4 Things That Haven't Changed in 4 Years of Blogging
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It was 4 years ago this month that I began blogging for Sugar Pine Realty in the Sierra foothills (near Yosemite). As a way of celebrating, I went back to see some of my very first blog posts. The best way to describe it: It was like looking back at my high school yearbook from the 1970s. (Some of you mathematicians are calculating my age right now.) Long hair, bell bottoms, Saturday Night Fever, etc. You get the picture. (How could we dress like that, those of you that remember?) I have come a long way since back then (I'm talking about blogging again), but there are some things that haven't changed is what I really wanted to highlight in this post and in the list below. May it be an encouragement to you to keep at it no matter what year you find yourself in in your blogging career...
4 Things That Haven't Changed in 4 Years of Blogging:
1. I still have to work hard at it.
Anyone who writes can relate. I've stared at a blank computer screen many an hour. (I've even done it for a portion of this post, quite frankly.) We live in a culture that wants everything the easy way (I sometimes do), but nothing worthwhile ever comes like that. If you're having to sweat a little (figuratively speaking), then you're on the right track.
2. I still need to read what others are writing.
Cars don't get very far on "E" (empty). Similarly, bloggers don't either. So I schedule time to read (like going to a gas station for a fill up). I use a newsreader and subscribe to other bloggers, etc. New subject matter and ideas, exposure to other styles, what works, what doesn't work ~ it all comes from reading. Then I have something to give.
3. I still enjoy focusing on encouraging others.
It's just plain important to have a focus no matter what it is that you're doing. My focus is encouragement. Sure, I blog for a real estate company. But if you've read much of my stuff you'll notice that in between the statistics and the new technology posts, etc., are writings meant to build up and encourage people. (Some examples: You Matter, When You're Coming Apart At The Seams, Defining Moments, 3 Things To Remember About Starting Over.) So what's your focus?
4. I still have a lot to learn.
If I've learned anything over the years, it's this: The more I know, the more I know I don't know. When I started out blogging I had no clue about the importance of finding your voice as a writer (you have one you know), the need to promote posts via rss feeds, podcasting and social media (Twitter didn't exist like it does today) and so much more. The bottom line is blogging will continue to change from where it is right now just like it has over the last 4 years. And if I want to continue to be successful at it, I need to remain teachable and open to new things.
4 Things That Haven't Changed in 4 Years of Blogging:
1. I still have to work hard at it.
Anyone who writes can relate. I've stared at a blank computer screen many an hour. (I've even done it for a portion of this post, quite frankly.) We live in a culture that wants everything the easy way (I sometimes do), but nothing worthwhile ever comes like that. If you're having to sweat a little (figuratively speaking), then you're on the right track.
2. I still need to read what others are writing.
Cars don't get very far on "E" (empty). Similarly, bloggers don't either. So I schedule time to read (like going to a gas station for a fill up). I use a newsreader and subscribe to other bloggers, etc. New subject matter and ideas, exposure to other styles, what works, what doesn't work ~ it all comes from reading. Then I have something to give.
3. I still enjoy focusing on encouraging others.
It's just plain important to have a focus no matter what it is that you're doing. My focus is encouragement. Sure, I blog for a real estate company. But if you've read much of my stuff you'll notice that in between the statistics and the new technology posts, etc., are writings meant to build up and encourage people. (Some examples: You Matter, When You're Coming Apart At The Seams, Defining Moments, 3 Things To Remember About Starting Over.) So what's your focus?
4. I still have a lot to learn.
If I've learned anything over the years, it's this: The more I know, the more I know I don't know. When I started out blogging I had no clue about the importance of finding your voice as a writer (you have one you know), the need to promote posts via rss feeds, podcasting and social media (Twitter didn't exist like it does today) and so much more. The bottom line is blogging will continue to change from where it is right now just like it has over the last 4 years. And if I want to continue to be successful at it, I need to remain teachable and open to new things.
Labels: blog, blogger, blogging, homes for sale, iphone, lake tulloch real estate, mother lode, real estate, real estate tuolumne county, real estate twain harte, sonora real estate
3 Comments:
I have those 4 things in common with you! I've been blogging for a not as many as 4 years but it's getting close. I still feel like I have to work at it, I still love reading and learning about it and I love most encouraging people to do well for themselves. I think that's why I love coming here so much..because even though we are in different specialties - the approach and goals have a lot of overlap. Great reflection!
it's finding time to read that I find trickiest - but having said that, I haven't been doing much reading recently and ALSO haven't been finding much to write about...case proved?
Thanks for this blog and the encouragement--really needed it today. Definitely going to check out the other topics you listed here :) (and follow you on Twitter which is where I found you in first place as you've started to follow me!)
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