Daily Blog Tips will be three years old soon, but that is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable bloggers (you). I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
You probably chuckled with the line above (if you haven’t, go buy The Lord of the Rings and read it asap), but it does capture the spirit of this post.
Blogging is about conversations, communities and relationships, right? I was thinking about that concept this morning, and I realized that I don’t know most of my readers. Sure I know some of you, the ones who have been commenting frequently or exchanging emails with me, but that is the vast minority.
I would like to know more about you, to know where you live, what you do for a living and the like. That is what this post is all about. It is simply an invitation for you to write a comment sharing a bit of your background.
I will do my best to answer to all comments, and possibly to visit your blog or website to check it out. Don’t be shy and come join the conversation!
@Ed, thanks for the comment.
@Nisha, that is awesome. Ever considered creating a blog about Bing?
@Answer, nice domain. As I mentioned before movies is quite a good niche, and given that you love the topic, go for it.
@Ali, it was really my gain hiring you, as you are a terrific writer. We are almost the same age (I am 25). I am sure you will be kicking it with your online projects!
Happy third birthday! 🙂
You already know me 😉 In fact, you gave me my second ever blogging job — which I’ll be forever grateful for. (It helped me get up the momentum and confidence to quit my day job and launch out on a much more exciting journey of writing and blogging.)
I’ve learnt a huge amount from Daily Blog Tips – and, more recently, from your newsletter – over the years, and I’ve often recommended DBT and DWT to friends and fellow bloggers.
Also, I realise our interaction has generally been quite business-y: I’m 24, I live in London in the UK, and I write a lot of fiction as well as blogging. After finding my feet freelancing last year, I’m moving into more entrepreneurial projects.
Have a fantastic fourth year and onwards!
Ali
Hi I am Nisha Parmar from Delhi India and I am currently doing research for Microsoft on the Bing project.
Well my name is Ed and i am the writer of my current blog Guide goods
@Matej, you are another one of the old timers! Focusing on a single project is vital indeed, and I also made this mistake in the past. I still own many websites, but I am working to put most of them on auto-pilot, so I can concentrate on my business (Online Profits).
I think SpoilersGuide.com is a great idea, and I would focus all my energies on it if I were you.
@Pink Ink, you sure have done a lot of things! Thanks for dropping by and joining the conversation.
@Nancy, nice stuff you got there. Travel is a hot and profitable niche, so I would keep working on it.
@Karen & Gerard, awesome to have a couple who reads the blog. Do you support the Boston Celtics? I used to watch their matches once in a while.
@Robert, I have come across your blog several times in the past. Good stuff you have there. One book that you might like is titled “A Brief History of Almost Everything.” Ever read that?
Howdy, Daniel! Hey, I’m a 50’s-something blogger from Tomball, a little town near Houston, Texas, USA. I’ve been blogging for over 3 years at Middle Zone Musings, and I’ve been following DBT for just about that long, too.
I love telling true-life stories, especially the ones that teach a lesson or two about life, the universe, and everything. In fact, that’s pretty much all I do at the Zone these days. Plus, on the first Monday of each month I host the “What I Learned From…” project, in which I invite readers to contribute their own lessons learned about whatever the topic happens to be (I choose a different one each month). We’ve been consistently doing that for about 2-1/2 years now, and it’s been a lot of fun! There’s always a few surprises now and then. Over the years, folks from all across the globe have participated, and it’s open to anyone. (Drop by sometime, won’t ya?)
Thanks for the chance to share a bit, and a tip o’ the hat to ya, Daniel!
Happily married for 11 years with two cats and two jobs. Currently on short-term disability for breast cancer treatment. Love blogging, sports, reading, animals and teaching Sunday School. We are both puppeteers too. We cheer for all the Boston teams and the Browns. Stop by our “About Us” page to find out more:
Hello from San Francisco. I’m a professional travel writer and lodging editor. My “What a Trip” blog, http://www.Nancydbrown.com, is about travels from Northern California and beyond.
