Lately I’ve been chatting to a number of bloggers whose blogs have dropped off the radar. I’d been disappointed (as a reader) that they’d stopped blogging and I’d secretly been thinking of it as a “failure” of sorts….
But I was reminded by those bloggers that in many ways that they’d actually succeeded with their blogs and that stopping blogging was a sign of that success.
In this video I explain more.
Notes
- View this video full size (in HD) here
- Video shot on a Panasonic Lumix DMC GF1 (aff) – here’s why I use that camera to shoot my videos.
Transcription of “The Five C’s of Blogging: Reflections on Eight Years of Blogging”
I’ve had this video transcribed below for those who prefer to get it that way. The transcription provided by The Transcription People.
I was having a chat to a blogger that I really admired and was writing some incredible content a couple of years ago. I was chatting to her a couple of weeks ago now, and she kind of dropped out of the blogosphere and wasn’t really writing any more—just the occasional post.
I used to really love her content, and it was almost like a daily experience of wonderment and learning just logging in to see what she was writing. And then she kind of disappeared; one of her posts said that she’d just got a new job, and the posts kind of disappeared after that.
And I was always disappointed in that; and I said to her, when we caught up for a coffee recently, “What happened to your blog? It was so great; it had so much potential.” And as we were chatting she said, “Well, I got a job. And the reason I started a blog was that, you know, I wanted to land a job, I was out of work, and the blog was never really going to be anything beyond an online résumé, a place for me to build my profile and build some credibility, and potentially meet some employers.”
And it kind of was interesting to me, because I’d always sort of seen it as a bit of a failure—as a disappointment—that she’d stopped blogging; but, the more I chatted to her, the more I realised that a temporary blog, a blog that just had the goal of landing her a job, is really an okay thing. And whilst it was disappointing for me as a reader that she disappeared, she actually had landed her dream job as a result of her blog.
It reminded me of another interaction that I had with a blogger who, off the back of his blog, launched just a very small piece of software. And it was a piece of software that really took off and got used a lot; and as a result of that software, he then went and launched another piece of software and another piece of software, and then ended up with a software company which employs ten to 15 people.
And I remember having this similar sort of conversation with him: “Why don’t you blog any more? Your blog was great; I loved it; I really found your ideas interesting.” And he reflected back to me that again, his blog was a means to another end—he was never going to be a professional blogger, that wasn’t his model; his model was to launch a software company, and he used his blog to do that.
And again, there’s a whole heap of stories I could probably tell along similar lines. And I guess these sort of conversations are reminding me that there’s not just one model for blogging and for making a living from blogging. And your blog doesn’t have to go for many, many years to be successful. If success for you is landing a job, or launching another company, your blog can actually be a stepping stone for you.
And whilst I’m disappointed that these people aren’t blogging anymore, I’m really excited that blogging is a medium that can be used to help people achieve their goals beyond having a successful blog.
This is just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days, and I’m interested to hear your comments. What’s the goal of your blog? Are you blogging for blogging to be the end, or is it a stepping stone to something else for you?
Love to hear your comments.
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It’s very rare that you find the relevant information on the net but your article did provide me the relevant information. I am going to save your URL and will definitely visit the site again.
I originally start The Shopping Nazi as a way to help me be more aware of where my wife and I spent our money. Then I wanted it as a way to make extra money. Then the idea I could make a living a writing. Today, The Shopping Nazi is a means my friends and I can live better on less money.
I got started in blogging as a way to learn more about the medium and the platforms behind them. After trying my hand at writing about my life and later about popular culture, I quickly discovered you need to really enjoy what you’re writing about..that passion thing again. Since I was a professional photographer, starting a photo blog seemed like a logical choice and after 2 years of running my blog, this was the correct decision. My site started as a directory, of sorts, to list my favorite photo blogs. Over time, the majority of my content is now user supplied. I really enjoy reviewing all the photo blogs submitted daily to me.
My intentions when starting ILovePhotoblogs was not to generate income. However, I am now able to generate income from it. My focus now is to build out the brand and create/launch my own products around this niche.
