Written on July 17th, 2010 at 01:07 am by Darren Rowse
7 Links for Bloggers
Yesterday I challenged readers to write a post that took a 7 link challenge – linking to 7 posts that fit into 7 themes. I thought I’d take it for myself here on ProBlogger.
- Your first post – the first post I ever wrote on ProBlogger (I’d been posting on other blogs for a couple of years before this) was in September 2004. It was titled – Get to the Point. It was actually a post that I’d written on another blog which I imported onto this one. On the day I published it I imported 40 or so previously written posts into ProBlogger.
- A post you enjoyed writing the most – 5 Things You Don’t Know about My Dad the ProBlogger. This post was a departure from my normal writing style and as a result I had a lot of fun both writing it and reading the feedback on it.
- A post which had a great discussion – Does a Bloggers Age Matter? This was a tough one to choose because there have been a lot of great discussions on ProBlogger in the last 5-6 years. I’ve chosen this one because the discussion is not only rich but it is fresh and has only just slowed.
- A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written – I’m going to share a link here that is one that I refer to constantly in my blogging. It’s Copyblogger’s Magnetic Headlines series of posts. Most specifically I always head to the headline template posts – they’re useful and I wish I had the smarts to come up with them as I’m sure many people keep coming back to them like I do.
- A post with a title that you are proud of – 9 things to do to Make Sure Your Next Blog Post is Read by More than Your Mom. It’s a mouthful but it certainly grabbed people’s attention and was something that people retweeted a lot (I find good titles often get that happening).
- A post that you wish more people had read – How to Craft a Blog Post – 10 Crucial Points to Pause. This was actually an 11 part series and while it did get a reasonable amount of traffic it was something that I was a surprised by in terms of lack of reaction as it was something that I put a lot of work into and something that I think is actually very important. Perhaps it was that it was spread out over too long a period for people to take in – but it’s something I’m still proud of and hope people take the time to engage with (I’m even toying with the idea of expanding it and making it into a downloadable resource).
- Your most visited post ever – How to Blog: Blog Tips for Beginners. This post just continues to gather traffic and is a series that I wrote a few years back for beginner bloggers that just seemed to hit the spot with readers.
I hope you’ve found this useful and am looking forward to seeing your 7 links.
62 Responses to “7 Links for Bloggers” - Add Yours
Josh Garcia
July 17th, 2010 1:17 am
Hey Darren,
Wow! Your first blog post was in Sept. 2004. What is even more amazing that you received your first comment in January 2005.
Now, it only takes minutes after you post before you get a flood of comments. That is awesome!
Have a great weekend…
Josh
Michelle Shapiro
July 17th, 2010 1:18 am
Creative idea for a blog post! This is a great way to add links to your post and showcase some of your best work .
Jamaipanese
July 17th, 2010 1:19 am
awesome list of tips and resources. I should go dig up and read my first blog post now
CJ
July 17th, 2010 1:19 am
Haha,
Even more interesting than yesterdays post. I absolutely love the “5 things I didn’t know about my dad, the problogger” post. For a second I thought your dad was a blogger, but then I read the post.
Really interesting way of teaching.
CJ
Anne Lyken-Garner
July 17th, 2010 1:20 am
Number 6 always gets me. Many times it’s the posts I worked very hard on and spent hours on that sit there without the number of views I thought they would get. Thanks for the links. I definitely want to check some of them out.
Nabeel | Create Your First Website
July 17th, 2010 1:21 am
Hey Darren,
Thanks for sharing your 7 links. It’s nice to see you first post. It gives all of us great motivation.
Kindest,
Nabeel
Dev - Technshare.com
July 17th, 2010 1:23 am
That’s awesome list Darren. I really like the “9 things to do to Make Sure Your Next Blog Post is Read by More than Your Mom.”
Thanks for sharing your 7 links. Awesome work.
~Dev
Bryant Evans
July 17th, 2010 1:26 am
This was a great idea and it was a learning process for me. My blog is about 2 years old and it was nice to go back and see some of the changes I have made over time.
Thanks!
Roshan Ahmed
July 17th, 2010 1:36 am
That was a good link list. I liked the challenge as well since when the author select links from his own blog all of them will be the best of him and worth reading.
Jacob @ Safe and Dry Basement Blog
July 17th, 2010 1:36 am
Hi Darren,
I couldn’t pass up this challenge that you put out, so I did it this morning. I’d love to hear responses from people – Feel Free to leave comments! However I seem to have missed the deadline. ether way i’d like to share:
http://diyguyct.blogspot.com/2010/07/7-links-you-must-see-on-safendry.html
-Jacob
Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs
July 17th, 2010 4:26 am
I love this, Darren! Links back to some of the things I’ve missed since adding you to my reader.
