5 Things You Don’t Have To Do To Succeed In Blogging
Do you ever feel like every time you turn around someone is telling you something else that you absolutely MUST do to be successful? If you’re like me, the more things that get piled on, the less I want to do. There is good news for the overwhelmed…you don’t have to do everything they tell you!
Here’s some things you DON’T have to do to succeed:
1. You DON’T have to read every blog in your niche.
Find3 or 4 favorites, being sure to include at least one that is a completely different style writing and viewpoint than yours. This will give you a different perspective on things when you’re not feeling creative. It may also spark a little something in you that sets you off..and a rant is good controversy.
2. You DON’T have to pick a blog subject no one else blogs about.
One of the first things to pick is your subject, but don’t convince yourself that it has to be an area that has no competition. Rather, watch the competition, examine what your best competitors do and don’t do. Once you find a certain area they may not be touching on completely, you can make that your own. In this way you won’t be seen as competition, but an enhancement to what they do. You may even end up in a joint venture.
3. You DON’T have to work 10 hour days.
Remember that saying? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I confess I fell victim to this. There have been weeks where I didn’t step foot out the front door for 3 consecutive days. It takes a toll on you, your mental outlook, and your creativity. Take time to have some fun and get outdoors. Participate in real life activities and don’t allow yourself to be sucked into making your Internet social life your ONLY social life.
4. You DON’T have to please everyone.
Everyone always has an opinion and an answer for your life and your success. I like to imagine the motto of those mischievous penguins from the movie ‘Madagascar’ when I get unsolicited advice…“Smile and wave, boys. Just smile and wave.” In other words, keep steppin, keep movin, and keep your eye on YOUR goal. Trust your instincts and flow with it. Smile as the do-gooders offer their opinions, wave, and don’t lose momentum. That doesn’t mean you never take advice, it just means once you have a plan you owe it to yourself to work it without tweaking it everytime someone else tells you a better way.
5. You DON’T have to do the expected.
Be unpredictable. Be original. Be your own unique person that can accept all your strengths and your weaknesses and love them. When someone once told me I thought I was perfect, I replied, “No, I know I have imperfections. But, that’s what makes me so special!”. You are exactly who you are meant to be at this moment in time. You will change a little everyday, but enjoy who you are right now and let it shine through in your writing.
Can you think of any other things you can take off your list? Share them in the comments below.
Image credit: Caucus
To Your Success,
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Nice tips! Starting out with a new blog is a scary prospect, some people fail just because they want to try and impress the big shots or be like them in every way. This isn’t the course you should be taking, IMO. You should just do your own thing, some people will like it, others will not.
Jeremiah’s last blog post..4 Reasons You’re Holding Yourself Back as a Blogger
Twitter: DennisEdell
(63 comments) says:
Hooray for #2!! That’s really all I have to say without turning it into a novel and surely ticking off a few people.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Article Marketing Made Easy
@Jeremiah: Couldn’t agree more. It’s tough when you’re just starting out to carve your own niche and still learn tips from the big guys (or gals). You want to mold yourself after them and their success, but not their style. Thanks for stopping by…and sending out the right link for me too!
@Dennis: You are the bomb! You are always here to give some good feedback and I sure do appreciate you!! I’m glad we agree on #2, I know it was a controversial subject elsewhere. =)
Twitter: DennisEdell
(63 comments) says:
It’s only controversial because it’s easy to pick on – a typical “bandwagon” topic.
Don’t rehash blah blah blah. Whatever. LOL
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Article Marketing Made Easy
Number three is huge. Whenever I find myself in a writing rut going for a quick walk or bike ride or even just stepping outside for a few minutes re-energizes me and reminds me there’s a whole world away from the monitor out there.
Adam Pieniazek’s last blog post..Last Call on the MBTA
@Adam: You are so right about #3 being huge! I tend to stress out when I can’t think of anything to write about and have to take that mental break to get outdoors. Once I get out I won’t come back until I can think about writing without that frustrated feeling in the back of my head. I remind myself that blogging is supposed to be fun, not stressful, otherwise it’s just another J-O-B.
@CJ: So glad you came over from Income Diary! I love Michael, he has been such an inspiration and help to get me on track. Income Diary and Retire at 21 at two blogs I consistently check out for great ideas. They are completely different from my niche, but with all the great interviews he does with top entrepreneurs I find myself picking up ideas and putting the ‘marketing chick’ spin on them.
After finding your intro at incomediary, I just had to come check out your blog!
I LOVE tip #1: “You DON’T have to read every blog in your niche. Find 3 or 4 favorites, being sure to include at least one that is a completely different style writing and viewpoint than yours.”
Awesome advice! You’ve def found a new fan!
CJ from ArticleWritingNews.com’s last blog post..Newbies Article Marketing Primer
Hi! Your site is very good. I enjoyed reading your post on this 5 Things You Don’t Have To Do To Succeed in Blogging. This is a kind of post that makes a good read. I agree with your 5 tips, as contrasted to the tips of the so-called “blogging gurus” who advised to blog for money, money and money, without taking into consideration the uniqueness of the individual blogger who got different strrenghts and weaknesses. I’ll surely come back to your site to read your other posts.
Eli Gatanela
Twitter: scottlovingood
(5 comments) says:
I think 4 and 5 can go together at times. When you are unique you aren’t going to please everyone. I recently wrote an article about how being like everyone else can actually be a detriment to your business and how breaking the rules can sometimes be a great benefit.
http://www.askthewealthsquad.com/blog/tradition-or-innovation-stand-out-from-the-crowd/ if you are interested in it.
Great advice for beginning bloggers. be Yourself!!
@Scott – I am woman, hear me roar!
I love being being on the edge quite a bit in my business and my off time. I’ve found that some don’t readily accept the opinions or ideas of people that like to shake things up, but I’ve also learned that it’s those movers & shakers that bring great change and the nay-sayers will change their tune when you’re at the top.
You’re right, you can’t please everyone all the time but follow your intuition and stick to your guns. We all have inside of us unlimited potential if we just tap into it!
Twitter: scottlovingood
(3 comments) says:
I read a quote this weekend – If 50% of th people hate you and 50% love you you can become very wealthy. If 100% think you are ok, you will probably go hungry. Seth Godin refers to it as creating your Tribe. That group of followers that believe as you believe and unite around yoru common beliefs.
Most marketers struggle with that idea of having people dislike us but I would say many women will struggle with it even more. We are programmed to want to be liked. Sometimes to stand out we have to be polarizing and that can be tough to manage.