Building Your Blogging Brand Part II: Taking Action
Last time we spoke about blogging, it was all about building your brand. But what’s the next step, the part two? Let’s dig in a little deeper, shall we?
Okay yes, blogging has changed over the past few years, or rather, many years for me. Creating a brand for yourself can definitely help kick start a career with your current passion(s). But these days, it’s more than just posting.
Side note –> I hate the word blog. So if anyone comes up with a better word, please tell me, ok?
So the question remains, what’s needed to move forward with your “brand?”
I will tell you I struggled with this for many many years. I was scattered, I was stressed, I was lacking confidence, and I really didn’t believe in my personal brand or blogging. I had visions of wanting my site to be more purposeful and to grow into a full-time job, but I was always hesitant. I was stagnant.
I think the next step into building your brand is really about action.
ACTION:
- You have to take action EMOTIONALLY – put your heart and soul into it! Have the confidence to be unique, original, and fully authentic. I love what Amy Porterfield says here.
“CONFIDENCE = CLARITY + COMMITMENT.
Once you achieve CLARITY in knowing what needs to be done, you add in COMMITMENT to stick it out until it gets done.”
– Amy Porterfield
- You have to take action PHYSICALLY and take Put yourself out there. People will not always like or relate to what you post, but if it makes you, YOU, then keep at it.
- You have to take action MENTALLY –> don’t just think, BELIEVE in your niche and try not to compare yourself to others while you’re at it. Think about it this way.
We don’t eat at the same restaurant every night (unless you’re 80 and frequent Lubys). No, we like to try a variety of foods, restaurants, fun atmosphere’s, etc. Needless to say, there is ROOM for everyone and their “niche.” Don’t let that stop you. I’m preaching to the choir here folks.
- You have to take action TOGETHER, with OTHERS. Start Networking. Start supporting others. Find your “tribe,” as some might say. A tribe who will build you up, become mentors, friends, be honest with you, and vice versa. I will tell you this. Without the people around me, my tribe, my support system, I would’ve never taken the next step.
I’m still building my brand, but the investment is all there. I will keep PRACTICING all these principles, focusing on small daily GROWTH . I’m nowhere where I’d like be (goal wise), but I am RIGHT where I am supposed to be; focusing on small growth and purpose!
That being said, is your blog/personal brand on Facebook. Since I just created a Cotter Crunch Page, I’d love to connect with more of YOU and your personal brand. Leave me a comment on my page so I can follow back! Am I corny or what? 😉
I also highly recommended reading these posts on creating a vision and purpose! Such inspiring ladies!
- 16 Reminders for Creating Vision and Purpose
- Single Most Important Factor of Your Business
- And if you have extra time, watch this video
okay, What’s your next step?! This doesn’t even have to be about blogging, it can be about ANYTHING you are passionate about. Think about that.
[Tweet “Taking Action with your Brand! #blogging #passions #fitfluential #cottercrunch”]
Cheers to a Marvelous Monday!
Corny Cotter
- Facebook Click here Cotter Crunch FB
- Twitter-@LCCotter
- Instagram –LCCotter
- Pinterest– LCCotter
- Email- [email protected]
- Bloglovin-Cotter Crunch
Thank you for sharing the link for the video with Adam! That is one incredible person! Great thought inspiring information you have provided to really get going in the right frame of mind!
yes, so agree! thanks for stopping by anneli!
Sometimes it can get a little discouraging if I am trying to grow followers/get my name out there/etc, but I know that it takes time and effort, so that is what I am working on putting in. Some days I want to try and make my blog my business and other times I am happy just doing it as a hobby, so I think I need to really sit back and think about what direction I want things to go in. Thanks for the post!
one day at a time. You can bring so much to the table, just focus on those gifts. keep me posted! xxoo
Oh you sure know how to spark the light inside of a girl! I’m still a newbie, and I”ve found it’s so hard to find your voice here in this little blog world. I love the quote you used, that no great thing was created suddenly. I’m working on building my tribe right now, as that really was part of the reason I started blogging. It’s very difficult for me to find people that have similar interests in food/fitness, but I’ve always felt so included when I read blogs (like yours!). Hopefully I can find my voice and it will help build my tribe! Just so you know, when you would share my posts with less than stellar pictures a few months ago I wanted to jump through my computer and hug you, thanks for always being a kind supporter!!! xoxoxo
Great post, Lindsey! I love “focusing on small growth and purpose”. I am not where I want to be with my blog but I keep going with small intentional steps.
thanks for sharing! Have pinned
let me know how it goes Pristine!
