5 More Lessons From A Part Time Blogger

June 19, 2007 by Steve

I was so inspired by some of the feedback that I got from my last post that I’ve put together 5 additional lessons that I’ve learned from blogging part time.

Here they are in short order.

Lesson # 6 - The Tortoise & The Hare

I’m sure that you’ve all heard of this story. In the end the tortoise is the one who wins the race. The moral of the story is, ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’. This is a great way to describe how blogging works. My perception is that most people jump into blogging and are looking for the quick - get rich - road to riches - happily ever after scenario. Unfortunately, this is not how blogging works. Blogging is a process. The only way that this process works is by being consistent. Being consistent means posting valuable content on a consistent basis. I regularly post every week or sometimes twice a week if I’ve been inspired. If there is one thing that I’ve learned in the past 12 weeks it’s that consistency is key.

Lesson # 7 - Teacher, teach!

Another thought that occurred to me over the weekend was that blogging is really about teaching. What I am really doing is using an online publishing medium to teach others what I’ve learned, to share my ideas and inspire others. If you’re not teaching when you write, then what are you really doing? Dictating? Rambling? Think about it.

People are genuinely interested in learning so remember this while you write. Almost everyone these days has access to the internet and I believe that it’s the teachers who will have greatest impact on society as a whole. It’s the teachers who communicate with others in a way that gets their message across.

Give someone a fish and you feed him for a day.

Teach someone how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Remember to teach!

Lesson # 8 - Connect the Dots

Connect with people. Why would I want to jibber-jabber about some topic if I don’t have anyone listening to me? I don’t. I want to engage listeners so that they connect with me, so they understand me and so that they receive my message. The way I know if I’ve done this is when I receive emails or comments on my blog. I think if people are genuinely interested in what they are learning and receive value then they will let me know. This is what I love the best, when people connect with me. It makes the whole writing process worth while. When I hear someone’s feedback it lights me up. This is what I love most, to know that I’m making a difference.

Write your story and connect with people. Write about the things you’ve learned and share your story with as many people as possible. The people who will connect with you will learn their most valuable lessons.

Lesson # 9 - Web Savvy?

It takes a little know-how to get started as a blogger but ultimately I feel it’s more important to have confidence in yourself. You could have all the smartest techie’s working for you and still not be able to produce a great blog because you didn’t think it was possible. You didn’t believe and trust yourself to follow through. Believe in yourself and the rest will fall into place.

Lesson # 10 - Accountability

The great thing about blogging is that you are working with a larger audience to hold yourself accountable. Writing to a larger audience is great for accountability, especially on those days when you ‘don’t feel like it’. I’m sure you know which days I’m talking about.

Sometimes when ‘I don’t feel like it’ I’ll email a couple of friends and let them know I’ve got a new post coming out. If that doesn’t cut it then I’ll write a post on my blog to let everyone know that I’ll be posting on a specific date. That usually works because I know that people are counting on me to produce. Once I’ve formally made this commitment, it gets me to take action even when ‘I don’t feel like it’.

I hope you have enjoyed my 10 lessons from a part time blogger. If you did, then feel free to post your thoughts.

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3 Comments so far

Dennis Cannelis on June 19, 2007 9:29 am
Hi Steve,

Your Texas ‘hockey’ partner from TT1, checking in.

Love what you are doing - disseminating valuable and timely info. I have been contemplating a blog of my own for business coaching and it’s great to have someone mentor and share their experience. That’s the essence of a good blog.

Especially liked the points on Wordpress ( which I am leaning towards) and Google marketing.
Stay well.

Best,

Dennis Cannelis
stephan on June 19, 2007 5:58 pm
hi Steve, good read again and as usual very informative.

Hope to catch up with you soon.

have a good one and stay well.

Stephan Lieder
Carrie Ann Gallagher on June 22, 2007 4:53 am
Hello from down under. Thanks for your info. I really enjoy reading it. I’ve always liked the saying “you never know what you think, say or do today that might reach millions tomorrow”. Ok it goes something like that, but you get the point. Every thought changes the vibration of the universe and if more people are thinking positive and empowering thoughts imagine the impact on the universe. I love it. So exciting. I think it is time for the human race to evolve and we are doing it.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Cheers.