On Blogging: The Long Haul…
“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.” Brian Clark
On Blogging: The Long Haul... Why Blog?
♥WHY BLOG?
When I read Erica V’s post on tips for long term blogging, it got me thinking about the evolution of this blog too and the things I’ve learned along the way. Like many others, when I started blogging, I had tons of ideas on how to send this blog into the stratosphere. However, as time passed by, it became something I enjoyed doing because of the shared camaraderie with readers and the sheer joy of blogging; writing vignettes on life and other topics of common interest.
Everyday I ask myself: Why Blog? Easily, I could offer up many of the same terrific responses given in the photo above … and yes they are true. But I know that the Daily Challenge of putting a post together, of thinking about new ways to say the same old thing, of keeping the mind facile, building a readership and connections across social networks, inspiring readers/visitors, and keeping the blog friendships fresh, compel me to continue even when the naysayers tell us all to pack it in. I write every day and I find the process both inspiring and healing…
“Blogs, social networks, newspapers, any other form of publication – all have social aspects to them. It is a spectrum really, with social networks at one extreme and a 19th century novel at the other. But there’s room for all types of social publishing platforms.” Richard MacManus
On Blogging: The Long Haul... Blog words, ideas, facts, fiction.... more
“Yes, blogging is entertainment. It is performance. Each blog post a show, sometimes an opera, sometimes a 30 second commercial. Like a show, it may start with a bang, lead you along from song to song, have a great climatic moment, then leave the audience wanting more.” Lorelle Van Fossen
♥BLOGS ARE WORDS, IDEAS, FACTS, FICTION, NICHE … MORE
The fantastic thing about blogging is that there is room for every imaginable niche out there. Unlike in the publishing world, where the powers that be control what sees the light of day and what gets relegated to the wastebasket, a blogger can find a core group of like-minded souls with similar interests, and blog away knowing that the audience they seek is there to encourage them… And if nothing else, we develop a place to channel all that creative energy on a subject of interest. There is room for innovative publishing platforms and blogging is one of them.
“Just as we don’t spend a lot of time worrying about how all those poets out there are going to monetize their poetry, the same is true for most bloggers.” Seth Godin
On Blogging: The Long Haul... To market or not... find your Rhythm
♥TO MARKET OR NOT… FIND YOUR BLOG RHYTHM
At some point in my blogging life, I considered moving my blog so I could monetize it and use it in other more business-like, lucrative ways. I connected with a group of bloggers who were motivated to do same and the original idea was to start with ads and specific product oriented posts. While it was exciting as an idea, when it came time to actually do it, I balked because I wanted to work with specific types of products not any kind out there… so I reconsidered the strategy and re-framed my goals. Personally, product placement has to make sense within the context of a blog’s overall theme. Plus, I felt it was imperative that I build a solid body of blog content and connections; that is where the Daily Post Blog Challenge has been a fabulous blessing. Always More Below… 😉
“As I have repeatedly written in one form or other, blogging is not about writing posts. Heck, that’s the least of your challenges. No, blogging is about cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship with an ever-growing online readership, and that’s hard work.” Alister Cameron
On Blogging: The Long Haul... Connect, Communicate, Congratulate fellow bloggers
“I found myself declaiming, full flower, for an hour on the “utmost importance and urgency” of Blogging, telling him in no uncertain terms that, especially in a high-end niche business, Blogging is “the premier way” to have “intimate conversations” with his Clients. Funny thing, I believe it!” Tom Peters
♥CONNECT, COMMUNICATE, CONGRATULATE OUR FELLOW BLOGGERS
Growing a blog and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships online is definitely hard work. It takes time, trust, effort and a sincere desire to connect with other souls. It means supporting the blogging efforts of others, checking in regularly to read and comment on multiple blogs even if it entails playing catch up ( which I do), and staying committed to respecting and honoring self-effort and the efforts of others. Writing a post is the first step and then the real work begins. Alister is right on that one… It also requires that we develop a reasonable timeline to meet our personal, offline goals too; call it elegantly balancing multiple deadlines. 😉
“Blogging is good for your career. A well-executed blog sets you apart as an expert in your field.” Penelope Trunk
On Blogging: The Long Haul... Blog away... it's worth the ride and the dance 😉
♥BLOG AWAY… IT’S WORTH THE RIDE AND DANCE 😉
Overtime and as we blog more on our subject(s) of interest, we develop an ease or what some might term an expertise with our subject. Maybe that is the long term ambition of some bloggers, however, I suspect that the majority of us just want to share ideas, make connections, read some great content, publish a compendium of our work, and watch the rest evolve. Blogging is very much in the NOW and leaves little room for speculation. Over the long haul, we will all get to the place we hold dear in our hearts – our secret blogdom wish, and it will be worth the ride and the dance. By the way, I got these quotes from Daniel Scocco’s blog on dailyblogtips.com Check it out! 😉 What about you? What are your thoughts? Where do your blog ideas come from? Why do you blog and how often? Do you have days when nothing seems ideal to write? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Blogging for the long haul – Ask yourself, when am I most productive? And how much can I realistically write?
Positive Motivation Tip: Blogging is a process… enjoy the ride and grow.
