12/4/2008
The Generosity of Bloggers
When Robert Hruzek announced his WILF theme for December, What I Learned From the Generosity of Others, my immediate reaction was, this will be the easiest blog post I ever had to write.
For me, the generosity of bloggers has led to wonderful and unexpected changes in my life. Although I’ve experienced this generosity in small ways, the cumulative effect has been huge. As a group, the bloggers I have the good fortune to know are in a class by themselves when it comes to giving. Here are just a few examples. If I tried to list them all, you’d be here reading all day.
When I was forced to miss SOBCon 07, Liz Strauss took the time to give me my own mini-convention recap at Ogilvie Center in Chicago. Here was a blogging legend taking time to make me feel welcome and part of the community. She inspired me to improve and grow as a blogger. Joanna Young persuaded me 
to use Twitter and critiqued my first e-newsletter, even though she is somewhat of a “competitor”. In my old b2b world, such generosity would have been unthinkable. Another high profile blogger, Wendy Piersall, took an interest in my business cartoons and gave me a platform to talk about them on her popular Sparkplugging site. When I ran into a wall at my humor blog, Scrambled Toast, Robert Hruzek and George Angus, two men with better things to do, rushed to the rescue and are now re-energizing the blog with one brilliant idea after another. Barbara Rozgonyi, a PR specialist, taught me about podcasting and the art of interviewing, and gave me a chance to promote my Amazon book reviews on her blog. And all just because she is nice. Luke Gedeon came out of nowhere to help me reach 100 comments on a single post. Karen Swim is helped me learn how to use Skype and recently offered to help me on a ticklish client problem, even though she is a “competitor”. Noted author David Meerman Scott actually made a point of thanking me for reviewing his books. How cool is it when one of your favorite authors turns out to be a total class act as well? Speaking of authors, Lillie Ammann recently did an interview here to promote her book. Self interest? Sure. But generosity? Totally. Lillie didn’t go through the motions – she put serious thought into answers that are certain to help budding authors. That’s what I call generous. Rosa Say and the bloggers at Joyful Jubilant Learning welcomed me into their community with open arms, even though most if not all of them are far more accomplished writers. Jeanne Dininni, one of the busiest writers I know, writes comments here that are frequently longer and more informative than my posts, and even some of her own posts!
Now, this is just a handful of pixels in a much, much larger picture. I won’t even get into how David Zinger set up a writing project to raise money for charities, or how Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton’s Age of Conversation projects involve hundreds of bloggers helping children, or how nearly 13,000 bloggers around the world raised consciousness about poverty for Blog Action Day.
Every one of these kind acts has made me a better blogger, a better writer, a better marketer, and I hope, a better person. It’s not reading blogs that improves quality of life, it’s getting to know the people behind the blogs. I’ve never been around a professional group of people more eager to help, more generous with its time, and more genuinely concerned about its peers. I’m proud to be part of it, and thankful to Robert for giving me an opportunity to say so!
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30 Responses to The Generosity of Bloggers
Hey, it’s quite the blessing to be a part of such a great and generous community, Brad. I’m just pleased as punch to know y’all!
OK; now that’s out of the way; let’s move on to far more important issues. How come George rated a bigger photo than I did?
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Eeek! It’s Almost Over!
Brad,
This is indeed a wonderful tribute to generous blogging friends. Thank you for including me.
I have to echo everything you say. I’m not going to be able to participate in this group writing project so I’ll take this chance to commend all the generous bloggers that I’ve encountered as well, including you!
Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Blog Book Tour at Light Within
Robert, You got top billing and George is at the bottom – I was hoping that would keep everybody happy …
Lillie, It’s a pleasure having you around Word Sell – come back whenever you have time.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Generosity of Bloggers
Brad, the kindness and generosity of bloggers never ceases to amaze me either.
I was just saying to Amy the other day how lucky I felt to have two big blogging brothers who I could always rely on… and I think you know who you are
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Why Do People Choose to Use Long Words?
Hi Joanna, Does one of them wear a big old cowboy hat?
