Where I Was

This month I sat down to take stock of where I was with Crazy Dad Life, and in particular, to see what my blog post history looked like. I wasn’t very happy with the frequency I was delivering content and I discovered I wasn’t happy with the focus of the content either. Looking back through the various posts I was sort of all over the place with my message.

As a result, I set out to change that path by setting a theme for October. I was going to force myself to post more and bring more value to you. I decided to call the month Blogtober and to focus on the topic of blogging for the rest of the month.

So it was on. I was going to be a content machine and quickly mapped out the course of the month. Posts were scheduled and actually written ahead of time.

Then it happened

As I was writing the content, I slowly began to realize that I was more passionate about blogging than I was about many of the other things I discussed on the site. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy podcasting or social media. But, what I truly align with, and what was more in my wheelhouse, was the art of blogging.

I podcasted as a means to grow an audience and to engage with a different group of people. I talked about social media as a way to build my online platform. I Periscoped and got on blab to further my online presence. But, what I truly enjoyed, and what was at the heart of my online experience, was blogging.

I was also trying to figure out a way to bring my artistic/creative side together with an online business pursuit. I love seeing visually stunning websites with amazing content interwoven. I love incredible visuals and the power they can add to any story. I thoroughly enjoy editing graphics and making pictures pop and enhance the message of the written word.

I thought long and hard about what I should do.

Where I’m Going

Talking about online platform building and everything involved in that pursuit was too big of a topic. I couldn’t cover it all. By trying to cover too much, I was not covering anything well.

So, I’ve decided to pivot and reset my focus on something new. I’m going to start a website laser focused and dedicated to the craft of blogging.

This new website will focus on everything to do with your blog. Not how to podcast. Not how to build a Facebook fan page. Not the intricacies of new video platforms like blab. Not on how to advertise on Twitter.

I’m going to focus on your home base, your central cog in the machine, your hub of everything you do online….that often neglected and forgotten about old friend…your blog.

I want to dig into how to make your blog better, trends in blogging, better content, stunning graphics and the use of visual content, and your mindset. I want to provide services for bloggers to do assessments on where they are with their blogging and how they can improve. I want to provide training on different topics and help people take their blogs to a higher level of quality.

I did a little bit of research and obviously this is a pretty saturated market. But, I want to talk about a higher quality blog. Not a blog simply thrown together to make a few bucks. I want to talk about the luxury of blogging…the art of blogging for those that are passionate about it.

I want people to rediscover the love for blogging that they started with and to find solace in the fact they can continue to build their online presence by fueling what was there from the beginning.

Your blog still serves as a major component in your overall online platform. My future focus will be on helping you craft your message, deliver remarkable visual content, and grow your business by taking your blog to the next level.

Now, I’m not sure what that means for Crazy Dad Life. In many ways there is an alignment of discussion, but in other ways the casual reader or search in Google would have no idea what I talk about based on the name.

Crazy Dad Life started out discussing being a parent in a hyper-active world. It evolved into the love of trying to build an online business in the off hours. It’s now branching off into the unknown with the launch of a “sister” site.

This doesn’t mean Crazy Dad Life is going away. It just means my main focus will be on building this other website focused on blogging.

The good thing is I have positioned myself as the brand in many instances. It will be easy to launch and own this other site given my current social media presence. That’s one benefit of becoming your own brand online versus hiding behind a business name.

For example, some time ago I decided to switch my Twitter account to my name rather than the Crazy Dad Life name. This positioned me to do exactly what I’m doing…moving in another direction…and keep my existing followers.

Next Steps

I’ve targeted a launch date of November 1st. I’ve already done quite a bit of work on the site by standing it up, initial branding, initial posts, etc. But, there is a ton still to do and I’m not going to finish it all by November 1. And that’s ok. It’s a work in progress and you are invited along for the journey.

Of course this is a daunting task and I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little bit apprehensive, scared, and slightly asking myself WTF I’m doing. But at the same time I’m excited. I know this will take some time to gain some steam but I think I can build a nice community for those that love blogging for what it is.

If you have topics you want to discuss or areas you think I should focus on, just sound off in the comments below. If there is one thing you are struggling with your blog today, above all else, let me know.

I’m truly looking forward to this next step in my journey and hope you join me.