New Beginnings
This blog is a couple of years old and for a good period of time, I was pretty dedicated writing at least several times a week. I built up a pretty good audience and really connected with a number of talented and interesting people located all over the world. When all of a sudden I stopped writing. I don’t know any better way to describe it other than life got in the way and all of a sudden, I didn’t feel like writing anymore.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not making excuses. I have been trying to nail down exactly when I went off track with my writing and even more importantly, why? I don’t know if I have any definitive answers to be honest. One of the only conclusions I have come up with is that for a while now I have not prioritized my life correctly. I have put things on the top of the list that shouldn’t of been there.
That is all coming to an end right now my friends. My focus is to once again put the time and effort into rediscovering my voice here on Marketing Hipster and hopefully connecting with the people I once was in contact with as well as with new folks. During my hiatus from this blog, I have been spending a good deal of time on Twitter and some real amazing things have happened. I have developed a number of wonderful connections with people through Twitter prior to ever meeting them in person. And when I finally get the opportunity to meet them in person, it is just that much better because of the relationship we had already established via Twitter.
There is so much noise out there and I think somewhere within all that noise, I got lost and forgot about what was really important to me. What I have come to realize is what gets me up in the mornings and gets me excited about my day are the amazing connections we have the opportunity to create. If you think about it what other time in the history of the world has technology reached a point that allows us the freedom to express and connect with others around the world? There are no borders or boundaries to what we are capable of. Moving forward that is what I am going to focus on. Discussing and reaching out to as many interesting people as possible, creating connections that I and hopefully my readers can learn from.
One of the connections that I made online prior to ever meeting in him person is a smart gentleman named Phil Buckley. Phil and I were chatting on Twitter last week and he said something in regard to writing regularly on the blog that really stuck with me. He said, “If I go 7 days without writing in my blog I start to feel the guilt. After 14 days, there is no more guilt.”
Right on Phil. Here’s a toast to new beginnings.
Thanks for the shout out Cord. I’m glad you’re back on the blog treadmill. I always look forward to your insights.
.-= Phil Buckley´s last blog ..Why I Shop at Kerr Drug =-.
Welcome back, Cord! I’m looking forward to reading your new updates.
.-= Karl Sakas´s last blog ..Creating ‘Durham’s own little DisneyWorld,’ and other baseball marketing lessons from Matt DeMargel at the Durham Bulls =-.
Thanks Phil for the kick in the pants and thanks Karl for your kind words.
Well, good for you! Last fall when I interviewed with you the one thing that really stuck out at me was your response to my response to your question about where I saw myself in 5 years (by the way – I still hate that question!
). I said, “Sitting on a beach with my laptop working on my novel.” You chuckled and said something to the effect of “That’s good. I hope to be doing the same but working on my third novel.”
That resonated with me and it’s nice to see you taking steps in creativity toward that goal. Best wishes! I look forward to reading.
“If I go 7 days without writing in my blog I start to feel the guilt.”
I don’t think a blog needs to update daily to be successful. Blogging daily just to “have something to post” leads to crap content. I’d rather post something when I actually feel I HAVE something to say, than feel I NEED to say something.
.-= Dan London´s last blog ..Turn Off Google Personalized Search =-.
Personal blogs are personal. That means there are no deadlines unless you want deadlines. I totally understand about keeping your brand out there, but I’m with Dan; write when you have something to say!
PS: Lisa and Cord: plz send links to your novels when you have them!!
Gorgeous blog, Cord.
.-= Lisa Creech Bledsoe´s last blog ..New Lessons in Sparring: Controlling the Ring =-.
Dan, I agree with you. As I mentioned, I think I need to better prioritize so I have the time to write good content.
Lisa, one again, agree with your thoughts, but you need to take the time to create good content.
Thank you both for your thoughts!
Lisa, I remember when we talked about that. Let’s make a goal that we both start our books! Thanks for your encouragement, greatly appreciated.
This is good news, Cord. And I seem to be sensing a post-Memorial Day “new beginnings” theme throughout the blogosphere. For example, Jay Dolan wrote a nice piece on when to blog today.
I’m adding your blog to my RSS feed right now.
Cord, great post and good to see you back on the saddle! I’ve been going over this issue the past few weeks myself. On one hand you have the “publish or perish” challenge and on the other you have the “motivation leads to action” reality. I find that if I don’t maintain some schedule I know readers will not stay and engage with me.
Great to see so many comments by the “locals.” Also agree with you on what a great engaging community we have. They can be a challenging audience in terms of creating new and exciting content.
.-= Brian McDonald´s last blog ..Tips For Branding on a Budget =-.
Phil is right. I see that guilt factor in practice all the time with myself and my colleagues, for the good and bad. People seem to have a built in “experience expiration date” when it comes to blogging – but really – should writing be that way? Good writing should not me thinks. I’m starting to ramble, so I’m going to end this on a “Have a great day!” and good luck on blogging Cord. I want to read more.
.-= Ryan Boyles´s last blog .."If I go 7 days without writing in my blog I start to feel the guilt. After 14 days, there is no more…" =-.
Grant, thank you for adding me to your feeds and I agree there is a new beginnings theme going on.
Brian, you are so right about the publish or perish. I am struggling with everyone else to figure out where that middle ground is.
Ryan, you can ramble anytime my friend, I do it for a living.
For me I think it is all about the routine. I need to get in one for my writing to do it consistently.
Thanks guys for comments and thoughts!