“Without the right tools, little is possible. With the right ones, everything is.”
~Anonymous
*Note: This is the first article in the “Monetizing Your Passion Online” series I’m running for the next few weeks. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
For the last two years, people have asked me, almost daily, how to start a blog or begin to make money from a passion over the web. And a huge percentage of the goals you all shared last week involved taking the first step in making this happen. It’s time to provide you all some guidance (just as I was so kindly given over the years).
Not to mention just yesterday I was on the phone with a good friend who’s in his second year of a top ranked ‘entrepreneurial’ business school, and he asked me the following: “Scott, what resources do you suggest I spend time with to learn about starting a blog and using social media? There isn’t really any course on this offered at my school.”
Don’t even get me started…
Bottom line: The world desperately needs guidance on how to start a blog that matters!
So over then next few weeks I’m going to share with you the people and tools that have made this site what it is (I’ll also tell you exactly how Live Your Legend’s business works and even the details of how it makes money). I hope it provides some clarity to the path we’re all capable of walking.
Now onto the good stuff.
Why everyone needs a blog…
Sure, I’m a bit biased, but nowhere and in no time in history have I see a more valuable, simple and inexpensive tool for exploring a passion, helping people and building a business around it.
Whether you want to lead a revolution to get kids to eat healthier, overthrow a dictatorship, leave a legacy of life lessons for your kids, build a business that can be run from anywhere, land your dream job, or simply make the world smile or laugh a few more times each day, a blog and social media are the most powerful tools I’ve come across for doing so. They change the world every day. And they have the potential to enhance, if not completely redefine, any project that you work on.
Many of you have already told me that you want a successful blog or want your current blog to be successful (I get that question at least once a day). Good. We’ve identified the problem.
The challenge is where to begin.
On starting a blog that matters…
Last I checked there were over 340 million websites (and likely a lot more – exact numbers are hard to find). And back in 2008 Technorati estimated that over 184 millon of these were blogs (& that number has no doubt gone up considerably).
Thousands, if not tens of thousands, of new blogs get started every day.
Many of them you’ve never heard of. And many of them you never will hear of.
Live Your Legend was one of those for nearly four years.
It sat collecting cobwebs with maybe 10 or 20 people stumbling upon it each day. Subscriber growth was exactly 0% (stuck at 111 to be precise – 95 of whom I knew personally and were just being nice).
This went on for years until I met Corbett Barr (as well as Leo, Mary and Jonathan whom I’ll tell you more about next week).
In early 2010 I met Corbett over some beers in SF with two other guys I met on Twitter (sounds a little weird I know, but go with it). He soon became a friend and mentor and later became the mastermind behind the relaunch and rebrand of Live Your Legend that occurred mid last year. He walked me through every detail from naming, branding and design all the way to backend coding and business model – not exactly your average web designer.
The rebrand Corbett led caused this site’s following to double inside of three weeks.
Focusing on the right strategies makes all the difference
Since I met Corbett, and a few others, this blog has grown from 10 visits a day to 2,000. From 111 subscribers to over 10,000. From a side project to a full-blown business. It now ranks among the top .03% all sites on the planet.
Looking back it can feel and seem like this happened overnight, especially to those who have only recently joined our community. Trust me – it couldn’t be farther from the truth.
I spun my tires for years until I was exposed to the strategies that actually made all the difference.
So what separates average blogs from the ones that change the world?
Simply put there are four fundamentals that must be followed to create a blog that matters:
1. Have a cause worth following. In the words of leadership expert Simon Sinek: people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. This goes for buying into ideas as much as it does for buying actual products. You must have a purpose that matters to you more than anything else. And then be able to communicate that purpose, that Why, in a way that connects with others and makes them want to join you. Not because you believe what you believe, but because they believe what you believe. Changing the world by doing work you love, is my cause here.
2. Help people. Nothing good happens in business (or life) if this is not the first thing you think about. And your Why will guide how you help people. If you are not helping others with a massive problem, you should move on to something else, period. Nothing feels better than helping people in a way that’s unique to who you are. Get that right and anything is possible. It begins and ends with serving others. When it doubt, give. Just give. The rest will take care of itself.
