I’m at a sort of cross-roads with Bizstudent right now. Lately, I haven’t been able to put out the posts that I am normally capable of, and as a result, my number of subscribers and my daily traffic have both taken a hit. I contemplated giving up on it, starting fresh somewhere and hoping the new one had more success, but that did not sit well with me. I don’t want to give up or take the easy way out. I like to write about business, and would like to continue doing so, I am just discouraged at this time. John Chow started his blog quite a while ago, and it is a very unique blog and offers some great information on making money online. However, and I mean no offense when I say this, there are too many John Chow clones. I know this, because I am guilty of it. If you really bother to go and look at many of the blogs that have started up since January, how many are using the Misty Look theme, or a modified version of it? I am a firm believer in “keeping with what works” - but when is enough, enough? Look how many blogs are now doing the “review for a free link back” since John started it. I have no problem with the actual idea itself, it was genius! But it has spread like a virus, and in my eyes become one of those things that everybody does. It no longer can be considered a stand out feature in a blog, as it has definitely lost it’s ire. Again, with the different money making affiliate and publisher programs, it is perfectly acceptable to participate in these programs, by all means, implement them, go forth and make money! All that I ask is that you find a way to do it that is unique to you. I encourage you to take John’s advice, use his recommended plugins, use his ideas, use his money making tips - but make it unique, make it about you, don’t make it a John Chow clone.
Now, as I said, I am guilty of this. There is no need for me to go on a rampaging crusade across the blogosphere and call out all the blog’s. What I can do though, is start the change with myself. No, this isn’t just another case study, or a blog make-over post - this is about making real changes, and taking pride in your work. I, me, me being Jack, Jack being me, am planning to kill all forms of advertising for the time being until I feel that BizStudent is again ready for them, and I have a unique way to implement them. The categories, permanent links, the theme, the links and many of the useless plugins are also going in the garbage can. We are stripping this old house down to the foundation and building it back up.
And just out of goodwill, and because I am in a giving mood, here is a nice little list of blogs which are unique, with unique content, unique themes, unique ideas, and shoot me if I use that word one more time. You get the point.
Bryan Le - Idolized by me, a fellow business student, and has his own kick-ass theme.
Net Business Blog - Matt is “The Man” - amazing looking theme, very creative, and full of good, clean information. Also Idolized.
Earner’s Blog - A dark horse in the online business blogging community, Stuart the stout Aussie, has a great custom theme and gives out great information. Cheers!
Designer’s Mind - A blog that I discovered through NBB that I have taken a liking to and that I felt deserved mention for his great theme. Not quite an idol yet, but some day my son.
So please, stay tuned, when BizStudent returns next week. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel. Pow.
