What I wish I knew back then! The best blogging secrets: foundations and strategies that have made a BIG difference for me and I’m sharing them with you!
If only …
- If only I had been connected with a group of other inspiring bloggers from the outset.
- If only I had found someone who could tell me the MOST important blogging secrets I needed to know when I started.
- If only I had known in the beginning what I learned later down the road, I could have gotten off the racetrack and onto a highway headed somewhere.
If you’re on this blogging journey and would like a little traveling advice, here are: 5 foundational perspectives and 5 practical strategies.
(And you might also benefit from this post: 7 things you’ll never hear a SUCCESSFUL blogger say.)
{This post contains affiliate links for your convenience and to support this blog. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.}
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h5” accent=”false”]Blogging Secrets you need to know[/x_custom_headline]
5 Foundational Perspectives
(delivered via a traveling analogy)
1-“Why” may be the GPS but “Who” is Siri
In the beginning, I heard “KNOW YOUR WHY” over and over. But the more I wrestled with that question, the more fearful and unsure I became that I should even have a “why.”
And so I changed the question.
I finally got clarity about my “why” when I started thinking about my “who.” I let the “who” be the Siri voice in my head even if the “why” still had rights to the GPS.
Here’s the crazy twist on this:
- By focusing on why I was doing this, I kept my eyes on me.
- When I began to think about the audience God was bringing my way, it took the focus off myself.
- With the focus on others, my own “why” became clearer.
I changed my entire thought process, messaging, and now run everything I do through a filter that asks, “Will my God-given audience benefit from this?”
This has taken my blog from being a glorified online journal to a ministry with future plans that excite me beyond anything I’ve done in a long time.
I’m no longer in this to tell my stories
but to tell stories of mine
that impact others and
bring hope and life to their journey.
So what about you?
Are you wrestling with that question? Do you feel the pressure to define why you’re doing this? Maybe you need to stop thinking so much about yourself and your plans as well.
Knowing the WHY of WHY YOU do this is a game-changer. It gives you the roadmap and helps you stay the course. But you might find it by starting with WHO.
2-Action drives; Clarity rides shotgun
I envy those who “just know” what they’re supposed to be doing. Those people “just need” to get it on paper and then put it into practice.
For me, I had to put things into practice to figure out what went on the paper.
I eventually enrolled in a blogging course. It changed everything for me. And one of the first lessons offered help in deciphering that “why.” I loved the course, but I couldn’t do the lessons in order.
I had to “do” a little bit
before I could “plan” a little more.
Maybe that describes you? If so, you and I are in good company. I listened to a summit of successful leaders and many of them spoke this truth: Clarity comes with action.
So if you’re feeling stuck, then just do something. Take the next step. Try it and call it practice. In the going, we learn more about how we should go.
3-Consistency, Grit, and Patience form the pit crew
Those successful leaders I mentioned above also said things like:
- “Consistency will give you a compounding that nothing else will.”
- “Grit is the single biggest factor and predictor of success.”
- “Be patient. You can’t measure results that you haven’t given time to show up.”
These three disciplines are the pit crew because they ensure proper maintenance of our efforts. They aren’t the glorious things. But they are the necessary things. Without them, we aren’t going anywhere.
So, dear friend, are you with me?
Let’s start somewhere,
serve someone,
and trust that success
will both be defined and delivered by God in His time.
4-This is a six-lane freeway, not a crowded side street
You might be tempted — like me — to look at all the online bloggers and people who are much further along and think all the good opportunities have passed. Not true.
The ones with the most success are the ones calling loudest, “Join us in helping others.”
This is especially true for Christian bloggers. Do you think the world has enough missionaries or people willing to do ministry? No? Well, the same goes for those with the mission and gifting to write about the hope that Jesus provides.
Not all are gifted to write. And of those who can write, not all have the ability or tenacity to stick with the technology and techniques blogging requires. If you are drawn to this field, there has never been a better time to jump in. The tools and training available are boundless.
And remember:
There is power in the story of God’s redemption and working in your life. If the enemy can convince you that you don’t matter, he can undercut your calling. Don’t listen to his lies.
The world needs what you have to offer:
your unique voice, your personal message, and your gifts and talents.
5-Stick Fear in the Trunk
Don’t wait for fear to disappear. It’s not going anywhere. However, you don’t have to let it inside — stick it in the trunk. If you wait to start the engine until fear has hitchhiked with someone else, you’re never going to do it.
Might you fail? Yes. Try it anyway.
Will it cost you time, energy, and money? Yes. It’s worth it.
Will there be people who don’t like what you do? Yes. Do it anyway.
