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Are You A Blogging Zombie?

This post was most recently updated on August 2nd, 2016

Are You A Blogging Zombie?Are you a blogging zombie?

Are you a blogger who is walking dead through the blogosphere?

Blogging zombies are bloggers who just mull around without any sense of direction or purpose.

They have no confidence themselves, so they consume the thoughts and ideas of other people without rhyme or reason.

They blindly follow a crowd of other zombies, wandering in a herd across the same grazing grounds over and over again.

They operate their business on the sheer instinct of following. They have no out of the box thinking process.

They don’t begin to know how to take the lead.

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Now, I’m not saying this to try to denigrate anybody.

The best bloggers in the world started out like zombies, scouring the landscape for any signs of life that they could feed off, until they could learn to take on a life of their own.

That’s because there’s an enormous learning curve you need to negotiate before you separate from the herd and draw life of your own.

You see, there’s a lot of information out here in blogging land.

But it’s never enough for the endless throng of zombies.

The most talked about morsels of information quickly attract the herd.

Naturally, the blogging zombies’ first instinct is to pay attention to all the hot and trending noise and red meat.

The troll mercilessly from one hot trend to the next, one product launch to another, one business model and paradigm shift to the next.

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So I ask you my friends, are you blogging like a zombie?

Everybody’s talking about banner advertsing.

Do you jump in?

Wait… now the hot topic is splash pages on blogs.

Are you trying that out?

Okay, here’s another… push notifications are really, really hot.

Have you started feeding on that one yet?

Have you been tempted?

You see, one noise rings out here… the herd of blogging zombies follow.

A new one screeches over there… the heard gets turned around and head off in that direction.

The newest thing is (fill in the blank)

The blogging zombies hobble along in blind pursuit.

Special: [FREE] Learn To Blog… (My Video Inside)

On and on it goes.

Does your blogging business look anything like this, ever?

Days, weeks and months pass by, and your blog seems to get nowhere.

It twists and it turns, it chases one trend after another, jumps into this conversation then that, but it never seems to move forward.

Do you find yourself spending all your time learning the latest thing, but precious little of it applying what you have learned?

What has stopped your implementation strategy?

Maybe the blogging zombie herd has turned again, and once again, you follow from the rear.

Does this zombie behavior sound familiar to you?

Have you ever been a blogging zombie?

Come on now…

Have you changed your themes a few times but you still haven’t put together a high converting sales funnel?

Have you put blinking opt-ins on your blog because you have read it will make you money?

Did you get anyone to sign in, and if so, did they purchase something from you?

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How much time and effort have you put into your email follow-up newsletter?

Is it compelling and motivating to your email list, or does it linger in the Dark Ages?

Maybe you’ve got some really great excuses and reasons why you haven’t been able to break away from the herd.

The truth is…

Blogging zombies can’t get things working right because they get so caught up in doing what everyone tells them will work.

Blogging zombies don’t breathe life into their blogging business by doing things like…

  • building a list,drawing people into a sales funnel
  • moving them forward through content upgrades
  • building a membership site where their readers can get advanced level help
  • offering coaching programs to take their readers to their next level

Blogging zombies don’t have the time to make their own blogs productive in these ways because they’re spending all their time peeking at what other people are doing, hacking into their traffic stats, trying to copy what they’re doing.

Meanwhile, they aren’t doing anything themselves.

They busy themselves so much watching others that they never get around to figuring out their own unique way forward.

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What I want to convey to you on this blog post is that YOU ARE UNIQUE.

I want to challenge you to sit for a while and ask yourself if you have become a Zombie Blogger, or is your blog vibrant and growing?

You see my friends, blogging is more than sharing information.

It is more than shuffling along behind the “leaders” and repeating everything they do and say.

Blogging is being you.

It is being unique in your content.

Blogging requires being constantly focused on what you want to share with others.

Even more, it requires helping to improve the lives of your readers.

That means giving them value, demonstrating solutions to their problems and helping them achieve their dreams.

And of course… the big issue that we rarely talk about is that bloggers want to make money!

