… Since Subscribing to his Blog (How Long Ago?) Because He’s a Hometown Boy.
Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. North of Wilmington, Delaware. Imagine that!
1. He’s not from my beloved Boston after all. He makes his home nearby, but Chris is a native Mainer. (Yes, I really was reading initially because I miss familiar voices from “home”!)
2. He’s a devoted dad.
3. If you read long enough, you’ll discover that he can be introspective, sentimental, or even cranky. He’s quietly confident, and delightfully unafraid to be himself.
MCE LESSON: Your customers may like you for just the reasons you’d hope. Or for silly, sublime, or strange reasons all their own. Give ‘em a story to hang onto—then keep ‘em hooked by being great at what you do.
4. Though he’s billed as a social media expert, he’ll wander far and wide to define that term. He knows that being a writer in this brave new world is a very long-term proposition, and he’s great at chunking out his message one tiny lesson at a time.
5. He’s not shy about taking positions.
6. He’s not shy about saying “I don’t know.”
7. Chris writes as if he’s talking directly to me. Or to you. You’ll always feel like you’re alone in the room with him—or you won’t get him at all. He doesn’t take it personally.
MCE LESSON: Generic messages don’t hook customers. Look that Ideal Customer right in the eye and only talk to him or her. Alienating some people means you’re doing it right.
8. He’s way too busy. I’m dizzy just hearing about all the pies he’s got fingers in. Go ahead and do a search for “Chris Brogan.” Whoo-ee.
MCE LESSON: You can’t win if you don’t play. Chris is in the game to win, so he’s always playing.
9. He’s generous to a fault, and loves to promote folks who might least expect it.
10. My mother worries about people getting “too big for their britches.” Chris must have a special humility gene, because there’s no way that’s ever going to happen. He’s good people.
MCE LESSON: I don’t have to say this to you, right? No matter what a genius you are (and I know! you are!), no success worth having was ever achieved without two things: help and luck. Keep that in mind. You’ll always be willing to bring other good people along for the ride, and you’ll discover your own humility gene.
So, if you’re not already reading his blog daily, get on over to chrisbrogan.com, of course.
Wondering what inspired this rave? I took the picture above, a day or two ago in my local Barnes & Noble. Well, first I just smiled at the shelf like a dummy, then I took the picture.
A guy standing a few feet away asked why I was taking a picture of a bookshelf.
“I know the author,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Well, not know him, know him, but… virtually. We bump into each other. He deserves this success. He really does.”
The guy walked over and looked at the shelf. “Chris Brogan? I know him, too.”
Congrats, Chris. I guess everybody knows you, but I’m going to say I knew you when.
Virtually. 
Let’s do something different today.
Please give a shout out to someone you’ve known since “when” on the Internet—someone you think we should all be reading. DO include a link if you like (and if that sends you to moderation, as links sometimes do, I promise to fish you out as soon as I can).
What lessons have you learned from your knew-them-when author?
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.
—Will Rogers
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13 August 2009, 7:10 am
Firsties!
This one is too easy. I’m going to shout out and rave about Brett Legree. http://www.6weeks.ca
I know his blog has been a little empty of late. But he really does have his fingers in many pies. There is always a good lesson there and I always learn something (last week it was about the sun)
I have personally known Brett for 16 years. But most of thet time he has been a billion miles away in Splat Creek so I have had to know him virtually as well.
I have learnt from Brett that being smart and hard working is not enough. You also have to be kind (to yourself and others), being a nice guy works,it realy does. I have also learnt that you must set goals, attainable goals and put a time limit on them, hence 6 weeks. It works, it really does.
Eyeteaguy
13 August 2009, 7:27 am
Francis,
That’s an awesome recommendation. Brett’s “6 Weeks” idea pretty much rocked my world when I first read about it. Heck, I can give something a try for just 6 weeks… pretty soon I was getting all sorts of things done. Thanks for mentioning him!
Regards,
Kelly
13 August 2009, 8:15 am
Hi Kelly,
I am very happy for Chris and his success with Trust Agents. I too can say I virtually knew him when. He was one of the first to ever be in my feed reader.
For a reccommendation I would have to say Friar. http://deepfriar.wordpress.com/
Remember when you could get a word in edgewise without having to scroll through 50 comments to do it? Oh the good old days….
13 August 2009, 9:08 am
Ittybiz.
She’s real, she’s awesome, and she’s not one of the people who pretends everything’s okay when it really isn’t. Plus, when everything’s not okay, she manages to always make that into a lesson that you can take away and apply to your business.
One lesson she’s taught me? That just when you think your business is shit and falling apart and you wonder what the F you’re doing, you remember exactly why you started everything in the first place.
And that’s important.
