It seems that being an influential blogger takes more than good looks, a pretty blog and great content.  Those things are fine and dandy, but there is more to being influential enough that companies look to you to promote their products, and the requirements don’t come easy and can’t be easily fibbed.

I asked a group of bloggers that are considered influential, what they thought made up an influential blogger.  These are the bloggers that go on the trips, speak at conferences and get invited to participate in amazing campaigns.  These characteristics are key if your intentions in blogging are to work with companies on fun campaigns, be invited to blogger events and most of all…gain respect in the blogging blogosphere.

1. Pay it Forward- Blogging and karma go hand in hand as does blogging and paying it forward.  I’ve seen numerous bloggers go from a little something to a BIG something because another blogger helped them with a boost.  Jerri Ann from Mom-E-Centric explained it perfectly when she said, “…the influential or supportive blogger…isn’t afraid to help other bloggers move forward even if it means that the very bloggers they have helped become bigger or more popular, make more money or get more offers…”
2. Be Honest- Being honest and disclosing the details helps gain the trust of your readers.  If you are saying how great a product is and that you really think your readers should buy it and you don’t disclose that you were paid to write that post, how do you think your readers will feel if they find out?  If it was me, I’m not sure that I would be able to trust your recommendations.  Same goes with writing a review.  “…an influential blogger when it comes to products, is going to share their true thoughts on the product and not the “press release” version,” says Cat from 3 Kids and Us.
3. Tell Your Story-  Readers love it when they can relate and feel a connection, but knowing when to “shut up” is just as important.  “If I were a company I would really take a look at how the person acts and if that is something I would want my company name attached to,” says Toni from A Daily Dose of Toni.
4. Engaging- Getting to know your readers is a huge step in the right direction to really engage with your readers and write things that will make them feel compelled to come back and leave comments.  Also, the neatest thing is when you leave a comment on a blog post and the blogger sends you and email responding to your comment even if it wasn’t a response to a question.  Automated responses, out.  Sincere responses- in!
5. Branding-  Branding is huge and re-branding can be tricky.  Kadi from Kadi B. Goode says, “I cannot even believe that there are people out there who would not regard branding as absolutely crucial to success. Whether or not people realize it, every word, post, opinion, image they produce online is a part of their brand. Your brand is how the online world perceives you.“
6. Be Yourself-  A fake can be spotted a mile away and there is no hiding behind words on a screen.  In the end, if you are not yourself, your readers will notice and subconsciously it will turn them off from you.  Hiding behind a cartoon avatar…not a great idea.  Let your true self shine through.
7. Confidence-  Being confident and stepping out on a limb will only help you grow as a blogger and make others want what you possess.  Confidence exudes that you are knowledgeable.  Even though you might be frightened when something new comes your way, never let it show.  The unknown can be frightening until you’ve met it face to face…then it could be your best friend.  Sugar Jones from Sugar in the Raw said, “I think confidence comes from working in a way that highlights your own natural talents. When you are true to who you are, your heart sings, accomplishments happen, and confidence in oneself grows. In one of my fave quotes, Henry David Thoreau said “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams… ” He didn’t say chase after someone else’s dreams and beat yourself up about not getting anywhere.”
8. Support- and be supported. Finding a tribe, support system or whatever you want to call it is more important than you might think. Having that support system helps not only emotionally, but also when you have a question. “We all need support and we help each other with questions (mostly other techies help me) and we help each other in the down times and offer up their names when offers come up that would work for them,” says Sandy from Organize with Sandy.
9. Positive Vibes- No one likes to hang out with a complainer, nor do readers like to read complaint after complaint.  It’s is a huge downer and it gets old.  Now in the perfect world, nothing goes wrong…in the real world I find it hard to believe that anyone’s life is “perfect”.  Talking about life’s problems can be helpful to you and your readers, but with anything…too much of anything isn’t good.
10. Sincerity-  Being able to connect with a large group of people takes a little bit of connecting and a lot of sincerity.  There should be an equal respect for not only your readers, but for fellow bloggers and going that extra mile to show you care, can reap benefits two-fold.  Nirasha from Mommy Niri told me a story about going that extra mile for one of her readers.  “I once was waiting on mailing details for several days for a winner and finally received a mail saying she was in an accident. I sent in her detail to get the prize but I also sent her a personal get well card. She was thrilled. Pay attention to the unheard things. I knew of a woman whose company I had reviewed was having her first baby and who was supposed to attend a local meet. I met her-coworker and passed on a book about baby games. It was a small token but she was so touched she blogged about it.”  She also added, ” Nuances are important and if gestures are kind and genuine they will make an impact.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.