There are a lot of sub standard courses and ebooks on how to blog and they all cost money.
A little secret on the Internet is that one of the top bloggers in the world shares his secrets and tips for free. Ask any professional blogger and they will tell you:
“There is no one more passionate and professional about blogging than Darren Rowse.”
Best of all he is the most generous person in the world and freely shares all his secrets without any monetary gain. In this live stream recording you can see his passion for blogging coming through – even though he has been doing this for a very long time.
If you lack the time or focus for blogging there are a lot of great tips on time management and blog-life-balance.
We listed a few notes after the recording if you lack the time to watch it all.
How do you motivate yourself to write blog posts when you don’t feel like writing ?
Choose a niche or market where you can think of topics to blog about days ahead. Then have some pre-written posts ready – a stock pile of posts you can draw from when you just don’t feel like writing a blog post.
How do you resist the temptation to install every latest WordPress plugin or gadget ?
Being technically challenged is an advantage in this regard. My recommendation is to concentrate on blogging, content and building community. Your main task is writing content, don’t get distracted by the “other things”. Set yourself a schedule of writing blog posts and stick to it.
What Statistics tools do you use?
As with wordpress gadgets people also become obsessed with statistics, so don’t let it distract your from writing blog posts. Feedburner is great source for tracking your readership e.g. you can track what topics are popular and most read.
How do your balance Marketing with Writing Content?
The trick is to schedule blocks of time for tasks i.e. put aside blocks of time for specific activities. For example, stay off-line when you write your content so as not to be distracted by email. Set aside a block of time for reading and commenting on other blogs and stick to it. A good idea is to setup a complete schedule for each month to ensure you put appropriate time into each activity. it gets you into a rhythm (“the flow”).
On writing an eBook
It’s all about being useful. Get people to your blog first. Build up your profile. Get a community. Spend some time building a following and audience and then release an eBook – you will get more sales right from the start that way.
What books inspired you?
Any of Seth Godin books. Also a book called “Join Me”.
Do you plan what to blog next?
On Monday or Sunday it’s good to spend time planning an editorial calendar for the week. That way you don’t have to spend time thinking about a topic to write about or outsource.
How do you market your blog?
Its all about going to the gatherings – where the people in your niche hang out. e.g. forums.
It may not just be a form, it could be a blog. Wherever it is build up an audience first. When you get an audience you can “educate them” to other networks (e.g. twitter) where they can in turn evangelize others on your behalf i.e promote your blog to their own twitter followings.
How often should you post?
Less frequently with better quality is a good strategy. Some examples – high quality and longer lengths (Tim Ferris 4hr work week blog) or lots of short posts (e.g. Engadget). It depends on your niche and what people expect and about establishing your own sustainable rhythm.
How do you get inspiration & motivation.
Sometimes you just have to take a break.
To overcome writers block one suggestion is to go over your last 10 posts to get ideas, or buy a magazine on the topic of your niche, also read other blogs to get inspiration.
How do you find quality writers for your blog
The majority of guest post solicitations are rubbish. A good strategy is to start by looking for people posting quality comments on your own blog – contact them.
Another method is to have a forum on your blog – and look for quality posters.
How to get in the zone when blogging.
Darren says that it “tends to just happen for him”.
Also identify when your “golden hours” are. For Darren this is 9am to 11am. He dedicates these high productivity times to writing. In the afternoons when he lacks energy he concentrates on more marketing type tasks.
How do you deal with procrastination?
Something Darren also battles with procrastination. His advice – “Just get in and DO IT”.
What is your inspiration to continue?
Ever since the first day Darren discovered blogging he has been hooked. In blogging his two passions of communication and community have their perfect expression.
How do you separate work from home
Darren sets aside specifics blocks of time for work and family. Blogging stops when the family gets home at 5:00pm till the time the children go to sleep.
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About Danny Sheehan
Danny lives in Hong Kong but is originally from Australia. He is Married to Maggie and together they have two children with whom they enjoy sharing and enjoying an exciting life with daily. Danny's passions are freedom, adventure and discovery, mainly in nature and science but also spiritually. He is a great believer in living in the NOW.
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