Have you struggled to figure out “How To Make Your Blog Unique?”
During a recent interview, I was asked “what makes your blog unique?”
After a week of banging my head against the wall thinking about it, I just started visiting other people’s blogs to get my mind off of it.
Lo and behold, as I was reading blogs in many different niches, that specific question was still in my mind.
I found myself trying to figure out what was making other bloggers unique.
Have you ever considered how to make your blog stand out from the rest?
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How To Make Your Blog Unique
When you read blogs online regularly, you will find that the most popular blog sites are unique.
The blog owners have branded themselves as standing out in the crowd in a few very specific ways.
I spent some time reading some of the most popular blogs.
Here’s a bit of what I found.
Harsh Agrawal’s ShoutMeLoud blog gives people tips, strategies and tools that show them how to be good affiliate marketers.
Heidi Cohen has distinguished herself as an expert on sharing marketing insights on social media and content marketing.
Mike Allton, at The Social Media Hat, stands out from the crowd as an expert in social media.
Ryan Biddulph is known to his readers as the guy who travels the world blogging. He shows them how they can also build a business by “Blogging From Paradise.”
Lee Odden and Susan Misukanis teach companies to B2B digital marketing best practices on their TopRankBlog site.
On Traffic Generation Cafe, Ana Hoffman has distinguished herself as an expert in getting traffic.
So, you get the idea.
I made it my business to read blogs online, hunting for those things that make some top bloggers unique.
On one blog, I knew I was going to get some positivity and inspiration because the author specialized in it.
On another one, I notice the blogger was always on top the latest and greatest technology.
That was his distinguishing slant and style.
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The top bloggers, the most popular blog sites, those blogging sites that pay the most… they all understand exactly who they are… and what makes their blogs unique… what makes them stand out from the rest.
What Makes My “DonnaMerrillTribe” Blog Unique?
So then I had to do some soul searching and decide what it is that makes my blog unique.
That was it…I wanted to know what people are thinking about my blog.
How is my blog unique?
What do I offer my readers to distinguish my blog from others?
I started digging.
I asked a few of my blogging buddies, my regular readers, subscribers to my email list and a handful of my coaching clients… to tell me the raw truth about my blog.
In particular, I asked them what they thought made my blog unique.
What value did they feel they were getting from my blog that was different from what they found on other blogs in my niche?
Feedback From My Audience
Here are some of the things they told me.
The number one, most common answer I received was this…
“Your blog is unique because you make complicated things look simple.”
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Then there were these…
You’re always there for me, whenever I need help.
You’re ‘real’… and approachable.
Your blog is unique because you reply to your comments and always visit my blog, too.
You give good information every time.
You run your blog consistently.
I can always learn something new when I visit your blog.
You give me real things I can do, not just theories. I can usually put them to work in my business right away.
You talk to me like you’re my friend.
You seem like you truly care.
You share your ideas freely, without asking for anything in return.
You never let up.
I don’t know why, but I love that one, lol.
What I Learned From My Market Research
Now, these kinds of responses were pretty interesting for me to read.
I heard a lot of the same words: actionable, caring, sharing.
But, even more…
They gave me a deep sense of what makes my blog unique to my readers.
Now, you might ask, why do I care so much about being unique?
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Because why have a blog if it looks like everybody else’s?
And in a business sense, how can I attract readers, subscribers, customers and clients if I’m just doing the same thing all the other bloggers in the world are doing?
You see, a lot of people tend to run their blogs like this…
“Let me see who the top bloggers are, then imitate what they’re doing, and therefore get the same great results they do.”
But you know what?
Your readers, audience, prospects… they don’t want to get the same thing from your blog that they do from somebody else’s blog.
It’s like, if you get great Chinese food from the “Best Chinese Restaurant,” why would you switch to eating at the “Just As Good Chinese Restaurant?”
I mean, if you get exactly what you want from one blog, why do you care about another one that does pretty much the same thing?
The answer is that you don’t.
The Heart and Soul of Your Blog
That’s why, really, the very heart and soul of your blog is based on it’s uniqueness.
If it can’t be distinguished from all the others, then it probably won’t get a lot of traffic, or rank very high in the search engines, or drive a very successful business.
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So, I decided to look at the responses I got, and break them down into a summary of what makes my blog unique.
So, here it is.
The Results of My Market Research
I believe that my blog is unique because it shows people how they can succeed in blogging and online marketing.
