5 Reasons Why Starting a Blog isn’t for Everyone

by Sean Platt on February 23, 2009
in blogging

starting a blog I absolutely believe that everyone has a voice. Now, with the ability to spread our thoughts with unlimited reach being as simple as a five minute install, strong voices are sprouting all over the place. Should just anybody blog? Absolutely, but if you’re planning on making blogging a career, I believe you must consider an entirely different set of criteria.

Blogging isn’t easy. There is a massive blogging proletariat working way too hard for way too little. If your only aim is to share your voice with an online journal, or open the doors of your life to your family and friends, then you need not consider the upcoming thoughts.

Most blogs fail. Getting started and getting going are two different things. If you aren’t prepared for the long haul, you will more than likely confront frustration, fear, and discontent. There are already too many abandoned blogs swimming in a sea of forgotten bytes. Before you launch a blog in an endeavor to earn online income, consider the following things:

Sharpen your voice. No one wants to read boring text that offers little. A blog that does nothing to stand apart is a blog that will eventually be abandoned to orbit like a forgotten satellite. If blogging is your business, you want people to hire you. People are hired because of the trust they instill and the personality they project.
A successful blog requires massive commitment. There are posts to write, emails to answer, and comments to watch. The experience can sometimes feel rather unforgiving. If you are not ready for a consistent commitment of time, your blog will more than likely flounder. It takes time to groom a blog it to it’s fullest potential.
A successful blog isn’t an island. Blogging is about community. You must be willing to understand and interact with the fellow bloggers around you. Even the best blog isn’t enough to account for other requirements, such as social media and online marketing. If you are unwilling to learn the basics of internet traffic, a blog may leave you feeling disappointed.
Be original. The same ideas are bandied about with abandon all across the Internet. This is perfectly understandable, but you must do everything you can to be more than an echo. Repeating the same information is fine, repeating it in the same way is not. Everyone has their own voice, make sure you are willing to use yours.
Be patient. Successful blogging is a process not an event. Lightning quick technology has made us believe in lightning quick success, but such is a false idol that will only have us finding failure.

Anyone can start a blog, and anyone who wants one certainly should. Just be clear with your intentions and allow them to pave your path to the proper commitment.

Sean

Sean can be found writing for himself at Writer Dad and others at Ghostwriter Dad.

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Tags: blogging, commitment, failure, starting a blog, success, time

Starting a Blog? You Need the Blueprint

by Eric and Sean on February 2, 2009
in blogging

7 Comments

It's finally time to launch The Blogopolis Blueprint, the most down to earth, individualized blogging kit available.

Flat out - there is no other product like the Blueprint.

The Blueprint is a lingering conversation, rather than a race to the finish line. Marc said it well last Friday when reviewing an early edition.

The Blueprint isn't like other info products and it isn't filled with fluff. It is flat out the most well written, beautifully designed E-Book on blogging there is.

We are ecstatic to be finally finish with a project that started when are friendship was new and our blogs were still babies.

We've gathered all the great feedback from the previous two weeks and implemented them into our final product.

Giant thanks to each and every one of you who took that first step and purchased the Blueprint during its first lap around the track.

Let's get down to business.

We want to start by talking about exactly WHO this kit is for. There are the 3 classes for whom this book was specifically written.

Those who are contemplating starting a blog: If you are considering starting a blog, be it for hobby or career, this kit will help you design the perfect plan of attack.
Those who are just starting a blog: If your blog is still in the birthing stage, this kit will give you new things to think about that will add super speed to your success.
Those who have recently started a blog: If you've started a blog within this season or last, this kit is perfect for you. Sure, some of the content will be a refresher, but the majority will allow you to gain further insight and a sharper perspective on those things you already know, as well as point out some things that perhaps you have yet to ponder.

We read plenty before starting our blog, then wrote the book we wished we'd read. Time is our most precious resource. If this product increases your effectiveness even just by a fraction, then it's easily worth every cent.

Anyone not in these 3 categories will still find a beautifully written tome on blogging.

The Blueprint also comes with full email support from the Blueprint Team - you've got questions, we've got answers. Add that to a no questions asked, 100% money back guarantee, there's no reason not to do the Blueprint.

