Is Blogging Making a Comeback? Who Cares? Do this instead.
“Blogging is dead — start a podcast instead.”
“Blogging is so 2010 — you should create a YouTube channel.”
“Blogging is making a comeback — and you need it for SEO!”
Can we just stop this cycle of shoulds and FOMO (fear of missing out)?
I get this question a lot. I hear it, especially from new business owners who are wondering if they “should” be blogging.
Almost always, my question is this…
“Do you want to blog?”
People are often surprised when I pose the question back to them. It’s as if no one has ever asked them this before.
When did we decide that it was okay to put our wants last and instead follow some fearless leaders’ advice and do what they say?
What I say: Blog if you want to blog.
And, if you prefer to speak, do a podcast.
And, you can do both. I recommend starting with one so you don’t get overwhelmed and stop all of them. I’ve seen this happen too.
If you’re thinking of starting a blog, here are some questions to help you decide:
Do you like writing?
Do you want to blog?
Do you have lots of ideas to share?
Are you receiving the same questions from your audience all the time?
Are you an internal processor and get to your answers by writing?
If you don’t love writing, but enjoy editing — do you like taking things out? This is where a talk-to-text app like Otter.ai comes in handy.
Does blogging tie to your business goals?
Do you want to write a book one day? You could use your blog to help shape your book (many of the chapters in Unfussy Life were blog posts.
What do people need to believe before working with you?
Will your blog help potential clients get to know you and your work better?
The choice is yours. When you create with intention and put your words and work into the world in only the way you can, it will feel easier and have a greater chance of sparking authentic connection.
Assuming a blog is for you, here are some super simple ways to get started:
Look at what you're selling, and then back into your offer — what does a reader need to know or believe before they’ll book a consult from you or buy from you?
Consider any launches or new services you’re rolling out. Do you have a program that you launch four times a year? Then you’ll back into that launch with your blog content.
If you don't necessarily have a launch, and you're providing services all year long, what do people need to know, and feel? Or believe before they'll sign up with you? That can be your content.
Make a big list detailing questions people are always asking you.
What could you talk about all day?
What feels energizing to talk about?
Choose a schedule for posting and stick to it. Even if it’s once a month to start (that’s great!) get started there.
A note about writing for SEO
I didn’t even look at SEO until several years into my business and a handful of years after earning a full-time income. I’m not the person with whom you want to have an intelligent conversation about SEO. I hired an SEO consultant to audit my website for me and make recommendations.
My SEO was a hot mess.
And it didn’t matter for my business. As a service-based business that only requires a small number of clients to fill my client roster, 99.5% of my clients come to me through referrals. Don’t underestimate the power of doing good work and then repeating it over and over. I think 2021 was the first time someone found me because they landed on my website via Google.
Bottom line — writing for SEO might feel boring AF — especially if you’re an INFJ like me (or an INFP). I NEED to write about things that feel exciting. I need to follow that excitement, answer questions, and not just to write about something because I “should” do it for the keywords — barf.
I invested in my SEO strategy in 2020, more than a year after starting my writing community. This group container calls for an increased volume of website traffic to attract new members (but still — it’s growing mainly from member referrals today). So if you have a digital products business or require a larger volume of people and your business isn’t referral-based, SEO can be good to explore.
Please, stop should-ing all over yourself.
No, shoulds. We don't need to do that to ourselves. Instead, follow what feels really good to do and less about what you feel or think should be out there.
I love blogging. I started with a food blog back in 2012. Now I blog about business, writing, intuition, and unfussy living. These are some of my favorite articles:
