You already know that most small businesses fail. It's a warning that's been given out to every entrepreneur with an idea, drive and the imagination to succeed for as long as people have been saying, "I should be working for me."
Well, here's something you probably don't want to hear.
Most blogs die too.
People start them with the best of intentions. They tell themselves that they'll write every day, they'll pick up masses of readers, become the leading authority on the topic, and buy a small island in the Caribbean with the proceeds of their ad revenues.
Then one day, they feel unwell or they have to pick up their kid from school unexpectedly or they have to travel across the country, so they skip a post. And they find the world didn't end. The views didn't drop very much, revenues were more or less the same. The site still lived.
So a few days later, when they're scratching their head wondering what to write, they decide to leave it for the day. No one will notice, they think, and they'll be able to put up better content the next day.
Soon, of course, there's no content at all. The publisher has got bored with the blog, users have got bored with old content and what might have been a good idea is left half-finished on the Web, never to be completed.
There are solutions that can prevent your blog from dying a premature death. One option is to hire content writers, but you can't do that until you're sure you have the ad revenues to cover the costs.
A routine can help. Writing at the same time every day can make it easier to post daily than to find something else to do with that time.
And you can expand the topics you discuss.
That might not sound like a very good idea. Your readers are going to be looking for very specific kinds of content, and they'll be most likely to click ads related to that content. That suggests you should keep your entries tightly focused rather than move around to discuss different topics.
But no one is ever interested in just one thing and your users are likely to be keen on articles on related subjects. A car enthusiast who reads your blog about sports cars, for example, might also be interested in occasional posts about finding good restaurants while out driving or keeping mobile phones connected on desert roads. There's also a good chance that they'll click ads on those pages to learn more, giving you a chance to check out the value of other markets.
If you're stuck for a topic, don't be afraid to stray a little beyond the usual confines of your blog. It will keep you interested, give your users a new topic to read, and it can keep your site alive too.
Joel,
How right you are about bloggers who start off with "good intentions" and then... stop!"
Your post about "keeping your blog alive" is really relevant to everything in life, isn't it?
All of us are attracted to "bright shiny objects" - anything that sounds or looks like it would feel good and/or be the thing that will get us what we want, or make us a million dollars or bring us the business success we desire, or change our life in some wonderful way.
So every once in a while, we'll convince ourselves that it's worth doing what it would take to get some result that looks most appealing right now - be it tangible or intangible - and jump in with gusto.
And then discover that virtually any result worth having requires the willingness (because we all have the ability) to hold onto your clear powerful vision, not about the outcome, but about the BENEFITS of that outcome to you - and remain dedicated to doing whatever work it takes to achieve your goal or desired.
Most people who start blogs, or businesses, or Internet Marketing ventures, or... are inspired and motivated when they do. And then complain after numerous fits and starts and "failed" attempts that whatever they were taught "doesn't work," when its THEM who isn't working.
3/4 of the way to success, or 7/8, or 15/16, falls short of the mark. Success requires - among other things - dedication and commitment not only to the outcome but to the moment-by-moment tasks that MUST be tended to in order to get from where you are to where you want to go.
And to keeping going. At all costs. Even when your inspiration and desire wane, or obstacles appear in your path - and they WILL.
Starting a blog - or anything - with even the best of "intentions" is insufficient. You've got to stay committed, and stay the course.
One of the best ways to maintain a blog - or any project - is to commit a specific time slot and a specific amount of time regularly. Daily. Every other day. Weekly. Whatever is necessary for the task.
Blogging doesn't necessarily have to take a lot of time. You can schedule 10 minutes daily, or an hour once a week. (Of course, you're not limited to those times. They serve as "insurance" that if you don't write at other times, you WILL write then.)
The key to keeping your blog alive is CREATING CONTENT during those scheduled times. And I agree wholeheartedly about content. "On topic" may actually be TOO limited, because that doesn't necessarily reveal your broader self - and most of your readers will be as interested in you as in your "topic."
As regards blog content, you can develop an "editorial calendar" of topics you want to write about; you can create a comprehensive list of topics that you use as a "teaser" list to get your creative juices flowing when you're stuck; and you can just sit down and write what's in your heart or on your mind or that your spirit guides you to blog about.
