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10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone) by @adamsconsulting

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10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone)

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

I can remember the day I wrote my first blog post. It was in July 2009. My hands were sweaty as I tried hard (unsuccessfully) to sound witty in my writing. I’ve learned a lot since that day, and I continue to learn more about blogging every day.

Nowadays, I approach blogging from a different perspective. After writing thousands of posts, I am more comfortable in my own blogging skin. If you are a new blogger without much of an audience, it might be frustrating to read peppy posts from veteran bloggers who have already overcome many of the common blogging struggles.

I want you to know that wherever you are on your blogging journey, your blogging struggles are real. You are not alone. I usually write about the sunny side of blogging, but there are plenty of blogging struggles as well. Here is my list of top blogging struggles. I listed them as questions since I think most bloggers ask themselves these questions at some point along their journey.

1. Am I a good enough writer to blog? Are my writing skills up to par?

Don’t let these questions stop you. Self-doubt occasionally creeps into every blogger’s mind. Keep going. If you aren’t a good writer now, you’ll improve. If you are already a good writer, you’ll become great.

2. How often should I post? Once a day, once a week, twice a month?

I suggest writing as much as you can without sacrificing the quality of each post or sacrificing the important things in your life. There is no right or wrong. Just decide what your blogging frequency will be. Your audience will expect you to stick to whatever schedule you set.

3. What is my niche?

Think about what you’re passionate about, and what you’re good at doing. What are your strengths and your areas of expertise? Choose a niche that you can write about for a long time without getting tired of it.

4. Do I have the time it takes to build a successful blog?

Building a successful blog takes time and effort. Take it one day at a time or else it can be overwhelming in the beginning. This post might help: How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule

5. Am I just wasting my time? I hardly have any comments on my blog.

We live in an instant gratification society. We want everything now. I always joke that there are three things that teach us patience: kids, social media and blogging. Adapt a success mindset and make a commitment to never give up. These are just blogging struggles, not blog killers. This feeling will pass.

6. Should I try to monetize my blog? Will that turn my readers off? How should I do it?

Get it out of your head that it’s wrong to monetizing your blog. Just remember 2 things. Monetization is tied to traffic (so you kinda need to build your traffic first). And, don’t sacrifice your reader’s experience on your blog with annoying ads. Monetize your blog in a tasteful way. This post might help: 9 Ways to Monetize Your Blog Without Being Cheesy

7. Why don’t I have more traffic? I’ve been blogging consistently for a while.

Of all these blogging struggles, this one is heartbreaking because it just plain sucks. I highly suggest you read Why I Quit Blogging (and What to Do If You’re Struggling) by Jon Morrow. I found an aha-moment in that post. It explains that you will find more blogging success if you focus on making connections first. Connections come first, then readers. Most bloggers think the connections come as a result of the blogging, but it’s the other way around. This concept might blow your mind (it did mine).

8. What if I can’t think of enough topics to blog about?

This is the most annoying of all blogging struggles. The good news is, it’s easy to overcome. If you are like me, your mind is constantly going and going. Carry a notebook around (or use the notes app on your phone) to record all your ideas as they pop into your head. This takes a little discipline at first, but then it will become a habit. Once you start doing this, you’ll never run out of blogging ideas again!

9. There’s so much talk about blog images lately. How do I know which images are okay to use and which ones aren’t?

Of all these blogging struggles, this is one to really pay attention to. It’s not appropriate to use any ‘ol image on your blog. You can read more about that on Oh Snap, Can I (Legally) Use That Photo? by Peg Fitzpatrick. Lately, I’ve been using Canva to create my blog images (like the image at the top of this post). It’s super easy to use. I also recommend reading 53+ Free Image Sources for Your Blog and Social Media Posts on Buffer.

10. What if I fail? What if I can’t get through these blogging struggles? Will I even make it passed the one-year threshold?

The fear of failure can be paralyzing. Most bloggers quit 6 – 12 months after starting. Building a blog is like starting a business. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Keep moving forward, and you’ll overcome these and more blogging struggles. Adapt an entrepreneurial mindset. Most of all, have fun with it! My blogging journey has been one of the best adventures of my life.

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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

10 Reasons Why Buying Twitter Followers Is a Bad Idea by @adamsconsulting

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10-Reasons-Buying-Twitter-Followers-Is-Bad

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor 

If you’ve been working hard to establish yourself as a leader on Twitter, and if your follower count is only inching up slowly, you might be considering some more time-effective alternatives. One of those alternatives might be to buy Twitter followers.

I co-host a Twitter chat every Tuesday night called #InfluencerChat with Ann Tran and Rebekah Radice. Recently we discussed the topic of purchasing social media followers, and the effects of that decision.

I believe that buying Twitter followers is a bad idea. I also believe that sometimes people/brands make the decision to buy followers and then regret it later. If you are thinking about purchasing followers, I humbly suggest you consider these 10 reasons why you shouldn’t do it.

