Are you having little success with your blog? Has your subscriber count barely hit double digits since you started the blog six months ago? Is your monthly affiliate/PPC revenue not even enough to afford you a cup of coffee? Well, quite possibly you could be following the seven habits of highly defective bloggers.
The other day when I was reviewing Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I discovered that if you reverse the habits and apply them to blogging they end up categorizing ‘defective’ bloggers perfectly. Let me show you what I mean…
Habit 1: Be Reactive
Defective bloggers are completely dependent upon external circumstances for the success of their blog. They constantly point the finger at their age, their gender, how they look, or their education for how poorly their blog is performing. They react to situations around them, blaming others like Google, Digg, that big-named blogger who refuses to link to their site, or just about everyone except themselves for their lack of success. They never come to the realization that all along, the power lies with them.
The opposite, being proactive, implies that you take responsibility for your own success or failure. You don’t blame it on the circumstances surrounding you, but prefer to take power in your own hands. John Chow, for example, could’ve whined about Google banning him (or Technorati or Digg for that matter…) but he was proactive and discovered other ways to increase his popularity. Scott Young, another one of my favorite bloggers, started a personal development blog at 17 and has been very successful despite his young age.
Excuses will always be there. Be man (or woman) enough to accept the fact that your level of success in life is only as big as your thoughts.
Habit 2: Begin with No End in Mind
Defective bloggers do not have any real purpose or direction with where they want to take their blog. As a result, they’ve discovered a sure-fire way of going and growing nowhere.
If you’re blogging just to provide an outlet for your thoughts and feelings and could care less if other people read them, then go write in a journal. However, if you’re like most bloggers who want a larger reader base, more subscribers, more revenue, or better SEO, then it’s crucial that you set a goal and devise a plan to achieve it.
Habit 3: Put Last Things First
Defective bloggers have a knack for getting into the “thick of thin things.” They waste time with constantly checking their stats, surfing the web, daydreaming, making a sandwich, and so on. Writing their actual blog post seems to be always pushed to the end and as a result they fail to post consistently.
If you want to be a successful blogger then putting first things first with blogging is essential to your success. If you can, dedicate a specific time every day to write and do nothing but that. Forget the sandwich. Put down that remote. Turn off your internet. Use that time solely to write and make it a priority. Keep in mind some of the other “first things” such as responding to comments and emails, visiting and commenting on other blogs, and researching/brainstorming for future posts.
Habit 4: Think Win/Lose
Defective bloggers are selfish. They ask for links but don’t give out any; They freely accept comments on their blog but don’t bother ever leaving comments for anyone else; They base the worthiness of responding to someone based on their page rank or popularity; And they refuse to trackback to someone else’s article despite that article having inspired them to write theirs, thinking it will “help the competition.”
Having a win/win attitude in blogging is where you seek out mutually beneficial relationships with other blogs. You give credit where credit is due, dish out link love, engage with other bloggers, get involved with discussions, memes, group writing projects, contests and so on. You know that by helping lift other blogs, eventually it will come back to lift your own. (Check out Darren Rowse’s (from ProBlogger.com)thoughts on ‘competition’)
Habit 5: Seek to Misunderstand and to be Misunderstood
Defective bloggers are out of touch with their readers. They refuse to read other blogs in their niche, considering them “not worthy” of their time; They could care less what suggestions or comments are given to improve their blog, allowing comments and emails to go unanswered; And they fail to thank their readers for their support.
Being in touch with your readers means a lot more than simply responding to comments and emails. It’s understanding what is going on in the blogosphere (and the world) related to your niche. It doesn’t matter if your the most prominent blogger in your niche or just starting out, take time to understand what others are doing and saying. It’s also being sensitive to readers suggestions and ideas. I’m not saying you have to pander to your readers, but when a reader feels they are important and appreciated, you’ll have that reader for life.
Habit 6: Blog in a Bubble
Defective bloggers have somehow missed the boat when it comes to what blogging is really about. They feel content to live in their own little blogging bubble, posting day-after-day, and misering away their thoughts and ideas with the hope that readers will come.
Blogging is, by nature, a social medium, so trying to go at it all alone will only hurt you in the end. Get involved with other bloggers by inviting them to guest-post on your blog and seek out opportunities to guest-post on theirs. Network with other similar blogs creating a synergy of influence. And where possible, allow your readers to do some of the leg work for you — whether that’s administering forums, submitting ideas, offering prizes, participating in polls and so on.
Habit 7: Stay As Sharp As a Pound of Wet Liver
Defective bloggers never take time out for self-renewal. Going balls-to-the-wall, they try keep a frantic posting pace eventually burning out. They begin blogging with a number of fresh ideas but sooner or later the idea pool dries up and they putter along, posting only when something new smacks them upside the head.
Keep your blogging tools sharp by making sure you take some time out for a little self-renewal. God created the world in six days and on the seventh He rested from his labors. Use this model to once a week dedicate your own Sabbath Day where you can clear your mind, walk in nature, meditate, talk with people face-to-face, do some exercise, and basically get away from blogging for a bit. This will not only do wonders for your own health but for the health of your blog as well.
Conclusion
I have to say, I definitely suffer from some of these habits myself. It’s been a real awakening experience to write this post and see many of my own faults reflected in them. Becoming a successful blogger, like personal development, is a process. No one is born a blogging phenom. Even the best of bloggers have taken their lumps with some of these bad habits, but all have learned to eventually turn them into strengths.
Great blog, I highly agree with it. I hope to hear more from you!!
Left by laforge129 on October 2nd, 2007
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LAFORGE129,
thanks for the comments. You’ll definitely be hearing more from me
- Erich
Left by Erich on October 2nd, 2007
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Left by Speedlinking - 4 October 2007 on October 4th, 2007
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Left by » Speedlinking - 4 October 2007 on October 4th, 2007
[...] From the article: “Are you having little success with your blog? Has your subscriber count barely hit double digits since you started the blog six months ago? Is your monthly affiliate/CPC revenue not even enough to afford you a cup of coffee? Well, quite possibly you could be following the seven habits of highly DEFECTIVE bloggers.”read more | digg story October 4th, 2007 [...]
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[...] Den Ineffektive Bloggers 7 Vaner Posted By: Mikael Published in Alt det andet (No Ratings Yet) Loading … 4Oct I morges var jeg en tur forbi en blog som jeg ellers ikke har læst før, men jeg blev overrasket over kvaliteten. Bloggen er simpel i sit layout, men indholdet er af rigtig høj kvalitet. Erichs blog LifeTrainingOnline har taget hul på en omvendt Steven Covey (7 habits of highly effective people) og har relateret den til det at blogge. [...]
Left by » Den Ineffektive Bloggers 7 Vaner The Ant Philosophy: The Ant Philosophy handler om ikke at lade sig slå ud af modgang. Alle kan få det liv de gerne vil have hvis de ikke lader sig slå ud. on October 4th, 2007
I agree almost completely with all of your points in terms of building a blog business. They’re excellent tips and help remind others that building a blog business is all about the community. But I am tired of the assumption that everyone writes a blog to make money (habit #2). Blogging didn’t start out as a money-making venture and there are those of us who retain a blog to connect with others, share with family, etc. I’ve been blogging for 6+ years, more than probably 90% of the folks out there, so please don’t tell me to go write in a journal (which I do as well). It’s insulting. *Rant off*
Left by Christy on October 4th, 2007
[...] During my morning reading, I followed a link which led me to a link, which led me to 7 Habits of Highly Defective Bloggers on Life Training Online. It’s an eye-catching headline for many reasons, such as the obvious parallels with the famous book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and the fact that everyone wants to know what’s wrong with them. It’s hard not to take a title like that personally if you’re new and unsure of yourself. [...]
Left by Here to Create » Embrace Opportunities to Learn on October 4th, 2007
Christy,
Thanks for your comments.
Habit 2 does not exclusively refer to making money, but as it states, it includes any number of goals such as more readers, subscribers etc. (This is obviously not all-inclusive)
If your goal is to reach your family or friends in a meaningful way, than that is having a purpose and that is the whole point of Habit 2. If you don’t want anyone reading it then, like I said, go write in a journal (which I enjoy doing as well ;)).
Left by Erich on October 4th, 2007
Bring on Double Digits!
Left by Carson on October 4th, 2007
This is another great article found in this site. It prompted me to think of “The 7 habits of top/successful bloggers”. I made a Google search on this. Wow! 2,000,000 related info.
Thks.
Left by chtanxw on October 4th, 2007
Hi,
I think that these are great points. I do have to admit that I sometimes check my stats a little too often, but really shouldn’t be focusing on that. In time, my readership will grow.
I also noticed that exercising will keep the mind and body rejuvenated. Always helps me.
Thanks,
Richard
Left by Richard Rinyai on October 4th, 2007
Richard,
It’s amazing what even a little bit of exercise will do to keep your mind and body rejuvenated. Unfortunately, with our crazy busyness, this is an often neglected part of our lives.
- Erich
Left by Erich on October 4th, 2007
Great post. I guess you summed me up almost perfectly.
Except for the fact that I DOO leave plenty of comments
while surfing others blogs.
I always feel embarassed offering link swaps, so I just go
on my merry way, blogging into oblivion.
I’ll definitely take your points on board though as they’re
very well contructed.
Many thanks,
Pete.
Left by Pete on October 4th, 2007
Pete,
Thanks for the support. Sometimes the thing which holds us back is simply asking.
- Erich
Left by Erich on October 4th, 2007
Great article.
I have been working on my blog fairly seriously for about two months now. I definitely have fallen into some of those traps.
I have also had some good success doing some of the things that you outlined.
Keep up the good suggestions.
Left by VitaiminCM on October 4th, 2007
Thanks VitaiminCM
Left by Erich on October 4th, 2007
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This is very useful, I am guilty of some of these bad habbits, will take these into account in future. Thanks
Left by Ayopeju Falekulo on October 6th, 2007
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Made me comment!
Thanks for putting it out there - it’s always good to be reminded!
Left by Andrew on October 15th, 2007
Thanks Andrew!
Left by Erich on October 18th, 2007
[...] Erich discusses The 7 Habits of Highly Defective Bloggers in an entertaining and informative post. I like the catchy title, and the article makes some important points. [...]
Left by Making Money Online Carnival » Pat B. Doyle on October 22nd, 2007
I really stayed away from blogging and opted for a website instead because I understood you had to post everyday and some said to post more than once a day at that. It semed a bit overwhelming to me, especially since I was just starting out. It’s nice to hear we can take some time off and still keep our readers. The whole networking thing is new to me too.
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