Comments

  1. Keith,
    Valuable resource, thank you! I just read the ebook you recommended “Survival of the Simplest,” and it’s outstanding. I’ve ordered the full book.
    You’ve given us a lot to think about with our marketing: “Getting small” is the hardest work of all, but you’ve convinced me it’s worth it.
    We look forward to reading more.
    Mark

    • Hi Mark,
      Thanks for commenting, and you’re right: distilling our points of difference into 8 words is some of the hardest work we do — but well worth it.
      Keith

  2. What I have found, but still don’t do effectively, is the more consistent I write the better. I only want to post the ideas that I think are really creative or brilliant. But, doing that sporadically isn’t as effective as consistent posts that are good.

    So the challenge for me is to not get too hung up on the perfect short phrase or title and get it out there. Besides, I have been surprised many times. What I think is okay, others love. What I think is brilliant, others miss.

    Do you think the perfect metadata is more important, or are you assuming we are all consistent and then short, brilliant is next?

    Thanks Keith.

    • Hi Sue,
      Well, you certainly pack a lot into a short, pithy comment!
      I say yes to consistency and no to perfection — although I struggle with the exact same thing, to be honest — and i think most creative people who value clarity do.
      The truth is; for every pair of eyes who reads our posts there is another version of “perfect.”
      And that is what I LOVE about blogging: people like you, Sue, ask a question that points out to me the eight ways my post was imperfect — and in the process giving me eight new post ideas (thanks!)
      As to your question: Your hyper-responders, those who love and know you and really “grok” you, will read you no matter what the subject line or headline is.
      For your current readers, imperfect is great, it spurs the conversation. Churn consistency, be your perfectly imperfect self.
      BTW, this is also part of the process of generating great “micro-scripts:” In his book, Bill Schley talks about the process: You first write a full page, and then pull nuggets from that page–long form is first.)
      I’m talking about your future audience, your “next wave.”
      I’m working on a guest post for a big blog, and I’ve been sweating the headline for days. That’s when this is important: when we want to draw someone to us, we’ve got to open the door, and the more micro the script, the bigger the doorway.
      Hope that helps!
      Thanks as always for the great comment.
      Keith

  3. I have had the same experience as Sue. The more I write, the easier it becomes.

    Over the last few weeks, I have started writing every day. Although, as you know, I’ve always written consistently, I’ve never written this MUCH. Writing every day is daunting, but it’s working out better than I could have expected.

    Along with posting tons of new stuff to our own sites, I’m also writing guest posts for other great blogs and generating conversations. As you say, these posts spur on more posts. In fact, other people have even riffed off my posts for their blogs too. It’s pretty cool 😉

    • Hi Susan,
      When others start “riffing” your posts, you know you’ve written something that matters, or at least is interesting. Keep going!
      Keith

  4. Keith,
    Thought-provoking piece, as always.
    I agree with Mark: The book Micro-Script Rules is a valuable resource, indeed! I just read the kindle version, and I am thinking now about my marketing differently.
    In the book he talks about first finding your ‘Dominant Selling Idea,’ which is his replacement for USP.
    You’ve spoken about this in different ways on your site.
    Do you have any thoughts on how an independent professional would go about finding their DSI? I understand the author’s series of DSI questions for companies, but my online “platform” is not a “company.” Thank you again for this thought-provoking piece.
    iala!

    • Hi Iala,
      Glad you liked the book. We’re using it all the time lately–with companies as well as individuals.
      Tough question to answer in a comment, this is the core of what we help people do, and if it were easy (especially for service professionals), we’d have a lot less to do!
      That said, I would think the process begins with blending your passions/expertise with a ready and willing market/audience and then narrowing your niche until it’s something you can “own.” Answer Mr. Schley’s DSI questions from that perspective. Also, check out this post: http://transformnation.com/741/how-your-unique-voice-can-attract-a-crowd/
      I think it might be helpful.
      Thanks for reading, Iala.
      Keith

  5. Keith,
    Like Iala, I too just finished the book. It is superb, and really has my wheels spinning for our web properties–and, it’s a lot to consider.
    Not sure what workshops you are planning, but I’m with Iala–I would enjoy a workshop focusing on finding the niche and/or “DSI.”
    Thanks again for the resource,
    Mark Christian

    • Mark,
      You and Iala and several others have inspired us to move up the completion of our niche-development workshop for service professionals.
      Thanks for your thoughts, and we’ll keep posted . . .
      Keith

  6. Mark, what a great idea! Keith, if we could vote, I prefer a workshop over the phone, I only travel to the United States once or twice a year (and rarely during the winter months 🙂
    Thank you for your articles and words of wisdom, I am learning very much every week.
    Iala!

    • Iala,
      You’re on! We do one workshop per year live (in a very warm, sunny location!)
      Most of our workshops these days are done via teleseminar, a combination of phone and online “whiteboard.”
      We’re putting together the niching workshop now.
      Also look for our “Blogging Bootcamp” teleseminar, launching very soon.
      Thanks,
      Keith

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