1. Buying Twitter followers is risky

There are risks associated with purchasing followers. You risk having your Twitter account suspended. You risk having your Twitter account hacked (if you grant access to the site from which you’re purchasing the followers). You risk losing your money if the site doesn’t deliver the followers. You risk spamming your followers if that site is allowed to send tweets and DMs on your behalf. I could go on and on. It’s a dark side of the social media world that you don’t want to get mixed up in.

2. You aren’t really buying followers

According to WordStream, “You’re not really buying Twitter followers so much as mindless spam bots.” A following filled with bots leads to more problems. For example, you’ll have trouble accurately calculating ROI and a negatively impacted influence score (as a result of no engagement from all those followers).

3. Once trust is gone, it’s gone (especially online)

As we explained in a recent #InfluencerChat post titled The Impact of Social Media Fraud and Fakers on the Industry, your personal and professional brands are built on trust. All you have is your reputation. Once trust is gone, there’s no going back.

4. There are no sustainable social media shortcuts

Yes, it takes work. Yes, it would be easier to buy your followers. However, it’s usually only a matter of time until those trying to “fake it till they make it” on Twitter are exposed. When your engagement level doesn’t match your followers, it becomes obvious.

5. Buying followers robs you of a meaningful Twitter experience

The true value of social media success can be measured in the relationships we’ve built along the journey.

Wouldn’t you rather have a meaningful, rewarding Twitter experience instead of one where you feel like you’re being deceptive? I know what it’s like to have a meaningful Twitter experience, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.

6. It’s easy for peeps to find out how many fake followers you have

You might think, “Nobody will ever know.” Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. These days, there are several apps that will instantly tell you how many fake followers any Twitter account has.

https://twitter.com/adamsconsulting/status/614459182520008705

7. It’s a head game you play with yourself

I read an interesting article today written by Seth Stevenson, a guy who bought 27,000 Twitter followers a few years ago.

Seth wrote, “They sit there silently, serving as a constant reminder that I’ve taken a lazy shortcut…I’ve sometimes felt a small ego jolt at the thought of people noticing that impressive number next to my name, which is creepy and absurd.”

You can read Seth’s article here on Slate. And, it’s worth noting, he no longer has all those fake followers.

https://twitter.com/Shan_mhd/status/613499507553144832

8. Your Twitter analytics will be messed up

I already mentioned the complications fake followers bring to calculating social media ROI. In addition to that, your general analytics will be skewed.

For example, you won’t be able to pull any accurate demographic information. In addition to messing yourself up in your own demographic, you won’t be able to derive any valuable info regarding demographics since fake followers are bots with no demographic relevance.

9. You’ll send an inaccurate message about yourself to the world

According to this article on SocialTimes, when you buy Twitter followers, “You’re telling the world that you think you’re smarter than everyone else (because you think nobody will ever find out). You’re deceptive and make no apology for it. You have low self-esteem (which having a high follower count won’t fix). And, you’re a fraud.”

I wouldn’t go as far to be that harsh about it. I think some people/brands buy Twitter followers without realizing the consequences of what they’re doing.

10. You will lose the respect of real social media influencers when they find out

Growing a Twitter following organically is harder now than when I started tweeting in March of 2009. These days, in order to grow a large following, you have to constantly curate/create content that your audience craves. You have to be engaging and reply to your tweets. You have to position yourself as a leader in your industry.

When someone goes through all that work to build an organic following, it’s disheartening to watch someone else amass a huge following in just a few days. Comparing these two types of Twitter accounts is not comparing apples to apples, but still, it’s hard to regain respect after that.

My Twitter relationships are priceless to me, and I couldn’t imagine purposely polluting my experience with bots. What do you think? Maybe you disagree. Maybe you think there is an argument for purchasing Twitter followers. I’d love to hear your opinion in the comment section below.

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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

5 Ways Successful Bloggers See the Blogosphere Differently by @adamsconsulting

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5-ways-successful-bloggers-see-the-blogosphere-differently

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

The more I surround myself with successful bloggers, the more I realize how much they think differently than most people I know. They have something uncommon inside them, like a special strand of blogging DNA.

A few months ago, I wrote an article on this blog called 25 Things All Super Successful Bloggers Have in Common. Today I’d like to expand on that article. I would like to suggest that wildly successful bloggers actually view the blogosphere (and the world) differently.

This goes beyond seeing the world of blogging through rose-colored glasses. It’s a way of approaching the blogosphere that is refreshing and magnetic. The positive energy these bloggers create resonates with others and allows them to build their readership with ease.

1. They approach blogging with an abundance mentality.

In their eyes, there is never a shortage of blogging topics to write about. You will never hear a wildly successful blogger complain about a shortage of ideas. They know there is an abundance of blogging topics for every blogger. They are always mulling over their next topic in their mind.

