First off, this post is not about trying to game the system. It’s about getting the most out of the relationships you’re building on the Social Networks – in this case, Twitter.
I’ve written 3 posts by crowdsourcing. This is, basically, getting other people to help you create content by asking them to submit 1 tip, strategy or their take on a particular topic. It’s pretty simple, straight-forward stuff – but also very powerful.
Plus, if you’re lazy like me, you’ll soon realize that it’s the easiest post to publish. (besides guest posts)
The goal here is to give you the benefits of crowdsourcing through twitter VS email. Now, let’s take a look at these numbers. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.
My first post 19 Popular Bloggers… was put together by getting in contact with 35 bloggers and asking them to answer 1 simple question via email. I used the contact forms on their blogs to send them the email.
The message was short, sweet and to the point and 19 bloggers responded. First of all, we have to look at the response rate. 19/35 is an ‘OKAY’ response, but not as many as I was expecting – to be honest.
- This post has 24 retweets to date, and
- According to Google Analytics it received 20 visits from Twitter that week.
My second post, 26 Unique Ways To Stand Out… was created using Twitter. I simply sent a select group of people @replies asking them if they were willing to contribute to the post I was creating. The response rate was much better this time around. I only contacted 31 this time and 26 responded. Why is that?
Well, it probably has to do with the “work” involved. Writing 140 characters is a lot easier than writing a couple paragraphs in an email – so that’s a possible reason why the response was higher when I used twitter. Or maybe the topic was more interesting – who knows? I just want to share what my experience was so you can learn from it.
- This post has 34 retweets to date
- Received 86 visitors from twitter that week
- Has become my Most Viewed post in the last 30 days
- and Tyrone added it to his Press News Page
…and finally, my latest crowdsourcing post, 16 Influential Bloggers Reveal… was also created with the help of my tweeps. This one was really cool because I got video, twitter and email responses from the awesome contributors. This time around I only contacted 22 people on Twitter and received a good response.
At the time of writing this (12/05),
- that post has 29 retweets so far
- has received 90 visitors from Twitter in 6 days
- was featured in the SERP’d Round Up post
Let’s get real here… these numbers aren’t amazing but the gradual increase is noticeable enough to really consider writing one of these crowdsourcing posts for your own blog using Twitter. When I used email, the response wasn’t that great, it took longer to put together and the traffic from Twitter was minimal.
Plus, even though the traffic wasn’t in the thousands, any little bit helps. So, now it’s your turn…
Which Brings Me To The Challenge…
I’m sure you understand the process of putting one of these together for your blog, so I challenge you! Next year, I want to compiled a big list of crowdsourcing posts and publish them on my blog. This way, not only can you get exposure (and a link) from my blog, but we can also add a ton of value to the community by coming up with this crazy amount of content.
The topic of the post can be anything. It doesn’t have to be in the blogging and online marketing niche, but it can. Here are some examples:
- 16 Unique Ways To Stay Motivated To Work Out
- 20 Tips To Living On Your Own Terms
- 26 Gift Ideas To Get Your Relatives This X-Mas Holiday
- 30 Tips To Getting A Ton Of Traffic To Your Blog
- 12 Ways To Tackle The Fear Of Failure
The list can go on forever, but you get the point. Here’s what you need to do to contribute to this massive post next year.
Send me an email with a link to the blog post you’ve written to Hector@HectorJCuevas.com – It can be a post you’ve already written or you can publish a new one. I’ll be accepting contributions til the end of the year.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with
Talk soon
————————————————————————–
P.S. ..don’t forget to grab your copy of the Smart Blogging Guide. 63 Steps to a more effective blog. It’s basically my journey of everything I did for the first 8 months of blogging.
I’m sure you’ll like it..
32
Wow this is awesome! I hope to submit a post!
Rasheed
Rasheed´s last post ..Wear a Sweater on a Hot Summer Day to Succeed!
Hey Rasheed.
Can’t wait to see what you submit..
talk soon
Hey Hector,
Twitter is a very powerful tool to use. Every week I’m discovery new ideas to help build a community and help out with ranking. This is a great idea to help build relationships and gain more exposure. Great post!
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia´s last post ..Article Marketing Tips You Don’t Want To Ignore
Hey Josh.
I didn’t take twitter seriously before, but I decided to give it a try :0/ – and I’m glad I did..
