Chris Brogan advises businesses, organizations and individuals on how to use social media and social networks to build relationships and deliver value. His strength is in connecting passionate people together for business, collaboration, and networking. He is also the co-founder of Podcamp.

Please tell us something about yourself that we still do not know.

My very first job was working for a public library, and I still visit libraries and bookstores more than once a week.

Why do you blog?

I blog to be helpful to people looking for ways to build relationships and community using these social media tools.

How did you get into blogging?

In 1998, I used a WYSIWYG software called Trellix to do what was then called “journaling.” I started out using it as a way to write fiction and promote it.

How much time everyday do you spend blogging?

In one format or another, I do over 4 hours of blog-related things a day, but I include commenting on other people’s blogs and helping others with their blog interests part of that four hours.

How do you attract readers? Any tips on getting the word out about your blog and driving users to your site?

Funny you should ask. My post on using Twitter to promote my blog was just featured on Problogger: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/03/25/how-i-use-twitter-to-promote-my-blog/

What blogs do you read? Can you share with us some URLs of your favorites?

Boy, I read over 1000 blogs a day, so that’s a really tough question. Some of my favorites are:

http://gobigalways.com
http://thesocialorganization.com
http://copyblogger.com
http://redcouch.typepad.com
http://levite.wordpress.com

And then too many more to name.

Can you give us a ballpark figure as to how much you earn from blogging? How do you monetize your blog?

I earn zero dollars (ballpark) from blogging directly. I get plenty of money indirectly from all the opportunities my blog permits. You’ll notice there are no ads running (yet) on http://chrisbrogan.com.

What common mistakes do you see other bloggers are doing?

Related to your last question, some bloggers mistake wanting to make money with wanting to build relationships. They’re two different things, and require a different mindset. If you’re doing A, then be all about that and don’t pretend you’re doing B.

What advice can you give to someone who’s starting a blog?

Write from your passion. Do your best to make your blog useful to others. Give your ideas “handles,” and by that, I mean “make your best ideas those ones that people can take with them and do for themselves.”

Is the blogosphere crowded already?

Yes and no. There’s plenty of room for great voices. But if you’re writing a “me-too” blog, don’t bother. Get a real job.

You advise businesses, organizations and individuals on using social media– what is the first advice do you give them?

Listen. Most people make the mistake of jumping in to talk. I advise them to listen.

What social media tool do you use the most?

My blog comes first, and then Twitter.

Yankees or Red Sox?

I live in Massachusetts. Which do you think?

Barack or Hillary?

Barack.

Posted on March 25th, 2008 by Dominic Rivera
Filed under: Blogging, Interview