Here’s an actual conversation I had with Brian, which I may have paraphrased and/or written while getting a massage from a clown:
Brian: “So, do you want to start writing the Wrap again?”
Me: “Sure, sounds like fun. Are people missing it and wondering when it’ll come back?”
Brian: “No, not really. We got all kinds of mail asking when the radio show was going to return, but nobody’s asked about the Wrap.”
Me: “Has anyone specifically said that they’ll complain or cancel their subscription if the Wrap does return?”
Brian: “No. Nobody has said that either.”
Me: “Okay, then.”
So, back by popular demand — you didn’t explicitly protest it, so you get it — announcing the return of the Copyblogger Weekly Wrap!
Here’s what happened this week on Copyblogger:
Monday:
Would You Trade Your Boredom for Stress to Have Your Own Business?
My wife wrestles with this decision all the time. On one hand, she would never trade the boredom of a job for the hair-pulling stress of entrepreneurship as Sonia describes it, but on the other hand she has no choice because she’s shackled to me. It’s as if I’ve taken her hostage. And I think that’s real question this post asks: When’s the last time you took someone hostage? Or it might have something to do with an entrepreneur’s mindset, but I’m not good with symbolism.
Tuesday:
What a Navy SEAL Can Teach You About Becoming a Fearless Writer
Brian’s too nice to come right out and say it (or, more likely, he wants to appear to be too nice to come right out and say it), but the moral of this post is “Don’t be such a wimp.” You can be inspired by other writers, historical role models, or contemporary badasses, but the ultimate perspective-maker for the fear you experience when writing just might be the brave men with the guns.
Wednesday:
How to Become an Unforgettable Writer
Dude. Robert Bruce copied a Charles Bukowski poem into the WordPress posting area and called it Wednesday’s content. That’s the laziest, most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard more than one Maroon 5 song. Go read it, though, because it turned the comments section into a bunch of artsy types wearing berets and smoking while holding their cigarettes “the European way.”
Thursday:
Want to Be a Better Marketer? Start by Becoming a Better Teacher
This post is a roller coaster. Girl writes book and becomes bestselling author; girl becomes teacher and thinks she sucks. Girl discovers that all teachers feel that way. Girl offers six solid tips for dealing and being awesome anyway. It’s basically the same story as in the Robert Redford movie The Natural.
Friday:
Are You Flushing Your Marketing Down the Social Media Toilet?
Ah, the social media toilet. You know that one, right? It’s the one that gets totally full of everyone else’s crap and which you can never flush from your life. Well, this week, Robert and Sonia discuss said toilet along with other mystifying items like Led Zeppelin IV and the strategy of writing bad headlines (or not). Don’t miss this one.
This week’s cool links:
- Is There a Template for Creativity?: In my opinion, this is like asking, “Can drywall be considered a vegetable?” but you can read this post and decide for yourself.
- Why You Need to Turn Your Content Marketing Upside Down: The teaser for this one is “action, not eyeballs.” I don’t think I need to say much else.
- Get The 7-Step Extreme Blog Makeover : It’s an infographic. It’s cool. Ty Pennington is not involved. Check it out.
About the Author: Johnny B. Truant specializes in heretical personal development and business advice. You should sign up for his free series on how to start making more money blogging whether you plan on being heretical yourself or not.
Tweet
Comments
- I'm a big fan of the “Wrap”! Glad it's back! by JenChicago
- I've gotten a lot of mileage out of the conversation – do you ... by Rosh
- I never thought about wrap .. wrap .. wrap by maurice
- Aw, look at the love! by Johnny B. Truant
- Sweet welcome back! Even if I've read the posts for the week I ... by Jerry
- Plus 3 more...
Further Reading
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
5 Essential Blogging Tips from the Father of Chinese Philosophy
by Michael Aagaard on December 8, 2009
Confucius, the father of Confucianism, died more than 2500 years ago, but his teachings are still relevant — not least when it comes to blogging.
Here are five classic Confucian quotes that are vital to remember if you want a successful blog.
1. The essence of knowledge is having it, to apply it
Information and knowledge sharing are the main driving forces behind the web. If you want people to read your blog and follow it loyally, you can’t be greedy with your knowledge.
You need to give your readers something that will make their lives better — every time they visit your blog. When you feel you’re giving too much away for free, you’re on the right track.
2. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
You can’t satisfy everyone with every single blog post. There’s no way of knowing beforehand what the reaction will be.
Some posts you really put effort into and truly believe in might go unnoticed, while other posts you didn’t spend much time on can be the ones that set off an explosion of comments, tweets and links.
3. When anger rises, think of the consequences
Negative comments are a natural part of blogging. Sooner or later some clown is going to fry you, and although your first reaction might be to let the person taste his own medicine, you’ll want to think twice.
You’re much better off giving a rational and careful response. That way you show that you‘re the “adult” and that you aren’t easily provoked.
Moreover, many of your visitors will read your comments, and a crossfire of verbal abuse doesn’t leave a good impression on potential followers.
4. Respect yourself and others will respect you
Your blog is a personal expression of you and your expertise. Your knowledge makes the blog relevant, and your authority “sells” the blog and gives it credibility.
You don’t want to be smug or arrogant, but it’s important to be confident and to show that you know what you’re talking about. Nobody wants to read a half-baked blog post.
5. What you do not want done to yourself, do not to others
The web is a social medium — and we all play an important part in the big picture. Its easy to complain but much more constructive to try and make a difference.
Remember the things that tick you off on other sites, and don’t repeat them. Write every single post like you’re talking to your best friend.
Okay — so those were the five essential blogging tips from Confucius, but I’m just going to give you one for the road, and this might even be the most important:
6. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand
You can get tons of tips and advice along the way, but dedication and hard work are the key components of a successful blog.
Theory only becomes really useful once you get your hands dirty and gain your own experience about what does (and doesn’t) work for you personally.
About the Author: Michael Aagaard is something so rare as a serious Danish online copywriter. In fact, he has just launched the very first Danish blog dedicated to the fine art of online copywriting.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }