Quite a few years ago now I first stepped into the world of blogging – almost by accident, and certainly when I had plenty of odds stacked against me.
A friend emailed me a link to a blog, TallSkinnyKiwi.com, and I clicked over to find out what a blog was, and what it would look like. I could easily have deleted that email, or it could have gone straight to my junk folder without ever even seeing it. I could have been too busy to properly read it, and I may never have clicked that link.
But I did. And it changed my entire life.
Two hours after clicking over and reading everything on the site, I wanted to do what other bloggers were doing. I wanted to start a blog too. I probably shouldn’t have, I had plenty of strikes against me – I was not a great writer, I couldn’t afford to build and host a blog, I was scared about writing on the internet and what people would think, and I didn’t even know how to start a blog, let alone keep it running.
But start it I did, and I learned as I went along, much like you are doing now. I had no idea at the time where it would lead me. I couldn’t conceive of doing it full time, I had no idea there was a book deal coming my way, and I definitely didn’t foresee travelling the world and speaking at conferences as a blogging expert.
I may not be the biggest or the best, but I’ve learned so much and I’ve built a business that I’m proud of, and I love what I do.
It’s so funny that my whole career started on a whim that one day, but I’ve never actually stopped starting.
I’ve started books, new blogs, new social networks, business partnerships, the jobs board, a national blogging event – tons of things over my tenure as a blogger.
In today’s episode of the ProBlogger podcast I want to talk about all the starts you experience as a blogger. All the big starts, all the small starts, all the false starts, and everything that has bumped you into a new arena. I want to talk about how you can be a starter, how to break through the blocks that are holding you back and get traction on your idea. Because starting is the most important thing you will ever do as an entrepreneur.
Further Reading:
- The Five Words You Need to Hear When You Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough
- Start The New Year off Right with Jeff Goins’ Three Secrets to Full Time Blogging
- Stop Reading, Start Doing. Now.
- Beginner Week: Bite the Bullet and Start Your Blog with this Seven-Point Checklist
- What My Wife Has Taught Me About Blogging After Just 3 Months
I have gone through your blog. i am too interested in writing blog and wanted to take out my writing skill.
Hi Darren ,
Your Blogging journey is like every blogger who are Internet geeks and somehow get into blogosphere.Whatever any one say Only blogger knows how does it feels to have audience who are keener to listen and read what you have .
Wonderful to read this and I entirely relate, I was a TV director and started my blog on maternity leave in late 2010, not foreseeing it would become my full time job with a team. I love how democratic the internet is, that opportunity is limitness and the power of being able to hit publish and share instantly. Wonderful following your journey.
I love hearing stories like that – I reckon many of us start at similar transitional times!
Great podcast! I didn’t have an idea of a certain niche that I wanted to start with. I learned it is easier to blog about what you have a passion for.
Good lesson to learn Darius. I started on a multi-topic blog and by doing so worked out what gave me energy and what others seemed to respond to – my niche blogs came out of that.
Hi Darren,
Exactly, starting is one of the most important parts of success.
Nice post and nice way of explaining it.
My advice for any newbie learning blogging or IM is to just get started, and don’t be afraid to fail. In fact, “fail fast” and learn in the process.
It doesn’t matter how much you know, or how great you think your product idea is, if you won’t start it, you’ll never finish it.
I’m sure the podcast will be helpful for many people who want to start something but are still hedging their bets.
Mickiyas B. (bloggingMick)
thanks Mickiyas!
Hi Darren,
Your blogging journey is awesome and a motivation for other bloggers :)
This podcast is describing the important things that every entrepreneur should do. I love to list ProBlogger Podcasts! :)