The ABC’s of Pro Blogging
I’m often asked the question, “what does it REALLY take to make it as a pro blogger these days.” Although I don’t have all the answers, I do believe you can boil down the question to some simple points — the ABC’s of pro blogging if you will.
Ability.
If you’re reading this article, then you likely have the basic ability to blog professionally. You have some sort of device necessary to connect to the internet, and it’s most likely a regular, plain old fashioned computer of some sort. You NEED to have some way to get your thoughts out to the internet, and that is where it all starts.
Now I know you’re probably saying “just having a computer doesn’t make me a blogger any more than having a car makes me a race car driver!” And, you would be right. But as the epic author Stephen King once pointed out, it actually kind of does. I’m reminded of the forward to his collection of stories, “Night Shift” where he says:
“I am often given the big smiling handshake at parties (which I avoid attending whenever possible) by someone who then, with an air of gleeful conspiracy, will say, ‘You know, I’ve always wanted to write.’ I used to try to be polite. These days I reply with the same jubilant excitement: ‘You know, I’ve always wanted to be a brain surgeon.’ They look puzzled. It doesn’t matter. There are a lot of puzzled people wandering around lately. If you want to write, you write. The only way to learn to write is by writing. And that would not be a useful approach to brain surgery.” Stephen King always wanted to write and he writes.
If you want to blog, you do. Write about what you love, and keep on writing about it. When it comes to the ability to blog, you just have to put the pen to the paper….or the fingers to the keys.
Belief.
This one could also be called Attitude, but we’ve already got an A, so Belief it is. You absolutely have to believe that you were meant to be a pro blogger. If you find yourself wondering if you are supposed to be doing this for a living, you’ll find yourself in the same place 5 years from now…wondering. You have to believe it, envision it, and live it.
In cycling, particularly in racing, riders know that you need to look where you want to go, not where you don’t want to go. That’s how you avoid poles, trees, branches, rocks, cars — whatever might get in your way to reaching the finish line. The same thing is true in writing, or blogging. You can’t focus your thoughts on all the reasons why you won’t make it in the industry, but instead have the belief, attitude and vision that places you squarely amongst the leaders in the blogosphere. See yourself as a pro blogger, and be a pro blogger.
I have a friend who is involved in a 6 month contest to win a free Porsche that’s being given away on another blog. Entries are gained by commenting, writing posts, and a number of other methods, but he fully believes he will be the one to drive that baby home. Every day he envisions himself in that car. Driving it. Turning corners in it. Cruising down the road in it. For him it’s all part of the process of getting what he wants, and the same applies for blogging. See yourself as the blogger you will become, and give yourself a timeline of when you plan to get there.
Commitment.
I would love to be able to have a count of how many blogs are launched, have less than 5 posts, and then fizzle away. How many people have the best intention of launching into a full blown blog, but never really get out of the gate? Or how many people give it a go for a couple months and then decide they can’t commit to it any longer. In order to make it as a pro blogger, you need to be committed to what you are doing for a long time.
Nobody will be an overnight success. Unless you strike that one in a million idea, you’re going to have to work hard at it….every day. You’re going to have to be committed. And not just to writing, but to networking with other bloggers, to reading other material every day, to commenting and participating in the social networking realms that exist and to meet folks face to face whenever you can.
My grandfather used to toss around the old adage, “anything worth doing, is worth doing well,” and that simple truth holds true for the blogging community. Rather than let your blog fizzle out, step up and give it all you’ve got. I know this is starting to sound like an Anthony Robbins infomercial, but if you’re serious about doing this for a living…that’s what you’re going to have to do.
Pro blogging is not for everyone. It takes hard work and endurance for the long haul, but the payoff is there if you find yourself with the ability, belief and commitment to jump on board and give it a go!
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April 10th, 2009 at 5:46 am
It was good article on how to start writing for blog. Any thing is difficult until you start, once you started half the problem solved.
April 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I would say that committment is by far the best quality that any entrepreneur can have. Without committment you will get no where. You dont really have to be the best at what you do, but if you are committed you will get some where.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I think C is the major factor in everything. You really have to want something to be able to go to the next level.
