Joel Comm (creator of Adsense Secrets – get it HERE FREE) wrote a blog post today (7 January, 2009) about keeping your Web site / blog alive.
His main point: Most bloggers start their blog and then trail off, and stop. Usually rather quickly.
Here’s the response I wrote. After you read it here, visit this page at Joel’s site to view other’s responses and add your own.
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Joel,
How right you are about bloggers who start off with “good intentions” and then… stop!”
Your post about “keeping your blog alive” is really relevant to everything in life, isn’t it?
All of us are attracted to “bright shiny objects” – anything that sounds or looks like it would feel good and/or be the thing that will get us what we want, or make us a million dollars or bring us the business success we desire, or change our life in some wonderful way.
So every once in a while, we’ll convince ourselves that it’s worth doing what it would take to get some result that looks most appealing right now – be it tangible or intangible – and jump in with gusto.
And then discover that virtually any result worth having requires the willingness (because we all have the ability) to hold onto your clear powerful vision, not about the outcome, but about the BENEFITS of that outcome to you – and remain dedicated to doing whatever work it takes to achieve your goal or desired.
Most people who start blogs, or businesses, or Internet Marketing ventures, or… are inspired and motivated when they do. And then complain after numerous fits and starts and “failed” attempts that whatever they were taught “doesn’t work,” when its THEM who isn’t working.
3/4 of the way to success, or 7/8, or 15/16, falls short of the mark. Success requires – among other things – dedication and commitment not only to the outcome but to the moment-by-moment tasks that MUST be tended to in order to get from where you are to where you want to go.
And to keeping going. At all costs. Even when your inspiration and desire wane, or obstacles appear in your path – and they WILL.
Starting a blog – or anything – with even the best of “intentions” is insufficient. You’ve got to stay committed, and stay the course.
One of the best ways to maintain a blog – or any project – is to commit a specific time slot and a specific amount of time regularly. Daily. Every other day. Weekly. Whatever is necessary for the task.
Blogging doesn’t necessarily have to take a lot of time. You can schedule 10 minutes daily, or an hour once a week. (Of course, you’re not limited to those times. They serve as “insurance” that if you don’t write at other times, you WILL write then.)
The key to keeping your blog alive is CREATING CONTENT during those scheduled times. And I agree wholeheartedly about content. “On topic” may actually be TOO limited, because that doesn’t necessarily reveal your broader self – and most of your readers will be as interested in you as in your “topic.”
As regards blog content, you can develop an “editorial calendar” of topics you want to write about; you can create a comprehensive list of topics that you use as a “teaser” list to get your creative juices flowing when you’re stuck; and you can just sit down and write what’s in your heart or on your mind or that your spirit guides you to blog about.
Your blog is your communications vehicle with your audience, and/or a marketing vehicle for your business. Recognize how important your blog is to you and to your prospectors, customers, clients, patients, friends, etc. Put your blogging activity on your calendar, and stick to it! No excuses.
I hope your readers find this valuable, Joel. It’s always a pleasure to be inspired by you!
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Jay Aaron
Strategic Visionary / Visionary Strategist
JayAaron.com
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