Thanks for your comment bro
talk soon
Hi Hector,
A super idea here
As for the twitter/email question to generate your crowdsource content it makes sense. Most prefer quick and easy; it doesn’t get any quicker and easier than twitter.
Most of us prefer giving and receiving content in bite-sized packets. More importantly I feel the majority of bloggers prefer to receive tweet requests. I can formulate an idea and send it to you in 1-2 minutes as opposed to logging into my email, building a message and sending it.
Thanks for sharing your metrics buddy. Have a powerful day!
RB
Ryan Biddulph´s last post ..3 Reasons Why You&8217re a Work at Home Sucker
Hey Ryan..
Makes total sense – quick and easy is the new thing. No wonder so many people fail at building their online business :/ – it doesn’t fall into either one of those categories
Thanks for your comment bro
talk soon
Great post Hector. I think our attention spans have shortened right aong with our tiny.urls!!! Twitter allows for that instant response as opposed to, “I can do it later.”
When someone asks me a question on Twitter, I can presto! answer it and move on to the next task. Twitter has upped the multi-tasking game.
Hey Lisa,
“upped the multi-tasking game” – that’s so true LOL.. that’s either really good or really bad depending on what your goals are.
But you’re right, our attention span has shortened and right along with what Ryan said, we want things quick and easy – and twitter delivers that.
thanks for your great comment
talk soon
I love this idea and concept Hector great work. This is unique and gets people networking together. You can be sure I will have a crowd sourcing challenge post and submit it to you. Thanks for the great idea….
Rob
Rob Franta´s last post ..8 Categories of MLM distributors! Which one are you
Hey Rob, thanks a lot.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you put together, thanks for stopping by and commenting
talk soon
Hector
Count me in brother.
Love the way you have engaged your community in this post. You gave some, taught some and now want some action from us which will only benefit us!
WIN WIN. I’m in
Chat soon
Dwayne
Dwayne Huggins´s last post ..How To Make Money Like Jim Yaghi
This is definitely a Win Win Win.. for the contributors, the community and myself. I doesn’t get any better than that :0)
thanks D, can’t wait to see what you submit
talk soon
Hector Cuevas´s last post ..7 Day MaxBlogPress Plugins & Courses Early Christmas Sale 70 Off
Hey Hector,
Twitter is indeed a very useful site. I also rely on it greatly for traffic. I love your strategy and the way you present it.
Keep it up,
Ana
Ana/Traffic Generation Cafe´s last post ..Why Plugins Can’t Help You to Rank Better and What You Can Do About It
I’m loving this idea Hector! Dam, only wish I came up with it first…LOL.
OK, emailing now with my post.
Let the games begin! HAHAHAHA
P.S. I don’t know how you did it, but it took me HOURS to write my crowdsourcing post! Guess my type A personality was kicking in.
Michele Welch´s last post ..16 Top Bloggers Reveal Their 1 Advice To Newbies
Oh brother! I could have used your post three days ago. Next weeks post is gonna’ be on a specific question that i asked a handful of people, just like you say here. As a matter of fact, i’m gonna’ shoot you the question now!
Or maybe i should tweet you first
Thanks for the tips!
Hey Hector,
What a wonderful idea. It’ll be fun to accept the challenge and see what everyone comes up with!
Susanna
Susanna Hess´s last post ..Using Facebook for Business – How to Get in Front of More People
Hector,
You composed pretty conversation here, I really inspired by you. The way you did job in for your blog through twitter is really notable. what i realize here twitter is much better than email, its quick process and easy much. If I applicable here I would love to write here definitely. For sure I will contact you.
Atul Vhale´s last post ..Social media practices for Online Reputation management
Hector.
Awesome!
I love the spirit and implications of this idea. I’d love to be involved.
Thanks for initiating this, I can’t wait to see where it goes!
All the best,
Jym
Jym´s last post ..How To Generate Internet Marketing Leads For Any MLM Home Business
Just wanted to add – Love the new blog look!
Hi Hector,
powerful post about crowdsourcing. I like the idea of being lazy, there’s good laziness and bad laziness.
I can also relate to your experience that Twitter messages are faster than email. I also started falling in love with Twitter.
Thanks for sharing.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last post ..Your Blog Comments On Twitter With Twitterfeed
Hi Hector,
Count me in for submitting a post! I have really enjoyed the ones you have done and I can’t wait to do one too! Seeing your results has been inspirng to say the least!