I’m the Lodging Editor at http://lodging.uptake.com/blog/author/nancybrown
As I travel often, reviewing properties, I’m launching
http://writinghorseback.com/ to combine my passion for horses with travel.
Follow me on twitter @Nancydbrown for all things travel-related
and
Wow, this is an interesting thread.
I’m a 30-something gal who blogs from Utah, USA about my search for ha-pink-ness as wife, mother of three, journalist, aspiring novelist and musician. Was also the former lead singer of a rock band.
I’ve been blogging since March 2008.
Nice to meet you.
Hi Daniel,
I’ve been visiting DBT for years now, don’t remember for how long but I know that you still had your first WP theme then – which you gave away later in different colors.
I’m 20 years old student ( in business & economics ) from Croatia. I’ve been in ‘ blogging sphere ‘ for 3 years now.
I have little problems with focusing on 1 or 2 online projects only, so currently I sit on 30+ domains … I hate when I need to skip idea I have, so I very often buy domain just in case, and spend XY hours exploring that. Wasting a lot of time … not making mooooney
So I decided this summer that till December I will focus only on 2 projects and see how much income I’m capable to produce online, and because new year of college started, need to study 🙂 . So I’m working on:
SpoilersGuide.com blog network which is still in huge beta phase. Expecting a lot from it.
Now I making decent 800$-1000$ /month for 3 months by now from this site, expecting more because TV seasons just started, but it’s enough for me now, parents still support me financially 🙂
I also started a project ( invested in domains and graphics ) with a friend/business partner on online local advertising for hotels, restaurants, apartments, night clubs etc. in Croatia. We mostly live from tourism out here, and business people just started to ( invest ) notice the power of targeted advertising on internet. That’s my first non-English project 🙂
So, besides girls, football (Arsenal) and Saturday nights, my big passion is entrepreneurship. I don’t have a lot of young people to talk about my ideas and overall business in an real world, so I’m very often online which my parents hate lol 🙂
love this blog!
@Katrina, I believe any writer should have a blog, so you are on the right track. Even if you don’t monetize it directly it is a nice way to build your audience, showcase your pieces and the like. Moving to your own hosted version of WordPress is a must too.
@Mike, thanks for the nice words. Your blog has quite a brandable name, and the content is looking good too, so keep up the work there!
@Kyle, good luck! Don’t forget to buy your own domain name and hosting once you get the ropes of the thing. It is the only way to really own your website or blog.
@Karthikeyan, your blog is looking good. The only thing I would change is to move the category links from the header to the sidebar. That way your headlines will have more visibility.
@Steve, I would guess World of Warcrat is a good niche ain’t it? The players seem very interested in the game and surrounding matters. Competition must be tough as well, but still I think it is a good topic for a blog.
I’m a retired 57-year-old semiserious blogger, who started blogging about World of Warcraft two years ago. In the past year, I’ve broadened my blogging horizons, but really haven’t found a niche. I enjoy writing about a variety of topics, from gaming to grammar, sports to travel to food and drink to personal insights.
When I do finally grow up, I think I want to be a writer. Or an editor.
Even though I didn’t comment in DBT, I am a regular visitor of your blog and I always refer this blog to all of my friends to know the power of blogging and all.
Meanwhile let me introduce to you.
I am Karthikeyan from India and a proud blogger in BlogrPro. I did my Post Graduation in Computer Applications and waiting for my first ever job. During my college days, I did my best in learning as much as I can in every field and also did some good(!) projects that’s all becoz of this Internet.
Hence only have started blogging.
I wish you a great success Dani. Meanwhile If you give a feedback about my blog, it will be an interesting and grateful one.
I am a new blogger working strategy and development to create a blog for the Michigan eLibrary, MeL. I’ve started by creating a blog called ‘Michigan Dining Off the Beaten Path’ to use as a guinea pig blog and to learn about the various tools using WordPress. It’s in very early stages as I just started it last week. Wish me luck!