2. They approach the blogosphere with arms wide open.

They are willing to share honestly. They let their guard down and allow themselves to be vulnerable. When given a choice to be guarded or open in their posts, wildly successful bloggers will almost always choose to be open. They share honestly, regardless of what others might think of them. They learn the art of staying true to themselves (even during the times when that’s difficult).

3. They respect the opinion of others, even when it’s different from their own.

They believe every person deserves to share his or her own perspective. Successful bloggers don’t try to make everyone like them. Instead, they place a high value on the freedom of expression. They not only expect readers to disagree with them, they look forward to reading the opposing opinions of others. They understand that it’s our differences that keep the blogosphere (and the Internet itself) interesting.

4. They approach their online world similarly to their offline world.

They crave online relationships that are equally as strong as their offline relationships. Do you treat your online friends with the same high regard as your offline friends? Successful bloggers understand that their readers are real people (except for the bots), and they treat them as such. They take feedback from their readers seriously, and they strive to create and build meaningful online relationships and partnerships. They approach blogging with a “we” attitude instead of a “me” attitude.

5. They approach blogging with a genuine interest in helping, educating and/or giving back to others.

They believe that even changing one life makes it all worthwhile. If you are a successful blogger, you probably remember the first time someone left you a comment telling you how much your post meant to them. It made your day, and you used that comment as fuel to motivate and inspire you to write more. It only takes one reader who is influenced in a positive way to make it all worthwhile.

Wildly successful bloggers approach the blogosphere with a sense of humility, vulnerability and generosity. If you can think of other ways successful bloggers view the blogosphere (and the world) differently, please add to this list in the comments below.

I’d like to thank all my blogging friends for being such an important part of my life over the past six years. I can’t think of any other group of people I’d rather hang out with online than other bloggers!

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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

15 Tips for How to Ask for Twitter Retweets the Polite Way by @adamsconsulting

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twitter-retweets-social-media

by Diana Adams  | Featured Contributor

Twitter has been around for many years, and you’d think most people and brands would have the hang of it by now. Based on the number of tacky communications (direct messages and tweets) peeps send me each week, that’s not the case. As you know, there are no official rules for how to tweet. It’s the ultimate platform for self-expression, which I love. However, there is some unspoken etiquette, especially when it comes to asking for favors.

I’m on Twitter almost every day. I’ve sent over 150,000 tweets since 2009. I’ve been writing about polite Twitter etiquette for years, and I’ve noticed the trends are cyclical. Lately it seems the auto-DMs and cheesy, spammy requests for retweets are on the rise.

I think most people would agree there is nothing wrong with asking for favors on social media. Your success or failure with those requests will depend on how you ask. If you have not had any luck increasing your retweets by asking, this post is for you.

I put together some things to consider when asking for Twitter retweets (and other social media favors). I hope you find these helpful!

1. First of all, don’t waste your time asking for a retweet of lukewarm content. Make sure the content is badass.

2. Very important –  Don’t make your FIRST engagement with someone a request for a Twitter retweet (or Facebook like, etc). I’m talking directly to all you auto-DMers who immediately send a request to like your Facebook page every time someone follows you on Twitter.

3. Don’t ask someone you don’t know to retweet you. Build social media relationships before asking for social media favors. Failure is inevitable (and you’ll be assimilated by the Borg) if you put the cart before the horse.

4. Give more than you receive. If you want retweets, retweet more. The law of reciprocity is alive and well on Twitter.

twitter-quote-about-giving-ann-tran

5. Tap into the magic of three. Use a link, an image, and a hashtag in the tweet you’d like retweeted. All three of these things will make your tweet more attractive and appear more retweetable.

6. Instead of asking individual people to retweet your tweet, you might choose to put “Please RT” in your tweet. Several studies have shown that method to be quite effective. It is not offensive since it’s not a personal request.

7. If the title of the blog post you want retweeted isn’t clever or eye-catching, write something else in your tweet to make it more retweetable. Don’t get stuck in the rut of always using blog post titles in your tweets. Switch up the wording and get creative!

8. Be genuine on social media. As @AhnaHendrix says, it’s very important to humanize your personal or professional brand. It’s one of the best and easiest hacks to gain more social media reach. @MarshaCollier puts her spin on the same concept below.

marsha-collier-twitter-quote-building-brand-on-twitter

9. Ask for retweets on the weekends too. It’s typically easier to get retweets on the weekends for whatever reason. There is a whole different Twitter crowd on the weekends. Think of weekday peeps and weekend peeps as two different groups of people.

10. Don’t use a lot of usernames in the tweet you’d like retweeted. Keep it light so it will fit successfully into more audiences and niches.

