Well, here we are. A journey that began many months ago, when there was still snow in the air, is coming to a close. I’ve written 100 posts about engagement, and now it’s time to move on to writing about, well, what you want me to write about all through August 🙂
Before we start that journey though, I thought I would toss out a few things that I learned or experienced in doing this series, just in case you’re interested in ever doing one like it. I hope it helps!
– 100 posts is a LOT. It doesn’t seem like it, but if you think about it, it’s close to a 4-month long endeavor, and that’s if you post every single day.
– I wish I would have planned things out better. I don’t really feel like this was a smooth series. If I ever done one again (and that won’t be for a LONG time), I would plot it out so that it all builds to a crescendo. This was more me just seeing if I could actually write 100 posts about one topic. Turns out I can.
– Writing a series is not an easy way to know your topics for each post. In fact, I found it really hard sometimes to think about what I wanted to write. Ideas that were completely separate would pop into my head but I would think, “Eh, no, I really need to get an engagement post in.”
– If you are not in the habit of writing on a consistent time schedule, a series is a great way to help you formulate how you want to approach your blog.
– It was doing this series that helped me learn that if you want people to subscribe, it helps to let people know they can.
– I have met a lot of FANTASTIC people as a result of writing these posts. It may have happened anyway, but I feel like at least a few of you popped by to see what the topic was that day (for which I am eternally grateful, by the way).
– Traffic didn’t mean as much whilst writing this series. I knew I was going to write a certain number of posts whether or not I had a great traffic day or a horrible one. If you are really hung up on numbers, setting a numerical goal that is separate from your stats can be a big help.
Those are the main points I’d like to remember and get across for you, my dear readers. If you have been around for awhile here at ye olde blog, I’d love to get your feedback on the Engagement Series. Was it useful? What could I have done better?
Thank you thank you thank you for all of your support. I’ll be taking Saturday and Sunday off from blogging, and Monday begins the August fun. I’ll see you then!
Image by Svilen Milev. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/svilen001
This is the final post of the Engagement Series. Yahhhh Hooooo!!! 🙂
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Bruce Serven says
July 29, 2011 at 8:24 pmCongrats and well done Margie.
This was an excellent series.
I really enjoyed all the creative angles you went with it, and you told some great stories too.
I am really grateful that you did this, as I appreciated the content and seeing your work.
I also enjoyed retweeting your content because it was valued, and I’m assuming other people found value in it too because they kept clicking my links whenever I tweeted them.
I’m looking forward to more Margie made awesomesauce – even if it doesn’t come in series form.
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:12 pmhaha, that word awesomesauce is really making the rounds. Thanks for all of your support over this time, Bruce. I really appreciate it. You epitomize good engagement. Thank you!!
Kyle Thill says
July 29, 2011 at 9:10 pmA congrats is in order, especially when you consider it being on one topic. Hope you’ve seen a widening of those that appreciate you work.
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:13 pmI have been very lucky over the course of this series to meet many new and great people. Like, say, you, for example 🙂 Thanks, Kyle!
dannybuntu says
July 29, 2011 at 10:28 pmCongratulations Margie. You’ve done well and helped me and a whole lot of others with your writing. I can’t wait for the next series.
🙂
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:13 pmThanks as always, Danny. I really appreciate that!
Chris Eh Young says
July 29, 2011 at 10:29 pmWow. 100 posts is a lot. That’s a way more ambitious feat than i’m willing to tackle. I guess if you can tackle 100 posts you could pretty much write a book.
Keep up the good work.
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:14 pmOh, I don’t know. The book idea is still scary, but I appreciate the vote of confidence. Thanks, Chris! 🙂
Bob says
July 29, 2011 at 10:39 pmCongrats, Margie! Wow, that’s an impressive achievement!
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:14 pmThanks, sir. I appreciate that!
Corinne Edwards says
July 30, 2011 at 1:16 pmDear Margie –
Wonderful achievement.
I would not waste these now. In six months, reshuffle, and make an E book.
They are too good to fade into the archives.
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:15 pmThanks, Corinne. I may reshuffle a bit, but I am not really sure they flow well enough to make an e-book out of them. That’s the biggest mistake I would say I made…not planning out thoroughly enough. Oh well 🙂
I appreciate your compliment – I consider it a great honor coming from you!
Amber-Lee Dibble says
July 30, 2011 at 1:18 pmMargie,
What an amazing accomplishment! (You must be very proud and -or satisfied, as well) I know I’m really new to your blog, but the engagement series (because I have dug, read and printed MANY!!) was incredible!!
Even as fresh off the farm (so to speak) as I am here, I counted (just to see…) and since the last week in January, when I started with HubSpot (classes, webinars) I’ve written 72 (HOLY SHMOKES) posts!…well, one was a cartoon I shared and one was written by my trainee, but Holy Shmokes! I can only imagine how tough it might have been at times, as you said, to stay on topic! Wow.
I’m glad you did it, Margie. I may never have found you, without it! (I know, …groan..) LOL. I can’t wait to see what you use your rapier wit on next! ~Amber-Lee
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 6:16 pmOh come now, Ms. Amber-Lee. Meeting you has been one of the greatest things to come of this series!! You bring a smile to my face every time you post. Isn’t that what engagement is all about at its best? 🙂
Steve LeBlanc says
July 31, 2011 at 8:07 pmMargie,
Congratulations on the 100 posts. I have struggled with writing enough posts for years. I write think pieces and have trouble with posting more than one every few months. I have tons of ideas for posts, but I tend to over think them and lose some of the charm I like to see in posts I read. I get hung up on perfectionism.
I very much like your idea of an external number goal.
Margie Clayman says
July 31, 2011 at 8:47 pmThanks!
I think a lot of folks have the same struggles you speak of when it comes to blogging. There’s a feeling that you need to write content on a certain time schedule or based on a certain measure of quality. The truth is that your voice is probably entirely different from the blogs you like to read, so your posts are always going to be different in nature. That doesn’t mean they are of lower quality – but it does mean it’s like comparing apples to oranges.
Find a goal that suits you and begin to shoot for it. Focusing on the goal will allow you to feel a bit more free about the content you are ready to produce 🙂
Ricardo Bueno says
September 11, 2011 at 9:48 pmJust catching this from a discussion over on 3T – wish I had seen it sooner. I really dig the concept and love the fact that you stuck with it – congratulations!! Not an easy feat I’m sure.