The Blogging Mindset: Blog About Stuff That You Actually Care About

I just read this article on the New York Times about "Blogging Your Way Into a Business". I find it interesting that regular folks like you and me can find their way into a lucrative enterprise by way of their blogs.

But here's the thing: I feel that this article, along with other features on other newspapers, magazines, even radio and TV shows, seem to perpetuate the idea that blogging for money is an easy thing. Maybe it is, maybe it's not- it totally depends on a number of things, in my opinion:

1> your ability to actually communicate effectively through writing,
2> your natural passion to share thoughts and ideas through writing,
3> your discipline and commitment to keep on sharing these thoughts and ideas,
4> and your aptitude towards picking up necessary skills and using them well, like internet marketing, networking, etc.

As you can see, blogging probably isn't for everybody. And if anybody's motivation is purely to make money out of blogs, don't expect those sites to be up for long.

If its one thing I've learned- no matter how hard you try to get into it- you can't write about stuff you don't care about for long. I have this particular blog- "Blog. Blogger. Bloggest: Renzie on Blogging"- mainly because I care about learning how to blog better, and helping other casual bloggers to build better blogs.

Over the past few months, I've positioned myself as a writer-for-hire. So I end up writing for anything from pet care products to industrial packaging and memory foam. I can tell you right now that it didn't quite work out very well.

Pets are alright- in fact, I have a couple of cats at home, but the truth is, I can only care so much about how memory foam is made, and there's just way too much fun writing about industrial-grade cardboard and plastic, right?

So I started working on a couple of other blogs- I now have one on radio and the music industry, another on gaming, and then another on food reviews. Kind of shows exactly what kind of guy I am, right? They're all in the content development stage right now, and not meant to be marketed yet until a few more posts. I also plan to write up one on TV, another on movies, another on business, and the project list can go on and on.

I know it's not going to happen just yet, or at least not anytime soon. I mean, it's great if I managed to stumble onto something lucrative doing this, but it really doesn't matter. For as long as you're doing something you absolutely like, something you feel really passionate about, you can just focus on developing good content.

Which is the whole point in developing the whole positive-reader-experience concept we've been talking about all this time.

Okay, maybe the money matters a little. Got bills to pay too, you know. But that's what the day job is for :)

Bottom Line: Blog about something you care about. Keep at it. But don't rely on it to put food on the table, or pay this month's rent.

Then again, you'll never know when opportunity comes knocking at your door, as a result of what you put online. And when it does, you'll be more than ready to take on new challenges, and reap the rewards of what you've sown.

Cheers, everyone!

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The Blogging Mindset: Preparation + Opportunity = Success

I remembered it hit me in the face when I saw it on an E! True Hollywood Story or something. It was a story about Keenen Ivory Wayans. You may know him as a successful and talented actor, comedian, director and producer- but for me, I will forever associate him with one of my most favorite sketch comedy shows of all time, "In Living Color".

Shout-out to my sister for getting me Season 1 on DVD, by the way. Great stuff.

Now from what I remember (I could be wrong, so bear with me), Keenen had always wanted to be a cast-member of Saturday Night Live- which has always been the benchmark for TV sketch comedy, even to this day. For some reason, he never made it into the show- but it didn't keep him from honing his craft, working on writing and directing and producing.

It wasn't long until he got noticed- this time, a TV network (FOX) presented him with the opportunity to have his own sketch comedy show- which we now know as "In Living Color", and which I think at the time was positioned against Saturday Night Live.

The show was groundbreaking. We know it now as the show that helped jumpstart the careers of Damon Wayans, Jim Carrey (back then credited as James Carrey), David Alan Grier, Jennifer Lopez (she was a Fly Girl!), and Jamie Fox. "In Living Color" went on for five seasons, until 1994- which was still a very respectable run for any TV series.

