What You Think You Are May Not Be the Same as What Others Think You Are
I’ve had the same conversation, with 3 separate people, on 3 separate occasions, over the past week.
Two of the conversations were with people working on the intertubes, one with a meatspace company.
The conversation centered on what you think you’re doing, versus what your customers or audience thinks you’re doing.
Then today, I got tagged by Chris Garrett with his newly birthed “What is Your Blog About Really?” meme.
Now, as I’ve said before, I tend to stay away from memes, because the majority of them are just link-swaps or for bloggers who blog about blogging.
But this is one of those rare memes that does provide value. It allows me to discover what you think this blog is about.
This site has evolved over its life based on the feedback I’ve received. So this is a great opportunity to learn from the point of view that counts most — yours — about what it has become.
It’s also something I feel all businesses should do frequently — online or off. Hence the 3 conversations in the past week. Plus, when something appears on your radar that frequently, you need to address it.
So Tell Me…
What do you think this blog is about?
And After You Answer That…
Go ask your audience (or customers) what they think your site (or business) is about.
It can be one of the most important questions you’ll ask.
I think this blog is about success.
You say your site is for home-based entrepreneurs, but it’s not that limited. I’m not an entrepreneur and am still a regular reader. I think Tanner’s description is closer.
It’s funny you mentioned this on the day when I have been trying to figure out what my particular ‘niche’ is. I am going to do exactly as you stated….just ask my readers. This is my first visit to your blog so I am not sure what it is about…but at first glance I would say that it is mainly about working from home…which again is odd…because, although I am a college professor and always plan on being one until they say I am too old….I have recently begun contemplating venturing into a sideline business that I can operate from home. Glad I found you….I think it was through LifeRemix…
Chilean yak farming, what else?
What a silly question, sheesh…
Actually Tony, I think I was one of those people on the phone, so you know my thoughts.
Tanner and Jean – I try to make it reach to a broader audience — and my focus is success. Nice to know it’s working
Danielle – Welcome. I’m glad you found me.
Brian – Not yak farming — goat farming. Google “what to expect from goat farming” (no quotes) and check out who ranks (keywords are fun!).
What I love about your blog is that, while I can see that it’s geared towards home-based businesses, what you write about is totally relevant to other forms of business too. I started reading when I was starting up my personal assistant business, but now I’m working on a project to create a nonprofit organization, and I continue to be inspired by your posts.
I agree with Tanner and Jean – your blog is about being successful, no matter what it is you’re trying to do! =)
First a question: What is the ‘intertubes’ and what is a ‘meatspace company’?
Your blog obviously seems to be about entrepeneurship and working from home. But it is more than that. I find that it is a good mix between the humor and the reality of pursuing personal dreams.
You manage to be simultaneously pragmatic and playful.
This blog is about realizing the dream of working successfully from home with the stability needed to satisfy your family and live through the leaner times of work, should there be any.
You started the journey, have grown in it, and are passing on great insights for helping others do the same.
You may talk about a lot of business, life, personal improvement things, but they all have the central theme.
Sarah – Success principles are pretty universal, and though I do focus on the home-based approach, most will be relevant to any success track.
Gerhi – I could take your question as a philosophical one, since there is little separation between the two these days — but my guess is you want to know what I meant
. By “intertubes” I mean all the pieces of the internets — which are really a series of tubes. “Meatspace” refers to businesses that aren’t internet-based.
Jesse – That’s true. One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that success is made up of all the areas of your life.
I think this blog is about organizing yourself for success — the niche is the micropreneur but your wise insights would apply to anyone. My business blog has been going since 12/2006 and I still haven’t figured out what it is really about….
Your blog is about cartoons, of course – oh you write too
Seriously, I think this blog is about growth – professional and personal. There’s a large number of them out there but I’ll tell you why I continually come back here. It sounds authentic. It is a buffet and not a catering service. You lay out what you know and allow us to sample and take what we will. You don’t take popular thought and force feed it. Funny, relevant, and real.
Now, as Chris Cree would say – I must go noodle on your question – it’s a good one.
I was going to say, “I just like the pictures”.
But seriously, Success From the Nest provides me with motivation and new ideas. I always look forward to seeing a new entry in Google Reader from this site. Now if I can just figure out exactly what my blog is……..
Meredith – Thanks. It’s nice to know I’m reaching a broader audience.
April – Authenticity is very important to me. I’m glad it comes through — or maybe I’m just a good a faker
Anthony – Come for the cartoons, stay for the insights
So, what is Copyblogger about to you? What’s the first topic that pops in your head when you think of this joint?
posted on Copyblogger 17 of agust
So Tell Me…
What do you think this blog is about?
posted on Successfromthenest 15 of agust!
Cool man, you lead the heard
Thor, what’s even more amazing, we both link to Chris Garrett’s post on the same topic that was published even earlier.
I smell a conspiracy…