BE TRUE TO YOURSELF IN BLOGGING AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Are you starting a blog or currently running a blog? If so this post is for you. This post was Inspired by an awesome conversation I shared tonight with Deanna from Msfiology I just completed a Skype call with the lovely Deanna where we shared multiple stories and discussions on our goals in life and blogging in general. I want to stress for you how important I believe certain things are in blogging, especially as a new blogger. Not everyone will agree with what I say and I am ok with this. I can tell you that some of the things that I am about to share that have been the keys to my success on Twitter, and in the connections I have made in blogging. So with no further boring intro, I will continue on with what I believe are important key things to consider. Keep in mind I am not guaranteeing your success as a blogger, just helping you to understand my perspective and why I do what I do.
Be true to yourself
You can read all the books, blogs and listen to every podcast on how to achieve success but I believe that real success comes from within. It is the passion that you bring to your writing and sharing about the things that you love.You must determine your passion and let your passion show. This may mean not listening to the negative voices that try to tell you how to successfully create a blog. Some of these can be super helpful, however some can keep you from being true to yourself because they deter your focus from just being you. What can ultimately happen if you worry about this too much, is you will not produce content at all which can be just as harmful to your blog.
SEO is important but not SEO alone
You do not have to write the most amazing posts all the time, optimize for SEO with all the green lights for SEO showing. What you need to do is produce content that is Interesting and helpful. Write about things that someone will search for. Every post you write will not appeal to every person and you have to be alright with that. I am absolutely not saying that SEO is not important, it definitely is. I am saying that if you write good content, it will happen much easier while you are writing your good content. It will more naturally happen as you present this content in a helpful way to your readers.
Discover your passion and share it
Discover your passion before you start a blog if possible and choose a topic or topics that you are passionate enough to share about frequently. This will probably change a little from the time you start your blog and as you progress forward with blogging. Once you have determined your passion allow yourself to branch out in ways that are natural for you and do not completely limit your creativity. I love to blog about saving money and the ways that I do it but I have other passions that maybe some what related such as writing, talking about joy and contentment, etc. I allow myself some flexibility and chose to share a bit on each of these topics based on Inspiration.
People matter when you make connections
Do not lose sight of this in the blogging world, I beg you. There is a lot that can be said for a supportive and encouraging blogger. Someone who supports others and gives back is very attractive. I can tell you this as a new blogger myself, these are the people who stood out to me when I started my blog. These people are the names and websites I remember each and everyday and the people I have developed great connections with. This is not always easy to find in a world filled with so many people looking to make money and grow their blogs. Be the change you wish to see, stand out for the best reason! What is most important to you? If it is just money and fame, sadly you will not make great connections. People want to feel that they matter and in our world this can be hard to find. What do you think many are searching for on social media? Social media has lost so much in the progression towards a world focused on only "ME." Be the kind of blogger that you would want to connect with and that you would want to be friends with in the real world. Be someone who makes a difference and you will not be soon forgotten.