My one-year blogiversary is next Sunday and I’ll be using the 7 link challenge for my post that day. I’ll be sure to link up and tweet it once posted.
Love it, love it! Thank you.
Karen
July 17th, 2010 4:44 am
Thanks for the inspiration to do this, Darren. I’m off to read your ‘Does A Bloggers Age Matter?” – can’t wait to see what kind of discussion that generated.
David: Reduce Stress Increase Success
July 17th, 2010 5:39 am
Hi Darren,
Like CJ, in the comments I wondered about your Dad the Problogger. Then I read the post and I smiled.
That is a great idea and I will ask my children to give me their input and I will write a posting soon on what they think of their Dad as a stress management and personal development coach. I am sure to get some orignal comments.
Cheers,
David
P.S. thanks again for the seven links inspiration I just added a picture to the post – a picture I took while I was flying over greenland.
Here is the link again
http://thewondertechnique.com/seven-samples/
for readers who are curious about how greenland looked in March 2010
Jaco Romano
July 17th, 2010 9:06 am
Darren,
This was a great post, and fun to do. I offered full attribution to you, took the challenge, and asked my readers to do the same. I love ProBlogger. It’s one of my favourite stops in the Blogosphere. Keep up the great work, and continued success to you.
Blogging Perspectives Daily’s 7 Links Cahllenge
Vincent Ng-Conversation Arts
July 17th, 2010 9:30 am
Hey Darren, I am always truly inspired on a daily basis of what you do and how you help other people. Reading the first comment was interesting about how you didn’t receive your first comment until much later.
And to imagine that all this has happened in a short few years. I remember reading that we tend to overestimate what we can do in a year, but we underestimate what we can achieve in three.
Thanks for doing such great work. It’s daily reminders like these that remind me to keep blogging for the people that are looking for guidance out there.
M.D. Creekmore
July 17th, 2010 10:43 am
Here’s mine:
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/2010/07/7-post-read.html
Great idea by the way.
Febap Liew | Make Money Online Today
July 17th, 2010 12:47 pm
Hey Darren,
i bet all the links and posts that you have posted up above is eventually one of your best and credible posts here at Problogger ;)
I was too curious about the blog post : 5 Things You Don’t Know about My Dad the ProBlogger has to say.
i really enjoyed how you have written it out cleverly. =)
Your blog has definitely improve tremendously over the years. starting out with just only 17 commentators on your first blog post up to about 100++ now. kudos to your achievements and of course thank you for sharing all of this.
=)
thebloggingrobot
July 17th, 2010 2:26 pm
It’s amazing how something so simple can be so thoroughly informative. You’re right about copyblogger’s content, as some of their post ideas are so unique, but still general enough to appeal to a broad audience.
Tia - BizChickBlogs
July 17th, 2010 3:34 pm
Thanks for leaving the 7 links. It must be nice to reflect. I’m definitely going to do the challenge in a few days. It’s a great one.
Cheers,
Tia
Tech Maish
July 17th, 2010 4:48 pm
Darren i have read your first post. When i started reading your blog, i just thought that lets read the first post of problogger.
Just to see that what was written on the first day in this great and informative blog.
Anna Blanch
July 17th, 2010 11:11 pm
I did this challenge yesterday and put my link on that post – it’s great to read yours though! thanks!
Gale Stanley
July 17th, 2010 11:38 pm
I posted yesterday but it never showed up.
Here’s the link to my blog post.
http://galestanley.blogspot.com/
Dean Saliba
July 17th, 2010 11:46 pm
Wow some of those were very interesting. My personal favourite was the one about writing my next post that would attract more readers than just family.
Diane Gregory
July 18th, 2010 2:09 am
Hi Darren,
Great post today. I am glad to see you back making your posts on a regular basis. I have enjoyed the guest bloggers, but I enjoy your posts the most! I have learned so much from you over the last year and a half…
I encourage you to create an eBook on how to create a post! That’s a great idea. In fact that is a terrific idea! Very specific eBooks on a very narrow topic are the way to go!
In fact, you could take many of the sections from 31 Days to Build a Better Blog and convert them into eBooks.
Darren, I would also encourage you to consider developing online workshops, supplemented by Webinars, ebooks, Videos, etc. I would start out with some short term online workshops…you could even put part of the 31 Days in an online workshop format.
You could set up a Moodle online course in your WordPress blog!
The advantage of an online workshop is that you would be able to build very strong relationships with other bloggers and then develop partnerships with others over time….sort of like the Third Tribe idea.
The Power of Online Workshops is that Content and Relationship building is King!
Diane
Daisy
July 18th, 2010 4:18 am
http://compostermom.blogspot.com/2010/07/lucky-seven-list-of-seven-links.html
Here’s the permalink. Somehow I missed copying and pasting the last one: the most visited link. It’s definitely the one called “Does Sears Know it’s Earth Week?” when I ranted at Sears for not allowing my to use my own bag.