Brothers Damon, Shawn and Marlon Wayans all had fairly impressive movie careers already going on at the time the E! True Hollywood Story was done. I remember them crediting big brother Keenen for drilling into their heads this simple, but very important equation:

Preparation + Opportunity = Success.

And it has been a source of inspiration for me ever since. The story was something I've shared with people I've worked with- not just at the radio stations or the contact centers I've seen action in, but also with clients and friends.

It teaches us that success depends on two things: One- the amount of effort you put in to honing your craft, making yourself more marketable, essentially building yourself up. And Two- getting yourself into a position that opens doors for you, and grabbing the chance to showcase your skills when the opportunity presents itself. You need both to achieve success.

And yes, I believe in that.

It's no different for blogging. Building up your blog is the 'Preparation' part of the the equation. It gives you a chance to develop your writing skills, to get into the habit of churning out good content, and get completely immersed in the blogging lifestyle.

The 'Opportunity' part comes in when you start marketing your blog. You allow more people to check out your work, and you also put yourself in situations where you can get noticed by the people you want. You'll never know what you can find out there: making new online friends, getting offered to write for a blog network, getting invited to blogger events, being asked to talk about your blogging experiences at a workshop- the possibilities are endless.

In fact, blogging presents a lot of opportunities for anyone who's serious enough with it. Check out this posting for jobs for bloggers just for this month. And the way things are going, there's a rising demand for good, quality content- a need that can be filled if writing is your game.

So do you think you're ready? If so, then good for you- get yourself out in the spotlight and show us what you got. If not, well then keep building yourself up- and hope that, next time the opportunity presents itself- you'll be ready this time.

Hope this helps. Cheers, everyone!

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Social Networking For Blogs: Twitter

I've just successfully put up Twitter on a few of my blogs.

Twitter is a free micro-blogging service, which enables you to post updates of about 140 characters long- enough for a short sentence, and enough to tell people what you're doing, what you feel or what you're going through with just a few words.

You can go sign up quickly for a Twitter account here on their website. Once there, you'll want to start looking for friends who are also on Twitter. Eventually, you'll be able to 'follow' each other through little updates you leave online.

You can get the html codes for your Twitter account so you can embed it in your blog, MySpace or website. I was able to set up my Twitter on one of my Blogger blogs here, and also on my Multiply. It shouldn't be any problem setting it up on, say, a Wordpress blog- in fact, I'll get down to it once I'm done here.

Another interesting feature is that you can actually send Twitter updates via SMS- through your mobile phone. Which means you can easily tell people what you're having for lunch right at moment, or what you think of the latest Will Smith movie, or mention how you've spotted some local celebrity at a local mall or restaurant or something.

Give Twitter a try- I understand that it's probably not for everybody. It's just one of the many options available to you for keeping in touch with your online network- but not like you already need any more social media applications, right?

In any case, if you do feel like Twittering, do look me up- look for 'Renzie' and drop me a message. Cheers!

Read more about Twitter here on Wikipedia, or check out their website here.

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Blogology 101: Building Your Online Authority Through Blogs

Welcome to Blogology 101: Blogging For Beginners. In this post, we talk a little bit about how to slowly build yourself up as an authority figure using your blogs.

Even as I write this blog on blogging, I know I'm hardly an authority on the topic, knowing that there are so many others who have come before me- bloggers, and various other blogs about building a better blog.

The beauty of blogging, however, is that everything you write about is all about you, your opinions, your passions, and your experiences. Who knows? Maybe in a few years, I might actually just turn out to be a blogging guru of sorts. Or some authority figure in some other way.

In fact, when blogging, you should never be afraid of what people think, or if what you write about is right or wrong. Of course we all try to get our facts straight as much as possible, but beyond that, it's the whole "human" side of blogging that makes it so appealing. It doesn't get any more personal than that.

