You must know, I try to convince every talented person I meet to start blogging. During those somewhat awkward conversations, a lot of those folks ditch the idea of blogging, ‘because they don’t have the time’. Thanks to Seth Godin, I’ve got a new argument to use on those non-bloggers.
Godin even takes it a step further. In reply to a question from the audience at a conference in Belgium, the marketing guru urged the crowd to blog everyday. Why? Because daily blogging speeds things up. Yes, you’ve read it right, writing everyday saves you time.
Godin has been writing his ideas and thoughts down on a daily basis for a couple of years now. He noticed that whenever he wrote something down, it puts him on a hook. Since the idea is online, for everyone to read, he should live up to it. ,,The act of writing is what moves things forward”, according to Godin.
I’ve experienced the very same. At the beginning of 2010, I jotted down my five (ridiculous) goals for the year to come. Friends and foes keep reminding me of them, which keeps me focused.
Unlike Godin, I didn’t recognize this as a pattern. He obviously did and eloquently shared it with the Belgian audience. Maybe that’s because of his daily blogging habit…
Interesting point. But i find that it works the other way too. Once you get hooked on a subject, it starts eating up all your time because you want to read everying about it and convey everything you learn to your readers… Kill your darlings is the appropriate answer, i guess.
Anyway, I agree wholeheartedly with what he said about the impact of writing things down. This works especially good with (philosophical) ideas: once you put yourself in the position of having to put them in words, you’re on your way to developping them to the next level. So not only does blogging make you more disciplined; it makes you smarter.
How’s that for a reason to blog?
And I, for one, agree wholeheartedly with that Jelmer. Maybe it’s a new mindset: doesn’t matter if you don’t have any readers, as long as YOU are getting something out of it.
Who says I don’t have any readers?!? No, just kidding. Keep up the good work
Ernst Jan,
1 keer raden wie die vraag stelt?
:)
Haha, I can definitely tell now! Thanks for asking man! :)
Hi
How great that you saw Seth Godin speak. What a treat. Thanks for the video.
I know what he means about the fear of failure driving success….
…and his comment about the freelancer’s afternoon nap. (Ha ha ouch!)
Yes, I too encourage (nay, exhort) others to get a blog – the act of writing develops ideas, and the possibility of sharing them adds vrooom. Plus it is a wonderful record.
I am a big fan of Seth Godin’s daily posts. Love his concise writing.
However I have noticed two things he does which probably save him time:
a) Seth rarely uses links
b) He doesn’t have comments from others
I have been dying to discuss this
What do you think?
PS Check out my new Writing on the Web blog
I get the comments part. If you’re that famous, I guess you don’t want to be bothered by all those haters – who came with the fame, naturally. Maybe it helps him focus better as well.
For the link part: I don’t really get that. It’s the soul of blogging. And he has a couple of friends with great blogs.
What do you think?
PS. Digging your new blog!
I posted a new video in the “Seth Godin in Antwerp series” on my blog.
This time he speaks about Twitter.
http://roeldelange.posterous.c.....er-twitter
Aha! So he ignores twitter as well, for the reason of avoiding haters. Interesting thought. Thanks for updating Roel!