January 6th 2010
I’ve broken the blogging law
I’m a professional writer. I maintain other people’s blogs for a living – and I do it well. When I start working 
with a new “ghostblogging” client, I propose a posting schedule depending on the their budget. I always stress the importance of sticking to that schedule because posting on a regular schedule is basically the cardinal rule of blogging.
I’ve broken the cardinal rule of blogging.
I’m writing this post on January 6 and the last date I published a post was October 23. If I could be arrested for breaking a blogging law, I would be in jail.
I know that I should have just picked up and gotten back on some kind of regular posting schedule at some point, but the more time that went by after that last post just made it harder to “show my face” here (at my own blog) again.
You might be thinking that it’s pretty dumb of me to be highlighting such a bad personal blogging history here, considering I am a writer by trade, but I’ve decided to be transparent about this.
I’m actually pretty lucky that I still have such a thriving business because besides this blog, I have been letting all of my marketing slide. Breaking another cardinal business rule, I have been very busy with copywriting projects and working on new ventures that (besides being really active on Twitter) I’ve all but stopped marketing.
If it weren’t for the referrals from happy clients and the time I spend on Twitter, I’m pretty confident that if all my clients disappeared one day, my business would disappear too.
You should never, ever stop marketing your business. I’ve said this to countless other entrepreneurs over the years, but I’ve let it happen to me. You don’t stop marketing, even when you’re working full time helping other people market their businesses. Because one day all that work might dry up and then where would you be? Ground zero.
I got off lucky. I still have lots of work, lots of people like me to write for them and they tell other people about me, but I need to get serious here and create a new marketing plan for the new year. One that’s easy to implement, easy to stick to and effective.
I have tons of ideas. In fact, I developed a whole new line of service offerings last fall that I just haven’t gotten around to plugging into the business.
That lax attitude stops here.
I will be setting aside some time in my week…every week…to work on marketing my business. Whether it’s doing more with my Facebook fan page, setting up blog posts to publish on a regular schedule or getting more press releases and articles written and submitted online…I’m going to actively market my business.
If you’re one of my current clients, or if you’re planning to work with me in the future, don’t think this means I’m going to allow myself to get swamped with work and there will be no time for your projects. No matter how many projects come at me, I know how to schedule myself so I don’t bite off more than I can chew.
If you’ve been feeling like me – guilty that you’re not keeping up your blog and letting your marketing slide while you’re busy working in your business – I hope this post gives you a bit of inspiration to turn over a new leaf.
9 Comments »
Kylie Short on 06 Jan 2010 at 11:32 am #
I have to put my hand up and admit that I’m guilty of this too. I have a folder of ideas ready for me to sit down and write them into blog posts or newsletter articles but I’m too busy marketing my client’s businesses to keep doing it for myself. Word of mouth is still flowing but I’d like to market my business too ‘just in case’.
Mann Made Blog » I've broken the blogging law : seowizards on 06 Jan 2010 at 1:30 pm #
[...] More: Mann Made Blog » I've broken the blogging law [...]
Kerry-Anne MacDougall on 06 Jan 2010 at 3:51 pm #
ok, I’m going to admit something here. I am a marketer and I neglect my marketing. There. I said it. Great post and thanks for the inspiration to get my act together in 2010!
uberVU - social comments on 06 Jan 2010 at 4:12 pm #
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by mannmadecopy: With my tail between my knees, I’ve blogged for the first time since October about my own marketing mistakes: http://twurl.nl/ktwwbc...
Jaime Mann on 06 Jan 2010 at 4:28 pm #
Kylie & Kerry-Anne, thanks for your comments! It’s such a cliche, isn’t it. The marketers are too busy to market their own businesses.
Let’s step it up in 2010 and practice what we preach.
Cheers!
Carol on 07 Jan 2010 at 11:48 am #
I think the same can be said for a lot of industries. Ever been inside a carpenter’s house? It’s almost always full of uncompleted projects that probably drive their wives mad and make them wonder how they were tricked into marrying someone they envisioned building them things on a daily basis! LOL! Doctors are usually their own worse patients and take terrible care of themselves then go to work and preach to their patients about getting enough exercise and sleep! I guess it’s just the way life goes. It sometimes gets away from us and even though we have good intentions and tons of plans and ideas in our heads, it’s often difficult to find the time (or sometimes the inclination) to carry them out!
All we can do is strive to do better – and so I shall attempt to blog on our website at least a few times per week. I did one yesterday .. so only one to go!
Happy New Year!
http://www.peihouses.com
roulette strategie on 09 Jan 2010 at 3:20 pm #
Sometimes it’s really that simple, isn’t it? I feel a little stupid for not thinking of this myself/earlier, though.
Sally_K on 12 Jan 2010 at 1:11 pm #
You put in to words exactly how I was feeling at the end of the year. Last week I pulled out my Get Clients Now book, dusted it off and started the 28 day program. It feels good to be intentionally marketing again. It actually energizes me. What Carol said is so true…about the carpenters, doctors, and all of us!
Here’s to a prosperous, productive and peaceful 2010!
Jaime Mann on 12 Jan 2010 at 2:49 pm #
Sally, I know we were in the same frame of mind cause I saw you making plans and scheming on Facebook
I’m proud to share that this morning, I spent the entire morning working ON my business. Yay me 