Warning! My blog will challenge you to be more, give more, live fearlessly, take more chances and show up in the world unstoppable, daring and bold.
What makes your blog stand out? When is the last time you had a big idea that was original at least in some way?
One way of getting noticed is to think different and be different from other bloggers. With 92 million blogs in the blogosphere that’s a tall order.
So tall it requires you to be bold, unique, interesting and amazing!
Are you ready to stand out and rise above the crowd?
Out of the box thinking requires:
- A desire to look at things differently
- Questioning your assumptions
- A willingness to change your perspective
- Being open to new methods of doing things
- Acting on doing things differently
- Grabbing new ideas and running with them
- Giving value in alternative ways
- Listening and supporting fresh ideas of others
- Be willing to expose yourself to new ideas
Four blogs that I believe are unique are Barbara Swafford’s,Hennie’s, Jannie Funster and Miz Fit.
Also check out copybloggers article on out of the box content.
One thing that holds me back is I’m not and I mean NOT technically bright. So I pay someone every time I want changes on my blog. I don’t mean to be cheap just honest.
How about you what keeps you from implementing big ideas?
How can you take your blog to a new level?
Why should I sign up for your RSS feed?
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Tess,
I’ve been asking myself the very same question, specifically why I blog and what I want my blog to be about, and whether I can add a unique voice or else why bother… Agree that the 4 blogs you highlighted are really special! Yours is too, to me at least. Love the image - it captures what I think a bold life is about, and your personal stories drive home the specifics. Time to withdraw into my cave and scratch my head a little!
All these blogs you mention are great! Barbara’s is so awesome for making your blog stand out…she’ll get you thinking.
I think what makes a blog special is being completely yourself and not holding back. It’s OK to follow some “etiquette” rules…but put your heart into it and fly. It’s working for me
p.s the link for Hennie’s blog is not working…you need to add an extra “n”
Hi Tess. Looking at things differently is why I love reading other blogs. Many of the topics are similar, but each blogger contributes their unique spin through their expression of these topics. I’m marinating on a “new level” for my blog, but for now, I’m content to maintain the status quo. I’m content.
Hi Tess,
Thank you for the link love and recommendation. You know I truly appreciate that.
When I started blogging I thought I had to be like the big boys and so things exactly how they did. I tried to, but I felt so unauthentic, I just started doing my own thing. I didn’t know if I would get readers or not, but I loved blogging so much it didn’t matter. Over the past two + years I find the blogs I love the most are those where the author is being true to themselves and often throw caution to the wind. Sure, we make mistakes when we do that, but that’s how we learn and become the best we can be.
I often think of how I can improve on what I do, but what I’ve found works best is to listen to my readers. They have taken me to where I am today, and together we continue to learn and grow.
P.S. Thank you also to Daphne and Caroline for their kind words.
This is something that I am giving so much thought to at the moment as I develop my plan for launching my coaching business… which will have a blog associated with it of course
Thanks for these resources.
I have a similar philosophy to you (or that which you put forward on this blog) and so I would hope that might be a good reason for you to sign up for my RSS feed
Hi Tess,
Four wonderfully unique and bold blogs you’ve highlighted - I love them all! I think bold can be big and eye-catching, and it can also be subtle and hardly noticed also. What holds me back? Sometimes the funds to do something. Sometimes the fear the a change may fail. Sometimes just taking the time to think about what I may want to mix up. Hmmm….maybe it’s time to jump out of the blogging box I’m in right now…
The blogs you highlighted are all favorites of mine. What holds me back? I’m really a private person by nature - so I try too hard to “sanitize” my blog. However, when I have noticed that when I insert PERSONAL stories - like when my son jumped up to run to the computer to warn others on IMDB - that people seem to connect with those stories.
You definitely don’t have that problem and it’s probably one of the reasons I LOVE your blog so much!
Hmm, why should you sign up for my RSS feed? I really have no answer for that! Lance’s answers on what holds him back from making bold changes resonated with me (I’d love to alter my design in useful ways without losing the simplicity of it… but I think I’d have to pay someone to help. Typepad just isn’t as intuitive for me as I’d hoped!).
