Have the heart of a blogger
“It’s easy to tell who’ll be a great blogger. It’s the person who has a good brain connected to a great heart who listens when other folks talk.”~ Liz Strauss
There’s a lot written about what skills are required to be successful at blogging (I’ve even written about it myself). This quote from Liz at Successful Blog, however, got me thinking about the heart of what makes a great blogger. Though some might view these traits as “soft skills,” they’re as essential to your success as any “hard” or technical skills you might acquire.
Traits of the “hearty” blogger
- Appreciation of others — This trait shows up in many ways. Hearty bloggers visit others’ blogs and leave thoughtful, useful, or appreciative comments. Such bloggers also freely link to others and praise their work.
- Desire to connect – Bloggers with heart are interested in having conversation and community. They seek out new relationships and nurture the relationships they have. It’s not a one-sided monologue with bloggers with heart.
- Open, curious, and interested in the world – Though hearty bloggers have opinions and ideas that they want to share, they’re also open to the perceptions and experiences of others. They enjoy learning and aren’t afraid to ask questions or receive input from others.
- Authentic presentation – Though there are hearty bloggers who use an alias, most show up as themselves (there are pictures to prove it). In addition to blogging as themselves, these bloggers reveal information about who they are, their gifts/talents, their weaknesses, their dreams; in other words “what you see is what you get.”
I’m confident that some will say that if you’re blogging for business, you must refrain from being too personal, too real, or too generous. I totally disagree. One of the greatest strengths of a business owner is her/his ability to genuinely connect with those she/he serves. By blogging with heart, you’re taking one giant step in making that kind of invaluable connection.
What other traits do you think “hearty” bloggers possess? Do you disagree with any that I’ve mentioned?
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Hi Shonnie!
wow! Thanks. You sure make me feel important. To those folks who say a heart doesn’t belong in business, I say it belongs as much as a head does. I’m right there with the thought that alone a head or a heart only communicates part of a person. To really connect and form a realtionship we need to show up completely.
Relationships are everyone’s business and all business is relationships.
Comment by Liz Strauss — July 21, 2007 @ 6:48 am
Absolutely heart and head are a winning combination. As one of my mentors and colleagues, Lance Secretan emphasizes, when our head, mouth, heart, and feet are pointing in the same direction we are a conscious and inspiring leader. In other words, we’re authentic and attractive to others when what we think, say, feel and do are congruent. Thanks for being one of these leaders Liz and for championing this way of being. We need all the reminder we can get.
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — July 21, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
I can’t think of a time when I’ve been able to keep my heart out of anything I do in one way or another. Even in quiet times, my heart is there. I don’t have anything to add to the list.
I’m a pretty quiet person, so sometimes I find it difficult to connect with other bloggers. It’s not that I’m anti-social, though.
I agree. We need all the reminder we can get.
Thank you once again for another great blog post.
What a blessing to have people like you in the world.:)
Comment by Diana Brunson — August 13, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
Bravo for you Diana. Heart is one of the qualities I’m most attracted to (I think this is true for many people even if they don’t acknowledge it.) and I think it’s such an asset when we actually allow our hearts to show in our work and everything else we do in this world. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — August 13, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Thank you, Shonnie. I’m not sure why, but I think it’s true, too. I’m thinking that people are afraid, but…of what? Being vulnerable? What do you think?
I think that’s why I was drawn to this blog. Because your heart does shine through. And of course there’s your other blog, Lavender Log: Thoughts on Living an Inspired Life. A beautiful soul you are, Shonnie.
Comment by Diana Brunson — August 13, 2007 @ 9:25 pm