I am very pleased to usher in the New Year with a Guest Post from a respected friend and influential blogger – James Richmond. James is dedicated to helping others – providing information and life lessons in the value of integrity, honesty and hardwork at TheInfoPreneur.
Write and Promote, write and promote.
8 long hard weeks have gone since I started TheInfoPreneur.net
and while exciting, it’s been extremely hard work. Some important
lessons have been passed onto my readers about the importance of
knuckling down and working hard. I can’t tell you how sad I get when
I see someone trying to promote their site or saying ‘how do you
get traffic so quickly?‘ The formula is easy, it just takes a lot
of sweat to put it into place.
The Secret to a Successful Blog? Hard work!
-
Work like a dog
This old saying is how every website owner should live their life.
A working dog works all day, doesn’t complain, doesn’t slack off and
certainly doesn’t use excuses for why they didn’t get their work done
today. You really have got to put the hours in when you first start
out. Take me for example, 8 weeks ago I started my site, since then I
‘ve published 117 posts and received over 650 comments.
Did I use an existing website or mailing list to drive traffic and
readers to me, no. When I started I had nothing, I bought the domain
and hosting and got to it, working as many hours as I could to get
the site off the ground.
-
You are the servant
I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is don’t
think of yourself as the elite boss, be a servant to your readers.
You can still talk with authority and they will listen, but be
willing to get on your hands and knees and graft for your readers,
visit their sites, reply to their comments and @ replies, answer
their emails. You are nothing without your readers so treat them with
the up most respect and be willing to put yourself out there as a
public service, not an elite listen to me impersonal website.
-
Sacrifice
Something has got to give when you want to go places. I’m not
saying I have given up my life and family to do all this, but I have
certainly given up a few luxuries in order to give me extra time to
work on writing content and promoting it. For me I write most of my
content in coffee shops, so I can combine my work and luxury there,
but as for parties, cinema etc, all on the back burner till I have
reached my goals.
My family mean the world to me and I give them just as much
attention and quality time, but I go to bed slightly later, get up
earlier and have the laptop on my knee when we are watching awful TV.
It may sound like a dull life, but I know what it’s like to grow up
with nothing and I mean nothing, so by making small sacrifices in the
short term, means my family will never have to go through life the
way I did all those years ago.
-
Honesty
This is the single biggest ‘x’ factor you need to generate a good
following. As David Risley always says, if you start a website to
make money it will fail. You need a goal, the purpose of my site is
to help others succeed in business and promoting their website, it’s
something I’m extremely passionate about. I don’t ha ve any adsense
on my site, no tacky unrelated ad’s cluttering up the place. To me
the message is more important than anything.
There have been quite a few posts recently about being honest with
your readers and be who you are etc, some of which have been
published on my site. People are not stupid and can see through lies
and deceit, be honest with who you are and what you want to achieve
then go and get it.
As a leaving thought I was talking on twitter with someone who
said if they could have a tenth of the success Gary Vaynerchuk has
had he would be happy, I replied straight back to him and said ‘you
should be aiming to have even more success than him’.
Get out there, write and promote, write and promote.
So, what do you think folks (dp)?
Related posts:
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{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent advice bud.
Ryan´s last blog ..deadmonkey2k10: I have a blog and love to write.. I just don’t know what to blog about.
Cheers Ryan,
Glad you liked it!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
Hey Ryan!
Just followed you on Twitter and added you to a couple of my lists. As for what to blog about…well thre are approximately 300 million North Americans who would probably be intersted in hearing about your experiences of living in the Middle East…(and that’s just for starters – hahah!).
Hang out with me, TheInfoPreneur and all the fine folks who have commented on our blogs and you’ll see how it’s done. The rest, as James says, is hard work and passion!
Nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by!
- Don
Excellent advice James. Success doesn’t come over night. it takes determination and hard work.
Rose´s last blog ..Using the right Keywords
Hey Rose,
Too many ‘pros’ are saying it takes two hours a day and you can travel the world. No you can’t it takes 2 pints of blood a day!
You can really tell who is going to make it by how much effort the owner puts into their site.
