We've been tagged!
Denise and Patsi over at Build a Better Blog have continued an age-old game of tag... this time it's gone hi-tech though. A simple question is floating around the net - "why do we blog?".
They asked this after helping build and spice up my Rich Writers blog, that I co-write with Edita Kaye. This blog, and associated Rich Writers site is designed to help those who want to make real money with their writing - but have no idea where to even start. Many writers (or wannabe writers) think you can get rich with just a book.
It happens... rarely.
A book is NOT a business - it is a lead generator for the real business.
I digress... back to why I blog...
A great question, as many writers would ask the purpose of posting article multiple times in a week with no obvious benefits to be seen.
But, when you look at the reasons why we do blog, the answers become quite clear...
- Being prolific is a great reason for me. I heard Dan Kennedy say it multiple times - write for at least 1 HOUR A DAY - every day - on articles and information type spreads. If you stick to this, it forces you to create at least 2 books a year! So, rather than being stubborn about this - I actually did it - and have seen the results. In 2006 alone I brought out 2 information products from my blog posts. Blogging on a regular schedule forces me to keep writing - keep making products - and keep making money from the products I create.
- Skills development. I am no literary genius (by any means), but my writing DOES provide my family with a good lifestyle. Considering the fact I only started writing 5 years ago - my income is now in the top 5% of the population because it it. All because of my pig headed determination to be a very rich writer... and the only way to do that is constant development and improvement.
- Character development. I do not write fiction... but character development has become my #1 goal to master in 2007. A year ago, Dan Kennedy gave a talk on building and using a character in your marketing. It was the best talk I have EVER heard about this concept being used in everyday businesses. It also will be the most profitable tool I use in my own business, as well as my clients. Those who master their character in their marketing become VERY rich writers.
- Traffic and sales! To me, it is silly to invest all that time and money trying to build a business - yet thinking that your writing should be free to the entire world. I have a relative who is an EXCELLENT writer. He writes on a very controversial subject. He gets nominated each year for best blog. BUT, he has never made a dime from his blog. All those countless hours - wasted. I'm sure lots of writers will hate me for saying this - but you MUST monetize your efforts. It is not about winning useless awards - especially if you have no money to fill your tank with gas. My blogs have brought me tons of targeted traffic to my sites, and have landed me tens of thousands of dollars (approaching hundreds by now) in product sales and marketing development work. The ego thing is a good motivator to keep you writing - but it won't keep you fed!
- Wakes me up. A great way to start the day is to sit down right away at the computer and start writing. It seems to work as well as a cup of coffee - yet, when you write the way rich writers do, you can make a bundle of cash in the first hour or two of your day. Rather than sitting in rush hour traffic - I sit at my computer and build a business. (Subtle hint there - I do not write a blog or an article - I am always working on building a BUSINESS). My writing makes me a healthy living - I get to travel around the world - and I get to meet incredible people. And it all starts in that first hour or two of the day. Great way to wake up!
I hope you pull a tip or two from there.
I am going to tag the following to continue this:
1) Jon Mcculloch of http://jonmcculloch.com/
2) Zane Safrit of http://life.ducttapemarketing.com/
3) Jill Konrath of http://sales.ducttapemarketing.com/
4) Anita Campbell of http://www.smallbiztrends.com/
5) Brian Clark of http://www.copyblogger.com
Great stuff out there in the blog world!
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