Shaun White is an absolutely incredible snowboarder. He won his third gold in snowboarding this year at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I love watching this guy compete. He has so many good things going for him and I believe there are at least 3 things that bloggers should learn from him.
Here they are:
1. Enjoy blogging: You can always tell that Shaun White enjoys snowboarding. You can see it when he is competing, after he is competing and even when he is not competing. He truly enjoys what he does! Bloggers need to enjoy blogging. I mean, why are you blogging if you do not thoroughly enjoy it? If blogging is a chore or a task for you, don’t do it! Find something else to do because your lack of enjoyment will show itself in your blog. Write about subjects that they are passionate about. When you do, your passion will ooze from the page/screen.
2. Work hard at blogging: Shaun White is an intense competitor. He definitely has a lot of natural ability but that doesn’t stop him from spending tons of time training and furthering his skills. Shaun is not content to stay the same; he is always pushing himself to do more. Bloggers need this same attitude. Bloggers need to work hard at developing their skills and expertise. There are many great resources out there to help you become a great blogger. Take advantage of them! Experiment with new things. Check out blogs outside of your niche.
3. Create a strong sense of community: Shaun White has a tight community even though his follow snowboarders are his competitors at times (the whole sport does for that matter). Bloggers need to work hard at building community. The people who visit your blog are exactly that PEOPLE. They aren’t just a number or a click. Spend time getting to know your readers. Also, spend time getting to know other bloggers (here are some tips to help you with that).
What point do you most identify with? How are you implementing it?
Over the past year I have grown to absolutely love blogging. I love to write. I love to express myself through it. And through that I have realized just how much hard work it takes. I am greatly enjoying this learning process. The aspects of blogging that I stink at is creating the community aspect of it. I am just now starting to venture out to comment and read other blogs. I found that in doing this, I could spend hours and hours each day just on blogging. That does not bode well for my day job. I am struggling to find balance in it.
Thank you for this post, happy belated birthday, and sorry that we (the USA) thumped you guys (the CANADA) last night. Great game….hopefully we won't have to play you again, I'd be scared!
I identify with the working hard one. Because it is a lot of work – but fun, so it doesn't seem so much like work.
I'm mentioning you in my post tomorrow, by the way.
Thanks Ryan! Finding the balance is hard for me too. I go through spurts where I read and comment a lot and then I don't for a while. I try to make reading blogs a priority in my day because I learn so much from them. I usually end up skimming a lot of them because of time but I do my best to read as many as I can.
It was a great game last night even though Canada lost. They now have at least one more game to practice (against the Germans) before they move on.
I agree Missy! Even though it is hard work it is fun!
What's your post about tomorrow?
That is great Kevin! That is why I always encourage bloggers to follow their passion. Who wants to be doing something they don't like – even if they are making money?
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Yeah, I think the one I identify with the most (at least right now) is #3 about building a community. After all, it's not about me – that's thinking way too small. No one really cares about me – they care about what I have (or don't have) to offer them.
One way I've consciously tried to build and connect with the community is to respond to ever comment and interaction. I'm slacking off on Twitter, but otherwise on my blog and email, I reply to everything. Which leads to the other two points you made: hard work and enjoying it. All the interaction is both a lot of fun and a lot of work (I'm sure you know the feeling).
-Marshall Jones Jr.
My recent post Learn how to trust your friend
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Marshall!
A quick question for you: Why don't you allow comments on your blog? Just curious.
Great post Kevin. I especially like the points you made about community. As bloggers we need to help each other out! Being active on your own blog is one thing, but reaching out and being active on other blogs is just as important.
-Paul
My recent post Things I Learned When Writing A Sales Page
I really like how you compared this to Shaun White. I think that is so effective. Great post.
My recent post Do You Digg It? Interview with Jay Adelson, CEO of Digg
Thanks Paul! Building community is huge for me right now. I am trying to break out of my niche to meet new bloggers. So far, it has been great!
Thanks for your comment!
My recent post 3 things bloggers should learn from Shaun White
Thanks for stopping buy and commenting Alex! When I was watching Shaun White and the other snowboarders competing I knew that it was going to be a great analogy to use because most people can relate to it.
I agree with you Marshall. For me it is difficult at the time to go to different blogs and comment because one needs a great internet connection. One day soon I'll be able to focus more on community.
PS: Today is a good connection day.
PPS: New Proverb, "In order for one to connect it others well, one must connect to the internet well."
My recent post Monk Habits For Everyday People
Great points and well done the comparison with Shaun White. About community, a blog without one is a dead blog, indeed.
My recent post What it Takes to Start a Successful Blog
And here I thought Steven Colbert taught me all I could learn about Shaun!
"About community, a blog without one is a dead blog, indeed. " YEP!!
Thanks for sharing Marko!
My recent post How do you use Twitter?
LOL! Yeah, Stephen Colbert definitely has a man crush on Shaun White!
My recent post How do you use Twitter?