Great Lindsay. I have been around for a while now, but still working on it all.
same here. haha i feel like we’ve known each other for ages too! LOL!
I’m loving this series! So much great and honest information. I absolutely love the concept of building a tribe. While I’m still super new at all of this and don’t yet have a tribe of my own, I love producing content I’m proud of, that will attract the right people to my tribe. I think it’s all about staying real 🙂
your site is great! keep focusing on being YOU! I love it!
Lady – you rock! Thanks for this! I am still working on taking that leap and investing more time into my “space” – how do you like that as opposed to “blog” ? 🙂
Btw – LOVE your FB page!
well I think you are doing one HECK of a job already! hey, you got me hooked on beets, LOL!
My blog is ADHD, but so am I, so there’s that.
and that’s why i love YOU
Lol- not a fan of the word blog either!
But, I do love your series about blogging! I think what I love most about your posts (all of them- not just this series) is that they all have purpose. They’re not just posts to get page views or search results.
Even though I’m a long ways away since I haven’t even had our baby yet (!) I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do afterwards…go back to my corporate job, try something in fitness with my personal training, etc. It’ll all take building my brand.
I love this! i think it would great to read about your journey back to racing post baby. I know I would love that inspiration. You are amazing friend
Right on! I definitely wouldn’t have stuck with this BLOG for over a real if I wasn’t emotionally invested in it! Could I be more invested… yes. Do I want to… yes. I’ll take some of your wisdom and apply it!
your investment is paying off 10 fold! i see it! love it!
I don’t know man…. I mean, I popped out of my mom’s… Well, you know… And SUDDEN GREATNESS was born… LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually JK – I was a breach baby so she needed a C-Section = So I have to admit, you’re 100% right!
the earth was complete when you were born
You are right that success is a process. I often feel like a fish out of blogging waters because I don’t feel I simply blog, but I produce a site,am trying to build a brand, which equals so much more than writing (all the thangs you mentioned!). Nice post.
but i love your fish out water flavor! it’s refreshing
I was in Target when I read your reply and actually guffawed! Mmmm, tasty OMT! fish water! Thanks for the laugh!
haha anytime!
thanks! Very helpful for a newbie!
of course! keep me posted on future posts alicia!
I hate the word blog as well. I need more confidence, the older I get the more I realise I am holding myself back.
you have so much wisdom as a mom of twins jess! Go for it!
LOVE THIS buddy. I didn’t struggle per se, but I did lose my voice towards the end of last year because I didn’t know what to place myself under- I’m glad I didn’t and you’re posts are so motivating- You’ve an amazing mentor. I mean it.
you’ve done a great job! i wish i could go back 6 years ago and do it your way. haha
Thank you! You are such an amazing person inside and out! Always inspiring and helping others and you are so kind and genuine. Having never met you, hoping someday, in person I still feel like I know you. While I know there are things I need to know I need to do to improve my brand and my blog I have a hard time doing them. The biggest being opening up, while my blog is about recipes I still feel this need to protect my kids and “my life” and not go into to many details, plus I always feel people probably don’t care and it really has nothing to do with the food. At the same time I know that people need to relate and so I’m really working on opening up. The other hard thing is my life is every changing and evolving and my “diet” is a big part of that. Being strictly gluten free for years, adding it back in after being told years prior I had celiac and really didn’t, being a vegetarian, gone vegan, restricting gluten, healthy issues, back to vegetarian, and now not, ect. I feel like as these things change until I’m sure what will stick do I want to change what I post? Adding back in dairy only to find out a couple weeks later it didn’t work, cutting out something else, only to find out that didn’t work, adding in something. I feel like my readers will be so confused. It isn’t easy but it is me and I’m thinking of just posting what I eat, no labels as yes one month something might work and not the next but it is me, it’s a balancing act, it is life and I know so many are probably going through the same thing. The biggest thing keeping me is after going from vegan to vegetarian just posting a couple things I lost a lot of followers and not going to lie I took it personal. I later realized I am me, not them, and I don’t have to live with or may anyone happy except myself. Your posts really speak to me, things I think or debate about and then you write really hit home. Thank you for being you!