11. Be direct when asking for social media favors. Recently someone emailed me to ask if he could send me the link to his post so I could retweet it, but he didn’t include the link in the email. I had to send an email to request the link. Then a day or two later he emailed the link. I still haven’t retweeted that post because by the time I received the link, I lost interest. Be direct and make it easy.

12. Don’t send auto-DMs. What’s even worse are auto-DMs that say things like, “Welcome new follower.” It is annoying, and it screams spam and laziness. If you send useless messages like that, you’ll lose respect instantly. On social media, it’s a hard to get that mutual respect back (much less retweets) after it’s lost.

auto-dm-on-twitter

13. Use a few of the 20 Most Retweetable Words in your tweet to make it more attractive.

14. Don’t be a one hit wonder and disappear after your tweet is retweeted a lot. Instead, be grateful, reciprocate and continue to build on those relationships.

15. Last but not least is a brilliant little piece of social media advice from my friend @AdrianLeeSA. He doodled the secret to social media ROI (inspired by a post from @AnnTran_). It can be summed up in two words – Be nice!

get-more-twitter-retweets-social-media-roi

Photo credits: FabianPimminger / @AnnTran_ / @MarshaCollier / @adamsconsulting / @AdrianLeeSA

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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

7 Ways to Defeat Entrepreneurial Loneliness by @adamsconsulting

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overcoming-entrepreneur-loneliness

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

I often write about all the positive aspects of being an entrepreneur, but there are a few downsides too. Like with everything, you’ve got to take the good with the bad. One of those downsides is the occasional entrepreneurial loneliness. That lonely feeling can be especially palpable if you don’t have a business partner.

I agree with the Business Insider article titled The Most Difficult Hurdle to Overcome in a Startup’s First Year May be Psychological. As a new entrepreneur, you’re on a roller coaster ride for a while. You have tons of ideas swimming in your head. It’s hard not to have someone right there to share the ups and downs with. It’s hard to be stuck in a quiet house all day with no coworkers.

One of my best friends described me as being a hardcore extrovert today. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade, and I remember when I hit the wall of extreme loneliness. It was in 2013. I felt like I was just a machine pumping out productivity. I didn’t stop to enjoy the highs or to evaluate the lows. I just worked and then worked some more. All the days ran into the next days.

I was extremely lonely. At that same time, people were constantly asking me how the business was growing so fast. I eventually lost my passion and sold that business. Now I’m careful to address the loneliness when it creeps in.

If you are an extrovert too, you probably feel it even more than your introverted entrepreneurial friends. There are several things you can do to cope with the loneliness.

1. Get a furry friend to keep you company while you work.

Many of my entrepreneur friends work with their pets at their sides. Just look on Facebook and you’ll see pictures of cats lying across keyboards, attempting to lure their owner’s attention away from work. That lonely feeling will wash away when you have a furry friend by your side each day.

2. Get out of the house and work remotely at least two days each week.

I’m happy that I don’t work in my house every day. If you work in your house, it’s important to get out and see the world each week.

Work remotely from a coffee shop, an outdoor cafe or anywhere you can still be productive while experiencing the sights and sounds of the world. You might find How to Work Effectively from a Coffee Shop helpful.

3. Tweet more. Connecting with others through short tweets is quick, and it can be an effective filler during those moments of intense silence.

For me, Twitter has been one of the best tools for coping with entrepreneurial loneliness. Not only have I built meaningful relationships there, social media engagement is a loneliness lifesaver.

4. Don’t compare yourself to other entrepreneurs (especially on social media).

Successful entrepreneurs know the importance of being positive. They are optimistic by nature. You’ll rarely see successful entrepreneurs complaining about feeling lonely on social media (even though they might feel it).

Comparing your loneliness to their positive posts isn’t comparing apples to apples. Don’t start to question yourself and wonder what’s wrong with you. That can breed feelings of self-doubt. Everyone is fighting their own battle. You don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. Swim in your own lane.

5. Create an after work social life.

It’s easy to spend all your time working when you’re an entrepreneur. Why would you go out to dinner with your friends when you can stay at home and answer all your emails? Therein lies the problem.

Nobody except you is going to take responsibility for making sure you stay connected to real people in the real world. Make plans with friends. Go out to dinner. Go hiking on Saturdays. Go to the gym. Go volunteer a few hours a week. Go do whatever makes you happy.

You’ll be surprised how those things melt away the loneliness. As a bonus, the time away from the keyboard will rejuvenate you. It might even spark some creativity and new ideas.

6. Connect with other entrepreneurs who are feeling the same way (but there’s a disclaimer).

Although connecting with other entrepreneurs who appreciate how you’re feeling can be very helpful, there is also a side I want to warn you about.

The last thing you want to do is get into a situation where you accidentally connect with someone who is negative, and that person starts sucking all your positive energy. I call those people energy vampires.

Both entrepreneurs should be supportive and sensitive about each other’s goals. I am very selective about who I choose as my confidants for this reason. I simply can’t afford to let anyone bring me down when I’m chasing big goals.

