At the urging of my own personal mastermind group (thank you, Mary, Brenda and Val), I began blogging three years ago this month. At the time it felt like yet another thing to do, another check box on the list. Not quite drudgery, but I couldn’t see the point.
Three years later, I love the sport and absolutely see the ‘why’ in showing up three times a week to give voice to what’s important in my corner of the world.
I’ve approached life in a new and different way, thinking as a journalist rather than Plain Jane. Everything I come into contact with–each new relationship, opportunity or incident–becomes fodder for the mill. Miriam Salpeter brilliantly likened the Royal Wedding to Job Search in a recent posting. Like Miriam, I love taking what’s happening around the world and in my local community and pulling out the wisdom for entrepreneurs, specifically women business owners. Whether it’s swooning over Tina Fey’s Bossypants, or touting the inspiring successes of my clients and colleagues, I feel more alive and connected than I ever have.
I’ve gotten to bond with you in unexpected new ways, and that’s the greater reward. I rarely go anywhere these days where someone doesn’t mention something I shared in a posting. “Loved you in the red coat!.” “Boy, that parking lot attendant sure taught you.” “How was Costa Rica?” It’s surprising, humbling, scary (How’d you know that? Oh, I wrote about it, and you read it! Oops.) I feel more seen and understood than ever before. I’ve discovered what’s really important to me (sharing what I know with other women business owners), what prejudices I harbor (why are there 95% men represented in the iStockphoto.com images?), and how brilliant, courageous and inspiring women are (read any of my posts over the last three years).
Like I heard about entering the speaking and coaching industries, people said, “It’s an easy business to get into, but a hard business to stay in.” I feel the same way about blogs. A lot of people start blogs then abandon them.There can be excitement and enthusiasm at the outset, posting, then watching your numbers grow or not. But it’s the disciplined dailiness of any venture that creates success. I have gotten better at it over time, and simply showing up religiously has its own merits. Brian Tracy says that what makes people extraordinary is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.
This is my 448th post. There have been 1948 comments. I shall continue this journey and welcome your staying with me for the ride.
Congratulations, Jane. I feel like I’ve read almost each one of your blogs and have loved All of them!
You are never considered to be a “Plain Jane”! Let’s say “Savy and Smart Jane”! Love you and your blogs! I always get a nugget of business knowledge when reading your blogs. You are a gift to us, the ones trying to make it on our own! Thank you for your gifts.
@Nancy
I’m quite sure you have. You’re the most interactive, social media savvy, aware person on Earth. So glad to have you as a friend.
@Elizabeth
Thank you! I feel so blessed we met way back when via ASID. Nice to be a part of your journey.
Congratulations, on your 448th post and now 1949 comments. I love each and every one of your blogs.
@Linda
Thank you so much!
Three years!! This demonstrates a high level of commitment, plus you’ve happened upon marketing you actually enjoy doing! That is inspirational. My new motto is “the marketing you like, is the marketing you’ll do, is the marketing that works.” I think you’re the poster child for this. :>
…even though I haven’t embraced the diligence of scheduled (thrice weekly) blogging as you have, I do, like you, see the value, and will get myself out of my way and work towards that steady presence.
I do thank you for opening up the value of this venue, which I was only barely aware of, back in Fall 2008 at the Carolina’s ASID conference, where you were a speaker and will work towards feeling as good as you do @ your 3 year anniversay of your launch blog, when I have same anniversary for myself.
Your continued input/outreach is valued.
Ruth
Having a SOHO can be isolating; thanks for giving us a way to stay connected! ~even long distance from sunny Sarasota B)
PS – that’s a smiley face with sun-glasses!
You know I look forward to your blogs, Jane!
Just about every one of your blog posts has something relevant for me. I love reading them – keep ’em going!!
You have indeed mastered how to blog effectively and more importantly, how to make it work for you. Showing up religiously is, as you say, key–whether it’s once a week, three times, or daily. It’s consistency that matters.
You are so correct that people often throw themselves into a new blog then lose interest after a while. I often hear that they just can’t come up with more ideas. In our blog workshops we focus on generating ideas–we offer exercises and methods for linking between ideas, which is also great down the line for creating “in line” links to past blog posts and theses ore increasing your blog’s page views and chances for more inbound links, the gold bloggers are digging for.
We have a full day creative blog writing workshop on Saturday, June 11 on New York. For more info, visit our site:
http://theblogworkshops.com
Congrats on you blog’s success!!
@Robin
I really appreciate YOUR praise, because you truly understand this medium. I hope my readers will sign up for your workshop on the 11th. I know you deliver and that this will be an empowering step forward for anyone wanting to begin the process. Thank you for commenting.
Jane,
You are setting a very good example. I only blog when there’s a topic I really want to communicate. You’re inspiring me to be more consistent and disciplined. I’ve learned from you over over a decade.
Wyn
@Wyn
Thanks so much for the acknowledgment. When I started blogging, my teacher said I had to commit to a minimum of 2x per week, and I believed her. Now I’m truly convinced that frequency and consistency are paramount in success. I’ve found that I’ve become inspired by the discipline oddly enough.