Now how the heck are you supposed to do that if most of your valuable time is spent tinkering under the hood.

New plugins, the best autoresponder, the latest social sharing automation tool… these things are important, but you cannot allow them to consume all your time and suck the life out of you.

Special: [FREE] Learn To Blog… (My Video Inside)

You can’t get all zombied out on these things while doing the real things that build your business just pass you by.

My challenge for you is to take a close look at your blog.

You may be new here or may have been blogging for years.

But the challenge is to keep on point.

Whatever you are blogging about keep at it.

Whatever is required to get your blog being productive and profitable, get to it.

Establish an outline for building a business with your blog, decide on a strategy for doing it, write down the daily tasks you must do to make it happen, and stay on course.

Then you’ll see your blog come to life.

Each day your excitement for blogging will increase, and your enthusiasm will drive you forward.

The alternative is to just settle into being a blogging zombie, and walk in circles with the rest of the once-living, without purpose, without direction and certainly without getting the results you are looking for.

Your Blog Is A Sales Funnel

So, what about it?

Am I being too harsh here?

Are you a blogging zombie?

Or have you found your way into the world of the living?

I’d love to hear your comments below, and am always thankful for your social shares.

-Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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58 Responses to Are You A Blogging Zombie?

  1. Lillian De Jesus
    Twitter:
    June 19, 2016 at 10:13 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Love this post! Wow, I’ve seen quite a few zombies in the blogging area. It’s sad because we can all get caught up into the bright and shiny things and lose focus on what our blog should really be about.

    Thanks for the entertaining article! By the way, I love Walking Dead so I just had to find out what this post was about. Great title!

    Take care,
    Lillian

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 22, 2016 at 2:46 pm #

      Hi Lillian,

      You too? I love the Walking Dead and yes…I was inspired to write this post because I was binging on a season of it. I cannot watch it once a week with all the commercials but do like to watch a season at a time.

      For me everything seems to be connected to blogging and marketing. So when I watch that show, I see the Zombies as all the poor people that come into the blogging world and bump around.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back BloggingMy Profile

  2. Kathryn Maclean
    Twitter:
    June 12, 2016 at 5:47 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Purpose and direction. Zombies don’t have that!

    I thought this was a perfect article. Not that I am a zombie, but I am in the process of starting a new blog and this post will be a guide post as to what I want to achieve with it.

    I loved this advice: “building a list,drawing people into a sales funnel moving them forward through content upgrades building a membership site where their readers can get advanced level help offering coaching programs to take their readers to their next level”

    Excellent advice. Do you know Donna that I save your words of wisdom in a file, because they are so well written. Such as: “building a list, drawing people into a sales funnel
    moving them forward through content upgrades building a membership site where their readers can get advanced level help.” Great article!

    PS Don’t think I am weird, but that zombie pic looks like Frank Kern! lol

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 15, 2016 at 12:07 pm #

      Hi Kathryn,

      I am doubled over with laughter…yes the Zombie picture does look like Frank now that you mention it he he he.

      Yes..purpose and direction …you hit the nail on the head. Zombies don’t have that at all…they just follow trend after trend and get nowhere. It is unfortunate, but hey hopefully they learn.

      Good to know you loved the advice…it is pretty simple once you see it that way. Then apply it and it does become second nature after a while.

      I am deeply touched that you save my “Words of Wisdom” in a file. Wow…I feel special..Thank you

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..My 3-Step Email Marketing StrategyMy Profile

  3. Peter Beckenham
    Twitter:
    June 12, 2016 at 9:54 am #

    OMG Donna – I’m a zombie!

    Yes I use the “push notifications” platform with my blog and I must admit the open rates are bette than my email lists!

    I really enjoyed this post and no I haven’t blindly followed anyone.

    Blogging to me is just like having a conversation with friends where I am also trying to help them in any way I can.

    Donna the key trakeaway for me from your awesome post can be captured in this brief sentence you used – “blogging is being you”

    If we really want to help improve the lives of our readers then it’s essential for us to be totally authentic and the complete opposite of the “zombie blogger” you so creatively described.

