jatiN mahindrA doT coM

In October 2006 I first heard the word problogging when I was surfing the web during my leisure time in office. I was so bored with my daily job that I was looking for alternative ways to earn my living. I somehow came across Darren Rowse’s famous Problogger.net blog. At first I could not believe what is written over there. Even though I did not believe, it sounded perfect to me because reading and writing have always been my favorite hobbies. Within two or three weeks time, I’d created my first blogspot blog in order to try blogging. Since then I’ve run many blogs. I’ve transitioned from part time blogger to full time blogger through the time.

Along the way I face with many challenges. There have been good times and bad times. I thought I’d create a list of things I wish someone had told me in my early blogging days. Here’s my top 5 Lessons Learnt in my 4 years of blogging. I will appreciate if you write your own ‘lessons’ list and let me know about it in comments below.

1. Work Hard (even harder!):

You need to be working hard if you want to succeed in blogging. I used to do part time blogging after 9 hours of daily work in a company for two years. Even though I was too tired most of these days, I did not even miss a night without working for my blog. That is why I always tell you you need to find a very big motivation to keep on blogging as a problogger. Mine was very clear: escape from my boring daily job, and get my financial freedom. What is yours?

2. Target a Niche Topic:

Instead of dealing with many different topics, focus on a niche topic. That is much better for increasing your audience. Lead a group of people that are interested in one niche topic. People desperately look for experts to refer in this information overload era. Filter the information for them. Give valuable information. Give them what they want, and you will become a thought leader in that niche.

3. Build Good Relations:

Throughout my blogging journey, I built very good relationships with other bloggers. This way I improved my blogging as well as developed very good friendships all around the world. I learnt from them, they learnt from me. This has helped me a lot when I became a problogger. You should try to try to put time aside every day to build
relationship with key bloggers that you’d like to work with in some ways in the future. You will be amazed to see how these connections pay off in many unexpected ways.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Make Mistakes:

None of us likes mistakes. This is human psychology. However you can learn a lot from your mistakes. I did a lot of mistakes in my blogging career since the beginning. Try to see mistakes as opportunities to improve your blogging.

5. Be Yourself No Matter What They Say:

Don’t repeat popular bloggers. Be yourself and you’re more likely to be consistent in the eyes of your readers. I don’t want you to be monotonous. You can still be surprising and creative by building your own style. Keep on blogging in your own style. Sooner or later you will be rewarded.

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