I started reading DBT when I got interested in blogging this past spring/summer. I never really “got” blogging until I took a 2 week vacation from my job, and then it all hit me! I’ve almost completely replaced TV, Newspapers, and Magazines with my Google Reader now.
I appreciate reading DBT’s insights into creating valuable content, tips & tricks, and especially like articles where blogs are held up against traditional media in comparisons. Thanks, Daniel!
I’m a software architect in Central Ohio working on a blog called The Politics of Design. We discuss software architecture, IT culture, and change management. Software professionals come check us out.
Oops, forgot to say … I may not want to monetize my blog, but I definitely want it to look and feel professional, and your posts are a great resource for that. Thank you!
Hi, Daniel. I’m really enjoying reading everyone’s introductions (heck, I always enjoy your blog entries and the discussion that follows).
I live in a rural area halfway between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. I write fiction, and believe I am close to publication. I’ve been blogging five years, but I’m not a Pro Blogger and don’t plan to be. My blog started as a way to communicate with my writer friends. I’ve kept it up in an attempt to build a web presence and eventually promote my books, but I’ve found I really enjoy the community that has evolved among my readers.
One thing I’d like to do, though, is move from wordpress.com. The host for my website (http://stonoff.com) doesn’t support wordpress.org, and I’ve been very happy with them.
But something’s got to change. I don’t like the ads WordPress.com inserts into my blog entries, and I hate that Matt refuses to offer any options (like a premium service I would happily pay for). I also don’t like that I can’t use Amazon’s associate program there — I never get much for it, but the program saves me an enormous amount of time downloading and uploading book images.
@Vanae, yo girl. I think your videos are very cool, and I am sure you will be able to make a living from the web soon enough. Not to mention you are one of my hottest readers 🙂
@Kawtar, thanks for dropping by. Keep in mind that you can also start an online store in English, and only send the funds to your country. Then you would just need to justify the revenues.
@Ben, sure I remember you, we talked many times in the past. I am planning to move to California within a couple of years, so we will be able to hang out. By the way, you should start a blog in the MMA niche, I think it is a really good one.
@Ryan, thanks for the comment. I will check your blogs out, they look interesting.
Whatsup man – love the blog. I write on RyboMedia and also http://thegraffblog.com – I know, 2 completely different topics but…oh well 🙂
I’m a 19 year old University of South Carolina student, majoring in Computer Information Systems.
Love tech blogging…trying to learn from you all the time. Also dipping into web applications – just started something called Joupes with a friend of mine. Hopefully that will take off somewhat.
Keep it up!
Ryan
Definitely this will be your most commented blog post 🙂
I am following everything 🙂
Nice thought dear
Big Dan! You may remember me. We spoke before regarding MMA and training.
I work in the Entertainment industry as a desktop support specialist.
I am also into MMO, affiliate marketing and blogging in general. My favorite subjects are MMA, IT, technology and Society.
I have been blogging for about a year now. I live in Lakewood, CA.
hi there, congratz for the third year 🙂
i’m Kawtar from morocco, i’m 26 and i just left my job as an ai programmer in a video game company, and changed city to get married (will never get used to the housewife life !).
i’ve been reading your blog for a year now at least and it is giving me courage to get to business. i’m building an online craft store. our legislation is not really ready for this yet, so it is complicated, but i’m really optimist about it. oh and also, i’m looking for a good part time master.
well keep up the good work and good luck answering all the entries 😉
hey daniel & community.
i’m vanae – life & dating coach from california.
got my traction through my youtube video/show and now, frequent posting on topics of self empowerment, dating, relationships, positivity.
my passion is helping people. lately, i’ve been playing the guitar and singing. and eating lots of ice cream.
nice to meet y’all.
🙂
Vanae
@Bob, thanks for commenting. Third degree? That is a lot man. But then again I am also consider to enroll myself in Computer Science next year, just need to check if I will have the time for that.
@Judith, you have been in the game for a while then, that is nice. Glad you like the content here as well.
