Why Some Blog Writers Become Incredibly Popular and You Can, Too.

There’s a certain magic some bloggers have which makes them become popular.

You can be one of them, because the magic is within you, too.

It’s only a matter of discovering it, harnessing it and using it.

Creative Commons by JD Hancock

It’s a kind of magic

Your blog is about you and people will return to your blog because of you.

Click here to tweet that.

Each blog is different and when I examine the majority of blogs I consistently return to I’ve noticed 5 things I tend to get from reading them.

They…

Teach me.

Entertain me.

Inspire me.

Encourage me.

& Motivate me.

The light that shows the way

To name only a few magical writers who exemplify all of those things are Seth Godin, Jeff Goins and Michael Hyatt.

However, consider those are only links that will merely take you to their sites.

We often follow recommended links, but sometimes where we visit isn’t somewhere we will want to return to.

So, assuming their content interests you, if you’re drawn in and become a subscriber to any of them, ask yourself why.

It is within your answer where you will discover what each of their personal touch of magic is.

I believe you’ll find that each blogger you become a regular reader of creates a special kind of connection with you.

One writer, one voice

Most blogs share information we may already know or have read somewhere else before. It’s a spin or alternate view that makes us pause.

Indeed, we love our thoughts to be provoked.

And yet, what makes the real difference is how they tell their stories. You can count on them telling their stories in their own personal way, each and every time.

It’s in their voice where the wand is waved, the connection is made and where the content truly comes to life.

The magic is in their voice. The magic is their voice.

It’s about you

Each of us has a voice. And that’s where the magic lives and breathes.

However, utilizing one’s voice is also where most of us struggle.

Two reasons we struggle could be that we are overly focused on the technical aspects of our writing or the information we provide, and we are not focused enough on how we’re saying it.

Whatever the reason, it is vitally important to say what you want to say how you want to say it.

Think of a time when you were most relaxed, perhaps having coffee with a friend and the conversation between the two of you simply flowed with ease.

See what I mean?

That’s why after we’ve read a good blog post or a good book for that matter, we feel like we just had a delicious cup of coffee with a good friend.

The goal

Popularity isn’t the true goal. You know that.

However, everything is measurable and in the writer’s world a clear indicator you’ve tapped the magic within you is that your readership is growing.

If your readership is not growing and you are confident the content you are providing is beneficial, then consider your voice.

Sometimes we could use a little help in discovering, honing and using our voice. This is absolutely normal.

Find a teacher

Consider professional singers, the ones we love to listen to on the radio, they sound so natural and they are, but they also have voice coaches.

My friend, Jeff Goins is someone who can help you develop and hone your voice. He’s the teacher of an online course called Tribe Writers.

I’ve mentioned it a few times in past posts because I am a true believer in his ability to help you.

If you would like to join Jeff’s course and work on your voice with him, today is the last day to register. Click here to go and register.

It’s worth it.

Develop on your own

If you’re not ready to take an online course, that’s okay because you can work on your voice simply by writing every day.

Try to write as naturally as possible. This is one reason I consider the first draft to be the most important, because most of us don’t expect to actually use it and this helps us write without overthinking our presentation.

Although you may go through 5 or 10 drafts, make sure you’re not editing to the point the reader can no longer find you within the words you provide.

Whenever content is pretty much the same between multiple blogs, it’s the magic of the writer that makes the difference.

Remember, your blog is about you and people will return to your blog because of you. I know I will. (Did you tweet that?)

You. Are. Magical.

I’d like to leave you with some tips to consider:

  • Building a readership takes time, usually longer than you expect. Don’t give up. No. Don’t do that.
  • It’s okay to fall on your face, then get back up and try again. Dust yourself off and repeat.
  • It’s better to post one or two quality posts a week rather than mediocre daily posts (unless you’re naturally prolific like Seth).
  • Engage readers who take the time to comment. It should be easy at first, but try to keep this up as your readership grows.
  • Write about your failures because you’re human with real life issues.
  • Write about your successes for the same reason.
  • Be positive and constructive, even when sharing your failures.
  • Don’t be your harshest critic. Be open to improvement, that’s important, but clearly be on the side of your supporters.
  • Actually, go for it, be your own number 1 supporter.
  • Write with confidence even if you’re not confident yet.
  • Have fun and don’t be shy about adding some humor. Readers love to giggle a little. At least, I do. Don’t you?
  • Be awesome, because you are.

