Last week a new book on blogging hit the shelves – the digital shelves – and it features interviews with 40 top bloggers as they share their secrets to creating a high-profile, high-traffic, and high-profit blog.
Blog Blazers by Stephane Grenier provides insights from some of the most successful bloggers on how to avoid common blogging mistakes, as well as things like what the top blogs have in common.
You’ll learn from people such as Seth Godin, Aaron Wall, Yaro Starak, and Derek Semmler.
Wait a minute…Derek Semmler? That’s me!
I am so happy to tell all of you that Steph had contacted me awhile back about this and asked if I would be willing to be interviewed for his book. It is quite an honor to have been included among this group of bloggers, as there are some true superstars included in this book.
Inside the book, you will find the collection of bloggers providing tips and advice on topics such as:
- What’s the most common mistake new bloggers make?
- What’s your best tip for writing a successful blog post?
- What’s the best way to make money from your blog?
If you’d like to pick up a copy of the book, you can purchase it on Amazon or directly from the Blog Blazers website.
Or…you can win a free copy!

As you can see in the picture, I’ve got my hands on a copy – multiple copies actually – and I am pleased to tell you that I will be giving them away!
On Thanksgiving Day, I will be selecting 5 winners that will each receive a copy of the book Blog Blazers.
Contest Rules
Entry requirements are extremely easy – simply leave a comment on this post explaining what question you would ask these top 40 bloggers and you’re entered for your chance to win!
- Comments will be accepted until 11:59pm CST, November 26th, 2008.
- Only one entry per person will be counted.
- Winners will be selected at random using the Random Integer Generator on Thursday, November 27th, 2008 (Thanksgiving Day).
- Winners will have seven days to respond with their contact information. In the event a winner does not respond, an alternate winner will be selected.
Bonus Entry: Write a new blog post about the book – feel free to mention that you read the blog of one of the coolest guys in the book, ahem – and you will receive a bonus entry. Be sure to send me an email with the URL to your post so I don’t miss it.
Anyone and everyone is eligible to win, as I will ship the book world-wide. Also, while I am not the author of the book, I have had a few people ask me if I would sign the book. If you’d like it to be signed by yours truly (aka Chapter 15), all you need to do is ask.
Good luck everyone!
By the way…for those that know about my participation with Movember, you can see I still have not yet sculpted my ‘stache.







{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
I think one of the best questions that you can ask these guys, if only for curiosity’s sake, is what they would be doing if there was no such thing as the Internet.
Oops, I realize that I have a typo in my URL above. Missing a letter.
Michael Kwans last blog post..What’s Up Wednesdays: Why We Remember
I’ve updated the link for you in the first comment.
I see that commentluv likes you again
Nicks last blog post..The Part 15 Message On Your Electronics
What an esteemed honor for you; congratulations.
Charlie on the PA Tpks last blog post..Veteran’s Day
What are the long-term career prospects of blogging? I mean, will blogs be around, say 10 years from now? Or will somebody come up with something new, and all your money-making blogs be suddenly worth squat?
Wow, Derek, Damn. That’s awesome!
My question: Which one is considered better: having one very popular blog, having three good blogs, or having twenty mediocre blogs?
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..New Series of Experiments Around Here
Hi Derek, Congratulations at being part of a book! I’m sure that is a great feeling.
Question: If you could do it all over again, would you choose to be an blogger and internet marketer or something completely different??
Danny Coopers last blog post..The Blog Comment Blueprint is Here!
Congratulations for being a part of the book Derek! I am sure it is great achievement.
Mine question would be: Will you continue to blog when you retire ?
Jessica Ws last blog post..Why is Professional Web Design so Important
Wow that is great derek! congrats, I WANNA WIN!! i never win at anything.
My Question: If you could change one thing about your blog, what would it be?
Hey, congratulations…I’m excited to read the free copy that you’re going to send me when my number comes up in your random number generator
As for a question to ask each of the contributors of the book, what is your favorite part of maintaining your site? (design/coding, writing, promoting/marketing, etc)
Nicks last blog post..The Part 15 Message On Your Electronics
Send you? No, he is gonna send ME! right derek, ol buddy ol pal? :p
Haha…keep dreaming
Nicks last blog post..The Part 15 Message On Your Electronics
With both of you being such active members of the community, I’ll see what I can do if you’re not selected as one of the winners.
Ooohh, Teachers Pets, Teachers Pets
:)
Congrats on appearing in the book!
I hope any PR shots taken were pre-Movember…
:-}
Ryans last blog post..How Dare You Be So Prepared
Lol…unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) my picture does not appear in the book. The head shot on the blog was taken earlier this year, prior to the current Movember look.
The question first. What advise do you have for bloggers who blog for the joy of it and not to make money?
The compliment next. Derek, you have bowled me over. You might like to consider a permanent change to the temporary look!
Nicole Prices last blog post..Save Money on Medication
I’m growing accustomed to the new look but my wife is not a fan at all.
Hey Derek! Congrats on being in the book, that must be a great pleasure! I hope you get some nice change from the book
Jeans last blog post..Early History of Bushido and Samurai
Hey Derek – congrats – you must feel proud and rightfully so. I am sure this is the start of great things for you!
Many thanks!
Learning from the top bloggers has always been my interest for a long time and now with 40 tops bloggers sharing their secrets, I wish I could get my hand on that book.
