So I toddled off to the Problogger Event in Brisbane last week, not really knowing what, if anything, I would learn from it. I was mostly interested in meeting other local bloggers!
After all, I’ve been blogging in one form or another for over 7 years – so you’d think I’d know a fair bit by now!
Not even close. Turns out, you CAN teach an old blogger new tricks!
What is a fulltime blogger?
First of all, my notion of what constitutes a fulltime blogger was challenged.
I thought it was someone who worked on their blog 5 days a week, and that’s it. Heaven only knows, blogs are hungry beasts and it would be easy to devote this amount of time to a blog – writing, editing, formatting, taking photos, responding to emails and comments, visiting other blogs, finding ideas etc.
One of the examples of a “fulltime blogger” was a tradie, blogging about concrete benchtops – which he also happens to instal. The blog now generates enough business that he no longer needs to instal concrete floors; instead, he is able to specialise in (and write about) what he knows and loves best: concrete benchtops.
Others turned blogging into a fulltime job by having a number of income streams on their blog – advertising space, sponsored posts, ebooks, courses, speaking, etc.
However in most cases, the “fulltime bloggers” provided writing or social media services as an adjunct to running their blog. And that’s when I had a light bulb moment – that’s what I do! Does that mean *I* am a fulltime blogger?!
The theme of the day was “How to Stand out in the Crowd”. With over 88 gazillion blogs on the web, it can be easy to feel lost. It’s something I am all too familiar with – many is the time I hit “publish” on a post I’m really excited about, only to hear … *crickets chirping*.
New Tricks for Old Bloggers
So here are some new tips and tricks I picked up on the day, about how to make a blog stand out from the crowd.
- Pick a Fight – aren’t there already enough trolls in the blogosphere I hear you ask? No, it’s not that sort of fight. It’s about choosing a battle, and taking a stand on something that’s important to you – and others. What do you stand for – or against? Fights are important because they draw the right reader; they create momentum; and grow a community on your blog. Fights can be long-term; or short-term. Now I just have to think what fight I want to pick!
- The Value of Insomnia – what is keeping your readers awake at night? Provide ideas and solutions to these problems, to make your blog irresistible to readers!
- Comments – you probably already know that comments from readers are a valuable source of inspiration for new posts. Take this one step further, by checking out the comments left on the blogs where your “ideal readers” hang out, to see what you can glean there!
- The High School Musical Principle – Recently I started the “Shelf Style” series here at Middle Aged Mama, featuring a special guest each week and their Ikea shelves. It’s been a lot of fun and drawn heaps of interest already. By getting others involved, they spread the word for you … turns out I was already harnessing the power of the “High School Muscial” principle without even realising it!
So … what keeps you awake at night?! And was there any advice from the day (or this post), that really stood out for you?
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Great wrap-up Janet! I posted on the same topic today! The main thing I took away was – do I want to monetize my blog and if I do – HOW? π
Janet Camilleri says
It was a great day and loved spending some time with you x
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum says
Thanks for sharing. I’m not able to get to this round of PB events as baby #3 is due any moment now, so it’s great to read about what other bloggers took away from this. PS your Shelf Style series sounds like fun!
Janet Camilleri says
Welcome Erika! I knew that there would be heaps of bloggers posting about the events, but then I figured that we each had our own take on the day and could share for the benefit of those like you that are playing along at home π
Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
I’m enjoying reading everyone’s posts on the ProBlogger series. I like the idea of discovering where your readers like to hang out and other blogs they like to read to determine what is of interest to them.
Pinky Poinker says
Very soon I too will be able to attend these mini conferences Janet. I’m nowhere near being a full time blogger but I have a full time interest in it.
Janet Camilleri says
LOL I think a lot of us can relate to that Pinky!
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I started calling myself a full-time blogger late last year, when I too had that light bulb moment and realised all the income and work I was generating was blog or social media related. It was about the same time that I decided to ditch my plans to monetise the blog any more than what it is and risk people switching off and concentrate on earning money indirectly. Which like you, is what I was already doing.
Having said all that, I’m having a bit of a break, as I await my biopsy results so I suppose I can only call myself a part-time blogger at the moment.
Janet Camilleri says
Hope everything turns out okay xxx. We are waiting for some test results in my family too, longest 3 weeks of my life …
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I really got a lot out of Problogger last week. You and Min have done a great job wrapping up what was said. It was good to see you too again. π x
Tegan says
Great post! It’s awesome that even after 7 years there is still more to learn, especially as the blog beast is so an evolving creature. My own brain keeps me up at night but I’m not sure that would be interesting to your readers π
Janet Camilleri says
I think it’s the onset of menopause keeping me awake, gosh and darn it!
Kathy Marris says
I like the idea of picking a fight Janet. I think I will give that one a try! I’m really disappointed that I missed the workshop. Maybe next time.
Janet Camilleri says
Hope you are over your flu xxx
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
I enjoyed the same workshop in Sydney today. Being a newbie and part time blogger I was like a sponge soaking it all up!
Janet Camilleri says
LOL, I feel like that even as an oldie! π
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
Such a shame I missed out of tickets for the Brisbane event π but I have enjoyed reading everyone else’s notes about it. Can you explain, what is the highschool musical principle?
Janet Camilleri says
Hopefully next time Malinda – would have loved to meet you. From what I understood, the High School Musical Prinicple is about getting everybody involved – that way they feel some “ownership” of your blog and become more committed readers and advocates, spreading the word for you!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
I am not even feeling like a PART time blogger at the moment. It’s a casual thing, at best! I only do it for the communities really, especially IBOT community. Sometimes are easier than others. I would say you are a full time blogger and do a great job at it, but there is always room to learn, and that’s why those conferences are so great! x Aroha
Janet Camilleri says
That’s the great thing about blogging Aroha, it can fit into whatever time you give it – it’s always there π
Beck @ craftypjmum says
So much to learn ! I think I will always be shaking my head in the world of blogging.
EssentiallyJess says
If you start a fight though, will you attract those who disagree in the most vehement manner? That’s not my most favourite thing. π
Interesting what classifies one as a full time blogger. I just assumed it was all blogging all the time!
Janet Camilleri says
That’s true. But I guess if it’s something you feel really strongly about you won’t mind so much? It doesn’t always have to be a divisive topic either. Your “fight” might be to stop human trafficking; or for pets to be neutured and to encourage others to adopt a “rescue” pet (okay that might be one of my “fights”!)
Renee Wilson says
Hooray for being a full-time blogger! It was so great to see you, Janet. You always look so happy and bubbly. You’ve done a great wrap up of the event. Nothing’s keeping me awake at night at the moment. I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow π
Janet Camilleri says
Thank you Renee. I certainly have a great big smile on my face now after reading your lovely comment! π
Cate Russell-Cole says
You can blog about concrete bench tops? Ok, now I am impressed.
I did used to follow Problogger, but the required 5 days a week is way too much for me. There really needs to be some flexibility, and like us, if you have a business behind the blog, it has to pay some amount or the investment in time is not worth it and is bad business practice. Tell that to the blogging addicts though. My blog hit the dust this week due to hackers and people are treating like a death… which it is, 4 years down the drain… All things in moderation. Nothing lasts forever.
Janet Camilleri says
Tech issues are the worst … blogging is a passion for me, any income is a bonus, as you say it can be hugely time consuming!
Fran says
Thanks for the this. I will be picking some fights now!