It’s an agonizing process, starting something new. Just like I agonized over the right steps to take when I launched Little Red Suit, I’ve been agonizing over every detail of launching this blog for a few months.
I wanted to learn from my success and experiences at LRS and make even better choices this time, choices that allow more flexibility and longevity.
I still don’t have it all exactly figured out. So, I’ve been trying to navigate all the ins and outs. Working, waiting, tweaking. Because I really, really want to do things perfectly. But really, if I’m honest with myself, I can see that perfect, totally, completely perfect, isn’t possible. Yes, I can listen to the research and follow advice and listen to all the various opinions of others. True, I can ignore what they think and do what feels right for me.
But, the truth is, there’s no formula for this. There’s not really a three-step-guide to launching a new blog and what to do with your old one. There’s no guarantees one way or the other that things will go better or worse – no matter what decisions I make or why. There are no answers.
There is, however, lots and lots of fear. Fear of not knowing, fear of making a mistake, fear of starting over, all different sorts of fear.
But recently, I’ve realized that fear doesn’t have to make me powerless. Because I have something now that I didn’t have when I did this the first time around. Something more powerful than fear, something life-changing and inspiring and useful.
And that thing is relationships. Relationships with people who engage with my ideas, who interact and comment and think alongside me, who share opportunities and cheer me on. And that’s the beauty of this blogging thing. That it builds those fabulous relationships.
That’s why I’m here now, writing about Personal PR – to explore the metaphor of PR in relationship building. Because I truly believe that relationships are the most powerful things in this life. And I’m convinced that building relationships is the best way to build a successful career. I’m absolutely passionate about blogging as one of the most effective tools in building those relationships.
So, welcome to my new blog. Please subscribe to the new RSS feed, comment, and let me know what you think. Thanks for coming on this journey with me. I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation with you here.
Hi Tiffany, it is most definitely all about relationships. ‘Cos I found you from a comment you left with my friend Liz and I thought that sounds like someone I want to go and get to know. So here I am:-)
One of the things that I love about blogging is that it allows us to be imperfect and incomplete – in our writing, in our thought processes, in the messiness of our lives – indeed that we generate more powerful connections when we allow some of those warts and all to show.
Best wishes with the new blog – I’ll be back!
Joanna
Joanna,
What a great example of the power of relationships! One of the things that terrified me most when I first began blogging was how it does (or can, anyway) reflect the real us – the imperfect parts, too. But now, I’ve found, just like you said, that the vulnerability to be transparent online is what makes the relationships you can build online so genuine, so real, and so powerful.
I’m so glad you stopped by – looking forward to more from you!