A year or two ago, almost no one was reading my blog (cue nighttime cricket noises).
Now you are here, reading this, and I love you for that. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly that you take time out of your day to read what I share.
But how did you get here? How did I get here?
Now I’m no rock star. But I have reached a point where I’m able to make a difference because I’ve got an audience that’s growing.
You probably weren’t here two years ago or three years ago or four years ago (yes, I’ve been blogging nearly that long).
I’m saying pretty much the same thing I was then. Same me. Same skills and knowledge to share.
So what made the difference?
I kept showing up.
And showing up.
And showing up again.
I got noisy on Twitter, on Facebook, on teleclasses, as a guest blogger and elsewhere around the web, even when it was uncomfortable and scary. When I tell you if I can do this, you can do this, I mean it 100%.
With annoying determination I’ve gotten better–at writing, at marketing, at finding my readers and learning how to help and support you.
Some of my early blogging was terrible.
I didn’t give up. Even when it felt discouraging and I really didn’t know what I was doing wrong or how to fix it. I kept figuring it out as I went.
Every post I write, I try to put my heart into and share something beneficial for you. I don’t always hit the mark. Sometimes I’m way off and a post bombs (cue the annoying crickets again).
But I don’t shut up. I kept talking when I didn’t think anyone was listening and I’ll keep talking even when no one talks back, or they do but don’t like what I share.
I just keep showing up.
Because I know there are people out there who I can help and support. And I want to be a small part of your success in online business.
So I’ve kept on blogging consistently.
My challenge to you today is to do the same.
Don’t give up. Don’t shut up. Just keep showing up.
Get your voice out there.
It pays off.
Now, tell me who you are, why you’re blogging and who should be reading your blog… (leave a comment!)
Photo Credit: photomak/StockFresh
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Hi Michelle! My name is Glenneth and I am blogging because it is FUN! I love the technical side of blogging and also sharing my experiences. Who should read my blog? Anyone, but especially people who are trying to get fit and healthy that aren’t runners. I am a walker and proud of it!
Awesome, Glenneth! I love that you’ve got that defined — people who are trying to get fit and healthy that aren’t runners. Knowing who we’re not writing for is just as important as knowing who we are writing for. :)
Thank you so much for what you do – for continuing! I’ve been a reader for almost a year and have learned so much from your posts. You’re my first “go to” if I need to know how to do anything in this online blogging world.
I’m Lori. I write about encouraging your spouse. Who would want to read my posts? Husbands and wives who want to change their relationships – who are or would like to make a difference in the world around them.
Nobody read what I wrote till last July. (mostly because I didn’t promote myself -lol). The Ultimate Blog Challenge you co-hosted last July has changed that. I’ve made friends in this online world. Your consistent and persistent showing up to post had made a difference in my world. Thank you. Please carry on….
I’m Dominique, elementary school teacher and mom of three. I enjoy writing and am blogging to keep an online journal of the memories which the kids and I create, my thoughts and to make new friends online. My blog is a mixed bag of my personal parenting experiences, educating junior and my hobbies of photography and cooking/baking. There is something for all parents.
You must have been reading my mind this morning. You wrote what I was thinking. I have only been blogging for a little over a year. This morning, I have been reading blogs and came across this one. I was just about ready to throw in the towel when I received the encouragement that I needed from you. Now I don’t feel so alone. It is back to showing up and doing it for me! Thank you so much for this write and good luck to you.
I’m Kimberly, a yoga teacher, Army wife, and mom of a beautiful 7-year-old girl. I blog to help me reach my personal goals (like running marathons!) and to inspire others along the way. You should read my blog if you want to get fit, travel in Europe, cook vegetarian food, learn how to cope with moving all of the time, or get inspiration for crafts.
Michelle
You inspired me today! I am where you were a few years ago. Lots of cricket noices sound off at my blog and sometimes I do think that maybe what I am sharing isnt valuable. Then Paula Deen sensationalized Diabetes and I know that my mission is needed. Thank you!
Words I needed to hear today!!!!! Thank you for this today and for the many many posts that have inspired and taught!
I’m Linda, soon to be 40, mom of one and an extremely public heathen with tons of interests, several websites and a business. I blog about all of them.
