Long Beach California USA
I cannot control Google.
I cannot control X.
No way can I control Facebook.
LinkedIn? Fat chance.
Nor can I control blogs I do not own. I learned that years ago after publishing over 1000 guest posts to one blog that disappeared overnight as the site changed hands. Ouch. Lesson learned though. That one stung. But it forced me to control the one aspect of blogging that I can control: my blog.
Bloggers can control self-hosted blogs because if you own it you call the shots.
I call the shots at Blogging From Paradise Dot Com. I run the show. I set the algorithm. I lay down the blogging law by establishing the rules.
No algorithm exists on my blog. I prevent commenting, disallow guest blogging and build no email list here to look past outside influences. Why? My message is my message. I control that fully. I cannot control the thousands of spam comments formerly generated on my blog. No way in hell can I control guest post submissions back in the days of guest blogging on BFP. I cannot control who signs up for my list nor can I control their motive.
However, I can control anything I do here because it is:
- my blog
- my message
- my intent
How does that help you?
Readers get one clear, consistent message and nothing else because my creative control says so.
What About Google?
I cannot control Google because I do not own the site.
Lacking control, I let it go as a traffic source well over a decade ago. The search engine giant appeared to be volatile for me. I did not like the algorithm changes. I also felt like the Big G could sell out at any moment because the bigger you get the more you need to earn profits and gain popularity to make shareholders happy.
Sure enough, the top results on page 1 became AI-generated deals a while back. Is there a better way to sell out?
Think it through guys. Google claims that using something that does not exist is a better source of information than human being bloggers with:
- empathy
- compassion
- personal stories
- a vast warehouse of detailed experience
- a wide range of knowledge on a specific topic
Do you realize how silly that sounds?
Google chooses something artificial over highly experienced, skilled bloggers to spit out information for its users.
No thanks.
Do you see why I gave up on Google over a decade ago?
I control nothing over there.
How About Facebook X and LinkedIn?
Do I need to even bother explaining how tumultuous the algorithms on Facebook and X have become?
Billionaire social media owners ultimately need to make profits. Users come second. Profits come first.
Attempting to control that environment is madness.
LinkedIn is a bit more user friendly. But as a network for professionals, most lost blogging souls over there value income over developing genuine bonds with human beings. My inbox proves it. Not too much control when dealing with that level of networker, folks.
What About Your Blog?
I can publish whatever type of content I want to on Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.
No rules shackle me here.
I never bow to algorithms here. I customize and brand my blog and business however I wish.
Doing things clearly how I want to do things offers you the optimal level of help.
For example, I can publish edgier content to get my point across in memorable fashion.
But that is just one simple example and a lil’ one at that.
I create a one of a kind experience here because I control every element of my blog. Being unique makes my blog memorable in a positive way. Being fondly remembered drives referral traffic and referral business to and through Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.
The Shackles Come off
I can only do a few specific things on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. Rules handcuff me. That is not a good look for any aspiring business owner.
On my blog, I can do whatever I please to be most truly helpful for you. You better believe this benefits you.
My X, Facebook and LinkedIn updates can and do get lost among billions of updates spawned by billions of users.
Not so with Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.
Readers bookmark my blog and check it often for new updates.
Readers load my blog to their Feedly.
I know this because I do not email a list anymore yet readers share my content on X and Facebook *before* I share new blog posts on X and Facebook.
I tap the “publish” button, do no promoting for a bit, and within 30-60 minutes, when I do share new blog posts to X and Facebook, my loyal tribe has already visited, read and shared new blog posts to X and Facebook.
I compete with no one for attention here. Of course I don’t; it’s my site!
Few bloggers display this level of posture. Goodness knows I struggled for a bit to gain confidence in this regard.
We usually bow down to the Google and social media gods, believing we need them more than we need our blog to access billions. But that is not so.
How about developing the posture to build your blog into a trusted resource that readers bookmark, follow and share to drive referral traffic and referral business?
Makes sense, no?
Control to Succeed
Control your path.
Run everything to and through your blog.
Prioritize your blog over marketing channels.
Look closely at those marketing channels.
Did Google prioritize Facebook or Google?
Did X prioritize Google or X?
Think a little more like these guys and less like a blogger with a begging bowl.
If you control everything on your blog it makes sense to do most work on your site.
Frame marketing channels as secondary because you own and control nothing there.
Facebook kicks asses off site with alarming ease.
I got kicked off of Threads 3 times before putting it in my rear view window.
Do I need Threads?
Or should I build Blogging From Paradise Dot Com first and foremost?
What do I control?
What is the wise choice?
Conclusion
Give precedence to what you control.
Prioritize your blog.
Call the shots.
Succeed by establishing posture.
Blogging Resources