Learn from criticism if there’s something worth changing
but don’t give the critics the microphone in your head.
Realize the ones you think are brave and self-assured are the ones who just learned to do it anyway. Their fear monster beats regularly from inside their trunk. You just can’t see it because it’s caged, but don’t misinterpret that for conquered.
And here’s the secret I’ve learned:
Knowing your why …
Focusing on your who …
Acting on something …
Serving someone …
Choosing to be faithful, patient, and consistent and …
Finding joy where you are now …
ALL join together in a booming chorus to sing louder in your head than the fear that’s shouting inside your heart.
5 Practical Strategies
Give these five things top priority
1-List building
This one tops the list of blogging secrets:
Start immediately building the list of those who have given you permission to contact them. Social media doesn’t count!
Don’t wait to have it all in place before taking a step.
- Choose an email service provider (ESP) other than the embedded Jetpack blog subscription option.
- If you begin capturing the emails of those who are interested in your content within a GOOD system initially, it will save you a lot of time later. There is much free training out there for both ESPs mentioned.
- Create a subscriber freebie (lead magnet).
- Nurture your list and talk to them via email. Don’t just send out your blog post.
- Develop a consistent email plan and PROVIDE VALUE in your emails every time. Don’t commit to a publishing plan that you can’t craft valuable content to support. Choose quality over quantity.
I have tried many of the email service providers on the market and the two I recommend are ConvertKit and Mailer Lite. I’m working on a follow-up post to explain why, so stay tuned.
{ConvertKit also has a free eBook about email marketing best practices.}
2-Pillar Post content
The days of using a blog as an online journal or rant platform are waning. Once you know your WHO and your WHY:
- Write quality evergreen content that fulfills a bigger purpose and greater need.
- Opt for quality over quantity, because these posts are going to be around for a while.
- Write with your “Who” in mind and edit out anything that only serves your need to say it, not their need to hear it.
- Repurpose and remarket that content, especially utilizing Pinterest.
- Once your inventory is built up, you’ll be able to get on a rotating schedule, sometimes choosing to update an older post instead of creating brand new content.
This free blog structure blueprint offered by Elite Blog Academy will help you wrap your mind around the organizational aspect.
Don’t miss your chance to grab your copy!
3-Pinterest
Pinterest is becoming the top traffic-driving social media platform. Users scrolling through Pinterest are conditioned to click off the site to go explore content.
There is a strategy to pinning, creating repin-worthy pins, and leveraging group boards. You likely need a course to learn these, as they aren’t things you’d know just from being a Pinterest consumer.
I learned so much about Pinterest through Elite Blog Academy. I took the course when it was open and I returned to it as I began plotting a business for the future.
Enrollment is currently closed, but you can find great tips on Pinterest and more on the Elite Blog Academy BLOG.
4-Collaboration groups
Blogging is not easy and there are numerous questions. You can spend hours researching the answer or you can log on to a group and pose your question and get quick “Do this. Not that” input.
Whether it’s a private Facebook group or another type of mastermind group, find one that fits your niche and start learning from others!
This is hard. Don’t try to do it alone.
5-Good training and great teachers
I’m a do-it-myself, big-girl-panties girl. I thought google and I could figure it out. Maybe we could have, but I would likely still be researching.
I finally realized the time I could save by paying to learn from someone who had implemented successful practices was worth the money.
I spent hours upon hours of research vetting the ones I would allow to get inside my head and influence my perspective and strategies. You don’t want to learn from just anyone.
Blogging Course Recommendation
If you haven’t heard of Ruth Soukup (founder of Living Well Spending Less), she is one to learn from. After her success building a 7-figure business on the back of her blog, she turned her attention to teaching others what works. I took her paid course Elite Blog Academy when it was open and I returned to it as I began plotting a business for the future.
Enrollment is currently closed. In fact, it only opens once a year.
BUT!
You can get a weekly dose of valuable blogging secrets, instant access to the Blog Structure Blueprint, and other insider tips if you simply get on the VIP Waiting list.
There’s nothing to lose. Click below and start listening in on the experts today!
[clickToTweet tweet=”In the going, we learn more about how we should go.” quote=”In the going, we learn more about how we should go.”]
[clickToTweet tweet=”Write with “Who” in mind-Edit out what only serves your need to say it, not their need to hear it” quote=”Write with your “Who” in mind and edit out anything that only serves your need to say it, not their need to hear it.”]
[button shape=”rounded” size=”large” href=”https://christigee.com/topics/ministry/” title=”Ministry and Work” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””]Keep Reading: More Posts Like This[/button]
[x_author title=”.”]
Leave a Reply