Hi Michelle,
I’m blogging because it gives me peace from all the knowledge in my head that keeps making an appearance and won’t settle down until I write about it.
I experienced a long and difficult journey through an abusive childhood and then poor relationships. I carried anger and resentment and low self esteem. I lacked confidence, have overcome depression, anxiety, multiple phobias, addictions, severe trauma and sexual promiscuity.
I have found easy ways that help people move beyond all of these and I want to share them.
I have only been blogging for 18 days, but I have to say I feel I was born to it. My problem is never having something to write about, my problem is having too much to write about.
I’m blogging for credibility as well, to build up my practice and to get an audience for the many books I intend to write.
Anyone who wants to move on from the past, become more personally developed, find their zing or learn simple techniques for dealing with the mental and emotional stressors of life should read my blog.
Blogging is a great platform to express myself, share my wisdom and help others. I love it.
Madonna
Hi! Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve recently resurrected my biz blog, promising that I’d post at LEAST 2x each week. I’ve linked it to my facebook biz page and my linkedin page, and am hoping to get some followers, finally!
I blog because I enjoy sharing information–whether it’s our family blog (sharing photos and updates on our girls), or my music blog (offering my take on jazz today), or my biz blog (providing tips and links to articles to help better business writing)–and because it’s an outlet for writing…which is what I do!
I’ve been a loyal follower since 2007 – 2008 and I am so so SSSOOOOO glad I found you, my friend!! <3 You are an inspiration, an influence, and a great mentor!!! Had to say that first!!! ;)
I'm a mom, wife, web designer and crafter! I'm blogging to share my adventures in all these areas and others of course. My goal is get others as excited as me about blogging, building my own business, and doing it all while raising a family! I hope to be an inspiration to other moms wanting to work at home, like Michelle is to me :)
Hi Michelle, I’m Anita and I’m blogging to help spiritual business owners learn how to walk in two worlds at the same time. Learning how to balance being spiritual and being a business owners can be a daunting task sometimes. I know as I have just recently come out of the spiritual closet. I am part accountant, part business coach, part psychic medium and part healer.
I am writing articles around business, self-care and empowerment so that spiritual business owners have a place to turn to take their businesses to the next level. Because if they are not supported, many turn back and return to traditional jobs to pay the bills and that means the world loses. It loses when these people are not out sharing their God given gifts with others on a regular basis. You have to make money (yes I said it, money) to stay in business. I want to teach them how to serve spirit and make more money in less time by applying proven business principles to a less then traditional business.
My mission is to help 10,000 people grow their spiritual business to 6 figures or more so they can live the life they desire and help more people along the way.
And blogging is a great way to reach out and give people with information they can use.
Hi Michelle….I get what you say here…posting often and regular is definately a key and something I need to work on…I blog because it’s something that I have wanted to do, but like a lot of things I want to do I don’t have the knowledge or the talent to get there in the way I really want to. i have really only picked up readers from your facebook page about the challenge as people from there read my blog when I post on there, I am hoping that some of them have added me to their regular reading list but I’m not really sure as most of the people are business type blogs…I guess the people who read my blog are friends of mine in real life or on line, the others are the people from the challenge and maybe I’ve picked up a few others along the way….I would love to have one of those fancy blogs that is set up really well and lots of profound things are said but that will never be me….I am only doing this with the free sets ups and I’m certainly not profound I just write whatever comes my way and what seems to interest me at the time….my hope is that I find some sort of niche that i fit into. To be honest I’m not really writing for other people but more for myself and trying to get myself into some sort of writing pattern and maybe see if my brain is once more capable of producing sensible and intelligent things
Katrina, I just wanted to say thank you for posting on Michelle’s post. I read your article, commented, and also passed on the article about Amelia and her family to my twitter, fb and google+ … If anyone sees this, please read the recently posted blog above! all I can say is wow …
So true Michelle. Many people give up after a year or less of blogging because they didn’t get the results they wanted. The ones that have been online for 5 or more years know that everyone goes through this phase and it surely will pass if you stay persistent.
Michelle, I am Jamie Saloff, and wildly independent, fiercely dedicated, author, speaker, and intuitive who wants to help others make the leaps I have made myself in personal growth and business. I am blogging for many reasons, but have been deeply inspired by your blog challenges, your tips, and your constant belief in us to keep at it. So thanks to you for your diligence to keep showing up. I’m one of those people for whom it makes a difference.
