ProBlogger - I bought the book, then I posted a photo

This photo came about because of 3 very specific, somewhat overlapping occurrences. First, this personal transition back to freelancer has led me to a renewed interest in using my blog as a way to enhance my career. As a way to make some money, to be more clear. Which led me over to Darren Rowse's ProBlogger.net which I've read off and on for several years, in spite of evidence that I sometimes haven't taken his advice as seriously as you might have. I'm workin' on it.

The next well-timed occurrence was the release of the book Rowse co-authored with Chris Garrett of chrisg.com. The book is called ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income and the second most of you read that, I can hear it now: "I did not know you could make a serious income with blogs!!!" Yup! You can, and Rowse has, and he teaches people how, and I'm keen to see what tidbits I can glean from the book now that it's appeared on our local booksellers' shelves.

The third handy occurrence that led to my actually buying the book today has to do with my decision to give "micro-blogging" and this whole twitter business another whirl. Turns out Darren Rowse also posts to twitter and guess what? His posts are useful and informative and more than one of them has led me to something I was glad to know about mere seconds after he'd posted it.

Like this little idea, for example, posted on his blog just yesterday:

1. If you have a copy of the book - take a picture of yourself with it and post the picture somewhere (on your blog, flickr, zoomr or some other image hosting site).
2. Then leave a link to the picture in comments below. Also include your blog’s link in the URL field so I can link back to your blog.
3. If you’d also like to leave a one line comment about the book that’d be great. Chris and I are hoping to use some of these on the book site in the ‘quote’ section.

To say the least, I was intrigued. I do love a clever idea.

Much as I've enjoyed reading about blogging online, there's still something about curling up with a good book...and carrying it with you to places you might not so conveniently lug around your laptop. I'm looking forward to this one.

Since I only bought the book today and have been hard at work ever since, doing things that did not include reading my exciting new book, why don't I flip through and give you some juicy morsels I'm looking forward to delving into soon:

• Oh babies. Here's one that many of you will be thrilled they included. Right here on page 87: "Post Length -- How Long Should a Blog Post Be?" Yea, I'll probably have to read that one 3 or 4 times.
• There are actual screen shots of some of the steps necessary for setting up a blog through WordPress. Sweet!
• Chapter 5 is called "Blog Income and Earning Strategies."
  
• Ooooh. These are my people. Listen to this: "Getting to the top of a search-engine result for a certain phrase can be the ticket to a flood of traffic and admiration from your peers. Some people take this to the level of a sport, seeing it as a game or competition..." Snicker. THESE are the folks who get why it feels the way it feels when I find search results like this and this.  Now to learn how to generate those kinds of results on demand, eh?

And that, dear reader, is why I have a picture of me holding a book. And why I'm going to read that book, too, and learn from it. Thanks for the fun, Darren!

Update on Friday, 16 May, 2008 at 12:06 PM by Melody

To my mind, a book that invites readers to engage in an active mental relationship with the book, has added layers of value. The more I read, the more the book is asking me to consider more than just the questions on the page. I'm very happy about this.

And so I wrote another blog post about that over here.  Naturally!

Comments

[Dena]

Stunning photo. I might ask to borrow that book from you when I'm ready to launch my new book this fall...

[Melody]

Stunning? That's pretty funny. But you can always borrow the book, after I'm done reading it! (Started last night; am enjoying so far!)

Very much looking forward to your new book. If it's anythinglike its predecessor we're in for great laughs...

[Joy]

Yes, but *where* did you buy the book???

[Melody]

Um. I bought it at the place that was across the parking lot from my lunch date. Which is, alert readers may be aware, not what you might have preferred as my procurement location... but instant gratification prevailed. And I stand by my decision.

Meanwhile, consider yourselves warned: we got campy here at the ranch tonight and took more photos of me with the book, which I've been reading...and Emma The Dog with the book, which she's only contemplating. And that's all we can say for her. (I can see it now: Puppy Goes Pro...on the Blogging Circuit. The jury's still out on whether anybody will actually see those photos or not. Yea, sleep will be a good thing for all, at this point. Ta ta!)

[claude]

Hello Melody nice picutre, I didn't bought the book yet do you think is an good to go holiday with?
thanks

[Melody]

Thank you Claude.

I guess everyone has different tastes in reading materials on their holiday weekends, but it's one I'd personally enjoy most anytime. Good luck with it!