Blogging is not necessary for everyone in network marketing, but it is a tool that should not be overlooked!
But because a blog gives you your central hub and is therefore central to your business, you should rid yourself of roadblocks called excuses for posting!
Anyone can choose from a variety of methods to do their marketing, or communicate about their product or service.
Nonetheless, writing is a tool that should not be overlooked.
Article marketing is one way to drive people to your website, but a blog is a perfect central hub or nerve center in your perpetual internet marketing machine. It can offer a centralized aggregation for the value you intend to provide your audience, your target market.
There are just as many reasons for doing blog marketing as for not doing it. Blogging in network marketing can be a very important tool in conveying your message, and helping your team to learn, lead and succeed.
But it may seem overwhelming sometimes if you realize you should update your blog at least twice a week in order to maximize your SEO. You may start making excuses for not blogging, as you start with only a post or two and see the distance ahead as a mile rather than several incremental yards.
These are some of the excuses you may have come up with, and why they just don’t hold water……
1) I don’t have time - Do you or don’t you have time to build your business? Just stay on the slight edge! Do a little bit every time you have a chance, just jot down an idea, or save a picture or video if you see one you like and then you can write a bit of commentary around that, and in just 10 minutes you could have a new post!
Besides, what is your goal, your reason, your ‘why’ for doing a home based business in the first place? Isn’t it where you intend to grow your future passive residual income? And isn’t everything you do today going to just add to the eventual mountain or archives you will end up with? Then stop wasting time making excuses and get to it! 
2) I don’t know what to write about - If you are in marketing, particularly in network marketing where there is such a high failure rate and people in need of help, how can you possibly run out of ideas? If your goal is trust, then you must provide value. When you think about it, everything that you have been learning, someone else is needing to learn right now. Everything you have needed help with, someone is coming along behind you needing help with that same thing. You have something to offer whether you think so or not!
Think about your product or service as you go through the day and think about how certain situations can apply.
For example, although I know that network marketing is a relationship business, I was walking out for lunch with a group the other day at my j-o-b where our marketing directory was saying ‘every time we win or lose a bid on a sale to one of our customers there is an analysis of why we won or lost that sale.
Ultimately, no matter who our competitor is, it always invariably comes down to the ‘relationship’ between the salesman and the customer.’
I found that such an interesting point that it spurred me into writing a post largely based on the importance of relationships in network marketing and in the lead generation system that you might choose.
But you may also be thinking about the training you are currently undergoing, a post or article or book you just read.
Turn your thoughts on that training or reading into a post!
Just write down your impressions and how it has impacted you. Your own personal spin makes it uniquely yours!
3) I’m not a good writer - Everyone has to start somewhere, even having fits and starts i the beginning, and even good writers suffer from a ‘block’ now and then.
But even if you are a terrible writer, write what you are thinking and feeling!
You would be surprised at some of the things I have seen written that weren’t entirely correct grammatically or structured so well, but which actually moved me completely!
If you have a message, just write it down! You can always go back and edit it later.
4) There’s already lots of great content on the topics I know about – So what!? Lots of topics get written about over and over again! You may have just a slightly different insight that lends a new perspective to the topic.
You may have just the right photo to accompany the topic to give it more color and depth.
And even if you do not, just putting your own words around a topic makes it yours. Many ideas are written about over and over and over, some are timeless!
5) I don’t have enough followers – Who does when they start out? Just do what you know in order to begin to attract traffic to your blogs.
Learn keyword research, post your content on Twitter (not too repeatedly, be sure to mix in other content), social bookmarking sites, and forums.
If you have not considered content syndication then do, it’s powerful! TribePro is a great way to attract followers and increase your SEO while you are at it!
You have to start slowly at anything you do, and as we know, persistence is key. Just do the slight edge and send out your new posts to your social networks and your following will eventually grow.
So stay on that slight edge, remember your ‘why’, and keep going.
