Happens to me all the time. I wrote a post about "Everything I've learned in social media I learned from Barry Manilow" last year. It was one of my most shared posts of the year. Total throwaway post. I literally almost didn't write it.

This is a good post for anyone who blogs or is thinking about jumping in. I would add that you don't have to do it perfectly. I only started a year ago. Not very consistently. But I would say that passion for what we want to say and love for community will win. (I have yet to post anything that has less than 10 comments, and usually average 20+. Not to jinx myself.) And the more you do, the better it gets. I always knew my voice, but held back online. Repeated blogging is allowing me to let it out more. So the brand of "Kat" is getting stronger.

If I could add anything, it would be "Allow room for Serendipity." Sometimes the posts that are almost throwaways will hit the biggest response. I almost didn't write about having friends over the other night. But it opened the door (so to speak) for a bunch of people to share about what it means to connect in real life.

Have you guys found this to be true? The posts you least expect?

I've noticed the same things re: those former leading lights. Disappointing. But it makes room for fresh voices who aren't narcissists. And tried & true leaders like you, who keep it real.

I think Scott's trying to relaunch Friendster... ;-)

Couldn't agree more, Laurent - and I think that manifests itself in a blogger's community as well. Show you're not afraid to stand up for your beliefs - even if it means you taking heavy flack because of them - and you'll have a loyal and trusting community to show for it.

I'll bring the wine and nachos :)

Hey there Arik,

Well thank you very kindly for your inclusion of me here - really do appreciate it (and hope that doesn't come across as a pat response!).

There's a reason most of my profile pics are of me looking downward - if you see my eyes, they're a constant bloodshot and I have bags under them the size of haystacks! ;-)

Being involved with "my community" is easy - I wouldn't be half the blogger I am/might be without the likes of you and every single visitor, reader or subscriber (as I mentioned in a recent post). So it's the least I can do to try and be "available" if and when needed. Like you say, it may not always be possible, but I'll sure as heck try.

I think a trait I'd add - and Laurent touches upon it - is keeping it real and being genuine. I've watched with interest the last 12 months or so, as certain A-list bloggers have turned from leading lights to douchebags.

This could be in overt promotion while trying to say it's not all about them, to letting folks take pot shots at their community and not defending them, to simply just becoming a little too full of themselves and believing Internet fame has more clout than it does.

To me, those bloggers will simply say or do anything as long as there's something in it for them. And hey, if it works for them, fair play. But then you have to ask if that's the kind of person you want representing your brand - will you get honest opinions or money-led sycophancy? I know which I'd prefer to have, if I wanted to improve as a brand.

So yeah - keeping it real. Stay true to your roots and beliefsand remember you can fall just as quickly as you can grow.

By the way, happy 18 months of blogging, dude - great job! :)

Maybe we should start a midnight bloggers club, Richie? ;)

Another great point. Most bloggers I know and have approached are much more motivated by their personal passions than they are by money or "free stuff." The key is knowing what motivates the blogger, right? I think you summed it up nicely, Laurent. Thanks for stopping by!

Great point, Scott. Where can we find you hanging out these days? I hear Plurk is hot again... ;)

Let's add "multi-networked" to the list. The top bloggers are present on multiple networks and use multiple tools -- from the obvious ones like Facebook and Twitter to others likes Delicious, StumbleUpon, various Ning communities, and more. If you're serious about running an EFFECTIVE blogger relations program, you might want to connect with your target bloggers at their outposts, not just their home base.

Arik
This is good. I would add that they have a high sense of ethic. They are fairly independent and expect honesty, transparency and a personal interaction..They're motivated by a cause more than $$, brand, etc...and don't have a lot of patience for spam/manipulation/.
For PR, it's key to know them, relate to them and be natural. It's important not to force it, there must be a fit, a click, a common interest for a successful engagement

Arik, you have hit on some poignant truths about bloggers. I completely identified with the late-night, community-interested, passionately over-achieving writing persona. Like you, I write because I enjoy sharing ideas, concepts, and new things with others in (and out of) my field. I enjoy connecting the dots with and for others.

For PR folks, I think these traits mean you must have a personal (and personable) approach to a blogger. Offering ideas on how your information can be honestly useful for their readers is where you show value.