Thanks for sharing them!
Heather
Hi Hector,
Wow, this is a cool idea. I’m interested in the challenge
Keep up the good work!
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong @ Attraction Marketing Online´s last post ..Bloggers and Internet Marketers – DON’T Miss This Insane Deal!
Hi Hector,
I have just started using email for crowdsourcing and it’s fast becoming the most popular post. It’s a great experience listen to different advice from different bloggers. This is really a great idea from you using Twitter as another source of crowdsourcing.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Lye
Lye Kuek Hin´s last post ..10 Blogging Questions that Newbie Bloggers Need to Answer
What a great idea. I’m also finding new ways to connect to other people and create a sense of community. I look forward to being a part of this clever opportunity. I’ll be e-mailing you soon.
Kathryn Griffiths´s last post ..The Trigger Word That Secretly Persuades People To Say Yes
Hi Hector,
It was fascinating reading your crowdsourcing results. Getting into the heads of why and how how people behave using the Internet is crucial for a marketer.
Great idea for creating a post too. Have to admit I’ve never done of these posts so look forward to contributing to the challenge.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker´s last post ..When is too Much Value too Much
Hey Marcus.. thanks for you comment, I really appreciate it
I’m looking forward to your challenge entry
talk soon
Hector
Thanks Hector!
I’ve been on a roll guest writing and even doing print magazine interviews for local area. Simplifying your life is a high priority!
I may do this, too.
(Love your confirm you are not a spammer checkbox! So much faster & easier.)
Hey Melody.. Simplicity is bliss :0)
Hope you join the challenge, I’m still taking entries.
By the way, that spam checkbox, eliminated 99% of my spam comments. it’s really cool :0)
talk soon
Hi Hector, Thanks for the great step-by-step process for how to do this. It’s actually a great idea and I’ve actually got in in my planner. Thanks!
Liz´s last post ..How to Twitter More Productively
Cool Hector, isnt Patt doing a similiar challenge with pillar articles? Anyways will you accept articles I wrote in the past?
Edwin´s last post ..RockMelt-All Your Favorite Social Networks In One
Hey Edwin..
Yes he is.. if the article is a crowdsourcing post then you can definitely submit it
thanks
Hector
Hey Hector,
What a great idea and as always I am up for a new challenge and ways of not only improving my time management and education but also everyone around me. Thank you for this great idea and sharing of course…Look forward to it!
Have a great day!
Hey Rich.. Glad you liked the idea. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with
talk soon
Woot! Another challenge. I seem to be finding challenges all over the place, with Pat Flynn’s challenge, your challenge, another one on My 4 Hour Workweek… The list goes on! So I’m going to be pretty busy – I absolutely love challenges!
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m in! This would be the first time using twitter to crowdsource, but I really like the idea. Can’t wait to get started!
Christina
Christina Crowe´s last post ..A Writer’s Reflection- My Life as a Writer Revealed
Great.. glad you’re in and I wish you best of luck with all those challenges you’re taking on.
Looking forward to your entry
talk soon
Hey Hector,
Great idea… count me in, I’ve been off the computer for 6 weeks or so with my move to the Virgin Islands setting up my “World Headquarters”… but I’m all set up and ready to go.
Coach Freddie
Coach Freddie´s last post ..Can You Send A Duck To Eagle School
Hey Freddie.. how’s it going?
Glad to see you back here – I’m looking forward to your entry. Talk soon and best of luck..
talk soon
Hey Hector,
Very interesting concept! Short and simple is the way to go. I would like to participate in your challenge as well. This should be fun! Great post!
Valentino Crawford Jr.´s last post ..5 Steps to Becoming SMART
Great.. I’m looking forward to your entry :0)
Crowdsourcing’s a really great idea. I’m constantly discovering new ways to use twitter. I’ll try and see what I can get going with my twitter network as well.
Richard´s last post ..Personal Blogging- Documentary- And History
Hey Rich.. Looking forward to see what you come up with
talk soon
Hector,
I love the term crowdsourcing. I have been doing a similar thing but not on such a grand scale.
I am on for the challenge next year. This is exciting.
Sheila Atwood´s last post ..Masters Of The Web
Great post Hector. I learned something new today. I was not aware of crowdsourcing. Will give it a try. Thank You