Tag: seo

What I’ve learned in 3 years of blogging

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been blogging for 3 years now. I’ve loved interacting with you guys, building this community of people, and processing my thoughts out loud. Thanks for giving me grace to think and grow all along the way.

I’ve learned lots of lessons over the past 3 years. Many I’ve had to learn the hard way.  Hopefully I can save you some frustrations.

Lessons I’ve learned in 3 years of blogging.

1. The more honest, the better.

People will connect with you more over your honesty and transparency than they ever will over your victories and moral platitudes.  My posts that have gotten the most positive feedback have been the ones where I’m gut-level honest with my thoughts and experiences.

2. The more accessible, the better.

As I make myself accessible (here, on the blog, through comments), I find people appreciate that. To build community, you’ve got to build relationships.

3. Be generous.

The more ideas I share, resources I recommend, connections I make, and in general, the more I can give away, the more I always get in return.

4. It’s as much about ‘rhythm’ as it is ‘discipline.’

I hear lots of guys say that blogging is a discipline. And I get that. But I like to look at blogging and see where it fits in the rhythm of my life. Rather than ‘disciplining’ myself, I’d rather it be a flow of my life.  I’ve found more joy and inspiration having a blogging rhythm than having a blogging discipline.

5. Put in the work now and you can reap the benefits later.

I can look back and snag some great, well thought out ideas. Someday, I just might write a book. You know where I’ll turn first for my good ideas? The archives.  And it’s because I have put lots of work into so many posts.

6. Just publish.

Some days, my thoughts aren’t fully developed or perfect or polished. But I just have to “publish” anyway.  It’s better to float ideas and thoughts out there, and synthesize them as you go, than to every single thought fully planned out before completion.

7. I enjoy writing.

I really do.  I’ve found it a great avenue to flesh out my thoughts.

8. It’s about quality posts more than ‘technique’.

I’ve read articles on blogging technique, SEO, key words, timing, consistency, and focus.  And while those things are important, don’t forget to write quality posts!  If you write good stuff, Google will find you.

9. Mixing up the type of posts I write (video posts, social media, theology, etc.) is as helpful for me as it is enjoyable for readers.

Writing the same kinds of posts every day gets boring.  So I mix up the categories, the style, and the focus to keep things fresh, both for the readers and for my own creativity.

10. I have no idea what it really takes to write a post that’s going to take off.

I have written about this before HERE…and it’s still true.  The posts I feel will take off…fall flat.  The ones I write on a whim go viral.  I default back to #8 and #9 (above)

11. I’m not done.

And neither is blogging.  Blogging is a great tool, and our culture is continuing to turn to blogs for information, ideas, and insights.  I’m definitely not done.

If you’ve read my blog at any point over the past 3 years…thanks.  Keep sharing your thoughts, experiences, and insights.  Keep leading well, changing, and growing.

I hope I’ve helped you on your journey in some small way.

 

 

 

 

The frustrations of blogging

I love blogging.  I really do.  I believe that the impact it can create is quicker than in any other media.  And the potential for a message to spread worldwide is present more in blogging than elsewhere in leadership and communication.

But there are things about blogging that frustrate me regularly.  And if they frustrate me, I am going to guess that they frustrate you, too.

Blogging frustrations

  • I’m the only one creating content for it. Nobody else is going to write for me.  Which, incidentally, is the most difficult part of blogging:  writing and creating content.  There are so many reasons you can find to not write.  And those times when you choose to not write…nobody else does that work for you.  In fact, “guest posts” end up being more work than writing my own!  (I’m compiling a series of guest posts from small group experts. You can read it HERE).
  • I’m the only one thinking about the design. And since nobody is volunteering to take on that role, it’ll stay with me.
  • SEO. If you don’t know what that is, just Google it.  Too lazy to Google it?  Click HERE.  Most days, I just want to write.  I don’t want to have to think about the back-end stuff.  But alas, I do.
  • Marketing. I don’t like pubbing my own stuff.  It feels self-serving, and that’s definitely not why I write.  Not in the least.
  • Short shelf life. A post is typically is dead after ~12-18 hours.  It’ll never be seen again.  And though someone could do a search for it, likely it’s going to sit in the archives and gather digital dust.

But these frustrations also push me to make the best content possible.  To make the greatest, short-term impact as I can, using this medium.

The impact that any given post can create is exponentially decreasing once you hit “publish.”

Create the best content that you can.  Stretch your mind.  Share your heart.  Make us think.

Are you ever frustrated by blogging?

Have you ever thought about starting one?

 

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