Authority is something given to you by your readers. I've known some not-so-heavy hitters literally become online superstars, and conversely, some real-life bigshots who are virtually unknown by the denizens of the blogosphere. You can be a complete unknown in a certain field- but as long as you're honest about what you post, and write from your experiences and opinions, and get people to read about you- it's really all you need.

For example- I'm not exactly a food critic by profession- I don't have a magazine column or a lifestyle section with my name on it on a newspaper. But I do have a genuine love for food (hence the girth), an appreciation for quaint, cozy hangouts, and I'm sure there are people out there who either would:

• a) like to read about food and quaint, cozy hangouts or
• b) like to share their thoughts about their own experiences on food and quaint, cozy hangouts.

In any case, it's a very viable target market. I don't have to be an authority figure just yet, but eventually, as I fill up my blog with more reviews on food, and stories of other cozy places, and links to other good reads, then perhaps more people will come read what I have going on, and keep coming back for more.

When that time comes, when people actually keep coming back to your blog to read about what you think about things, and when they bother to leave a comment, or interact with you in some way, then in a way, they have given their vote to you. They have given you some authority by simply patronizing your site.

So what's the plan? If I want to be recognized as a food critic, or at least one who recommends good food and quaint, cozy spots- then I'd better get down to writing about things along those lines.

Which is exactly what I'm doing now, as I'm taking bites out of this huge meatball sandwich I'm enjoying right now at this lovely little Italian deli/pizzeria called Fratelli's. My review of the place actually comes up in a separate blog entry elsewhere.

Keep blogging now, and authority comes later from your readers and regulars. Regardless of your stature in the real world, your online authority depends on the amount of work you put into your blog.

Personally, I'd tell you to build up both. Both online and offline authority. It's a great exercise in building and marketing the brand that is you.

Cheers, everyone!

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Blogology 101: Ten Tips For More Effective Blogging.

Welcome to Blogology 101: Blogging For Beginners. In this post, we touch on Ten Things to Keep in Mind for More Effective Blogging.

I suppose it doesn't matter whether you've only just begun or if you've been at it for a while. There are some rather basic things we can all come back to from time to time. Here are a few tips to consider if you're seriously into blogging.

1. Write now. When you have the urge to hammer away at a keyboard and churn out some words- go right ahead- there's no better time than right now!

It's called creative tension by some- where you suddenly find yourself wanting to write with a terrible sense of urgency- before the impulse to write goes away. And sometimes, it goes away just as quickly as it set in earlier on.

It might be just a spontaneous thing, but it's that all-too-important element of inspiration that matters. So if it hits you, don't ignore it. Write. And write right away.

2. Write regularly. It's all about setting a rhythm- not only for your readers, but also for yourself!

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. That should be just about enough time to allow your neural pathways to form loops in your system to help you go through the movements easier. But besides just forming habits, it also needs a conscious commitment on your part.

Blogs ARE commitments. As they take on a life of their own through new content and reader interaction, all the more they need you- the blogger- to sustain that life.

3. Focus. Know what you want to write about and stick to it. If you want to write about something else, well you can always have another blog :)

It's really all about contributing to the overall positive reader experience. Your readers go online because they're looking for something particular. If you say your blog is about technology, then give your readers technology.

This way, you not only give readers a reason to keep coming back, you also make yourself more marketable, and that's always a good thing.

4. Let your personality show. Your blog is all about you!

Personality is what separates you from other blogs, and even other media. There may be thousands of, say, music blogs out there, but only you can write about what YOU like, what YOU feel strongly about.

Ultimately, it's what makes blogging so interesting: you can let your passions show. Unlike newspapers or magazines, you can make your own rules, set your own standards, write anything however you want it written. You can, therefore, give your blog its own voice- your own.

5. Write for your target audience. Can't please everybody. At least appeal to the kind of people you want to keep coming back.

There are thousands, if not millions of blogs out there, and anybody can find a site that personally appeals to them- that's the whole beauty of the internet.

