December 16, 2013

Help Wanted: Join Team Cranky!


Would any sane person want to join a health blog known for its crappy attitude, half-assed research, endless digressions, and gratuitous cursing?

Let's find out!

Here's the thing: I'm planning to put a little more energy into the blog in 2014, and it would be awesome to have a Cranky-Compatible co-conspirator or two.

This is a total long shot, I realize, but what the hell.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? I have promised myself I will NOT let myself feel like a total ass if I put this out there and nothing comes of it and I continue to soldier on solo.

More on what I'm looking for below, but a quick note: writing conventional blog posts is not necessarily required!

Though of course finding a writer with a compatible voice and outlook who wanted to contribute blog posts, or heck, videos or cartoons or whatever... that would be lovely. But I'd be especially excited to find someone willing to provide ongoing help with social media, networking and community-building, stealth-marketing, and possibly even graphic design and website tweaks.

Salary?

Um... er...

Let's just say the financial compensation is of a hypothetical and somewhat speculative nature. But there is some modest potential revenue if all goes well, plus intriguing benefits! More on that below.

I'm hoping a Cranky Fitness reader might either be interested, or know someone who might be interested, or have a friend of a friend who might be intrigued even if they are not already familiar with the blog.

That's right, "Cranky Fitness."  Let's just say it could really use some help.



Who Wants to Help Me Grow This Thang?

It might surprise some of you that Cranky Fitness actually has a pretty decent google page rank, gets a respectable number of visitors, and, inexplicably, seems to be considered some sort of fitness social media "influencer." The blog fields bazillions of breathless PR inquiries daily, appears sometimes on best-fitness-blog type lists, and has even gotten mainstream media mentions back in the day.

But it's been a bit neglected of late.  It still has great potential, but, alas, it has become a bit of a fixer-upper that could use some fresh ideas and energy.


Wouldn't it be fun to help transform and spiff it up and help bring in more folks and more features and breathe some new life into it?

...And Hey, Grow Your Own Audience, Cause, or Business in the Process!

Cranky Fitness could be a useful platform for a writer, a marketing person, a graphic artist, a virtual personal assistant, or simply someone with lots of opinions who is tired of sharing them with just a significant other or household pet.

Seriously, again about the damn transfats and preservatives?
photo: jamelah

Yet the hassles and frustrations of starting your own blog, waiting for readers to find you, waiting a little longer for readers to find you, still waiting for readers to find you... it might seem like a daunting prospect.

Instead, you could take a shortcut and be part of something that already has some readers!

And being part of Team Cranky could help someone with a website or business that could use a little more publicity.

photo: Nina Frazier

If you are a regular contributor, you will get a link on the home page and an "about" page of your very own with whatever you want on it. Plus, you can sometimes mention your own business or endeavors in Cranky Fitness posts or tweets or pins or whatever. (As long as you are not a total sleaze about doing it incessantly or in a tacky manner).

Plus You Can Score Free Products!

One nice thing about being associated with a blog that's been around a while? Product reviews!  I turn down lots of them, some of which might be stuff you might like to try yourself and write about ,like workout wear or new healthy convenience foods or shoes or other fitness innovations.

Gosh, just think of the exciting possibilities!
Can you believe I turned this one down?

And Maybe Even Make Some Cash?

If someone were able to help me grow the blog's audience and better monetize it (in a way that does not annoy regular readers or jeopardize google page rank), there could be some revenue sharing opportunities.  I tend to "think small" (which is perhaps part of my marketing problem) so I won't claim this is likely to be huge. However, for someone with imagination and some marketing savvy, or just a lot of enthusiasm and persistence, there is actually some reasonable potential here.

The Kind of Person I am Looking For Might Have Some or All of These Qualities:
  • A Sense of Humor
  • Social-Media Savvy or Willingness to Go Get Some
  • Bravery in the Face of New Web Innovations and Technology
  • Under-Employment or Other Circumstance That Leads to Having Free Time
  • Comfort With, or at least Curiosity about, Marketing and Community-Building
  • Willingness to be part of the Quirky "Cranky Fitness" Brand, and do Outreach on Its Behalf
  • An Interest in, Opinions about, or even Vehement Opposition to, Health and Fitness and Personal Growth.