7. Give yourself a check-up-from-the-neck-up. Remember all the reasons to be grateful that you get to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

The silence is only awkward if you let it. When I think about how fortunate I am to have a thriving business that provides a very nice lifestyle, the loneliness melts away. There are so many people in the world who only dream of being an entrepreneur. We get to live it.

Like with everything, you’ve got to take the good with the bad. I think an occasional bought of entrepreneurial loneliness is a small price to pay. Thank you for reading my article!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

25 Things All Super Successful Bloggers Have in Common by @adamsconsulting

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characteristics-of-successful-influential-bloggers

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

These days, it seems like almost everyone is a blogger. According to Google, “74,652,825 sites out there are depending on good ol’ WordPress. That’s one site per person in Turkey.” If you read a ton of blogs every day like I do, you’ve noticed that some bloggers stand out from the crowd. They have more mojo than the average blogger. They seem to have the magic touch when it comes to attracting readers and attention.

What do super successful bloggers do that is different from everyone else? I can’t claim to know for sure what the answer is; however, based on what I’ve observed from all the successful bloggers I know, there seems to be a trend. There do seem to be some things that are common amongst successful, influential bloggers.

After thinking about it more today, I decided to compile a list of 25 common traits shared by successful bloggers. When I finished the list, I was surprised at how many of these things also mirror successful entrepreneurs. Perhaps it’s all the same mindset and same approach to life. I hope you enjoy this list.

25 Things All Super Successful
Bloggers Have in Common

1. They are laser-focused on their blogging goals. They don’t allow themselves to get distracted.

2. They are visionaries and have a clear picture of where they want their blog to be in five years.

3. They love to write, and they are dammmn good at it.

4. They know how to do social media right, and they have mastered the art of social media self-promotion without being lame.

5. They become an expert in their niche and increase their influence.

6. They project positivity. They have a genuine interest in contributing to the blogging community in a positive way.

7. They take their blogging seriously. They are committed. They become master planners and always make time for their writing.

8. They surround themselves with positive, high energy people. Like @MelissaOnline tweeted, “Your mind is multimillion-dollar property. Screen your tenants very carefully.”

9. They develop a rock solid reputation and build on it every day.

10. They have the necessary blogging tools they need: Laptop, fast Internet connection, blogging apps, etc.

11. They are genuinely likeable people. If they aren’t that way naturally, they learn how to become more likeable.

12. They have a good attitude. They think like a champion.

13. They are persistent and work hard. They are always able to keep moving forward regardless of obstacles, adversity and difficulties that might be standing in their way.

14. They are trustworthy. Their readers depend on them for factual information.

15. They give credit where credit is due.

16. They are friendly and engaging with their readers.

17. They are detail-oriented. They check each post to be sure the formatting, grammar and other details are correct before publishing.

18. They are patient. They understand that it takes time to earn respect as a blogger, and they are in it for the long haul.

19. They are thick-skinned. They can take criticism without falling apart and questioning themselves.

20. They know how to network. They understand the importance of relationship building and its effect on their success as a blogger.

21. They are good listeners and respect the opinions of others (i.e. in comments on their posts).

22. They never stop learning. The blogosphere is a moving target. They don’t get too comfortable. Instead, they stay on the edge of what’s happening each day.

23. They are skilled money managers. This is required in order to give the proper time and attention to their blogging, especially in the beginning.

24. They aren’t trying to get paid for each hour they work. Instead, they think like an entrepreneur. They look at the big picture of what they are creating long term. They are adaptive and open to change.

25. They read a lot and write a lot. Stephen King, one of the bestselling authors of all time, gave advice to aspiring writers at Yale in 2003. He said in order to be a great author (blogger), you have to read a lot and write a lot. There are no shortcuts.

Please let me know in the comments below if you think of anything else that needs to be added to this list. I’m even more inspired to blog now. Thank you for reading my post!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

10 Tips for Writing Blog Posts Faster without Sacrificing Quality by @adamsconsulting

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10 Tips for Writing Blog Posts Faster without Sacrificing Quality

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

Some bloggers take 30 minutes to write a high quality blog post. Other bloggers take several hours on multiple days to write the same blog post. If you are a busy professional with big blogging goals, and if you’re taking more than one hour to write your blog posts, this article is for you.

I consulted my friend and colleague @CarlaYoung as I wrote this post. She is freelance writer who is famous for writing high quality blog posts in 30 minutes.

First, I’d like to tell you a blogging secret. Any blogger who tells you he or she wrote a high quality blog post in 30 minutes has done some pre-blogging work.

They’ve chosen their topic ahead of time, they’ve mulled over what they want to say, and they know exactly where to go to get great images (or they’ve already chosen the images). I do these things before I sit down to write every post.