Your blog enjoys this same privilege; you don't HAVE to appeal to everybody- let radio and TV pander to the masses. Your blog should at least appeal to others who feel and think the same way you do. Ultimately, it's all up to you- whether you want to share about needlecraft and crocheting with mature homemakers, or write about digital audio and video editing for young entrepreneurs- the choice is all yours.

6. Offer something fresh. This is where the effort comes in. Or sheer luck. You never know when an idea is going to be big, right? So keep those ideas comin'.

The internet is both a boon and a bane. True, you can find just about anything online, but on the other hand, we've just about seen it all.

Offering something fresh might not be so hard- just ask yourself a simple question: what one thing interested me today? Then write about it. Put a personal spin into the topic. Slap on a picture, add a link, even share a video with it. You just gave your readers something to talk about.

7. Offer something useful. It's great to come up with something interesting. But it's even better to come up with something useful.

They say that the most successful ventures today should: a> help you save time, b> help you save effort> and c> help you save money. Or a combination of any two, or even better, all three.
Again, this is all part of contributing to the overall positive reader experience. It's what separates your blog from all the other websites that just waste your time.

8. Be neighborly. If you want others to read your blog, read others' blogs too. Drop a comment, interact and even cross-promote!

It's all about being a responsible member of the online community, really. Give credit where credit's due: if you like what you read, take some time to show your appreciation by leaving a short thank-you note, linking to the article, or even leaving a tip, if you feel like it.

In the same way, when people leave comments on your posts, thank them back. Make your site more visitor-friendly. Because you want people to keep hanging out on your blog.

9. Stick to short paragraphs, instead of writing long, looongg ones. Makes it a lot easier to read, and it's easier on the eyes.

Pretty much like taking bites off a sandwich rather than wolfing down the whole thing in one go; you want to make reading easier for those dropping by your blog.

Besides, portioning off content in this manner makes it easier for readers to scan through your article: maybe there's something specific they're looking for, or maybe they'd like to quote you on a post of theirs.

Make your posts easier for your guests to read. Again, part of the overall positive reader experience.

10. People love lists!

No idea what the psychological reason is behind this; but for me, I feel that lists offer a certain kind of structure that allows people to get the information they want right away- it's all for them to see in plain sight.

Furthermore, it encourages readers to compare notes with what they know or how they feel about the topic. "What are my own top ten favorite horror movies of all time?", "I think the author missed it with that one", or "I think #8 is more important than #3".

Lastly, even if there was no ranking involved, there's that element of suspense that gets built up until the list is done. And the reader would finally decide to what extent he agrees with your list, if he ever agrees at all. Then let the comments fly.

So there you have it: Ten Things to Keep in Mind for More Effective Blogging. Sure hope that helped. Of course, I'd sure love to hear your ideas and tips as well. So do let me know what you think!

Cheers, everyone!

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Blogology 101: The Blogging Lifestyle

Welcome to Blogology 101: Blogging For Beginners. In this post, we talk a little bit about The Blogging Lifestyle.

In my opinion, the beauty of blogging is that it complements any kind of lifestyle. You can be a fashionista, a political pundit, a geek, a fitness buff, movie critic, or be just about into anything- whatever it is, it works with blogging. Blogging works, as long as you have a genuine desire to share, and a passion to write (or blog) about it.

Because blogging is about sharing your experiences, and so long as people's interests are so diverse and varied and personal, there's just so much stuff out there to blog about. Take for example the topic of contemporary pop music- you can blog about your favorite artists, or share notes on how to play a certain song, or talk about a great new place to download music, or even follow your favorite artists online.

For blogging to work, all it needs (like we said earlier), is a genuine desire to be interactive; a true yearning to share your experiences with the world, and in turn, to appreciate other people's efforts to also share with you.

In fact, normally introverted people might actually find it much more comfortable for them to write online instead. And there are people who, finding difficulty speaking publicly, might actually discover that their thoughts flow more freely when typing it out onto a keyboard, and into a blog.

