14
2008
Guru Roundup Update … Wow! This Is Fun!
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For those of you following along with my quest to earn the title, Blogging Idol, you’ll know that I’ve invited some of the biggest names in internet marketing and blogging to come have some fun with us. If you missed the last post you can read it here, “Guru Roundup ~ Let’s See Which Gurus Support Suzanne Franco as the Next Blogging Idol.”
So here’s how I went about it and what’s happened since.
I got the videos ready for each “guru” and set up a separate page for each using a Wordpress “page” (not post). I just didn’t want to bother all of my readers with a whole slew of posts coming in at once (for each of their video messages). I added the plugin, “Page Link Manger,” (Thanks Sarah!) so these pages wouldn’t all show up on my navigation and distort it. I worked on the pages and saved them as drafts until I had them ready to publish. I made last minute edits and got all of the cross links in place. I then wrote the “Guru Roundup” post and added the links back to each Guru’s video page. Then I published all of the posts and pages at once.
Ok … then I started emailing all of my supporters: friends, family, subscribers, and past commenters asking them to come participate on this post. I did this so that if/when the “gurus” showed up there would already be some action here … and not just a comment or two … make sense?
Then I set out to try to reach these guys by any means I could dig up … email, blog post, contact page, Twitter, and YouTube. I haven’t had any feedback from them on how they got my message but it would be interesting to find out wouldn’t it?
I was a little worried that someone might play a joke on me and sign a comment as one of these guys … so when John Chow left a comment I wasn’t even sure if it was him. The fact that John blogged about my quest pretty much answers that question huh? Thanks again John! You’re awesome and as mentioned you were voted “least likely to show up” so it’s huge that you did.
Next to arrive was Rich Schefren and that was just way cool too. I know these guys are very busy so to take the time out to read my email, watch the video and come here and post is very nice of them don’t you think?
Then Bob The Teacher shows up and really makes things interesting. He started tweeting his followers asking them if he should make a video response to my post. Sweeeeeet! Of course I took that ball and ran with it and starting calling on my fellow Twitter friends asking them to re-tweet his message and to tweet him telling him, “Yes, Bob, make the video.” So … I’m hoping we’ll hear more from him here soon. Bob also suggested that I add the comment section to their video pages which I’ve done (Thanks again Sarah ~ she’s got my back huh?) so please go over to their pages when you get a chance and leave them some kudos and some invites there too. Their pages: Travis (Sago) The Bum Marketer, Bob The Teacher, Rich Schefren, Derek Gehl, Frank Kern, and John Chow.
So now I’ll just continue to see if I can get the others over here (Frank Kern, Travis Sago, and Derek Gehl) and continue to have some fun with the others in any creative way I can … I’m open to all ideas here guys. Be sure you thank them on my behalf whenever you see them around online too.
Well, a huge “Thank You” to all of you who have supported my efforts and who continue to do so … I will never forgot the generosity shown throughout this contest … I promise.
The lesson learned here is that with a little creativity and hard work … anything is possible … wouldn’t you say?
How do you think the contest is going? Are you learning anything by going along for the ride? Do you have creative ideas for me to get subscribers, votes, and/or the judges’ attention? I’m working on some rewards for you now so start thinking. I’d love to hear your thoughts. *SmiLes* Suzanne
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I am so impressed and excited for you!! You’re doing an amazing job. I also enjoyed how you explained the process - creating different pages, hiding them from the navigation with a plugin, etc.
Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development’s last blog post..Stuff This In Your RSS - 11/11/08 - The Simple Dollar
@ kim ~ hey, you are another person who has inspired me to continue just being myself on my blog … I love your writing style! Keeps me laughing and that’s a true gift. *huGs* Thanks for the kudos and for the support … before this contest started I was trying to come up with strategies and I’m so competitive that I was planning to be secritive and quiet about the whole thing … and then it hit me … that is so wrong! The whole idea of my blog is to HELP OTHERS … PERIOD! And the more people I can help the better … what I need to gain from it will come in good time for sure. I am such a technophobe … I mean that … so even though some of what I write will be basic and boring for some … I’m hoping it will help others who want to get creative but are fearful and don’t know how. Thanks for commenting and for your support .. it means a lot to me! *SmiLes* Suzanne
You know my idea =P , so did you check how much traffic johns site drove ?
R. Patel’s last blog post..The Future of Blogging
Suzanne, Thank you for your kinds words on my blog:
http://donotreadthisblogunless.blogspot.com/
I Twittered all of my followers about your quest yesterday, after reading John Chow’s post.