Here's The Specific Stuff I'd Love to Get Assistance With:

1. Blog Help:  Additional content would be awesome! But it doesn't have to be a long-ass blog posts like this one. (And I'm going to try to get shorter and more frequent myself).  Maybe also helping out with link round-up type posts, reviews and giveaways, guest posts etc. if that sounds appealing.

While I still want to be very present in the Comments section on some posts, for others it would be nice to have someone popping down there and letting people know their comments are always read and appreciated. (I LOVE the reading part, it's attempting to respond individually to too many comments that I need to rethink if I want to post more often).

2. Social Media Help:  Visiting and commenting on other websites on behalf of Cranky Fitness, tweeting for it, pinning, google plus, instagramming FB'ing etc.  Some of these are set up and some I could use help with and some I don't even know exist because I am Old. Some of the content would be passed on from me and some would be all yours!

3. Marketing and Networking Help:  I have the feeling there are some "win-win" opportunities out there in terms of promotion and outreach which I have been crappy about discovering. Plus there are many awesome blog and websites out there to visit, link to, and cultivate relationships with; it would be great to get that going again.

4. Shiny Things!  Graphics, Video, Banners, Website stuff: this would be a fun area to explore if someone happened to be good at any of it.

Technical Note: the current blog platform is Blogger; I won't rule out moving to Wordpress at some point but it probably ain't happening without considerable help.

Want more info? Feel free to email or ask questions in the comment section!

Anyone else have a "need help" networking situation they'd like to alert other Cranketeers to? Let's put our heads together! 



57 comments:

  1. I have some of those qualities. I am a content creator for a Non-for profit currently. Which mostly means social media and writing. However I am a newish reader and am not sure our takes on fitness are similar or even that I am qualified to write fitness. Email me Ashley.Buchweitz@gmail.com to continue this conversation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey thanks Ashley, will be in touch to see if there are any possibilities there!

      Delete
  2. I have absolutely none of those skills, but good on ya' for this! Attawayta meet your goals!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I've totally noticed Trabb's Boy, that you have absolutely NO sense of humor or opinions about health and fitness whatsoever! :)

      Seriously, I think you should quit whatever meaningful employment you have and come help out for no money at Cranky Fitness! Or, um, you could keep being awesome and fun and supportive and invaluable in the comment section... that would work pretty well too.

      Delete
  3. I might be able to do a little, but writing for CalorieLab takes a lot of time. Let me know if you see any role for me.

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    1. Dr. J, how the heck do you do it??? Being a physician and all your activities and posting at CalorieLab? And you are already so nice about commenting. But heck, I'll email you!

      Delete
  4. My skills are limited ( where limited is read as "nonexistent") and I, too, am Old, but you have my full moral support.

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    1. Leah, you are anything but "limited" in social media skills, but your moral support is much appreciated!

      Delete
  5. ...and by "virtual personal assistant", you mean to need assistance with fro-ing down on baked goods. Correct?

    My plate is dang near full, but it would still be great to get involved on some level. I will email you.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Josie, you are a role model for all things blog related!!! We gotta figure out some mutual promotion sort of deal, in which your blogging virtuosity and your awesome hilarious videos and media empire somehow drives traffic to MY site. And in return... hmm, um... I could send you links and cake?

      Delete
  6. Is there a job for like a casino greeter because I think I'd be good at that. And test driving sports cars!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You could test drive sports bras for us Jack, that would be awesome!

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    2. I would totally read that blog post!

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    3. Jack for sports bra tester!!!

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  7. Well at the start of the post I was going to say - "Me, me, pick me!!!" But then I read what you are looking for and I'm sad that I don't really meet those things very much. Maybe you will have some way I could help because your blog is one of my all-time favorites!!!
    And, I'm thinking that it would definitely require a "staff" meeting at some point!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim, I gotta email because I would love to somehow get some of your awesomeness over here at Cranky Fitness. Maybe some custom Cranky exercise videos where you have to complete each rep with a glass of wine in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other? Your blog rocks!

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    2. You know that I very much love wine - I think workouts that have wine involved could be the next big thing!!!