3. Write mind-blowing content. Corbett so eloquently calls this “writing epic shit“. Nothing experiences long term success if it’s not high quality. Especially in the online and written world. Standards are sky high. If you write crap (or produce crap videos, or whatever your medium is), you will get crap results. All the social media tools, tactics and strategies in the world won’t do a thing for awful content.
The good news is that if you have a deeply passionate cause and do everything you can to help people, the epic content will likely follow. Fill your site (and others’ sites, via guest posts) with the best you can possibly produce. People will start to notice.
4. Make real connections. Just because you’re online does not mean you can sit in your basement and write all day and night. The online world runs off personal connections, just like everything else in life. Communicate with people over social media, skype and yes, in person. Get out and spend time with people in the flesh. Go on workouts, grab some beers (maybe even get drunk) or have them over for a dinner party.
People want to help people they know. My friends and I link to each other all the time. I’d only link to them if they nailed the first three things above (which they do in a huge way – that’s exactly why I’m sharing Corbett’s course with you below). But it’s rare that I’ll promote someone who satisfies the first three, but stops short of the fourth. Everyone wants to help their friends. Go make some.
The gap between Concepts and Application
So there are the four pillars to build a blog that matters. Easy enough, right?
The problem is there are a lot of details that go between each of those steps. Like a whole lot.
While concepts are simple (they usually are), the implementation can feel quite a bit more complex and requires unbelievable focus and massive hard work (as it usually does).
The reason most who want a successful blog either never have one or it never goes anywhere, is either because they never started or they never knew the right steps to take. Nor did they have the confidence to take them.
Massive confidence (and dedication) seem to magically appear when you know the path you are following is one that’s proven to work.
We need a detailed process for building a blog that matters
I’ve been wanting to create a detailed blogging guide for a while now. But the thing is, there are a lot of other people who could do it a lot better than me.
One of them is Corbett Barr. And he actually recently created just that. His course is appropriately titled: How to Start a Blog that Matters.
The guy’s track record is pretty bad ass (Live Your Legend is just one of many examples – and happens to be a case study in the course 
. He built a six figure blogging business inside of 18 months and is the guy behind ThinkTraffic.net, ExpertEnough.com and CorbettBarr.com. He is also one of the most honest, transparent and helpful people I’ve met online.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog (or rehabilitating an old one), this course might be what you’ve been looking for.
The program is a 90-day step-by-step action plan you can follow to create a blog that matters. It includes 13 weekly lessons, 4 special bonuses and over 8 hours of instructional video.
There’s also a pretty sweet guarantee on the course. If you don’t get the big results you’re looking for, Corbett will personally coach you one-on-one for free (not bad considering he no longer offers coaching and his rate used to be over $300/hr).
Scott’s Bonus for You – A free copy of Live Off Your Passion ‘Lite’
If you’re interested in starting a new blog, I’m confident this will be the only course you’ll need (because Corbett nailed all 4 Pillars above and is notorious for over-delivering).
If you purchase Corbett’s course through my affiliate link (which I do earn a commission from – this bonus is me saying thanks!) I’ll give you a copy of the the ‘Lite’ version of my Live Off Your Passion eCourse, which includes a nearly 100-page written guide and associated workbooks full of exercises, activities and experiments for identifying your passion and building a career around it (The full LOYP course is $127).
I see Live Off Your Passion as a pretty perfect compliment to Corbett’s course – LOYP helps you find passion and then Corbett will help you build a blog based business around it.
How’s that for a fit?
In order to be get your free copy of Live Off Your Passion you must:
- Purchase the course through my affiliate link.
- Forward a copy of your receipt to scott@liveyourlegend.net along with your name and best email address so I can send you the course download link.
Click Here to Purchase How to Build a Blog that Matters by Corbett Barr.
I’m changed (and grateful) because of my blog
The people I meet. The passion I have. The way I can help people. My belief of what’s possible. The experiences I have. The life I live.
All of it, and I do mean all of it, has changed as a result of my blog. It changed because I decided to put some of my ideas up on the web a few years ago.
Who would have thought what it would become.
I want the same for you. And it’s more possible than you realize.
All you have to do is start.
I’m here to help.
-Scott
—–
*Be sure to read next week’s post on exactly how Live Your Legend makes money (It’s going to be a pretty transparent one…)
I'm an entrepreneur, coach and author of Live Off Your Passion, here to help you build a career around work you Love. I'm also a tad obsessed with, life experiments, adventure & learning. 
