The infamous snowball effect should be rolling behind you to ensure success right now and in the future. In order for this snowball to be successful for you it should have a well built foundation and key people along for the ride.
I certainly wish I was told this sooner! Special thanks to Corbett Barr for inspiring me to do this post for all of us.
Why the heck do I wish I was told this sooner?! Now, I’ve been trying out the online world ever since 2008. Now, since then I certainly have not been just focusing or trying a few things out. I started out on the Blogger platform. Yeah it was crazy. Haha.
I want and need to tell you a short personal story. Think about your own while reading mine. 
I was inspired by Mashable to cover multiple topics all relating to a desired mission or focus. People would come to the site and be satisfied because really everything was there. Then, a connected community would be established and hopefully active. I’ve always wanted to help as many people as possible because I feel I do have that special gift. So, I tried a site that where I would try to provide as much information as possible.
This lasted one summer. Then after reading a few posts by Darren Rowse from ProBlogger, I realized it would be better to start out in a niche and then grow either horizontal or vertical from there. During this time I was majoring in Community Planning for cities so I started a blog related to that. The community was really building but I then personally lost my interest in the field so I had to say goodbye. Then I thought, since I’m in college why not start a college tips blog where I strive to attract current and aspiring college students. This worked and was in operation for a good time.
Then, I met a few guys that are good friends of mine today. They told me how crazy my mind was at coming up with ideas with good constructive criticism for them. This got me thinking and so I dropped the college tips blog. Many other things were started between then and now where I was trying to find my “groove or angle”.
At last I finally figured out where my spot would be in the online world. But 2 years later, I went through many different types of communities. What helped me though? Staying connected with the same people through these adventures and just becoming their friend. I could continue but the point is is I wished I knew more about the importance of always creating a snowball.
Build the Foundation
Everything great and long-lasting has a well-built foundation.
Yes, I could have just picked the one thing that I truly wanted to do online, but I honestly didn’t know what my passion was nor did I know how it would relate to the online world. But, I do wish I would have at least started a personal blog and build my personal brand. Why?
I would be able to attract people by listening and keeping up with my current and ongoing story. They would be on the journey with me. Hmm I just thought of another idea. This is why a personal brand is so important for me and I do most of that building via Twitter and Facebook.
But, we need to build a foundation whatever that may be. If you plan on being successful you need to have something that people can build on to you. This could be your very passionate blog or a personal blog to showcase your journey, etc. Just build something for people to connect with you.
Connect with the General Key People
Think of these general key people as those who would rally the troops for you and be in support of whatever you do as long as you kept in a good relationship with them. Also think of these people as your “weak ties“.
Like with everything you have to decide and in this case you have to decide whether forming a network of “weak ties” is what you want. Believe it or not I know many bloggers or people on the web that continue to do great things because they have formed this kind of network. You might notice whenever someone endorses or promotes a product on their blog, more than likely that person is apart of that person’s “inner circle“.
Everything, if you want it to be done right in your personal way, takes time and effort but many people still don’t get this.
Think about your true friendships. They just didn’t happen overnight and there is no such thing as an overnight success. It’s about time and using the time to your personal fullest with as much effort as possible.
The importance is to have some key people (this number is really up to you) that will at least be along for your journey, especially if you decide to go into and strive to create so many distinct communities.
Have Another Idea?
Heck I just had another one while writing this post! Why do I ask this question?
Many of us will build something but think of another idea and just leave what we had behind. Why not bring those people that where in that community with you? Bring them to your personal brand or ask to see if some of them will join this next idea of yours.
The key is to not just toss everything away when you go another direction. If you decide to, the time you spent building will go to waste and your success will be delayed. Trust me, because mine was.
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The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?Hi Derek,
Great, great post and awesome ideas.
Many times I warn people I talk to, stick to one thing. Stick to one thing. Don’t be a grasshopper. Etc…
But, it is going to happen. As you find your groove as you called it. As you find what you’re really passionate about or what you enjoy.
That’s why developing your own personal brand is so important. Getting yourself known and building relationships.
As people get to know and like you, they will definitely follow you around. We see this with new online companies many times. A person walks in and then suddenly has 1000 people on their team seemingly overnight.
It was because they spent time building their own personal brand… themselves! They built relationships, built followings and in time got to the point where they could enter a company and be seen instantly as an expert.
Again, great points. Thanks for sharing!
Vincent Parker
Thank you so much Vincent!
I truly do feel its the best to create one awesome thing and use that as your foundation which will then establish your personal brand. But, if we feel that our DNA will most likely want to pursue a different idea and could not spend time in the beginning to build a foundation then build a foundation for building a personal brand.