    Just this week I had 4 readers contact me about a particular option I mentioned just in passing on one of my recent posts. These responses came from my taking a different approach to a particlar affiliate marketing issue and the communication that occurred is the lifeblood of my blog.

    A “zombie blogger approach” would never have encouraged such responses.

    Always a pleasure to visit and learn from ytou Donna

    Best wishes from the remote Thai village blogger

    Peter
    Peter Beckenham recently posted..7 Awesome Ways To Get More Blog Post CommentsMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 15, 2016 at 12:03 pm #

      Hi Peter,

      Wow it is good to know that those push notifications are working for you. I like to hear a good success story! Thanks so much for sharing that.

      You a Zombie? Never…You are YOU and always have a personal touch in your articles. This is why people will come to you rather than you figuring out how to write a snazzy copy.

      You are not a pushy marketer and I am so glad about that. People like you and that is the “secret sauce” of marketing. The old KLT factor goes a long way.

      Great seeing you,

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..My 3-Step Email Marketing StrategyMy Profile

  4. Mandy Allen
    Twitter:
    June 12, 2016 at 7:55 am #

    I guess we’ve all been here, Donna, but hopefully we pull ourselves out of it when we stop copying and start inventing and blogging from our heart. I watched your video and love your enthusiasm! Good luck with the course!

    Enjoy the journey!
    Mandy Allen recently posted..Do You Want To Make Money From Writing?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 14, 2016 at 10:53 am #

      Hi Mandy,

      Indeed, we have all been there Mandy… Thank you ..I did that video on the fly..I do so much video that it is easy for me to get up there and talk. A born blabber mouth am I lol.

      -Donna

  5. Nanda Rahmanius
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 10:46 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Interesting post with an interesting title. 🙂

    I thought, when I started blogging beginning I was a zombie too. I read a lot of things, learned a lot of things and try a lot of things. It was fun to try something new when I had just learned. LOL

    Now I have an idea what I wanted to be like in the future. Honestly, if I compare myself right now with myself a few years ago, I felt I was making progress. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing, Donna.
    Have a nice weekend!

    ~Nanda
    Nanda Rahmanius recently posted..My Toughest Time In Blogging!!!My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 12, 2016 at 12:01 am #

      Hi Nanda,

      Welcome back!

      It is always good to look back and see how far we came. When I look back, I was becoming a Zombie too. It was because I was following a program. I was trying to find my way and luckily I did.

      I see the same with you. After your break…you are back and it is great to see you.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  6. Erika Mohssen-Beyk
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 9:26 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    what a title 🙂 ,but you are right, there are many of them.
    But it is also not easy for beginners. I saw even if they
    are not zombie-ish ,they lose confidence because
    all are thinking it works over night. It would be good
    if they had a guide who left the zombie -ness behind
    and is aware of this.:)
    Great post
    Thank you
    Erika
    Erika Mohssen-Beyk recently posted..Why You Better Don’t Make Quitting An OptionMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm #

      Hi Erika,

      New comers to the blogging world need to be educated. Some think that it is a get rich scheme, but as we know, it is the opposite. It is business as usual and it takes a learning curve, application, and most importantly consistency.

      It is up to us…bloggers that are around for a while to lend a helping hand.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  7. Ben
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 8:44 pm #

    I like you Donna. You say what you mean and you mean what you say, and I appreciate that. I remember back when I ran with the zombies several years ago. I didn’t make a good zombie. I read what the zombie chiefs (aka “gurus”) said and watched all the zombies go do what they were told. I also watched those same zombie chiefs turn around and do something completely different when they thought no one was looking. I fired the gurus and left the herd.

    They’re all gone now.

    I do enjoy playing around under the hood on my blog though. I am a software developer and playing around with writing my own plugins and themes is fun for me. Playing with the code satisfies me creatively in ways that writing can’t, though I do enjoy the writing too. I’d rather look at the code behind the video game than play the game. I like the “making of” documentaries more than the movie. I enjoyed the tunnels under the Magic Kingdom than the attractions above ground when I worked at Disney World during college. It’s just who I am.
    Ben recently posted..How to Maintain Your Water FilterMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 10:46 pm #

      Hi Ben,

      I used to be a Zombie guru chaser myself. Then I got it…Duh…. I never liked to be in a herd..any kind of herd.