One day you will look back and be amazed at how much you actually have had to say, and how much you have accomplished! And it will be there to add to your ever widening scope of material always there for the offering (and updating!)
Coach Freddie (28)
Oliver Tausend (28)
Amy Hagerup (24)
Gabriele Maidecchi (24)
Chris Fairchild (21)
Jennifer May (20)
John Engle (18)
Ryan Yokome (17)
Audrey Ross (15)
Steve Nicholas (15)
Thank You for this information. The article takes away all of the excuses not to blog and makes some valid points about blogging benefits.
Vicki,
This was very helpful! I need to stop making excuses and just do it!
Thanks Marie!
I know, I wrote that to remind myself LOL! It is sometimes a daunting task but not so bad if you just DO it!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Vicki
Nice post! I’m not sure about everyone out there, but I sometimes have a hard time blogging … and I love to do it, so even though the points above are legitimate and inspiring, I can’t imagine that someone who needs to be talked into blogging would ever stick with it.
Blogging requires dedication not only of mind and creative work, but of time — something many people in business aren’t patient enough to accept.
I’m all about inspiring business owners to blog — I wrote the ABCs of Starting a Blog for Your Business a while back, — but I think we should stop and question whether or not it’s worth it to persuade business owners into blogging if they’re making excuses.
Business is all about the gut reaction or feeling — if you’re making excuses to not blog, then you might have a good reason … even if you can’t put it into words. However, if you’re avoiding it simply because you don’t know anything about it and it seems scary to jump into something new (be honest with yourself), then you need to take the time to use these posts as a learning tool and decide whether or not blogging is for you.
Again, excellent post — I hope it helps those who are open to blogging.
Check out http://blog.dapeem.com/ when you get the chance and drop me a comment or two. I’d love to hear what you think.
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for the comment! and you are right, if someone really needs convincing then blogging may not be right for them as I said in the top of the post. But rather it is in tended to be a reminder for those like you mention that might be afraid to try it, or those like you and myself who have obviously committed themselves to blogging but sometimes need a bit of a reminder to stick with it.
It is just a tool like many other and when in marketing, some amount of writing or ad copy is useful, it is not for everyone. Most people should try it a while to see if they will reach their goals with it or decide it is not for them. But this post was intended for those who think it might be something they should be doing but just need some encouragement.
Again, thanks for the comment!
Vicki
Great Article! This will surely be helpful to me when I am losing focus, just as your and Chris will use it.
I like #4 and #5 the best.
There are globs of content out there. Why should anyone re-do any of it? I think putting a personal twist is great. I would rather read someones article that I know or have a relationship with over someone I don’t know. So if you decide to not blog about a topic because it is covered by 1 Million others… then you at least are losing out on me as a reader.
And I think I may even write my own article just about this topic…
And #5 is all about the start up. The biggest and best had to start from the bottom. It takes hard work, dedication, and not giving up to win!
Thanks Kelsi! I think you’ve got it! I appreciate the comment and feedback!
To your continued success!
Vicki
Hi,
Thanks for this article.. Exactly there were the excuses that i found for not to write blog. I am sorting out one by one.. I think i need a complete 180 degree change in my life..
Thanks again
Jitto P.Jose
Another great article, Vicki. I really enjoy reading your blog! We work with a lot of small businesses, and I hear so many excuses about not blogging. But in the next breath they complain that people aren’t finding them online. So if your company “about us” type of info only supports a 20-page website, blogging is a great way to generate content that brings in that SEO traffic. It seems to me that many people want the return without the effort.
I have told clients that blogging does not mean writing long articles. A business has to choose to blog within the time and knowledge available. There are so many ways to do a blog, and it doesn’t have to be every day, 800-word writing. I think I’ll be showing them this article since it’s a great way to help them realize that their excuses really are just excuses. Thanks!
Thank You Bonnie! Yes you are right, blogging doesn’t mean long articles (though I tend to get a bit too wordy myself!) but sometimes even just sharing any tidbit or good video you’ve found is great, and plenty for adding value!
I always enjoy reading your articles. You are making very good point here.
I’m new in business and I am redoing my website simple just for this reason.
I like to interact with people and even that I’m not good writer I’d like to share
what is in my mind with my network. I feel very strong that to build a strong brand,
you must be able to build that strong relationship with your network. And then why not, it doesn’t matter that you are not so good in grammar, as long as you can
express and share something in simple way or direct.
I think people like when they see that your blog is so original and you are honest.
People find the value if you really be simple and clear.
I’m sorry if you have hard time understanding something here, because I’m still in procces of learning the language.
Keep up the good work. I like anything you saying and I can’t wait to start doing
something in my new website soon.
Thank you Nina, I think you do a fine job communicating in English, keep up the good work and best of luck on your new blog, I am sure it will be very nice and you’ll have lots of followers just keeping it honiest!
Hi Vickie, I wrote for a newspaper for almost ten years and I found I did best when I had a deadline. It’s easier to say about a blog “I will get to it tomorrow” It’s just human nature to avoid pain and writing can be torturous sometimes even when you love it and love your business. I know. Creating deadlines just works best for me. Everyone has to find their own way.
Thanks! Yes you know what, that actually works really well for me too! And even to take that a step further, once I had committed to blogging, with a full time job and several other activities, I still committed, and when I see a week coming up since my last post, suddenly that internal ‘deadline clock’ starts kicking in and I go into action a lot quicker!
Thanks again for the comment!
Vicki
Awsome post Vicki…these are great points. Not being a good writer held me back before, but now I just let ‘er rip…whatever is in my head…goes to my fingers. Cheers
Hi Vicki,
I had all those excuses at one time or another in the past 3 years. Thanks for the reminders.
Coach Freddie
.-= Coach Freddie´s last blog ..Rules For Being Human =-.
Hi Freddie!
Great to see you again, Thank You for stopping by and commenting!
Hope you Had an Awesome Weekend!
Hi Vicky,
Great post. I believe if you’re going to use content marketing online then a blog is essential.
Using one effectively does take time and effort. I think the main reason why people are not successful with their blogs is because they are spreading themselves too thinly by doing too much elsewhere.
If you are using a blog as a primary marketing method then I don’t believe you’ll have too much time for many other marketing methods but it is possible to have a functional blog that is part of a group of strategies and which won’t be as time consuming. Whichever of the two one has, it will still take strategy knowledge followed by consistent action to get results.
~Marcus
Thank You Marcus!
You have a great point there – I do keep my focus on my blog, and therefore it does not leave much time for a lot of social networking elsewhere.
With blogging comes the networking with other bloggers as we do with our commenting, and syndicating one-another’s content on the Unified Tribe, but that is all in the building of that essential base central hub! So the other strategies I use are focused in limited areas with limited time spent – it all works well together but we keep building don’t we!
Wishing You Every Success!
Regarding number 4) Excuse. It’s amazing how sometimes I don’t understand something I’ve read a few times. Then, I read it written by someone else, and the penny drops!
So, you can re-write what someone else has written, in your own words, and someone will understand it better than the original, because they identify with the way YOU speak.
.-= Julieanne van Zyl´s last blog ..5 Reasons to Use Disqus commenting system =-.
Thank You Julieanne!
I agree completely – that is the value inherent in branding ones’ self is that we all have a uniqueness and someone is always going to be looking for just your particular way of communicating. As we continue to grow we’ll reach so many people by putting our twist and flavors on what we have learned, like so many before us!
Thank You for stopping by!
Wishing You Brilliant Success!
Hi Vicki,
Awesome post. Well I can relate to some of these “excuses” I had, sometimes I tend to think that is due to lack of self confidence and worrying about what others think.
The best thing is to just start doing. One thing that helped me was I heard a speaker and she said “what others think of me is none of my business” – which opened my eyes.
