Every so often there is another deluge of blogs calling out bloggers who have “lost their way” by monetizing. They claim that when we “sell out” and start doing brand work we lose our voice, and our authenticity diminishes.

And then others come back with ways you can be a branded blogger with integrity and the whole things goes round and round, chicken-egg, chicken-egg

So, here I am, for once, and I won’t be telling you HOW to blog.

Which is a bloody miracle for me.

I spend most of my days in one on one chats with bloggers telling them what to change about their sites, their voice, their business planning.  I strategize and show them the way through the murky mess of the industry, pointing out obstacles and dangerous footing.

But in the end, the only thing that anyone needs to do, is write.

Just to be themselves, to write on what they love, and to feel at peace with what they are doing.

So, a few key things to remember, and that will hopefully drive home my point:

1. there is no right or wrong name for a blog.  I am a prime example (I mean what does 3chickens and a boat actually MEAN?)

2. Use whatever social media platforms you like the best, or don’t use any at all

3. Make money, don’t make money. Write for free, for product, for cash or for beer. Your business, your way. End of statement.

4. No, you don’t need a fancy camera. Unless you want one, then go get one.

5. Numbers only matter to you . .  trust me! No one else really knows OR cares.

6. There is no specific number of hours, minutes or days you should be spending on your blog.  Just be on it when you want to.

7. No, you don’t need to write about recipes, DIY, or crafts. It may help your SEO a bit, but if you don’t care about it, neither do I

8. Yes, it has already been done. Whatever you are thinking is so unique, someone else has thought of it already. But who cares. . . do it anyway. Just remember though, you aren’t the first OR the last to do it. .  so don’t get hung up on it.

9. No one will really notice if you miss a day.

10. Just be you and you will find your people. Your readers will come if you write what you want to write, and write what you would read.  So just do that and don’t worry about the rest.

It is really important to remember that there is no “defined” way out there to do this. There are tips, and suggestions, ideas and opportunities, but the industry is still so young that you still have the opportunity to blaze your own path.

That is the whole thing about being an entrepreneur (or having a fabulous hobby) YOU have full ownership over it. YOU make the rules, YOU make the decisions and in the end, YOU are the one responsible for achieving YOUR goals.

Wow, a whole lotta YOU in there eh!

And that’s just it.  YOU can navigate what you want out of this industry by just attempting different things.  Ask questions, get a variety of answers and then find your truth.

Your truth.

And as for saying there is no truth in monetization?  Do teachers care less because they are paid to be in the classroom? Or would anyone ever tell a Landscaper to go back to gardening for a hobby since he is taking advantage of his plants?

Being paid to do something you love doesn’t take away the joy and truth and “authenticity”

It just makes that person bloody lucky to be doing it.

Just do it your way, whatever way that may be.  If it isn’t working, change it. Explore, read, learn and try something different until you get your thing the way you want it.

And please, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you are a blogger and want to hang with other bloggers looking to do this thing “for reals”  pop on over and join our Facebook group!