Specifically, it is unique because it …
- Helps relieve the frustration that bloggers often have when trying to build a good business from their site;
- Shows people how to actually implement strategies, instead of just understand them theoretically
- Makes things simple, even seemingly complicated processes
What Makes Your Blog Unique?
I wanted to share this with you, my readers, because it is a good question to ask yourself and your buddies.
Getting feedback is so important.
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You may not think you are unique but truth be told, you are.
If you don’t know how unique you are, ask your readers and customers.
It’s Not Always What You Say, But The Way That You Say It
Here’s the thing.
We all are unique, and it always comes out in what we do, in the way we blog.
You may be in a funk sometimes because you might want to write about a specific subject and think “Oh dear…everyone is writing about that” and you stop yourself.
Let me tell you… it’s not the topic or the information that makes you and your blog unique.
It’s the way you write about that topic.
The most popular blog sites don’t stand out from the rest because their content is unique, but because their owners have developed their own personal flair.
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If you want to know how to make your blog unique, I’d say to work toward that end.
Don’t ever stop yourself from writing what is in your heart.
But let your heart shine through, and your uniqueness will become the hallmark of your blog.
More On… How To Make Your Blog Unique
If you need more ideas for making your blog stand out in the crowd, I’ve collected a few top resources for you…
- Julie Petersen, on ProBlogger, shows you how to create unique content on your blog.
- Charles Crawford, at LifeHack, gives several tactics to make your blog stand out in the crowd.
- From BlogMutt, you can learn about using contests, interviews and more… to develop a unique blog.
- Carol Tice talks about ways that influencers can help you build a popular blog as you develop your own voice.
In closing, let me remind you that people need to hear from YOU, even if your topic has been written about a million times.
You must give it your own unique edge and “voice” to make your blog stand out and to attract your own unique following.
So my friends here is my call to action.
In the comment section below please answer either “1” or “2” or, just offer your own unique perspective on anything I’ve talked about here.
1. What do you think makes the “Donna Merrill Tribe” blog unique?
-or-
2. What makes your blog unique?
Let’s have some fun and enjoy each other’s input.
-Donna
Twitter: corp_writing
March 8, 2017 at 5:36 am #
Thank you for the tips and information. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. It helps me a lot. I feel that before hiring any professional online writing services, we should check the credibility of the writers. Keep writing!
Twitter: ikechiawazie
March 5, 2017 at 5:34 am #
Hi Donna
What makes your blog unique is that you sure know how to make topics on blogging so simple and easy plus your style of writing is very friendly. It is the reason why I like to read your post and your strategies are so easy to implement.
For my blog, I have been told that my writing is one of a kind plus my blog challenges the mindset of my readers.
ikechi recently posted..4 Crazy Things You Never Knew When You Question Everything
Twitter: coachtocoachguy
February 27, 2017 at 6:46 pm #
Another fabulous post Donna!
And I have to agree with the incredibly accurate assessment
of some of your other extremely loyal readers/subscribers.
I think what makes your blog so unique, is your ability, and willingness,
to simply online marketing and freely share, your proven solutions,
consistently generating targeted traffic and ultimately converting
that traffic into sales!
I can personally attest, not soon after I started consistently implementing
your proven, social media marketing and blogging strategies.
My bankable results, dramatically improved coach!LOL!
And I’ve been following and consistently implementing your
proven methods ever since!
Mark recently posted..The One Critically Important Skill Every Entrepreneur Definitely Needs To Develop!
Twitter: simplyilka
February 25, 2017 at 12:47 pm #
Hi Donna!
I came across this great post a little bit late. So, everything about your fantastic blog is already said by others and it’s hard for me to write a comment that’s unique 😉
Well, my first thought was that I really like your writing voice and style. It’s fun to read – and imagine – how you were banging your head against the wall to find your uniqueness; just to give an example. I also like that you always provide lots of information in your posts. Sometimes ideas to think about and sometimes practical spot on information. Some of the tools I use to make my blogging life easier are recommendations from you.
So, thank you for being you 🙂
– Ilka
Ilka Emig recently posted..How Dopamine works in favor of our Reward System
Twitter: ChrisDeeWaard
February 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm #
Hi Donna,
I think your blog is unique because you keep it real while being informative and entertaining.
You get your point across without overwhelming your readers with too much non-essential information.
People have told me, yourself included, that my blog is unique because of the way I get my points across through real-life stories with an IM spin on them. Or, if I’m teaching something, I keep it basic while making sure I provide the needed knowledge for whatever the topic is.
Thanks for the great post, as usual.
Have a great weekend……..Chris
Chris DeeWaard recently posted..Affiliate Marketing Basics
Twitter: robswebdesign
February 14, 2017 at 9:29 pm #
You make your blog unique.
Hey Donna, I believe you make your blog unique. There is so much information out there on the internet. We can Google, and find almost anything we are looking for. And when we find it, we may not understand the answer. We keep searching until we see an article that helps us understand. I know I do this and I am sure others do as well.
You can find 10 different articles about the same subject by 10 different bloggers, and they are explaining it 10 different ways. But you don’t understand it until you come across that one article that really resonates with you. You feel connected to that person who wrote it, because they are talking in your language.
I believe what make us unique is just being ourselves. We all have something to say about a subject. We may not explain the same way as someone else would. That’s are uniqueness. Our ability to connect to that one person at a time, in our own voice.
So what I say is, just be yourself. Not everyone will find that connection with you, but the ones that will, we learn and appreciate what you have to say.
Thanks Donna for sharing this article with us, I think it helps to remind us, just how unique we all are.
I hope you have a great week and I will be off to share this with my audience.
–Rob
Rob McDonald recently posted..Backing Up Your WordPress Website With UpdraftPlus
Twitter: preppernut
February 14, 2017 at 12:10 pm #
Hi Donna. I don’t have anything ‘unique’ to say about your blog. I agree with others that you provide a lot of value and think about what your readers want to know.
As for my blog, I think it is unique because I bring a lifetime of experience to create a prepping experience people can live with on a daily basis. My focus is on prepared families, helping them to know what to do when disaster strikes.
Love your blog, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
DeeDee Lynn recently posted..Valentine’s Day cookies with a heart – and a song!
Twitter: atishranjan
February 13, 2017 at 2:48 pm #
Hello Donna,
Excellent piece of content I must say.
I think your blog is unique because you don’t run behind the topics everyone writes, you write what you want to write for educating your readers.
I love your blog! 🙂
Have a great Week ahead!
Atish Ranjan recently posted..Grab These Excellent E-Books for FREE!
Hi Atish,
Thanks for your input today.
It’s so important to establish a brand, and that begins with finding what makes you unique.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..How To Build Relationships With People Through Blogging
Hi Ravi,
It’s true, you can’t compare your blog to any other because you do have your own unique voice.
And the discussion arose in this thread about the magazine style blogs like Problogger and ShoutMeLoud that use a lot of guest writers.
Do you lose you voice when you use too many guest writers?
I think those blogs are great examples of how you can actually enhance your uniqueness by brining in, not different topics, but vary perspectives on what your blog is about.
I’ve started using more guest writers and have really been impressed with the results, in fact you were one of them recently.
So I think, if you shape content to fit your theme, you can actually enhance your “unique voice” through your network of voices.
Not to compare, but to share.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..8 Blogging Fears You Can Overcome
Twitter: ravichahar27
February 13, 2017 at 8:08 am #
Hey Donna,
The uniqueness of a blog can’t be defined until you spend some time. I have been reading your blog for years now.
I have no doubt that you have some amazing skills to allure your readers with your writing skills.
Whether you read Social Media Hat, Shoutmeloud or any other famous blog, they have their own brand.
Copyblogger is one of the oldest yet refined content marketing blog, which has extraordinary writers like Brian and Simone.
Donna, we can’t compare any blog to other. You have your own brand and values.
Thanks for providing such a wonderful guide.
~Ravi
Ravi Chahar recently posted..A Complete Guide To Move Your Blog From Squarespace To WordPress.
Twitter: AmarTemok
February 13, 2017 at 6:54 am #
Hey Donna,
Once again, I’ve found very interesting post on your website. Our primary and ongoing goal should be to continuously develop innovative content and we need to put a truly unique spin on whatever topic we’ve blogging about.
For a blog to be successful, we must stay on topic and cater to the wants, needs and expectations of our target audience. Always be honest, and be transparent when it adds value to what we’re writing.
We should spend time in researching what we’re writing about. The reason we are able to use so many helpful, relevant links in our essays is because we put in the time to research our topics. Eventually, thanks for sharing your healthy thought with us.
With best regards,
Amar kumar
Amar kumar recently posted..12 Things to Consider When Designing an App
Hi Amar,
I like the point you make about research.
I didn’t really about that aspect of making your blog unique, but really, it is a really important part of it.
You can’t just have a unique “voice” worth listening to unless you have a good handle on your topic.
Too many people just repeat what other people are saying on a topic, but the more research you do… the more you come up with your own unique ideas and perspective.