Thanks for the support
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
Thanks Rose! If I’d known how hard blogging was going to be, I don’t know if I would have even started – maybe that’s what took me so long to get started in the first place.
But one has to ask oneself – am I wheat or am I chaffe?
Am I going to get blown away come windy weather or am I going to become part of something bigger? (maybe a loaf of bread or a tatsy beer?).
OK, that metaphor was a bit of a stretch but the point is, no body ever died of hard work (what’s that…they have? …oh…)
Just blog, dammit, and think of England!
Good work James, you’ve set the work ethic pretty high for us and for that, you’ve distinguished yourself among your peers!
- Don
That is so true! So many people expect blogging to be easy. They expect visitors to just flock to their new blog, but do not realise that it takes a lot of time and effort – which is why so many quit after such a short period of time.
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com´s last blog ..Want To Access Over 190 Internet Marketing Resources FREE?
Hey Tom,
The old saying of ‘write and they will come’ is ridiculous beyond belief. You have to tell people you are here if you want it to be read more than your uncles sister!
Thanks for stopping by brother
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
Hey Tom!
Thanks for your comment and thanks for stopping by. I took a look at http://www.standoutblogger.com and you’ve got some high quality posts there too buddy.
Keep up the hard work!
- Don
Just felt like dropping by to way in on the blogging idea. It can be a great tool for stewardship as well.
113Tidbits´s last blog ..The Eyes Have It
Hey @tonyknuckes! Thanks for your comment.
What do you mean a blog is a great tool for stewardship? Do tell!
- Don
I was referring to how some people can get the word out to a variety of ppl by using their blogs. Either frequent readers or those that happen to be stopping by can learn of different causes for charity.
113Tidbits´s last blog ..The Eyes Have It
If you’re interested in using blogs/twitter/social media for the benefit of charities, please check out my friend @DannyBrown on Twitter. He is involved with 12for12K and also a great new 12 for 12K Community on Ning.
Cheers!
- Don
Be a servant to your readers? Sheesh, I thought they were there for my needs! What the f…..
Good one James! So many of us forget that we are there for the reader not some google bot!
Great progress in just 8weeks too, over 2 posts a day! Awesome….
Keith´s last blog ..Follow Up To Pagerank: It Really Doesn’t Matter
Hey Keith,
You are everywhere tonight!
Thanks for the support, haha you do come across the websites that think readers are there for them and not the other way round.
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
Keith – you are right up there with James on the work ethic brother. I see you all over the posts!
Great work!
Thanks for your comment.
BTW – still lush and green out here on the Wet Coast. How many chords of wood have you gone through so far this winter?
Cheers!
- Don
Actually I have been in Atlanta for the last week, but am driving back to mountains Wednesday, been getting snow the whole time I was gone so we will see if I can get up my road!
Thanks for the compliment, I think I finally found my place and I actually just enjoy writing and commenting on these topics more than my business topics…..
Keith´s last blog ..Follow Up To Pagerank: It Really Doesn’t Matter
Keith,
Want to guest post for me?
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
I liked the 1st point of ur very much. ” Be a boss to ur self & servant to ur readers”. This is the important point where many bloggers r failing today.Waiting to hear more from u…
-Krish
Krish – ptcearner55.blogspot.com´s last blog ..Tips To Make Money & Get Profited from HYIPs
Hey Krish,
Yeah we see it all the time don’t we, two weeks into having a website and already talking about how to make millions etc.
You are nothing without your readers, it’s as simple as that.
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..You Are Nothing Without Your Readers
I totally agree with working hard, knuckling down and putting in the hours will get you the results you want and networking with your readers is a must.
I would also stress the importance of implementing systems and creating habits that support your goals.
Regards,
Karl
Karl Foxley´s last blog ..Happy New Year And Welcome To 2010
habits and routine, good one! I don’t always write at the same time, but I do have a set rountine, whether I’m at costa coffee or at home.
Good one, happy new year!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..My Promise to You
So it’s James is it, the man behind theinfopreneur? Excellent article. You have said, and done so very well, a lot of the things that I myself have been promoting ever since I started to blog.
