4 Things I Learned from the #30DayBlogging Challenge
Recently I joined a #30dayblogging Challenge via a facebook post I read from @sandramartini. The call to action was to write a blog post a day for 30 days (hence the name), to condition yourself for consistent blogging.
We have all read the statistics and suggestions on how many times a week we “should” blog for maximum results. We have all been in those workshops or on those teleseminars that have outlined what blogging strategy looks like. But, unless we really embrace trying it all on for size, we don’t really know what will work for us or not.
Well, I am just about 3/4 of the way through the challenge and here is what I have learned and what I will take with me as a result.
#1 Blogging is not for sissy’s. It is for serious people who are ready to make a difference in the world. People who have more than just something to say, they want to contribute to shifting perspective, teaching others, collaborating and motivating. It takes time, dedication and motivation to be most successful. You can’t approach blogging as a hobby, or as a way to get attention on a moments notice. It takes consistency, time and valueable contribution to produce results. Much like it does for business. For me, I now know I approached it as a hobby, not a strategic business inititative.
#2 Blogging is a catalyst for shifting perspective. Whether it is what I write or what I read from someone else, blogs have the power to shift the way people look at their world. It is almost as if people give immediate sanction to a blog post, especially when they like, know or trust the source. The power that blogs possess was even demonstrated in the movie Julie & Julia this summer. One girls idea shifted the way people embraced cooking as a whole. She used the platform to purge her thoughts and for 365 days, she went totally transparent and vulnerable with her audience. The power for her transformation was to learn she could complete something she put her mind to and for the readers it was the value in the comfort of walking through it together. Our perspective can be shifted in as few as 300 words on a page. Imagine the power in that for your business.
#3 Blogging requires authenticity. When you set out to blog, know upfront that it is not for the faint of heart or for fakes either. If you are trying to blog just to get numbers up to your website or sell your product, you will not find success. Readers can smell a rat a post away and they will out you to the world if you aren’t careful. To blog is to show up from the essence of who you are in every post. Be real with people, that is where great power lays. In one of my most successful posts, 4 Success Strategies I learned from my Teenager, I was surprised (at first glance), of the attention that it got. But as I watched the traffic and listened to people on Twitter, I realized that in that space of total authenticity of story, people could relate. It inspired some and motivated others. And, I believe that if I had told that true story, but changed the character from my daughter to a business associate, it would not have gotten the same attention. Our readers want us to be real with them and not make things up or dumb things down. Be authentic.
#4 Blogging does work for increase. Now this was honestly the most surprising learning point of all. The increase in followers on #Twitter, my Website and Blog traffic and requests for friends on #Facebook, I was not really expecting. In fact, I didn’t have an expectation for this at all. When I started the #30dayblog challenge, I really wanted to go after my own head games and get consistent with blogging. I wanted to see if I could really do it. The cherry on top was that my traffic has increased on all sites, by 10 times as was normal before and the traffic my blogs send to others sites was huge too. I love that part. Increase for me and for those I admire and respect. It makes it a win win for all and that’s a good thing.
As I come toward the finish line, I know I have a couple of blog posts to makeup on one of my sights and I have an inquiry in on two things. One, will I keep blogging daily, and two, how will I keep the momentum going? Those are for later posts I am sure. What I know I am going to do with this new learning right away, is to add a section in my next Tips Booklet for the Professional Woman on the do’s and don’ts of blogging. I invite you to consider taking on blogging for 30 days too, you might just be surprised at what you get in return.
Coaching Questions:
- What inspires you about blogging or when you read blogs?
- How often do you blog currently? Are you tracking your results?
- What will it take for you to try blogging everyday for a month?
Hi Tammy,
Great post! And you’re right…blogging isn’t for sissies!
Sandra Martini
September 28, 2009
You did good, Tammy, seeing what you have already taken away from this experience. Your #1 really spoke to me. I think that blogging is for people who like to think and like to make others think. It indeed is about “showing up” in the most real sense.
I am not sure I could blog for 30 days straight and I so admire what you have done.
I am still only blogging once a week because I just can’t get the hang of the short post. Maybe because I am working an a novel right now, : )
What inspires me about blogging is how the collective wisdom can be shared, how conversation can be opened up and different perspectives can be offered, and how we are all challenged to think in different ways.
But most of all, I love hearing when something I have written has helped someone in some way.
Great post.
Judy Dunn
September 28, 2009
Thank you Judy!
This challenge has opened me up to blogging in many new ways. I wasn’t as consistent as I knew I needed/wanted to be. Now I can recalibrate and settle on what works for me. Cuz I know I can do 30 in 30 doesn’t mean I need to!
The contribution is key for me, I love hearing from people who enjoyed what I wrote and/or took something new away. It’s all good in the world when that happens.
Thanks again!
thecoachescoach
September 28, 2009
The good news about the BBB31 Day Challenge is that if you do the assignments, you get results. Hurray for Problogger.net Founder Darren Rowse!
Blogging gives me an immediate avenue to share useful tips and resources to support my followers’ DIY publicity success. I blog 4-5 days a week and really enjoy it. Fortunately, my Publici-Tea™ workshop graduates give me a lot to blog about. They have new DIY publicity successes just about every week.
Receiving comments and encouragement from my readers keeps me coming back for more. Watching blog traffic grow also keeps me motivated.
Google Analytics is a credible way to track blog traffic. According to Google Analytics, my blog traffic has doubled since August 4, 2009, so that is encouraging news.
Blogging every day for a month might be a bit over the top, even for someone like me who enjoys blogging so much.
I’ll be curious to read what your followers say about that one!
Nancy Juetten
September 30, 2009