Hey Scott,
Thanks for that! I’ve recently started blogging and I’m still trying to get my head around a lot of it. However, you have helped to make things a lot clearer.
What I’m most impressed with is how you managed to engage me so quickly in your blog. I think it is because you made a 2-Dimensional piece of writing on a pc a 3D experience for me – your reader. That’s an amazing gift! You’ve given me a lot to think about.
Thanks,
Jason
So glad it’s helped Jason – that’s exactly why I work so hard on this stuff! Congrats on your great start too.
Very cool hearing you getting 3-D over there too. Love it!
Really, thank you Jason. I’m here to help however I can (and so is Corbett
Starting off a blog can certainly be a hard challenge. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of choices we all have to learn how to build blogs and promote them. Creating super content, helping others, making connections and having a cause is what true blogging is all about. I also believe that blogging allows people to set onto a onto new paths of self development especially when learning and teaching others is involved. I think blogging is one of the greatest activities I have taken on. It helps people tap into their creative abilities and to express themselves as unique individuals. Looking forward to finding out more about this course
I really think blogging (and writing in general) has been the most valuable self discovery tool for me (and for my business) in the past few years. Sounds like you’re experienced the same. So many others would if they just opened up to it.
And you’re right, there are so many subtle details to sort out. That’s why I’m so glad Corbett put in the massive effort to create what he did. So many people can benefit from this stuff. I’m trying to twist his arm to even teach a course or two at business school. From what I’ve heard, it’s totally lacking…
“And then be able to communicate that purpose, that Why, in a way that connects with others and makes them want to join you. ”
That’s part of where I am feeling stuck – my passion to help has become clearer and clearer but the communicating part seems stalled – though I am actively working on gaining clarity.
The commitment part is amazing me – I just started my new blog 18 days ago and I am in love – if I’m not working on it I’m researching for it or writing out my process or talking w/ others as I hone my vision – it feels just like falling in love – its amazing and energetic and a bit overwhelming.
Looking forward to your next post in this series and celebrating your success with you – it’s beautiful <3
“Starting a blog is like falling in love”- now that has got to be the quote of the day!
Isn’t it wild how excited you get once you set your mind on it?
Nothing in the world is more powerful than when someone puts their head down and decides they will stop at nothing to accomplish a goal. Watch out
As for the Why – I totally feel you. While having the right Why (and getting it across to people) is what makes all the differences, it is also one of the more challenging things to define. I cover a lot of that in Live Off Your Passion.
It all came from Simon Sinek and his book Start with Why which brough clarity on this in a huge way. If you can spare 18 minutes, you have got to watch his TED talk. I’ve watched it at least 5 or 6 times.
Here it is: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
I also recently interviewed Simon on this very topic and will be posting the video sometime early February. Keep an eye out!
Hey Scott. Wow. I’m incredibly flattered.
If anyone wants to learn the “secrets” to blogging, I think simply watching you in action for a while could do the trick.
Yes (like you point out) there are a lot of details in between the steps, but every blog post you write here is basically a clinic on how to write epic content. That’s by far the most important aspect of succeeding as a blogger.
Seriously, you provide so much value, honesty and sincerity in each blog post it’s insane. On top of that, the information you provide is rock solid and actionable. That’s what made me jump at the chance to work with you on Live Your Legend. What a fantastic project it was! So happy for all your success.
Cheers and thanks again for the kind words. If anyone reading this has questions about the course or about how Scott and I relaunched his site to become Live Your Legend, feel free to comment here or email me at support@thinktraffic.net and I’ll respond directly.
-Corbett
That means a lot Corbett – especially coming from you. I think more than anything it’s an example of the power of modeling (which is a huge part of how I operate). After all, I learned just about all of what I know from you, Leo and a few others guys out there (whom I’ll discuss next week). Add in some fun experiences and epic adventures and the rest kind of just comes together.
But more than anything you absolutely have to be writing about things that excite others. Which means you must be having experiences that excite you (as the writer) so you can then relate it back in different ways via stories and lessons on your blog. It all starts with how you live and what you believe. Then express that as openly as you can online, and everywhere.
