A guest post from Don Power. I really like Don, he’s got big things on the horizon and writes fantastic content, both on his website DonPower.me and for other sites. The important thing to remember about Don is that he keeps it real and is not afraid of voicing his opinion. The following post is a lesson for everyone and I for one, now swear to abide by it. Don over to you
Somewhere, Seth Godin is Smiling …
Seth Godin has a Zenlikle ability to reach through the goo of marketing and pull out a seed.
Hes one of those guys whose statements are so simple, yet so profound that you are often left asking yourself: Why didnt I think of that!? (cause hes Seth Godin, dummy!)
And Id bet the seed he would pull out of the ever growing blogging goo would be this:
Marketing to marketers makes no sense.
Im a newbie blogger. Been at this for about 5 weeks, all tolled. When I first started out, it was before I even had a blog. I was researching other blogs about Theme recommendations, how plug-ins work, etc..
At this stage, I was THE target market for info blogs for new bloggers
Fast forward a few weeks, when I actually have a blog up and running. What I need now is for other bloggers who are beyond this stage to give me reasons why I should even bother continuing (if there are any newbie/alpha newbie bloggers reading this give it a few weeks, youll understand!).
Slugfest
But what Ive been seeing more and more are the intermediate bloggers slugging it out with the probloggers over how much time should be spent communicating with guys like me the newbie bloggers.
What the intermediate bloggers and the probloggers seem to be missing (or overlooking or neglecting) is that their audience for their rants, their blog posts, their comments IS NOT EACH OTHER! Its the blogger who is actually looking for information from other bloggers who are maybe 1 to 2 steps ahead of them in the blogging life cycle.
So bloggers, newbie, intermediate or pro stop preaching to the converted. It doesnt matter what you are saying or doing in the blogosphere as long as you are saying it to your target audience.
Probloggers?
Write pro content for the intermediate bloggers who have finally decided that they want to actually make a living from blogging. Stop wasting time and resources fighting trench warfare with bloggers who just want to blog.
Intermediate bloggers?
Come on! Let the Probloggers do whatever they want. If theres an audience for their stuff, theyll find it. Just concentrate on providing valuable information to the folks who are coming up behind you.
Newbie Bloggers?
Write, damn it!
Oh, and Seth he just sold another 10,000 copies of Tribes and somewhere, he is smiling
So what does everyone think? I am going to take this lesson and more forward. You can follow Don’s site here.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: benlumley6
January 8, 2010 at 12:41
Wow Don – great post.
Bloggers want to find out about how to blog or how to write or how to reach readers. Everyone fits in somewhere in the the scheme of things, so people should just happily do their thing.
Look at me I’m blogging in a market with the great ZenHabits and Lifestyle Design for You. I’ve got no chance.
The joy about blogging is that everyone can have their say. It’s great
Ben Lumley´s last blog ..The Only Route To Success is Hard Work
Twitter: KiwiGordie
January 8, 2010 at 13:04
Hey Ben,
Lifestyle Design For You is still basically a newbie blog. It’s got a long way to go. I rank your blog ahead of mine.
Gordie´s last blog ..Old Tianjin Is Destroyed.
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 8, 2010 at 13:09
I think both you and ben are doing a great job.
FYI you can both do it, because you are doing it!
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Somewhere, Seth Godin is Smiling …
Twitter: KiwiGordie
January 8, 2010 at 14:16
Hey James,
Thanks for your encouragement. While we don’t always agree, I uphold you with the utmost respect as a blogger.
Keep up the great work!
Gordie´s last blog ..Old Tianjin Is Destroyed.
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 8, 2010 at 14:31
Thanks Gordie,
Yeah I think it’s really healthy to challenge things (done correctly) but ultimately I think we’re all heading in the right direction. FYI hate to disagree with you while we’re hugging it out, but I’m an InfoPreneur! lol
Twitter: benlumley6
January 8, 2010 at 16:48
James
Stop giving my compliments – my wife is worried I won’t be able to squeeze my head out of the door.
Ben Lumley´s last blog ..The Only Route To Success is Hard Work
Twitter: benlumley6
January 8, 2010 at 16:47
Gordie,
That’s really nice of you to say.
I actually looked to your blog for inspiration when I was starting my own. Weirdly I see my blog as a smaller, less successful version of yours.