Thanks again for all the inspiration you have and continue to provide!
My goal is professional blogging, which I hope to be able to do one day as a full time job. I plan to work at it for a few years, building and promoting it, and hope to see it grow. Thanks for the advice, Darren, and keep posting!
I started blogging the same way. Random thoughts and ideas, now I am slowly getting comfortable with niche blogging at it’s great.
I’ve always launched personal blogs about a situation I’m in or something I’m trying to achieve, and end once I’ve reached a goal or, let’s face it, lost interest. I guess I’m old-fashioned as I still see blogs as an “online diary.” I’m a bit late on the affiliate marketing bandwagon and just recently added some Amazon links to my latest blog. Sites like yours are pretty inspiring in terms of how versatile and powerful blogs can be.
Darren, I am so happy to find you and this blog. I’m on my 3rd year of posting about my journey as an foreign artist living in Germany. I used to look at my site as a job I made up to be able to say “I work.” It was a way for me to document my creative accomplishments and make me feel productive.
I do not know one other blogger in “real” life. Finding this site and your amazing posts this morning had me totally choked up. (Sounds totally cheesy but it’s been a lonely run). I’m sitting here in shock because maybe I’ve been sent the mentor I’ve been looking for all these frustrating years. Thank you so much for all this information you’ve put out into the world. I can’t wait to watch all your videos and go through this information in the coming weeks.
Happy creations from Germany, tj
This post is really insightful. Thank you so much. I will keep on reading.
I started blogging four years ago partly by accident and partly to use the blog as a tool to promote another website of mine. What happened is that the blog became much more popular than the website I wanted to promote.
Some blogs related to projects and specific events like the Olympics are also by nature defined in time. As you said, success is defined differently for each blog, and stopping one does not means it’s a failure.
In parallel, life happens, and those of us who are serious about blogging but not probloggers yet can’t always control the tempo at which we can write posts.
I have just started thinking about posting a plog a way to share some thoughts about fatherhood
… looks like I need to learn how to slow down when I;m writing. Fatherhood and blogging… anyway, After doing research I realised that I may be able to make a few $$ which could come in very handy in times like these. We’ll see how it goes. Either way it could be a great way to share, learn and make a few dollars.
Well, I blog to help me. I define who I want to be. In a way it’s a process document for my professional life.
Plus, it gives me tidbits of material for impromptu speeches at Toastmasters or wherever.
I don’t think I have anyone following me yet… I just have the patronizing (in a good way) friends who encourage me for whatever reason.
Interesting though, blogging to get a job? I was almost going to use a generic e-mail address rather than my domain address on my resume just to keep potential employers from being turned off by my blog.
I’ve never thought of blogging as a resume but that’s an excellent use of blogging. I’m a writer and I am yet to start to start my own blog but as I am looking around at the various platforms available this post & your blog is providing me with some invaluable insights on how to get started. I follow you on twitter and I am especially excited to hear what you report back from the bloggers conference in October, can’t wait to hear your news. Thanks for your helpful and always insightful posts and it has been nice to connect on Twitter too.
I just started blogging 2 weeks ago and I really enjoy writing everyday experiences that I have had throughout my life.Those things that continue to be a part of my life,and things that I can share with others through those experiences,whether good or bad.I am trying to get myself out to the public,but I am still very green with this new social medium of expression.Like my daddy said “you not going know unless you try”.So here I am trying to see what I need to get more followers to my Blog. ALOHA!!!
I am grateful for finding this site today. I am in the process of starting my blogging life. I can see the information you share will help me be clear and concise with my readers.
I teach sailing to military youth in Hawaii and I want to use blogging to stay in touch with those sailors I taught as they depart to locations around the world. I also want to reach out to kids who do not sail yet. I feel sailing is misunderstood by the masses and I want to share the benefits I have experienced and also share youth sailor stories.
I have put off starting my blog for a while, now that I found your site, I am ready to create.
Mahalo and aloha!