      Code fascinates me. I don’t know anything about it, but I wish I could be in the code world. Secretly I would love to be a hacker lol. I got the urge watching the T.V. Show Mr. Robot.

      I didn’t know you did all that…how cool are you???

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  8. Edward Thorpe
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 9:33 am #

    Hi Donna,

    You’re just too much!

    Funny and entertaining post that includes a smart business plan for bloggers. I almost wiggle with anticipation of your next posting. Thanks, Edward
    Edward Thorpe recently posted..14 Healthy Ways To Beat InsomniaMy Profile

  9. Lisa Thomson
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 8:24 am #

    Hi Donna, I love this analogy. I’m not into zombies and I hope I’m not one–LOL. I don’t follow trends or steal thoughts from other blogs. All my writing comes from my heart, good and bad. I still have much to keep up with on blogging success and I think it’s a slow process. Social media can make a zombie out of me some days. I like your advice here, to not get caught up in the latest site gimmicks and stick to what you want to focus on. Don’t get distracted by all the hype and latest trend. I really think of Google search engine analytics as trendy topics that are always changing. It’s hard for us little bloggers to keep up with such concerns. Thanks for your tips, Donna! This is great food for thought (pardon the pun).
    Lisa Thomson recently posted..What’s Love Got To Do With It?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 1:36 pm #

      Hi Lisa,

      I have known you for a while now and whenever I visit you, the blog posts are wonderful, on point and you don’t stray. I couldn’t imagine you being a Zombie.

      Oh boy, when it does come to those Google search engine analytics, it can drive you crazy if you give it too much attention. I just read an article the other day that they are changing things up once again. I don’t get caught up in all that…..just usually pay a little attention to it.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  10. sazia
    Twitter:
    June 11, 2016 at 4:26 am #

    Hi Donna Merrill mam, Great post yes one should find their own way to get success instead of blindly following others..what is useful for others may not be useful to us..few things works few doesn’t work..getting knowledge is fine but we have to apply our own strategy to it. we have to be satisfy and happy with the work we do and others should get benefit out of it. thanks for sharing.
    sazia recently posted..Vision and Nutrition Vitamin B complexMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 1:33 pm #

      Hi Sazia,

      Indeed, Knowledge needs to be first before we jump into anything. Once we have some knowledge, we can apply it. But the trick is to be consistent. If we do that, we usually can be successful.

      Good to see you,

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  11. vino
    Twitter:
    June 10, 2016 at 2:03 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    Really a fantastic post, I must when I initially started my blogging career I was a zombie but not now. At first time of blogging I was so much confused of what to write and how to manage but when days go, I got a clear picture about my focus of what to do and what not to. When our focus in good , then we will never be a zombie anymore. think when people get into some sort of experiemnnce they will be a betterment. Thanks for sharing!!!!

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 1:31 pm #

      Hi Vino,

      I think all of us are Zombies when we start. We tend to follow the latest trends when jumping into the blogging world. But when we do that, we waste so much time and time is money! But who knew?

      Now, with more blogging courses out there that five years ago, It can be easier not to be a Zombie walking around bumping into things. lol

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  12. Nirmala
    Twitter:
    June 10, 2016 at 5:31 am #

    Awesome write-up Donna! The blog post title brought me here!

    I guessed right! Yup, I thought that you have written some interesting stuff to stand unique and the same you did.

    I am not a blogging Zombie. I follow a unique way and never rush to change the theme, showing popups and get into the banner ads.

    As you said, blogging is more than sharing the information. Yes, it is an art of teaching and leading the readers to the right path through legit data.

    Enjoyed reading your post, keep writing.
    Nirmala recently posted..Cool – A Trendy Theme For WordPress BloggersMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 11, 2016 at 1:29 pm #

      Hi Nirmala,

      Every time I visit you I know what to expect…a great lesson! You are on point all the time and are so consistent. I love to visit your blog and learn something new all the time.