Mitchell Allen
July 18th, 2010 5:04 am
Darren,
That was quite an adventure. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve bookmarked some of these for future reference.
Cheers,
Mitch
Gina Simmons
July 18th, 2010 9:23 am
Loved writing the 7 link challenge. It’s fun to review our work and see what others think of their work. Thanks for the great assignment! http://www.manageangerdaily.com/2010/07/probloggers-7-link-challenge/
Zachary
July 18th, 2010 1:41 pm
Over at SeeMeGetRich.com I just completed the 7 link challenge. Here are my 7 links:
http://www.seemegetrich.com/2010/07/problogger-7-link-challenge.html
Naked Girl in a Dress
July 18th, 2010 9:59 pm
Thanks again for posting the 7 Link Challenge. I enjoyed putting together my post.
http://nakedgirlinadress.com/?p=820
Jimmy
July 18th, 2010 10:10 pm
Another Great Post! but to be honest I didn’t do it lol!
Lauren
July 19th, 2010 5:47 am
Here is mine, thanks Darren, this was a super idea!
http://glossaryzine.blogspot.com/2010/07/7-link-blog-challenge.html
Usi
July 19th, 2010 6:30 am
Hi, I am commenting first time at ProBloger, but i visited problogger many times.
But the reason of commenting is that ProBlogger first post was in 2004 amazing, means it is an old, not old ancient blog.
Well, I hope now you write a post and number of comments are start blowing up.
But I am sick of waiting for comments to my blog. :(
Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Core Fitness: James Thompson
July 19th, 2010 7:45 am
Great post Darren. I’ve done one too:
http://corefitnessblog.com/2010/07/looking-back-7-articles-from-this-blog/
Love your stuff man.
Terry Tiessen
July 19th, 2010 11:00 am
This was great. I have a little mini movement going with this one over on my blog. I think this will give a dash of introspection in the blogospher this week. Once again your fun to follow. Here is my post: http://internetlifestyleproject.info/194/my-problogger-7-link-challenge-7links/
Andrea
July 19th, 2010 7:44 pm
Some great posts of yours I’ve never read before. Thanks Darren.
amy
July 19th, 2010 10:22 pm
Darren! You never cease to amaze me. Day after day after day you write informative, thought-provoking, useful posts that serve both beginning and seasoned bloggers. Thank you! I am speaking at BlogWorld and I notice you are as well so, I will look forward to meeting you when I can thank you in person. I hope you get great satisfaction in knowing that you have had such a positive influence on this growing industry. We are lucky to have you.
Amy
Tracy
July 20th, 2010 12:54 am
What a great post!
This is something I could do at the end of every year as a recap post.
Here is my 7 links posts.
http://tldoerr.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/the-7-link-challenge/
Mike Cadogan
July 20th, 2010 1:17 am
Great stuff Darren
Always like trying out one of your challenges.
Hoping that some more medical blogs will follow suit, it is fascinating to see which posts bloggers choose in response to some of the tougher questions.
http://lifeinthefastlane.com/2010/07/7-links-for-bloggers-challenge/
Thanks for keeping us stimulated!
Mike
Gayla
July 20th, 2010 1:22 am
Darren,
Thanks so much for the challenge. It was a great idea to reflect on what I’d written since starting my blog. I also enjoyed reading your entries.
Mine can be found at:
http://stepparentingwithgrace.blogspot.com/2010/07/7-link-challenge.html
Lisa Barone
July 20th, 2010 2:02 am
Love the challenge, Darren. Here’s my own list for Outspoken Media.
http://outspokenmedia.com/blogging/7-outspoken-links/
DeadRooster
July 20th, 2010 4:25 am
This was a lot of fun! Thanks Darren!
Here’s mine:
http://deadrooster.com/blogging/i-took-the-problogger-7-link-challenge
kumo
July 20th, 2010 4:36 am
http://www.toasteggme.com/index.php/money-making-opportunities-link-love/challenging-7-links-on-toasteggme-money-making-opportunities/
Above is my link to the 7 links challenge. This is actually a good idea for all of us to take a good look at out own blog. At least we can see how far we’ve been since our first post.
yankeerudy
July 20th, 2010 6:36 am
http://www.iamsmartacus.com/web-development-blog/seven-links-challenge/
Thanks for the stimulating exercise, Darren. It was helpful to review my old posts, especially given the varied categories. It also helped me to identify some areas for improvement (such as a focus on discussion-worthy posts).
Thanks!
Dragos Roua
July 20th, 2010 4:22 pm
Well, it’s been a while since I took on any blogging challenge but this one was fun.
