A Guaranteed, Sure-Fire, Never-Fail Formula for Successful Blogging
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Friend: (holding new baby up close) Oh, isn’t she cute? Look; she’s got her father’s eyes.
New Father: (beaming) Why thank you!
Friend: I think she’s got her mother’s chin, too.
New Mother: (smiling shyly) Yes, she does, doesn’t she?
Friend: (pause) Hey! She’s got my nose!
Both Parents: (shocked) What!? Don’t be ridiculous!
Friend: No, I mean, she’s got my nose and won’t let go! Uh, what are you laughin’ at? Ouch! Hey, help me out here!
Yes, I know; it’s silly. But it really makes me laugh every time I think of all the times this exact scene is probably reenacted every day, all around the world. Amazing, the grip a newborn has, isn’t it?
Isn’t it funny how similar dialogs are repeated practically every time a new baby comes along? But it makes you think, doesn’t it (sound of grinding gears)? See, for a baby, having some of their parents’ (and grandparents’) physical characteristics is generally considered to be a good thing. Trust me.
You see the same thing happen with other new beginnings, too. But I warn you – it can get you into trouble.
I remember when I first started blogging. (You young whippersnappers don’t know how good you’ve got it! I used to have to walk 10 miles, uphill, both ways, just to reach the keyboard.)
Anyway, after spending a few weeks reading several other well-regarded blogs, and generally exploring the blogging scene, I decided it was time to start my own. Yessir, it was time to make my mark upon the world (sound of wet splat).
My initial thought was to focus on business. I figured on leveraging my vast expertise (yep; that’s what I, er, figured) in the business world to become something of a “guru” because I thought it would help me jump-start a career as a management consultant. (Alas; reading a few business books and even acquiring a doctorate in Business doesn’t equate to what’cha might call “vast expertise”. Who knew?)
Anyway, my goal was to check out the most successful business bloggers I could find (Technorati gave me hints on that), learn what they did, and basically just do the same things. I’m tellin’ ya; as a business plan it was absolutely brilliant!
For a while there, I did my best to take on the characteristics of the writers whom I read for inspiration. After all, if it worked for them, hey, it was bound to be a sure-fire formula for success, yes? (Actually, as I discovered over time, it both is – and isn’t. But I digress.)
So for the first few months in the life of Middle Zone Musings, I spent my time simply linking to other business-related posts or stories I’d read, and then adding my own two cent’s worth.
Ho hum.
Luckily, it didn’t take me long to figure out that this was not the sure-fire formula to success – not even close! Nope; it was, in fact, a sure-fire formula to complete and total obscurity!
No, what I needed to do was grow up!
See, it was all well and good to pick up from others things I liked and wanted to incorporate into my own writing. But I had to go beyond that and begin synthesizing something new; something that combined what I had learned with what was already within me.
Oh, sure; I picked up some really good stuff during those initial months of blathering. Important things, too, such as how to use images in a post, what post lengths worked for me, and – particularly important – how and when to comment on other blogs. All of which you might call the mechanics.
But once I started developing that, then it wasn’t long before I was able to begin expressing more and more of my own self. And that, my friends, is when your writing can truly begin to “come of age”.
You know what constitutes success in blogging? It’s when you can take what you pick up from other writers, and springboard it into something unique; something only you can produce.
Now there’s a guaranteed, sure-fire, never-fail formula!
(photo: She’s Got Her Father’s Eyes, by Cayusa)
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14 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Amen, Brother Robert!
Beautifully expressed and right on the money.
You’ve learned the lesson well, Robert. You have a distinctive voice and blog for sure!
That really teaches me a lot. I appreciate the great analogy!!
Thank you Robert! A great post to help me focus my energy!
I liken it to authenticity. It’s sometimes hard to be authentic when you are relying on other’s work to fuel your own writing.
What people want to see is the real and authentic you. True authenticity comes from what you suggest, writing about what only you can produce (of course, inspiration from others is good, too).
Great post Robert!
Thanks, Mike; I appreciate your support!
Thanks, Lillie! They’ll never shut me up now!
You’re welcome, Brooke, and welcome to the Middle Zone!
You’re right, Eric; it IS related to authenticity. Great observation!
I hope this fits–but its seems its a lot like prayer then…you read the Bible—which springs you into some unique conversation with the maker.
Sounds like HE is speaking through you.
Hmmm… If I understand what you’re saying, Mike…
Yes, taking on the characteristics of “our Father’s eyes” (actually, we’re entreated to be “like Him”) through prayer and Bible study is a good first step in Christian growth. But just knowing the basics is only the beginning.
Then we need to grow up (to “mature”, as the Bible puts it). Only then can we take that knowledge of God and combine it with our own unique capabilities to create something new and wonderful.
Thus one person becomes a businessperson, another becomes a missionary. Yet another, a homemaker; another becomes a teacher. All of them use their talents in a Godly way that still celebrates something special.
Sheesh! Sorry ’bout the waxing eloquent thing! :-\
Excellent food for thought, Robert. I’m working on getting my ‘authentic’ feet wet (even if it seems ever so slowly, at times).
Great post!
Thanks, Dar. My advice: don’t rush it - let it come naturally. But keep writing until it “feels” right. You’ll know when you “arrive”. After that, it’s just write, write, write!
Ah I always love a blog where you can have a healthy dose of musings every day
Coffee on me, interested?
Book Reports: So glad you dropped by the Zone! And yes, it’s always cool to find fellow “musers” everywhere!
But coffee? On you? I think you should get that cleaned up, my friend; it’s gonna leave a stain!