The Secret to Networking with A-Listers
credit: boskizziThere are few phrases in the blogosphere that are surrounded by as much controversy as the words “A-list bloggers.” Some people love them, some hate them, many strive to join their ranks, and others deny they even exist. Whatever category you fall into, I’m going to ask you to set aside that controversy for just a few moments. I’d like us all to agree that in the contest of this post, when I say A-listers, I don’t mean the team that rode around in a van and pitied the fools. I simply mean high profile bloggers; people like Shoemoney, John Chow, and Darren Rowse.
Being able to network with bloggers like this will provide a huge boost to any blog, and there’s a secret to doing it successfully.Since I started my Blogging Experiment, just over 7 months ago, I’ve been lucky enough to land a guest posting gig on ZenHabits.net, be featured on both JohnChow.com and Problogger.net, and exchange emails and tweets with a handful of A-list bloggers.
I say all this not to pat myself on the back or try to impress you. I’m simply trying to convey the fact that I’ve been fortunate enough to deal with several people that would make most bloggers’ A-List. So what’s secret do I know that many bloggers seem to miss?
They’re just people.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it. Now don’t get me wrong, Darren and the rest of the A-list are all incredibly successful bloggers and they certainly all embody the type of blogging success we should aspire to. However, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve come across a blogger that references A-listers as near deities! The truth is, they’re people just like you and me. Ok, probably much busier people, but people none the less. I once asked guest poster extraordinaire, Muhammad Saleem, how he managed to land so many gigs on so many high profile sites (Problogger, Copyblogger, Read Write Web, Search Engine Land, etc). You know what his response was?
“I asked.”
Many of you were probably hoping for something elaborate and secret after reading the title of this post but it really is that simple. So, if you have an idea, a question, want to guest post, or would like to interview an A-lister, try asking. Sure your email will be one of probably thousands they get but when you do get a response, I bet you’ll be surprised by how gracious and down to earth it seems. I’ll go into more detail and offer some practical tips and ways to apply this knowledge in part two tomorrow, but really it all stems from this one simple fact. A-list bloggers are people, and what’s more, they’ve almost all been in the very same position you find yourself in right now.
To be continued…
Yup I can vouch for that. People wondered how I got Shoemoney to blog about my ebook and the answer is the same – “I asked”. Simple as that
You have come a long way Ben
You were the first one to come up with such an experiment, so you deserve the starlight and not the copycaters 
-Mike
p.s. Did you happen to see the review I did for you?
I still have suspicions about Darren Rowse not being human. It just seems like he is constantly doing work… no human in their right mind would do that…
Lol Jeremy, that’s a possibility I suppose. I have a feeling it’s more that he’s very productive and efficient in his use of time. Something I am definitely not…
An interesting post. Whilst Ive not managed to guest-post on places such as problogger and john chow yet, i have managed to bag guest-blogging positions at 3/4 high profile blogs which i was over the moon with.
Again, as you rightfully mentioned, all you have to do is ask; don’t just email them with the contents of your email saying “can i guest blog. write back. ” You need to write a highly professional email, asking them nicely, complimenting them where necessary, and you may well be in with a chance.
Looking forward to tomorrows post.
The A-Team theme was running through my head just now.
They are real people just like you and if you treat them like real people they’ll be open to listen to what you have to say. Bloggers are an interesting group where bloggers that have similar blogs will band together.
I look forward to the continuation of your post.
~Terry
Heya Ben! Great article.
Say, if I call you an “A-lister” can I do a guest post on your blog?
@ Bob lol absolutely. I’m definitely not an A-lister (yet) but you can certainly submit a guest post if you’d like.
The blogging community is filled with good people, especially at the top. I would think that with any community, you strive to help the rest of the members and if you follow other sites and comment on their articles and genuinely are involved in the discussions and topics you have a great chance of having them help you with things you want when the time comes. You can’t just expect that they will promote your site or ebook by just sending an email. Start some dialog with them and you’ll be amazed at the response.
@Ben – I might take you up on that. I’m thouroughly enjoying your blog.
Great post. I do agree that A-listers are made out to be superhuman and ‘untouchable’. If they’re decent people I’m sure that they will take the time to respond to your email and won’t ever consider smaller bloggers as beneath them.