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Blogging: sticking to your uniqueness is hard
February 24th, 2009
The world doesn’t want you to be unique. Even though you keep hearing “be yourself” or “be authentic”, the reality is that everything around you is built around the fact that you won’t be unique. The world is built around that concept and also that most people will simply want to follow the latest trends. Blogging and Internet Marketing is no exception. A lot of people sell packages that will make you just like everyone else and a lot of blogs are at the top of the top because they write “top 10 tips” articles just to make you like everyone else. Those same persons and blogs also tell you to come up with a unique idea to make it big.
I thought of stopping here
I thought of stopping here, but then that would have been a too short article. Is it a problem? Well, it would’ve been because you expect me to write a much longer article. Why? Because that’s what most people do. But in fact there is no problems about writing short posts, Seth Godin’s blog made the Time’s top 25 blogs list this year with nothing but short posts. Ironically, that’s probably why he made it in the top 25 blogs. If Seth was just like everyone else and was simply writing the way most people say you should write to please the search engines or to get ReTweeted, he wouldn’t be on the list. Still, most bloggers will tell you you don’t know a crap about writing if you go with short posts. I know, Steth is Seth.
It’s hard
Most people are very unique when they start producing content online because they know nothing about blogging: they just have a very unique idea and approach. It all change very quickly though when they start reading articles about how they should write and how they should generate traffic. From that moment, they become like everyone else with the same formula and approach.
Traffic is usually the reason that will get you to change the way you produce your content. It is easy to change the way you write or act simply because you don’t have traffic. I think a better approach would be to build a very solid small fan base and work from there, rather than targeting 99% of the population. But that’s just me.
The bottom line is that sticking to your uniqueness is hard because of every single person/blog/website trying to make you just like everyone else.
Some examples
Because Frogstr is mostly about Internet Marketing, I received a lot of comments and emails on a lot of things blogs about Internet Marketing should do to attract more readers and traffic. Here are some of them:
- “Ben, you should run a contest and have people subscribe by email”. That’s not what I do.
- “Ben, you should have a RSS contest against another blogger”. That’s not what I do.
- “Ben, you should offer a free ebook on subscription”. That’s not what I do.
- “Ben, you should write everyday”. That’s not what I do, I write when I have something to say.
I think you get the idea. Yes, these techniques work and I could maybe have twice the amount of traffic and 10 times more subscribers at this time, but that’s not the way I do things. It might not be the best way or the right way, but that’s my way.
What’s your way?
That is my question. What is your way? Are you doing things differently because of what everyone tells you to do? Are you doing what you think is right for you? Tell me.
55 Responses to “Blogging: sticking to your uniqueness is hard”
What do you think?
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Well… I suppose by now you know my stance on-thing-we-are-supposed-to-do-to-become-generic-blogging-drones.
btw on contests. I was approached by UPrinting to host contest/giveaway – they do a lot of this. Was thinking what type of contest should I run and realized that I don't want to ask anything (subscription, tweets, etc) from my readers. The fact that they ARE my readers is perfectly enough.
So I am spinning something more fun for it…
PS had to change browser to submit comment. These external comment thingies SUCK.
Haha absolutely Rarst. I think we share the same kind of opinion on becoming blogging drones. I mean, it is something that work for some people, I just think it depends on your personality and what your goal is to achieve. If you don't want to give your opinion through your blog posts and just give plain and simple news that's ok. Otherwise, it's important to have a unique approach and stick to it.
Yeah, spinning contests in a different direction is nice! I did that with my video contest a while ago and it was purely just for fun, but it worked well. Of course the benefits for you in terms of reader aren't as important, but that's what it is.
WHat browser are you using? That's kinda bad…
Opera 9.63, that was from work and I have crappy Internet there, but still.
I am no fan of external comment systems.
Ben, what do you do?
Your style works for me. Don't let the pears pressure you into changing lol.
Yep, being unique is hard in our world, but if you still are you'll get the profits sooner or later
I like your attitude Ben. Too many people spend more time trying to get more and more people to read their stuff than actualy writing worthwhile comments. If you stop worrying about marketing and start worrying about creating content that'd attract readers to your site you'd be much better off.
Thanks a lot! Exactly, while I can't say I don't worry about Marketing, I do care more about the value this blog gives to a reader.
Ben, a nice reality check this morning….