And, as you say, it also gives you a network of other leaders in your niche to communicate with and link to, which further evolves the value of your blog to your readers.
Nice 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..6 Most Effective SEO Tips You Can Use In 2017 To Explode Your Search Traffic
Twitter: DrErica
February 12, 2017 at 9:00 pm #
Wow Donna, what a powerful fact-filled blog post, that made me stop and question – “How is my blog unique?”
I am in a therapeutic field – counseling, coaching and body oriented psychotherapy. I am also marketing myself online.
One of the things that makes me unique is that I have been bridging these 2 worlds – the therapeutic and the marketing world.
By creating virtual summits that highlight leading experts I have the delight of getting closer to so many of the people I admire and at the same time I introduce them to the web. Many therapists are only accessible to their local clients or have a rather small presence on the web. Although that is gradually changing, my work has helped them to speed up that process.
I agree with particularly one statement from your research about your own blog’s uniqueness. That is that I know you are consistent and that you are always available when people ask for help. That alone, without all your other wonderful qualities, makes your blog unique. There are so many people who have a rather appealing blog with lots of stuff and then are absolutely impossible to connect with unless you sign up for their expensive training. Money is often their first value – and that is certainly not your approach.
Thanks for this thought-provoking and informative article.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Radiate Love
Hi Erica,
I love how you’ve woven together the worlds of therapy and marketing.
You know, I don’t know where they come from exactly (I’m not that great at tracking, haha), but I get a lot of professionals, like therapists, for my private coaching.
They come to me to learn how a blog can help develop their business, to get more leads and clients.
So we kind of cross paths on that, and the fact that you’ve found your voice specifically in the fields of counseling and therapy give you a really unique, what we call “micro niche”… but then, within that micro niche, you THEN go about connecting with folks with your unique “you” …
So, stay on track, my friend… sounds like you’ve got it all going in the right direction 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Blog Analytics Is Easier Than You Think
Twitter: sueken
February 12, 2017 at 3:53 pm #
For me a sign of a blog that stands out is the quality and quantity of comments and yours is a prime example.
It means you’ve developed a community around your blog because you are friendly and approachable, and your posts encourage and prompt comments.
Your recent course is an example of your uniqueness. Not just the usual videos and webinars but one to one contact via email with personalized advice and recommendations. That is so useful.
As Cheryl says, it is you that makes your blog unique.
Sue Bride recently posted..11 Practical Methods to Increase Creativity For Bloggers
Hi Sue,
So nice to have you out here, and glad to know you enjoyed our recent “challenge” course as well as the blog.
Yea, I use the same approach in my courses that I do on my blog.
I’ve always been a “people-person.” So I love the communication and 2-way conversation.
It’s just a lot of fun, and when you’re having fun, other are, too 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Infographics – The Best Way To Boost Your Blog
Twitter: cheryschmidt
February 12, 2017 at 11:34 am #
Hello Donna, Great share my friend!
YOU My friend are the one who makes your blog unique..
Keep up the great work..
Chery :))
Chery Schmidt recently posted..Is There A Secret To Online Success?
Hi Chery,
Well, it’s true.
My blog is basically “me,” and yours is “you.”
The better we get at making that idea a reality in our business, the further we’ll go, for sure.
You keep up your great work, too 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..How To Build Relationships With People Through Blogging
Twitter: glennshep
February 12, 2017 at 9:38 am #
Hi Donna!
As usual, what a fantastic post! And so important too, as this is something many don’t grasp.
I see many bloggers trying to get momentum and they seem to think that just posting ‘articles’ is enough. Even if they aren’t going down the route of reposting PLR content (which isn’t something I agree with myself), the content they’re posting is very much ‘article-like’ and devoid of any passion, of any soul.
They are lacking that unique quality that is THEM.
It is so important when blogging to make a connection with people. Think about it – how/why do we make connections with people face-to-face? By interacting with people and being ourselves. Our friends like us for who we are.
It needs to be the same with out blogs. Yes, we have to pay attention to the presentation, the quality of the content and everything else that goes up to make a blog. But the very best thing we can offer, yet so many fail to do, is ourselves.
When we infuse ourselves into our blogs as much as possible then we will naturally attract people.
So, to answer both your questions:
What makes the “Donna Merrill Tribe” blog unique? – YOU!
What makes my blog unique? ME!
You are someone who does that very thing, you put plenty of you into your blog and I know that is most certainly why I enjoy coming here.
