One of the key reasons nobody reads your blog is because you have tried to become a news site.
People can read news anywhere.
But sometimes in the process blogs can become more credible, trustworthy, and faster for news then traditional news sites. Techcrunch, Mashable, Huffington Post are just a few that have amazing distribution.
Many bloggers think just because they have millions of people that read their website they need to deliver them news. They think people are looking to them for news. But they are not.
People read blogs because they are looking to connect with you. They need to know you are the same dumbass that they are.
The #1 tip I can tell people who want to have a successful blog is to be yourself.
People give me shit all the time for talking about my kids, strip clubs, getting drunk, losing weight, LOST.
People say I need to stay on topic all the time.
I guess they don’t know the topic of this blog is me.
Its a blog. Its not a news site.
About the author...
Jeremy Schoemaker – who has written 2473 posts on ShoeMoney.com.
Hi I am Jeremy Schoemaker and ShoeMoney.com is my blog. 99% of the post here are done by me but you will see others occasionally make guest posts. This blog is fun to write but for my day job I run several online companies.
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{ 111 comments… read them below or add one }
Blog with news can obviously boost the overall site with traffic, since readers get themselves updated.
Maybe you should have the blog name as ShoeMoney – A Personal Blog of a Money Maker
But Jeremy is saying that people don’t read the blog updating news.
You are so right. For the first several weeks after I bought the MouthyGirl.com domain I was torn over what to do with, I eventually followed your path and made it about me…seems to be working well so far.
Now that I’m working at home, lookout
I’ll be writing a lot more!
Basically, you and me on the same track here. I started my blog a year ago with same interest to make some money from it. Now, I’m a full time blogger that works at home. Good luck for your blog!
The difficulty with news is you always have to find news (or have people give you tips) or people go elsewhere. Unless you’re willing to play that game FOREVER, don’t start. Being yourself is much easier.
Most of the news type of blogs are not writing. They just get the excerpt or rss from other news channel and post it in their blog. It is similar as splogs that ruin the blogging industry.
Sometimes you run out of stuff to write about and there’s a really interesting news story that you haven’t seen promoted very much.
There’s almost anything we can write about us. Run out of ideas? Just look at twitter.
Yeah, I would kind of expect you to change the name of the blog if you wanted to turn it into a news site
Selecting a keyword type name in the domain is my suggestion.
TechCrunch is a blog AND a news site.
I don’t think that blogs necessarily need to have personal stuff from their authors.
We need to separate the content from the technology.
Right that was what I said. Michael Arrington still comes at it with personal stories yet its one of the most trusted tech news sites there are.
I think a combination of news and personal works best for blogs.
I think that sometimes people try to take this blogging thing to seriously. I have been guilty of that. Just because you make money from something doesn’t mean you have to be all business. I agree Shoe. Personal blogs should be personal. They don’t call it the “Howard Stern show” because Howard does a news or music show. Howard does a show that is ultimately about him….and that’s why people listen…Same goes for this blog…I read because your life (all of it) is interesting.
I think the best is to be transparent as possible in a personal blog. But, it is easy to get tons of followers and visitors for a famous person like Shoe.
I think people who like blogs like them for the fact that they are NOT news stories. They are blogs, and blogs are about the author and their opinions and ideas. If people don’t like this, they can pick up a newspaper instead. Blogs need to stay true to themselves.
I agree. I read blogs but I don’t read news sites. I don’t care for the news
Though I like learning. I read blogs to connect with people and to learn from successful people.
Shoe is successful so I try to learn from him (even if he talks about his kids sometimes).
If you want the news read a newspaper, if you want to connect and have fun…read a blog
Opinions and ideas can be so true sometimes.
People want to hear about news and the blog too.
The problem with news you need a blog.
the problem with a blog you need to talking about yourself
Anyway If you want to talking about yourself used a micro blog
My vote is for a combination. I feel so bored to read all about the blogger. It is fun to read and sometimes can be so boring. A blend will be the best choice.
I guess some people see blogging through the lens of “adding value to the community”. Some may say that personal accounts don’t add any value to the community directly. Instead they indirectly tell a story that people in real life may not be willing to listen to. One of the main reasons I come to Shoemoney.com is to read “non-news”.