You’re doing great work keep it up
Ben Lumley´s last blog ..The Only Route To Success is Hard Work
Twitter: KiwiGordie
January 9, 2010 at 04:33
Shucks! This post has really turned into a love fest! Lol!
Okay, well let’s both just keep persevering and I’m sure both blogs will turn out great in the long run.
Let me know how we can help each other out.
Cheers.
Gordie´s last blog ..Old Tianjin Is Destroyed.
Twitter: kbloemendaal
January 8, 2010 at 16:02
I have been blogging for about 2yrs now and I still read blogs about blogging, you can never stop learning….
Keith´s last blog ..6 Tips On Post Structure
Twitter: donpower
January 8, 2010 at 17:26
C’mon guys…where’s the rage filled rebuttal videos? The profane attacks on my premise?
This post wasn’t supposed to spark a lovefest!
Oh well, I guess rational discourse is still alive and well!
Cheers!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..How to Make Fire from a Block of Ice
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 8, 2010 at 22:52
I’ve never seen so much hugging and high 5′ing amongst everyone!
Power to ya brother
Twitter: stst_philosophy
January 8, 2010 at 19:08
I think it all depends on what your blog is about. If you have a niche audience, then whether you’re a pro or not, you should cater your posts to your audience.
A lot of newbies lack direction and just say whatever comes to mind (I should know, I did the same thing at first). I think the intermediate people can get away with it a little more since they’ll have more of a following. The pros can do it too, but they should know better.
Like I said, it all depends on what kind of blog you have. I say, pick a subject and a voice with which to talk about it and go with it.
Street Saint´s last blog ..Relationships Blog Carnival
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 8, 2010 at 22:54
Yeah I think it’s kinda hard to pigeon hole someone into newbie etc as you sayuse your own voice and do your thing!
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Somewhere, Seth Godin is Smiling …
Twitter: Bigredtomato
January 8, 2010 at 21:26
Good content on it’s own is not enough. You need to have a purpose a belief and and a reason for people to visit. To read the comments of cool people like you guys.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a pro, an intermediate or a newbie.
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..How are you going to achieve your goals?
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 8, 2010 at 22:55
Great point Matthew, some of the ‘newbie’ blogs I read have the best passionate content with a really fresh feel
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Somewhere, Seth Godin is Smiling …
Twitter: FamousBloggers
January 9, 2010 at 00:04
Damn! I really don’t know who is the “Newbie Blogger” here! This is one awesome post Don! I see lots of facts!!
Hesham´s last blog ..Join The First Making Money Online Social Network and Bookmarks website
Twitter: donpower
January 11, 2010 at 17:40
Thanks Hesh!
Everyday I’m learning new things but I’m definitely the newbie in this scenario!
When did you start blogging? FamousBloggers looks like it has a nice solid footprint established now…
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Then They Came For Me – a Cautionary Tale
Twitter: benlumley6
January 9, 2010 at 10:45
Go team! High 5!
Twitter: theinfopreneur
January 9, 2010 at 10:48
Latte anyone?
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Why I’m Going To Write Even More!
This helps me put things in perspective, I definitely fit into the newbie blogger category, but I love what people are saying about focusing on content. It makes so much sense to me. I have a lot to say on my topic and do consider myself an expert, so I figure I’ll keep writing, keep connecting with like-minded writers, and find readers along the way. What I find interesting is the focus on making money online – what percentage of bloggers are focused on this aspect? For me, if my writing leads to something monetary, great, but it’s not my goal.
By the way, my favorite thing about this post is the picture!
Linda Wolf´s last blog ..Is Your Underlying Emotion Fear or Love?
Twitter: donpower
January 11, 2010 at 17:32
Hey Linda!
You may have noticed that neither James’ blog or my blog have any advertising.
Not that there’s anything wrong with making money from a blog – there’s not – I have no problems with that at all.
But speaking for myself (and James has spoken for himself via several related posts) first you have to develop your voice – your raison d’etre for why you are blogging in the first place.
So instead of following all the distrations like engaging in controversy just to generate traffic my take is for bloggers to just define who their target audience is and keep speaking to THEM!
Thanks for your comment Linda. Following you on Twitter now too!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..Then They Came For Me – a Cautionary Tale
I consider myself a newbie blogger because I write and write, but don’t understand plug-ins, et cetera. Luckily, I do have a niche following, court reporters, and am finding my blogs are interesting to people. I have been published in school newsletters, school web sites, and recently a national journal. I am not interested in advertising. I am interested in helping my profession.
