Delivering quality blog content is not always easy work. So, being a tad bit obsessive about a topic you have passion for helps drive you to deliver quality content on a consistent schedule.
This week the theme for posts is blogging 101. You may find this a bit odd because I recently declared that I blog but am not a blogger. The value of these posts lies in you seeing that anyone can have a successful blog. You only need two things; a topic you are passionate about and an obsessive desire to share that topic with others.
Two extra posts. I run my theme posts Monday through Friday and I write about other interesting topics on the weekends. This week, however, you get two Blogging 101 bonus posts. Sunday, my friend Randy Murray shared Why I Write My Blog Posts One Week Ahead as a guest post here. Today, Randy will be sharing my post, Why I Wing It When Writing My Blog Posts, on his blog First Today, Then Tomorrow. Let’s dive into my obsessive passion, writing a blog, shall we.
Writing about your passion will result in organic search engine traffic. When I began blogging a little over five years ago I wrote mostly technical articles about printing and the graphic arts. Most of those posts focused around color verification and process control, which is my business. As as result, many keywords specific to my industry ended up in those posts. Posts that still generate significant search engine traffic five years later. I’ll get back to keywords in a minute but first how do you find an audience?
Finding a broader audience. Last summer I embarked on a journey I affectionately call Jimmy 2.0. I wanted to share the life success I am enjoying because of this journey. Without realizing it, I began to write posts that inspired others and they let me know in the comments and personal emails. During that time, this blog lost focus. I would write a printing and color post followed by a motivational and inspirational piece. I’m sure this was confusing to new and old readers alike.
New Focus. The focus of my blogging has evolved into success and personal development from the perspective of a Small Biz CEO, unplugged, telling it like it is. When I am struggling with the focus of a post I remind myself of that perspective. I’m passionate about being the best Small Biz CEO I can be, so it’s easy to write these posts. I also drive myself to deliver one piece of content a day. That’s where the obsession comes in. If 10pm rolls around and I have not delivered a post to you, off I go to the computer to deliver my thoughts for the day.
Keyword usage improves as well. With a tight focus you will find yourself naturally using appropriate and desirable keywords more frequently. There’s nothing wrong with wanting organic search engine traffic. Let’s be honest, if you didn’t want others to read your blog you could keep it private and call it a journal. Proper usage of keywords will keep people visiting your blog, even if you don’t write a new post for months. You could also give ScribeSEO (affiliate link) a free try to check on how well you are writing for search engines.
What topic are you passionate enough about to become so focused that it becomes an obsession to deliver the content? That’s what I think it takes to deliver a successful blog, what do you think?
Tomorrow I will share my thoughts about the power of guest posts. Make sure to stop back or subscribe via RSS so you never miss a post.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/salendron
Great question, Jim and great thoughts. Thanks. I have the “focus” challenge on my blog. I have a lot of different passions, so sometimes people probably don't know what to expect. I could have ten different blogs if I had the time and the inclination. Marketing/branding/social marketing. Leadership. Parenting. Fitness. I am doing the architecture for my new (Thesis!) blog right now, and it is a challenge. I would be interested in your take, as someone who has spent some time there – am I lacking the focus of which you speak?
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Nope, no lack of focus in Spaight Talk that I have noticed. I like your categories at the top of the site. It's something I have considered “modeling.” Just write more often OK? I love your stuff Sue!
Listening to you talk at Likemind right now while I reply. Raffel in stereo! Thanks for your reply, and yes, once blog redesign is live in a week or two I promise to post more 🙂 Solution for that is more writing ahead, which is a tip I plan to grab from you and Randy. Thanks for all you do!!!
You're welcome. I also thought getting ahead would be difficult but Sue you like I have the ideas. All you really need is 3-4 hours to get 4 or 5 posts done and lots of pressure lifts off your shoulders…or at least it did off mine. 🙂