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Many people wonder when it is going to be their turn to get attention on the web.  ”I’ve been blogging for months now. I don’t get people coming to my site! What’s wrong?”

Experts tell you that  you just need to keep at it. Eventually your voice will be heard if you do certain things. But how do you get there? What’s the path? Where do you start?

Following are 10 ways to can jumpstart your success:

1. Write about someone else. Who is big in the news right now? Write about that person or those people.
2. Write about the biggest trends. What are they? You can find those trends on sites like Twitter.
3. Write about one of your passions. Write about the top 10 things people should know about cars, books, dogs, travel, etc.
4. Create great questions. What’s the best question you have ever been asked? “That’s a good question,” people will tell me. I am a question collector. Collect great questions from those you know.
5. Do something for someone else and write about it. Spend a day helping out in a non-profit in your area. Whether it’s the Boys and Girls Club or a soup kitchen or a school, etc., write about that experience. Send it to the organization when you are done and ask them to share it out on the web.
6. Run a contest for a day. I ran a contest for a day and gave away a gift certificate of $25. I had over 100 people actively involved. It was a fun contest to find out how many pictures were on the wall at a local restaurant that had over 350 caricatures lining their walls.
7. Build a list of top resources. Everyone loves lists. They make things simpler. What’s your top list of resources for your particular business or area of expertise. Create that list.
8. Share a vulnerability. I’m shy. Most people would never believe that of me. But I am one of those people who teaches what she most needs to learn. I have been working in the area of teaching people how to network better for more than 15 years and I still HATE to go to live networking events. What about you? Where can you share a vulnerability?
9. Create a video. Start Vlogging. I have been wanting to go out and video people on the street and ask them their tips for better networking. I have been asking this question for years but I would love to do this on the street and see what develops. You will not only get one form of media but more as you realize that people share things when they are on camera that will surprise you . . . sometimes even, delight you. And if it surprises or delights you chances are, it will do the same for your readers and their friends.
10. Create a podcast. Use a tool like Blog Talk Radio. It’s been one of my best strategies for growing content. I get to bond when I interview someone for my radio show. It’s a much deeper interview and I get the most amazing guests.

Bonus: Read other bloggers such as Chris Brogan and Seth Godin and Carol Roth who love to push the envelope on blogging. Get inspired by blogs like 1000 Awesome Things. Start writing. Do it for you. You will build a discipline and a following as you build your passion. Jump down the Rabbit Hole! Have fun! Share your results with me!

Related articles

• What’s Happening in Social Media {05.20.11} (savvyblogging.net)
• What Chris Brogan and Madonna Have in Common (hubspot.com)
• Who are you reading? (christopherspenn.com)
• How to Build a Thriving Blog by Being Yourself (problogger.net)
• Six Great Articles To Improve Your Writing (jillchrist.wordpress.com)
• Volunteer With the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Texas (globalexclaimer.wordpress.com)

Contact us at 312-421-4213 or by clicking here to schedule a no-cost, private consultation where we will custom design your event with an integrated theme and the highest quality speakers.

Melissa Giovagnoli, Founder and President, Networlding

Previous Consummate Speaker of the Year Award

I have been professionally speaking for 15 years. My keynote and panel talks focus on the new world of publishing, thought leaders marketing, social networking in the enterprise and optimizing the use of online social networking tools like blogs and sites like LinkedIn where I have provided training for more than 4000 professionals over the past nine years. I address the overarching question of what is the 20% online that can yield the 80% return. I have extensive experience and unlimited creativity to help organizations harness web 2.0.

Featured Speech of the Month – FutureNet: How to Use Social Media for Innovation

SPEECH OVERVIEW

In this presentation you will learn:

• Noteworthy social networking strategies companies have used to innovate new products and services.
• The realities and myths involved in using social networks to innovate.
• The key components required to make social networking innovation successful.
• How to keep the “social” in social networking. The top strategies for social networking that are also easy to implement and cost effective.
• What the future holds in social media.