Yan
Blog for Beginnerss last blog post..8 Google Lessons I’ve Learned from Garry Conn
Put my name down. Crossing my fingers. If I win, I’ll write two blog articles about the book and you! That’s worth two additional entries, no?
Allans last blog post..Semper Fidelis
If you write them before the contest deadline, they would count as entries.
Hey, D! Congrats on being a part of this book. I just read about it over at BlueFur…representing the Derekich’s everywhere!
Thanks D! Tryin’ my best to represent!
Congrats Derek, I have recently posted about the book and your contest. I would ask them this question: “Can jobless people survive during financial crisis with make money blogging? If so, what are their suggestions?”
Mert Erkals last blog post..6 Useful Sites For Finding Blogging Jobs
Mert, thanks for adding a note about the contest into your blog post!
Congrats, Derek! That looks like a great read. Here’s my question: Can you share the moment that you knew your blog was truly “taking off?”
Karen Putz / DeafMoms last blog post..You’re Not Really…Deaf, Are You?
Thanks Karen!
Fantastic news Derek, glad to see your efforts continue to pay off.
My question for the top bloggers: How do I get more traffic
I appreciate the support Steve!
This book can be helpful for guys who want to earn money from their blogging efforts. By the way how much is the cost for this book?
hey derek, congrats! glad to know ur blog is going strong and is being recognized for it!
danielles last blog post..The $12.4 Million Blog: An Interview
Danielle, as an FYI, I mentioned your blog in the interview.
hey man i love your site.. your friend michael told me you were looking for a new way to earn some extra income online.
i own an awesome website where you can make money online..most our users are making like 20-50 bucks a day.. with minimal work.. its pretty simple to do.. its actually so easy to do you won’t believe ill actually pay you to do it.. and its 100% free to sign up and try.
another positive about my site unlike all the other sites.. i will pay you out daily.. so you earn 5 bucks in the first 5 minutes you work on my site.. request a payout and i will pay you out right then.. i guarantee no other sites like mine will pay out daily multiple times..
i’d be glad to help you.. if you sign up..
Congrats, old friend. I always knew you had a great blog. I’d love to read the book. Is the book already sold out at Amazon or not available yet? Someone should encourage some book reviews for us to read.
The last time that I looked on Amazon, it was still available there (or you can buy it direct). There is a link to Amazon in my latest post about my current reading list.
Not today – it is out of stock at Amazon already. So I added a link to the direct site too.
I cant wait to have a copy of that book. My question is what do you think makes a top blogger on top?
Hi Derek, thanks for the offer.
Question: Do you think a successful blog could be sold just as any company, or is it the author that makes it unique and successful, and there would be no point in purchasing a blog ?
Thomas Thiriezs last blog post..TwistedWave 1.5 is available!
I personally come on here because of Derek, it wouldn’t be the same place if someone else took over (even if it was that hot lady who do some guest posts
)
Here I am and you KNOW I need to get a copy of that book! I think the best question that I could ask albeit a very broad one would be, “Where & how do I start?” I know there’s been numerous posts and howtos written over the years on this, but for ME, that’s the number one. I’m sure one day when I’m ready to sit down and pick your brain that will by my first question for you too!
PS. Please sign my copy!
Great book. I think I will be purchasing this from amazon as I have just got a nice voucher for it.
Really interested in reading this book.
My Question: What’s the top reason that a person should blog?
I’d want to ask: What would they recommend doing for an established blog that is well search optimized and monetized, but failed to develop a strong subscriber base/community. Strategies for retroactive community-building, essentially.
My question would be: What made you get into blogging and why do you keep doing it? Sans revenue you might generate of course
Tyler Ingrams last blog post..Is Political Correctness Slipping For Retailers This Year?
With many mainstream companies, small businesses, and other organizations recognizing the value of blogs and begining to hire corporate bloggers, would any of you rather write for them, or continue to write for yourself?
Thanks for the opportunity to win! Looks like a great read!
Frugal Dads last blog post..Have You Ever Been Embarrassed To Be Frugal?
I have not been blogging for long but I think part of the appeal to blogging is that you can do it in your own time and talk about anything you want to talk about.
I don’t believe it would have the same feel to it if you were hired to do it. It would become too mainline and you wouldn’t have full control over the content
oh no, I was late
Dinarni Efta Sutrisnas last blog post..A Day In The Life Of An Affiliate Marketer
Derek, hi, just wanted to say a massive thanks, the book arrived this morning, thanks for the message.
You certainly deserve some good Karma for 2009, cheers !
Steve
Steve, thanks for letting me know the book arrived and for the kind words! Here is to a great 2009 for all of us!
You should not be so modest. You are a top notch blogger. I know I would have loved to win that book.
Cashmere Lashkaris last blog post..Bargain Shoe Shops: Berry, Dawar, Ideal and Chor Baba
Nice work. That’s quite an honor. Thanks for your contribution!
Blogging means to me, saying your own personal opinion about an article and respecting what other blog comments are. I can’t believe some earn money through blogging. It is a good help for others. Thanks…
Lim savingtons last blog post..25 ways you can beat the economy with these savings tips
i’m really interested in reading this book.
I don’t think there are any real secrets to blogging. It’s mostly about being passionate about what you are saying and developing a connection with the readers.
I think this is among the most vital information for me. I will say with most respectfully to that, this great information change my knowledge. Many thanks for your vital information.
Daily Books hopes you will read… Betting booster
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