@Mr. I, you tend to comment a lot on DBT, thanks for that. Keep working on your online projects since you are very young. It could become your career.
@Kang, congrats on working for Vale, it is one of the most respected companies here in Brazil. Is the problogging scene strong on Indonesia?
Hi Daniel,
I am Kang Yudiono from Indonesia. I am 31 years old and part time blogger. My main job is a chemist at a Brazil’s mine company (Vale).
I have been blogging for 4 months. My blog is in Indonesia language with topic about blogging tips. The blog is my journey to learn make money blogging. But, my focus now are to increase traffic and subscriber (now reach 50 subscribers.
Your blog is one of my favorite blogs beside ProBlogger, DoshDosh, CopyBlogger, and Yaro Starak’s Blog. I learn a lot of things from you.
Daniel, I play sanda, which is chinese kickboxing, so it should be similar with what you are doing. I truly love martial arts.
Hi Daniel,
I am Ishan from India. I am 17 year old “entrepreneur in beta” and am studying. I have been blogging for more than 1 year and learned a lot which I share through my blog.
Congrats on completing 3 years.
Daniel:
Judith here from the MidSouth, USA. Know as a Tech (and WordPress) Muse, I started consulting in early 1994 and have been riding the wave ever since.
Being I am so busy, I rely on Bloggers like you to keep me in step and provide a fresh POV that I may not have otherwise thought of or considered. I guess that makes you one of my muses! 😉
Keep up the great work!
At your service,
Judith
Hi Daniel,
My name is Bob Bessette and I’m 51 years old. We have conversed via email fairly recently. I run a fairly new blog and am enjoying the process. I am a software professional and have been one now for the past roughly 20 years. Before that I was a research scientist working for the Air Force. I have always enjoyed writing and blogging is allowing me to do so regularly. I live in New Hampshire, USA which is known for its cold winters. I have a wife and 2 daughters, one who recently started college. I wrote a post about her leaving if anyone is interested (get out your tissues first). It was really tough for me and my wife.
I am finishing up my 3rd degree. I have a Bachelors and a Masters and the degree I am finishing up is in Information Technology. I really enjoy your blog.
Best,
Bob
@Laura, I will check that post out, as I sure could use a professional portrait. Thanks for commenting.
@Blake, I have been following your blog lately. You are doing a great job, and I would never had guessed you are a chemist 🙂 .
Daniel,
This is really awesome. It seems like sometimes the really popular blogs lose touch with their readers from an answering comments perspective (When the author of the post doesn’t reply to ANY comments for 10-20 posts straight, it’s hard to believe they care what we have to say).
My Name is Blake. I am a Chemist from Dallas Texas. I just started getting active in the blogging scene at the end of July this year and read your blog (along with several others) daily. I have a wonderful wife who supports my blog and a 3 year old boy who tries to “help” me type every post.
I look forward to remaining a part of this community for a long time.
@Jaques, it looks like CreativeOverflow has a lot of potential. Keep working on it and I am sure it will become popular.
Glad you like the content on DBT.
Hi Daniel. I am Jacques van Heerden from South Africa. I am a Digital Freelance Artist and work under the creative Identity An1ken, Have been following you for quite a while.
I Started My Blog Creativeoverflow.net on the 14th of September. Have been getting really good results too.
I am a Avid reader of Daily Blog Tips and love your posts. Keep it Up bud.
Portfolio – http://www.an1ken.net
Blog – http://www.creativeoverflow.net
Twitter – http://twitter.com/An1ken
Laters Bro
@Marc, that is quite a remarkable thing you guys are doing over there. I will certainly check your blog to know more about it.
I’ve been reading you guys stuff for quite some time. I did most of the 30-Day Blogger things last year and I loved it. I’m still working on it though.