The amazing thing is – I’m sure this is true for you as well – I’ve struck up at least one meaningful blogger friendship a month since I started blogging.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Generosity of Bloggers
So what yer sayin’, Joanna, is… back when I was four, and told Santa I wanted a little sister… it finally worked!?
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..What I Learned From… the Generosity of Others
Brad, thank you for including me, I’m a bit teary eyed with gratitude. I have to say that you so beautifully echo the thoughts I have about this wonderful community. By and large the people behind the blogs are wonderful, generous people who so graciously step up to help, encourage, support and promote. Bloggers seem to have a unique spirit of collaborative cooperation that is largely missing in the corporate workspace. I don’t know if blogging attracts a certain type of person or if it helps make you a different kind of person but my gosh what a groovy group!
Brad, if I were writing this post, your picture would have been at the top. You are thoughtful, kind, generous, and always, always supportive.
Karen Swims last blog post..Is It Far Better to Give than Receive?
Brad, what’s so cool about blogging and other forms of social media is that we learn from one another and help each other. You were the very first person to review my book “The New Rules of Marketing & PR” on Amazon (there are 110 reviews now). I’ll always remember how important that first review was – it set the tone for what has become an important aspect of my business. Take care, David
David Meerman Scotts last blog post..Why I am not on LinkedIn
Hi Karen, Thank you for those kind words. I learned it all, or a lot anyway, from guess who? You! I love what you’re doing with your December posts, too – making us all think about what giving and taking are all about.
Hi David, Your incredible “New Rules” influenced me and countless other bloggers to go in a certain direction, one that emphasizing sharing. I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to have been your first reviewer. BTW, with 200 Amazon books reviews to my credit, you are only the second author to ever acknowledge one. The first was one of my favorite science fiction writers, Joe Haldeman. And now of course Lillie Ammann. Not that I’m looking for acknowledgment (I am not), but it does make you wonder. If authors were more engaged with reader reviewers, perhaps it would generate more reviews and more social media discussion.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Generosity of Bloggers
Brad, you reviewed Joe Haldeman? He’s one of my favorite writers! I especially love his “Forever War” series. I’m going to have to look that review up now…
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Guest Post: The Year I Learned There Really Is A Santa
Brad,
Bloggers are indeed some of the most fantastic people! Thanks for including me in your list and saying such thoughtful things. You are too kind! (But then, that’s just one more illustration of blogger generosity, isn’t it!)
Jeanne
Thanks for picking up on Robert’s theme and for introducing us to so many wonderful folks.
Brad – you are so good at recognizing others!
So . . . let me say thank you again for gifting my readers with your Amazon review interview and your post about business cartoons. It’s that kind of value that only someone with your interests and talents can bring.
And, you were so kind to give me an honest review of what I could do better on my blog. Making the changes you suggested made my blog more valuable to my readers – and easier to write.
Barbara Rozgonyis last blog post..Mashable Open Web Awards | Vote for Finalists Here
Hi Jeanne, Sometimes I think I should list you as a co-author!
Barbara, Your blog continues to look better and better. The writing was always excellent, but the right design does make a difference.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Generosity of Bloggers
Brad,
You do know how to say all the right things!
(Talk about encouraging reader comments! Your method simply can’t be beat!) 
You are right, Brad … I am constantly astounded at the generosity of bloggers. It goes beyond the simple “kindness of strangers” into something akin to a movement – to create a more robust framework in which to live our lives. I would love to see this spill over to every aspect of our lives
Gavin Heatons last blog post..The Filter-Tipped Internet
Gavin, Great sentiments, especially in this season! In a world full of pessimism, bloggers can be a force for good.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Generosity of Bloggers
Lucky to know you that’s I how I read this. It’s easy to share things with someone who values them. Look how this post shows what you did with what you got.
You’ve turned those moments into a community of friends who can’t help but want to know what you’re doing and help you again. It’s a generous thing you’ve done.
Thank you, Brad, for writing this.
