Sep
15
Blogging 60 days in. 10 lessons I have learnt!
September 15, 2009 | 10 Comments
My blog was conceived about 90 days ago when I bought a domain name with a 3 year hosting package. It then took a few weeks of playing with templates and getting familiar with WordPress, the engine I selected after some research, before I was ready to start blogging. I published my first 3 posts on the 06 July 2009. Here are the lessons I have learnt since and believe me I am still learning more.
1. Deciding on the focus of your blog may not be as clear cut as many blog experts advise.
I knew that I wanted to express my opinion and share my knowledge on marketing, but my experience and knowledge is broad. I decided to let my pen flow to start off and see where it takes me and I think I am still on my journey. However, I have decided that my blog is more a marketing opinion blog covering marketing and various other areas of business that touch on marketing.
2. You need to understand what you want to achieve from your blog.
Whether it is exposure as an expert in a particular industry to selling online products your objectives will determine the actions you take.
3. Careful targeting is key in driving traffic.
I have found topic of a post I have written correlates directly to the group of people who read it. This does present a case for having a focused topic for your blog, especially if your intention is to generate income from your blog.
4. The titles of your posts count.
You are competing against other articles and need to stand out as an article and blog worth reading.
5. Good, real content is important
I have found articles I have written from my experience, knowledge or my opinions are far more successful at drawing traffic than articles where I comment on other articles or websites.
6. Driving traffic is an everyday job.
If you are a newbie blogger (like me) and don’t have a large company and marketing budget behind you, getting known can be more difficult than you think. People won’t just magically land on your website. You need to work at it all the time.
7. Not everyone will like what you write or agree with you
That is a fact of life and you need to develop a thick skin and maintain confidence through times where an article can cause a backlash amongst certain groups. You will have some people love it and others hate it. That is what you get when you put yourself out there.
8. Writing articles is more work than it seems
First you need to find a way to come up with new ideas, this often requires reading and watching a number of different media. Then there is research to confirm facts or industry opinion. Once you have your topic and all you want to say then there is the writing, but it does not end there. You need to edit and make sure it all falls into place. Last of all is publishing.
9. Social media has been the biggest traffic driver
I have seen a number of polls and research indicating this. I have found that to be true for me, but then it is where I have been focusing. I am still to focus on other mediums to see the results. So this could change in the future.
10. Putting yourself out there does bring opportunities
Since I have been blogging I have had people approach me weekly about all sorts of different opportunities. Not all are my thing like MLM, but some are really exciting. I have also gained some extra writing assignments and connected with interesting people. My about me page probably helps people to identify with me and the type of person I am and determine whether I am suitable to approach.
To sum it up, blogging has been worth it for me and I am really excited about the future. I am still learning and finding my way and do make mistakes, but they make for great learning curves. I will keep posting what I learn and mistakes I make in the future, so keep visiting to catch those articles.
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Joni, I am flattered that with your ADD characteristics that you read more than one post.
Thanks for your comments.
I certainly can’t call myself a blogging expert but with 20 year marketing and business experience I would call myself a marketing expert.
I think if you create a profession blog you could get other professionals to join you as contributors and this may help with the stretching yourself too far. You can have a section on your exiting site for your blog or you can create an independent profession blog. There are ways to tie the two together to promote your business with out it being an in your face promotion.
Once you have enough people visiting your site there is definitely additional revenue streams in the way of directories, subscription models, newsletters, digital products, advertising revenue to name some.
I hope this advice helps jump start you with innovative ideas.
All the best.
Lee
OK.…now you’ve done it! My aspiration is to provide a strong blogging presence to compliment my profession, however, know that with my “type-A/ADHD” characteristics (and yes, I’m a Capricorn!) that I can easily stretch myself too far!
My question for the experts is.…how can I successfully blend the two in order to provide value to both? How do I find a great blog-site? Are there additional revenue streams that stem from blogging other than drawing people to your area of expertise? (OK, maybe I’m a little dense when it comes to blogging!).
Please feel free to contact me offline if you can spare a couple of seconds! I could really use a mentor in this area.…takers?
I wish you all the very best and am rooting for you!
Joni Fisher, CSP
Fisher Search Group
Hi Lee,
I’m on steep learning curve (ie rollercoaster!) with new media, blogs etc. This post very helpful. I will be following your blog.…
Many thanks,
Jim
Lee,
I think the excerpt is a good idea. I don’t have any data for my site but it’s pretty much standard usability. I try to group my posts so that the first screen will support more than one interest (another advantage of having a large reserve).
Subscriptions are going well. I have just over 100 after the first 2 weeks.
If it is more comfortable, feel free to e-mail me or contact me on LinkedIn.
- Greg
Thanks for the comments
Mikey B you are sooo right. I find so many blogs regurgitating what is in the news or already out there.
Paul I would love to know what your website address is so that I can visit it.
Sorry Richard I am Sagittarius. But Wow that is such a coincidence! I like your writing style and enjoyed reading your posts.
Greg your site is amazing for a month in. Your advice on having a backlog of articles is good (something I don’t have). I have been thinking of trying the excerpt with a click to read more. How do you find it works?
Also want to know whether you are all getting many subscribers as that is a next step for me and any advice would be welcome.
Lee,
Thanks you for this. I started my blog about 1 month ago and my experience is similar to yours. I would add one important point that could help with number 8 (Writing posts is tough):
Before you start blogging build up a reserve of posts and maintain that reserve. I have managed publishing companies in the past so I knew about the importance of this from Editors.
It makes a world of difference and allows you to post regularly, revise before you post and correct mistakes.
It is recommended to keep 3 or 4 posts in reserve, but I keep far more. (I’m a little retarded when it comes to writing so I need the extra revisions).
I hope this is helpful. Thanks for the great post and feel free to check out my site at http://www.digitaltonto.com
- Greg
Lee, I read your ’ ABOUT ’ section and I think we must have been born under the same moon (you’re not a Capricorn are you ?). My blog is about making a difference in the corporate world and I have been blogging for about 60 days and I am writing a Fantasy novel (although I am sure will be much slower than you). So congrats on your blog and book and I would appreciate you thoughts on http://www.bettercorporatelife.blogspot.com.
By the way, use Google Analystics if you aren’t already — I have found it very good.
Thanks for your insights. In process of drafting a series of posts on how a blog is one of many components that help present your value to prospects and the community. Since I have moved away from a traditional HTML/Flash site to a blog|site, I have increased my online visibility and site grade by over 40%. Best of luck to you. Blog on.
Your answer shows real itenllgience.
Nice post. Agree x 10 and especially #7. So much of the world is bland or derivative that strong opinions — opinions that some others may not like — are to be encouraged and welcomed. A fiercely independent will, consistently expressed with wit and grace is to be treasured. Go for it.