You are using the same techniques as the guru’s, and it’s getting more viral. Make sure to notify Market Leverage staff about your quest, maybe you’ll be featured on a ML-TV segment?
They are really cool people, Jennifer Fluker, my Affiliate Manager and Dina Riccobono are very helpful!
Make sure you ping Shoemoney on his site, http://www.shoemoney.com. Also Zac Johnson at http://www.zacjohnson.com. I met them in Las Vegas at BlogWorld Expo and they are very kind and want to help others to become successful.
Who knows, maybe you’ll be on the BlogWorld Panel, describing how you became successful in 2009!
Respectfully, Nicholas Chase
Nicholas Chase’s last blog post..Jim Kukral Launches The Biz Web Coach Today
@ nicholas ~ I enjoyed checking out your blog … made me feel like I was at BlogWorld (well … as much as I could for NOT being there LOL) … I bet it was fun and a great learning experience. I’ve started an email to Mike (my rep) and I just haven’t finished it … thought they might treat my readers to some of their goodies for a contest/drawing I’m putting together. I wanted to do an invite to shoemoney … but after he was hacked and had that “guy” messing with him and all … I guess I honestly didn’t want to “bug” him … maybe I shouldn’t have “assumed” that for him … not too late though! LOL … never know what my future holds … I’m in this for the long haul for sure. Thank you very much for your support!!! I won’t ever forget it … that’s for sure. *huGs* Suzanne
hi Suzanne,
I popped over here from Dennis’s blog because you left a comment and your post title had the word “guru” in it. This sounds like a neat competition and I wish you good luck. I’m bookmarking this to read more when I have time. Anyway, I read another commenter that said how out of touch they were because they only knew one of these ‘gurus”. I only recognize Mr Chow, which I guess says how new I am to this and how much I have to learn. Anyway, I also see your feedburner says 196 which means you’re about 90 ahead of Dennis. You must be doing something right.
~ Steve (aka the “trade show” guru)
Steve | Trade Show Guru’s last blog post..Joy of Fatherhood
@ steve ~ thanks for checking me out LOL … It is a fun competition and it’s going to be a close racen that’s for sure. As for the “gurus” I picked … I come from more of an internet marketing mode … and I’m very new to blogging … so that’s probably why you dont’ recognize some of them … but they are GOOD at marketing tactics so I’d check them out when you get a chance. I started the contest on November 1st and had 52 subscribers … and I’m at about 10th place for the RSS part of the competition … but it’s not over til it’s over. I hope I can EARN your support in this contest … so let me know if I can help you in any way. *SmiLes* Suzanne
I see your name every where Suzanne! Good luck for the contest
and ive subscribed to your RSS.. Visit my blog too 
hi Suzanne,
OK, I just signed up for your RSS, so make that 196 a 197! Looks like I can learn a lot here, and from following this contest. Can’t believe you went from 52 to 196 readers in under two weeks. Wow. Anyway, I’m off to read about your “5 minutes of fame”.
~ Steve, aka the trade show guru
Steve | Trade Show Guru’s last blog post..Joy of Fatherhood
You really amazed me with that, as I believe John Chow is a very busy man. You are getting closer, girl!
Keep it up!
Angel Cuala’s last blog post..How to Make Money Online with the Master List Builder
Well there you go. It’s nice to see that the big guys actually do care. Keep going and keep us posted. My blog is very new and I need to work on it but you’ve given me hope that hard works pays off.
Take care
Luca - Reach Success Online’s last blog post..I Won - Get More Buyers - from Michael Rasmussen
@ monty ~ everywhere huh? JK
Thanks for your support and I will definitely check out your site. I was trying to check it out while I was out tonight but it’s just not the same on the Blackberry.
@ steve ~ Thank you too for your support … let me know if I can do anything to help you out too.
@ angel ~ thanks! I’m totally excited about how it’s going too … I’m working as hard and as fast as I can … but I have to sleep sometime! LOL Yes, that was very nice of John … it really was …
@ luca ~ yes, it is nice to see … and I will never forget it that’s for sure. I do believe that hard work does pay off … let me know if I can help at all and I will definitely keep everyone posted too. *SmiLes* Suzanne
Suzanne’s last blog post..Guru Roundup ~ Let’s See Which Gurus Support Suzanne Franco as the Next Blogging Idol
Of course…anything is possible!! You have the creativity and energy… May everything turn out as you want it
…. Laura
Whateverebay’s last blog post..Welcome to FeedBurner
Thanks Suzanne !
Ive subscribed to your blog from Google,Yahoo,Email and Firefox Feeds..