Don, your Tweet this button doesn’t work properly. Instead of tweeting the article it took me to some unrelated twitter page.
Sire´s last blog ..What Is This World Coming To When It Comes To Morals
Hey Sire, yeah the mask is unveiled!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..My Promise to You
Hey Sire!
Yes, James is the man! No secrets revealed though – his name’s on his about page
.
Darn – as for Tweet This – I can’t replicate the problem here. Can you tell me exactly where you clicked that button. James told me the same thing but I’ve had others tweet it no problem too. ARGHh! The worst kind of computer bug – an INTERMITTENT computer bug!
Thanks man!
- Don
donpower´s last blog ..The Secret to a Successful Blog? Write and Promote. Repeat. [Guest Post]
This is a great post and so very true, in the beginning I thought learning build blogs was a difficult part, now that to me is the best part. Thanks for the great info!
Jenny´s last blog ..Do Inline Text Ads Hurt Page Rank?– A Split Test
Cheers Jenny! Thanks for your comment. Can you tweet me one of your fave posts from newru whenever you think of it.
Cheers!
- Don
@donpower on Twitter (Same on http://www.sprouter.com/donpower)
donpower´s last blog ..How to Make Fire from a Block of Ice
Thanks for the support Jenny!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..How To Write Bucketloads of Content Without Going Completely Insane – Guest Post
I’d say that if the idea of being a servant to your readers sounds a bit scary, think of it more as being equals with your readers. Consider them your best friends, and think of ways to help them. If you are treating your readers to great information without solicitation, they will respect you and be happy to oblige with comments, subscriptions, and promotions because they know that what you are doing is in their best interest, and not your own (if that makes sense).
Kikolani´s last blog ..Reasons to Love CommentLuv Blogs
It makes sense …it’s trust!
Thanks Krisit!
- Don
donpower´s last blog ..How to Make Fire from a Block of Ice
absolutely makes sense Kikolani,
Thanks for the support, your humble servant! lol
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..How To Write Bucketloads of Content Without Going Completely Insane – Guest Post
Great post, I have read your other guest post, it rocks.. I like true people like you Don!
Hesham´s last blog ..Join The First Making Money Online Social Network and Bookmarks website
Thanks Hesh!
I like to associate with true people too, so I’m glad you’ve joined the great folks represented here!
Speakig about truth…just posted something new – political this time…current events in Canadian politics (with implications for any democracy) are making me grind my teeth today! Oh well, a vent evey now and again is acceptable I hope!
See you around the posts!
- Don
Without a doubt, starting a website to make money is not a sustainable business model. There must be substance to the site and it must provide value to its visitors – like your site!
I have seen a lot of websites put up that contain nothing more than a whole pile of affiliate links and banners and no real content to keep me interested. I quickly move on to the next website. They will not be online in 12 months, I am guessing.
Geoff
Hey Geoff,
Your totally right, be passionate about your goals and it’s readers, the rest will come
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Why You Have to Lead From the Front
Good post! It is no wonder 95% of people trying to make money online (blogging, affiliate programs…) fail because the do not put in the hours needed. The “get-rich-quick” B*S programs make people believe it is easy to make from a blog.It is not easy, and the pay is very low in the beginning too!
When I started blogging in 2006 I made 10 – 15 hour days for a long time before things started to take off.Today, I still do 5 hour days to find ideas for good posts and marketing my blog.
Tom – marketing tips´s last blog ..How To Use Twitter As An Education Tool
Hey Tom,
Good to see others who are of the same opinion. I wish there was some sort of screening so that we could weed out these ridiculous scams!
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Why You Have to Lead From the Front
There will always be the get-rich-quick schemes (scams). There is an internet marketer who lives in the same region as me. He spent a lot of time getting his business off the ground and put in the effort to make it work. Now he employs people to help him with it.
The surprising thing is he has written a book on how to do it in your sleep (make money that is). The book is okay but it does tend to gloss over the *true* amount of effort required to “make it” online.
