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Last December, something magical happened. Some of my readers nominated me for a Top 10 Blogs for Writers award.
If that wasn’t surreal enough, the esteemed judges chose CatsEyeWriter blog as one of 20 finalists.
A week or so later, one of my readers sent me this email: “Noticed that you won. Congrats! How cool is that?”
I had no idea until I got this email.
But the grandest part of all? Well, that has to be the amazing bloggers I’ve met along the way, my fellow co-winners.
My best takeaway
I learned that all bloggers who are at the top of their game can teach me something. And while my blog’s audience may not be exactly the same as theirs, certain things apply across the board—to all of us.
Business bloggers can learn something new about writing and storytelling from author bloggers.
And bloggers who focus on the craft of writing have readers who also need to know how to market themselves—their blogs, their books.
As bloggers and blog readers, we are way more alike than we are different.
And so the Top Ten Tour was born
It started with a simple question: “What if we all guest posted on each other’s blogs?”
And so the Top 10 tour was born.
I’ve guested on 5 of my co-winners’ blogs so far.
If, like me, you think that you can learn from bloggers in different niches than yours, if you believe that brilliantly presented ideas can help you grow and improve, if you need a little extra creative spark every now and then, I encourage you to linger a while on these blogs.
Read a little. Explore. And if they resonate with you, consider subscribing so you don’t miss a single post.
Because these bloggers are smart, creative, inspiring and fun.
I’m not an author (yet) but I’m learning all sorts of things from them. Things that are helping me think in different ways. Stuff I can bring right back to my own blog—and to you.
Okay, since I didn’t publicize my guest posts here on my own blog, here they are, all in one place. Just in case you missed them:
The Top 10 ‘Mini-Tour,’ Part 1
How to Grow Your Reader Community with an Author Blog – The Creative Penn blog
Want 1,000 Blog Subscribers? Just ‘Invent’ Them – Make a Living Writing blog
Your Blog as Stage: Building a Believable Author Brand – StoryFix blog
5 Reasons First Graders Would Rule Your Writing Blog – Courage 2 Create blog
10 Steps to Making Your Author Blog a Rockin’ Success – A. Victoria Mixon, Editor blog
What about you?
Do you find that reading a mix of blogs helps you develop more fresh content for yours?
Do you ever read outside your niche?
What are some of your favorite blogs?
About the author
- More at
Yes, I enjoy reading several types of blogs, but find I have to be picky because otherwise I’d spend all day reading!
Janis Meredith recently posted..10 tips to help you and your athletes stay organized
Janis,
So many blogs. So little time. I so get that. That’s where the right headline comes in. As bloggers, we need to remember that our busy readers sometimes just scan the headlines of blogs they read and decide by that one thing alone if they are going to read the post.
Yes, I do read blogs that are outside of my niche. I love all of the amazing people that I have met since I started blogging in June of 2007. I love all of the different places around the world that my blogging friends come from. My niche is child abuse – incest, to be specific. I visit and subscribe to spiritual blogs, personal development blogs, writers’ blogs, and a few others.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker recently posted..The Hope For Trauma Blog Hosts The Blog Carnival Against Child Abuse March 2011 Edition
Patricia,
Nice to see you in the comments section!
With your particular niche, it makes sense to read blogs on a variety of social psychological topics. I imagine that would really improve your blogging skills and scope of writing. Thanks for weighing in here.
Congratulations! Yes, I read a wide variety of blogs [and blog myself on a wide variety of topics though keeping my writing blog separate and focusd on writing alone] and I find myself taking a lot out of all different types of bloggers.
Unrelated, I read your previous post and I am so sorry. Hope you’re doing okay- thinking of you.
Aisha,
Thanks for the words of condolence. Friends and readers have been supportive and a great help.
It is amazing how a seemingly unrelated blog can inspire us in our own blogging, isn’t it?
Judy, I sent an email to a writer friend here in Kansas City so she would know about the Write to Done site and its annual November nominations for the Top Ten Blogs for Writers. Her focus comes from being an author of children’s books, which is outside my niche. She replied via email and also left a comment on my blog.
Barbara,
Reaching out is such a good way to get your blog known (and to increase page views/comments).
Have you told your high school classmates about your blog?
Judy – This is such a valuable point to make. I have experienced the benefit of reading other bloggers’ blogs when I committed to be a Comment Buddy.
Not only has it inspired me to read other bloggers and absorb new ways of approaching a topic, I have enjoyed the new friendships and sense of community created online.
Sorry I’ve been quiet on the comments, I hope to do some catching up.
Barbara Breckenfeld recently posted..My year as social media explorer
Barbara,
Nice to see you here. Glad that Comment Buddies started you off with a consistent practice of reading other blogs. I learn so much myself from doing that.
And thanks. I always enjoy getting a comment from you. : )
Barbara Breckenfeld, your story about Blue on your Blue Horse Marketing website is fascinating. I love the way he put his chin on your shoulder after you had ridden him again for the first time in six months. Animals truly do communicate with their people.
Barbara,
Glad you checked out “other Barbara”‘s blog. She has the most gorgeous photos and uses horse-focused analogies brilliantly.