Thanks for your comment!
Goof article and some great advice, building relationships online is the key to a successful blogging “career”
I agree with Vincent. It is very important to stick to a thing and work on it until you have become an expert at it before moving on. Getting involved in too many things at one time will only result in confusion.
I know what you mean by building a strong foundation but the problem for me is sustaining the passion. After a few years or sometimes just a few months it becomes boring to continue with the same niche so I always end up abandoning my niche blogs.
Hi Lilith,
I think we all can relate to that at one time or another. But that’s why it’s so important to always promote yourself at the same time.
I see so many blogs in which you never see any information about the person behind the blog. And this is a big mistake, in my opinion, because when you do create a new blog or start a new project you have to start building a readership base from square one.
By promoting yourself, and as Derek suggests asking them to follow you to your next project, you don’t have to start at square one. And people that have taken an interest in your first project probably have the same interests and ideas as you.
They would probably be happy to see what else you are doing and enjoy seeing your next project.
Two sayings I think we are all familiar with is: 1) People join people, not businesses and 2) People buy from people they know, like and trust.
Give people the chance to know you and give them a chance to keep buying from you wherever you move!
Vincent Parker
I would then focus on building your personal story for people to follow. This would be your personal brand, but do know that if you stick with something for a longer time you will also become noticed and have a bigger authority.
I agree with Derek. Having the persistence to see through things is tough but it is well worth it especially you will become better at it in the long run.
There are two very interesting points I’ve learned here: (1) People join people, not businesses; and (2) people buy from people they know, like and trust.
I’ve got a blog myself, and for the longest time, I’ve been avoiding telling my readers anything personal, just sticking to business as much as possible, fearing the personal stuff would turn them off. But I realize now it may be the personal stuff after all that makes people read blogs rather than the more “objective, impersonal” Web sites. And yeah, maybe I’ve been giving my readers less than what they want.
I’ll try this personal approach and see. Maybe this can help me build that elusive personal brand.
Yes and yes.
People might join businesses or buy from people they don’t trust but this will not be a good relationship for both parties and will be very short.
Of course………..! in business deal, the first base is do trust on next party and make the deal with confidence with each other.
I too agreed with you, if you have strong foundation then it’s going to affect your blog very positively. Always try to connect with your visitors so that you can get feedback about your blog and improve it accordingly.
By having a foundation you also are able to bring anyone new wanting to know how you got your start to something special and awesome.
Of course………by having a good foundation and wide PR i.e public relations also keep help in awesome established business.
Great post, Derek. To me, it all comes down to focusing on what you’re truly passionate about through experience. I could relate this to things like college as well; many students don’t know what they want to major in, and spend a long time in that indecisive rut because they’re not actively looking for experiences and relationships. The people that go out and pursue their interests will end up where they want to be much, much faster.
Thanks Thomas!
Relating to college I’ve actually found people that are undecided for their first year have a better outlook on what they want to do than people that make an immediate decision. This could also be vise versa but the point to bring up is that many times you won’t have a good foundation from the initial start but later on the foundation that you do build will be much more powerful and well-built.
I’d say that most people don’t really have a start, especially from a young age. It really is all about laying that foundation; the sooner, the better.
Sometimes students think they know what they want to do right from the outset to do external influences such as their parents’ jobs. These people might find out later on that they don’t want to do what they initially started in. Others actually pursued activities related to their chosen career path before college even began; these people will probably be the most prepared.
Sooner the better for sure!
I strongly believe that students do pursue anything in the online world that can really help them develop to what they truly want to do after college. For instance, I just changed by majors all because of what I was doing online and its all for the better.
Everything starts with yourself. That idea or that website would not have come to fruition if not because of you. So, it is really good advice to be able to build your own personal brand, let people know you and not just know you but trust on you. There are some hurdles you will need to face but just be yourself and be true and you’ll be able to build a successful personal brand.
Agreed! Way too many people try too hard to build their personal brand because they focus on what is the best way or what people really want to know. Truth is… people don’t know what they really want yet and we should focus on ourselves.
I’m not agree with you Derek………The people wants something and we should have to care for their likes and deserves and do something for that.
Branding yourself first and having people that will support you online it’s the best way to start, because then you know that whatever you start online you can count on them to give you a boost and help the snowball effect take place.
People that are just starting, have it hard because they don’t have someone to support them while they press on with their endeavor.
I think that is why those that make it online with a couple of websites will always have a better platform to launching new ones, especially because they can animate them faster then anyone else.