My favorite blogs are the ones that touch my heart because they’re written from the heart. They’re not trying to be anything they’re not, and they just sit out there, waiting to be found. I get a little turned off whenever anyone tries to sell me something — directly by saying, “Read my latest post!” or indirectly through other technical means. I think it’s part of my personality. I like discovering hidden treasures in my own time.
(”And that, folks, is why her blog is not supporting her financial needs or desires right now!”) Ah, such is life. (smile)
I do love your blog, Tess, and mostly because your heart shines in each word you type. So thanks for everything you do and say. And thank you for being such a wonderful supporter of so many of us out there. I’m grateful!
Hi Tess!
It sometimes seems for me that the creativity that I enjoy is in the collaboration that I see between bloggers online. Some of my favorite creative ventures I’ve seen recently were the Affirmations Gift Card Set, Joy Rebel Day, Wreck This Journal series and Tabitha’s “I Choose Bliss” podcast. I am constantly amazed and wowed by the creative juices of people working together as a team. I love it!
I don’t think my blog is very creative, per say. Mostly I just blog about my own life. What I’ve cooked, what I’m feeling, where I’ve visited, and what I’ve done that day. I think my life is pretty monotonous but I find that others think that it is exciting and enjoy the way that I write about it. Plus, I believe that having a personal blog should make the owner happy before anything else. I get between 10 and 20 blog comments every day and I’ve made a lot of new blog friends lately. It makes me happy to write and to read other people’s blogs and so that’s good enough for me.
Daphne,
I think it’s good to question why we blog. It keeps us on our toes and cranking out new and fresh content! Welcome back I haven’t seen you for a while!
Caroline,
I know you’re right and I think I hold back too much!
Davina,
It must be in the air or should I say in the frig. Marinating new ideas! I love your blog!
Barbara,
I didn’t like hanging out with the big boys either. I tried it with another website in another life! I’m happy and content to grow and learn with you!
Jus,
You know I’ll be signing up! And yeah and congratulations on your coaching.
Lance,
I think of you as never in the box. Great job with Sami today! She’s hilarious and refreshing:)
Kathy,
Oh but I do have that problem. I could be a lot more daring and need to learn from my own posts!
Megan,
I agree stories from the heart are key. Maybe the techie stuff doesn’t matter.
Amy,
I’m aware of a couple of these and will check the others out! Creativity brings others permission to do the same and joy in doing it.
Caity,
We love your authenticity that’s why I keep coming back. I love how you value your commenters and call them friends. I’m glad I’m one of them.
You have chosen four wonderful examples. I think out of the box can come in many flavors. Creativity does not just have to be visual. Thought provoking is just as good in my boat and you make people think. Keep up the bold work. I know how could you not?
Great topic! I think one of the best ways to be a success (in anything) is to think outside the box. I try to do it as much as I can!
Hi Tess - Wow, great (and possibly painful!) question to ask ourselves as we go about our blogging. In essence, “who cares?” I think this wasn’t a question I was originally asking myself - I jumped into blogging and wrote about things that I was interested in. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with that and it was probably good to just jump in and start, but I think I’m going to start asking myself regularly “Why should someone sign up for my RSS feed?” Now that is a bold question.
Thanks.
Tom,
I agree…many flavors. That’s why those 4 stand out to me. They each have a flavor of their own. Thanks for the bold comment!
Dani,
It’s evident by your writing you’re an out of the box thinker. You have many fans, me one of them.
Amanda,
I still write things I’m interested in however I’m thinking more of “who cares” and it’s helped me improve my writing! I also love the topics you choose…always thought provoking.
Great post, Tess. It’s so important to be a little different. I hope people sign up for the RSS feed because they like what I write, love the photos I take, or maybe they live in LA, and want to see what the city has to offer.
But for the same reasons people might subscribe my feed are the same reasons they don’t. If you’re not from LA, you might not be interested in the great attractions here.
I know I subscribe to your feed because it makes me think, I appreciate your point of view, and find your posts engaging. Thank you, Tess.
Oh my goodness, another link of love from you. Thanks!
When I ran with that post idea of mine “Why We Usually Eat At Home,” (Kelly doing gymnastics in the restaurant,) people just loved it . Look for my upcoming one on “Why I Usually Grocery Shop Alone.” I hope to post it Saturday. You never know how far a little wackiness can go in the blogosphere.