If you don’t do this pre-blogging work, it will be difficult to shave time off your writing. If you don’t do these things before you start, you can’t compare yourself to someone who is writing their posts in 30 minutes. It’s not comparing apples to apples.

Let’s say you’ve done your pre-blogging work, and you’re ready to write. There are some simple things you can do that will help you write faster without sacrificing quality.

1. Let go of being a perfectionist

Perfectionism combined with blogging can be crippling. Like my friend Carla Young wrote in her post How to Power Your Way Through the Writing Process, you’ve got to know when to call it done. It’s fun to play with words, but eventually you need to move on.

2. Get rid of all distractions

It can take me two or three times as long to finish a post if I have distractions in the room. Clear all distractions so you can power focus and just get it done!

3. Once you start typing, don’t stop until you’re finished

Don’t stop writing to look up facts or do research. Don’t edit as you write. Get into the writing flow and keep going.

Like Carla Young told me, “Don’t get caught up trying to find the perfect wording. The best way to write quickly is to get it all out in whatever messy format you need and edit later.“

4. Write a lot – the more you write, the faster you’ll produce each post

In the article How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule, I wrote that blogging is like exercise. The hardest part is starting.

When you use your blogging muscles often, they’ll become leaner, sharper and more flexible. You’ll start pumping out three posts in the time it used to take you to write one.

5. Do a quick post plan

Another useful tip from my friend @CarlaYoung is to do a quick post plan. She starts with a jazzy headline, decides what she wants to discuss in the post and then brainstorms three to five key points. This is basically creating an outline. Then just fill in the details.

6. Be an organized blogger

You will be surprised at how much faster you can write your blog posts when you’re an organized blogger. I described this as the pre-blogging work in the beginning of this article.

To get organized, keep a folder on your desktop with your blogging ideas, topics and images/credits that you want to use someday.

Also keep handy any login info that you’ll need, sites that contain facts and research info, and any blogging tidbits that cross your mind daily (it will all be useful at the right time).

Then, when it’s time to write, you won’t dilly-dally with trying to get prepared. You’ll be ready to power write.

7. Use blogging tools designed to help you write faster

There are tons of blogging tools designed to help you get the job done. The best part is, most of them are free. You can check out an outstanding list at 39 Blogging Tools to Help You Work Faster, Write Better, and Land More Readers.

8. Completely finish your blog post in one sitting

I’ve read stories about people who write their post, then they set it aside for a day or two, then they go back to it. What is all that about? If you are only blogging once a month, I suppose that’s feasible. My advice is to sit down, write your post and get it done!

9. If you’re rushed, push out a nicely written 300-word post

Not every post has to be long and thought-provoking. I love short and sweet 300-word posts too. I can write those in 15 minutes.

It’s only four paragraphs – an introductory paragraph, two paragraphs for the body, and a conclusion paragraph. Add some compelling images, and you’re done! #boom

10. Most importantly – set a time limit for yourself

This is something @CarlaYoung and I both agree on. If you’re just leisurely writing with no time limit, one post can take all Saturday afternoon. Instead, set a timer and get focused.

According to Carla, by setting a time limit, “you ensure that you don’t get stuck in the perfection loop that has you fussing with details people aren’t going to notice anyway.“

I hope these tips help you reclaim some of the time you spend blogging without changing your publishing frequency. If you have some additional tips, please share them with us!

Photo credit: Pixabay / wilofcom

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule by @adamsconsulting

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How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule

by Diana Adams  | Featured Contributor 

Blogging is one of my favorite things to do. I especially love guest blogging since it gives me the opportunity to play at someone else’s house and make new friends. As of today, I’ve written 4,117 blog posts. My goal is 5,000. In 2015, I will add 400 new posts to the blogosphere, which is a lighter schedule than I’ve had in previous years.

If you like to keep up the pace with your blogging too, you’ve probably developed a system for staying on track. Today I thought I might share my technique for creating and keeping a consistent blogging schedule. It’s not high tech, but it works for me.

Before you create your blogging schedule, consider this.

One of the secrets to successful blogging is consistency. Blogging is like exercise – the hardest part is starting. Once you’ve gotten some momentum, it’s not hard to keep it up. If you stop blogging, it’s hard to get going again, just like with exercise. For this reason, I recommend making consistency a priority.

If you are committed to maintaining an aggressive blogging schedule, it’s also important to set a time limit for each post. You can learn more about this by following @CarlaYoung. She is a proficient blogger and freelance copywriter who has mastered this skill.

Get a planner that inspires you (online or analog, whichever works).

Don’t skip this step. Documenting these things only in your brain will not yield the best results.

I like to keep track of my blogging schedule in my Star Wars Moleskin planner. I carry it with me everywhere, and it keeps me inspired. I like the act of using a pen to check-off each daily blogging goal. I prefer this over any online/app/digital system I’ve tried.

