The top 3 barriers to blogging
Success means different things to different people, but what I do know is that there is no magic pill, no easy fix. Money is earned, not made and ‘hassle-free’ cash, as I have just seen advertised, is a myth – you have to work hard, have grit, determination, and gumption.
I understand why so many estate agents start and then stall when it comes to blogging; 6 years ago I had no idea what a blog was either, let alone how to write one. Never an English aficionado, I enjoyed reading but my then career in theatre was worlds away from where I am today.
Writing is a craft, and like all crafts it can be learned; when I read some of my early attempts I cringe, but that’s okay, I had to start somewhere. When I launched my personal blog it was because of requests from my Twitter following. I stumbled around WordPress and created a basic site, but I struggled to know what to write, and more importantly, how to write.
Nevertheless, something inside me said that this was something I needed to do, although I had no idea at that time that it was to become my business. Almost every day I posted something, whether it was a dream home, interiors, or just telling people what I had been up to. The more I put pen to paper (so to speak!) the more it started to feel natural. Now, I am not saying that the quality was there, but it wasn’t about that – it was about growing my own confidence that I was able to write.
Fear of failure
Perfection is an aspiration, but as estate agents you can get caught up in trying to be ‘perfect’ in all that you do. Are you telling me that when you first rode a bike or started to play football that you were perfect? No, because you have to practise, the more you practise, the better you become, and although you may spot some flaws, you work harder to become the best you can be.
Needing instant results
You are results driven; a sale is a win, a let is a win. So the idea of investing in something that doesn’t give you that instant gratification that we all seem to need today feels alien, and like a waste of money. You want to spend your marketing budget on things you know – the unknown, especially one you don’t understand or believe you don’t have the time to do – well, let’s face it, it seems pointless.
Fear itself
You are strong and confident people who I admire, but I also know that blogging scares the bejesus out of many of you. That’s okay; it scared the bejesus out of me too, and it still does today. Putting yourself out there for people to read, comment on, and potentially criticise – that’s hard, and frightening.
Like learning any new skill, I have made so many mistakes along the way. I too have stalled at times, and I have failed, but I have also succeeded. Over the years I have felt so rewarded by helping others discover a passion for blogging, and also seeing them excel and be recognised for their achievements.
What is your barrier?
I hear the same questions and statements from agents over and over again:
Will it win me business?
I never have anything to write about
I have no time
I know what I want to say, but can’t put it into words
Does it work?
I’m not a writer, I’m an estate agent
These are barriers to starting or restarting your blog, but the thing with barriers is that they can be broken, and overcome. You might start by chipping away at the edges, and then a boulder will fall, and piece by piece your confidence and ability will start to grow.
It isn’t that you can’t blog, more that you can’t see a way around the wall you believe exists. I understand; I’ve been there, and so have thousands of others.
My challenge to you is to start. You don’t have to press publish to begin with, and you don’t have write an essay, but just write. Write crap, write perfection – just write.
Written by andrea@citruscontent.com
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