I definitely understand. How about we Email about this and come up with a game plan?
Excellent post! I seem to struggle with time to successfully build my online typed words of encouragement. Instead of blog 😉 but I continue to chip away at it slowly. Perseverance and action daily!
Girl, whatever you’re selling, I’m buying. I believe at the end of the day, when you’re genuine, it shines through and what makes me want to read more. You’ve got that. I also happen to think you’re an incredible Sherpa, which extends far beyond your role as a wife.
I love everything that you said. Finding a tribe…people that support you and you support them. Believing in yourself. Best advice!! Love your posts, photographs and words of wisdom. Thanks!!
Okay first of all I absolutely love the emblem at the top of the page so cute! Also I dream pretty frequently about those cotter balls we got to try at Blend, I’ve tried multiple times to recreate them utilizing recipes to the T…just can’t make em’ like you! Love the passion you have for your blog.
Oh my goodness, Lindsay, I am loving this post so much! It’s like you wrote this post just for me–it could not have come at a better time! I know vaguely what I want to do with my blog and my “brand” (I’d love for it to become a full-time gig for me) but it’s been hard for me to figure out how everything is going to mesh together and what actionable steps I can take to make my dream come true. Thank you so much for writing this post and for being an inspiration to smaller bloggers like me who look up to awesome, successful bloggers like you!
I’m at the finding clarity stage. I thought I was clear on my vision for the brand but over the past month or so that vision has blurred and clearing again. With a new BIGGER dream and vision I need to move to the action and confidence steps.
You inspire so many Lindsay and I’m at the top of that list!
I love reading your posts! You definitely bring your unique personality to everything you do and I love that. I have been thinking a lot about my brand and I am still working on defining what exactly that is but I have decided to be on with the process and just see what develops. here is a link to my Facebook page. Its a work in progress 🙂
https://m.facebook.com/eat2saveyourlife?ref=bookmark
that’s awesome amber! keep me posted on future development!
I love this series about building a blog brand! I don’t know if I have a brand but I feel like I’ve got a nice tribe:)
you sure do! and you’re taking ACTION. xxoo
Good stuff. I always love your thoughts on this stuff. You have so much valuable knowledge to share. Oh, and I love your pro photographer set up you have going on!
Loved reading this. Thanks for posting! As a fairly new blogger, I’m so eager to learn new ways of improving and growing :). I’m with ya on a new word for “blog”…
LOVE THIS!!! Love amy porterfield, too. You’re both awesome.
the feeling is quite mutual friend!
I know this is something I have been struggling with, finally self-hosting my blog after having it a year, I questioned what category my blog belonged under. Is it fitness, health, recipes? But I think I am finally realizing that it doesn’t have to fit under a certain category, I just need to write from the heart and not worry about the rest.
All so, so true. I love the quote from Amy Porterfield. I’ve been listening to her podcasts. Love them!!
Such an encouraging post. I am working on building the blog up big time these days. It’s so easy to let fear take over sometimes, but these tips are just what I needed this morning!
I do think it’s all about confidence and owning what you have! You have to go out there and get it because you KNOW you want it and your ideas and worth sharing!
