The Power of Hanging Out

Hanging Out: to socialize with your friends, whether it is of your choosing or not; most of the time the term is used to refer to a type of fun.

After the initial allure wears off, we all come to the realization that it is indeed hard work to succeed as a blogger. We start focusing more on serious business-building efforts, putting in long hours to create helpful content that inspires others to seek us out.

Our to-do list keeps growing exponentially as more ideas pour out from our minds. We attack each task with a sharp knife, inching closer to what we perceive as the holy grail.

Getting our hands dirty, we promote our work hardcore using tools to spread the word and position ourselves in a market. Never passing up a networking opportunity, we vigorously attempt to connect with anyone that takes a glance at us and rush to influencers at the slightest chance to get our names in front of their eyes.

In the process, are we missing out on opportunities simply because we’re too focused on the work at hand?

Relax. Loosen up. Take a break. Open your Twitter client. Spend some time on Facebook or Linkedin. See what others are doing. Not even when it comes to business, but as real people with real lives. Talk. Interact. Joke around. This is what truly bonds people together and helps build relationships. Not talking ’shop’. Not incessant self-promotion. Not the bottom line.

You can very well make the same impact on someone simply by sharing a common interest outside of business. You can get your “big break” simply stemming from being the person who’s enjoyable to ‘chill’ with.

In a world where so many people can be connected to one another easily, the ability to network has never been more important than it is right now. How are you taking advantage of the opportunity to make an impact? Simply using the tools for work, work, work like most are? Or can you make yourself stand out more by connecting with others as real people?

Put away the business proposal. I’m not interested.

Put away your latest published book. I’m not interested.

Put away everything. Let’s just hang out. Who’s with me?


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  • Jordan, Jordan, Jordan ............ Silly Blogger, Tricks are for Kids .......... I'm too hip to hang out. But thanks for asking. If you want, you can stop by later and we can go "Surfing With The Aliens" with Joe Satriani ............. now that's hanging out !
  • ShaneRQR
    So, you're saying that we should leverage our hanging out to create business opportunities down the line?

    I know what you mean, though. I've had some very pleasant conversations with quite a few people I met through my blog and forums and such. Can be great to connect just for the sake of it rather than for promotional purposes.
  • Hey, I just read your guest post on Problogger. It was really good.
    Sorry, off topic I know..

    I have to go to Walmart today if anyone is going to be there. I'll be wearing a ball cap so if you see me say hello..
  • Can you pick me up some milk? I'm running low here myself.
  • Are you suggesting something like one of those 1-900 numbers where we call in to talk to hot girls and end up just talking to other guys who are all saying stuff like "Are there any girls on here???"
  • So you've already figured out my method of monetization, haven't you?
  • hey man, I am with you. If I had a beer on hand; I'll crack it open.
    woot
  • I'd like to hang out with people offline, if only I could get all you dudes to buy plane tickets to Europe. Then we can sit on my small balcony and sip some fresh orange juice, who's with me? Let's go go go!
  • I'm packing my bags right now... although looking at my AdSense account, it'll take me until 2014 to be able to afford the airfare!

    By that time you'll have a bigger balcony, I hope?
  • Perhaps even a pond where we can dip or toes and mess with some frogs. See you 2014!
  • Hey Jordan,

    Hanging out is a good idea. Everyone should just take a day to forget blogging and chill online with those people we've been talking to and sharing our thoughts and ideas with. Just one day to relax and be us and not worry about the blogging stuff.

    I'm sure hanging out reduces stress too.
  • Take a day off of work? Nah... we're too busy for that. I'm just saying that instead of focusing so much on blogging talk, why not just shoot the shit and discuss something else?
  • From hanging out online and offline with people, I've gotten so many great benefits that have helped me blog. They included from everything from advice on which wordpress plugins to use to coffee to review on my blog. Of course, an unwritten part of the deal is that there's a lot of reciprocity going on. Not that I feel like I'm forced to do it, or even do it on purpose, it just kind of happens.
  • Seriously the bloggers & people I know the best are the ones that I've met in real life. You can really get to know people (including one such 20 something female blogger...ahem...well one thing led to another) actually going on the lash with people :)

    Yeah, the whole work thing sucks, pub? Your round.
  • Rhys, whenever I make it over to your side of the pond, I'll definitely buy you a pint! As long as you don't try to convince me that those meat-pies are actually tasty to eat!
  • They bloody are! Had one for me tea last night. Seriously was gorgeous!

    Definitely if you are over I'd take you to a real football game, not like that Beckham quiffed nonsense!
  • But, but, but....I need to clear my inbox, write a new post, comment on 20 blogs, oh wait - 19 now, sell some books, upload the thing to that site, check my stats...........

    You're right, screw it, let's hang out........then I'll go scuba diving. :)
  • Scuba diving, Mike? I've seen your size in photos and video before... it's more like "sinking" with some protective gear. :-)
  • Cheeky bugger! And you'll find out just how big and tall I am when we finally meet! :)

    I dive at least once, often twice a week. And "sinking" is actually the idea old chap!!
  • Can I reply to me? Oh well, let's try it!

    Actually, this raises an interesting point. It's going to be fun meeting all the bloggers I "know" at events this year. How many Photoshop their online images? Is David Risley really that tall? Is Kelly Diels cleavage really magnificent? Could be in for some scary surprises!
  • I'm about 6 foot 2 inches, Mike. Don't piss me off. ;-)
  • Hehehe! I knew you were tall - Nathan told me. Me too - so it's Jordan who needs to worry then!
  • Who? And why have I not heard about said cleavage yet?
  • Getting like a bar room conversation in here! http://www.kellydiels.com/
  • What events are you planning on attending this year, Mike?
  • For sure BWE, almost sure SXSW and any good looking ones here in Europe. You?
  • Love it Jordan, I don't hang out enough, although most people I know in real life would probably disagree they think I'm just here chilling on facebook all day while they're slaving away at work.

    I'm still waiting for that blogging teleporter so we can hang out in for real, in the flesh. You know, the old school way of hanging out!

    Hanging out online is great fun, relaxing and I bet doing so is doing a lot more good for you and your blog (if you have one) than if you weren't hanging out.
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