Thanks for this great video. It made me think about my own blogging experience. I blog to promote a software startup and a management consulting firm. I’m not looking to be a professional blogger with the 6 figure blogging income (although I would send the money back either).
I have found that blogging is absolutely crucial to brand support. When done right (which I don’t do), it’s a great way to engage an audience and reach out to potential customers.
I also added a blog post on my site that builds upon what you said in the video. I think that job seekers should consider using a blog to promote themselves.
John
I wrote articles in my blog, because I had nothing to do and at this time I was looking for a work. Blog for me was like a distraction from all the hustle and bustle, but when the work was found, I wanted to quit blogging because it was unnecessary for me, but I could not. I still found time to leave a couple of lines there, to leave my opinion on various topics. Now the blog monetized and I have a few bucks from it.
I never thought of blogging this way. Makes sense that there are different strokes for different folks.
The way I see it, blogging can be compared to sports. Some do it to release the tension and clear their mind, some do it for a (better) living, and some see it as a way of life. Unfortunately, the money making opportunity brings more and more people eager to get rich but without giving any value to the community…
I liked this video. I started out just as a hobby but I bought my own domain and now I want to take it to the next level.
Blogging for me is a way of life. I like sharing what I’ve learned and has been doing that has led me to a life I dreamed of. I may not be financially free (yet) but where I am now has brought me happiness and peace of mind.
Through blogging, I want to let people know that life is what we make it. Happiness, success and wealth can come together as long as we know our purpose, visions and how to make them come true.
Thanks for being an inspiration also Darren. I have been following your blogs.
Good luck!
I think that’s a great idea not only do you share your unique views with the world but you can also get something back.
Amazing.
I’m blogging as both a stepping stone to something else and with the goal of becoming a professional blogger.
I know I said I would probably not stick to my current blog, but since I made that comment traffic has been growing steadily, and I’ve got posts written all the way through to next year.
I could just coast on posts and do nothing but promote for the next 2 and a half months. I might just have a thing here.
from now on,i’d better have a blog blog to myself,i can write,i can upload photos etc, interesting!
Darren,
Sometimes blogs are just a stepping stone. Unless you’re selling “how to make money online” in your blog, eventually you have to scale out of blogging or at least minimize it in your list of responsibilities.
i have gone through many iterations of temp blogs in only one year !
so many people have their own mind about their own blog,they are unique,so am I !
I blog as a way to de-stigmatize mental health services, and to supplement my income as a therapist. Eventually I will sell products and be able to reduce my office hours and spend more time with my young son.
I admire the two you profiled–sounds like it was very easy for them to walk away once blogging gave them the opportunities. Hmmm, that sounds kinda nice on some days…:)
Debt Advice Debt Help Debt Management
When I started my blog back in 2009 I was having a hard time finding the answer to the question What´s my goal with this blog? well, I have to admit that a concrete answer has not shown up yet, however I have to say it has become the perfect place to share my everyday expericienes in online marketing, as your friend I have also run into ocassional job offers, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I am better off staying at my current job, nonetheless a blog, no matter if it is temporary or something you plan for the long run, is a great platform fo express your opinions ir share whatever it is that you know well, you don’t necesarrily need a clear cut plan, just do it for the fun and the answers will eventually come to you.
Cheers!
Fabio
My staff ‘blog’ to keep our customers in the loop as to all the latest and greatest products, services and offers that we can give them.
As the owner of the company, I blog to try and educate my staff on how to interact with customers in a ‘laid back’ and ‘easy going’ manner, and to basically keen in touch with customers who I have formed relationships over the years.
I try to avoid blowing our own trumpet as much as possible on our blogs. Blogs should be all about education, personal improvement and relationship interaction.
– Paul.
Warcom / Insiteful.
MD.
For me Blogging is a Hobby. I wrote there my insights and I do learn alot from it.
It’s also a memory cache for me. Instead of writing everything on my laptop about such experience I blog it out and maybe some other people can benefit from what I experience.
For me blogging is an everyday way of life.