This is what my blogging planner looks like:

star-wars-blogging-planner

Work the Numbers.

How many posts would you like to publish in 2015? 25? 100? 400? Whatever the number is, divide it by 12 to see how many posts you would have to write each month to reach that goal. Is that number reasonable? Does it inspire you? Does it push you, but not break you? Are you excited to start working towards that goal? Most importantly…

Can you blog that much without sacrificing the quality of each post?

I recommend sitting down with a paper, pen and calculator. Start playing with the numbers. Work them into a weekly/monthly goal that you can feel good about. Now it’s time to start actually scheduling.

Create your weekly blogging schedule one night each week.

Now that you know how many posts you plan to write each week, you have a place to start. Write that number down. Maybe it’s 1 per week, maybe it’s 3 per week, maybe it’s more.

Choose one day a week (for me it’s Sunday) and plan the following week’s blogging schedule. Be sure to account for the number of posts you’re planning to write each week.

I write 8 posts per week (this is my 7th one). In my planner, I have documented which days I’m going to write. I schedule time for it just like any other activity, and I limit the amount of time I spend on each post.

I only recommend scheduling for a week at a time is because you probably won’t know the specifics of that week until the week before. For example, on one week, you might be able to write three posts on Tuesday night, but on the following week, you might have dinner plans on Tuesday night.

By making your specific schedule for the following week on Sunday (or whatever day), you will be able to fit your blogging into your existing schedule with more flexibility and ease. This is key for keeping your schedule intact and reaching your blogging goals.

If you have an extra busy week when you can’t schedule any blogging, you’ll know you have to double up the following week in order to make your goal. Or, maybe you work a few extra posts into your plan (which is what I do). That way, if something unexpected comes up, you can still meet your goal.

Add in a few advanced strategies.

Once you get good at this, you might even start adding a few advanced strategies into the mix. A few of these include blogging in batches, scheduling posts and creating a handy list of your main SEO keywords.

Another advanced strategy is to train your brain to spot blogging topics all day as you go about your daily routine. Write down those ideas immediately. Have you ever noticed that some people never run out of interesting things to blog about? It’s because they’ve mastered this technique. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never run out of post ideas.

I would like to point out that this is nothing more than the system I use. You have to find what works best for you. I’m only sharing my system so you have another point of view and another example for how to create and keep a blogging schedule.

What’s the method to your madness?

You might have a method to the madness that works better for you. It’s all about creating blog writing accountability (accountability to yourself). I hope you’ll share your tips about this in the comment section below. I’m always looking for ways to tweak my system to make it more efficient, effective and inspiring. Thank you for reading my post and happy blogging!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

3 Reasons I Love Writing for SheOwnsIt.com by @adamsconsulting

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sheownsit-christmas-tree-snowman-ornament

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

As I’m sitting here next to my Christmas tree, sipping on a Gingerbread Latte, I’m reminded of all the things I’m grateful for in my life. I’m so blessed in so many ways. One of the things I’m grateful for is the opportunity to be a writer here at SheOwnsIt.com.

I thought I’d list the top 3 reasons why I love writing for this blog.

1. It makes me feel good inside.

Yes, it’s a selfish reason, but hear me out. Writing can be a little lonely sometimes. It’s just you, your computer and the blog you’re writing for (whether it’s your own blog or someone else’s blog).

I’ve written over 4,100 blog posts on lots of different blogs, and I do it all just for fun. There are some blogs that are definitely cozier than others. This is a cozy blog.

It feels good to write for SheOwnsIt.com. It’s a place where I know I can share my thoughts and ideas about being an entrepreneur without any pressure or stress.

I’ve also noticed that writing about business has affected my business. I’m passionate about being an entrepreneur, and writing about that has given me an extra pep-in-my-step. I’m more confident in my daily interactions.

It turns out, science confirms that there is a link between passionate writing and real life events, even from a health perspective. You can read more about that at Science Shows Something Surprising about People Who Love to Write.

2. It’s empowering to be part of such a supportive, encouraging group of businesswomen.

When Melissa Stewart invited me to be a writer at SheOwnsIt.com, I had no idea it was like being invited to join the cool girls’ club.

There is something very rewarding about connecting with like-minded women who understand the challenges of growing a business and integrating it into daily life in order to create a happy, prosperous lifestyle.

I have made countless connections with other businesswomen as a result of writing here. These are supportive, empowering women who prefer collaboration over competition.

To me, those relationships are priceless.

3. SheOwnsIt.com has a very loyal following, and each post is heavily promoted and shared.

If you look closely at the post titles, you’ll see that each one has the Twitter username of the author in the title of the post itself. Because of that, each time my post is shared on Twitter, the tweet shows up in my notifications.

SheOwnsIt.com has a strong, loyal following that is committed to sharing new content as it’s published. As a result, there is more social engagement and more blog post comments than I was expecting.

