Blogging Report [Sep 2022]: Just Getting Started

This site may be paid a small commission when you purchase via links. For more see Terms Disclosure.

Shiny object syndrome…

This deadly condition can freeze many online entrepreneurs!

(I’ve battled it for years.)

Shiny object syndrome can lead to chronic procrastination, unfinished projects, and a lack of focus. 🧊

The best way to overcome “shiny object syndrome”?

Use a system to evaluate opportunities and commit only to projects that are most likely to succeed!

This can be accomplished when you set priorities, estimate time requirements and calculate ROI (the potential return on investment).

More on that in a bit…

1.0 Why I Created This

So it’s month number one…

(I’ve got to start someplace… right?)

But if I’m gonna swim in the deep end, I have to invest in myself…

For the past few weeks, I’ve been taking a course called Blog Growth Engine by Adam Enfroy. Adam and his co-presenter Colin Shipp argue that getting started is about adopting a “startup mindset.”

Adam talks about adopting that perspective when he read “The Lean Startup” by Eric Reiss several years ago… ⚡

Keeping with that mindset, a “minimum viable” site is their mantra.

The two of them constantly preach the startup way of doing things in the course… they hammer it home repeatedly…

I’ll admit…

Sometimes it’s hard for someone like me who’s fought perfectionism for a lifetime!

Adam and Colin have used one phrase over and over again, so I printed it out and taped it to my computer monitor:

“Good enough, move on, come back…”

THAT’S what I’m trying to do.

We’ll see… 😉

2.0 Income

I did say I was just starting…

Right?

I made $10. Yep… TEN BUCKS.

And that ten bucks comes from paying myself for web hosting (details some other time).

So let’s get into the weeds, shall we?

3.0 Expenses

$605! 💸

Jeez… that seems like a LOT!

Don’t get me wrong:

Investing in yourself is a good thing!

The trick is not to OVERspend unnecessarily (I’ve been guilty of that in the past)…

Remember shiny object syndrome?

It’s both a seller’s dream and a consumer’s nightmare…

I’ve pretty much beaten the tendency to fall victim now, but recently I scaled back on tools I was investing in.

But I want to act like a lean startup, remember?

Hopefully, over time, you’ll only see me spending money on things I get a direct return on in these monthly updates.

That’s my plan…

4.0 Traffic

Not a lot to see here right now.

I still have the site in “no-index” status, so the search engines aren’t seeing my site right now anyway… 🛑

5.0 Subscribers

I’ve not set up a way to capture sign-ups yet.

6.0 Referring Domains

No indexing yet so no referring domains…

7.0 Site Health

One of the most important things about a site’s health is speed…

Measuring that is step one!

I use the site GTMetrics…

GTMetrix has a free option, and it’s awesome!

They also offer a paid account if you want to keep records of old runs and so on…

I’ve done several things to avoid slowdowns:

• I picked a site host known for its lightning-quick WordPress delivery…
• Used a lean and unbloated WordPress theme…
• Didn’t overload my installation with unnecessary plugins…
• Compressed optimized images that load quickly…
• Have a CDN that delivers content anywhere around the globe fast…

All of this is a great first step… and one that Adam’s course covers in detail!

I’m not saying everyone can achieve the fastest site around, but being quick should always be your goal… 😉

Site speed affects rankings!

And we all want high rankings…

Right?

8.0 Completed Tasks

I’ve written almost all of my core pages Adam’s team recommends…

Except for completing the “My Story” page. 😦

I REALLY need to dial it back! That post has quickly ballooned into a 10,000-word document (and I’ve not even finished the rough draft)…

I don’t think that’s “minimum viable post” thinking…

At least the biz-savvy kind Adam’s trying to teach: “Good enough, move on, come back…”!

That’s what I need to stay focused on…

9.0 You Can Do It Too!

Ready to take your blog to the next level?

Adam Enfoy’s “Blog Growth Engine” course is the perfect way to do just that! In this course, you’ll learn how to grow your blog traffic and engagement using tried-and-true methods that have been tested by Adam himself…

You’ll get access to over 10 hours of video content and downloadable resources and templates you can use for your blog. Plus, you’ll be able to ask Adam questions directly and get help with implementing what you’ve learned!

Sign up for the “Blog Growth Engine” course today! You won’t regret it…

10.0 Summary

Some (tough) lessons learned this month. But I’m learning by doing!

That’s all for September 2022…

See you next month! 🤙

P.S. Xxxxx

P.P.S. Xxxxx