All the best! and keep on blogging Darren
No doubt blogging and marketing takes hard work and patience. But if you want to reach your audience with a positive message, then you just have to keep at it. Thanks for the post and happy blogging.
No doubt blogging and marketing takes hard work and patience. But if you want to reach your audience with a positive message, then you just have to keep at it. Thanks for the post and happy blogging.
Ann-Marie @
Anxiety Cures Blog
Great way of looking at it. I’ve noticed that with a few blogs too, and now that I think of it, they’re onto bigger and better things. Great perspective.
Coico with jeiffre that I never thought of blogging this way. Makes sense that there are different strokes for different folks.
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I admire the two you profiled–sounds like it was very easy for them to walk away once blogging gave them the opportunities. Hmmm, that sounds kinda nice on some days…:)
I’m curious to hear how Facebook and Twitter has affected everyone’s blogging lifestyle and/or income. In my experience it seems on average many blogs don’t have nearly the comments and traffic they use to back in the hay days of blogging. Or perhaps social network sites have weeded out all of the small time bloggers?
Any thoughts on this?
Darren, my blog was a big factor in getting my most recent job. But I also wanted to be viewed as an expert in my industry and perhaps get some speaking gigs and such. So basically I want to be like you! :-) Keep up the great work! Best, George
i have gone through many iterations of temp blogs in only one year !
When I did my VA biz last year, it was through blogging that I was able to meet our clients. So, I can relate to what you are discussing here. I actually mentioned this in the blog post I just published a few hours ago where I discussed 10 easy steps to find a homebased job –http://www.workhomebasedonline.com/2010/10/10-easy-steps-to-find-homebased-job.html. I never get to continue that old blog I was updating last year though because I landed on a job already until now. However, I thought of doing blogging again and so here I am, starting anew. I am learning so much in this blog of yours and I feel everything i need to know in building up my blog site can already be found here. God bless you for creating this blog site as you are helping a lot of newbie bloggers like me. Your blog is my inspiration. I wish someday my blog will also grow just like how you were able to grow problogger.net. Please wish me luck and More power to you!
Darren, I believe this is the job for me. I have just been introduced to blogging last week and setup my first a blog site. Very excited and interested in making blogging a business by creating, managing and maintaining sites to encourage and empower people from all walks of life. Can you help me with this? Looking forward to hearing your reply. Althea, SOW with Substance ~ SOWSubstance.wordpress.com
We are new to blogging, So far our aim is to inform clients and potential clients about what we offer with our wedding photography and to educate them not only on how to get more from your wedding photographer, but from other wedding suppliers.
We know that we can not photograph every wedding in Perth WA, so we see it as a free service to brides and grooms, and if we do a good job informing them, then we would expect to get more wedding photography bookings.
I dont have much idea about blogging so please tell me how to create good blog to make money. I heard about you recently through my friend so just now i am opening your and reading your interesting posts. Thanks
If my blog drops off, I really do fail because most of my business comes from it.
Hi Darren,
I am blogging to network, learn, share, interact, engage, etc. all in the hopes of promoting my small business marketing company. I find it encouraging that you – as a truly successful professional blogger – still enjoy reading blogs by others who are not in the same league as you. Being humble is an admirable trait. Thank you for your inspiration.
When I started out blogging it was just for the fun of it all. 18 months down the line, my blog has gradually got bigger, I make a bit of money and get invited to lots of nice events.
I get a real buzz out of it and my goal now is to eventually make a full-time living from my blog. I just have to figure out how to ramp it up a bit…
I’ve started six blogs over the last three+ years.
I post something every day on my most active blog — which started out as a bet 4 yrs. ago. This blog may turn into a business — I need to read problogger more often to work on this. It is great fun, an excellent learning experience and way to practice writing something every day; and I’ve met some great people in the process.
Three other blogs have been temporary, or more project-based — with a beginning and end, e.g. one was created last month for an upcoming exhibit/show with international participants. It may or may not have a life after the exhibit. Another blog was created to post photographs, “in the style of” (as a learning exercise), and depends on how much time I have to go out and shoot material.