It surely is a good way to start. But, another great way which is actually much more powerful is build your personal brand through conquering something awesome. For instance, Gary Vaynerchuk just did a Wine Show and that was his foundation. During his wine show he showed his viewers who he was and would mention his background and interests every now and then. Look how he turned out… has one of the biggest personal brands around!
At the starting of a business, it is the awesome tactic and strategy to appeal public, for marketing a new business and spread a new product all around.
Well, general things are difficult to beat.
Hi Derek,
Totally agree with you with the ideas that pops every now and then. Sometimes I write longer than intended because I get a light bulb for some niche that’s totally unrelated.
If I may add myself, I believe the foundation that we eventually build is are the experiences we go through life. I built my blog and covered online businesses because I’ve come to like (if not love) the processes behind it.
I’ve worked for a lot of clients ranging from small pop shops to large corporations with millions in profits annually and I get excited when I see differences and discover things that exist for both small and big businesses.
The snow ball effect naturally comes for people who are passionate about what they do because it shows. There’s no struggle for them and they can relate easily to people within their niche.
And really the snowball effect comes easy to these people people because they already have that good following. Love also what you think about our foundations.
Thanks again for the awesome comment, Jeedo!
Great article. I believe what you say is completely true.Success breeds success. The more customers and user you have the more you’ll suceed.
I’m glad I read this post Derek, it confirms something I suspected all along. Build a personal ‘brand’ by just being yourself on your personal blog. I write about anything that interests me, that way I can never get bored. I do branch off into different directions, however my blog is the centre for traffic.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John,
I’ve truthfully found my personality and interests to really come out by using Tumblr. I and Gary Vaynerchuk (I’m sure many others) strongly see Tumblr expanding into something special.
Yes there nothing exists like ‘overnight success’. You have to wait to gain success. But unfortunately i was late to realize this simple matter and for this i had to lose many things in my life:(
People make mistakes and choose to ignore the truth. Think the opposite and know that you are bound to fail. In return, you will have a greater chance of succeeding.
Great post! In fact this something that applies especially to SEO. Start a long tail campaign and you can snowball the traffic you get. Thanks for posting. : )
Pete
If the foundation isn’t in place, the rest will crumble over time one way or another. I also think adding a personal touch to things makes it more user friendly and readers can relate to you easier.
I’ve started a blog in September 2010 and talked about general seo topics without putting my experience in the articles. I even forgot the About page! But now as I introduced myself in the blog and write about what I know and feel I get a lot more responses from the readers. Branding and Credibility is very important.
Cheers
Fantastic!
Hi Derek,
It’s really hard to build a strong foundation, especially if it’s the first time you try to do something like this and it depends very much on the niche. Starting a personal blog is something easy, but maintaining it and keeping it with high quality articles and high number of visitors is extremely hard. In order to have quality content and visitors you need to stay focused and work as much as possible constantly, you must build everything in the most professional way possible. Thanks for sharing this inspirational article!
Best wishes,
Cristian
I’m glad you found this article inspirational, Cristian!
I strongly believe that if you create your true story that many would be intrigued to and stick to it and then communicate your message in a non spammy way everything will become natural and awesome in the end.
Thanks for the comment!
When I first started my blog, I wrote everything.. personal stuffs, techie news, tips, reviews, jokes, blogging tips, etc. It received great feedback because it made the blog fun and different from other boring techie blogs.
Along the way, I made contacts with people from the I.T industries, technology agencies, etc. Now I’m more focused onto the tech world.
Sometimes you just have to try before you find that one thing to focus upon. Or you can be different like when I first started. Sometimes you have to see the trend and follow the wind that takes you to
Certainly trying is the best thing to do! Ever since 2008, I’ve tried so many different things (almost all of my different passions) to try to find the one that I really want to expand on. Now it’s 2011 and lets just say we are rolling now
Wish you the best with the tech world!
I have to say I was pretty much the same in the beginning, I started out young and just wanted to be known as one of those people who helped out, so I started out a wide website for gaming, with the intention to help anyone who needed the help. It built up a good community, but in turn, I didn’t really feel it was going anywhere, the niche was too large and I had to find something smaller. Since then I have been trying to make a foundation so that I cover all my angles and when I start to build, I will build strongly and it will be harder to fall.
Won’t know what happens until you try and execute! Over time the truth will be known
Wish you the best, Simon!