-R
I like the personal touch of each blog, but don’t you have to mix in a little news. Or am I just confusing news with information?
Thanks!
I really like that your #1 tip for making your blog successful is to “Be Yourself”. I think that a lot of people that are just getting into blogging are looking to create a blog and “Poof!”, a week later have thousands of visitors a day that really care about them and their posts. So they try and emulate what another successful blogger is doing in hopes of jumping on the bandwagon. However most people fall in love with a certain blogger because of their uniqueness and individual outlook on life.
So continue to show the world who you are and never be afraid to be yourself. Once you do that, you will start seeing readers (who actually care) start visiting your blog by the dozens.
Why do all my comments never show up…
Now if it’s one guy I don’t know, never have met in my life…I could probably site down and bullshit with the Shoemeister for hours…
He makes this blog get to his inner feelings about life, IMO, and just other bullshit that is just great.
Let’s have a beer together sometime, Strip joints ain’t my steez as anyone should be able to look at titties and ass on their own measures…FOR FREE…At the house? In the car? STOP PAYING FOR THE WIGGLES.
This is what Shoes post is about, making your audience get the feel for you…
I could be totally wrong, he could just be one hell of a sell-out…
Your name is “ways to make money online” which triggers comment spam filters.
That’s weird considering I don’t promote a site with my keyword name…
Yeah.. I used akismet spam filter that filters most of the keyword type of name. I think the best way to avoid this is to email akismet and let them know that your comment is genuine and prefer to use the keyword. I have never try for keyword type name, but for Atniz, it works.
His parents should have seen that one coming when they chose to name him that.
I don’t see any harm with a blog becoming a news site as long as the blog readers appreciate the content
Right I don’t care about getting the news here; I can look up the news I want, if any. Also I don’t really care about what Shoe rights about his kids, weight loss or LOST. It is just fun at that certain moment to read about someone else and can not help but to laugh.
I think you are right being yourself is really important. Knowing what your potential is to increase your following and also reviewing what people connect with most when you post, if your posts that are based on make money articles attract more traffic then this could be to do with either your content or your readers. I enjoy your posts whatever they are based and find them informative.
100% Agree Jeremy. I was ready to just delete my blog then realized who the hell cares it’s my place to say what I want.
Hi, let me say that this is a great blog, it’s so useful and
interesting so I’ll put it in the topten in my blog:
Thanks for your blog.
Lucho.
Amen brotha! At the end of the day, its your site, your direction, your content. If people don’t like it, they can attempt to create their own site or go elsewhere rather than complain!
You are 100% correct. Establishing an emotional connection is the goal. That’s why your “I used to be fat” article consistently gets a lot of traffic.
I think its all about connecting with your readers, makes them want to come back and read more of you, as appose to news which they can read anywhere.
Well said Jeremy, heads up to you!
Beautiful.
Pick a side. Its one or the other. Sure you can be both but stack the chances of success in your favor by making a decision to be one or the other.
You can always post news that do interest you. Like…Yay! my team won today’s game or something.
yep – be yourself. So many people get lost I think trying to build up this persona, but it isn’t really *them*. This doesn’t work well imo lol
That’s the reason I still read this blog and have unsubscribed from every regurgitational newsy blog in the world.
***Important Alert for Shoe and Mrs Shoe***
In fact, literally the *best* thing I have read online so far in 2009 was your wife’s Valentine’s Day guest post. Been meaning to tell you/her that somehow for a while (thus the “important alert).
Thats very true indeed, i totally agree, blog news are not necessary but a certain type of personality and character that is shown in the blog by the owner is necessary.
Anyways i enjoyed the post
Your “personal” Blog should have your “personal” things shared and…..umm……………….some “CHICKS”
Wow, this post could not have come at a better time, I needed to hear this…thanks shoe..
-Andrew
I have to agree with you, be yourself its your blog your space, who cares what people say.
Totally agree, too many people have nothing to blog about so they go with the “Let’s talk about the News”. I mean it’s not bad talking about the news every once in a while like when obama got elected. That’s great news, that people want to discuss.
News is good if there is a discussion going on but if there isnt its useless.
Agree with you 100%. Be yourself!