Now that I am out there doing things I get questions from people on “how to” do things. Honestly, some of the things ‘I thought’ that everyone knew. What I forgot was that once upon a time I didn’t know it. So, if you just start creating content on what you know, there will be enough people who will follow you!
Your posts always make me think Vicki, thanks for sharing.
Damayanthi
.-= Damayanthi´s last blog ..Attraction Marketing – Lesson from Nature =-.
Thank You Damayanthi!
Good to see you back, and I so appreciate your insightful comment! I know, if we realize that we have something to offer anyone, we can set ourselves free from the worry of how we will do in others’ eyes. Someone is always going to be able appreciate and get value from our interpretation of things!
Always Wishing You Brilliant Success!
You have great points here Vicki. I am sure many can identify or relate to many on the list of excuses here. I really like the suggestion when you use the excuse of not have enough time, just jot down a little each time, then before you know it, it may not appear to have taken much time at all. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Nelly Paekukui´s last blog ..The Ingredient for Success: Talent or Tenacity =-.
Thank You Nelly!
Yes that is most definitely that ‘slight edge’ in action! The accumulated results are what makes ALL the difference!
Wishing You Awesome Success!
Hey Vicki,
Wow, this is a great post with tons of topics I can relate to. Thanks for taking the time to write it!
A quick tip for everyone. If you’re stuck on not knowing what to write about start with your subject. That always helps me get ideas…
Chat with you soon in TUT Vicki!
.-= Ryan Yokome´s last blog ..Be Yourself on Facebook; Everyone Else Is Already Taken =-.
Thank You Ryan!
I appreciate your stopping by to comment!
Have a fantastic day and I look forward to connecting with you again soon!
Vicki
As usual great stuff…I have a question for you – you had mentioned that it is impoortant to do keyword research on your articles when you are blogging….do you mind if I ask what keyword research tool that you use? Also, do you use a specific plugin to make your keywords linkable or how are you doing that? I think so many people are newbies – they would love answers to these questions;-)
Ange;-)
.-= Angela Giles´s last blog ..Change one word, DOUBLE your conversion rate =-.
Hi Angela!
Thanks for the questions! I did use Google Keyword External mostly for a while and now also use Google Wonder Wheel, it’s a bit more fun. I have to admit I am not as diligent as I should be, I tend sometimes to write just what’s on my mind and kind of haphazardly go about the keyword research (but that doesn’t make it less important!)
For example, if you search the term ‘keys to improving SEO’, I am on the top of the Google search results (at least right now), but you might noticed it is my eZine article of the same post. Now, with duplicate content you do not get the dreaded ‘Google slap’ as much as you just get one or the other chosen by Google – of course eZine articles carries much more weight than my blog, so of course Google chose that one. However, you can see my others didn’t rate so well.
And those keywords may be showing up by way of the All in One SEO plugin where I include keywords for each post, I do have a box where I add them, but then again, the post itself in WordPress also has a keyword box for each post that you plug them into. So I’m not sure if the ones under the post are generated from the plugin or WordPress.
Hope this helps!
Thanks again for stopping by and adding value here!
Wishing You a Wonderful Day!
Vicki,
Thanks for listing all the top excuses of why you don’t have a blog, It is all about taking action first and start out small to get bigger, too many want just to have instant following…
.-= Chris Bernardo´s last blog ..Easy Way to Use Forums to gain Traffic, Backlinks, and Leads =-.
Thank you Chris!
It is definitely about taking action first! We can’t expect to get it all done at once, or wait until we know everything about it, because then we’d never be ready and would never start! And anything not started is never finished!
Thanks once again for visiting!
Vicki, I’m totally with you. Excuses, Excuses, Excuses. We find a way to not do what we’re supposed to be doing. Make the time, write about whatever comes to mind, share it.
The Unified Tribe has truly helped to eliminate #5 by everyone coming together as a community and sharing this valuable content. The Internet will never be the same.
~BT
.-= Brian Tomlinson´s last blog ..Entrepreneurship – How To Find Your Purpose in Business =-.
Hi Brian!
Thank You! Yes it’s a terrible habit we get into! I only wish I had full time to devote though now, since I seem to have completely forgotten how to make excuses at all, and I just can’t stop taking action each and every moment that I can, keeping me from doing some necessary things like even sleeping!
And you are right, what an inspirational group the Tribe is, completely exceeding all of my expectations! Yourself being one by the way, a great example of leadership!
Thanks again for stopping by, and I look forward to seeing you around again!
All the best!
Hi Vicki!
Thanks for inviting me back to your Blog…it’s always nice seeing you.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day” & neither is a Blog. Actually, since a Blog is dynamic it will forever be a work in process. Always being polished, tweaked & increasing in size as articles/posts are added.
Keep up your fantastic work…your tribal friend Steven Suchar
.-= Steven Suchar´s last blog ..It’s A Plugin Potpourri!! =-.
Thank You Steven!
Wow, comparing my blog to Rome, thanks! It feels like I’m building a city sometimes LOL! And yep, it will never be finished, and I kind of like it that way!
I appreciate your stopping by as always! I’ll be seeing you around the Tribe!
Wishing You an Awesome Week!
Thanks again Vicki! Very valuable information that i can share and retweet! Have a prosperous & blessed day.
Great post Vicki! Excuses is the number one reason for failure in anything we do! You give the top 5, but think about all the reasons people give every single day as to why they can’t do something…the list is endless! At the end of the day we simply need to ask ourselves…how badly do we want whatever it is we are asking for?
Jodi´s last [type] ..Self Fulfilled Success Barriers
Hi Jodi!
You’re right, people are full of excuses sometimes! You just have to want it bad enough to go through a brick wall sometimes. This is why your ‘why’ is SO important!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Wishing You Fabulous Success,
Again another great article, one of the greatest tools network marketers do is share… gosh I believe shop front traditional business could use many of these tools.
Helene
Thank you Helene! And you’re right about traditional businesses having opportunities here! There’s a lot we can learn and share
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Wishing You Fabulous Success,
Hey Vicki, I am glad that I was able to find this article link from Twitter 11 minutes ago (-: I was a new Networker less than 3 months into the past. It is amazing how much 3 months can do for you. I will share and keep this information if you do not mind, because I know right deep inside my heart that there is just one way and one way only, to make things happen or at least have a good chance to make it happen, but there are many and many ways to sabotage our beginning so, we will never know what may had being, because we never started it or if we did it, we never finished it. I am in the Slight Edge myself http://www.slightedge.org/profile/EduardoBernstein , so I understand completely what you mean. It is amazing what you can learn in 3 months surrounded by so many smart people Networkers. But we all still have one always thing in common, “Excuses!” I thank you for putting this information an such a simple way that we cannot definitely make any excuses about the understanding of your article content or the meaning or what we should do to avoid doing the wrong thing over and over. I have to admit myself that it is so easy to fail that we can get used to it. I will hold to you mind, to your thoughts, to your writing… and one more time today, I will try again, again and again, to push my soul, mind and body into the right direction. Thank You Vicky (-: Sincerely, Eddie.
Thankyou Vicki, this is what I needed to stop that monkey chatter in my head. You are reading my mind. That first step is always the hardest for me.
Maria´s last [type] ..Hello world!
Hi Vicki,
I just want to add that engaging in Facebook and Google + is a great way to increase your followers. By doing this, you are also building relationship with your potential customers and strengthening your online credibility. People buy stuff from people they know and by participating in social media sites, you can earn there trust.
Great post. One thing I do to help find a topic is find a source for ideas and inspiration. I do a blog on personal development for example and capture emails that have inspiring ideas. When I’m looking for an idea to blog about I look at the emails for something that strikes me that day. At one point I blogged about creating a “game of the day” – it was hard to come up with 6 or 7 good topics a week until I developed a resource to pull seed ideas from.
Steve´s last [type] ..perhaps your memory just needs to go into the shop for repairs – http://8pecks.c…