Here’s my 7 links list: http://www.dragosroua.com/the-7-links-challenge/
Cheers,
Vijay
July 21st, 2010 1:07 am
These 7 link is really helped me a lot. This is a great idea and great share for the beginner bloggers.
Mazarine
July 21st, 2010 1:54 am
Dear Darren,
Thanks for helping me make something I think all of my readers are going to enjoy!
Here’s my take on your challenge.
http://www.wildwomanfundraising.com/fun-forgotten-gems-probloggers-challenge/
Cheers,
Mazarine
calmer
July 21st, 2010 2:13 am
Thanks to this post, I just come here to say that before 3 years I came here and found great resources about poll site to my blog and it is succeed… Thanks problogger
Nathan Smith
July 21st, 2010 4:47 am
I thought I previously posted this but didn’t see it on here. If this is a repeat, I do apologize.
Thanks for the challenge and the idea for this blog post. I do appreciate it.
Here is my product of your challenge…
http://abovethecollar.blogspot.com/2010/07/probloggers-7-link-challenge.html
Annemieke
July 21st, 2010 6:16 pm
I agree with everyone that this is a great idea. And as someone said, it is amazing that something so simple can be so informative.
I did the challenge and here is my list.
http://www.mindstructures.com/2010/07/the-7-links-challenge/
Jenn
July 22nd, 2010 3:34 pm
Great idea! Mine are just posted up in my most recent post!
http://jenncuisine.com/2010/07/refreshing-summer-drinks-coconut-iced-tea-coffee/
Lisa
July 23rd, 2010 10:52 am
Mine will be posted tomorrow. Whew! It was harder than I thought it would be, but a very fun exercise. I’m hoping some of the bloggers who visit my site will take on the challenge as well.
http://www.thesurvivalmom.com
Lisa
tara gentile
July 23rd, 2010 1:30 pm
Thanks for the motivation, Darren! This is a swell idea. Here are my 7 links…
http://www.taragentile.com/7-links/
Graj
July 24th, 2010 3:33 am
Here is mine…
Please visit,.
http://thekoolestblogger.blogspot.com
Sue | Vitamix 4500
July 24th, 2010 7:53 pm
I loved this idea and started the day you sent out the challenge – honest. I’m a few days late I know but hey – better late than never!
So here it is. http://toxinfreefuture.com/healthblog/2010/07/24/the-7-link-challenge-7links/
snugs
July 27th, 2010 2:24 am
what about:
“a post that just promotes other parts of your own blog”
like most posts in this blog, and many other blogs.
without intrinsic merit yet seemingly useful to the casual reader.
simply telling everyone how u personally blog isnt exactly useful info, its just self engrandisement.
a really long list of cpm sites with a little info on each (ie ad rates etc), or step by step methods for attracting ‘real’ traffic that isnt half arsed social networking trickery etc, would be useful. just posting content for the sake of it isnt.
this is just like a tv station advertising its own programs.
David Damron
July 28th, 2010 12:56 am
I took the 7 Links Challenge:
http://theminimalistpath.com/2010/07/links-challenge/
David Damron
Jonathan Blundell
July 28th, 2010 4:23 am
I decided to follow-up with a second post for my podcast (with a few changes to the original question).
http://www.somethingbeautifulpodcast.com/misc/7-podcasts-you-may-have-missed/
Thanks again for this great idea!
sangsang
July 30th, 2010 7:18 pm
The great links.
Unfortunately I have not read it earlier.
Hopefully I will learn many things here
Thanks Darren Rowse
Meg Guiseppi
August 4th, 2010 1:35 am
Darren,
I LOVED this exercise! Thanks for putting it out there.
It took me long enough, but I finally got mine posted:
Blogging Milestones – Taking Up Darren Rowse’s Challenge — http://executivecareerbrand.com/blogging-milestones-%e2%80%93-taking-up-darren-rowses-challenge/
Nim @ Online Jobs
August 4th, 2010 5:44 pm
Hi Darren, I would love to read your old posts again and again. By the way I’m creating my own 7 links now ;)
Jo Diaz
August 5th, 2010 8:32 am
What a great exercise. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://www.wine-blog.org/index.php/2010/07/29/seven-link-challenge-7links-fashionably-late/
Simon Dagnall
August 5th, 2010 5:20 pm
Very informative article, I will certasinly be putting a few of the tips to get more out of my blogs. For many months now they have disappeared into the ether and I look back at them to find only 2 or 3 readers over a blog I have spen several hours working on.
Simon Dagnall
MD Carrimon Holdings
http://www.perthhummer.com.au
Comments will be closed off on this post 90 days after it is published. Apologies to those this impacts but it's a regrettable and temporary measure to combat a growing comment spam problem. See our most recent posts where you can comment here.
Leave a Reply