Jack Trytten, Insight Directions

With over 25 years of front-line marketing experience helping a wide variety of companies such as Kraft, Amoco and the Amoco Chemical subsidiary, Ingersoll-Rand, Schlage Door Hardware, Arthur Andersen and a host of companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, Jack Trytten has touched most of the product categories and markets. He brings this wealth of knowledge to lunch and dinner occasions and has expanded these talks to workshops and seminars.

Keynote Speech/Principle Points

• What is a Growth Machine – how they differ from most companies?
• How you must look differently at your market.
• The one marketing goal for every company
• How to get your customers to drive your sales.
• How to think about change and use it to drive your markets.
• Case studies of the companies who have “cracked the code” and become Growth Machines

Click here to download JackTryttenOnePage

Mary Winingham, CEO, Mirror Consulting

Mary Winingham brings the same energy to the speakers podium as she does to her corporate consulting. Her passion is her unique ability to dial in on universal challenges and identify simple, yet effective ways to manage through them. Her new book, Cracking the Value Vault does just that.

Mary has more than 20 years of highly successful leadership experience in marketing, sales and business development in the banking and electronic transaction industries. Mary has held top tier positions with First Data and Fifth Third Bank prior to starting her own consulting business. A respected speaker at industry and client conferences; panel participant and moderator, Mary speaks on a variety of topics emphasizing value creation, establishing long term relationships and strategy initiatives.

Mirror Consulting, initially founded in 2004, is built upon the personal involvement and a customized approach to drive long term value to each client.

Speaking Topics

Cracking Your Value Vault: Keys to Unlocking Your Personal Value Statement

Based on Mary’s book “Cracking the Value Vault” in this presentation you will discover the power of your life stories and their impact on your personal narrative. A practical and simple process to uncover your unique characteristics; Creation of your personal value statement; a guide to incorporating your personal value statement into your daily life. If you are looking to identify that element that brings resonating focus to your life, this is your opportunity to begin your journey. A personal exploration focusing on what makes each individual unique.

The Value of Value: Understanding and Creating Your Corporate Value Proposition

• History, background and definition of the Value Proposition
• Types of Value Propositions
• The Value Cliché
• Process to Develop your corporate Value Proposition

In this presentation you will understand what it takes to separate yourself from the crown and the true meaning of Value.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines: Strategies to Keep Moving Forward During Difficult Times

In this presentation you will learn four specific, simple strategies to help you through difficult times. We will explore concepts from various thought leaders ranging from the ancient Chinese to contemporary motivational icons; offer practical recommendations and results oriented techniques that you can incorporate in your daily life. Click here for Mary’s full speaking page.

Peter Balbus, Managing Director of Pragmaxis, LLC

Peter joined our Networlding ThinkTank faculty almost a year ago and since then has been busy working with me. Drawing from his more than 25 years as an innovation consultant, strategist and interim executive, Peter will address a broad range of compelling topics concerned with the successful creation, management and commercialization of market-disrupting innovations. Prior to launching his independent executive consulting and advisory practice in 2000, Peter held senior practitioner and national practice management roles with top-tier consulting firms including Anderson Consulting, KPMG Strategic Services and CSC Index, culminating in his position as a vice president with Booz Allen & Hamilton. Peter is also an active speaker and panel moderator at industry conferences, serves on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations, and is the founder and executive director of the international Business Innovators Group, Netwon.

“I have known Peter Balbus for more than seven years after first meeting him at an MIT Enterprise Forum meeting where he was entertaining the audience as a featured speaker with his wit and style. Peter has always been one of the best keynote speakers at MITEF meetings and events over the years that I have attended. This year I invited him to speak at the Second International Business Innovation Conference and the Global PANIIT 2009 in October. At both conferences Peter’s presentations were very well received by the audience. Peter presents his conviction in the topic of innovation with a great knowledge of the subject, a disarming sense of humor, and an engaging and compelling delivery style.”

