Chris Brogan blogs about the power of human relationships in a world of virtual interface. His advice and stories are interesting. They are poignant and useful to our work and life.
The other day, Chris talked about three factors required for blogging every day: discipline, practice and ideas. How utterly direct and simple. I like that.
Blogging every day without those three assets working together is tough. Even more challenging are the days you’re just not in the mood to blog.
These are days when discipline, practice and ideas are nothing more than abstractions floating through your psyche. And all the advice and courses and classes you took on blogging suddenly don’t matter.
So what do you do?
I say go back to Chris. Let’s for a moment strip away the practical advice of Chris and focus on the unwritten behavioral clues he offers. The stuff between the lines. Let’s look at the way Chris blogs.
What else can we learn from him?
Relax
Chris is relaxed. You can tell from his warm, conversational tone that he feels very comfortable talking to his readers. It’s as if he’s got us all gathered around the fireplace sipping hot cocoa together.
Nothing in the tone of his writing sounds forced, contrived or labored. He clearly enjoys writing from the heart and sharing his knowledge freely. He’s not pushy or in your face. He is both relaxed and relaxing.
Being relaxed when you blog is more important than knowing all the practical “ins and outs” of blogging. You can be the best of writers and still struggle if you’re not relaxed.
When you’re relaxed is when you can best express your ideas, and blogging becomes enjoyable. This leads to more–and better–blogging. If you notice, Chris writes between 1-3 posts per day, which is no small feat.
Be Sharp
Being sharp means not being sloppy. Or lazy. When Chris has something to say, he does so with clear language and conviction. He means what he says and says what he means. No beating around the bush, wasted words or hollow persuasion.
Being sharp also means being acutely aware of one’s surroundings. In blogging, your surroundings consist of two things: ideas and readers. You need to deliver useful and meaningful ideas to an audience generous enough to lend you their scarce attention.
Chris conveys his ideas with great efficiency. He knows which ideas we value and don’t value, and acts accordingly. In turn, we embrace and share his knowledge, and continue to listen.
Be Humble
Ever wonder why Chris Brogan is so popular and successful? It’s because he’s humble. His content is structured around us. Not just me or even you, but us.
Chris speaks to us not in the context of technology or marketing or strategy, but life. Our lives, our experiences, our feelings, our empathy. There is no plate of glass, no master-disciple hierarchy between us.
How could that not be humbling?
***
If you want to learn how to blog every day, take Chris’s advice: discipline, practice and ideas. If you’re not in the mood to blog everyday, but know you should, take Chris’s clues: relax, be sharp and be humble.
Chris Brogan has successfully assumed the mood of a blogger, and you can, too.
Photo from http://chrisbrogan.com.
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