Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing a new approach to blog writing by sharing a couple of new Blog expert series with you and the feedback has been very positive.
The first one: Link Building Campaign
The second one: Building and creating a blog for the long term
So here is the next one…
I believe this area is a very important but often neglected element of running a successful small business.
What am I referring to?
The Mindset
When people encounter that word, they often shy away from it, as it sounds a bit too fluffy and emotional to be attributed to something as concrete as blogging or business, but without the right mindset we won’t succeed in our enterprises.
Our approach to our job is as fundamental as other more concrete skills such as IT literacy or financial acumen, and we need to keep our emotional skills and traits sharp in addition to practicing good business in other more tangible ways.
So, with this in mind, we’re going to explore a few of the critical traits which make business owners succeed while their competitors fail.
I’m calling it the Six ‘C’s of blogging success, and we’re kicking off with a look at creativity.
Creativity?
What’s the big deal?
If you think that the act of being creative is something best left to people with art studios and sandals, think again. Having a creative approach to blogging and business can mark you out as a true entrepreneur, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to even the most tired of subjects, in a way that attracts customers and gains you a sound reputation for great products and services.
Since the eighteenth century, creativity has been synonymous with the use of the imagination. In the last century, art was synonymous with creativity, and it is only recently that the idea of turning the imagination and the creative process to business practices has become widely accepted.
Let’s look at some examples…
A few years ago, the maker of a shampoo product was growing concerned about sales. Takings were dropping, and the company needed a way of generating more sales for their product. An ingenious marketer considered the problem, and came up with three words which transformed everything: Lather. Rinse. Repeat. By popping this phrase on each bottle of shampoo sold, the firm (and every one subsequently who sold shampoo) were able to double the amount of hair product which their consumers used. Job done!
In 1991, inventor Trevor Bayliss was listening to news reports which stated that safe-sex education wasn’t reaching places in Africa where it was really needed. He sat down with a sketch pad and came up with an invention to transform the lives of millions – the wind-up radio. Bayliss was a former professional swimmer and pool salesman, but he managed to come up with an invention that changed the world for the better.
Think about some of the more successful online businesses out there. Ebay is simply the variation on the yard sale theme. Amazon started out as a simple online book store. Craigslist is really just an online advertising space. Remember the guy who made a million, by selling his site off one pixel at a time? These are all examples of the creative process clicking in to place, making businesses thrive and ideas flourish.
You don’t have to be an outright genius to bring a sweetener of creativity in to your business practices. Teresa Amabile, the Harvard business guru, suggests that creativity in business comes from three simple attributes:
- Expertise (technical, procedural and intellectual knowledge)
- Creative thinking skills (how flexibly and imaginatively people approach problems)
- Motivation (especially intrinsic motivation).
With these three elements in place, you can begin to transform the way you think about your business and implement some real changes in the way you work.
What do your customers need?
What do they want?
How can you go about giving it to them in different ways?
It’s time to polish off your thinking cap and view things differently, to lend a creative edge to your business.
How creative are you? Please share your views in the commetns below
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Andrew is a website builder and helps small businesses with their on-line presence…so they can grow their customer list and increase sales. That’s it! That’s what we do each and every day.
Well, Andrew –
That title really will catch attention. Good for you. Creativity at work.
But you never said what sex feels like to a blog.
Are you going to tell us?
I would guess not too exciting most of the time.
Corinne
I think it depends upon whether the blog is having sex with someone creative!
Andrew
We all have some type of creative thinking, its about finding it and implementing it into our daily lives.
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
YOu are right…just some of us have to work a little harder at being creative than others.
Andrew
Creativity is one of those things that is hard to teach, and learn. It doesn’t come from hard work, in fact it usually requires leaving what u do day-to-day to refresh your mind.
Henway
What you say is true.
Go for a walk and take a note-pad with you.
Just seeing someone or something can spark off an idea you can use in your business.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for sharing your creative insight.
As you note viewing things different fosters creativity. Practice approaching your work after periods of silence. It’s easy to get caught up in a routine when writing blog posts, articles, shooting videos or other creative acts but routines can be creativity killers. Be quiet, be still. Relax. It becomes easy to create without all the mental clutter running around.
I intend to create with each of my acts, from writing a blog post to responding with comments. I believe that each creative act is prospered. Even if we don’t see $dollar signs$ immediately know that whatever you do in this moment will help prosper you in the future.
Have a powerful day Andrew!
RB
Hi Ryan,
When it comes to running you blog like a business…’good enough’ is no longer good enough!
As you say, you have to be creative in most things you do.
I often get my ideas when at the gym – weird really!
Andrew
What do sex and blogging have in common. Sex can get a little boring if you don’t put an extra Wow in it at times. Maybe a nice candle lite dinner or just a little skinny dipping. Blogging is like that it needs that extra punch sometimes. Keeps things interesting. Like you say Andrew,
What do your customers need?
What do they want?
How can you go about giving it to them in different ways?
Isn’t this what we do with our partner when it comes to sex?
thanks andrew for giving me a new way at looking at blogging. GET THE REXCITED! Sorry couldn’t help myself on that one. Just had to say it.
There is a reason they call me the HappyMaker.lol
Debbie
I was so excited that I made a mistake, I meant to say GET THEM EXCITED!
just had to correct myself. But then again I wanted to let you know I am not perfect. lol Debbie
Debbie,
I like what you say!
I’ve been blogging only a few years and yes you have to be creative.
Married for 26 years! How creative do I have to be to have the WOW?