Praveen Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Innovation Science, and published author of 9 books on business peformance improvement and Six-Sigma methodologies

Sarah Miller Caldicott, Best-Selling Innovation Author

Sarah is an innovation champion who works with companies to ignite the innovation process, bringing a world class innovator’s toolkit to individuals, teams, and leaders. She is also a great grandniece of Thomas Edison, an innovation author, and an MBA with 25-years of domestic and international marketing expertise.

Her best-selling book (Dutton Penguin) on Thomas Edison’s innovation methods was endorsed by the New York Times, Fortune Small Business, USA Today, 800-CEO-READ, and Investor’s Business Daily. The book, entitled Innovate Like Edison: The FIve-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success reveals Edison’s systematic yet timeless approach to innovation in a format that allows any employee, in any industry, with any level of experience to begin implementing what I call Edison’s Five Competencies of Innovation(tm). The book was researched over a 3-year period, and endorsed by the world’s leading expert on Edison today, Dr. Paul Israel at Rutgers University. Edison’s Five Competencies bring innovation best practices within reach of any organization. The competencies offer a roadmap for how to generate an innovation mindset within every employee – not just teams in R&D, Engineering, or Marketing. All leaders and employees today need to “think like innovators,” helping to move their companies to the leading edge in their industry. For more information on Sarah, visit her website.

Adam Hartung, Author, Managing Partner of Spark Partners

Adam helps companies innovate to achieve real growth. He began his career as an entrepreneur, selling the first general-purpose computing platform to use the 8080 microprocessor when he was an undergraduate. Today, he has 20 years of practical experience in developing and implementing strategies to take advantage of emerging technologies and new business models. He writes, consults and speaks worldwide.

His recently published book, Create Marketplace Disruption: How to Stay Ahead of the Competition (Financial Times Press, 2008), helps leaders and managers create evergreen organizations that produce above-average returns.

Jill Konrath, Best-Selling Author on Selling

Jill delivers fresh strategies that actually work in today’s business environment. SNAP Selling, her new book on selling to frazzled customers, has already achieved #1 sales book on Amazon. To read two chapters and download four FREE sales tools, visit www.SnapSelling.com. Jill is also the author of Selling to Big Companies, a Fortune magazine “must read” and Amazon Top 25 Sales book since 2005. She’s a frequent speaker at sales meetings and professional conferences where she helps sellers crack into new accounts, speed up their sales cycle and win more business.

SPEECH OVERVIEW

Selling to Crazy-Busy Buyers Working with overwhelmed, stressed out prospects requires fresh thinking.They make quick decisions based on relevance and urgency. They see minimal difference between competitors and seem to only be concerned about pricing.

What does it take to capture their attention and get their business? In this session based on Jill Konrath’s new book, SNAP Selling, your salespeople will discover numerous strategies they can use throughout the buying process to:

• Simplify the complexity that drives them to a screeching halt.
• Become an invaluable resource that customers willingly pay more for. Align with key organizational objectives and priorities.
• Maintain momentum despite a prospect’s tendency to default to the status quo.

By following SNAP Rules, your salespeople will find themselves at the top of their game. They’ll be irresistible and irreplaceable, winning more sales at higher margins and with less competition.

Breaking through the scattering of silver-lined rosy pink clouds on the horizon on this invigorating Autumn morning, the sunrise over Lake Michigan bathed downtown Chicago in a soft amber glow reflecting off the peaks of its soaring skyscrapers as they stood out against the bright blue backdrop of the firmament above.  It was early on this November morning – not even 6:35 AM, but already the streets and sidewalks were starting to fill with motivated Chicagoans and out-of-town visitors looking to get a jumpstart on their day’s activities.