Barbara McDowell Whitt – Thanks so much for visiting and commenting about Blue Horse. He was one of the loves of my life and I smile every time I say the name of my business
Barbara Breckenfeld recently posted..My year as social media explorer
Judy, thank you for asking about my telling my classmates about my blog. I will do that as soon as I hear about the plans for our 50th year class reunion to be held this summer.
Barbara, after we met here earlier today I have read your article about social media and networking within the fields of architecture and engineering that was published in October in Seattle’s Daily Journal of Commerce. It is very well written.
Barbara McDowell Whit – I appreciate your mentioning reading about social media for architects and engineers — it is not everyone’s cup of tea!
I have been exploring social media for the past year to learn about it and how it applies to professional services. Blogging and commenting has been the most creative and connected me to other people.
I left a comment on your blog appreciating the window into your world – one I have never known. I am struck by the contrast between your high school experiences and mine in a large public high school in Connecticut.
We’re having our 40th reunion this year and have a Facebook page and group for the event. It’s amazing how the past is largely irrelevant. People are just showing up as they are today. The cheerleaders and hippies are making friends because none of it matters any more.
I hope I haven’t strayed too far off topic, Judy. I am just so struck at how we are finding ways to connect with people who we may never meet, or who we may not remember (from high school) because of our willingness to participate online.
Barbara Breckenfeld recently posted..My year as social media explorer
Barbara, thank you for connecting here on Judy’s site again today. I need to check Facebook to see if anyone is doing anything yet about our 50th year reunion. Our list of classmates ten years ago had street addresses and phone numbers, but of course, no email addresses.
Hi Judy,
Sadly, I have not ventured into other blogs and exploring other content out there. I think this is another way to break out of my comfort zone and to see what other people are doing. Thank you for the challenge.
Here is a list of my favorite blogs that I visit regularly:
1. Cat’s Eye Writer (isn’t it obvious?
)
2. For Bloggers By Bloggers
3. The Courage 2 Create
4. T.S. Bazelli’s Blog
5. Writer on Fire
6. Stephen Watkins – Undiscovered Author
7. Seven and 1/2 Drafts
8. Four Quarters Writing
E.J. Apostrophe recently posted..What Would You Like To See For Saturday’s Post
E.J.,
Thanks for the list. (And I’m even on it twice!) : )
It’s so cool when readers share what other blogs they visit. I imagine people can make some great new discoveries.
Well, Judy, the blog I’m commenting on right now is pretty high up on my faves list! ; ) You’ve gotten me to think consciously and analytically about the structure of my blog posts and the readability of my headlines. If not for your advice on crafting my blog, I’d just be hammering out whatever came to mind, without a whole lot of thought as to what my readers need from me. So thank you!
As the date of my first novel publication approaches (April 19th! Eeek!), you’ve also gotten me to think about my indie-/self-publishing as a small business. That’s made me approach the whole project on a more professional angle — especially when it comes to considering my blog as my author platform.
Another favorite is El Edwards’s http://truthpassionjoy.com/. If I’m feeling low or need encouragement in any way, reading one of El’s posts or watching/listening to one of her videos is guaranteed to brighten my day.
My friend Becca’s http://www.beccajcampbell.com/ is a great place for inspiration and challenging thoughts on the Writing Life. I love how Becca thinks — she has this great way of putting into clear, concise words the same thoughts I’ve had for years but could never verbalize, even to myself.
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..5 What-To-Dos When Your Novel Is Too Long
Courtney,
That is so cool that you are reading other blogs. It’s the best way to learn more, get new ideas and. of course, network with other bloggers. And it’s one of the best things when a blogger hears that she’s been helpful. So thanks for that. : )
Am noting your two recommendations. It’s fun to collect names of new (to me) blogs.
Hi Judy,
Reading others’ blogs is definitely educational, as well as great for networking.
However, it can be dangerous, too. Through reading and commenting on easypublicspeaking.co.uk, I have somehow let myself get talked into creating 10 video blog posts. It’s allegedly good for blog traffic and developing a good online platform or somesuch. ; )
*sigh* What have I gotten myself into? Lol
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..I Wrote This Because You Are Beautiful
My challenge is staying up with and reading the blogs of my main clic which seems to be the PR/communications/marketing crowd and feed off of that. I guess that is why I am here via Danny Boy Brown (sorry Danny).
Yes, I am always looking for new and follow worthy bloggers. I’m still a sponge at this point and I learn from each and every one of them.
Obviously, if you are like ‘all world’ or something then I definitely need to see what you have, right?
I look forward to getting to know you.
Bill Dorman recently posted..What is on your iPod
Bill,
Danny’s blog is just tops, so it’s nice to see you are a regular there.
I’m with you on the time issue. I follow so many that sometimes it’s just skim, scan and move on. I saw that “all world” thing on the mentions of this blog post on Twitter and I didn’t really get where that came from. But if that made you pop over here, I guess it’s a good thing. : )
I always read outside my niche of photography. I also follow people who write about law of attraction and other spiritual topics. I follow a gossip blog (not P Hilton’s). And I follow several blogs about blogging and SEO.
I love my blog roll – I’m endlessly entertained and amazed at the talented writers out there that have such great information for me to soak up!
Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photography Blog recently posted..My Best Photography Tip
Reading outside your niche just helps you be a more divers thinker, I’ve found. Glad it’s working for you, Kimberly.