Just downloaded your Local Affiliate pdf. I’m reading the 2nd page and WHAM…you worked at Sears! Wow, something in common. (See, we just related). Anyway, would you like a PA on that washer?
Good post,
I read blogs to find tips and beneficial information to help gain internet marketing ground.
Although it is nice to hear about the person who is writing the blog, it shows that you are real and not just some faceless robot.
Hopefully people get the point of your words and they can give some personality to their sites.
-Anthony Proulx
Doing nothing but rehashing news on a blog is being lazy IMO. Sure, it’s OK to talk about ‘big’ news occasionally.
I read people’s blogs because I want to know their opinion!
Great post. Thanks for the tips.
Jeremy,
Wow! That is so spot on… I am nauseous from all of the MAshable, Digg, Huffington wannabe blogs out there.
How about being real and honest, unlike the “fake Britney Spears” or Lindsey Lohan on Twitter, your blog is a reflection of your life.
I am grateful for the boldness and honesty of Jeremy Shoemaker and John Chow, Zac Johnson Chris Brogan and Jim Kukral, saying it like it is, and keeping it VERY REAL!
Respectfully,
Nicholas Chase (the video guy from BlogWorld Expo 2008)
“currently searching for his own ‘REAL’ brand…”
http://www.twitter.com/nachase
That’s why i visit this blog… who wants the same ole same ole err day? I want to visit blogs with “personality”! Nothing wrong with having news etc etc.. but it’s nice to see a mash up!
I agree being yourself is the way to go. But this is easier to say than do.
In Fact, most of bloggers fail because they do not listen to theirselves and try to become Shoemoney or Zac Johnson.
But when Jeremy says he doesn`t care if you like what he writes or not, he is actually saying he feels free and is not under pressure to make money online.
He is not into it for money! And thats the difference between people who want to become Shoemoney and real Jeremy.
Don`t get fooled here:
If you want to get rich blogging you will have to do a lot more than writing about yourself. But if you miss the connection with your readers (your target audience that pays your bills by the way) you will loose credibility, advertisers and lastly your blog.
I can’t agree more. If someone doesn’t give their opinion then it’s not really a blog. I have seen so many blog news sites and it is so boring I never come back. I want opinion in blogs I read and every once in awhile some controversy.
Let’s Just be honest here….It really doesn’t matter if you’re doing a news site or a personal site…..it just better be interesting.
I can count most of the really interesting blogs (IMO) on one hand. The fun is finding new great stuff, while enjoying your favorites.
News is news. People want short to the point stories. The more sensationalistic the better versus factualism. I would love to see more of essay type postings. Blogs are more of an editorial news piece. Since newspapers are not thriving anymore and many people turn to blogs for news are we as a society turning away from factual news reporting. It will be a sad day when true reporting is obsolete.
The blog could really use some more strip club news.
It’s one approach, and a valid one. But not the only one. I mean, how many guys do you know making a killing from autoblogging, splogs, niche “just the content” blogs? It can be done.
The most important thing, I think, is not to try to be all things to all people. Decide on your approach and stick with it. If it’s the “cult of personality” approach, sit here and learn at the feet of the master. If not, find someone who has mastered another approach and sit at their feet awhile.
I completely agree. I started a couple blogs thinking I was going to delivery the latest “news” then I realized it was considerable difficult to compete with CNN.
I prefer blogs because I can update the site whenever I want. A News site must be updated with the latest news immediately which I can’t
Maybe that’s where I go wrong sometimes. I do post news sometimes which I notice doesn’t really get comments.
i agree with that, it;s also saying that you must stick with your own blog niche or topic
I prefer to write niche related post for my blog. I don’t want to run to other niche or some mix baggage type of blog. News or personal, staying in our niche is my choice.
But how long will your niche stay niche, Saturation happens pretty fast nowadays.
I definitely agree for the most part although most niche blogs can certainly provide value to their readers by offering very tightly focused niche news.
Shoe more strip clubs please!!!
Seriously, nothing like going to the 5 different sites and all of them saying the same shit.
Truer words have not been written.
Sometimes, blogs are confused with news type. That is the real problem. Plus, the ranking system like, directories prefer to know what is the niche or category that fits our blog.
my blog traffic are low, until i became myself
Nice and informative post.thanks to sharing it.really great tips about news site and blog.