grow.
EPIC FAIL.
My advice to you is that there is no such thing as a method to blogging. There are ways to fine tune and make your site flow better, yes, but there is no amount of technology that is going to replace personality.
If you work hard, if you find a niche, if you’re the best in that niche, if you get lucky, if you’re like-able or hate-able, and you work harder then you have ever worked before, you may pull in $500 a month and 3,000 visitors a day- a year or two from now. It won’t happen overnight and you will probably quit or change focus before you ever get there. Think of blogging like charity…you do it because you want to, not because you expect anything back.
Don’t give up on who YOU are, your fun, your community, your willingness to share, to grow, to enjoy yourself because of some pre-bought definition of online success. And be careful (in all facets of life) of fooling yourself into thinking you can purchase that success.
You may find that you are just purchasing a hard earned lesson.
~Trisha
Oh “experts”, I haven’t left you out, here is some advice…and its free *gasp*:
1) Don’t use the word ‘retarded’ while giving out blog advice. Its insulting. And ignorant.
2) Don’t tell people to quit if they suck. You suck. You quit. You quit for saying that. Cause you suck.
3) Don’t insult the audience you are talking to by pretending you are better than them. If you were better, you wouldn’t be in the same space. If you don’t like it, LEAVE. Don’t let the red X hit you on the way out of the blogosphere.
4) Be successful BEFORE you give advice. 200 visitors a day to a site doesn’t qualify as chargeable rates.
5) Humble yourself. This one is going to be pretty hard, but I thought I would throw it out there.
P.S. I would link this person, but my links cost $25 a month.
lmho. Thanks, I really needed that.
Loved the video Trisha! I can’t believe that people are paying others ANYTHING when the information is out there FREE!
You’re awesome and I love your site!
Thanks for a good laugh!
Oh man, I laughed so hard!!
Once again, I’m speechless! rofl
I love you. Don’t tell my husband or Chris but I think i may just dream of you tonight Trisha. Thank You.
Speechless…I laughed so hard I cried. Behind the comedy there’s so much truth to the message.
Can’t see the video b/c I’m on my iPhone. But the rest of it made me laugh. Rock on T!!
That totally rocked!
OMG that was awesome LOL
OMG You ROCK!! Love it!!!!
Omg Trisha , that Video Kicked Ass.Opps can I say that, LOL
Great post as always , but thanks so much for doing this one ! You Rick Girl!
I would totally pay $49.99 for you to come teach me to dance. You are a dancing guru!
I would never tout myself as an expert in anything other than changing diapers. That’s about it. And I know a lot of shit. Apparently you can charge for shit…I’m in the wrong business….
MomDots Dance Lessons. I could see it now.
I should start privatizing my posts and you can pay $1 to read. LMFAO
Okay Trisha, that’s where we have to draw the line. The thing is I would so do it ! Cause you ROCK
Wow, a WHOLE 3 minutes alone with YOU? You big Social Media Star, thank you, thank you.
Oh lookie, you got a pedi. Nice color. Would youlike a foot massage while I am down here? Mwah, Mwah!
To the right a little..
So sorry my nimble hands were shaky. I was nervous. I’ve never…you know massaged a…STAR before.
It’ll be better tomorrow, I just bought an eBook on foot massages.
too funny.
Now I need to go to the forums and find out who said this. she must be shot.
I didn’t watch the video that you are referring to here because after reading some of the things in the forum I knew it would be a waste of my time. Thank you so much for all the free tips and advice you give to use new “mommy bloggers”. You RAWK! Muah!
Oh and lovin’ the moves
LOL But MY site is only $29.99 and I’ll only tell you that you suck 3 times a month for that fee.
Trisha you’ve got big talent and big balls. You GO. Love it!
First things first, thank you for the dance party. Baby Girl and I just rocked out with you. Love that song.
So, that was beyond awesome. You owe me a new, um, what is it? Keyboard because I think I “spittled” coffee all over it because I was laughing so hard.
I think you’re right. You have to blog because it’s fun and you enjoy it. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
Loved the video Trisha, that is such a deal at $49.99!