You make for a pretty nice example
. So glad we all crossed paths when we did.
And the best part….I have a feeling we’re all just getting started!
Also thanks for the offer to answer any readers’ questions. That’s huge.
To everyone else: please reach out to Corbett. He’s more than happy to help!
Hey Scott,
I have a question… what do you think about writing mind blowing content, and staying on a consistent blogging schedule? Obviously it would be great to write mind blowing content 2-3 or more times per week but I know I feel like the more I try to blog, the less quality my posts become. What’s your take on this?
Thanks, looking forward to the series.
Dan
Hey Dan, great question. Maybe Scott can chime in on this as well.
In my experience, in the beginning it is imperative to stick to a fairly strict schedule on your blog. That doesn’t mean you need to post a certain # of times every week, but choose a schedule and stick to it. This is important for you as much as it is for your audience. You have to establish a rhythm and let your new audience know what to expect.
Regarding posting schedule, I usually recommend new bloggers post 2-3 times per week, but it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Look at how Scott has done with just posting once a week, for example. Derek Halpern at Social Triggers has done phenomenally well with a less frequent schedule.
If you post less often though, you have to over-deliver on quality and value. Pack 2-3 posts’ worth of effort into one post if you can.
Does that answer your question? Cheers.
I definitely echo Corbett’s thoughts Dan.
In the beginning I was super overwhelmed when I read about how Leo wrote like 5-7 posts a week in his early days (as well as 5-7 more guests posts some weeks!). A lot of people told me that it would be tough for me to be taken seriously as a blogger if I only posted once a week.
But I knew myself well enough to know that if I put pressure to produce more than I could handle, I likely wouldn’t do it at all.
The most effective work out routine is not the one scientifically proven to get the best results, it’s the one you will actually stick to consistently.
That is the key. If that means once a week for you than fine. Start with what’s manageable and build up from there. I would recommend a minimum of once a week though because if you do less frequently than weekly, it becomes way too easy to push things out another day or two and before long you’re posting every two or three weeks. That won’t fly. Mainly because you will likely never get into a productive, motivated and confident rhythm.
Regardless of how often you decide to post, I’d also suggest spending maybe five minutes each day writing something. Even if it’s just a sentence or two. This takes the pressure off and builds a strong habit. You’d be surprised how often that 5 minutes turns into an hour and pages of creative work without even realizing it. Yet if you would have blocked off an hour, the pressure may have kept you from getting anything done at all.
Start small. Build a habit. Stay consistent. Give your readers something to look forward to.
That’s my nice and ‘short’ response
Thanks Scott – i think the first 2 points you made is very helpful – write something that people believe in, and also helpful to them. I’ve been redefining my blog and crystallizing my vision for it
I hope I find a topic that is helpful to people and also a cause for them to believe in
look forward to the series
Noch Noch
Right on Noch Noch! If you do those two things right, everything else will work itself out. Whether it’s blogging, business, relationships, anything.
Do something you believe in and help people in a massive way. Simple as that
[...] is a great bonus by Scott Dinsmore, if that’s your [...]
Sorry to leave a comment for tech support, but when I click on the affiliate links to buy, it just takes me to a blank page that just has “Starting a blog that matters” at the top and that’s it. Is anyone else having any problems?
Ok it is working now. Not sure what I was doing wrong. Thanks!
Hi, I clicked on the affiliate link but its showing a blank page with the line “Start a Blog that Matters”
Hi Atul – I’m really sorry the link didn’t work. Corbett’s site was down off and on for a few minutes yesterday due to so much traffic (a high class problem I guess, but still no fun for you).
The good news is it’s back up and running!
Here’s the link. Please check it out as soon as you can and let me know if you still have issues. I want to make sure you don’t miss the discounted launch window because of something out of your control.
http://liveyourlegend.net/start-a-blog-that-matters/
I’m happy to help however I can.
Sorry for the inconvenience and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the program!
-Scott
Hi All!
Thanks so much for your interest in Corbett’s program. I think you’re going to love it. I’m really sorry the link hasn’t worked for some of you. As you may have read in the above comment, there ended up being a lot of demand for Corbett’s course which caused the site to go down briefly a few times yesterday.
The good news is it’s now back up and working!