      A Zombie? Never you,

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  13. Chery Schmidt
    Twitter:
    June 9, 2016 at 8:15 pm #

    Hello Donna, Your title just drew me right in “Are you a blogging zombie?” Yikes Some days I have to wonder HEHE.. Just kidding but I do know that I used to be that ZOMBIE!! Oh Yeh I did what others were doing, I purchased every shiney object that I thought would help me move forward only to learn that was NOT the answer.

    I do know my blog will always be a work in progress but I don;t believe I AM A Blogging Zombie!!

    Your post did get me to thinking though..

    Great Share..
    Thanks
    Chery :))

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 10, 2016 at 12:09 am #

      Hi Chery,

      I know you well and you are so not a blogging Zombie lol. Way back if you were chasing all those shiny objects..yep that’s the Zombie style lol.

      But you have been on a straight track for a long while now.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  14. Paula
    Twitter:
    June 9, 2016 at 4:21 pm #

    Hi Donna, definitely need direction. But not sure if I am a blogging zombie or a blogging misfit. Honestly love to read all the great expert pointers, but find it boring to try to duplicate. Heck why would I want to anyway.
    I will follow your lead in your blog and see if the shoe fits. Might clarify if I am truly a zombie or just a vampire. I want to suck your blood…………..yuck! Oh what a minute, I want to suck your blog, but only if it is what I truly want to follow. LOL, I tend to love to blog about the good Lord, and many sadly, could care less. Not all, obviously.
    Thanks for sharing your expertise

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 9, 2016 at 8:15 pm #

      Hi Paula,

      You can be my blogging vampire any day lol. I do understand how confusing it can be blogging. I was there myself a few years back. I don’t think you are a blogging misfit, but just whirling around in circles maybe. So I would suggest you need to sit down and make a plan.

      You like to write about the Lord. There is a huge niche there my friend. All You need to do is make it a mission to find out who those readers and other bloggers are. Connect with them and start blogging your heart out.

      But if you want to monetize your blog, you do need to think of what exactly is you want to be selling. It would have to do something in your niche. But even if the Lord is your passion and you want to blog about that….there are books to sell on that topic, there can be an e-book you can write yourself of how you overcame an obstacle in your life because of your faith. On and on I can go with this think tank!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  15. Mark
    Twitter:
    June 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm #

    Yes, such fawn memories Donna!

    Oh the joys of wandering aimlessly through blogging land!LOL!

    Not sure where or how,only that you just
    had to keep wandering, and somehow miraculously,
    things would somehow work out!

    And in those early days of uncertainty, yes, it was good enough, to just drink
    at the trough of the various blogging leaders, and simply hope for the best!

    Funny thing though, hoping never did actually help pay a single bill!LOL!

    And although being a zombie blogger meant there was (and still is), plenty
    of company!

    Doing so never did lead to a strategy that could be monetized! So I had to finally
    abandon that sinking ship! And man am I glad I did!LOL!
    Mark recently posted..How Some Extremely Savvy Entrepreneurs Turn Word Of Mouth Advertising Into An Extremely Profitable Asset!My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 9, 2016 at 1:55 pm #

      Hi Mark,

      Indeed, those early days of uncertainty were very difficult for many of us. Going from one thing to another wasting our precious time….

      So true…as one does this it doesn’t even pay one single bill.

      I am so glad that you abandoned that Zombie ship of yours. Indeed, we have to plan something to monetize before we execute.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  16. Enstine Muki
    Twitter:
    June 9, 2016 at 7:10 am #

    Hahaha! Zombies
    I remember those Zombie movies and wonder if they really exist in real life 😉

    Yes Donna this is very true. Most of us do just these things. We try to catch everything that shines. At the end, we have nothing.

    I remember those days of my growing up. We used to go hunting for crickets. Once you start chasing one and get distracted by another one, you end up not catching any.

    The secret…

    Pursue one until you catch it. Once you have it in the pocket, you can start running after the next.

