Blogging Focus: Are You Losing Yours?
When we first start out in blogging we are driven to create content that is focused towards a goal – the whole reason we started blogging. This could be to educate or to entertain. To inspire or to inform. Whatever the reason you started blogging, I bet that right from the gate you were posting content that lined up with that focus, because that is how you get new readers and subscribers – right?
Isn’t it funny that as we grow our blogs, whether they become successful or seem to stagnate. That after time the majority of them seem to start to slowly start to lose their focus as bloggers start to run out of things to say, or get caught up in the latest fad – even though it provides no value to the focus and direction of the blog.bet that right from the gate you were posting content that lined up with that focus, because that is how you get new readers and subscribers – right?
Isn’t it funny that as we grow our blogs, whether they become successful or seem to stagnate. That after time the majority of them seem to start to slowly start to lose their focus as bloggers start to run out of things to say, or get caught up in the latest fad – even though it adds no value to the focus and direction of your blog.
Coming Back To Your Blogging Focus
This is something that has been happening to the posting on SOB. I became so focused on the fact that I need to keep posting content to keep people coming to my blog that I started posting about things that were not relevant to the focus (and the main reason I started) this blog – ‘To INSPIRE and to EDUCATE’.
Hopefully, you still remember the reason you started you blog. If you do, then the next step is really easy – refocus your posting back in the direction you started! However, if it has been so long and you have forgotten the reason you started blogging, then let me recommend you one thing that will really refocus your direction and re-ignite the old passion that you had.
Look back are your first blog posts!
You know what? Your posts may have been terribly amateur, but look back at the passion and drive that you wrote with. I have a list of my most popular posts in the footer of this blog, and as I look over even the titles of these, I see that they are all written with the focus and direction of this blog in mind – ‘To INSPIRE and to EDUCATE’.
As I read over these posts, I see personality and passion – which will always be evident when we are writing about what we love (which should be why we are blogging, otherwise your blog will become bland and tasteless – and who wants to read scientific journals?).
Now we have found our blogging focus again, the bigger question is, “What are we going to do, to make sure that we don’t lose our focus again?”
Planning = Focus & Direction
I quote this quote a lot, but it is just so good!
“He who fails to plan, plans to fail”
This section hurts me as much as anyone. I will be the first to admit that I am not a very organised person, and that structure does not come easily to me. I love the idea of writing whatever comes into my mind at the time. I love being free from restraint so that my thinking is not being restricted to think a certain thing at an given time. BUT THAT DOESN’T WORK!
I have tried both having a structure a not having a structure (MANY TIMES!), and I always find that when I have a structure and plan out what I am doing, post on specified topics – my blog starts to grow. But when I start posting ‘when ever I feel like it’ or ‘as I’m inspired’ I find that I start to veer from the direction of my blog, I get less comments, the posts are not as popular, and I start to feel like I am treading water.
So, I am going to leave it there for now. Because I want to go deeper with planning on my next post (and let you know what my plan for StandOutBlogger is) and maybe even introduce something that will help all of us stick to our blogging focus! Let me know what your blogs focus and direction are, and how you go about staying on track.
19 Responses
9.9.2009
Keep it simple and stick with what has worked.
9.9.2009
This is good to think about. I am still trying to find “the focus” for my blog. Or I wonder if a blog gives us those moments where we don’t have to focus.
It’s our blog. We can do what we want.
I wonder if Shoemoney has these problems.
Good post. Good food for thought. Thanks.
9.9.2009
Carl – I can definately see where you are coming from, but I think Shoemoney has the credibility behind him that people will follow him no matter what he talks about.
If you look at bloggers like Darren from ProBlogger.net, you will see a well structured blog that sticks to the focus. So obviously it works both ways, but I don’t really have any reason for people to follow me other than my content at the moment – so I think I’ll stick with having a structure.
9.10.2009
Focus, passion and intent – those are the keys to success.
‘course, it also helps to be kicked in the teeth by life and recognize what’s REALLY important to you as well. Your blog will end up reflecting that.
9.10.2009
Barbara – That is so true! I frequently get those kicks that really re-align my priorities!
9.13.2009
Being out of topic to talk about is one major problems many bloggers face and I admit that I fell of the same trap. However I kept reminding myself that I can do it and nothings going to stop me from achieving my goals. Even losing focus. :-)
9.15.2009
Focus of a blog…well is not bad to go foward to your goals, but as we are not just machines and we can have some different phases fromday to day i guess i quite ok to lose a bit of this focus and try to abord some others subjects, as long a these stages are not so long to become boring or unitrested. I cant imagin somone building a blog without a certain target, that is why as long as you are on the way to that point is not so bad if you are doing a little detour. But dont forget the initial road and get back on it ASAP.
9.16.2009
Developing and maintaining that focus, particularly early on in blogging, can be a real challenge.
I think it’s important to keep posting, which will lead to a tighter focus. For me, I wondered why I had put up some post because they were really what I considered off-topic for where I was trying to go. This made me narrow the focus to what I most like to write about.
Nice post. Every blogger has probably experienced this at some point in time.
9.21.2009
Appreciate your advises, me too, tend to lost focus and writes what i feel interesting at that moment which does not help in promoting my blog.
9.30.2009
Yes. Simple answer, I am losing it lol… but I think it’s hilarious you mentioned how amateur our posts were when we first started because I did look back recently and was thinking “what the hell was I on when I wrote these?!”
But it also helped me develop a LOT so that’s a good thing.
I actually started to plan, like you, so I can try to take everything to the next level. I guess we’ll see how we do!
Jay
10.3.2009
I really like the new design of your website Tom. Greg Ellison
.-= Greg Ellison´s last blog ..Rugs on my floors and office setup =-.
10.3.2009
Thanks Greg,
I am still working on getting it all sorted out, but I am excited because I am refocusing the direction of the blog to continue growth.
10.3.2009
Hey Tom, Great post I’ve been feeling a little lost or not focused as you mentioned. I thought at first that it was something to do with the summer months and being out in the sun and nature and not attached to the cp as I should of been. I do however with the fall seasons coming along feel the need to settle down and get focused and maybe even branch out in a new direction or try something outside the box. BTW I absolutely loved the wedding photos, especially the sepia’s with a touch of watercolor wash just breathtaking also the very simple yet elegant bouquet of all roses was definitely a touch of class. Congrats. once again to the both of you… many long years ahead. jj
.-= jj-momscashblog´s last blog ..Malware Virus & What You Should Know About It =-.
10.3.2009
Hey JJ,
I know exactly what you mean. I have been home from Canada for over a month now and I am only just getting back into the swing of things now! Thanks, we think the photos turned out great, and it was an amazing day :D
10.4.2009
Hey man, nice new design! I’ve seen some glitches although I know the new design isnt complete yet.. Glad to see you back posting. :D
.-= Melvin´s last blog ..Problogger Forums Is Fine As Long As… =-.
10.4.2009
Thanks Melvin! Yea still a fair bit to go, but trying to take the focus of my blog from just being a blog to something that is more. Which is exciting, but trying to get everything perfect is taking it’s time :D
10.8.2009
To succeed in posting bolgs, it is essential to concentrate on of the content. It is true that the elegant look makes sense for a successful blog, but a valuable and relevant content can add more value to it’s success.
10.9.2009
I lost focus in blogging as soon as I realized I was making much money, lol.
-Mike
10.9.2009
Mike – That is a fair enough call! it is definitely all about finding what works for you and for some people that is not going to be blogging – but for some it will be.