Andrew
It really isn’t that hard to WOW her. 1. Women like to be listen too. Just letting her talk works. 2.Doing something spontaneous like going shopping with her helps, it shows you care and for a while it is all about her and not who she has to take care of. 3.Just a little hug and telling her she is cute or pretty can do wonders. Don’t be afraid to WOW with what is in your heart.
When you help out your blogger friend you do it with your heart and listen to them, Hey the help I get from you makes me say, WOW. In simple terms it all about showing that you care, which you are very good at. That is my story and I am sticking to it. LOL
Debbie
Creativity compensates the absence of talent, well I do believe in that one, and it really is an advantage especially in this constantly moving industry in which the competition is just getting tighter by the day. This is the actually the best way to outshine your competitors, not just by being unique and original with your content, but a different flavor that your readers will never forget.
I’m pretty excited to see what the other 5 C’s are 🙂
Jason,
You are right…it is all about being different..so you stand out.
I hope the next C’s live up to your expectations!
Andrew
If two blogs have sex, do they make a little post? This is the most incredible title hook ever and it worked. Creativity is to important in a post, however, the humor of a title or the creativity in a title helps people have fun while reading and focusing on the information. It is a fantastic tool. Thanx for a fun post
Vickie
Thanks, Vickie!
You say, “If two blogs have sex, do they make a little post?”
I wonder what the post would look like if one blog was about ‘super fast cars’ and the other was about ‘soccer’?
Perhaps that would be legal!
Inter-breeding blogging would be if 2 blogs from the same niche had sex!
That would be illegal!
Andrew
Hi Andrew:
You have a great personality to make people smile and take their attention. The subject line made me read your sit too.
Creativity works. Keep up the good work
Make it an awesome day for yourself
fran A
Thanks, Fran.
It can take me just as long to come up with the title as it does write the blog post!
Andrew
Andrew
I often find it’s not the creative juices but the opportunity to capture the ideas when the come.
Voice recording “whole” ideas or carrying a note pad or having things by your bedside…are some ideas to keep you from losing the idea in the normal rush of day to day life.
I can’t count the number of times I have had what I thought was a great idea and it disappeared like a dream does when you wake up
Thanks
Mark
Mark,
I agree – losing ideas because I didn’t make a note of them happen all the time to me.
A little recorder would be perfect…for Christmas!
Andrew
Good ideas always give you good introduction in any wake of life.
This is where not posting daily comes in as a real good idea for the majority of bloggers.
I defy anyone to be at their creative best ALL THE TIME. 😉
Dennis,
I went through a stage of adding a blog post daily.
Now I am getting into a routine of 3 or 4 times a week and I feel under a lot less pressure to write.
I actually look forward to it.
Andrew
For yrears i did 3-4 per week. I loved it; my readers loved it.
Recently I proved my own point…I published in a flurry; 30-40 posts in less then a month; comments and communication dropped like a stone.
I’ve been following a great ‘How to write great headlines’ thread in the A-List Bloggers Club. http://www.alistbloggingbootcamps.com/welcome-to-the-a-list-blogging-club-2/
But this headline has be to one of the best titles yet!
As for creativity, ideas do come from the strangest places. One of my favourites was when I saw a shoe in the middle of the raod and I started wondering why…
Thanks, Linda.
It did take me a while to come up with the heading!
What did you do with the ‘shoe in the road’ experience?
Andrew
hello again Andrew,
You asked about the ‘shoe in the road’ idea, here’s the post I wrote, if you have time to pop over and read it. I was quite pleased with what came out of an ‘insignificant’ experience! What do you think?
http://lindahewett.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/be-someone-else-just-for-a-day/
Linda
Great post – I love the concept. I did add a comment but it may have gone into your spam folder -not sure.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Nice Catchy title I must say.
I think sex and blogging have something directly in common, if you make sex boring, it soon becomes a lifeless routine or a responsibility that the other party may not be glad to partake in but has to. Also, if you make your blog boring, it soon becomes like a dry routine, you just have to do as a responsibility.
If you wake up not enthusiastic about your blog, the content to put, how to make more fun and engaging, maybe you are not cut out to be a blogger then.
Olusegun
I sometimes wake up more enthusiastic about my blog than sex (perhaps it is my age!).
Andrew
Andrew,
Love the title LOL.
Yeah I agree, without creativity our blog is just boring.
Having a blog is infact not so easy to keep everything fresh and interesting for our readers.
When i see a subscriber unsubscribe from my feed, i am sad and think, what can i do to keep them subscribe?
Thanks for pointing out, Andrew.
Andrew – You’re right, you don’t have to be a genius to bring creativity into your business. I also agree with Teresa, strong creative thinking skills and some motivation are two simple attributes you need when it comes to creativity for business.
The funny thing to me is that most people don’t even know how creative they can be until a problem presents itself. Good Read.
John,
You are right…some people become very creative when they face a problem.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Creativity is usually one factor in blogging that makes every one of us unique. While it’s good to always write a new blog post every day, most of us cannot do that for long. You sure got my attention on this title!
Felicia
I’m glad you liked the title.
I agree…blogging everyday and being creative at the same time can be hard.
Perhaps…just a few times a week.
Andrew
I think you raise some good points. Creativity is key to writing a successful blog. It’s what will keep people coming back, time and time again. Nobody wants to read the same old stuff on different people’s blogs. I find longevity to be a difficult task to master, however. I started a blog earlier this year and tried to post interesting, often bizarre articles – ideas that I thought were original. It sort of turned into a creative writing exercise in the end. But eventually, I hit a writer’s block and ran out of things to write about.
What advice would you give to overcome a writer’s block and stay creative, but at the same time, write interesting entries?
Ellie
Ellie,
Overcoming writers block by looking in forums and seeing what people are saying about your niche.
Plus don’t just write…create some videos.
Andrew