My Technorati, Power 150 and Alexa ranks are far above where I ever imagined they would be. I’m actually making a tidy income on the blog as well – far from John Chow status, but enough to keep me in my no-fat-no-whip-grande-mocha-starbucks habit.
How did I do it? Hard work. (Click the link: Ever time I watch Loren, I want to go to a Yankees game, eat some dogs, and throw beer at some Red Sox fans!)
Since Loren asked, I am regularly up at 3AM (sometimes all night) blogging. I live in Indianapolis so I don’t have the opportunity to go out with my Silicon Valley brothers – but I’ve been surprised at how well I’ve stayed in touch and on top of trends by splitting my time between research, testing, sharing, connecting, being a catalyst, and remaining passionate.
Example: Last night and today it was discovering Geo Microformats and implementing them on Address Fix for a new friend Andy from the United Kingdom.
I should be celebrating but I’m going to miss this party tonight. Perhaps I’ll try and fit something in for blog post 1,000… I’m not sure. I do know that large changes are on the horizon in my life thanks to my newly found ability to connect people and technologies through my blog. I’ve always been good at discovering and sharing information. The blog has just provided the perfect medium to effectively reach the most people. I’ve reached over 100,000 of you…5,500 people on my best day. That’s breathtaking to me. I couldn’t imagine speaking to 5,500 people in a single day but I did it.
Truth is, blogging is more fulfilling than any job that I’ve ever had. The readers that I share information with are gracious, polite, respectful, appreciative and honest. I’ve helped hundreds of bloggers personally to improve their blogs – and I could never have done that without the assistance of those bloggers before me who shared so selflessly. I thank them for their untiring enthusiasm and relentless search for the answers we’re all seeking. As well, I thank my close circle of friends who continue to encourage me and tell me that they know there is more to come my way.
So… Happy 500th to all of you. Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for inspiring me to work harder than I ever have. Blogging has never been a chore, it’s been my passion. I can’t get enough of books, articles, blogs, comments, nor technology. I’m now actively consulting companies on their blogging strategy – something I wouldn’t have ever guessed I’d be doing 8 months ago.
As Loren puts it (so directly), I am an A-List blogger. I need not be on any physical list. Because you return and share in the discussion with me daily, you’ve made me number 1. I’m there! I don’t care what any list or rank shows. I owe you all much more because of the attention you’ve given me.
I look forward to seeing where the next 500 posts take us.