As a writer, there is nothing more rewarding than getting positive feedback on your work. As a seasoned writer, there is nothing more rewarding than getting any feedback (positive or negative) on your work. I get it all on SheOwnsIt.com, and I smile throughout the journey. It’s truly a pleasure.

I’ve been a writer here for six months, and I’m looking forward to the future. As I continue writing posts here, and learning from all the other contributors, I’m confident 2015 is going to be the best year ever!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

9 Ways to Monetize Your Blog without Being Cheesy by @adamsconsulting

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how-to-sell-online-advertising

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

I’m a firm believer that it’s important to have multiple streams of income. If you have a blog that you’re updating consistently, I’d like to humbly suggest that you start making money from it (the non-cheesy way). You don’t have to junk up your site with a bunch of pop-up ads to make a nice income stream.

I’ve earned tens of thousands of dollars from selling online advertising. If you’ve done this too, you know it takes a lot of time and effort. IMHO, it is time well spent.

Making money from your blog requires some basic sales skills. Successful entrepreneurs know that being able to sell is the most important skill when it comes to making money.

I’m not shy about the fact that I love sales. It doesn’t have to be slimy or cheesy. It’s just about connecting with the right people and providing what they want. You can be good at sales even if you’re an introvert. Read more at Introverts Can Be Great Entrepreneurs.

There are two things you’ll need before starting. First, you need a blog that is updated frequently and consistently. That blog needs to have some traffic. You don’t need a ton of traffic, but you need an audience. Secondly, you’ll need established social media accounts that are also updated frequently and consistently.

Here we go…

1. Sponsored Posts

I’ve written dozens of these. If it’s a product or service that you like, it won’t be cheesy. When bloggers go overboard trying to sell a product, it makes us all wanna gag. Avoid doing that. Using SEO to optimize the heck out of your sponsored posts is the easiest way to keep those advertisers coming back.

Be sure to note in the post that you received money. I recommend reading The FTC Clarifies Their Rules for Bloggers.

2. Sponsored Tweets

As an add-on to your advertisers who purchase sponsored posts (or as a standalone product), you can sell sponsored tweets. Depending on how many followers you have, you can determine the price.

Add some statistics from Twitter analytics to show potential advertisers the value of your tweets. My friend @AnnTran_ is good at this. Her sponsored tweets are popular, and they get retweeted constantly.

Again, be sure to note that they’re sponsored tweets (see the FTC article linked above).

3. Site Skins

Site skins cover the entire background of your site. They are usually sold for 2 weeks or 30 days. You can see an example below.

Anywhere the reader clicks on that ad, it goes to the advertiser’s website. If it’s designed well, it’s not cheesy. Just be sure the product or service is in your niche so it resonates with your readers.

how-to-sell-blog-advertising

4. Affiliate Accounts

I like the Amazon Associates affiliate program. Even if the person who clicks on your link purchases a different product than the one you’re advertising, you still get the commission.

You can always use your site skin space for yourself. Advertise some niche products from Amazon and include your affiliate link. See what it’s like to be an advertiser on your own site and measure the results by looking at your affiliate account on Amazon. Obviously, you can also promote affiliate products in the text of your blog posts, your tweets, etc.

5. Advertise Your Other Products/Services

Until selling advertising becomes second nature to you, you might consider using your ad space to promote your other products and services.

You might have an Etsy store. Depending on your skills, you might promote yourself as a writer, reviewer, translator, designer, app developer, coder, virtual assistant, etc. This is a fantastic way to earn extra cash.

6. Social Media Marketing

I still meet people who are social media newbies. If you’re a social media addict like me, there is a value associated with your knowledge.

You can offer to help brands with their social media campaigns. You can use your own social media prowess to promote just about anything. There are many ways you can use your social media knowledge to get results. Be creative!

7. Display Ads

Notice I didn’t call them banner ads. Banner ads have gotten a bad reputation. It’s true that readers rarely click on them anymore (unless the ad is reeeeeally good). However, I think advertisers lose an opportunity by thinking the only value in these ads is the CTR.

Display ads still provide exposure. Even if people aren’t clicking, they still see them (unless they use an ad blocker). I’ve sold hundreds of banner ads, and I still see their value. Companies like BuySellAds make it easy.

8. AdSense

AdSense is an oldie but a goodie. There’s not a lot to say about AdSense except that it will pay for your gas each month.

9. Corporate Gigs

Once you get rocking with all this, you’ll gain a lot of exposure. Companies may reach out to you for help with various things. This has happened to me many times. For example, next week IBM is flying me to NYC to participate in a social media event. I’m excited to meet a lot of new people there. You never know where that kind of networking will lead!

Just be sure to check your social media correspondence every day, make sure your email address is easy to find, and professionally respond to all requests. To explore this topic more, read another article I wrote about it at The Complete Guide For Selling Advertising On Your Blog.

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!