I always try to do the same with my own blog – I always provide some teaching point that the reader can take away, I am always honest and straight, sometimes I am quirky, but it’s always ME. That is why, hopefully, people enjoy visiting my blog and connecting with me.
I hope you’re keeping well, Donna. Sorry I haven’t stopped by for a while, but I will be making sure to keep in touch more.
Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
Glenn
Glenn Shepherd recently posted..Why Making Money Online and Online Business are NOT the Same Thing!
Hi Glenn,
So nice to hear from you 🙂
I agree with what you said, of course, but while reading it, in my mind, I’m hearing people say “sure, develop your voice… but HOW?”
Your reference to PLR made me think of something.
PLR is stuff other people wrote, and then a blogger might buy and use as their own content.
Sounds like a terrible idea, and it is IF someone is just going to do a copy/paste job.
But I know some really great bloggers who use PLR all the time.
Only you’d never know it because they don’t copy/paste. They use it for a broad structure, maybe some of the research… but they make it THEIR OWN by infusing their personality.
How?
Here’s another thing that came to mind reading your answer — see, you’re a pretty persuasive writer 🙂 —
Everybody has probably taken a biology class, or math, or literature.
Every teach teaches the same thing.
I mean, there’s only one Shakespeare, right?
Yet every teacher develops their own unique way to present it. If they don’t then students groan about how boring they are.
Think of your favorite teachers, ones that make you think “I loved going to his/her class”… it wasn’t b/c of the subject matter, but the unique voice that teacher had developed, and the rapport with students.
I’m starting to ramble, but I think that’s getting to the heart of what you’ve talking about, and it’s very helpful.
Thanks.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?
Twitter: glennshep
February 13, 2017 at 7:24 pm #
Hi Donna,
You’ve hit the nail squarely on the head with both those points!
A lot of people do just slap up PLR as it is and that’s a very bad idea, in my opinion. But then there are those who, as you say, use PLR for a broad structure, which is absolutely fine and makes sense in certain cases. I do this myself sometimes as it can just take the brainstorming out of the equation when you’re struggling to put your ideas together in a logical structure. That it is how, I believe, it should be used. Not as a substitute for your own content, but to provide a foundation or framework upon which you can build something unique.
The point you made about teachers is one of my own favourite analogies. All too often we hear objections such as “The market is saturated”, “Who would listen to me?” and other such things. The thing is, there is pretty much limitless diversity. There is only one of any one of us and we all have something unique to offer. It’s when people try to copy others and adopt a ‘cookie cutter’ approach that they struggle to stand out.
Think of a supermarket. How many brands of beans do they sell at the same time, side by side? Of bread? Cereal? Some may be identical inasmuch as they are basically the same thing, but people have preferences based on a variety of reasons.
We can take that and apply it to any industry. There are many brands of car, hi-fi, table, TV, etc, etc. But although they all essentially do the same thing and serve the same purpose, they aren’t all the same and people will choose which one they wish to buy based on their own criteria.
It’s the same with us. Someone who may resonate with you may not resonate with me and vice versa, even though we might teach the very same thing. But I may have a particular forté in my teaching that you don’t have and likewise with yourself. And then there maybe a particular person for whom neither you nor I resonate, yet that person may find that someone else who teaches the very same thing is perfect for them.
So we all need to be leveraging ourselves and playing to our strengths. There is plenty of room for everyone and so long as we give the best of ourselves, we will find people for whom we just ‘click’. 🙂
Glenn
Glenn Shepherd recently posted..Why Making Money Online and Online Business are NOT the Same Thing!
Twitter: fetchprofits
February 12, 2017 at 6:52 am #
“You” make your blog unique Donna.
It’s always about you. Like you pointed out, you are always there, replying to comments, visiting blogs and websites of those who comment here, and you are always polite, personable, and you publish consistently.
It’s only for the last few months that I am blogging consistently and the inspiration came from you, Ravi, Ryan, and many others right here.
I could spin up a new site on the exact same topic, exact design, and make it look exactly like your blog, but I’d never be able to sound, feel, and be like you.
That’s as unique as it could get, eh?
Ash
Ash recently posted..11 Bloggers Show How to Increase Blog Traffic
Hi Ash,
So glad to hear you’ve been finding your own unique approach, and are truly making your blog a business.
Yes, it takes work, consistency and dedication.
Sounds like you’ve got it all going, and I’m always happy to have your input here 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?
Twitter: fetchprofits
February 13, 2017 at 1:44 pm #
Hi Donna,
Trying to do my best. In fact, I actually thought of running another blog (a standalone one, in addition to agency blog). I just have no way to know if that would ever work given that I am barely pulling myself to do what I am doing now. But If i can, It’d be great.
I totally agree that it takes so much to keep a blog running and that’s where I really admire your work and what you do here. You have been doing this for years and you don’t seem to slow down 🙂
Ash
Ash recently posted..[Infographic] Convincing Retargeting Stats For You To Gawk At
Hi Ash,
A second blog might be good if it’s somehow related to your primary business, but it is a lot of work… but I don’t have to tell you that.
Just be careful not to spread too thin… that’s the biggest cause of blogger burnout that I see from my clients.
I’ve definitely spread myself too thin at times, and had to pull back and stay focused.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?
Twitter: learn_to_blog
February 12, 2017 at 6:09 am #
Wow, thanks, Donna, there’s some great links in there to help us to understand more about being unique in blogging! For me, I have never copied anyone else, I just do what I do and find it works. So as I was ‘doing what I do’ I found that I was rather good at it, so what makes my blog unique is it’s diversity and the fact that it’s real. Nothing is copied or re-hashed, and I strive to help people blog in the best way they possibly can. I am there and they can talk to me, a lot of blogs I notice have great ranking but it is very hard to find out who is operating the blog. Many others with good ranking just post guest posts all the time, there is nothing from the blog owner, which is a bit strange to me, but if it works why not!
Enjoy the journey!
Mandy Allen recently posted..The End of the Christmas Season
Hi Mandy,
Seems like you’re on the right track, so that’s great to hear.
As for the “anonymous” bloggers … as I call them… the ones who only have guest posters… I think it’s fine to have only guest posters.
I mean, isn’t that what the HuffPo and Forbes and all the really big blogs do?
In that case, you are removing your personal voice with a “branded” voice.
So, I don’t think you have to be visible to have a true voice, but it seems to be especially comforting to people to be able to communicate with a real person instead of a “magazine editor” I think.
Not sure, here, and I’ve certainly been bringing on more guests myself, because I think they add variety and multiple voices to my blog.
You’ve certainly given me something to think about on this, so thanks.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Beyond The E-Myth – Michael E. Gerber
Twitter: ruthieisms
February 10, 2017 at 9:11 pm #
Hi Donna, I’m a relatively new reader to your blog, but I love coming here because I find myself reading about whatever topic was on my mind at the time. I love your ability to get to the heart of the matter and offer concrete suggestions for action too.
As for my blog, I’ve struggled with the uniqueness factor too, and have come to the conclusion that the main thing that’s unique about my blog is me. Of course, my readers might have something different to say if I can work up the courage to ask them. 🙂
Ruth Bowers recently posted..[Friday Five] Effective Blogging – 5 Ways to Know Your Blog is Doing Its Job
Hi Ruth,
Now that’s a great analysis of your blog… it is unique because it is YOU.
And that’s what you, me, everyone has to keep striving to develop… their own persona in the midst of whatever your main topic is.
Add to that, a simple and clear message, and you’ve developed your own unique voice which will be heard clearly by your own unique following.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..8 Blogging Fears You Can Overcome
Twitter: lisalisathom
February 10, 2017 at 8:37 pm #
Hi Donna, to answer #1, my first thought was that you are unique. You are special, so of course your blog is too. That may sound simple but i believe your personality really shines here and that’s why we keep coming back. That’s why you get business. YOU.
There’s a lot to think about in this post. Thank you for sharing the links for ideas to make our own blogs unique. That’s something I’m always thinking about. Have a great weekend!
lisa thomson recently posted..Catch Up Over Coffee #2
Hi Lisa,
Yes, you’ve got to spend time and get to the rock solid foundation of your blog.
It’s funny, people think just blogging a long time develops a voice, but it takes more than time.
It takes a real effort to decide what your passion and message is going to be, and then put on the blinders to everything else.
Thanks for checking in, my friend.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..You Are What You Tweet | With Germany Kent
Twitter: Virtual_Bren
February 10, 2017 at 6:12 pm #
Hola mi amiga!
Donna, you are truly one of a kind and that reflects in your blog. This is one thing I adore about you as a person and your blog. You have a finesse about you unlike any other. This makes YOU and your BLOG unique! I think that is why so many people can relate to you!
With all the content out there on how to start a blog, start a business, how to make money, finding work-at-home jobs, and more, it’s IMPERATIVE we be unique. I struggle with this from time to time because I don’t want to put the same ole bs out there that everyone else is. That leaves me not publishing a post because I simply don’t want to be a repeat. I know how I feel when I see the same content on the blogs I follow. If it’s the same niche, there are bound to be multiple topics published in a dozen or more voices.
Bleh!
I’d rather not post than be “another one of those”.
If I think about what makes my blog unique? Yeah, like Cori above, I’m not sure. I’m still a work in progress and I’m fine with that. I’ll come into my own someday. 🙂
Have a great weekend, gf! How you’re not up to your navel in snow!
B
Bren Pace recently posted..How Do You Know When Your Website Goes Down?
Hi Bren,
I think it’s a bit of an eye opener to see how really good bloggers like you and others here, are talking about struggling to find their unique voice.
I mean, this is not a new topic… I think it’s the first thing I heard when I started blogging is to be unique.
But just because everyone says it and everyone agrees… and I do, too… doesn’t make it happen.
I really think that’s where people have to stop being busy with their business and start getting deep. It may take coaching, brainstorming or experimenting, but if we don’t develop a really, really clear voice then whatever voice we’re using just isn’t going to be heard.
Thanks for your perspective on this. I always appreciate it 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..6 Most Effective SEO Tips You Can Use In 2017 To Explode Your Search Traffic
Twitter: notnowmomsbusy
February 10, 2017 at 11:37 am #
As always Donna you are so on point with this topic. With so many blogs out there it is hard to be unique but it can be done, just as you showed us here.
I tell you what though, the responses you got from your audience are great tips for new bloggers who are trying to find their uniqueness.
I can so relate when you talked about being in a funk because other bloggers have written about a specific topic we want to write about too…I can’t tell you how many times I had to change a post because someone had already written about the same thing – thank you for saying it’s the way we write about the topic that counts…I’ll definitely keep that in mind.
What makes you unique is how genuiune you are. You just rock lady!
I’ve been sitting here wondering what mine is – I’ll have to get back to you on that, hehe.
Great post Donna! Have a great day and weekend!
Cori
Cori Ramos recently posted..Common Blog Settings New Bloggers Overlook During The Set-up
Hi Cori,
You have to know that unique doesn’t just mean that you have different information to share, but that YOU are different than others.
And that doesn’t mean that you’re better… you’re just YOU.
People choose who to follow when they feel that somebody really cares about them.
I know your readers feel that way about you and that’s why they are so loyal.
Convince people that YOU care about them, that YOU stand ready to help them have a better life in some way… and you’ve struck on what they really want… way beyond just infomation.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Blog Analytics Is Easier Than You Think
Twitter: Mike_Allton
February 9, 2017 at 3:12 pm #
Thanks so much for the mention, Donna! LOVE this topic!
Hi Mike,
So glad to have you be part of this article, and I do agree… this is a topic I love too.
That’s because I think it’s something that really holds people back.
It sounds so cliche… to be unique…. but it the difference between great success and just going through the motions.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Infographics – The Best Way To Boost Your Blog
Hey Donna,
In a way I think you and me are in the same category because we make those complicate tools and strategies simple.
This shows how intelligent we are 😉
But it’s very true that we are all unique, and our loyal readers to us because of who we are and how we put out the information despite the fact the same topic may have been written about on other blogs.
And might I say that you do this very well!
As for me, for the past couple of years, I’m more focused on those who have full-time jobs, families or both that don’t have a lot of time to blog and grow a home business. I try to simplify strategies and tools to use so your time is optimized. This has been my theme for the past couple of years.
This is a post that everyone should read! Thanks for the share!
Sherman Smith recently posted..ADZBuzz UBlock Review: The Best Free and Paid Popup Ad Blocker
Hi Sherman,
I guess we do have a similar style, and it’s all good because even though we’re in the same niche, we have a similar approach… we are still very different.
Because you are true to your own authenticity, as I am to mine.
So it makes the point that no matter how much a topic or niche has been covered by others… there is always plenty of room for fresh approaches and unique styles.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..How To Build Relationships With People Through Blogging
Hi Harleena,
I think one of the really unique things about your blog is the way that you involved people in what you’re doing.
I guess I’d call that the ability to build a community or a following.
That’s so so very important because those are the people who will be the foundation of your business for years to come… not some faceless people that click on an ad, or stumble upon a video or whatever.
It sounds simple, I guess, but you are doing it and I know that’s not easy…. even if you make it look that way 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?
Twitter: harleenas
February 9, 2017 at 7:59 am #
Hi Donna,
Wonderful post indeed 🙂
I loved the research work you must have put into this one to make it such a wholesome post, with all the details and studies you carried out!
Yes, your blog IS different and that is because of you! That matters a great deal, in fact the foremost to anything else, as you deal with people one to one, taking up their problems and simplifying it to the core, through your posts and comments.
My blog, well as you know, it’s always a generic niche that helps solve people’s problems in their daily lives, whether it is related to blogging, relationships, family, etc – and we may even start more niches in the coming future – anything that helps our audience. That’s what makes us unique, isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice, rest of the week 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..Interview with Chandler Bolt: Self-Publishing School Founder and Entrepreneur
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
February 9, 2017 at 5:59 am #
Hi Donna,
LOVE this topic. Because bloggers struggle like hell with this one.
Thanks a ton for the shout 😉
#1: Caring and simplicity makes your blog unique. You really care. It bleeds through all you do. From commenting to writing posts to sharing on social media, you blog with love and make powerful 1-to-1 bonds, building friendships wherever you go.
You blog brilliantly because you make things simple. Both to understand and to practically apply what you teach. I intend to model that on my blog.
As for me, and my blog, being weird helps me stand out 😉 Really though, I make having fun and spreading love my 2 intents so I feel the Universe takes over, allowing me to write how I write and help how I help.
Have a fab weekend Donna.
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..Gondolas Canals Ice Hockey Rinks and Ferris Wheels in a Mall? Welcome to the Villaggio in Qatar
Hi Ryan,
I do appreciate your sincere thoughts here, and I really do create strong bonds with my readers, customers and coaching clients… all because I talk to them… not lecture, just have open discussions to find out what they need so I can help them out.
I know you do the same thing, but in your way… it’s what makes you unique.
Every blogger needs to figure out their own style for building a community and, as you say… from that point forward… the Universe just takes over 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..How To Build Relationships With People Through Blogging
Twitter: BAMoneyBlogger
February 9, 2017 at 5:36 am #
Hi Donna
Most of the respondents of your survey are very right that you make complicated things easy to understand and easier to follow.
It is right said that a fake expert complicates easy things just to impress others while a genuine expert attracts people by putting the element of ease and interest in a difficult task.
A blogger delivers information and knowledge just like teachers or journalists do but he delivers in a way that shows his main objective is to help his readers and not just to perform the task of passing on information to them.
As far my blog I try to put my own point of view into it after extensive research and try to avoid referring others point of view. My purpose is to give just my point of view because my readers can know what others are saying by visiting others blogs.
I love the way you held this discussion step be step by fully involving readers and never became slightly bookish anywhere. This is called being your own with your unique point of view on a topic. I highly appreciate this and as you know am big fan of yours.
Many thanks for sharing and keep sharing such interesting topics.
Have a great weekend ahead.
Mi Muba recently posted..3 years of Be A Money Blogger and shocking truths about me
Hi Mi Muba,
Thanks for such a lovely and well thought-out comment.
Yea, I guess blogging is a lot like teaching.
People want you to help them understand things better, not to confuse them more than they may already be.
You do a great job of that on your blog, as well, and it really does set you apart from so many others who try to do something similar.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Blog Analytics Is Easier Than You Think
Twitter: brpraveen
February 8, 2017 at 10:30 pm #
Donna – That is an awesome read. I find your blog unique because I always end up here when I have nothing to read…isnt that something?
The blogs you have mentioned have stood out for the specific niche they stand for, and yes if you have a niche, it is always easy to find the right audience.
My blog – dailymorningcoffee is also a generic niche blog, no particular domain that I concentrate on, I hope i make it unique for my readers in the way they want it to be. Anyways, it is a nice thought to ponder and think about.
Praveen rajarao recently posted..How I’ve earned more than $100 with mPlus App
Hi Praveen,
You will make your blog unique by interjecting your own personality and style, no matter what topics you cover or subjects you write about.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Infographics – The Best Way To Boost Your Blog
Donna.
I got here from a link from one of my favourite bloggers.
I have been working on my new blog and I am now revisiting sites I have found when
I started out years back.
I found that there a number of words that seem to sum what you are saying about being unique.
Niche being one, but you can also be unique within your niche .
I prefer to think that I am a brand and I am branding myself. Or being unique in my own niche.
I looked at many niches and most where large and saturated.
One niche was health, I thought it was to we’ll dominated and dismissed it.
But by chance have now found myself working and blogging in that niche.
But my own little niche is just a very small part of the health niche.
Something I had not considered enough.
I have not had chance to read more of your blog but I will be back for more.
Thanks for gathering it all together.
Ian