I will leave the introduction to Eric;
My name is Eric Heavilin from BluePop13.com. I have been blogging for several months now (as of this writing) and I love it because it allows me to reach out and help other people as well as receive help from those willing to who’ve been there and made it work.
I enjoy time with my family and friends and some of my hobbies include music, movies, computers, writing, and I absolutely love reading. You can find more out about me from my blog BluePop13.com/about. You can also contact me at Eric@BluePop13.com if you want to get to know me better. Thanks.
Not everyone is blogging to make money. You may find some very useful blogs that help you a lot that are plain jane and just blogspot blogs. They don’t have the greatest design and they’re not out to make it big. Learn from those.
Someone will probably take you more seriously if your blog looks decent but it’s about more than that. Blogging is about anything you want it to be about and each article you write shapes your blog in a new way. The design you choose will have an impact on things but you will figure out and tweak the look of your site as you progress. The important part is writing and learning.
When you think you’re not ever going to make it as a blogger who earns any money at all just sit back and start writing about what you enjoy. Don’t rush into it in the beginning as there is a right and wrong way to do blogging as well. Ask yourself these questions:
- What interests me from the bottom of my heart?
- What could I talk all day about and for months at a time without ever getting bored?
- What do I know enough about that I could answer any question about without much thought?
- Why do I like this topic?
- What do I know that others may not know, even those who also like the same thing?
- How can I focus on this in a different way in order to deliver the best results I can for others?
- Why would other people want to come to my blog to learn about this?
- How detailed should I make each article I write?
- Would making videos or pod casts deliver better results faster than just writing articles every time?
- What can I learn from others that would help improve how I reach out to my customers?
- How am I going to spread the word about what I’m offering?
- How much time am I going to spend talking about this topic?
- Things are always changing; what can I do to make sure I stay in the loop with my topic and give the most possible to my audience?
- What are some reasons I want to blog about this besides earning money?
These are just a few reasons I came up with that I feel are very important to think about when you feel like what you’re doing just isn’t working.
I’m sure you can think of more than these and if so, that definitely is going to help you with your blog.
So why do you blog? What’s in it for your customers (maybe me?) and how long do you really plan on doing it before you fall in the trap and just decide to give up, or are you going to stay with it?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: Giveabrick
January 16, 2010 at 20:12
Hi Eric,
I’ve got past my ‘feel like giving up stage’. I think I had that about 18 months ago with the concept as a whole rather than just the blog. You’re spot on though, getting advice from others is great, as is acting on it.
Two guests posts in two days, you have been busy
To answer your questions, I blog as a way to add interest to the site. It was just today that I finally got my ‘what’ because until today I couldn’t really define why I write what I write. Now though I can tell you that every time I write I do so with the intention of warming my readers heart and sharing charity type stuff with them. I like to do both at the same time but sometimes a post leans more one way than the other. But in a nutshell, I like to make people smile. That is why I blog.
As for how long, how long is a piece of string? I will keep doing this until their are no more projects to raise funds for. When I stop making people smile I will stop writing. Seriously though, so many things have changed in my life in the last few years that I’ve stopped trying to second guess life. If you’re asking how long I’m commited to Give A Brick then I’m in for the long game but ask me to predict where I’ll be in 5 years time and I’ll pass
Eleanor´s last blog ..Act of Random Kindness
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Twitter: benlumley6
January 16, 2010 at 21:48
To be honest Eric I worry about the giving up stage. I’ve been there before and I gave up. I’m not there yet but I worry about it in just the same way as I worry about writer’s block.
I love write about self-development and I know I can talk about it for hours and hours on end, but I worry that I’ll run out of ideas and eventually lose momentum.
That’s why this time round I’m writing posts all the time (writing and learning) and have around 50 post ideas on the back burner just waiting to be written up. I figure that way that I’ll have lots left in the tank if I lose momentum or get writers block
Ben Lumley´s last blog ..The Keys to Unlocking Success: Part 3 Taking Responsibility
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 16th, 2010 at 22:58
Hey Ben!
You make a good point that even I worry about sometimes. We’re all human after all.
Writing articles for later is a great way to stay focused and keep going for when days come that you can’t think a dang thing to right about.
Just last night I was sitting down and started writing titles on a piece of paper for articles I will later write. Doing this will open your eyes to all kinds of new things that should help you in the long run.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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Matthew Needham
Twitter: bigredtomato
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January 16th, 2010 at 23:34
Hey Ben you make valid points, its a pretty lonely activity being a blogger and without support it’s easy to give up. (all the more reason to have a plan for what you want out of it!)
My big worry is that my wife and I are expecting our first baby this year and I can’t begin to imagine how our lives are going to change, which is why I’m writing as many posts as possible so they can go live automatically when the baby’s born!
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Break the mold and do it – Guest Post
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 16th, 2010 at 23:50
I’m expecting a baby as well and am going to be pushing out content the same as always if not more so don’t give up… I’m with you, so hang in there.
As James already stated if you give up you know what will happen! lol
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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theinfopreneur
Twitter: theinfopreneur
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January 16th, 2010 at 23:37
Don’t you dare give up, I will kick your ass!
theinfopreneur´s last blog ..How To Present Yourself Properly
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Heather
Twitter: TylinaVespart
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January 17th, 2010 at 00:11
Seconded!