I definitely connected with what you said about believing in your brand here. I struggled with that for most of last year and really put myself in a comparison trap. Plus, I just didn’t have the time to commit to my space, which made me feel even worse. I set a goal for myself to really put my heart into my blog this year, and I hope that in time it starts to shine through. Great post.
i can see it already friend!
I do not like the word Blog either! It reminds me of something I say when I’m bored, when I’m being a wimp, or if I need to blow my nose. Who came up with that? I bet it was a tissue manufacture.
Thank you Lindsay, loved this inspirational read. 🙂
Always love your posts…so informative with great intent and feeling behind them! 🙂
I love hearing your thoughts on this because you are such a great example of how to put your whole (real) self into your brand- and how it works!!
Strong post, as always! Let’s plan that collaboration, yes? I have some great ideas for how we can make it work!
LOVE this Lindsay! YES to it all & for me, the believing & not comparing. I think I veered too far of course for a while listening to others & comparing… So much to learn & I can see the difference in you & your blog in such a short time!
Unfortunately for me – no time left due to the $$ issues but I am writing for me more. I just don’t have time to put into the other stuff…
Love this post Lindsay and love how you framed it all. Like Amanda said, I do feel like I’ve just had a one-on-one with an amazing motivational coach! Love you, your blog and your brand!
I am finding myself “stuck” and relating to what you say earlier on in this post I think. Emotionally it’s tough to put my heart and soul in and I’m having doubts! Thanks for posting this Lindsay because reading it really had an impact on me today 🙂
Another great post. I’m loving watching you grow in this area. Keep on keepin’ on!
As far as a replacement for the word blog…digital or online journal just takes too long to say/type.
These are fantastic tips and just the motivation new bloggers, like me, need to keep at it. Let me know if you come up with a different word for “blog.” It does sound weird to say!
Love these posts girl. I’m soaking them all in!
I can’t stand the word blog either! It’s like blob. Or smog. Blech.
You always do such a great job of keeping it real. I know it’s tempting to sell out sometimes but the ones I used to read that did that… yeah. I used to read them. Now notsomuch. Why bother when it’s all an ad?
following!! http://facebook.com/itzlinz is me – i think blogging about YOU is so important. finding a niche is great, and all, but i think it shouldn’t limit yourself to that. i like the general term “healthy living” because it allows me to blog about a variety of topics that are fitting for my life! 🙂
Love this! You’re a blog-spiration and I so respect both your hustle and humility. I know for myself I usually get stuck thinking I shouldn’t do something because it’s not as good or not perfect but I realized the best way to get better is to start! Happy Monday
while blogging is my passion, lately im drifting away from it. thank you for this reminder.
the emotional and physical action is what fluctuates for me. I go back and forth, like I’ve said before, how much time and effort I want to be putting into my blog. I love my day job and wouldn’t want to give that up ever… but man, if I could work part-time and the rest of the time manage my blog and put more into it…. that would be awesome! It’s just the “doing” it part … emotionally & physically … that holds me back. Still, I see it as a pipe dream. Where I am in life just doesn’t fit this jump right now. “one day”. 🙂
great tips Lindsay, hope you have a fantastic start to your week!
taking action and kicking butt!
edited to say you are taking action and kicking butt, me not so much 😉
well I sure think YOU ARE! xxoo
Blogging has become such an industry and business that people often forget the real reason that they are doing it, plus they think that if they don’t have a bajillion followers within the first month they are a failure. NOT SO. Remember why you started and what your intentions were, and then go out and create it!
This is such a great post, Lindsay–I feel like I just spent time in a locker room with a really motivational coach! And clearly, you are getting it right with your brand. Kudos.
Love this lindsay, you really are the queen of growing your brand and marketing. I LOVE that you LOVE amy porter field….I could even hear her saying the word LOVE in my head as she says it really exaggerated, and I LOVE that. Keep up the good work, patience is hard to accept, but you are right, brands grow over time.
It’s definitely a process and you have to keep at it. It’s muchh like fitness. Doesn’t happen over night. I hate the word blog too. 🙂