My Blog is Calling Me
September 22nd, 2007 Posted in Blog, UpdatesNo, it’s not actually calling me. It’s actually giving me a guilty feeling because I haven’t posted in a few days. This drought usually happens whenever something else pops into my mind that I either can’t blog about or distracts me completely. This does bring up an interesting topic for me.
Blogging.
After some few failed attempts to blog, I now have a better understanding of what blogs are and how I want to use them.
It all started with my idea that I can make money blogging. I saw all sorts of blogs telling you that you can make money in no time. Just write great content and throw some ads on there! I ended up starting 3-4 different blogs and all of them went no where. I ended up returning to posting on my personal blog.
What went wrong?
I forgot that blogging is about writing and writing takes time. I’ve never wanted to become a writer. I see writing as a useful skill, but that’s where it ends. However, I didn’t see this when I first started blogging. It’s when I hit my 3rd or 4th post that I realized how tough it is.
The thing is. I was blogging for early profits, and that’s not that easy if you have nothing to leverage in real life. It is true that people can become overnight sensations, but these people are already successful in some other way.
If I was already an internet millionaire, I’d just show you one of my fat Adsense checks *cough* Shoemoney *cough* and be popular overnight.
But… I’m just a broke 22 year old with a dream (sappy, I know).
However, I do want to keep blogging because I feel it will help my thinking as well as make me a better writer. This is where my struggle comes into play.
Should I blog for myself or blog for others? Or is there a balance?
My first instinct says balance because I don’t intend for blogging to be a source of income. If it happens, it happens. It’s a similar attitude that Shoemoney has.
However, there is a lot of power in creating a brand for yourself on the internet. You can leverage this into networking and potentially profits. This can’t be ignored.
So what am I going to do?
I know I need to keep this blog updated. It’s not like it’s a terribly hard thing to do as I am talking about what I am doing. It’s just that there are stretches for a few days where I just don’t want to post. Maybe I’m just trying too hard. Maybe I should start write shorter posts such as commentary on other people’s articles. The danger in this is that my blog becomes way to general and sporadic. There has to be a happy medium somewhere.
It’s something that has been nagging me. I know I need to blog, but I have to find it. Whatever “it” is.
I answered my blog’s call today, but what about tomorrow?
Carl Zetterlund
P.S. I had 26 subscribers yesterday (~5 - 2 weeks ago). The interesting thing is that I had no intention of really marketing my blog just yet. I just wanted to figure out what my blog was about. I guess I must be doing something right.
6 Responses to “My Blog is Calling Me”
By Ian on Sep 22, 2007
Your writing is excellent. I think your problem may be thinking of it as “writing”.
I’ve just come across your blog (from Cath Lawson’s).
I started blogging for a completely different reason than money. But I can see now why if I did start that way, I’d have done the same as you did!
I suspect you need to get a feel for what it’s all about and a passion for something that’s mirrored inthe real world.
Mine was about business failure and how I have recovered (still working on it!) from it.
The journey has taught me an awful lot about blogs. And I think it will help develop a blog that can play a role in our revived IT support company for small businesses.
I’ll certainly be coming back to yours because your articles and style make it a good read. In fact, I’ll subscribe to it now!
By Carl on Sep 22, 2007
I appreciate the compliment.
Yep, you’re right. I have to find a ground that resonates with me and others. I think it will come in time. The current theme is around describing my journey as an internet entrepreneur.
I’m actually a big fan of failures even though that sounds wrong. I just love a good story of how someone hit rock bottom and still managed to come back and be bigger than ever before.
Sounds like I need to take a visit to your blog.
By Danny @ Blogs For Money on Sep 23, 2007
I’ve tried running multiple blogs too, and it just doesn’t work. Stick to one and make it good
By CatherineL on Sep 24, 2007
Carl - you have certainly mastered the art very quickly. The type of posts you write already are very interesting to read.
And you make a great point - many people start blogging for the money and don’t realise that you do need to enjoy writing also.
I think balance is the key - write stuff people will want to read, but also write stuff you enjoy writing.
Most non-fiction writers, whether bloggers or otherwise, write with the reader in mind, but they tend to write on topics that they have a lot of knowledge on, or enjoy learning.
It would be great if you could keep your blog going. And the more you write, the more it will become a habit to post each day.
Your blog doesn’t need to make money itself. I’m sure you’ll be able to use it to promote your new project in some way.
By Carl Zetterlund on Sep 24, 2007
@Danny - I didn’t believe them at first, but was I wrong.
@CatherineL - Thanks for your perspective. I’ve never been a real writer unless I was forced to at school.
I don’t plan on trying to monetize this blog like others. I realized blogging for money isn’t my thing. However, I think it’s a very good idea that I keep writing about my pursuits. Sharing when I can is something I’d like to do.
Thanks
By God on Sep 24, 2007
you should blog for yourself, that is the only way you will become happy doing it.
it is important to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason. if you do the right thing at the right time for the wrong reason, the action becomes impure and ultimately self destructive.
you should live your life for you, that is the whole point of Atlas Shrugged.
look forward to talking to you tonight, its been a while.