April 10th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I could not have put it better. The observation about people starting and dropping off is so true that I was laughing when I read that.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
no ones an overnight success, time will tell the truth that we musr pay our dues and everything takes time(unfortumately) life is not a drive through. for instant success
April 10th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
This is a very motivational post. It speaks nothing but the truth. I write down weekly goals and make sure I get them done. I don't dream of overnight success, but I will work hard to become successful.
April 10th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Commitment is probably the most important thing. I have seen people with complete lack of marketing and technical skills make it big in the world of blogging by simple determination.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Very motivated post, specially for new bie
April 11th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
To carry on blogging for long term, it is required to blog about somthing you are passionate about. Otherwise need to put a lot of effort to focus on it. Thanks for this nice post.
April 12th, 2009 at 11:50 am
that's great articles……
April 12th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Although I subscribed, I never got your freebies!
April 12th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Pro blogging contracts are usually for three to six months. Since this is steady work, it's very appealing to many freelance writers. Your pro blogging client becomes your "anchor client", the client who pays your bills. Other freelance work you do is gravy.
April 12th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
You do this because it will take you time to research their industry, so you need to amortize this research over a period. If you just sell your blogging services week by week, without selling at least a three month commitment, it's not worth it to you – you're spending too much time on research, and your hourly rate will be very low.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:53 am
In my case everything is measured by desire!
So it can be D of ABCD
April 13th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I agree with smashill. Most people give up on anything if it doesn't return results within a week or two. I've done it, I know many others have too. Motivation can be a tough thing to keep.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
When you say write about what you love, that is great advice.
But, these days, when the serious marketers have many sites and blogs covering a variety of niches,
that is not so easy.
You need to be able to bite the bullet and turn your hand to writing about almost anything.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Commitment is the key. If you're not committed to the blog, than you're just not going anywhere.
April 14th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Sometimes ABILITY is the biggest part/role, if you don't have this your log becomes worthless and dull. Because as I could see belief and commitment would be nothing if you don't have abilities to endure life challenges.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Good post.I agree, you need commitment to become successful.It pays to choose a niche that you feel comfortable working with, or you will lose interest soon.When it comes to the content, I think it is more about quality than quantity.Helpful and useful posts are always appreciated, so it is not necessary to post every day, you need to do research as well.Depending on the niche, posting once per week can be enough.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
That was perfect!!!! Yes, sometimes it doesnt take knowing all those complicated strategies to create a successful blog. All it takes is the right perspective and the right attitude. Thank you for reminding us of those simple and yet very powerful steps.
Jason @ Internet Marketing
April 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Can you think of any men in the arts (writing, painting, filmography, blogging, etc.) that are pro-feminist?
April 17th, 2009 at 3:17 am
I would like to add a "D" for dedication. It is different from commitment.
April 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
hi..
i think commenting is the best way of it. If you're not committed to the blog, than you're just not going anywhere. really nice post…
April 18th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Right approach and consistent approach is needed for getting success.
April 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I really liked this article…I like the spin on the alphabet – you should do all the letters! Commitment probably is the one most people struggle with. I've been a full time blogger for over a year now – definitely have seen A LOT of people I originally started networking with when I was a total newbie drop off and quit since I started.
April 19th, 2009 at 12:27 am
If only there was a word with A that could place as the synonym for commitment..I think that should be the forefront of the article, because it truly seems to be what's separating pro bloggers, from people who want to see if they can do it in 3 months with little work..
April 19th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
A colleague told me about this site. Glad I checked it out. Looks to be very useful. Forrest M
April 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am
It is very important that whatever you are writing should be relevant to your user interest. The first step is to characterize your blog according to your user.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Nice Post. I think The commitment is sign of the quality Blogger. Top Quality Blogger has one of the sign is commitment. Thanks for sharing the Info.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:14 am
nice article and great thought….
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Indeed a good article on how to start writing blog. I think first ability and then committment these two are really quality ways to get anything anywhere and the most important thing is a person is committed or not. If he/she is then the problem is solved.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Hi my names owen and i was looking at your blog. and i saw that you mention site point. and i have been on site point a few times. can anyone tell me if their is any other sites out their that sell websites??
April 25th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
to sum it up, what you put into is what you get out of it (or something like that)
May 11th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Unique content will helps a lot to make your blog popular and to get more visitors. keep posting unique content on blogs.