I received an email from a lady named Angelica, who plans to publish an instructional blog post about Google Analytics (GA), but she is a bit hesitant because she feels it won’t be comprehensive enough.
She admits she is afraid of coming across dumb because her article is not going to be as thorough as other bloggers who’ve written about it.
My first question to her was, “Who is this article for?”
She told me it was for new Webmasters.
Bingo!
This is a mistake many people make. They worry about coming across as inferior to people they aren’t even writing for. If your site is for beginning Webmasters, write for them.
Don’t concern yourself with the perceptions of people you aren’t even targeting. As I said in this article, there will always be people who know less than you, and need your advice. This is your target audience, and should be your main focus.
Let’s say the Site Overlay is Angelica’s favorite Google Analytics report. She could focus her blog post on that portion of GA by explaining how it works and how she uses it. She could even preface that she is still learning a lot about GA, but wants to share one of her favorite features.
Let’s remember. Her audience consists of new Webmasters, so chances are, many of them may not know a lot about GA yet. That’s why it’s so important to keep in mind WHO you are writing for!
Instead of publishing a comprehensive article about the entire Google Analytics program, she can focus on the area she is most knowledgeable about. Then at the end of the article she can invite her readers to share their favorite reports and features.
This accomplishes a few things…
1) Angelica can appear as the “expert” on the part of Google Analytics that she is comfortable with
2) Since she knows who her audience is (important!), she is bound to teach several people something new
3) Inviting her readers to share their favorite GA report can spark a discussion and educate other readers
Now, sometimes it’s necessary to do a little research before publishing an article. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt Angelica to learn a little more about GA to give the blog post more meat.
However, she shouldn’t feel that she has to know EVERYTHING about a topic in order to write a solid, polished article. And she certainly shouldn’t compare her article to others who may target a different audience.
If I had waited until I knew everything about how to create a website, I would have never published 2CreateAWebsite.com.
I still don’t know everything (and probably never will), but I know enough to publish content that is relevant and appeals to my audience.
As I always say, focus on what you know, and let the content flow. There will always be people who know less than you and desire to learn what you already know.
When you put your work on the web, you are essentially opening the flood gates to a world of criticism. You’ll always have those people that find great value in what you write about, no matter what it may be. And then there’s those people who will always find fault with you.
Thank you for sharing this. Your article has given me excellent ideas on how to build confidence in any things that I do. I am thankful to this article that it inspires many people in achieving what they want.
There are thousands of people getting online each day so you will always know more than someone if you have been around for some length of time online. As for marketing to new webmasters, I would follow someone successful in the IM niche like Mark Deluisse. He gives away loads of free, update info which you could then re-package and sell to your subscribes in the form of a newsletter etc. Check out his blog markdeluisse.com. Cheers.
.-= seo service surrey´s last undefined … If you register your site for free at =-.
Lisa is so right!
I have two websites, on the first on I didnt really write in a way that connected with my target audience so my bounce rate was pretty high – people were not really staying on my website.
with the second website I tool Lisa’s advice to keep it real, so I started to write in a more relaxed way and communicated as if I was literally in fron of my audience.
Since doing this I have had some incredible feedbacl from my readers some say that once they start reading they always want to read more and my bounce rate for this website is pretty low as well.
So guys listen to Lisa, she knows what she is talking about!
.-= paul´s last blog … Nov 20, Best Of Christian Dating Websites – Christian Cafe =-.
Love your blog.
One thing I’ve been learning is that it’s always good to share our experience and information that we learned that might be useful to others.
At least that’s what I think.
😉
.-= Yves´s last blog … A tool for the job – Why WordPress? =-.
It is my belief that a person should write or share something if they are good at it. No one would read my blog if I tell them how to make a million dollars without making it myself. And another thing is writing about Google Analytics is not her job, its Google’s job. It is just like trying to find gold which belongs to others. What she can blog about is her experience with Google Analytics, that is fair, according to me.
I recently presented at a conference and struggled because the audience covered the gamut from beginners to very advanced. I finally decided to segment the presentation into a beginners session and advanced session.
Not so long ago I felt the same way.
It took my friends and family taking notice of my blogging and commenting on how well I write as well as the very cool gang on Web Babble who I love to help out, to give me a degree of confidence to write as an authority on my chosen niche.
I haven’t looked back since!
.-= John Salamon´s last blog … Qualities of a successful blogger =-.
“Who is this article for?”
I’ll have to be more mindful of that with future posts. Sometimes I feel like I should be offering more information on each subject also. But I guess I need to realize I’m not writing an ebook when I make my blog posts. I’m just trying to give people ideas and hopefully it will spark the imagination like this post has for me. Thanks Lisa!
.-= Jake´s last blog … How To Report an Earthquake =-.
I like that you take it seriously! I have added your blog to my list of 100 blogs using CommentLuv for my daily commenting coffee time!
.-= Hesham´s last blog … Zebida Fridays – Why you Should Add a Comment when Visiting my Blogs =-.
Very insightful…as usual. I understand where she’s coming from though. When you put your work on the web, you are essentially opening the flood gates to a world of criticism. You’ll always have those people that find great value in what you write about, no matter what it may be. And then there’s those people who will always find fault with you and who will make it their personal mission to broadcast their findings with both you and anyone else that will listen…it’s what gives them the most pleasure in life.
.-= CraigB – Fatblastzone´s last blog … Weight Loss Tips for Struggling New Moms =-.
Thanks for this, Lisa!
I’m starting a new site (for a total of 11 sites now), and have this exact worry for my new site. Just on time! 🙂
Thank you again!
MJ
.-= MJ – Lisa Fan´s last blog … Baby Sign Language and Bilingual Children, English Second Language, ESL =-.
Thanks Lisa for always providing such valuable articles and information. I really love your newsletter! I’m new to the internet business world but little by little with the help of savvy and special people like you I’m learning the tricks!
Anderson
thank you Lisa
it takes from me a several years to get to this point
“know my audience” and i will be never able to explain it like you do
thank you again
.-= abbouh´s last blog … illustrator tips: Symbol Sprayer Tool =-.
Great article!!! I’m about to start blogging and I had that exact same feeling as that individual had. You are right, it’s all about the niche audience you are targeting. Thanks Lisa!!!
Thank you for writing this article Lisa! I’m creating my ‘tutorial’ sites and had the same concerns. Your advice has given me some great ideas on how to proceed with confidence in what I am doing. You are the best and I’m glad that I found you! 🙂
.-= GamTrak´s last blog … Website owners should remember these important facts: =-.
I totally agree. I used to feel the same way she did when I first started blogging. I soon realized that not everyone knows everything and I do have something to offer to other people. I wish I would have found this type of advice when I first started this!
.-= carla´s last blog … SkinnySkinny Sale =-.
very well put.
It’s really hard targetting webmasters and making a profit out of that website.
I say good luck with this one!