Transitioning to SYNNEX presented a unique challenge compared to building EMJ over 25 years, where relationships and understanding grew organically. Suddenly, I was working with a new group of people who were unfamiliar with me. Blogging became an effective way to bridge that gap, allowing me to connect and share insights.
As a lifelong learner, the experience at SYNNEX accelerated my learning curve. I felt a strong desire to share this knowledge and inspire others, making blogging a natural outlet.
From this experience, I developed “Jim Estill’s Ten Rules of Blogging,” guidelines that have helped me and can help you create a successful and engaging blog:
1. **Establish a Clear Theme:** A defined theme attracts a targeted audience and provides a framework for your content. My theme is “Time Leadership,” reflecting my long-standing interest in time optimization and my audio book on time management. I constantly seek new ideas to enhance my existing material.
2. **Commit to Consistency:** Blogging creates an expectation for regular updates, similar to writing a newspaper column. If you have a dedicated readership, they anticipate fresh content. I aim to blog 5-6 days a week, understanding the pressures of deadlines.
3. **Engage in Two-Way Communication:** Respond to comments and foster interaction. The larger your blog following, the more comments you’ll receive, making engagement crucial.
4. **Manage Your Time Wisely:** Blogging requires a time commitment. Implement a time management strategy: if you add something to your schedule, remove something else of equal time value. I dedicate approximately 15-20 minutes per day to blogging, writing concisely.
5. **Prioritize Legality and Confidentiality:** Beyond legal considerations, be cautious about divulging confidential business information. Inappropriate blog content can have employment consequences.
6. **Maintain a Blog Idea File:** Keep a running list of potential topics in both electronic and paper formats. This provides inspiration when you lack immediate ideas and can spark new writing directions.
7. **Incorporate Relevant Links:** Blog readers expect the ability to click on interesting topics and access related information seamlessly. Leverage the power of the internet by providing helpful links.
8. **Blog Only if You Enjoy Writing:** While I enjoy writing, it can still present challenges. Passion for writing is essential for sustained blogging success.
9. **Be Authentic and Genuine:** Readers appreciate authenticity. Using a ghostwriter would make it difficult to maintain a genuine connection with your audience.
10. **Practice Patience:** Don’t expect immediate success. Readership grows gradually over time. Monitor your stats and understand readership patterns, such as lower weekend traffic.
Now, after sharing these insights, I hope I’ve become a little less of a mystery and more of a familiar voice.