Do you see other bloggers as friends or competition?

You know, it doesn’t take a scientist to notice the competition amongst various bloggers.  While some of it is simple and friendly, others tend to get down right ugly.  But how do you approach this situation and why do you do it that way?  Today I want to talk to you about this very topic, blog companions or blog competition, and how it can help or hurt your success.

One thing I will say is, though I said blog, this applies to anyone in internet marketing in general.   I know competition is a normal part of doing business, Coke vs Pepsi, Mac vs PC, and many others that I’m sure we all know of.  The thing is, should you adopt this type of strategy?  Should you look at your fellow bloggers and marketers as your direct competition? And if so, how do you destroy them?

How to destroy your blog competition

My personality, in most cases, is non confrontational.  I’m pretty easy to get a long with, and I can pretty much get a long with anybody, even those that others may not get along with.  That being said, there are certain things that will push me to the point where I lose patience, and at that point I become defensive.  Everyone that knows me knows if I get to the point where I am mad about something, it’s usually not a very good situation to be around.

How does this relate to destroying your blogs competition?  It’s easy, simply don’t acknowledge it! Listen to me on this….it might just change your outlook.  I know, for the most part, bloggers get along with each other, but there are some that don’t.  My thing is this….what will you really accomplish by creating competition for yourself?  Yes, at times good contests and competitions are good, think about the recent John Cow and Garry Conn contest, or the current Blogging Idol contest.  These are examples of some good and healthy competitions.  There is nothing wrong with having a blog contest between you and a few buddies, seeing who can increase their RSS the most, or their email subs, but these are the things I’m speaking of.

What you don’ t want, is enemies or rivals.  I know some may find it generates a nice traffic surge to speak negatively about other bloggers, or wage a war against another blog, but at what cost?  I am of the strong belief that I can learn something from EVERYBODY, hence the reason I read so many different blogs.  Some will get their few bloggers they like to read and then everyone else is an outsider.  I think this is a mistake, because you can end up missing so much great information.

How do you destroy your blogs competition? You become friends with those that may seem to be in competition with you.

Enough internet to go around

I really believe that their is enough internet to go around for everyone! There is no point in getting territorial and defensive, get out and make some friends. Networking is THE major reason I am where I am today.  If I did not have the superb class of supporting bloggers that I do, I would not be blogging right now.  Friends give you motivation, ideas, encouragement, education, tips, and plane ol’ companionship.

I have learned quite a bit from the many people I have met online, some of them have become quite close.  How can you get close to people online? Very easy, through chats, emails, and constant contact.  I’ll admit, I am a social fanatic so to speak…I find it easy and enjoy meeting new people.

Having companions instead of competitors will take you much farther in this blogsphere.  It is by this that you may gain new readers just based on the recommendation of your friends.  I also know I meet/visit more blogs and bloggers based on their association with other bloggers.

If I find someone is somehow affiliated with a blog or blogger I like to read, I am very likely to go read that blog!  Why would you want to cut off avenues like this?  Not to mention you never know how someone may be able to help you in the future…if you start out on the wrong foot, you’ll windup with your keyboard stuck in your mouth when it comes time to ask for help.

Case and point.  Many of you know I’m starting a new blog focused on interviews with various bloggers.  I will tell you, I already have some very good interviews lined up…trust me, you’ll enjoy them The point is, if I came out the gate trying to take on all these other blogs, and saying how much better I am than they are and how you should read this blog instead, most would not be wiling to do an interview with “that guy”.  And think about this, it’s not just who you directly come against!

If you know someone is known for causing trouble or trying to challenge bloggers, you will probably more likely keep your distance from this type of person.  You never know who people are acquainted with, and your ill speak about them, will reflect on your personality and the perception others have about you!  Remember, there are many “micronetworks” of bloggers out there, people who have formed a sort of core group.

As with any type of family, group, or circle of friends, you mess with one…the others will most likely come to the support of their friend.  What you have effectively done at this point, is alienate yourself not from one blogger whom you perceived to be “your competitor”, you’ve now made a few more bloggers take notice and put you on their “blacklist”.

Should you kiss blogger booty?

No, I’m not saying you should be kissing butt at all.  What I’m saying is don’t take on the attitued that causing controversy is the best way to go.  And definitely don’t think you can be a successful blogger by yourself, it’s IMPOSSIBLE!

Yeah, that may be a strong statement but it’s true, to be successful at blogging you need a network, you need THE network, the blogsphere.  There is no way you will make it without interaction from other bloggers, it’s simply not what the whole blog concept is built on.  Blogging is built on bloggers and networking, point blank.

Why Competition Amongst Bloggers is good

Hahaha, I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy by now, but just hear me out.  I tried to show you the difference between healthy and unhealthy competition.  Back in my school days, I was an avid basketball player, I played it all the time.  I had friends, and we all played together.  We were always challenging each other, and in competition with each other…but we were not rivals.

Our competition made us all better, you can’t help but get better when you interact with others who are of similar or even higher skill levels than you are.  Same goes with bloggers.  Surrounding yourslef with buddies who are into blogging, will automatically force you to improve.

If they are good buddies they will tell you when something is wrong and encourage you when something is good.  Just like in basketball, there are certain things you can do alone, but the majority of things require at least another person.  Practicing on your defense really isn’t productive unless you have someone trying to score on you!  A pick and roll or jumper off the screen is kind of hard without some other bodies.  Same again with blogging.

The ladies and gentlemen that I have surrounded myself with, all cause me to “improve my game”.  Some have a much more profound impact than others, but the fact remains that they all influence and shape my growth.  Sometimes you play against folks that just dominate you!  That’s a part of the game as well, but this is what motivates you to get better.

All I’m saying is, don’t take your blog buddies for granted…they don’t have to be there and you should be thankful that you got em.

The Blog Buddy Challenge

Don’t be afraid to get out and make some new friends, actually, I challenge you to!  Don’t just get out and comment on blogs, I challenge you to send and email, or an IM, and start up a new companionship this week.  You still have quite a bit of time left in the week, so here’s the deal, this is what I want you to do:

• bookmark this post so you can come back to it at the end of the week
• go visit a blog, preferably a new one, but if not new, one that you recently started reading but haven’t gotten fully involved in
• contact the blog owner by email or by IM
• start a new friendship with that blog owner
• come back here and report on your new found blog buddy

It is much easier than you think.  It doesn’t take much, just a say “hey” a few times and let if flow naturally.  I really hope you guys take the time to do this, as it can only help and will get you into the habit of networking not just for monetary gain but for friendship.  So much that we do online is about the money, but, I find it much more rewarding to network with PEOPLE, not their status, not their influence, but people!  We all have very similar interests, so, having stuff to chat about shouldn’t be that difficult.

Wow, this got a little long you still there? Good…NOW GO DO WHAT I SAID!

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