13 August 2009, 9:31 am
Hi Kelly,
I came into the blog reading game quite late, so I don’t have a “I knew them when” story. (Actually, these days I don’t do much blog reading either, though I do drop in here when I can…)
So may I add a twist? It’s a bit of Internet history as well, if perhaps obscure.
Back in the mid-nineties, during the “wild west” days of the Internet, I was part of the misc.writing Usenet group. These groups were basically bulletin board forums (in case you didn’t know…) where anyone could post threads and create discussions. Sort of like a big group blog.
All of these Usenet groups were unregulated too, which led to many flame wars.
And the beginnings of spam, which is where this story starts. About the time I stumbled upon the group, a number of posts started to appear advertising for a literary agency. Things quickly transitioned from the virtual world to the real, and not in a nice way.
I won’t tell the whole story because you can read it here:
http://www.jahitchcock.com/cyberstalked/
Jayne went on to semi-celebrity status and an expert in her time about spam, scams, and cyberstalking in the late 90′s (apparently the book has been updated now too, though not her website sadly).
So there’s my shout out — to misc.writing in general and to Jayne in particular.
~Graham
13 August 2009, 10:26 am
One of the first things I noticed about this James Chartrand guy was that he seemed to be everywhere, on every comment thread I saw, and cocky at that. Who the hell was this guy anyway and did have a life long love affair with his ego? We finally met over some naughty Janet Reger lingerie at Ittybiz and I wouldn’t be a woman if I didn’t say he can be smooth, very smooth and tres charmant. But then I started reading him. And damn if he didn’t know what he was about. And branding, I took one look at his site, Men With Pens, and saw instantly that he had that nailed. So I lingered. Read, stayed quiet but watched. And time and time again he delivered the goods. Its not bragging if its fact.
But here’s the thing that made me like him, in fact now dearly cherish James, he is a truly caring nice guy, a gentleman in fact. ( Trust me because we have gone rounds and rounds in good humored disagreement.)
I started leaving comments on his site until it felt like I belonged. He not only makes you welcome, he treats you as a much valued friend. (and does not mind a paint streak or two left there.)
And yes, when it came time, of course I picked him to do my site, Who else would insist on blue when I distinctly said white. Who else would make work seem like aggravating fun, because he was right 99% of the time. (Don’t we hate that) and who else would not rest until it was perfection, perfectly suited to you, because for a guy who knows himself so well, he reads others beautifully too.
Really, James. How’d you grow into such a lovely man? I mean you’re Canadian after all.
http://menwithpens.ca/
13 August 2009, 12:53 pm
*passes Janice a glass of fine Shiraz*
Darling? I’m glad to know you as a friend too.
13 August 2009, 12:54 pm
My blogging hero is Don Mills.
http://crabbyoldfart.wordpress.com/
Up until know, I didn’t think it was possible to find someone crankier and more opinionated than me. But Don comes close.
He only started 4-5 months ago, but he’s got possibly one of the funniest blogs out there, and he’s gained a huge following.
Dunno what I like best…his actual posts, or the way he answers his comments. (Especially when he gets some 20-year old on a rant).
Definitely worth checking out.
PS. Wendi….Awww…THANKS for the recommendation.
But regarding those 50 comments: 90% of them are from Brett and Eyeteaguy. Just ignore them, and you can still make your voice heard.
13 August 2009, 1:31 pm
*accepts the always fine Shiraz and toasts*
Salut, mon cher Quebecois.
13 August 2009, 2:21 pm
Wendi,
Yes, but Friar is becoming such hot stuff it’s hard to remember back. And he’s a dear person, too.
James,
Agree completely. Naomi rocks as much as ever. Another one it’s nice to have known before she was “biggified.”
Graham,
Those were the wild days, weren’t they! I remember trying to teach my mother all about the ‘net and she was just paralyzed. The idea of jumping in then was a bigger hurdle then than now, I think. Blogs and other social media have brought the Internet down to size.
Janice,
My Roi. Indeed, another fine recommendation.
Friar,
I am off to read him right now! I only know three people who rival you for crankiness on the ‘net:
Grandad at Head Rambles
Bob Hoffman at The Ad Contrarian
and George Tannenbaum at AdAged
and I am always looking for more!
Thanks, folks, it’s neat to see who you all have been reading since when!
Until later,
Kelly
13 August 2009, 4:19 pm
Kelly, what a beautiful post and not at all surprising coming from someone as gracious as you. I love celebrating the success of others. I don’t have any “knew them when” blogger stories but I have watched so many good people grow in their talents, and reach, including you and those who have commented here today. So, my shout out is to all of you for being kind enough to let me play, watch and learn and rub shoulders with you virtually.
13 August 2009, 5:22 pm
Karen,
Thank you, and thank you! There are so many great writers out in the blogosphere—I have to agree, I just love celebrating everyone’s successes. What a ride it’s been for so many people, even in the short years since I jumped in to reading and then writing.
