• 16 Comments
  • June 29th 2008

What I have learned from Blogging.. Pt.1

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I was sitting in my chair the other day and the thought popped into my head, “I manage a blog that helps teach people about business, but what has it taught me?” Over the last few days I have dug deep for an answer to this question, and I think I have it below. As I list my points I wonder what your thoughts are, so please leave them as comments because I am truly interested!

1. It has opened doors to me I never thought possible.

I have only been doing this blogging, mostly behind the scenes, for the past 6 months and I have met some extraordinary people! I reconnected with Joey Pomerenke, one of the original founders of YGG, and we are working on a business together. You can also find Joey doing a lot of interviews with some great entrepreneurs that share our values on YGG. I have teamed up with Paul Ocalian, and avid YGG member in creating a new media boutique. What a talented designer, that without YGG, I probably wouldn’t have known.

I have also met a lot of great people through the Brazen Careerist network, which we are a part of. What a great idea that combines so of the best up and coming bloggers that are out there, many of which I have gotten to know lately. All of this thanks to taking a leap of faith and trying out something new to me.


2. It is time consuming…

I really wasn’t ready for the time commitment that was to come with running and writing for such an established blog. I initially thought maybe 2-3 hours a week are all that would be needed, boy was I struck hard by reality. I spend at least 10 hours a week just writing and editing articles, that does not include the time it takes to respond to reader questions, media inquiries, advertising, promoting the site, working with people and planning new additions and the list goes on….

This can all get very overwhelming when you hold a full time career that requires a lot of your attention, as well as a family with a one year old son. What it has made me is a better planner, and I find I am beating my procrastination habit. I have no choice, all these commitments are forcing me to be more productive.

3. Jump in!!

I knew nothing about blogging, or maintaining a site when I started this January 1 of this year. On top of that I had some pretty big shoes to fill in from the past owners, Eric and Travis. I don’t think I have completely filled those shoes, or given the site everything they have, but I am still learning. What I will say is for someone with no experience I think I have done a decent job.

If you are not sure you are ready, or lack some knowledge, the best teacher is you! Jump in and commit, that will be when you are forced to learn. It can be stressful and push you to the limits, but in the end the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages! Just realize that there is never a “perfect time” and sometimes analysis paralysis sets in, in that case bust out and just do it!

4. There will always be a “critic”

No matter how great your idea seems, or how well you think something new is working there will always be people around to criticize what you do. Now criticism if done right, can be a great thing. I have learned a lot from constructive criticism. But some people just like to knock you down a few pegs because they do not like what you are doing, it happens to everyone and it will never stop. I just learned to do what I thought was right and go with my gut, sometimes it works, sometimes no but at least I tried and I gained some great experience from it which in itself is just as useful.

So if anyone is ever trying to deflate your ideas, do what you think is right and most times you won’t be wrong!

This was just the first part of a 2 part series based on this topic, guess that says I have learned a lot from my blogging adventure!

  • Paul

    Man, I still need to jump into this blogging thing. :P

    Definitely agree with you on doing what you think is right. People will always judge, just make the best of it and as long as your happy doing it, thats all that matters.

  • Paul

    Man, I still need to jump into this blogging thing. :P

    Definitely agree with you on doing what you think is right. People will always judge, just make the best of it and as long as your happy doing it, thats all that matters.

  • http://www.kurb.co.nz Matt @ Kurb

    My blog lets ideas out of my head and into the online community, for better or worse, but most importantly it generates good quality leads. Not huge amounts, but still. One good lead for my services is as good as months of adsense, MMO style blog revenue.

  • http://www.kurb.co.nz Matt @ Kurb

    My blog lets ideas out of my head and into the online community, for better or worse, but most importantly it generates good quality leads. Not huge amounts, but still. One good lead for my services is as good as months of adsense, MMO style blog revenue.

  • http://blog.wealth-and-wisdom.com B Smith @ Wealth and Wisdom

    Justin-great post. I know what you mean about the work involved. It looks easy but takes a lot of time to generate good content.

  • http://blog.wealth-and-wisdom.com B Smith @ Wealth and Wisdom

    Justin-great post. I know what you mean about the work involved. It looks easy but takes a lot of time to generate good content.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com Justin Nowak

    @ B Smith @ Wealth and Wisdom - yea it totally took me by surprise. I have had to juggle a lot of things to make it work, but I think I have settled into some sort of routine now!