    I don’t want to be a zombie blogger 😉
    Enstine Muki recently posted..Schemaninja Review ~ Get more clicks, Double your Search Traffic!My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 9, 2016 at 12:05 pm #

      Hi Enstine,

      Love your analogy about cricket hunting lol. But if we as bloggers keep getting distracted that is all we will hear on our blogs…crickets, nothing more.

      You really put them in your pocket? That would be something my brothers would do, then take it out and scare me. Ahhh…you are bringing me back to childhood memories……But I digress.

      You sure are not the Zombie Blogger my friend. You are one of the Best there is.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  17. ikechi
    Twitter:
    June 8, 2016 at 12:17 pm #

    Hi Donna

    Ha Ha, You sure have a way with Titles. This is just so awesome. You know I remember when I first started blogging. I sure was a Zombie feeding on all the techniques and tricks I could find.

    Everything sure changed when I found focus and it hit me that I was wasting time trying to be someone else.

    I agree that everyone is unique and blogging is the right channel to accommodate uniqueness. It is only blogging that makes a blogger resonate with an audience on any topic.

    Thanks for sharing this post. Thumbs up and have a wonderful week. Take Care

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 9, 2016 at 12:02 pm #

      Hi Ikechi,

      He He He…we sure can be Zombies when we first start! We lack direction and feel like we are thrown into a new world. This is why it is so important to plan ahead…like anything we do in life.

      If one wants to blog, one needs direction…a course, a mentor…anything that will keep them from wasting time with trial and error. More importantly..they may get frustrated and just quit.

      Indeed, we are all unique and that does make others resonate with us.

      Enjoy your week also.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  18. Pranay Khatri
    Twitter:
    June 8, 2016 at 7:00 am #

    Hi Donna,
    I loved the way you explained, there are many newbies who are just copying pro bloggers. Its not like that you can’t follow their footsteps but copying like Zombie can ruin their blogging career.
    We should follow pro bloggers but at last implement our own strategy for long run, I am totally agree with what you’ve said.

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us.
    I’m glad that I reached here.
    – Pranay

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 9, 2016 at 11:59 am #

      Hi Pranay,

      Indeed, there are so many newbies coming into the blogging world every day. Some try to copy others and it just will never work. Sure, we can get good ideas from others, but always…we must be unique. We have to be who we are and spin any topic in any niche that way.

      Glad to see you here.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  19. Kim Willis
    Twitter:
    June 8, 2016 at 4:39 am #

    Good one Donna

    I don’t know if I’m a blogging zombie, but sometimes I feel like ‘dead man walking’. Is that the same thing?

    But your post highlights a point that is not often mentioned. People are far too tactical. The examples given are tactics, nothing more. And it’s SO easy to fall in love with different tactics and completely lose sight of the big picture – the main game. What is the main game? To make money, to build an asset that is valuable, and to attain complete financial freedom.

    By taking a more strategic approach to building our business, we are less prone to the lure of the quick fix and the lustre of bright shiny objects.

    Thanks for this timely, pointed, and entertaining post

    Kim
    Kim Willis recently posted..14 Marketing Mistakes That Most Businesses MakeMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 8, 2016 at 11:31 am #

      Hi Kim,

      I see too many people getting caught up in those tactics. And as more and more develop they keep tinkering.

      So true, the main point is to make money…it’s business and blogging is part of the whole. If one keeps their eye on the latest and greatest it can be a huge time waster.

      Thanks putting more juice into this post.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  20. Stephanie Faris
    Twitter:
    June 7, 2016 at 9:30 pm #

    I blog for businesses as my “day job,” but when it comes to my own blog, my strategy is mostly to build a community of people who support each other. Oh…and to have fun!
    Stephanie Faris recently posted..My Most Viewed Post Ever Is About a ScamMy Profile

  21. Atish Ranjan
    Twitter:
    June 7, 2016 at 7:00 am #

    Hello Donna,

    The post title is superb, and it made me curious that I was not able to wait to read this post.

    This Indeed a great write up again. You have given a unique name to those bloggers who are not doing anything unique or their own way rather they are following others and doing the same thing without innovating something new.