Also included in the package is a comprehensive collection of blogging bookmarks. It's a single file, easily imported into either Firefox or Safari, gradually gathered by Eric over a period of half a year.

$49 - BE GLAD YOU DID!

Until tomorrow,

The BB Team

P.S. The Blueprint also has a fantastic affiliate program with a 40% payout. Sign up today!

Code for adding The Blueprint Blogging Kit 125x125 affiliate button to your blog/website:

Just be sure to change the first URL (http://...) to the affiliate link provided by e-junkie.

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Tags: starting a blog

Friday Link Roundup: Mugshots Included

by Eric and Sean on January 23, 2009
in Vlog

16 Comments

Click to play this video.

Welcome to our Friday Link Round up where our goofy mugs just keep on grinning.

Tags: starting a blog

10 Not So Common Tips for Starting a Blog

by Eric and Sean on January 21, 2009
in blogging

8 Comments

Starting a Blog Right

There are many methods for starting a blog, or re-starting a blog for that matter. Getting going is important. Getting going on the right foot, even more so. On Monday we went over a few of the more commonly discussed subjects. Today, we would like to touch on a few topics you are a little less likely to hear about. Let’s get started.

1: A Blog is an office, not a lounge. At least if you want to make money. One of the biggest misconceptions many new bloggers have is that successful bloggers are just lounging around their home office, publishing content whenever they please. As if once they hit a level of traffic, it’s a rocket race downhill. The opposite is often the case. Most successful bloggers are self disciplined, diligent individuals who crank out a copious amount of quality content as quickly as possible. The more you keep your mindset in this office mentality, the quicker your blog will blossom.

2: Get into the habit of being a week ahead on content. Starting a blog with a content buffer isn’t always possible, but it’s a great tactic to use once you get going. If you’re always worried about creating your next post, you’ll never be able to find your rhythm. Think of your blog like a magazine. Working on a post for next week, while knowing the current week is already scheduled, is a far more fair to the muse. When we are gasping for our air, our breath is more shallow.

3: Seek out guest post opportunities – ASAP. Yes, you must thicken your archives when first starting a blog, but getting your name out there on blogs that are bigger than yours is equally important.

4: Share other blogger’s content whenever appropriate. Helping other bloggers gain recognition is a perfect way to gather your own. Your reputation as a respectful blogger will carry you far in this tightly knit community.

5: Remain encouraging of other bloggers. When first starting a blog, we tend to be hungry for pats on the back, and digital high-fives seem to carry an incongruent amount of weight. Go in the opposite direction. Stop seeking encouragement. Start looking for other bloggers to encourage. Same is true as number 4 – you will gain greater respect and grow a more solid scaffolding.

6: Join the community, not the herd. Joining the community is essential when starting a blog, but be careful not to fall into the most common trap of all…joining and then subsequently following the herd. The herd is that mass amount of bloggers who do the same thing as everyone else, blending in and never rising above mediocrity. We’re not saying they don’t have solid content, but it is difficult to leave average behind if you are not unique or innovative. Be careful. It is far too easy to be just another blogger.

7: Always maintain high expectations for yourself as well as your blog. When first starting a blog, it is easy to have high expectations. These are quickly crushed by the reality that blogging is a difficult business. Don’t let the fact keep you from shooting for the stars, but be sure to constantly correct your course until your horizon is gilded with promise.

8: Use your unique voice to make your content shine. Always remain true to your unique voice. Only then can your online fingerprint reveal itself as interesting and useful. Try to say what you believe others want to hear and you will only blend into the vacuum.

9: Connect with higher-ups whenever possible. This is critical! Making connections with big bloggers, even when first starting a blog, is one of the best ways to fast track your ascension. Be careful of your methods. Many attempt, few succeed. The best advice is to be genuine and not overly excited. Don’t be a fan, but an up-and-comer with respect for the big blogger’s success.

10: Don’t be shy. Successful blogging isn’t for the faint of heart. Those who hide in the shadows will never see sun. Never be pushy, but do what you can to be noticed. It is a skill to be learned, but one that any dedicated blogger should be able to master.

Starting a blog is fun. Starting a blog off right is a blast.

The BB Team

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