This weekend was an interesting one, a bit of a let-down from one perspective, but from another it was a huge “win.”
The drive to Tybee Island with my best friend in the whole wide world gave me an opportunity to discuss the full swath of what life had brought out, and we definitely covered the area of blogging.
There have been tons of “lessons learned” in the area of blogging for me in the last 8 years, since I started in the backend of 2001.
There will probably be a number of blog posts coming along that will help me “unpack” some of my thoughts, but here are 10 things that I briefly encountered in my thoughts during my quick vacation this past weekend.
1. Passion is Everything
You have to be passionate about what you blog about if you’re interested in making the desired impact that you’re looking to make. I’ve started so many blogs in my lifetime but only a handful of them have really been surrounding my passions.
2. Interest is Not Passion, but is Necessary
I’ve been interested in a number of things during the course of my life. I’m really interested in Vanilla Bean Icecream, but I’m not passionate about it. Sure, I could blog about Vanilla Bean Icecream… but I’m not sure how successful I would be if I wasn’t die-hard passionate about it.
3. The ‘Niche’
There are too many blogs out there that are covering topics that are too broad. Finding a niche that is both decent in depth and sustainability is critical. It can’t be too focused but can’t be too broad. I’ve found in my experience that this can typically be measured alongside one’s passions.
4. Burn Out Happens
Be prepared for ‘burn out.’ It’s coming. It happens. Burn out is a good thing because it helps one focus and helps one better understand oneself in terms of interest, passion, and sustainability. I wish I had known this a long time ago.
5. The ‘Money’ Question
Inevitably one encounters the issue of whether one should or can make money through blogging. Engaging this question on the front-end of things would have been much more easier than being “caught up” in the middle of it. More than a few of my blogs “folded” because of the financial issue, either with blogging with friends or partners, etc. Ask the hard questions now.
6. Design
I wish I had spent more time on design, and less of it at the same time. A number of my previous blogs would have had greater “staying power” if I had spent a little more time on the design and/or paid someone to help me out. I now spend countless hours tweaking things to perfection. The result has proven itself.
7. Connection Counts
It’s only been within the last year that I had the “humility” of really engaging with the commenters. I had a number of blogs where I felt “too cool” to respond to comments. I’ve tried as best as I humanly can to respond. It’s been tough, and I’ve fallen behind, but I’m going to make a comeback. Connecting with the community is so important.
8. Time Commitment
Managing one’s time commitment is huge. I never “knew” what it would take. 90% of what I do today in terms of strategy is optimizing my blogging methods and practices to get the most out of the few precious minutes I do have to actually “blog.” Having others there beside you really counts as well.
9. Going “Solo” Sucks
Blogging by myself sucks. Having friends, family, people that “matter” along side of you to help you is everything to me now. I blog for them, just as much as I blog for the masses and for the vision that God’s given me.
10. Never Believe That You’re Hot $!@%.
Humility is the driving force behind that’s kept everything in true perspective. There were times where I thought I was awesome. My blogs suffered because of it. I won’t let that happen again, or at least I’ll have the right people in place this time to keep me sane.
What have you wished you had “known” when you first started blogging?
[Images from H-K-D and VisionWithin]
Phillip Gibb says
Thanks for sharing man – always great to have someone in the front turning back once in a while to share their experiences with those a bit behind on the trail 🙂
churchpunk says
I wish I had spent more time working on the design too. Currently learning more about WP themes and CSS so that I can make a custom theme. I also should have started journaling more before I started blogging. I jumped into it without a plan and that caused for a very bumpy start. And I should have read more blogs first.
Phillip Gibb says
Yeah, I wish I had time now to spend working on my design, hmmm.
Graham Brenna says
Well I'm glad you're telling me this now because I've just started blogging! haha… actually this is a very good list. Sustainability is key. I'm actually preparing a new post about sustainability!
Graham Brenna says
I totally jumped into blogging without a plan. I hadn't written much before I started. I just did… my first posts for sure reflect that. I've gotten better and reading other's blogs has honed my skills as a writer I think. I'm of the mindset however that you can't really understand something until you've tried it. Which is why I tend to jump head-first into things a lot of the time.
It also took me awhile to settle on a theme… coincidentally it turned out to be Simpl3! haha.
@billy_johnson says
hey man…appreciate this…I am still feeling my way into blogging and this is helpful abuse (prov 27:6) thanks man
human3rror says
Sure thing billy!
human3rror says
i think reading more is a good start for anyone.
yay… … ..
theschu says
I appreciate this list. I'll be referring back to this both for myself and for others.
Jim says
i wished i would have had a list like this…
conradtheart says
Great stuff. Adding to my blog tips. 🙂
human3rror says
😉
thanks!
PaulSteinbrueck says
Good stuff, John. One I would throw in is to have a plan. How often are you going to post? When are you write? Consistency is huge (I guess that’s a second thing) and going in with the mindset that you’ll blog in your spare time doesn’t lend itself to consistency.
John Saddington says
love it. yes. scheduling is everything.!!!
bondChristian says
The title of this suggests that you would have focused on these things in the beginning. How much effort would you put into design, though, when you’re starting out?
I loved your point about engaging in the comments. Crucial for community.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
John Saddington says
not much at all. you can tell by the new standard theme that we’re releasing that content is everything in the beginning.
Ancoti says
Good post. #4 is kicking my butt right now.