Twitter: nhangen
January 27, 2010 at 19:35
If we’re taking the gloves off, then let’s take them off.
Here goes…
A blog built upon the bashing of other bloggers has no content. All sizzle and no steak. It’s easy to pick a fight with pro bloggers and get traffic, but it’s also a scam, because the truth is that blogging is blogging, regardless of whose model you follow.
As for the post, well I don’t think there is any trench warfare at all. I think we see a lot of people that are jealous of the pro bloggers and want to bring them down…like Ellsworth Toohey types.
There are levels of blogging, but lets do something new already?
How many blogs can there be about blogging? How many damn Lifestyle Design blogs are there now?
As I said in my post about mistaking traffic for trust…there’s an easy way to get an audience and there’s a hard way to gain trust. It’s trust that pays the bills. There are very few people who can sell me a course on blogging because no one can do it better than Dave, Yaro, or Darren.
Few people can beat Tim Ferriss in the LD niche.
As Jordan will tell you, this has bothered the hell out of me lately, and I’m taking a new approach. Sorry for the rant, but there it is…brutal honesty. Not directed at anyone really…more like a shotgun blast.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Protected: On Action Leading and Passing the Test [GCN-1]
Twitter: donpower
January 27, 2010 at 21:48
Hey Nathan!
Thanks for your comment.
Not sure what you’re referring to by taking the gloves off…who are you fighting with?
I couldn’t agree more with you that picking a fight with probloggers just to to get traffic is a scam.
I’m not sure though, how that is pertinent to this post. See my comment to MikeCJ if you would like a little more clarification of the point I’m making.
Your tweets to Jordan, incidentally is why I @replied you specifically to take a look at this post. I also think Jordan would agree that bloggers marketing to other bloggers about how to blog is a complete waste of time unless you can define who your target audience is and provide them with something of real value. Presumably, your book – Beyond Blogging – is doing just that.
Cheers!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..David Risley Disappoints
Twitter: nhangen
January 27, 2010 at 22:04
My first part was about a circle of blogs that I’ve noticed have been bashing pro bloggers frequently, not necessarily you (although I’ve given my thoughts on your other post).
I’ve just noticed a ton of negativity lately in newer bloggers and I’m not a fan.
You’re right, in some ways this industry is cannibalizing itself, but a large part of the problem is people trying to skip the learning curve and the hard work that comes with it.
Twitter: donpower
January 27, 2010 at 22:29
I agree with you that people are trying to skip the learning curve and the hard work…but the majority of the MMO industry is selling that dream.
Lord knows I was duped by so many folks that made blogging seem easy…
Which is where James – TheInfopreneur – comes in…
He was an army PT instructor for pete’s sake…if anyone knows hard work – it’s James!
And if someone downloads his PDF looking for a quick fix about how to follow his model and become successful – well I’ve got 5 more miles in a full rucksack for them…it takes WORK!
James’ equation of hard work and honesty will surely be a winning formula not only for him, but for all the fortunate folks who’ve chosen to run along with him.
Cheers!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..David Risley Disappoints
I’m struggling with this Don. I’m guessing it’s an attack on this blog, as the only person I’ve seen who spends a lot of time “slugging it out with probloggers over how much time should be spent communicating with guys like me” is James. Or have I missed something?
Mike CJ´s last blog ..Why I unsubscribed from your blog
Twitter: donpower
January 27, 2010 at 21:31
Hi Mike!
In part, yes, this post is a bit of a slug at James (hahah!).
At this stage – I think James should focus on what audience he wants to target his message (but more importantly his paid services/book/etc.) toward. He can be everything to everyone up until the point that he wants to monetize. Then, he’ll be “spraying and praying” unless he chooses to run his blog like a sniper - which, by the way – I know he will.
I mention Probloggers, Intermediate Bloggers and Newbie bloggers (that’s me in case you haven’t gusessed
in this post – and the message applies to them all equally: Don’t market to your own tier! Discern your TARGET, take aim and FIRE at THAT! Anything else is just wasted rounds (to continue the sniper analogy!).
Hey, what’s that red laser doing on my chest?
Thanks for your comment!
- Don
Don Power´s last blog ..David Risley Disappoints
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