Starting a blog is one of the best feelings in the world, but at the same time, it can also be one of the lonliest of endeavors. You’re slaving away, trying to figure out this blogging thing and writing the best content you can, and nobody shows up. Launching a blog may as well be called “welcome to the Silence.”
At least, that’s how it used to be.
Social media has changed everything. Before you groan, roll your eyes, and click away, hear me out on this one. You’ll find it worth your time.
You see, people have it all backwards.
The normal sequence of events goes something like this:
- Start a blog.
- Write like crazy and hope people notice.
- When they don’t notice fast enough for you, start doing things to build traffic, like SEO, guest posting, and social media.
- Apply repeatedly until desired results are achieved, or you burn the hell out.
This is actually a form of top-down thinking applied to something that has no business being subject to top-down thinking: I’ll build a blog, and THEN I’ll try and get PEOPLE to read it.
You see what I mean? BACKWARDS.
Here’s a thought:
What if you got the people first?
Then, all you have to do is simply announce your blog has launched, and WHAMMO! Traffic.
How do you get the people first?
Social media:
- StumbleUpon
- Digg
- Mixx
- YouTube
- Blip.fm
- Utterli
- FriendFeed
Blogs:
- Commenting on other blogs
- Guest-posting
Do your “social media blitz” before you have a blog, not after. Build relationships, build your personal network. Make friends and help others. Without a blog of your own to promote, your motives will be more honest. I bet you will get people asking you, “where’s your blog?” all the time. And you say, “It’s coming. I’m working on it now. Would you like to get on my email list so you will know the moment it launches?” 
Now, suddenly you’re building a list of subscribers, too, and you still don’t even have a blog, yet!
When you are ready to launch your blog, you will have a built-in audience who will be ready, willing, and able to promote you from their hearts, out of the bond of real friendship. When you have an army of fans who’ll do just about anything you ask, you have what Chris Brogan calls “Pirates” (which he mentioned in his talk at SOBCon ’08). So, to run with the pirate analogy, think of it this way: you gather your crew before you build your ship.
There’s only one catch.
You have already know in advance you’re going to do this (in other words, you have to plan it), and you have to get busy and seriously rock it. In the words of Gary Vaynerchuk: you have to CRUSH it.
It is entirely possible now to build up a decent audience before your blog even exists.
good posting…it’s a must read post for bloggers…
Wayne, this comment is worthless….
I’ve never tried hyping a website prior to it being complete but would be worth giving it a try. It would have to have a clean logo and look professional. I always see these websites with “submit your email”
What a timely post! I am in the process of starting my own blog and have been thinking about it the traditional way (top-down thinking). Now I’m inspired to re-think my strategy and apply your tips! Thanks!
We’re already in the process of doing this for one about game marketing… seems to be working well so far.
Of course, it’s impossible to tell before we launch the blog
Great Advice!! I am in the process of putting your adivce into active use
Michael,
All I can say is Amen! This is the same strategy I advise wannabe biz owners to take. Now, if we could just get more folks to actually follow what you’re suggesting, think how much time/energy/frustration could be saved.
Sheryl
This is great wisdom to share. I think that commenting on other blogs has widened the audience for my own. You need to take time to get to know others in your niche.
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Interesting – and I thought I WAS doing it backward. I’ve been feeling odd about generating a presence on twitter without a blog (I am in the process of narrowing my bent, designing it, and generating content, but have not felt ready to publish yet). Now I can see the value in how I’m going about things. Many thanks for your informative post.
For me, this article is an incredible paradigm shift. Coupled with an article I read from a twitter link (sorry, I don’t remember who to credit) that recommended following conversations, NOT people, it suddenly makes a lot of sense. As a parallel, it also seems to be a good plan to develop a sense of market understanding and expertise. As one is involved in the various aspects of his topic, a sense of expertise will develop along with it. Also, hopefully, a solid reputation will develop along the way as people start following you. Good stuff!
Glad you all found this to be on the mark. Those of you already doing this, I hope you can remember to ping me when your blog has launched and you have the results of following the strategy.
This was great! I could have used this about 8 months ago when I started blogging. After a one-day course I was all hyped-up to start, and that’s what I did. I’ve enjoyed every minute… well, almost every minute. But in hindsight, I wish now that I’d planned it better before jumping right in.
Well, I should have known this before I launched my blog two months ago. But, I’ll still make the best of it because I love what I’m doing…………….:)
What if I’m planning to move an existing blog? Should I stop putting effort into new content and just focus on building the audience using the other techniques?
@Nate – I would suggest you keep creating content, since the blog already exists. You don’t want to lose readers. This situation really only applies when the blog to be launched is brand new.
I commented on other blogs about a year before I opened my blog.
My url point to the placeholder page telling what I’m going to blog about. (but now I switch my blog’s niche already and old niche is on hiatus)
When I published my first (ten) posts, I’m happy that commentors said they eagerly wait for my blog to be opened for a long time lol
Blog/WordPress is so easy to setup, everyone can open a blog in no time.
I see many new Thai blogs that die because no one read/know its existent and the blogger getting bored.
I hope they’ll know this – make connection first, blog later.
Thank you so much for the info. I have a blog but have only posted once because I have been trying to come up with a plan. I have been FBing for a few months now and am twittering so I will work on this.
Very interesting idea. I’m still in the planning stages for a blog. One of the ideas I’ve seen is to start with a “practice blog,” so you can try some different ideas and tools without too much pressure. Then after a month or two, move on to something more substantial. I think I’ll play around a bit on my own first, but I can definitely see your idea helping launch the “more substantial” blog.
Interesting idea Michael. Just wondering … How do you recommend implementing this? Example: I have no Web site to leave on this post. I hate this but the reality is that I don’t have a site ready.
Are you recommending that I ignore this dilemma and just alert my various social networks when the blog is alive, or do you feel it is better to take some baby steps and establish a friendly “trust me, great things coming soon” landing page along with some sort of sign up enticement?
Thanks!
Mike, don’t worry if you don’t have a site now. Build up your network so when your blog is ready to launch you can enlist the help of your friends to spread the word. All you have to do is contact people and ask them for a small favor. Tell them your site is launching and you’d love to get the word out.
Got it. Thanks!
New to your site Mike , it is a new world out there, not like it use to be. Ive joined your feeds and tring to figure how i am going to post your site on my blogg Coffee Time. this will be done. lots to learn…Thanks for taking the time to teach.