Great piece, Derek! You bring forward an important point — the importance of promoting your personal brand and connecting it with everything you do. As you put it, your personal brand (or story) is not something that can be encapsulated as one product or one idea (or even one blog : )); but what it is reflective of are the enduring values and skills you bring to whatever those products or ideas might be.
If you are able to put your story into everything you do the purpose is there. If you aren’t then you should question to why you are really doing what you are.
You blog theme is very beautyful. I hava a blogusion thesis skin buat can’t like your theme. Can you tell me to make like you ? please
Why? You want to stand out kindly
Hi Derek,
You are right when you say that getting success depends on building a strong foundation. I is really important to connect to people and build relationships with them. Connections build reputation and certainly helps a lot in increasing your images. As for understanding what your niche really is and what you are going to be successful in, that certainly takes time.
I think some times we do things which may not be the one which we may end up doing later. But all the things that we do will be helpful for us in recognizing what our inner talent is.
Inspiring story Derek, and it is true that success tend to generate success.
Let’s take the blog revenue example. Once you have generated enough revenues from your blog you are more relaxed when you get started on your new venture and the revenues generated by blog 1 can help you promote blog 2 accelerating its “success”.
I think that you make a good point – if you put so much effort into one thing and then drop it like a hot scone for something new, then you will never ever be anywhere but a start up venture. I think if you do express how you change, and how your business aspects do in relation to that personal change, then this is a progression that people will understand and follow.
Foundation is really important!! Weak foundation = weak blog!! And hence the blog won’t stand long!
very nice article .. Thanks for sharing .. i like very much ..
Regard:
Visit Motorola Atrix Forum!
Hey Derek,
It’s true that “Everything great and long-lasting has a well-built foundation.” but who has the time right?
So many skip this point altogether.
With so many writers putting up their own blogs, it IS getting hard to find a niche or even stand out among the bloggers. So, yeah, I definitely agree that having a personal brand, as well as sharing your life story, helps. Not only does this help readers identify with you, it also adds credibility to your words. Truth attracts people. Build a network of other bloggers who follow your story, and what you have is an identity that is distinct with the rest.
PS: I love the way you began your blog entry by sharing your college experiences.
Great post, Derek. I agree with you 100%. I can relate myself with your past experiences. I am re-visiting this blog after a long time. Is Alex still around?
Thanks!
He is. We are launching a new design very soon.
It’s nice to know that there are people who have experiences that I can really relate to. I’d surely look forward to your next posts.
Can’t wait to see your future discussions.
I know what you mean about getting tons of ideas all the time. I can’t write my ideas down fast enough sometimes, and it’s usually when I am driving that I come up with all the ideas. So it can be rather dangerous. Like you said, most people toss these ideas aside and go after new ones, but you need to get some constructive criticism from other people on these ideas to see if they are worth pursuing. You might have a gold mine and not even realize it.
So true Jon! It also helps to relate those ideas to your core personal strengths and wants.
I usually get my ideas when I’m doing my morning swim at 5am in the morning. I’m usually swimming for about 30 minutes and especially underwater and peaceful everything usually comes to me. Great post by the way!
Thanks Darek for this wonderful post. After reading your post i got that a constructive criticism is also important beside writing skills discussion with good friends always give you new ideas and suggestion.
You’re very welcome Martha!
it’s a nice post….really i like your template….
Hi Derek,
You make some very good points. Lately I find myself also looking back and wondering “woulda, coulda, shoulda.” I’ve been blogging since 1998, and if I’d taken it seriously back then, I would be a blogging megalith now. =)
Finding the right people to take with you along for the ride is always a good idea, and great if you can find them.
Delena
Hi Delena,
Good to see a blogger that has been blogging for awhile
I have only been blogging since 2008, but in just 3 years I have learned so much and met so many great people that I need to bring towards anything new I start in the future.
Look forward to seeing you more!
Excellent article. I’ve just recently started to brand myself because of what I’ve learned from my wife’s real estate profession. The most successful realtors brand themselves…not just sell houses. I’m applying the same principals to my auto repair shop with my new blog. The more things change…the more they stay the same!
Yeah……..its the fact that for a large number of daily visitors and long-lasting blog running has need a well-built foundation with the people. Thanks for so nice sharing!
Many realize this later on and then start to build their foundation.
Of course….! because almost we got knowledge and establish our will power after seeing others’ successful result.
Great article. Thank you to tell us more useful information about establish our foundation and relation the people in friendly environment. I am looking forward to reading more of your articles in the future. Thanks!
Really rarely will i come across a blog that is both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is actually excellent; the thing is something which inadequate people are talking smartly about. I will be happy that stumbled across it in my try to find something about it.
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