    As you said, in the early days every bloggers start as a blogging zombie but many of them later start innovating something new for his betterment. But, many are there who stay happy being zombies.

    Hope you are enjoying the week, Donna.
    Atish Ranjan recently posted..Pinterest: A Great Source of Traffic for Your BlogMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 1:01 pm #

      Hi Atish,

      When it came to the title David had mentioned maybe it was too harsh, but I went with it because I wanted to do a sort of wake up call to those who are wasting their time following and following others.

      I do try to urge people to be themselves. It is true that in the early days we are like little zombies but yes, many are happy staying that way. I wanted to let them know…step out of the zombie box!

      Enjoy your week,

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  22. Robin Khokhar
    Twitter:
    June 7, 2016 at 5:15 am #

    Hi Donna,
    First of all, I liked the Title of the Post included with the word zombie. And you are right that there are bloggers who are following other footsteps and reaching nowhere. These bloggers really need to take a stand on their own.
    Overall it was a long post but I enjoyed reading it.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Robin Khokhar recently posted..12 Awesome Free Blogging Platforms To Start a New BlogMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:54 pm #

      Hi Robin,

      Good to know you enjoyed reading this post. Yes the word Zombie is quite popular these days, but when we look at the overall meaning of what a Zombie is…it is like a sheep following a herd. They just are lead to one place to another.

      Indeed, we all want to see people standing on their own and that’s the message. Glad you enjoyed it.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  23. Jennifer Giacoppo
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 11:10 pm #

    Ha ha ha ……Donna Merrill I can hear your voice in that post and you make me laugh so much. Sometimes I wish I lived around the corner from you, I bet we would have a chuckle together.

    I love this post because I can relate to what you are saying. Sadly people have been taught to listen to everyone else in life and have had the ‘life’ beaten out of them.

    I love that you bring up the ideas that people continue to follow what is trending. I think it is good to try things but I think there are those who are not authentic, just doing what they think will bring them money.

    I love my blog and love the platform it offers. I sometimes feel like a zombie in the sense that I am a little behind and don’t do the latest thing on my blog. I feel if it is not me, if it is too salesy then I won’t have it.

    As long as I keep blogging or vlogging I will be visiting your blog because I truly enjoy them and I love your ‘straight to the point’ attitude.-Lashings of love Jennifer

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:44 pm #

      Hi Jennifer,

      Oh yes, we would have so much fun if we did live close. I just know it!

      Indeed, people have been taught to listen to this and that and it can often get them stuck. I know some bloggers that have gotten stuck in their back office with plugins and themes for years. Others, follow one guy or another and keep on changing things up.

      I want to scream STOP…BE YOURSELF! This is how I came up with the Zombie analogy. I was watching “Fear of the Walking Dead” and of course I see almost everything though a marketer’s eyeball…..I seen the Zombies as bloggers ….. Herds of them going to one place or another.

      Your blog is straight up and on point. You don’t stay at all. Trends are OK…but not always. We can use them here and there but they always have a life span.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  24. Marquita Herald
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 8:17 pm #

    I LOVE this post! And you are so right Donna, I have no problem admitting that when I first started blogging in earnest that I got caught up in trying to do what every expert told me I needed to do to make it … now that I think about it that reminds me of my first few trips to Japan and seeing tour guides walking around holding up a flag as they were followed by dozens of people paying more attention to the guide than the scenery!

    I will also admit that even today it’s tempting to occasionally fall victim to that behavior. Coming into this year I had clear-cut goals and then I took an advanced workshop for bloggers where I learned all of the things I need to change about my blog, and then another A-List blogger taught me about the importance of cornerstone content and that sent me off in a different direction. Now, I will say that my blog has definitely benefited from the changes, especially in the eyes of the Google-gods, but I’ve decided enough is enough with the “improvements” it’s time to focus on the darn plan! Thanks for the inspiration – and great image by the way. 🙂
    Marquita Herald recently posted..How to Release Self-Doubt and Build Sustainable ConfidenceMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:39 pm #

      Hi Marquita,

      I love that analogy about the tour guide. Yes it is so true…people will pay more attention to the guide rather than the scenery…lol

      Talking workshops and learning curves are always great, but we cannot get caught up in them otherwise we will be doing the ‘Zombie Walk” going from one thing to another, keeping focused on improvements.

