The other day I was talking with a friend when the subject of this blog came up. I don’t know what he thinks about it, but I know many think of it as a harmless hobby. He asked how many readers I have and I told him, “somewhere between five hundred and a thousand every day. On some days, when an article catches wind, it’s a lot more. My best day so far has been around thirty thousand readers.”
He was astonished. He asked me how I did it and I told him: I write and publish everyday and I have good friends and supporters who help spread the word. I’ve been doing it for over a year now with this blog, and, over time, it pays off.
I’m a writer and I publish a blog because I can. The act of writing, polishing, and publishing is important to me and I value the growing readership. It brings me new friends and puts me in contact with new ideas. It often challenges me to defend what I write and think. And it brings me new clients and more paying writing opportunities.
But it only does these things because I take it seriously. This blog is a part of my job. I spend several hours every week writing and rewriting articles and I spend time every day responding to readers via email, in the comments on this blog, and on Twitter. This blog is not an afterthought. It is central to my business and my idea of myself as a writer.
If you blog for yourself or your business you should take your blog and your writing seriously. Blogging is not free. Even if you do it yourself, you must spend time, attention, and energy to do it well. And if you hire someone, like me, to help you with your blog, it will not be inexpensive (although it will be less time-consuming for you).
I have the freedom to write about whatever I want, but I generally focus on the topics suitable for a general and professional readership. It’s mostly about writing, but not so much that it would bore a non-writer (I hope – let me know if I’m wrong about that). For your business you need to give yourself the freedom to write about subjects beyond your specific product, business, or industry. Writing about things outside that scope will help your readers to find interest in your business that is more personal, deeper, and you’ll be less likely to bore them by harping on the same subject endlessly. Frankly, you’ll bore yourself if you have to write about the same thing every day.
But be serious about it. It’s your own little soapbox, your platform to speak to the world. If you get up on that soapbox every day and speak your mind with seriousness and professionalism, then over time, you’ll grow an audience as well. And that audience is made up of your customers and those who are likely to become your customers. And that is a very valuable thing.
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Randy,
Important message you touch on here. In the ebb and flow of the blogs I subscribe to, it is invariably the writers who exhibit this kind of dedication to thoughtfulness to whom I remain a long-term reader. I say this not to express myself elitist blog reader or anything, but simply to remind myself that since the commitment to quality is the trait I value in other bloggers, it had better be something that I am all the more committed to myself. Thanks for the post. Proud to count myself among your readership.
Thank you, James. I value your readership, your comments, and your willingness to share. It doesn’t hurt that you have a terrific blog yourself.
I see far too many who say, “Oh, and I have to update my blog.” And they wonder why their readership or “traffic” is so small. If one cares about sharing, no matter the subject and commits to doing it well they will find an audience.
Although by trade I am a designer, not a writer; I stumbled upon your blog about three weeks ago and I am in awe.
When I download my feeds everyday I quickly flick through all the fitness based ones, the computer centered ones and the design focussed seem to demand so little of my attention. Then at the bottom of my list is your blog, yet it seems the only one I read.
Now although I enjoy writing, I am primarily a designer but find that what you say makes more than just a little sense when applied to my industry as well. There is such a lack of quality within design which seems a little oxymoronic; but a site like yours is a refreshing change. Excellent post and website in general!
Thank you, Jamie!
That was a most needed boost for a rather uninspired morning.
Thanks for this, Randy. This post (and the last paragraph in particular) is exactly what I needed to get myself out of my rut.
You’re welcome, Nic. And thank you.
Today’s one of those days that I need a little help myself to get moving and it helps to hear that other people find value in what I do. I’m going to make sure that I do the same thing for others, too.
Another excellent post, Randy.
One thing I’ve learned as a blogger is that passion about writing and connecting with others is absolutely required. Moreover, if you don’t love the process of synthesizing ideas and self-discovery, it won’t work. It’s true whether you get paid to blog or simply write in every free second around your day job (like me) with an eye to the future.
And like you said, the time investment is enormous. Those who don’t blog have no idea. But passion makes the time fly by. There’s never enough.
On the subject of seriousness, I’ve learned another thing, too. Take your blogging seriously, but don’t take *yourself* too seriously. Be real, be sincere, and be humble. Be human.
There’s nothing more gratifying that seeing others’ interest in your passions, especially if you are sincere and true.
Thanks, Eddie.
I like your idea and I strive not to take myself too seriously. Hmm, I sense a post in that!
Reading your blog has become part of my routine, Randy. Your subject matter appeals to my appreciation for thoughtful common sense ideas; your daily dedication is testimony to your professionalism; and your willingness to reveal useful strategies piques my enthusiasm for learning something new.
With today’s plethora of reading material I rarely come across a writer whose style and content consistently satisfy my search for knowledge…and entertainment. Thanks for all the effort you put into FTTT, Randy.
Thanks, Mari. I appreciate it.
Great post. I’m starting to learn this stuff myself, it’s encouraging to see that at least in some cases the work pays off.
Thanks. It does pay off and it’s days like this where I hear from readers help me to understand that I need to take this calling even more seriously.
Good luck in your own venture!
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