Big Is The New Small

I was reading my man Carlos Whittaker’s blog this morning at Ragamuffin Soul and he got me thinking.  This whole blogging frenzy is crazy; in a good way.  Everyone is launching a blog and most everyone is jockeying for readers. There are some people who will say that they don’t care whether or not people read; if that’s the case just simply type a word document and save it to your computer.  If we are being intellectually honest, we will all admit that we want more readers, we like page views, we like comments….   

There are some authors and who may initially write a book; simply because it was a goal they had outlined for themselves.  Once the book is complete those same authors would love for others to read it, have others review it and sell it to the masses.  This same concept applies to bloggers.  Bloggers are self-promoters and that’s not a bad thing.  Every post, every comment, every link, every blogroll add… are all aspects self-promotion whether it was initiated by you or not. 

In Carlos’s blog today, he is talking about the add space that he is selling on his blog and some people are calling him a sell-out.  I say, “If your blog has the juice and people will buy the add space, then sell it!”  For those who think that’s selling out, you simply have Blog-Envy! 

Tell people about your blog, promote it, comment on others, link to others…..  it’s okay to Pimp Your Blog!  Seth Godin has two recent posts on this subject entitled: Self Promotion and Who You Know. The bottom line is that you need to have good content or people won’t come back.  I would like to “Pimp My Blog” right now, if you don’t have BigIsTheNewSmall in your blogroll, add it; if you like this post or any others, link them; join through rss, technorati it, tell others…..  Okay I feel better now!

• Should bloggers Pimp Their Blog?  Are bloggers self-promoters?  Do all bloggers want more readers?

My wife and I had the opportunity to watch Denzel Washington’s new movie this week entitled; The Great Debaters.  This movie is inspired by a true story and highlights a small Historically Black College in Texas; Wiley

College’s Debate Team.  Denzel directed the movie and co-stared with Forrest Whittaker.

 I won’t go into all the details of the movie, if you want to check it out you can visit the site here.  As you know, I always enjoy good quotes and this movie had many good ones.  I want to share a quote/exchange that Denzel would have his debate students repeat aloud; prior to initially preparing for debates.  Here it is: 

• Who is the Judge? 
• The judge is God!
• Why is it God?   
• Because HE decides who wins or looses, not my opponent.
• Who is your opponent?         
• He doesn’t exist.
• Why doesn’t he exist?         
• He is merely a dissenting voice to the truth I speak.
• Speak the truth!

That quote really caught my attention.  God decides who wins or looses period; not my opponent in any situation, not even Punk Satan!  The Truth……! 

What do you think about the quote?   What and Who are the descending voices to “The Truth” HE speaks through you?

I have some clear blogging goals for 08’ and they simply revolve around the fact that, “I Want More!”  That’s right, I want more:

1. More readers

2. More great links

3. More guest bloggers

4. More adds to blogrolls

5. More readers commenting

6. More blogging friendships

7. More challenging questions

8. More of an overall community feel

9. More random, leadership and thought provoking posts

10. More impressive overall look and feel for BigIsTheNewSmall

What are your blogging goals for 08′, as a reader or blogger?  Share your thoughts!