What differentiates your blog. What attracts people to blogs is more about the person behind the writing than the actual writing itself. Try checking out all the top blogs and they are personality driven. What I mean by that is it is the brand of the author that transcends the content itself. Of course the content goes a long way to developing the online brand of the author, but when it is established the content is less important.
I hesitate to say that it is the personal brand of the author, rather it is the online persona which is created and used to market the blog. This is why companies and corporations have a hard time blogging, it’s all about online personality, conversely this is why a lot of blogs are boring.
I’m sorry to say this, well not really. But most people are average, normal and boring. Not that there is anything wrong with that, some of my best friends are average, normal and boring. When it comes to reading something, people want a bit of spice, a bit of pazazz, even when it’s around factual based information.
Making money from blogging can be done, I havent made anything from this blog so far but I make a lot with it. Starting a blog these days, even in a narrow niche is difficult because of the amount of competition out there. A lot of the blogs espousing problogging as a way to get rich got their readership back in the days of when the it was all wide open plain and you could stick your flag in the ground and build your blog empire.
But a blog is a fantastic tool if you use it to market what you already have. The point is, there is an easier way to make money using a blog than simply picking a subject, slapping on the advertising and building a readership.
My point is, you can learn all the tricks in the books, learn everything about blogging there is to learn (it’s a good idea to do that), but at the end of you day it is YOU who will be making the difference. You will be the reason why people will come or ignore your blog.
Just because you want to be a blogger doesn’t mean you will be a good one. From looking at the amount of blogs out there I would say you have 1 chance in 100. In that for every 100 blogs started only one is worth it.
But if you have the cajones? If you have that little twinkle in your eye. If you simply wish to succeed no matter what it takes. You should remember your secret weapon. YOU!
Do not be afraid of leaking your personality all over your blog. I’m not. And yes it may mean objectivity may be compromised, but people do not go to a blog for dispassionate, bland facts and figures. They visit to read what someone has to say.
Whatever you say, say it with a little style, a little panache. Shout it from the rooftops. Make sure people know what you think. Dare to challenge the status quo. Stir it up a little, take on a bully or two.
Ultimately, be yourself.