Your blog is your communications vehicle with your audience, and/or a marketing vehicle for your business. Recognize how important your blog is to you and to your prospectors, customers, clients, patients, friends, etc. Put your blogging activity on your calendar, and stick to it! No excuses.
I hope your readers find this valuable, Joel. It's always a pleasure to be inspired by you!
Jay Aaron
Strategic Visionary / Visionary Strategist
Creator of the Success Mastery (TM) System
http://JayAaron.com
Hello Joel!
Thank you to send me that of your letter. What is your new year,s reolution? Mine is to delete my GDI domain name and echange it with a chieper one. I wouldn,t like to go to empty. Secondly I have to find out how
to get out from my ownings, the third one which health business I need to choice and why I am unable to fill in silly forms. I,d like to get Mike Filsame,s free of charge CD once upon a time when I,ll be able to pay off it,s delivery. Don,t forget about me when you can find some good and chip possibility for savings and earn some money. I wish you a very good health and a lot of good humor for that year of 2009.
All My Best Regards for all of you: Irén 1/7
Good post.It´s hard to keep focused, and I guess every blogger face these challenges.I visit forums and other blogs every day and by doing so I get lots of ideas for blog posts.
Hi Joel,
good tips. I have to reactivate my blog now ;)...
Welcome back, Joel!
I have to ask you though... Are you a mind reader?
Our first, original site is a blog-driven, charity-based site dedicated to the men & women of our Armed Forces. The stories are theirs to tell. They let the readers know how the military strengthened their characters by making them better: leaders, managers, & organizers.
As there is no Ad Sense (still awaiting opinions from you & others), and no autoresponder to opt into, traffic is generated purely by me blogging about the site & general word-of-mouth.
With the holidays having passed, I am pressing on for more stories. I strongly believe in our site's mission & cause.
That said, I will not fabricate stories just for the sake of having fresh content on our site. I would rather let the site be 'as is' until we get more content.
Thanks for such a GREAT post. It helps keep things in focus & on point.
Best,
-K
http://www.for-the-troops.com/shop/
10% of after-tax proceeds benefit military charities!
Hi Joel,
outstanding advice. I'd say however if your new to the blogging world and your already a loss for words within year 1, you'll have a lot of problems in the future. Would agree?
AJ Kumar
I often re-write articles, and that way create new material from old posts. Yes, having your conten't written for you is just fantastic option, it is a win-win situation for all people involved.
It's exactly what's happen to most bloggers, thank you for this post ;)
I heard a motivational speaker say recently that "Life is a fight for territory. If you don't do what you are supposed to do, the opposite takes over automatically". If one doesn't take care of their health, illness automatically takes over. If one doesn't take care of their family, cracks automatically take over. If one doesn't do all they can to promote their sites, failure automatically takes over, :) Thanks for sharing this, Joel.
Fred Myson
Thanks Joel, this made me realize on how 'diligent' I should be when it comes to keeping my blog alive. We are all prone to procrastination but all we need is a real will-power to keep things going. We all burn out at times, but staying motivated helps in everything.
Hi Joel,
Been following you on twitter, and found your blog.
Great post, I had registered my name domain a while ago, only started blogging in first week in Nov 08.
I am hoping I don't run out of things to say, lol !!
Hope my blog and tutorials are around for a good while.
Bookmarked you and will keep an eye on your posts ;-)
Cheers
Tommy
http://www.tommy-mclaughlin.com
Couldn't agree more with the post. There are days when I just "don't feel like" posting, or working on promoting my sites, but I fight through it anyway. Now, having said that, I would rather post nothing that a piece of junk so yes there are days at a time when nothing gets posted. Regardless, I still write something even if it doesn't make the grade. I do so just to keep the flow and to keep in the habit of writing.
Regards,
Scott.
Joel,
Great Article, I also saw you in Orlando, Florida at the Wealth Summit. I wanted to tell you what a great presentation you did. It was fantastic information, and I walked away with a lot after your presentation. Anyone gets a chance to hear Joel, present do your best to attend, it was truly awesome.
And no Joel didn't JV me to say this lol.
Again thanks,
Megan
Perseverance and hard work is the lesson of the day. Sometimes we excuse ourselves, miss one or two entries (or things we're supposed to do) and that's it. It soon becomes a habit (of laziness) we can't kick. Don't underestimate the little things we do (or don't do) each day.