What This Blog is About
If you have been following this blog for any time, you probably know that it is not like other blogs.
I don’t have a template or formula for this blog.
It is mine and I use it however I want.
When I started blogging in 2003, my first entries were about my dog, my family and my travels.
I blogged about my political views, current events and films I had recently seen.
Then it happened…
I was thrust into the spotlight as the author of a successful ebook, What Google Never Told You About Making Money with AdSense.
I began covering more online business topics on this blog. I discovered that I had something valuable to give to others and created content that would help them.
From time to time I would still blog about other things that were important to me. I’m a big stickler for customer service, so some of my most popular entries are about my experiences with various companies.
And over the past year or so, I have posted a number of rants about problems in the information marketing space. I’m not making any friends by doing so, and I’m honestly leaving a ton of money on the table. But I don’t care. I share from the heart because its what I want to do.
Amazingly enough, there are those who come to this blog and tell me that I should “stick to business” or that I have no business writing on a particular issue.
This blog is about one thing.
This blog is about me and the things that I find worth blogging about.
To those who have the audacity to tell me what I should or should not write about, I suggest you go write on your own blog. I won’t tell you what to write about. Fair enough?
My blog is about being authentic. It’s about sharing my interests with you. It’s about the things that matter to me.
What you see is what you get. There is no pretense. It’s real. It’s raw. I don’t know how else to be.
I don’t know what I am going to write about in the future, because I rarely know what tomorrow is going to bring! I write when I’ve got something to say.
You may see some much bolder posts in the near future. Posts about politics. Posts about my faith. Posts about online business.
Those posts may be polarizing. I sometimes lose followers on Twitter, Facebook and to this blog when I write with strong opinions. I’m ok with that. I know that might happen going into it. The funny thing is, when you lose some people due to your strong views, you also galvanize an equal segment who become raving fans for your work.
I am not here to placate and make people like me. I want them to like me for who I am, not who they want me to be!
If you don’t like me, that’s fine. There are nearly seven billion others on this planet who have an opportunity to take your place.
I may blog about controversial topics. I may blog about my travels. I may blog about a bad experience I had at a restaurant. I may blog about my dog. Who knows? It’s my blog, and if I can promise you one thing it’s this. I will always keep it real.
I love when people take the time to read my work. I love it even more when they take the time to comment. It’s an honor and privilege to be followed by you. And I thank you for helping play a role in my success.
Thank you for stopping by and listening. As always, I’d welcome your comments. 🙂
Joel, keep being authentic. That’s why so many of us remain interested in what you write.
The small minded folks that want you to change just don’t get authenticity.
I have been concerned about ‘keeping on track’ on my blog. Hey, what the heck. Isn’t it all about writing interesting stuff.
Joel, I always enjoy your posts. One thing that really got my attention on this was the title “How to be authentic on your blog”. There’s nothing like keeping it real…being yourself. But; why on earth would someone try to be whom other people wanted him/her to be? I detest fake identity with passion!
I’ve been answering questions on my own forum (they were called “quest books” back then) since 1998. We often get into some rather strange areas “off topic” but I have found that as long as you avoid religion and politics its not a problem. “Don’t mix business with religion or politics” has been the conventional wisdom for as long as remember. And it is true.
Try to call the current president (it was Bush most of the time) exactly what he is and you get called a traitor and flood of hate mail and rants. Try to discuss ANY aspect of organized religion and you cannot have a logical discussion. I have gotten two very scary e-mails in all this time and both were from the Middle East and both had to do with arcane bits of things vaguely religious. One had to do with relating the name “smith” to the Kane of Cain and Able, the other an historical map of the region known as “Kurdistan”. Both letters were so full of hate you could see the venom in the words. No wonder the Middle East is such a mess. . .
What I REALLY hate is when someone’s flame war spills over onto my site and I do not realize it. THEN everyone is upset because I will not be THEIR baby sitter. I figure if an adult is stupid enough to fall for the bait of arguing with an idiot they deserve what they get.
I’d love to have a forum where I could REALLY write about everything I want. But to do so you would have to absolutely anonymous and be sure to even write in a style different than you normally do. . . But cyberspace is a VERY public world. People often feel like what they write is as private as the place they write from. But it is ALL in the public and will eventually be found by someone you do not expect.
Hi Joel,
I have followed your writings for a long time from a distance. What I liked the most is your honesty. I also like the way you write your own pieces, doesnt appear to be these re-spun articles I see so much of nowadays.