Here’s the link. Please have a look if it’s something you’re interested in.
http://liveyourlegend.net/start-a-blog-that-matters/
Let me know if I can help any other way,
-Scott
Hey Scott,
I am so impressed with your site. I actually saw the program before I saw your post. I am looking for some help with my blog Extreme-Exercises.com and based on your post have decided to jump on board (through your link)!
So looking forward to learning and creating a blog that matters!
Todd
Hey Scott,
Great article. To be successful what matters the most is the number of people you are able to help, the difference you can make. I too started my blogging journey 6 months ago and i am going through the same phase that you went through years ago. As of now i am trying to hang on. Hope to reach your level of success one day:)
Cheers:)
Ashwani Kumar
Was thinking of buying the course…but in the process of browsing his blog, and the blogs that he links to, I think I’ve learnt more than enough for now. I completely agree with his point that people should write epic shit. I generally do not like reading crappy shit, which is most of the stuff on the web. I’ve seen too much advice to post at least x amount of times per week. That might work, but I don’t think that provides true value to readers. Point in fact; the only thing I’ve written on the web I’m proud of and will actively share with others in “real life” is a super in-depth piece of original economics research I did a while back.
Changed my mind. As I’ve set about actually thinking more about my launch plan, I think having a more developed framework would be helpful. If not, there’s also the money back guarantee
Hey Scott,
This is my first time ever commenting on a blog or a website, but your post totally blew me away, so I wanted to thank you. I have quit my job half a year ago in pursuit of my passion, partially inspired by your website. I’ve been stuck in a rut for a while because I just started out but your post today gave me new ideas and inspiration to continue.
Thanks and continue inspiring us!
Hey Scott,
Only just found your blog here… Great job (and I don’t mean that in a ‘spammy’ way lol)…
The 4 Pillars you mentioned are certainly important, and looking around your site you obviously do just that.
These are things I need to put into practice more, but one word of warning to anyone starting out… Do ONE thing and do it WELL…. Don’t start umpteen different projects at once!
Ask me how I know…. no… second thoughts… don’t ask
The series you are writing currently looks awesome… so now I have to make time for something else to read!
Your new course looks great too… if only everyone in the world was able to work on something they love and do a service for others in the world!
Anyway, enjoyed the post, will check out Start a Blog that Matters (love the title)…
Cheers,
Lynne
Hi Scott,
Thanks for sharing…and Corbett, too!
I have recently entered this space…I’m now wondering what took me so long? I would supplement your first step “Have a Cause Worth Following” with – “just get started!”.
I spent a solid 18 months trying to hone what my message would be and since lost out on the opportunity to gather priceless feedback on my work. Those new to blogging don’t need a perfect message to get started, yeah? After making the jump, you can quickly see where your passion gravitates and find that “Cause Worth Following”.
Again thanks for sharing this piece. I look forward to keeping up with you.
Cheers, Steve
Hi Scott,
Love your post! I think you’ve pointed out the most important pillars of building a blog that matters.
I think it really starts with knowing what you want in life, or your purpose in life. Once you realize what that is, you’ll be driven to help people. Then with the drive you’ll be more likely to create “epic shit”. And the rest will take care of itself.
So it really begins with pillar #1. And for some people it’s not a easy process. I’m still in the process of refining and aligning with my purpose.
Thanks so much for sharing this outstanding post!
Hi Scott
I love your post, its really inspiring, however a quick question if I may. I recently started a blog as a spur of the moment thing and I am not sure of the quality of writing, I know it will increase with time and practice (which is why it is not monetised yet) but do you think you should start monetising a blog from day one or build a following first? Also while I am on a role (sorry) do you think finding or creating a niche is important? Thanks for your reply in advance
Paul
Hi Paul – thanks for reaching out.
1. If you don’t need your blog to support you right away then don’t pur pressure on it. Just focus purely on writing and producing the best content you possibly can. And work on growing the following. In your case, I’d focus on monetizing later.
2. But that is not to say that you should not think about monetizing. It’s important to always have in mind how your blog can become a business. That’s why nailing the niche is so so important. Be very specific with how you help people and eventually when you’re ready to monetize, it will be much more doable. Corbett covers the topic of creating a niche quite heavily in his course mentioned above.
Hope that helps and have fun with it!