Liz
Liz Strausss last blog post..What Do You Want to Contribute as Social Media Community Member?
The blogging world never fails to astound me. I wonder if it’s because blogs are such a personal thing? Even a business blog is going to reflect the person writing it, so you have a better idea of the person behind the blog–something you don’t get on general message boards or chatrooms or whatever.
Not to mention, of course, that bloggers are good people! (At least the ones that I read.) And blog readers are, too. One of my favorite knit-bloggers has raised almost $500,000 for Doctors without Borders, just by asking people to donate. How cool is THAT? http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html
If there’s a truth that is absolutely undeniable in the blogosphere…it is the amazing generosity that exists among the community.
You are so right. The examples are literally all around us. It’s one of my favorite aspects of our shared world.
Thanks for mentioning the Age of Conversation project among your collection. We’re proud to be included.
Drew
Drew McLellans last blog post..Quiznos sponge monkeys revisited – Buzz isn’t enough
….and “nobody” came out of nowhere to help….
Now, I am trying to remember if I ever posted about that from my college days. If I did I am impressed that you found it. Anyway for the rest of the audience that does not already know my nickname in college was nobody.
See, I was always the first person in the classroom for each class, and each day a different person would take the role as second. Without fail the second student would exclaim, “Wow! Nobody is here yet.” My reply, “Yep, that’s my name.”
Of course, you didn’t say “nobody” so maybe the word “nowhere” was a reference to the fact that my blog was a virtual ghost-town until people started following trackbacks from your blog and Robert’s over the last month.
Or, could it be the fact that my blog does not have a name. For example, we say Robert from the Middle Zone, and Luke from… well… uh… Now that I think of it that is the most likely scenario.
Anyway, I thought it was a hilarious triple entendre.
Luke Gedeons last blog post..Block head?
Techonology is the reason that blogging is possible, but people such as those you mention are the reason that blogging is worthwhile.
Andrews last blog post..Why firms should pay bills on time
Liz, Thank you for those words. I’m speechless.
Deb, Your Doctors without Borders story is incredible. Makes you wonder how much of this is going on in the blogosphere and what the total impact is. It must be into the tens of millions, maybe more. Well done!
Drew, You’re welcome – and thanks for the opportunity to guest post on your blog. That was quite cool.
Luke, Hilarious it may be, but unintentional.
Clint Eastwood was The Man with No Name, and G.K. Chesterton wrote The Man Who Was Thursday, and now we have Luke Gedeon, The Man Who Was Nobody. Sounds like a book or a blog title …
Andrew, You said it all. Be sure to include yourself in that group!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Today Is Cell Abuse Blog Contest Deadline
Hi Brad, I find you are one of the most generous bloggers I know. You have wonderful contests – and you offered me opportunity to write a guest post here.
I guess the best part for me is that when I first started to blog, you and Gavin Heaton were encouragers. That always primed my creative juices. So thanks to you and your generosity – especially to me.
And, besides being generous, you have great humor.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..What I Learned from Uncle Earl’s Generosity
Hi Robyn, Thank you. I’ll always feel like we grew up together in blogging. Speaking of guest posts, if you’d like to do one here … love to have you! Your writing is still at the top of my list of favorites. You see things from a unique perspective.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Today Is Cell Abuse Blog Contest Deadline
Thanks Brad, and I’d love to have you do the same on my site.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..What I Learned from Uncle Earl’s Generosity
Hi Brad – the blogosphere is wonderful isn’t it. There’s so many great folk out there and we can connect from all over the world, thanks to the Internet.
It was great that Liz gave you a mini-convention. I’m planning to go to SobCon in 2008 – I’m going to make sure I get there somehow. Are you going?
Cath Lawsons last blog post..Affiliate Commissions – Is Your Anti-Virus Eating Them?
Cath, Yes, I’m planning to attend – only a one-hour drive for me. It’d be fantastic if you can make it.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Today Is Cell Abuse Blog Contest Deadline
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Thanks Brad.
Andrews last blog post..Must you pay on time when you’re short on cash?
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