Your writings come direct fromyou and it’s like a breath of fresh air.
I just recently wrote a “guest article” for Alex Sysoef, and was both amazed and thrilled when it was actually printed.
I was so thrilled I wrote my mates in 12sc community blogs a note telling them.
so for being a “skite” about something I had done I now feel very humble indeed at teh comments that are coming through.
I just thought I was sharing but its amazing how different people read different ways.
So thank you Joel, for your honesty and freshenss, which gives me the knowledge I can stay truthful online and still get followers. Bless you very much.
Danella
Great stuff Joel,
I rarely take anyone seriously so it is nice to read your blog and know it is for real. I just love reading the negative comments. People get so fired up about totally unimportant issues these days and it is highly amusing to read. I also think that perhaps people need to make sure grammar and spelling are absolutely correct otherwise credibility is considerably lessened – for me anyway.
joel, an old saying goes- be yourself, who else is better qualified?
Same thing happens on my blog. People read and usually get offended and sign of my RSS feeds or give a really scathing remark or something worse. However, I find that there is not enough years left for me to be me and continue to give value.
Content is king.
Valueble content in KONG.
So continue to be you and some of us will still fish out the value and appreciate that there is a kindred spirit somewhere in the US!
Keep it up.
I admire the fact that you can think of so many interesting topics to blog about without sounding repetitive or forced. Its a talent!
How any one can complain what another puts on their blog is beyond my realm of reasoning – you go right on saying what you want to – your information, comments and insights are great – keep up the good work!
Susie
Hey Joel, 🙂
I tell you what… I promise to only read the stuff of yours I like. I will say you are one of the few marketers I read, mostly because you have fun and are not drilling sales copy all the time.
My friend says “real rekanize real, and you not lookin too familiar…”
Well, you lookin plenty familiar 🙂
“Anything carried to it’s extreme becomes it’s own opposite.”
I believe this quote is from an Oriental writer though I can’t recall, maybe Confucious or Lao Tzu, after translation who knows?
My usual illustration of the gist of it is to point to migration off farm land because city life is more convenient, that is until the city traffic becomes so congested you can’t remember where convenience got lost. I really appreciate a grounded voice where the Secret and the Law Of Attraction are concerned.
It seems to me some people are so positive and full of affirmations that they achieve less for believability. I appreciate hope and common sense are a positive force but in the extreme delusion warrants caution.
I notice your blog comments show appreciation for this fine line, thanks for continuing that good work.
Hey nice one! My blog is exactly the same, I write about everything. Keep up the good work.
You being You is one reason I stay on your list, and follow you on Facebook. I have even joined Project fit with you, because you are who you are.
Love and Light
Maggie
Thank you for keeping it real, Joel. These days, so many people try to keep things in such a way that it will please those around them, so to find a blog like yours is a refreshing change.
A blog which ‘keeps it real’ will always be given the thumbs up from me.
Keep it up.
Shona
Joel gets it…
He is a “brand”. The success of a brand is based on trust. And trust is built on authenticity.
Every time Joel blogs from his heart, whether we agree with him or not, our belief that he is speaking his truth grows. Then, when the occasional sales message comes from him, heartily endorsing a product, we know we can trust him, and are more likely to buy.
It’s not a small part of his success. And it’s a good model for the rest of us to follow in our businesses.
Too often internet marketers go for the quick sale, the short term success, at the expense of their brands. Soon, lists don’t open their emails; previous customers don’t buy again. These marketers have to constantly invest in new prospects to fool.
Thanks, Joel, for demonstrating that classic marketing principles like building a brand, being authentic, and providing value can produce great results.
Or as you’d say, Thanks for doing “good stuff”.
-Gene
For me,blog is the easy way how we express our feelings and thinking. Well done Joel Comm. You are #1 in blog writing!
Blog about yourself, loose weight, blog about experiences, keep on blogging, glad you have socrates up there on the right. Keep selling that product! ProfitVault keeps going on month after month.
Hey Joel look forward to more of your mix blog l love it, keep on been our good mate Joel 🙂
Hi Joel,this is refreshing, and that’s the reason I follow you, read your books and hear you present. Honesty and Integrity in the online world arent always present, and it’s important that there are some thought leaders out there like you who can hold up standards for all to see.