Too often we tend to apply our old-school mass media marketing reflexes to web marketing, namely blogging and, it is a mistake. Everyday, you should ask yourself why you are blogging. If the answer is: to become popular, you are not blogging for the right reasons and there are good chances that won't become popular becauase of that.
Good post, Froggy.
I think when people first are introduced to blogging, they might be more apted to mimmic what they see others doing. When you are new, you just don't know any better. But as you grow and begin to realize the things that you want to discuss you begin to venture out further and further into what is possible. Then one day, you are ready to release the inner you.
Personally, I am just going for it. I started with only a handful of readers, just doing me, and it has grown. I am doing my own thing, but all the real uniqueness has come out yet. Still learning the business, but check back with me as more and more of my videos come out. I will show what I am doing that is different, but just don't want to talk about it just yet. Still developing it, but stay tuned.
Thanks for the pep talk and reminder to stay unique.
Cheers Freddie! I agree with "releasing the inner you". It is true that when you start blogging you go towards many directions. Sometimes it's the right direction, sometimes it's not. In the end, you will better define your "comfort zone" and "the inner you".
I will stay tuned Freddie and can't wait to see what you're up to! I'm sure you are going to KILL IT!
If you are blogging, then write it at your own unique way. What I am trying to say is that, write what you think is right. Whether it short or long post, as long as you give your readers your point, Then its a good post.
Don't worry Dean, I won't change.
Exactly, what's important is actually yo stick to it!
Thanks for dropping a comment Etienne! (Je devrais dire merci?
)
Absolutely agree. Of course being popular is a nice side effect of running a successful blog, but to be popular your blog have to be useful to the community.
Absolutely. Short or long post, if it's your way and you feel comfortable writing this way, it will probably eventually work.
I don't think people read your articles because they are unique. They read them because they connect to it. They read it because they think they can harvest information from it. Sometimes, even if you write a 100% percent original article, there will always be someone who will write the same topic with similar content. However, readers will become your advocate if they think they are more at home with your posts.
I do agree that success in blogging have been made like a series of formulas. However, people would never be scared to pattern their works along with the tried and tested methods just to become a successful online entrepreneur. Although it will be better if you have your own strategy.
I think its admirable what you 're doing. If you are most contented having it your own way, then that should be enough. We can also be successful in our endeavors if we pattern our operations according to our own personal mission and vision.
That's encouraging words for beginners like me. The experts out there, the gurus, and the shaman – they can very well shape you to everybody's likeness if you don't watch out. And the essential spirit that makes you unique is rubbed off. Rarst description fits it best: drones.
Now, I have reason to be back here more often.
No problems jan! Rarst's description does fit very well
Hope to see you back in here, thanks for dropping a comment!
I am awesome with slandering descriptions.
I don't think people read your articles because they are unique. They read them because they connect to it. They read it because they think they can harvest information from it. Readers will become your advocate if they think they are more at home with your posts.
I do agree that success in blogging have been made like series of formulas. However, people who are interested in being successful online will try almost everything. Even it means trying to pattern their works along with the tested methods just to become a successful online entrepreneur. I think you will lose nothing in here. Because this can become a learning experience for them and there's also a possibility that new ideas can sprout from this experience.
I think its admirable what you 're doing. If you are most contented having it your own way, then that should be enough. We can also be successful in our endeavors if we pattern our operations according to our own personal mission and vision.
I couldn't agree with you more. When I first start out my blog everyone told me I should write every day. I wasted lot of time just trying doing that. Later on I realized, it is much better to spend time promoting what I have already written and write only when i have something to write.
BTW I read couple of your other posts and now i am a fan of frogstr. Bookmarked ! Will come gain in a free time. Keep up your good work
You are so right about that "blog everyday" myth. It is a plus if you can do it, but I honestly think you're better to post every 2 or 3 days, but promote it the rest of the time and build your personal brand. It has worked not too bad for me so far and there's no way I'm gonna try to post everyday just for the sake of saying I post everyday!
Those that follow the advice that leads them to be like everyone else are the same ones who only want to make lots of Adsense revenue on their blog. Yeah, money is nice but there is a satisfaction of having a community where people participate and have a discussion regarding your unique content.
Yeah, and the community will most likely lead to money in the end anyway. Writing for money is probably the worst thing to do when starting a blog. Unless it's a niche blog of course.
Always write what you think is right. Don't try and be something you are not as long you give your readers what they want then it's all good.