I always consider myself lucky to have been touched so deeply by the work of so many people, including you!
Until later,
Kelly
13 August 2009, 6:28 pm
Okay….GROUP HUG, EVERYONE.
13 August 2009, 7:06 pm
See, that’s why I can’t be caught doing this too often. The cranky posse catches up with me when I go mushy.
One day, dude, I’ll take that hug.
13 August 2009, 7:45 pm
@Kelly
Heh heh. Just trying to keep the insulin levels normal.
But I’m just crying in my pillow right now, because no one mentioned Seth.
13 August 2009, 7:53 pm
LOL! That’s because nobody can say they knew him when! The best I can say is I was reading him before he was on the ‘net. Not quite the same thing.
To stop your tears, I’ll say that Seth’s been amazing me for years. And I definitely consider myself lucky to know (of) him.
13 August 2009, 11:44 pm
*Finally* sat down to leave a comment today (didn’t want to leave a half-assed one as usual while at work…)
@Francis,
Thank you – that was very nice, what you said. You’re a hell of a friend too. And given the way things are going here, there’s a good chance I’ll be in your neighbourhood again very soon.
@Kelly,
Likewise – thanks. You’ve also given me plenty of ideas, you know. So I figure it is a fair trade. And I do plan on having a bit more content on my blog soon – just had to figure out a few things, for a while.
Oh, and we got a puppy a month ago, so that added another ingredient to the mix
Now, who would I say everyone should read?
Well – everyone who has already commented here, for a start. *All* of you have given me something, again and again.
So I figured I’d pick someone who hasn’t been mentioned here yet.
I choose Steph at http://www.in-other-words-blog.com/ because what she writes is so very, very real. She has a talent and she will shine brighter than the sun itself. You can see the light peeking through the cracks, right now.
14 August 2009, 7:03 am
Friar,
Don Mills is a corker! Oh my goodness!!
(Need more exclamation points!!!)
Brett,
Oh, yes, nice recommendation. She has such a strong voice. For anyone who hasn’t had a chance, do pop over and read Steph’s blog.
A puppy and four children and your high-pressure job?
Yow. Chris Brogan looks bored compared to you.
Later,
Kelly
14 August 2009, 7:21 am
@Kelly
I agree with Brett, about Steph.
There are way TOO MANY bloggers out there who just write about writing.
Steph actually WRITES. And she’s good.
PS. Don’s latest post (his board game for young kids) is one of the funniest posts I’ve seen in recent memory. (It just got posted last night…good timing, if anyone wants to go check him out).
14 August 2009, 7:42 am
Friar,
Re: Steph, watch out, someone will suspect you’ve gone soft!
Going back to Don’s blog on your command…
14 August 2009, 8:00 am
@Kelly,
Actually Walt (the puppy) is quite therapeutic to be honest. Even though he’s not “officially” my dog, he’s my dog.
I’m usually the one who takes him for long walks, and that’s a good way to clear the head (and get out of the noisy house!) – last night, for instance
A couple of weeks ago when it was raining a lot, Walt and I hit the bush trails near my house, both of us totally barefoot. We got back the first night… I had mud half way up my shins, and Walt, who is a yellow Lab, looked more like a chocolate Lab!
Now that the weather has turned nice again, I sort of miss the rain, because the trails are jammed with noisy people on bikes and so forth.
I actually want it to rain.
@Friar,
Don’s board game is incredible… he could actually sell that, you know.
14 August 2009, 11:38 am
Struck upon something that qualifies for “I knew them when”, though not in blog format…
Never Not Funny, the podcast by comedian Jimmy Pardo (who now does warm-up for the Tonight Show since Conan took over). I discovered it when it was two or three episodes old, and was one of the first 100 subscribers. Today, I believe they have 10′s of thousands, and have switched to a pay format (though the first 20 minutes of each podcast is still free).
Basically, Jimmy has on a guest every week, usually a friend and fellow comedian, and they just sit around and talk. No bits, no editing, just like they were sitting in a café somewhere. The group is rounded out with Matt Belnap, the producer and Andrew Koenig (son of Walter “Mr. Chekov” Koenig) who does the camera work and chimes in from time to time.
It’s good for a laugh, and it helps save my sanity doing mindless yardwork/snowblowing. Although it is not for everyone, I think a lot of you here would like it.
http://www.pardcast.com/
~Graham
14 August 2009, 7:49 pm
Hey Brett, thanks for the rec. to steph’s. “Nighthawks at the Diner ” ? I loved it. Very good piece.
23 August 2009, 9:25 am
Graham,
I finally got a chance to have a listen. That’s good stuff!
Later,
Kelly
24 August 2009, 9:16 am
@Kelly – Not bad for a larf, eh? I think what I like most is that it is not over-produced. When something goes wrong, they leave it in. Makes it more natural that way, more real.
~Graham