      It’s like owning a home. Improvements will never end as we make changes to this or that. It is so easy to fall into that trap. But we do have to let it go.

      Glad you enjoyed this one!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  25. Stella Chiu
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 7:37 pm #

    Hi, Donna

    Your post stimulated me to ponder.

    There are so much to learn in blogging sphere. But you just reminded us that it is also important to build up our own unique style at the same time while learning the in-&-out of blogging.

    Nobody want to be “zombie”. You did provide some yardsticks for us to stay away the zombie circle. I am so far so good on that. All the posts are still my own experience.

    At this moment, I am research for my niche and how to make money while providing solution to readers.

    Thanks for the wake up call. Have a fantastic week. Will share.

    Stella Chiu
    Stella Chiu recently posted..You can Free from Asthma for Good almost EffortlesslyMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:25 pm #

      Hi Stella,

      I am so glad your reaction is to ponder with this post. I wanted people to do that lol.

      No, we don’t want to be Zombies going from one thing to another and getting nowhere. We do have to take a hard look at what we are doing from time to time and ask ourselves this question. It is so easy for bloggers to fall into the Zombie trap.

      Glad you are researching to monetize your blog.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  26. Dana
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 6:39 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    I sure have given this thought.

    I don’t think I’m a blogging zombie by any means, but I do acknowledge I still have a lot of learning to do.

    I never follow what anyone does, I write about what feels true to me and I can honestly say I don’t pay much attention to trends.

    A while back, I had heard the term “evergreen” when it came to content. I take it seriously because I like to know that something I’ve created a while back is still valid and can be shared with as much authenticity today as it was five years ago. Not knocking anyone – at ALL…but I’ve stumbled across many posts dated back a few years and felt a bit disheartened that the info was no longer valid.

    I think I’ve kept things pretty simple thus far and I like it that way. Easier to maintain.

    But yes, lots to learn. It never stops 🙂
    Dana recently posted..Prepare For Winter Weight Gain NOW (Infographic)My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:12 pm #

      Hi Dana,

      I’ve never seen you doing that Zombie walk since I’ve known you. Your topics are all on point.

      Oh that “evergreen” stuff. That has to be done in a way where it is never outdated. It can’t be on social media or anything else, but your own idea. I find that works best. Many people get confused about it. But then….some evergreen articles, books, or even courses go to 2.0 versions. It’s crazy out there lol.

      You sure do keep things simple enough so that we can apply what you teach and I love that!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  27. Bren Pace
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 2:35 pm #

    Hey Donna! Happy Monday!

    I love this post! There are so many Zombies out there! I have to keep in mind that each of us is Unique and that should be reflected on our blogs. Can you believe I actually received my first “hate” comment on my GP50 shower post? Oy vey….really? Yes, down to my relationship with my hubs and my dysfunctional furkids, Unique is the word and I keep pushing forward.

    Have a great week ahead, gf!

    B
    Bren Pace recently posted..How To NOT Take a Nightmare ShowerMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 12:00 pm #

      Hi Bren,

      Indeed we are all unique and do have to shout it out. I know you do. As for your ‘hate’ comment, seems to me like whoever has done that is looking for attention. Delete…spam…and block! All with a smile.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

  28. Monna Ellithorpe
    Twitter:
    June 6, 2016 at 1:47 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Hah, way ahead of you this time. I was doing the “zombie” thing but didn’t realize to put that name with it. I cancelled the last few things I bought and working to get my blog back more in focus and centered on writing and marketing the writing and my services to writers.

    Wishing you a great new week.

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      June 7, 2016 at 11:32 am #

      Hi Monna,

      I can see that when I go to your blog….you are pin-focused on writing. Also the way you advertise your writing services is perfect. You never push, but it IS there for all to recognize.

      Great Job!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Steps To Selecting A Blogging NicheMy Profile

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