Hey Ben, you should put your post pictures on the left side – joking
I completely understand where you are coming from. Some of it may be human nature. You know how all the kids want to be unique and different so they all get tattoos and piercings. Don't even get me started on the saggy pants lol They want to be unique yet they all dress and act the same? I guess the ones different are the ones that don't care what others think. It sounds like that's about where you are at. All in all I bet that attitude is better for business. It's certainly something to think about. Hey, why wasn't this post called '10 tips to be unique' ? lol
lol @ picture
Man you're so right. I strongly believe the bloggosphere is just like school: trying to be part of something, wanting people to like you, etc. But in the end, it doesn't really matter because the Web is just so huge you'll find your place if you stick to what you are.
It's difficult to be unique. It's tough to generate ideas that are different from the rest. The only way is to do it differently.Everyone will definitely do things in a different way.
This is true, being unique is one of the hardest tasks.
Indeed, being unique is hard. Its easier to follow trends ? Perhaps. I guess internet marketing is becoming the trend now and i think its great.
I-A-M-U-N-I-Q-U-E
N-O-D-O-U-B-T about it
If i will say I am an ordinary person with extra unique wit and charm.. is that enough? hehehe just kidding it is hard to be unique these days.. especially if someone says "there is no new under the sun" everything is set before your come" (sigh) but on the other hand i am trying to be unique as unique as i can be
Way to go, keep up the good work and the positive attitude!
Hi, Im Kris and Im newbie about blogging and all internet opportunities, and I just want ask you how to find some uniqe content to post in blog. I'm just on one of contest in here, please give me your idea what I have to do?
[...] are tons of posts detailing good techniques to increase the number of people who read your blog. As Ben at Frogstr points out, when bloggers decide to change their style and focus just to receive more page views, a lot of the [...]
trying to overplease readers may really dismay them much more. Being unique is really very difficult because in the internet marketing world, competition is really very tough, so being everyone else is a common fad. Such that, the notion for uniqueness can't prosper. But i really like the idea of being unique and just being true.
It's like still being in high school and wanting to fit in. Just look at the current obsession with Michelle Obama and what she is wearing. The woman sells clothes to ?? Women that want to look like her? Be like her? Have no style of their own? It's crazy. Ok, I know I follow her with my blog but only because I want her to wear USA made clothing and bring the apparel industry back to our shores. We've lost too many jobs over the past 30 years.
Being unique is very difficult , in the internet marketing world, competition is really very tough, so being everyone else is a common fad.
"It all change very quickly though when they start reading articles about how they should write and how they should generate traffic"
This is absolutely true. I started a new blog and I hope I don't go that way.
And, yes staying unique is a difficult thing to do. Nice Post!:)
All too true; oftentimes its all about doing the same thing as everyone else, but being competitive within that, rather than branching out in original, but ultimately untried and tested ways.
I'm cool because i'm patient enough to to my own style and not imitate someone else.
If you are blogging, then write it at your own unique way. What I am trying to say is that, write what you think is right, dont matter the post is long or short if the message comes over
Yes, the "what's the best length for a post" debate drives me crazy. Whatever works for you, that's the answer!
It is good to have your way in everything.Just do as you like it,as you need it because this is your sphere,your life and only you are responsible for it,and only you know to be or not to be,to write or not to write.
Too many people spend more time trying to get more and more people to read their stuff than actualy writing worthwhile comments.but nice post , thanks
Indeed, being unique is hard. Its easier to follow trends ? Perhaps. I guess internet marketing is becoming the trend now and i think its great.
Yep. About the "give your readers what they want" I partially agree. I tried to do this too hard at first and I ended up doing this I didn't really want to do. Now I do stuff my own way and the people reading the blog are the one that really appreciate what I write.
How to find unique content? There's no step by step guide to writing unique content. Just look around you and write what you want to write, it's going to be unique.
Yep, the internet marketing niche is a hard niche, but a lot of people give up everyday because it is too hard. If you stick to it and pump out good content it will work out.
Absolutely, I so like that school analogy. The bloggosphere is just like school…Trying to fit in.
I wish you the best of luck with your new blog my friend!
I think what can make a site popular is when they have a uniquely styled post that is common every week. For example, having a "top design of the week" article, or how about a "face in the crowd" post.
Thanks for adding this information. It has been my struggle months ago on how I would come up with a unique concept in writing and commenting on blogs. Thanks a lot. I've got a clearer view on how it should be.
Rarst's head is growing…