You can write as often as you want, and interact as much as you want. You can even create as many blogs as you want, just as long as you have the time and commitment to maintain all of them.

Depending on how casual or how serious you want to be as a blogger, there are just so many options available to you. For more serious bloggers, some even invest in more portable devices- laptops that allow them to blog whenever and wherever the compulsion hits them. Many have cameras to take pictures of whatever catches their fancy- anything they can blog about later on. Others invest in better audio-video capturing equipment to come up with their own podcasts or viral videos.

Welcome to a new digital age- an age where people make their own content and share it with others. User-generated content has never been more popular- which is why blogs are huge these days, in the same way YouTube, Facebook and other social networking sites are huge. It's all about people's desire to share, desire to discover, and desire to form communities.

It truly is a great time to get into the blogging- and there are just so many ways to go about doing it. Get into the blogging lifestyle now, and see how blogging works out for you.

Cheers, everyone!

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Blogger Essentials: The Asus EEE PC

Since my first post about my acquisition of one of these sexy Asus Eee PCs, there have been a number of posts and comments- more like questions, really- asking me what I think about it. So here's my effort to give it a personal review, hoping that this will be of help in your decision-making process- whether to get one of these babies for you, or not.

Read the rest of my personal review of the Asus EEE PC here on my other blog, "Renzie's Realm of Awesome".

Cheers, everyone!

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Blogging Lifestyle: How Many Blogs Can You Maintain?

Indeed, how many blogs can you realistically maintain?

This was one of the questions that came up in that nice little workshop of ours with Abe Olandres last 24 November 2007.

I got into blogging in March 2007. I knew nothing about how to start a blog, or what it was for, or what good it was to your everyday life.

Shortly after starting out with my first blog, I suddenly realized that I wanted to have a blog for each of my various interests. Soon enough I had one for music, another for TV and movie reviews, and then another on PC gaming, then one came up on business and marketing, followed by one on cats, another on writing, and it just went on and on.

Which was cool, in a way, since it let me toy around with different kinds of layouts and plug all sorts of widgets, and try out different blog services.

But I soon found out that, at the rate I was blogging- which at the time was only once or twice a
week- there was absolutely no way I could put any decent amount of content into any of them.

Which was why I have just recently made an effort to scrap some blogs, or merge others into larger ones in favor of a more streamlined blogging operation on my part.

The question really, is not "How Many Blogs Can You Maintain?" but rather "How Much Time Can You Put In Maintaining Your Blogs?"

Assuming you have a regular eight-hour job, plus a regular enough life (where you have to have meals, take a shower, do some other day-to-day homestuff, have a social life AND sleep for six hours), you realistically only have time to churn out one, maybe two decent entries a day. And that includes a little bit of adding links, putting in some images, tweaking the layout a little and even reviewing it some.

One or two articles a day, if you have a regular enough life. And that's probably a good day.

So given a regular enough life, you might be able to maintain- comfortably enough- anywhere from maybe two to three blogs. Five is pushing the limits of your human ability and sanity.

If you want to maintain more the aforementioned suggested human limit, well, you can always consider going professional blogging- which might possibly mean forgoing all forms of regular employment in favor of a life dedicated to blogs and blogging.

And while there are many successful professional bloggers- or pro-bloggers- out there, there is (more realistically) a far larger number of aspiring pro-bloggers that have achieved varying degrees of blogging success: from "moderately successful" to "absolute failure".

We go back to our question: "How Many Blogs Can You Maintain?"

The answer: As many as you want to, as long as you make time for it.

Make time for it, man. Starting a blog is easy. But making time for it? It's what separates the serious bloggers from most of everybody else.

Whether you blog weekly, monthly, or daily, remember that blogging does take a certain amount of commitment on your part. The more time and effort you put into it, the more you can reap from it later on.

Cheers, everyone!

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