Hi my name is Bill and have been blogging for about 3 years now. I have 4 blogs write now but just cant seem to find my niche. Maybe by reading your interesting posts here i will find something that will help me. Thanks for the words of wisdom here.
Nice post, Michelle. You made a commitement and it’s paid off. I’ve been doing it for two years and I can honestly say I never thought I’d have an audience, but it’s there and it’s growing. Congrats on your success and may it keep growing.
I’m Armi Niemi and I love the tech stuff. I enjoy tweaking my blog. After every little bit of tweaking my blog looks better. And tweaking my writing also. After every tweaking my writing gets better. When there’s so many things to try out and test and tweak and define and detail it’s rewarding to see the things come alive and come implemented :)
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing this! I am a relatively new blogger and sometimes it still feels weird to try and promote myself and my ideas. I still wonder everyday if anyone will read my latest post, but I keep doing it. I started blogging as a way to share my passion for fitness, style, cooking etc and as a way to express myself. I realized that even if no one reads it, I still get so much out of just doing it for myself.
Hi Michelle,
Great post on not giving up! Do you find it sometimes gets to be a challenge to write the same (or at least similar) content you wrote about 3 years ago in a fresh, new way? There’s so little new content in the world, it’s about saying things just a little bit different than it’s been said before.
hi
i am helen, a graphic designer based i berlin/ germany.
i started blogging in july 2011 because i love writing and i wanted to learn about social media and social media marketing.
my strategy: just like michelle – showing up, being there :)
i love blogging, lot of fun for me, doing research in my field of working.
meeting lots of new people.
why should you read my blog?
ghee because i love it :lol:
i am blogging about graphic design – logos i made, why i made them, how i made them.
guess there is something interesting for everybody in it.
since i am dealing with this matter, i watch my city a bit differently.
you just get an eye for that.
i am trying to tell you why a customer wanted that specific logo, which is always a process, a development, an evolution …
by the moment i am doing a series about colors.
just have a look at it :)
and i am also blogging about life, and holidays … so every major holiday gets featured on the blog.
you see i just love talking.
Thank you for a VERY encouraging post! Love the photo with the megaphone! Cute!
I’m Dawn one of the chics with a view. I started blogging over a one day famous twitter post! I’m a UI Designer by day chic with a view at night. After starting the blog two ladies and a gent have become apart of CWAV. I would hope that whomever visits finds something they can identify with.
Hi, Michelle, I’m Alana, and I’ve always loved to write. When I was young my favorite place was the bookmobile that would visit the public housing project where I grew up. Writing became my refuge when my Mom died suddenly just before my 13th birthday. My very first blog post was taken from an email I wrote when a madman gunned down 13 people some 5 blocks from where I work. Think things are boring in a small village in upstate NY? They aren’t! Who should read my blog? People interested in farmers markets, in the Civil War, in following what happens when a community recovers from a flood, in wildflowers, and in reading the random musings of a woman who will turn 60 (yikes) later this year.
I am Lisa Ellis Williams, Speaker, Writer, and Founder of Wives On Purpose. I blog to support married women who are struggling to keep enough love alive in their marriage to stay. All of my thoughts, messages and teleclasses are designed to grow women in their faith so their husbands and children can be impacted by the Savior. My hope is that God’s covenant survives because of wives who are purposeful.
Thanks for the post Michelle and for doing the UBC. I am a leadership coach and started blogging to get my writing juices flowing and to really find my voice. I help managers bring out the best in those around them. For me, persistence is key. Thanks for your support.
Some days I still hear the crickets chirping …
And some days I can’t type fast enough to keep up with replies to comments.
So I guess I’ll just have to say …
Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. :)
Melanie your windshield wiper analogy made me laugh. Thanks for the smile on my face. :)
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to give us all tips. I came to be a blogger because after working all of my life, at the age of 52, I became disabled. My wife works, but to tell you the truth, it’s not enough income. I want to contribute to my house hold and ease the burden on my wife. My disability is in the appeal stages.
I’ve always loved writing, right now it’s subject matter that’s holding me back. I’ve even started carrying a small pad and pen every where I go in case an idea pops into my head. Thank you again Michelle.