      Delete
  8. Haha, I love this! If I had the time, or knowledge, or shiny things...I'd be all over helping you. I'm lucky I can come up with a few posts a week for my own blog, and I don't even have any social media attached to it yet. LOL

    I wish you luck finding a trained monkey, errr, human to help you!

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  9. Oh good luck. :) I suspect you'll have a person or several who will be interested and qualified. I can almost bet on it.

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    Replies
    1. Appreciate it Hilary, and I've got my fingers crossed... some intriguing leads to follow up!

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  10. Well, when I was reading this I was all pick me! pick me! I'm cranky! My mom says I'm funny! I can do all thigh rubbing tests on gym wear! Uhh make a commitment ... find time to contribute ... eh be supportive. Gulp! It is already a 24/7 job just being this fabulous! I don't know how you people do it!
    Good Luck I'm sure you will get all sorts of great support from other cranksters!! I'm going to stick to snarky commenting! Do what you know!

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    1. Would totally love to have you aboard if you had the time Cindy! But if your fabulousness ever gets less time consuming and you want to contribute a guest post, let me know!

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  11. Since i'm first cousin to a Luddite, all i can do is think good thoughts toward you finding someone. While i have opinions, especially about health and fitness, i don't have the tech skills.

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    1. Plus you have an awesome blog of your own that you post way more frequently on than I do, Messymimi, but love to see ya in the comments.

      Delete
  12. I would offer Abby, Ziva, and myself to the mix but would feel better after I see where I am headed. (read that as 'lacking a bit of self confidence to do you and the readers, justice)
    Once I am on course, the way I want to be, I would be awesome, partnered with the Crabby Gang. At least in my humble opinion anyway. :D

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    Replies
    1. I bet you would be awesome Sherri!

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    2. Until we are more sure of our direction, and even afterwards, feel free to ask me for help in anything that you think I could help with. :) If I can do it, I will. If I can't, I will say so.

      Delete
  13. I love you & all you stand for! I wish I had what you needed cause I would apply in a second!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have such a successful blog of your own Jody, but thanks!!!

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  14. I would offer to help but I'm still trying to get a schedule of my own where I'm not always ON.

    I'm always looking for guest posters!

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    1. Thanks Cassandra, and sure appreciate you stopping by!

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  15. Where is Cranky Fitness headed for 2014? I am intrigued about where you are going and am looking forward to observing the evolution.

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    1. "I am intrigued about where you are going and am looking forward to observing the evolution". - Me too, kimberley!! This has been a Contemplation month, in which I've been trying to get a better sense of priorities and direction. Decided before spinning off on a million fantasy projects, first order of business was revitalizing blog and building up coaching practice, but the specifics are still just mostly vague hopes and sparkly ideas at this point. We'll see which ones actually come to fruition! But basically: shorter posts, more posts, more experimentation and creativity.

      Delete
    2. Wait, what? Whaddayamean "shorter posts"? I'm all for the "more pots" part. Definitely vetoing that other thing. I mean, with all due respect and appreciation for what you already do to bring so much joy and useful information to your rapt followers. Don't you love some of us entitled folk (well, really, just me) being all demanding and bratty?

      Delete
  16. If I had any skills other than the cranky part, I'd be all over this. If you ever decide you need someone who is the total a(u)ntifit, I'm you're gal. Oh, wait, I'm too freakin' lazy to write on my own damned blog more than once every couple of months - probably would not be considered an asset over here!

    Good luck in your search.

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    Replies
    1. Bag Lady, a guest post from you would ALWAYS be welcome!!!

      Delete
  17. "Under-Employment or Other Circumstance That Leads to Having Free Time

    Comfort With, or at least Curiosity about, Marketing and Community-Building"

    I guess I'm disqualified, then!

    I would, once my seven-day week cuts back to a six-day week in another month, be interested in product reviews of things we can be sure I am not allergic to, and will not be injured by, which seems to eliminate a lot of them, doesn't it?

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Mary Anne! But sheesh, if your 7 day week ever turns into 6, you might wanna think about sleeping and self-care kinda stuff, not helping me out!