Related articles
- What is the meaning of Mobile Blogging and How Can it be Used (cash-bandit.com)
- 3 Secrets to Not Getting Discouraged as a Blogger (problogger.net)
- Acquiring Blog Followers-4 Simple and Effective Tips (savvyblogging.net)
- Five Myths About Blogs and Blogging (sixestate.com)
- How to Create Viral Content (howtospoter.com)
- My Blog’s First Anniversary: A Celebration of Chutzpah and Humility (ninabadzin.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Blog Monkeys, Blog Dance, via Wikipedia. Or Voice-In by Blogging Librarian, BlogWords by Kristina B, Blog Market by Will Lion, Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
You are a great teacher. 🙂
I think the best part of blogging is interacting with other bloggers across the world. When I was a teenager I had various penfiends across the world. We exchanged letters and ideas, and occassionally photographs. It was a long winded process and stamps were expensive in relation to my pocket money. Blogging for me is like the modern day version of penfriends. I get to read a wide variety of blogs, exchange views – laugh and cry (yes cry) some of the posts are heart wrenching (I’m thinking of Robyn’s story).
Blogging is great!
PiP
I’m with you, PiP! I have blogging friends around the globe ~ including a Piglet in Portugal! 😀
you wrote, Eliz: “Unlike in the publishing world, where the powers that be control what sees the light of day and what gets relegated to the wastebasket, a blogger can find a core group of like-minded souls with similar interests, and blog away knowing that the audience they seek is there to encourage them… “
+
yes, in the meantime I like much more to read daily wordpress blog posts around the world than my silly local newspaper-products a year before … I’ve canceled the local newspapers …
You are one of the bloggers that keep me very humble. Every post you write is actually three, four, five or six posts each in one way or another inspiring me but also adding a green tinge of envy to my skin. Don’t stop.
thank you, Eliz, for inspiring me again to write an article on blogging.
of course I’ve mentioned you there …
You’re such an inspirational writer. Your posts seem to flow effortlessly. Keep up the great work!
That’s a great idea.As you say, blogging tells “now”. It must be interesting for other readers.
Anyway I’m impressed that you write nice posts every day.
It’s all about balance isn’t it Elizabeth? I don’t know how you do it every single day. I struggle with weekly! Are you going to continue daily after the year is over? Just curious.
b
You are an inspiration for all of us. Thank-you very much. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. (I basically blog because it feels good and it gives me something to do–something I’ve always enjoyed doing–writing and thinking. Namaste!
” It takes time, trust, effort and a sincere desire to connect with other souls. ”
This is a wonderful post and I am glad you have been able to express how I feel in better words than I could have chosen! TY!
beautiful post, I actually did a essay about something similar to this and wanted to share it when I had the chance. I must say I like what you had to say better then what I said. God Bless U 🙂
Love this one my friend. It sums up why each day I look for to be a part of the Blog World. To me, it’s the new reality show kind of entertainment that is honest, true, positive, real….. It’s a place where I can be myself, to discover friendship, to learn and grow, to make connections that gives meaning and inspiration. And you are right, make a blog that is great for your readers, a source of our motivation. Happy Thanksgiving. Stay blessed always….
On with the dance! Let JOY be unconfined. 😀
You are so prolific–I honestly don’t know how you do it, but I’m enjoying your posts and have learned so much about life’s journey. Honestly–sometimes your words keep me grounded. I’ve met so many people with a host of interests. While my blog’s focus is the photo, sometimes words come from the picture. Trying hard to hang in there–difficult to do, grade papers, etc.
I don’t know if you know this, but you have inspired me and motivated me to keep my blog(s) going and I’m really glad I did and I’m glad you made it through the ups and downs of it all. Remember those two hits a day days? Yeah me too.
I’m blogging in order to share ideas, make connections, read others’ great content, publish a compendium of photos, and hopefully something good will evolve. Thank you for the inspiration that you constantly provide.
AMEN! Blogging daily has been enriching beyond my wildest imagination. I have made some deep connections to some I have known nothing about otherwise. Friends in word I guess you could say.
You were one of my early supporters and a source of inspiration when I began about 6 months ago. Now 213 days straight of writing goodmorninggratitude.com I will always be grateful for your kindness!
This was really fun to read, Elizabeth, because you have really validated my own blogging experience. When I first started blogging just a bit more than 6 months ago, I thought the best part was going to be the personal creativity. It is a fabulous outlet, but I enjoy reading other blogs, learning from others and making special connections with others who share similar interests almost more than the writing! I have been surprised to learn how much I enjoy other bloggers! You are particularly encouraging and attentive…you have a very generous heart. Thank you! Debra
I blog for many reasons, but mostly because it’s fun! I love interacting with other bloggers and I have learned so much about so much.
Terrific post! I love your writing and reading your blog is uplifting. I come to gain sustainance, to learn and to enjoy the goodwill you share.
Like others say, your blog is an inspiration to many. I’ll look for the published work when you do it.
B
I started a blog as part of a “writer’s platform,” but quickly grew to understand that the best part of blogging is the connections slowly and gently built between bloggers. Love it! ♥
I recently had a little ponder about our future direction.
One thing I admire greatly about your work is your RHYTHM. It is SO great.
Another thing that caught my eye about this article was CONNECT, COMMUNICATE, CONGRATULATE OUR FELLOW BLOGGERS
You will see from my latest article there has been a bit of a discussion going on about blog Awards and this time I’ve taken a totally different approach to passing them on. Similar to what you did in the past, I think, but with a twist. I’ll be interested in your thoughts when you pop over!
I started blogging as a way to share my travels — it was my online journal. That way, the story was told once, instead of telling it a million times to every friend and family member. Then, as with anything, like getting competent with running 3 meters, you want to go to next level. So the postaday challenge sounded like a great idea. Incidentally, after the first few posts, my family and friends haven’t read anymore. I’ve created a new set of family and friends online who read everyday.
Wow, after blogging for such a long time you still ask yourself daily “Why Blog?”
And I’m catching up–so glad I found this post! Blogging has added a new deminsion to my writing and my life. (Only other bloggers get it!)