  • http://www.younggogetter.com Justin Nowak

    @ B Smith @ Wealth and Wisdom - yea it totally took me by surprise. I have had to juggle a lot of things to make it work, but I think I have settled into some sort of routine now!

  • http://www.cartoonistblog.com/ Lee Milthorpe

    I was always interested in blogging and before I started, thought I would be good at it and like yourself, thought there wasn’t much to it.

    What I learned was that I have a big lack of talent when it comes to writing and that I couldn’t possibly keep writing badly about something I just wasn’t passionate enough about.

    That’s when I seemed to accidentally fall into blogging about a passion I forgot I had, which is cartooning. Now, instead of worrying about what to write or how to write it, I just do what I do easily without even thinking, and that’s doodle!

    It might not be a get rich quick niche, but it’s something I can enjoy and I really do think that is an important part of successful blogging.

  • http://www.cartoonistblog.com/ Lee Milthorpe

    I was always interested in blogging and before I started, thought I would be good at it and like yourself, thought there wasn’t much to it.

    What I learned was that I have a big lack of talent when it comes to writing and that I couldn’t possibly keep writing badly about something I just wasn’t passionate enough about.

    That’s when I seemed to accidentally fall into blogging about a passion I forgot I had, which is cartooning. Now, instead of worrying about what to write or how to write it, I just do what I do easily without even thinking, and that’s doodle!

    It might not be a get rich quick niche, but it’s something I can enjoy and I really do think that is an important part of successful blogging.

  • http://www.snow-maker.com Gregg Blanchard

    Well said on #3. I get that concern a lot from friends worrying about all these little details surrounding starting a “non-personal” blog. The way I see it, just go for it, start creating content and getting your name out there. By the time you start getting readers you can work out all the kinks buts don’t wait until you are a blogging whiz to start one (ironically, you can’t become a blogging pro without just trying a learning from your mistakes).

  • http://www.snow-maker.com Gregg Blanchard

    Well said on #3. I get that concern a lot from friends worrying about all these little details surrounding starting a “non-personal” blog. The way I see it, just go for it, start creating content and getting your name out there. By the time you start getting readers you can work out all the kinks buts don’t wait until you are a blogging whiz to start one (ironically, you can’t become a blogging pro without just trying a learning from your mistakes).

  • http://www.younggogetter.com Justin Nowak

    @ Gregg Blanchard - It hasn’t been the way I had invisioned it but I am getting better and learning. I am sure YGG will benefit from that very soon.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com Justin Nowak

    @ Gregg Blanchard - It hasn’t been the way I had invisioned it but I am getting better and learning. I am sure YGG will benefit from that very soon.

  • http://www.ribeezie.typepad.com Ricardo Bueno

    There’s no doubt blogging takes time, energy and commitment. Does it become stressful from time to time? Sure it does. We even go so far as to warn those considering starting a new blog of these little facts. But then again, you’ll never know whether blogging is “right” for you unless you just take the leap and jump right in. You know, get your feet wet. Heck, give it a try and join a network. Next thing you know your writing will get better and better and soon enough you’ll find whether it’s something you enjoy or not.

    It seems the experience certainly presented its challenges to you but it also taught you some great habits; like learning to procrastinate less (manage your time better and all).

    Sure, blogging takes time and energy but when you find something you like writing about…something worth communicating and engaging in….the process becomes much more fun.

  • http://www.ribeezie.typepad.com Ricardo Bueno

    There’s no doubt blogging takes time, energy and commitment. Does it become stressful from time to time? Sure it does. We even go so far as to warn those considering starting a new blog of these little facts. But then again, you’ll never know whether blogging is “right” for you unless you just take the leap and jump right in. You know, get your feet wet. Heck, give it a try and join a network. Next thing you know your writing will get better and better and soon enough you’ll find whether it’s something you enjoy or not.

    It seems the experience certainly presented its challenges to you but it also taught you some great habits; like learning to procrastinate less (manage your time better and all).

    Sure, blogging takes time and energy but when you find something you like writing about…something worth communicating and engaging in….the process becomes much more fun.