So if you think an idea’s too crazy, it’s probably exactly the idea you need to fly by the seat of your soul with!
The only problem is you have to maybe keep competing with yourself, to come up with something as good for future posts, so you have to stay loose and open to the butterflies busting out of the box.
Over and out!
xo
This is a question I’ve been asking myself a lot which is why my blog posts have decreased in frequency. I have been spending a lot of time figuring out who the audience is and why they should care. In addition to making sure I’m writing about things that I’m knowledgeable and passionate about!
I’ve been thinking of stopping the writing and going all video…Behind the scenes I’m working out the details, finding the answers. Good question to ask, for sure!
Thanks Tess!! Such great encouragement and questions… and to be honest, I can’t even answer each one. This is a good way to get me thinking though!
~Tabitha
Hey Tess!
If my writing reminds you of a current mainstream blogger, there’s a problem. Making your voice unique, interesting, and (best of all) heard makes you different from all the rest.
If you coincidentally write about the same topic, that’s not a big deal. By if I read two posts about the same topic and they seem similar (as if they are speaking someone else’s words), their blogs aren’t unique enough.
I admit some of my old posts read as if they’re somebody else’s writing. But I think as I write more, I come more into my own writing style.
Its seems that everyone wan to be like the next person. Creativity is a element that we all have within our minds. We are all creative beings. We can all come up with our own way of expressing our selves. Its brings out confidence and a belief in our own capabilities. Its a great way to show people exactly who you are!
Every impulse to think differently is an unconscious effort to shift consciousness. To think ‘out-of-the-box’ is a very meaningful thing indeed. The action empowers a person to realize how he thinks is not all there is.
Hm, good question. I think I, too, am held back by my lack of technology as far as setting up my own web site. That, and I picked an inexpensive platform host that has frequent “quirks.” But I keep trying, any way lol.
Karen
Lisa,
I love to hear about LA even though I’m in AZ! You make it fun and interesting and CA is one of my favorite places. I’ve never been to a city I didn’t like!
Jannie,
Even when you’re not funny your unique. Butterflies flying out of the box, what a visiual! You’re right about the crazy ideas being the best. I’m just afraid of being to crazy! Oh dear did I say I’m afraid. I’m the bold one. I almost forgot!
John,
It’s true and I think we’ve all improved from our blogging beginnings. Write on!
Jonathon,
I think you’re right about wanting to be like someone else in the blogosphere! In fact comparing yourself online is no different than comparing yourself off line. Hey that’s an origianl thought for me and a whole new article.
Liara,
Well put! And a new insight for me.
Karen,
Keep laughing some days I want to kill my computer!
Stacey,
I understand completely I think any good blogger goes through this contemplation!
Tabitha,
I’m all over your blog due to the beautiful photos!
Fortunately I’m never at a loss for big ideas. My dilemma is typically determining which ones to implement first. I usually ask myself which ones will have the greatest impact on my Goals, which ones will have the quickest impact and which ones will have the longest lasting impact.
I love your blog and I will be cheering you on for your half marathon!
Live Your Dreams,
Jill
Jill,
Thanks for your cheers! Oh and how I love the way you sign off! I’m livin ‘em!
92 million blogs? Seriously? Wow. That’s a big number.
Hi Tess .. I think so many of your readers have great blogs I just haven’t got to read them all .. I’m getting around. I’m looking, learning and growing - I know mine is different with a completely different approach to others .. now I’m absorbing useful ideas and thoughts so that I can be much more effective and reach out to many readers .. I have picked up lots of creativity from your blog and friends’ blogs .. it’s great and to have so much support is wonderful.
I have an outline .. and plan to put all the wheels on, the cylinder, and get that whoomph whoomph coming out .. when the time is right and I feel I can cope .. but I just love it .. and everyday something else pops up and I think .. oh yes .. I could do that too ..
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so creative .. just so looking forward to the future, but have a few challenges to come through first .. it’s a good life and I wouldn’t be missing it ..
Have a good weekend .. all the best -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Vared,
Yes 92 million next time I need to jot down where I found the info and pass it on! Bad Girl:)
Hillary,
I’m so happy my blog inspires you! When the time is right I’ll be there with support!