I guess for him the book is just another way for *him* to make money as it is his business. It is disappointing though to see others fall for the GRQ scenario and go clambering for free tickets to his seminars and then come out with a lighter wallet or heavier credit card as a result of being *sold* a few key tools to “make it” online. Of course, all he is doing is building his email list and once they have bought a product from him, he has a pretty good chance of selling them more – lifetime value of a customer and all.
Anyway, this is long enough to be a post rather than a comment.
Keep telling it like it is.
Cheers. Geoff
Geoff
Geoff´s last blog ..Jan 10, What is Stress?
Hey Geoff,
Thanks for the support brother
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..I’m Going to Make It Really Easy For You
Nicely written and the dedication shows through. I agree with most everything. The one point I differ on is creating websites to make money. People do it all of the time, I’ve even done it. This isn’t my preferred method of monetizing online but it does work. I think the caveat you missed was to say making website just for money without a goal or purpose rarely works.
Congrats on your success and all that you have accomplished in the last couple months. It didn’t come easy or without hard work/effort.
The Real Josh´s last blog ..Develop A Story In Order To Sell More Products
Hi Brother,
I think I did outline that if you set out to make money but do it purely to make money without any vision etc you will fail, maybe I missed it out.
Thanks for the support
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..I’m Going to Make It Really Easy For You
Don’t get me wrong, I totally know where you are coming from and getting at. I just believe making money can be a big enough motivator for some people. They wont need to do anything other than throw up a site, throw some ad clicks at it and rake in the cash. No commenting, no customers, no emails, just producing one money machine after another. People do this everyday. For some that is enough. For others it isn’t.
Even with that. I know of “blogger” that use wordpress and daily content to target paying keyword for their ads that monetize that way. 0 comments, probably 0 emails and the site make money (the goal).
I just think the statement above was to much of a blanket statement. It really comes down to people’s motivations and how much they desire whatever that is. Some people just like making passive income online and as long as that is happening will write content and monetize. Just my .02.
The Real Josh´s last blog ..Develop A Story In Order To Sell More Products
Excellent advice James.
You are absolutely spot on here.
Let’s put it this way. If you were going on holiday and you didn’t know where you were going. How would you get there?
It’s just the same in business (websites included) without goals you have nothing.
matthew needham´s last blog ..How to make money in 2010: Best of Big Red Tomato Company 2009
This is so true and unless you have a goal other than making money you’re not going to get very far. It does show when you put in the time and effort and if you’re truly who you say you are.
Great work and awesome guest post here. Doing this, that I’m doing right now is exactly what it takes, and tons of it to really make it happen out there!
Eric´s last blog ..Ever Wanted To Write A Book? Think Of Your Blog As Your Novel
I think it gets easier once you establish one succesful blog,you can use it to leverage your next blog easily.I’ve seen Darren Rowse done it with his twitter blog in very short time.
Darn! I want blogging for dummies and automatic readers.
Ralph´s last blog ..Leaders are not enablers
Some people have purchased established blogs just to avoid the time consuming hours of starting one from scratch. It is something to consider if you have some money and would rather skip the estimated 400 hours you would spend into the first 6 months blogging (assuming you spend 20 hours per week on your blog).
I myself like learning and building from the ground up.
Dragon Blogger´s last blog ..Should You Have an Alexa Badge On Your Site?
Hey Dragon Blogger!
Yah – I’m with you. I have to know HOW something works before I can just dive in.
Which is really the main driving force behind donpower.ME – this is me learning how to blog from the inside out!
And now – a few months in, I tihnk I’m finally ready to launch another blog – this time focused on a different target audience – a daddy blog!
Thanks for your comment – sorry it’s taken a while to reply!
- Don
Hey James,
Wow…everywhere you post you leave those nuggets of wisdom! I appreciate people like you, the one’s who take the time to help others. It’s obvious that you’re not self-centered and I think that’s your secret to success. And you always point out the Hard Work factor. Those are traits that I want to carry over into my new blog. Thanks for what you do!
Bryan aka theDigitalDoctr´s last blog ..3 Ways Technology Can Help Your Business