Heather´s last blog ..Life Drawing by Bridget Woods
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Twitter: bluepop13
January 16, 2010 at 23:28
Eleanor,
There will always be something new going on and stories to write about. Finding what those are can be tricky but if you love your topic it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Your reason why you do it is so strong that without it you could give up tomorrow. You should always have a good reason why you do anything – blogging is no exception.
Thanks for sharing!
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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Twitter: bigredtomato
January 16, 2010 at 23:31
Great article Eric. Thanks for sharing.
I think these are good questions. It’s a great starting point for whenever you have ‘writers block’.
Good luck.
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Break the mold and do it – Guest Post
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 16th, 2010 at 23:46
Matt I’m glad you like it.
A lot of new bloggers out there (myself included) worry about this when they get serious about blogging aside from earning money with it. I feel if you have a strong enough reason why and have points to back that up and can focus on putting it all together, you’ll do just fine.
As I said below, writing what you want to say ahead of time is great practice as it allows time to edit what you want to say and then publish something great when the time comes.
Glad you liked it!
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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Twitter: TylinaVespart
January 17, 2010 at 00:07
“So why do you blog? What’s in it for your customers (maybe me?) and how long do you really plan on doing it before you fall in the trap and just decide to give up, or are you going to stay with it?”
Questions are fun, I feel compelled to answer
Great post first of all Eric ^_^
I blog because I want to meet other people, all round the world, with similar interests to me… and I want to help them get past some of the minor challenges and ‘long way around’ training you’re given in college sometimes. Ultimately I’d like to create a community of very smart students/freelancers that are out to enjoy themselves doing something they love.
I guess that leads on to what’s in it for them… With the blog specifically there’s information that possibly they’d have to really hunt for or learn the hard way. In it to make things easier, whether that be with the software, or with being a 3D student.
Jeez, sounds almost pretentious… (first time doing this lol)
How long do I honestly plan to do it? Well. Hm. Initially I was thinking a few years, but now (even after only a few weeks, funny how time flies) I’m thinking that I’d be happy to do it for easily the next ten… maybe longer. I’ll be around for a bit, lets put it that way
Same questions back at you – cause I’m curious!
Heather´s last blog ..Life Drawing by Bridget Woods
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 17th, 2010 at 01:14
Heather, I really like what you said about wanting to blog to meet people from all over the world who share common interests. That’s great!
I’m also glad you’re planning on sticking around for the long haul. That’s what it takes to succeed and with the help of those willing to lend a hand it’s not as scary as it may sound.
As for why I blog: To have fun. I also blog to meet new people and share what I know in hope that each person takes something away that is useful in their lives and can share with those whom they know and make a difference in their own world.
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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Heather
Twitter: TylinaVespart
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January 17th, 2010 at 12:27
Yea, the people around (like yourself and James unless I’m very much mistaken!) that are willing to lend a hand make things an awful lot easier. I guess you could look at it as making the difference between blogging being fun, and feeling like you’re talking into a void.
Sounds like as good a motivation as any! I think that, ultimately, you’ll succeed in your aim (well, people already take things away from your writing, and you’re clearly having fun =P).
Heather´s last blog ..Life Drawing by Bridget Woods
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 17th, 2010 at 15:11
I feel bloggers really do want to help but they do get busy so much that it’s nearly impossible to reach out to every single person who reads their blogs.
Some just don’t care but others (as James and myself, yes) love to help out as that’s clearly stated as what we’re both doing.
Blogging should be fun and yes I’m having a lot of fun communicating with everyone I talk to on blogs.
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
Heather
Twitter: TylinaVespart
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January 17th, 2010 at 15:14
Couldn’t agree more. Just hope that I don’t become one of those bloggers that doesn’t have enough time somewhere down the line… that would suck.
Heather´s last blog ..Life Drawing by Bridget Woods
Twitter: kookieskrumble
January 17, 2010 at 12:42
I blog because I can, I love writing from the heart, what heart I have left, and my story is very simple: I fell deeply in love with a man who broke my heart and I cannot recover from it. That is what I wrote about in my book. The sequel is going to rock people and make them wonder why I am still surviving, or maybe they will comment negative thoughts as they did before that I am obsessed with someone who cannot and will not love me again. But for better or worse, I write on my blog because it helps me say what I am feeling. I don’t want to make money on it, but hope people will buy the book. I was a dream I had, I also hope to help others who have been in my situation.
winnie´s last blog ..Control
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Eric
Twitter: bluepop13
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January 17th, 2010 at 21:08
Winnie,
Thanks for your thoughts.
We’ve all gone through a broken heart and if not we will. It’s tough and I can’t explain how it feels completely without going through another one. It hurts and pretty much will take over your mind if you let it. You’re basically not you for a good long while when it happens.
I’m glad you found blogging a way to express how you feel and you wrote a book you hope will help others who have gone through or may go through a broken heart as well. I may just buy your book when I get the chance because I’d love to know what it reads.
Thanks for sharing!
Eric´s last blog ..Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur
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