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  18. I havent been a long time reader of the blog and stumbled into it (and this post) by chance. I have a fair amount of experience writing articles as well as background in some Graphic Design work. What is the best way for us to get in contact and see if this is a fit?(I'd rather not post my email address for all to see)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi anon,
      If you just popped in and aren't familiar with Cranky Fitness, be prepared: its WEIRD here. :) Contact email is crabby mcslacker at gmail.com

      Delete
  19. Replying at the end of the first sentence, before reading the rest: yes, yes, yes and yes! I am glad I "dominate the English language" JUST enough to be able to comprehend what is the "Cranky FItness" blog awesomeness!
    tbc

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    Replies
    1. Crabby, I am certain I am the only one who finds herself in this situation and I believe you know what I mean....but man, wish I could write, post, read, catch mistake, copy, delete post, edit, repost, in privacy...Eh, screw it. We've already established I suffer from pre-publish blindness. Here is the way this was supposed to read:
      Oh crap! Combine overenthusiastic poor impulse control with repeated failure to learn that one should read to the END of a document before signing and I end up walking (sorry to steal the image) crab-like, backing slowly, out of the scene.
      I have zero skills of any kind, but hey, running to get my pom-poms as soon as I add the last period to this embarrassing post. Totally supportive of you and all your, adept and brave, team members!

      Delete
    2. THANK YOU!!!! You are a kind, kind soul! May karma be with you.

      Delete
    3. I'm actually getting better about the over-editing myself--several typos in the last couple blog posts and I'm just leaving them there!

      I suspected after the first response there's be a follow up. :)

      One of the best parts of this blog is the comment section, especially those awesome supportive regulars who show up and comment often without even a blog or venture of their own to publicize. I can't think of any more valuable help than that!

      Delete
    4. See dlamb?: "there's be a follow up." And that's AFTER proofreading and deleting another typo. Perfection is not required at Cranky Fitness, either in the comments or certainly not in the posts!

      Delete
    5. http://randomosityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/surprise-hug.jpg

      Delete
  20. I would be happy to be your virtual personal assistant, I am currently unemployed but even if employed I could certainly do at night in my spare time. I used to do blog work for a couponing website, she used wordpress, but I currently am on blogger so am pretty familiar with it. Let me know if you need help, I can send you my extensive administrative assistant resume. LOL

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    1. Awesomeness, would love to have you on the team!!

      Delete
  21. I'd looooooove to help in some way with social media. :)

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  22. Cranky...as we talked before...whatever I can do to help, just reach out! I have a few of those skills!

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  23. I have only just come across your blog hope you find someone to help as you know nothing about me and I am a newbie may not be the best for the job but am willing to help

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, looks like you do have a lot of help here. I am cranky, I am web savvy, but I've got plenty of writing projects on the table.What I'd like to do is roll up my sleeves and get to work on your WordPress transition. You really need it. I can do it. Let me help! Your cranky friend, Jess.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I can relate, I have a blog that is being slightly neglected because I keep being distracted by lying on my couch, watching reality TV and yelling at my dog for passing gas. I'd like to help - I think I need a new project. Or a new dog.

    Sample my style here: http://flomentina.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-thing-39-fit-body-wrap.html

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  26. You're amazing. I just randomly crossed your blog.

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  27. I believe your problem may be an excess of talent wanting to help. But in case you want to add to what appears to be a long list, let me know. I am all about sane and sustainable social media efforts. I'm a hard worker and have a verrry dry and ironic sense of humor. I choose my clients carefully and I think I'd like to work with you. If the choices 1- 79 above don't pan out, drop me a line - I'd love to chat.

    Terri
    terri@saneandsustainable.com

    PS My 74 year old (very fit) Dad is a big fan of yours and introduced me to your blog several years ago. This, in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I believe your problem may be an excess of talent wanting to help. But in case you want to add to what appears to be a long list, let me know. I am all about sane and sustainable social media efforts. I'm a hard worker and have a verrry dry and ironic sense of humor. I choose my clients carefully and I think I'd like to work with you. If the choices 1- 79 above don't pan out, drop me a line - I'd love to chat.

    Terri
    terri@saneandsustainable.com

    PS My 74 year old (very fit) Dad is a big fan of yours and introduced me to your blog several years ago. This, in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.

    ReplyDelete

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