Both the U.S. and general global economy were enjoying a second year of robust growth.  While the early part of the recovery, which officially began early in the 3rd quarter of 2009, had gotten off to a slow and somewhat rocky start, few back then had foreseen how strong the U.S. economy would come roaring back, and how pronounced innovation was being credited with in accelerating this economic expansion.

For those associated with the gleaming new Networlding Innovation Center in Chicago that had opened the year before in the prominent location formerly occupied by Borders bookstore on Michigan Avenue, the fact that innovation had played such a key role in reinvigorating the US economy wasn’t really all that much of a surprise.  They knew that the effective management of business and technology innovation could yield enormous benefits for virtually any company and industry.  And the unprecedented confluence of global recession, capital market lock up, stock market crashes, failure of hundreds of once iconic companies plummeting real estate values and rising unemployment had prompted a countercurrent increase in the level of effort and resources being dedicated to innovation by a growing number of government, academic and private sector leaders.  Their efforts were now paying off in a large way.

Melissa Giovagnoli and I were sitting at the Einstein Espresso bar on the 3rd floor of the Innovation Center, sharing an early morning cuppa java and reminiscing about the period of time leading up to the opening of the Center on October 10, 2010.  The last couple of years had seemed to roar by in a blur of fast-paced decisions, chance meetings, not-so-coincidental coincidences, memorable events, unexpected setbacks, and exhilarating triumphs.  Not to be overlooked was the herculean amount of hard work that had been done by an ever-expanding team of dedicated innovators who embraced the vision for this Center as their own — and had truly made it a success beyond anyone’s expectations.  And now, exactly a year, a month and a day after the formal opening of the Center, we had set aside time on this early Friday morning to reflect back on how far we’d come and recounting the sequence of events during the early conceptualization and planning phases of the Innovation Center.

—————————————————-

Want to start from the beginning? Go to:

Notes from the Future Prologue: http://www.networldingblog.com/innovation-center-book/

and Notes from the Future Intro: http://www.networldingblog.com/innovation-center-book/intro/

So how can you and those you know get involved?

Frst, let American Express know what you think about the new features and redesign of AT&T’s Small Business InSite. Share this site other small business owners . Your opinion matters!

The next step is to give readers some news they can use by sharing the word about the AT&T Small Biz Tech Makeover online contest, which began July 13. Expert advice and one year of free AT&T products and services will be awarded to the small business owner who can best explain his or her need for a technology makeover.

Contest prizes include Web hosting services, AT&T Secure Mail, AT&T Tech Support 360, a pair of 3G mobile smartphones and a variety of other advanced solutions that can be used to improve collaboration or drive small business productivity.

All you and your colleagues need to do to participate is complete an online form and send AT&T a short video with your story. More guidelines and contest details can be found by visiting (http://tinyurl.com/smallbizmakeover-att).

Here you find me in Ft. Lauderdale coming back from a long July 4th weekend. The picture was taken by my fiance, Craig, who just loves to take photos. I decided that I would start getting better pictures of the world of networking as I have experienced over the last decade or so.

Especially in these shaky economic times the last thing any of us need is to form relationships with people who look like dolphins–very sociable and attentive, but end up like sharks–feeding off of our connections for their individual gain. Those of you who regularly visit LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) know that there are more Networlders on there than you thought would ever be in one place at one time.

My suggestion to any of you out there networking is to be discerning. Take your time when first connecting with new people. I have found the adage "listen with your eyes rather than your ears" is a good one. You will actually lose good business or career development time when you hastily build connections rather than take your time over two or three meetings with someone.

It’s all about trust and that is something that comes through behavior–what you say you are going to do is what you do. My suggestion would be start with just one, small and simple thing you and the new person you want to network with can do for one another. As I often say in Networlding, "Think exchange." This could look like you sending over a link to some useful information. Now you have done something small and, hopefully, the potential networking partner you have just met will reciprocate or, at the least, respond with a healthy "thank you." If not, you now know more about this person. The bottomline? Seek people who recipricate and find if they do, first, before you invest too much into the relationship.