So, why do you think some bloggers become popular and some don’t? Share in the comments.

Bryan

About the Author

Bryan Hutchinson

I'm a positive writer and when that doesn't work, I eat chocolate. I am here to inspire, encourage and motivate you! When I am not writing, I love visiting castles with my wife, Joan. How about joining me on Twitter and Facebook.

  • Rick Gibbs

    Bryan, you belong with those other famous bloggers! Thanks for the encouragement!

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Ha! That’s nice of you to say, Rick! :)

  • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

    My favorite line was this: “You. Are. Magical.” Indeed.

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Indeed, Jeff. Indeed. Thanks for stopping by and for teaching Tribe Writers!

  • http://www.ipaintiwrite.com/ Pamela Hodges

    If I hadn’t already taken the class, I would have signed up after reading your post. 

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Cool, Pamela!!

  • http://twitter.com/Csterken Christa Sterken

    Bryan, thanks for the great post! I am having a hard time this month working on my blog with the holidays etc. You constantly encourage me, keep up the good work

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      I know what you mean, Christa. This is a busy busy month for me, too. Blogging has become a sort of addiction, hasn’t it? It’s a great kind, though :)

  • http://twitter.com/Csterken Christa Sterken

    Ps, sharing your post on my FB page, I hope others will come by…

  • http://www.contentlyhumble.com/ Jennifer

    Who also teaches, entertains, inspires, encourages, motivates? Yes! You Bryan! 

    Great tips to consider! Thanks for writing another teaching, entertaining, inspiring, encouraging, motivating post.

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      lol you’re so very welcome, Jennifer :)

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/MATE7Y43AHTG653ZOGOWENGWQM Sylvia

    Yes Bryan! You have that positive vibe. I share Christa and Pamela’s sentiments too as you are so encouraging and find time amidst the holiday hub bub!

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Thank you, Sylvia. I like “Positive vibe” :)

  • Sue Martin Griggs

    Thanks for this Bryan! I am launching a new blog in January. I’ll be using my doctoral dissertation as my theme but, of course, I will have to write it with a personal voice rather than an academic voice. I’m paying close attention to what you and Jeff Goins are saying about voice. It might be tricky but I’m sure I can do it. I think the world needs to hear about my research…but again…in a way that draws them in, not bores them!  Wish me luck! 

    • http://www.facebook.com/bryan.hutchinson.56211 Bryan Hutchinson

      Sounds like a great idea, Sue. Good luck! :)

  • Kora Kutschbach

    So true! Thanks for these words, Bryan! Now I feel absolutely motivated and inspired as well. Guess that’s the magic you were talking about.

    Regards,
    Kora

  • Wendy Mccance

    This article is right on target.  The braver you are in exposing who you are, the more value you give to the reader.  There is a better level of trust and respect that the reader feels because they feel like they know you and what you are all about.  Commenting back is probably one of the most important keys to building a following.  If a reader takes the time and cares enough to comment, please comment back.

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Certainly, Wendy. I’ll comment back :) lol – Yes, I think it is especially important when you are starting out and building. Maybe you get to a point when you have so many comments that it is hard to find time to reply to all of them, but even then it is important to let your readers know you are reading their comments and care about them. Thanks for commenting!

  • http://twitter.com/da_cairns David Cairns

    Being a good writer and expressing yourself, using your own voice, is no guarantee of anything. From my experience people prefer “fluff” so if you write serious content, people get turned off. And if you pose curly moral questions people are too scared to comment. Tough luck, huh? Remain in the forest of obscurity. Keep up the good work encouraging people and generating business for others.

    • http://www.positivewriter.com/ Bryan Hutchinson

      Thanks, David! And I get what you are saying. More so than you may realize because this is not my first blog, but, and this is a big BUT – because I used to say nearly the same thing you said – if we start putting the blame on the readers (for not attracting and keeping them), then where are we?
      And, like you said, there are no guarantees.