My name is Marc and I’m a missionary in South Africa working with an organization here. We’re mainly focused on leadership developement and AID’s prevention and doing it all through the Gospel. It’s been a real blessing to be out here. I’m 25 and I’m about to get engaged soon… still planning how it’s all going to go down but I’m excited and I still can’t believe that’s it actually going to happen. My blog/site is just about life here and how things are going personally and ministry-wise. I often post my photography up there to show friends and family back at home some visual aids so they can see what it’s like. If you check out my about page there’s a little video that does more of an explanation of what exactly i’m doing out here. Hope you can check it out. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks again for all that you do and God bless.
@Robomaster, always a pleasure to chat with you mate. Keep up the good work on the blogs.
Wow, you have a lot of people from different places reading this. That is awesome.
Me, I live in Ohio with my wife and 2 kids. Currently I’m also on the road to working online full time and quitting my job. My blog is about marketing and leadership (link on my name leads to that). I also am working on doing freelance writing which is where my real passion is.
At some point or another I’m going to start some niche blogs and make some money with that as well. Both my wife are in the process of getting our business going. She’s a portrait photographer.
So anyways, I found out that I adore blogging about 4 or 5 months ago and I’ve been really sticking with that since then.
Eventually I’ll be a full time, work at home writer. And I can’t wait! Thanks for this post, very cool idea!
~Chris
Hello all! I am a regular commentator on DBT and absolutely love Daniel’s content! I have emailed and chatted him several times so he definitely knows me, but I’m not sure you readers do.
I am a student with interests in tech and software, but also running and soccer. I love blogging and recently bought my own domain – http://www.osneo.com. The blog there is still very much in development – if any of you more experienced bloggers would like to give feedback, I’d be very grateful! Thanks for checking my blog out!
@Daniel, no problem! We’ll show you around 😀
@Luigi, come stai? I have been to Cagliari before, nice city. Sardegna is awesome.
Hi Daniel.
Like Oscar I’m from Italy too, Sardinia to be more correct.
I’m 36 years old and my blog has taken 2 years recently.
Blogging it’s a passion that’s growing day after day (^_^)
I work and live in Cagliari as a Customer Assistance for a mobile video company
I follow u via rss Feed and i find your blog very interesting and useful to improve my English too.
Happy 3rd birthday to dailyblogtips (^_^)
Ciao
Lugi » LuVi Weblog
La mente è come un paracadute, funziona solo se si apre
@Jenn, I have seen some popular tea blogs around. Didn’t know so many people were interested in tea hehe.
I’m Jennifer, middle school tech teacher going back to school to get my Masters of Education. Just recently started my personal blog about tea.
Thanks for all the great tips and advice here! It is much appreciated. Happy 3rd blog birthday!
@Kristen, thanks for the nice works.
Well, if you are working from home on the Internet you are already one of us. Just keep working on the blogs on the mean while and soon enough you will be able to choose what you want to do business wise.
I have enjoyed reading the various bios — your readers are such a nice representation of the world!
I have been blogging for two years and just love it — never feels like work. I run a blog for book clubs and sell discussion guides and discussion questions that I create. I taught in a public high school for 15 years, (and enjoyed it) but really wanted a more flexible lifestyle.
So, I quit my job prematurely (to blog) and quickly realized I needed to secure new job(s) ASAP 🙂 However, I have been able to work entirely from home — teaching online — which facilitates my blogging habit nicely.
I have been addicted to your website for two years and would not be nearly as far along without you — thank you!!
@David, always honored to have such talented people reading the blog 🙂 .
Hello Daniel, nice post, good of you wanting to know who your readers are. Well, We met quite a few years ago, just when i started my own business Manta SEO Solutions. You may remember. Well, i’ve moved on since then and am now the Search Manager at a company called Virtuosa. We do strategies and online marketing for any interested client and along with that offer web design and development. Some call us a full service digital agency. On a personal level, I have just moved to Botswana from South Africa with my wife and two kids and have settled in nicely. I work from home and love the online digital world. Because I do more Search Marketing stuff I don’t get to blog that much but you are welcome to go and read some of my blogs. Other than that, I still keep tabs on your site and follow you on twitter, what can I say. 🙂