Have An Indispensable Blog in 2010
One of the phrases we hear thrown around a lot in the blogging industry is “adding value.” In fact, many would assert that adding value to others is the key to success in the social media and marketing arena. I want to challenge you to think beyond this buzz word in the next year and decide to become downright indispensable.
Do you understand the difference? Let me put it in perspective. Perfume adds value, but deodorant is indispensable (for most of us). A caramel macchiato adds value, but water is indispensable. We tend to think that the macchiato is more valuable than water, but ask the guy stranded in the middle of the Sahara which is more valuable – he’ll choose the water, guaranteed.
When we add value, people tune in to what we have to say, at least for the moment. But when we’re indispensable, people cling to us for dear life. If you’re a blogger, the challenge is simple – find a way to make yourself more than valuable to people – make your blog an indispensable resource.
To keep up with what’s happening in the world of social media, I turn to Mashable. For news about developing technologies and tech startups, I call upon TechCrunch. And for what’s happening in business and finance, I trust Fast Company.
I have a personal vision to see Fuel Your Blogging become an indispensable resource for bloggers, so I’m going to work extremely hard to make that happen. I’m challenging you to do the same. What’s your niche or industry? Who is your target reader? And how do you become the blog people seek out for more-than-valuable content? When you answer these questions, get ready to work excessively hard!
Pete Cashmore started Mashable at the age of 17 and posted several times per day himself – breaking and tracking stories on every new technology imaginable. This took tremendous work. Michael Arrington has a similar story and gets heavily criticized for his magazine’s reviews of tech startups, which merely demonstrates the power and weight of his words when it comes to his niche.
You may be reading this with some amount of trepidation and the assumption that these spots are already filled by the people I’ve mentioned, among plenty of others. But I would argue that your blog can become an indispensable tool to one reader at a time. It’s a long-term goal that requires daily diligence and a commitment to excellence.
I have a few thoughts about how to work toward the goal of being indispensable…
- Chart your course and determine where you want to go. How do you want your blog to be regarded by your community?
- Focus on content first. Deliver the goods and make your value obvious.
- Be professional – be committed to being a cut above the rest in terms of branding and design.
- Be there, in the moment, when news happens.
- Be there, with answers, when problems arise.
- Think big. Do what you would do if you were bigger than you are. Then, be bigger.
- Stretch yourself – stay out of ruts and comfort zones.
- Be unique – offer something readers can’t afford to miss.
- Remain open to critique and discussion, so others feel free to group up around you.
- Listen to the needs of your readers, but think of your potential readers even more.
I simply want to challenge you to be more valuable than ever in the upcoming year. Find a way to be indispensable and you won’t be begging for an audience, you’ll be begging for help in serving the needs of an ever-growing readership.
Brandon, I completely agree with you. There are tons of blogs out there in whatever niche we are in, and a lot of them are providing good valuable content. But I think that even in a crowded niche, we can still be indispensable. I don’t think my blog is at that level yet but I am trying my best everyday to separate myself from being just valuable to being completely indispensable.
While I don’t think a blog can ever fully attain that goal, (Remember the old adage, Nobody is indispensable) I do believe that that should be the goal of a blogger and he/she should strive for it daily.
Also, thank you for giving us those pointers at the end of the article. I will be applying these thought to Design Informer. Keep up the great work on Fuel Your Blogging.
No problem, and you’re doing an awesome job on your blog – keep it up!
I agree with you, Brandon. The blog looks great and visually appealing.
Hope all of us can be the owner of indispensable blog within our niche soon.
Good luck!
Very inspiring. And you’re making me think… Thank you. ♥
No problem Layne, that’s what I’m on earth for!
Hi Brandon,
For me, it is always a good idea to have huge ambitions such as to make our blog as indispensable within our niche for example. Although it can be hard, every little effort that we put in will definitely bring something good for us and our blog.
Rather blogging without huge ambition, we will try to put in at least some efforts to reach our goal. From there, it will then directly improve our blogs for the efforts we put have put in.
In the end, although if we fail to reach the goal we have set earlier, the efforts will make our blogs better than before and other blogs with no goal in front of them – they can be better or maybe can be worst than before.
Cheers!
An abslutely perfect point – what’s the harm in trying? Thanks!
Another insightful post, Brandon. Great job!
Thanks so much, Erika!
Well, you have officially “fueled” me up. First time on your blog and bam, it’s bookmarked. Thanks for the insightful, informative and passionate post.
No problem, Diana, we aim to please!