Yeah! I Did It! I’ve Been Blogging For A Year…

Time Magazine Likes Me!My first post was on June 22, 2006, so that makes today my blog birthday!

Please note that I recently celebrated a birthday, and got lot’s of well-wishes. About half of those people said “happy blog birthday.” Let me clarify lest you think I’m trying to double-dip 🙂 – May 15th, 2006 was the day that I launched JibberJobber the career toolbox website. It is the place you go to manage your job search, personal network, sales prospects, etc. On June 22, 2006 I launched this blog. So today is my blog birthday. Last month was my web application birthday.

I started blogging a few weeks after I went to a Utah Bloggers Conference. I had just started JibberJobber and was really excited about the future, and “wondered what could blogging do for me?” I was very skeptical and concerned that (a) I didn’t have anything to say and (b) didn’t have the time.

I was sure I would be one of six people at the conference and was shocked to walk into a room of almost 200 people, some driving a few hours to get there. There was a panel discussion and then they opened it up for questions. I guess everyone else already knew everything, or perhaps they were too shy to ask questions, so I took the first question:

Why should I blog? I just started this business and don’t feel like I have time, or anything to say!

I don’t remember their answer but I do remember that night I resolved to blog, and to “do it right.” I took a few weeks to figure out my strategy, including:

  • How often do I post? I knew it had to be at least three times a week.
  • How long will I blog? They said that most blogs fail after 90 days. I didn’t want to start this just to fail (or quit).
  • Who am I? Was I going to be Jason the unemployed guy so I could relate with my audience (but then… what if I got a job???) or Jason the wildly successful internet entrepreneur (so you can feel safe about using JibberJobber because it isn’t going anywhere!)?

I have blogged every single workday since then. I remember I missed ONE day, when I was out of town, and I set my blog software to post a pre-written post and it didn’t. I saw the day after and was bummed because my goal was to do it every single day! Oh well, as far as I’m concerned I hit the goal.

So here’s the deal. Instead of sending me presents for what I consider a huge accomplishment, I’m going to give YOU presents. Each day next week I will (drum roll) share my blogging secrets. These are things that I’ve done or seen in the last year that I didn’t want my competition to know about. These are things that I haven’t really shared with other people. I’m not promising that anyone will be wowed but I will share some of the secret sauce. Brace yourselves for what I think will be a very, very exciting week of blogging next week!

Here is the way it rolls out (I just updated the topics and links in):

Have an excellent weekend!

24 thoughts on “Yeah! I Did It! I’ve Been Blogging For A Year…”

  1. I am impressed by the fact that you have managed to blog on a (work-)daily basis. Congratulations!

    And I look forward to a week of post with your blogging secrets.

  2. Happy birthday to you and your blog Jason. Here’s to a long life 🙂

    Secrets, you mean there are secrets to this blogging thing? Hehe, can’t wait to see them. Rock On!

  3. What was so special about 22 June 2006?

    You’re the third blogger today I have to sing:
    Happy blog-birthday to you, happy blog-birthday to you
    Happy blog-birthday, happy blog-birthday
    Happy blog-birthday to you.

    And many happy returns of the day!

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  4. Happy birthday Jason!

    And apart from appreciating the value in your blog, I also recognize from my little experience how hard it is keeping up blogging.

    Carry on producing great stuff!

    Gil

  5. Jason,

    Happy Blog Birthday. Blogging every day for a year – now that IS impressive. Keep it up – this is a great blog. You’ve got me looking forward to next week.

    Mike

  6. Jason,

    Even though I’ve been trying to follow as methodically (yet silently) as possible your insights, this time, I join the party to offer my sincere congratulations to you and Jibber Jobber. Please, keep up a marvelous and thoughtful job.

    Looking forward to email you as soon as possible.

    Mario P. Lopez, CPA

  7. Happy Birthday, Jason. You’re an inspirational example of what passion, hard work, and consistency can achieve. What a ride you’ve had — and it’s only going to get better. Congratulations!

    Deb Dib, CEO Coach and Jason Alba fan.

  8. Was going to sing the song, but got beaten to it by Darlene and Karin. So I’ll just say “Congrats and may the next Blog-year be a great one!”

  9. @everyone – thank you!! I feel loved!

    Rob, I’m not sure, maybe a blog year is only 3 months, in which case my blog really is 4 yrs old? Who knows :p

Comments are closed.