I liked very much your recent post about the Law of Attraction being nonsense, and your comments really made me think as part of my internet business is in the Personal development and Mindset. I’ve read extensively around the topic, including the writings of Charles F Haanel (33rd Degree Mason) whose original writings about the Laws of Attraction were so compelling.
Dont change your blog. It’s refreshing, and thanks.
Peter
London
Internet Marketer
Joel, I have never been a fan of your political viewpoints. I am a liberal democrat, and honestly, your conservative viewpoints make me very unhappy. I have told you this before on Twitter (and once, you answered me!).
That being said, I still acknowledge and respect the fact that you have the right to express these viewpoints, just as I have the right to express mine. I love reading your blog, your books, and watching your videos. The valuable information you provide me far outweighs any irritation I may experience from listening to your conservative rants.
I certainly am not childish enough to stop reading your work, or stop following you on Facebook or Twitter just because we do not always agree on everything.
Keep up the good work! 🙂
Hi, Joel,
Like many others’ I have been receiving your e-mails for years.
What appealed to me in the beginning is the same reason I am STILL on your list……….Your honesty……and your courage to express your personal faith in the Lord Jesus……..I too am a believer, and love the Lord for over 33 years now.
But I used to be cautious about disclosing that fact at first.
It was your forthrightness that encouraged me to speak out and NOT be ashamed or intimidated by others’ who do not share my beliefs.
After being on the InterNet for just over 10 years now, I realize how important it is to be true to myself……no matter what anyone else thinks or says about me……
There are Millions of hurting people right now, Christian and Non-Christian, who need love, encouragement and prayer.
They also need assistance in finding and operating a good, honest Home based Business that they can do using the most wonderful invention;
the Computer……NEVER in history have we had such a great way to help ourselves and others to solve their “debt” problems.
Attraction, rather than promotion, is what works.
Sharing my story, experience, strength and hope is what it is all about.
How can I help anyone else if I am not true to my Lord and myself?
Thank YOU for continuing to be faithful…….and honest.
Many thousands DO appreciate you…don’t worry about those who may not………YOU are a servant of the Most High….and HE has certainly blessed you…..as proof that you are right on track.
Blessings Always, Dazzling Dolly Lutz
You are one of the very few internet marketers I trust. Obviously we don`t always see eye to eye on certain things but no 2 people in the world ever do see eye to eye on most things.
I admire your passion, energy, work ethic and your success very much. I always look forward to what your next project is and reading your blog.
Everyone has their own opinion and lucky and rich are you who gives himself the freedom to make money AND still express themselves on their blog. THIS IS TRUE FREEDOM. May I one day be in the same privileged situation as you are today.
You are always a delight and a source of trusted information to read. Keep on keeping on my dear!
Totally agree. Some people forget the original definition of a blog and think they are all supposed to be tightly focused on one topic. The original blogs (web logs) were online journals, and in a journal you do write your random thoughts and opinions.
Joel,
Only need one hand to count the online gurus I have followed since 1998 and you are one of them – you do good things! Please continue…
Your post expresses my sentiments exactly – the whole idea of blogging is about what is important to the writer. My posts come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Often times, there are no posts at all! I also write in response to submitted questions on a definite topic. If they fall into a particular category or a specific niche AND provide answers, then I feel I have paid it forward. The reader can choose to read or not to read.
Guess the proof lies in that I am still in the same business, and actually growing that business after nearly 10 years online. Did it my way and went from 100 visitors to over 12,000 visitors a month without caving in to the “it won’t work unles…” routine. In fact, it worked well enough to replicate the formula on a totally different topic.
It pays to follow a leader! Keep doing more good things.
De
Joel,
Love your blog. I read your book KaChing and I’m starting my own blog as a result. Thanks for all your insight. Keep up the good work.
Call it like you see it. That’s why I read all your stuff. Thanks.
Hi Joel,
It’s been quite a while I’ve been reciving your email and tips on how to create a blog. Reading your articles has inspired me to go on. You’re my online ‘sifu’……. following you helps me a lot.
Thank you for all the ‘good stuff’
Approximately I do not mail on blogs, but I would like to translate that this post actually studied me to do so! really nice post.
Umm Joel,
I’ve been feeling the same about my blog lately – wanna branch out and not be hemmed in on one topic … it doesn’t make my site TrishJones.com then.
Not sure how this will impact business – in terms of focus on my blog. But thanks for your honesty and, if you can offer a tip or two on how to be more authentic on your blog and still make money with products, do tell. 🙂
Trish