Good Luck!
Hi Suzanne,
You should contact Neil Harvey (http://www.neil-harvey.com). Great guy who fixed a crash of my affiliatetoolsreviewed.com site that I caused. I offered to pay him for the fix, which he didn’t accept. This, long after I purchased the template from him. He knows marketing and maybe he’ll give you a hand up. Congrats on your progress thus far. 10th place is looking pretty good for a “newb.” Keep it up!
Matt
@ laura ~ thanks for supporting me and making me feel so good! i love this guys!!!!!!!!!!!
@ monty ~ thanks again too … i really do want this!
@ coffeetweak ~ I will look at his site this week … i’m out of town for a weddding (don’t they know it’s BLOGGING IDOL month!!!! What were they thinking! LOL) i agree … not too bad for a total noobie and as they say, if i can … anyone can! thanks again! *SmiLes* Suzanne
I think you did an awesome job with that. I was extremely surprise to see John go public on his blog about this and it really shows that creativity is key! I always talk about being creative and this is what it is all about. To be 100% honest I didn’t think it would work, but crap I was wrong…Always follow your instinct and screw other people
Ben Tremblay’s last blog post..Could your brand be having no brand?
Wow, I have a new found respect for John C!! Very impressive!
JR @ Internet Marketing Strategies’s last blog post..Blog Traffic - 100 RSS/Blog Submission Sites
Ben - Creativity + Hard work shows results!
She made an individual video for the top bloggers and John showed up 
anyways.. I tried beating John yesterday in traffic.. I got wooping 35k Visitors in a day ! 
Just wanna know how many does John get in a day 
.. I guess its over 35k.. But anyways… I tried working out with my creativity and social bookmarking websites and it showed results over night ! 
-Monty
http://www.sensonize.com
Monty’s last blog post..Can you’ll hear me people?!!
Hi Suzanne
I’ve been away for a while and returned to find that this has really taken off. Well done you, fantastic! I’m one of those who only recognised John Chow of the Gurus, but respect to those who have turned up here. Since they came here I have been to their blogs to check them out and there is lots of good stuff there. Loved your videos Suzanne, very creative and hopefully the remaining Gurus will stop by, if only to save face!
I’m doing some more social bookmarking today and will include your blogging idol page again - don’t know if it will do any good this late on, but can’t hurt!
Denise
Suzanna, Suzanne…
How awesome for you!
I found you here thanks to my friend from http://thoushallblog.com/. He admires you and I have just started looking around.
You are gaining another subscriber for sure!
I am growing with my blog as well and enjoying every minute of it!
How great that there are some tech-girls out here.
Wish You all the best !
Marta - Rawvolta’s last blog post..KOMBUCHA TEA - HOW TO MAKE AND WHY TO LOVE IT.
Suzanne !! You visited my blog but never commented ! Blehh !
Anyways.. I caught you in mybloglog and ive sent a msg there.. ;D
Bad Bad Girl! Next time comment… Just like I do..
Helps in link building 
-Monty
http://www.sensonize.com
Monty’s last blog post..Living the dot com life since the past 48h…How did I make it there?
@ monty ~ silly … you’re so cute! I’m actually still on there! I’m the queen of multi-tasking LOL we’ve been gone all weekend at some friends wedding and I didn’t have access to my internet *sigh* so I’m playing catch-up big time … GREAT blog BTW … you’ll see me there often. *huGs* Suzanne
Thanks !
Well.. My quest to beat John Chow is running! Don’t know how many more years will I take to beat him down! lol.. Anyways.. Ive beat him in traffic within 2 days.. Gotta catch up with RSS and comments !
Monty’s last blog post..Living the dot com life since the past 48h…How did I make it there?
Wow, this turned out to be a stellar idea! That’s excellent. I’m curious how much traffic/RSS subs you received the day of John’s post?
Good luck! I’m going to check back and also peep in on the past posts for this as well.
Great ideas!
Cheers!
Jay
PS. Subscribed.
SuiteJ’s last blog post..Flip Noobs: Website Flipping Ebook Review
I just had to nominate your blog for the Uber Amazing blog award…stop by mine to find out more
I love your quest for Blogging Idol!!
Aimee (journey2learn)’s last blog post..In the dark
I love how you have your comments laid out! Very nicely done!
Awesome post to!
Shannon Lilly’s last blog post..Updates, News & Goodies From Winning The Web!
Girl, you rock! Just saw your video over at John Chow. You’ve got guts and apparently some good ideas, so I’ve subscribed to your feed. Good luck and I’m looking forward to your tips.
I didn