Guest Post by Alex Cavanaugh

Please join me in welcoming author Alex Cavanaugh! Alex knows a thing or two (or three or four) about blogging. His large and faithful following is testimony to his belief about giving back to the blogging community.


What is Blogging Success?

Karen invited me to discuss blogging success. That’s a tall order! Am I even qualified? That’s contingent on one’s definition of success I guess. So, what follows is thus one Ninja’s take on the subject.

What makes for a successful blog? I think that success depends on the individual. What is your purpose for blogging? What do you hope to achieve with your blog? How do you get to that point?

Everyone’s journey is different. Rather than tell you “This is how to do it,” I’ll just describe my own experience – why I began blogging, the changes and growth, and what’s important now. Hopefully I can inspire you to set some goals and find your own path.

I began blogging to build a platform before the release of my first book. (Basically, my publisher told me to get my butt online.) I learned how to gain followers by following and interacting with other bloggers. I found my niche and blogging style by focusing on my interests and passions. I discovered the importance of comments not just hits. It all came down to my level of involvement in the blogging community.

Now less than three years later, I’d have to say I achieved my original goal. Over 1600 people follow my blog. My posts average 155 comments each. And both of my books have achieved Amazon bestseller status in the US and UK.

I’m sure many look at those stats and believe they define my success. But a funny thing happened during the journey. My goals and definition of success evolved beyond mere numbers. I now measure my success by what I can do for others:

The Ninja News provides me a way to call attention to the accomplishments and needs of my fellow bloggers.

I feature guest posts three to four times a month from my blogger buddies.

I participate in and host blogfests.

As an A to Z Challenge co-host, I help organize and promote the event, and I spend the month of April highlighting special blogger friends.

I founded the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, giving writers the opportunity to come together once a month for encouragement and support. The response of gratitude for this group alone has made my blogging journey worthwhile.

Giving back to the blogging community defines victory to me. Your blogging success depends on your objectives, though. Your definition of success will likely change over time and may have little to do with stats. Just be sure your goals are your own. No one else can define success for you.

Supporting, inspiring, and amusing the Ninja Army is my goal – my version of success.

What’s yours?

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

CassaFire by Alex J Cavanaugh.JPG 381K   View   Share   Download    P.S. Congratulations to Donna Volkenannt, the winner of Sarah's Sundin's With Every Letter! Top right photo credit: Porah Stock Exchange