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41 comments
There was a time when it was a pretty crazy space for you. Glad you’ve shed the blogger guilt, Shannon!
ReplyYes, yes, yes! Preach it, sister.
As a side project, I teach other bloggers how to write for emotional connection, and I couldn’t agree more!
Reply…yet ANOTHER self-professed “bad writer” came across my desk today, Kelly. A new student. Seems like we’ll have to chat!
ReplyThanks for this post. I just read an article by a “blogging expert” that claimed the only way to make an income is to have 100k + pageviews. Talk about discouraging this newbie since I’m nowhere near there and don’t know if I’ll ever be! Needless to say, I appreciate your approach and blogging philosophy.
ReplyThat sounds like slow death by publishing to me, Victoria. Glad you can see a different perspective!
ReplyAnd the truth shall make you free! I needed this. I have been chasing the numbers trying to get to the place where I can be successful. No more! I don’t have the money for your program this time around but I do have a new plan and a new focus.
ReplyWorking on building my brand as life coach instead of calling myself a blogger. Creating a coaching program that I can sell online. This is my new focus for my posts and weekly emails. Once I get my course done I will focus on growing 1-1 clients.
So happy to be out of the blogging business.
ReplyBlog views aren’t a problem for me, Jeni, Google sends enough if GA is to be believed. 🙂 The real issue is building that tribe and as you rightly pointed out, having a strong brand is the key with a CTA to make them sign up so I can send them more useful information and build a relationship.
Reply(Um, are guys allowed to comment here? Hope so.)
Loved this post, Jeni. You have a flair with a pen and a great way of connecting with your readers. May your tribe increase!
ReplyLots of men drift through Biz Mavens site, Wayne, but they seem to shy away from the comments section. I assume too much estrogen, but you never know. 🙂 …and thanks!
ReplyHuzzah! I fell in LOVE with a fellow colleague in my field’s website and energetic presence when I stumbled upon his work randomly. I felt a connection to his work, not only through his words but the way his entire presence was packaged for me to dive into. Turns out, we both use the same website platform so I got inspired to slim and trim my site to be more zen – to cut out all the distractions. I remembered your past advice Jeni about blogging only the cornerstone stuff, not the churn-and-burn three posts a week stuff, and guess what – this guy was doing just that! I’m loving the synchronicity here. You remind me (& us all) to be mindful about my work – not just shouting and spewing from the rooftops. Thanks ever so much for another great reminder!
ReplyYou totally nailed it! I remember when I started monetizing my blog I “only” had 20K page views and I was making a lot more of what I’m earning right now with 200K PV using Google Adsense. I still make more money using the other monetizing strategies, being an authority in a sub-niche of my website. My readers subscribe after finding me on Google and guess what? When I hit the 200K PV I was posting as much as I was when I started (or even less) which means 1 post per month maximum. So I guess I’m the living proof that every single word you say is right!
Thank you for the great read, still a lot of work to do, but I think I’m on the right track!
Thank you so much for this post. I’m a newbie blogger and I really stress about page view. Today a few things went sideways and I was getting really frustrated about everything. And I though I been stress out a lot lately shortening my temper and taking the enjoyment away. I just realise I can’t stay this stress out. It’s summer my slow time. So I decide to put my time into things that matter to me and my blog instead of trying to be everywhere online in hopes of upping my page views. So thanks so much for the reminder of how little page views matter. Becuase you know what the whole time I work on my pageviews my email list didn’t grow.
ReplyYes, Natalie! Any business – online or otherwise – is bad for YOU if it starts to run your life. Don’t accept every bit of advice you see as gospel truth – make sure it fits with the lifestyle you want.
ReplyGood stuff! I’ve only recently found out that I’m making a more decent income with my 40K readers/month than several much bigger bloggers in my field because of the business model I’ve set up.
However, I do still struggle with creating a tribe, partly, I think, because I’m a very informational writer. People are often surprised when they meet me in real life. They almost literally go “Hey, you’re much more fun than we thought you’d be!”, which is clearly something I need to work on: how I come across in online writing.
I think a great “side effect” of the Authority way of blogging is being able to build a community of like-minded people with common struggles, who get one another, and who will support one another in our collective journeys to overcome challenges and achieve success. So it’s really great that you’re stressing the importance of attracting the *right* people instead of the *most* people (many of whom aren’t right for what the blogger has to offer). look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyThanks, Kevin. Tribes are getting harder to come by these days as people just skim and click away. But it’s so much more fulfilling when you can get to know the people who are helping and make introductions. Good to see you.
ReplyI’ve been thinking about getting off the hamster wheel for some time now, so your timing couldn’t be better. Through a series of experiments and VA failures, I’ve found that my traffic doesn’t grind to a halt without constant social media pushing by me or my surrogates. Looking forward to wrapping up things I have already committed to in the immediate future, then shifting gears to a strategy that works better for me.
ReplyAmazing what happens when you look at what’s actually working/not working for you, isn’t it? Fist-bump for being intentional here, Laurie.
ReplyWoooo Jeni! Talk about a fantabulous article. I was referred over to this read by Lisa Irby of 2createawebsite.
OMG! Virtual High Fives and Snaps to you for this post. This is something that I had to learn the hard way.
I created a blog that generated 100,000 visitors per month that people visited but didn’t connect with.
You would think that a blog of this size would have been super profitable (it is somewhat)…but it is nothing compared to the newer “Brand” that I have created — earlier this year. So funny, I really try to drive this home to people, that its not about the numbers, it is really about building a brand and a community that loves and supports your brand.
Off to share this with my list..like right now 🙂
ReplyYou are soooo right about the emotional connection! That’s why I feel so strongly when I read your posts. It captures my attention. Thanks for the tips!
xx, Tomi
http://goodtomicha.com
Thanks for this creative post Jeni! I like the way you’ve shared your thoughts on traffic and brand problems.
ReplyAwesome post. I love your writing style! So excited I found your blog. This is the type of support I need. This article is about me – I want to get off the hamster wheel.
ReplyYikes! For some reason the link that comment luv pulled up on my comment above is not mine and seems inappropriate?
ReplyThanks for pointing that out, Natasha! Fixed. 🙂 And now I’m tracking down why that happened…
Replythanks for the insight. I’m several years in + still trying to figure this thing out. I need my tribe.
ReplyThis post almost makes me cry. Why? Because last year, I slaved over a blog that people only read for the freebies (you know the ones everyone says you have to have–the freebies page you have to create.) I decided a few weeks ago, I was done with that headache. I started writing from my heart. Not sure still what my niche is–except to talk about the struggles of my life in a real way–stress, loss, grief–and to offer help where I can. And in 2 weeks, I’m starting to get actual blog comments. What the? I waited all year for that! And I think I’m finally on the right track, however, I can still use a ton of help. I do eat up your blog posts! I can’t wait to read more.
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