George
Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve been struggling with consistently posting because I wasn’t seeing where it was being read, so I focused my time more on outside working where the money was. I work as a dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator helping people lose weight and control their diabetes. I see so much misinformation and people with diabetes who have had no education. So I blog trying to help people who don’t have access to a diabetes educator. I have another blog http://ParentingDiabetes.com where I try to help the overwhelmed parents of children with type 1 diabetes. I have 3 kids, 2 of whom have diabetes, so I can understand the overwhelm. Thanks again for your great posts!
80% of life is just showing up. If you continue to do that everything else will fall into place as it should.
Hi Michelle,
Is there a character or word limit on your comments? I received a 500 internal server error when I pressed post comment for my comment. I saved it in my editor first so I am able to repost it with changes if necessary.
Thank you,
Barbara
Hi Barbara, not that I know of. :) But there are some anti-spam options activated that won’t allow comments with more than a couple of links, etc.
Hi Michelle,
thanks for your post – it helps to be reminded that this is not a feeling exclusive only to me.
And I have to say your 31 day blog challenge is great to keep me staying there, not giving up, continuing with what I believe in.
Thanks.
Hi Michelle –
I truly appreciate your continuous inspiration.
My name is Natalie. I am a wife, nanny, mom to a furry baby. I blog across several different sites but my passion is about helping children and their parents find quality income care. I really want all parties to be educated about the right way to enter into an solid workable nanny/employer relationship. And what it takes to make it work in the long run.
I blog mainly because I enjoy it, but I love the fact that it is a fun way for me to promote my website design/virtual assistance business to my target market. My blog is called Your Organizing Business, and it contains information for professional organizers including marketing tips, book and product reviews, business advice and more.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks a lot for writing this encouraging blog post. It’s good to keep in mind when facing challenges and doubts. I blog esp to help pet owners and their pets in connection with the death of a pet. In most pet loss info I see around, the focus is on the pet owner. I also have focus on helping the deceased and the surviving pets who are grieving the loss of an animal companion. That vision and desire to help the animals keeps me going, because I know I can make a difference. Thanks again for telling us not to shut up but to keep showing up.
I blog because I love writing and it helps me get all the stuff that’s going on in my brain out! I work for myself and offer copywriting, blogging and new media consulting services. My blog is a way for me to showcase my writing. I used to think I needed to focus more on one topic – I write about parenting, being a lefty, philanthropy and more – but I realize now that it’s a way for potential clients to connect with me and get a feel for my style. And it’s fun!
I had to laugh. I woke up this morning resigning myself to the fact that my blog would join the millions of others on the cyber scrap heap. I opened my email and here it was! Thank you so much Michelle for your encouragement. I’m not sure if I will continue, but it’s nice to know that people are really succeeding and making a difference!
I blog about my wire sculptures, other artists I like and international events that impact the arts.
The best advice I was given was to write as if I had an audience of thousands and to just keep writing. It Works.
http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2011/03/africa-animation-when-united-nations.html.
I think people are getting tired of me; I keep showing up too often. But yes, they come back and always visit my blog and I love them for that :)
Great advice. I can hear the crickets when I visit my blog, but in the distance I can hear footsteps
Thanks
Are you absolutely sure? I get so frustrated that nobody hears me. It’s like shouting in an empty hallway and feeling like a lunatic doing it! I keep going ONLY because I know for sure that quitting will not get me where I want to be and continuing might get me there. Maybe.
I’m a Sensual Lifestyle Goddess (I do wellness coaching for women who hate gyms and diets and other boring crap) but I’m working as a lawyer because business got extremely slow about 3 years ago. It sucks. Who should be reading my blog? Women, usually age 30-50 and African American, who need to get healthy but who want to continue to be decadent. It seemed like such a novel and great idea! But a year later and an measly average daily readership and crickets singing in the background…(I actually thought of putting that sound on the site LOL) here I am.
Thanks for the advice, I won’t give up.
Hi and thanks for sharing. I know what you mean. Sometimes I think it is a good idea to click the draft button instead of the publish all the time because I sometimes regret what goes out there…
Thanks for this! It’s easy to get discouraged with everything. And sometimes I think that I spread myself too thin.
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