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The Difference Between You and Darren Rowse
August 19, 2008
So, you want to be the next Problogger huh?
Well, I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but you can’t.
You’re too late. That throne has been sat on. Get over it!
Now, of course we can all blog professionally, but we can’t all be a Problogger.
Want to know the difference between you and Darren Rowse?
He’s big, you’re small; he’s right, you’re wrong; he’s him, you’re you–and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Please don’t take that statement literally–thanks!
In all reality, you can’t be what you’re not, so why not try and be yourself.
Instead of trying to be the next Problogger why not try and be the next flying llama fish?
You’d really be surprised at the results you’ll get. What’s crazy is you might even attract readers! Even get a comment or two–really!
Be yourself . . . is what I’m trying to say, because that my friends is the difference between you and Darren Rowse.
Thrown?
Thanks for pointing that out Thomas–I meant throne.
Augh, center-align!
Also, “throne” is the word for the chair kings sit on, not “thrown”.
that said, i agree, we are not worthy
@TS - Yes, thank you. Sorry about the center-align; I thought it was the best display for the homepage and because it’s so short in length–it’s the shortest and only post with center-align in the entire site.
“Instead of trying to be the next Problogger why not try and be the next flying llama fish?”
Fair point. Flying LlamaFish is my brother. But, I’d add to this great piece, why not try being like Bamboo Forest?
Agreed, one must carve their own path. It’s better than competing against trails that have already be tread and are well maintained. But, without question, there are still trails to be created that pass through magnificent scenery. Such new trails will unquestionably attract throngs of people!
@Bamboo - Ah, how nice of you to stop by. Yes, you both are great examples of what I’m trying to explain in this post. You both have carved paths of your own, and I must say I dearly enjoy reading your blog!
Creativity and innovation is key!
Great advice!
While I strongly believe that there’s always more room in for fresh voices in every blogging niche and it’s never impossible to make progress by imitating others - I do agree with your main sentiment in this post - being yourself and growing your blogging in a unique direction is usually going to take you further than modeling yourself on another person.
I’ll definitely not take ‘He’s big, you’re small; he’s right, you’re wrong; he’s him, you’re you–and there’s nothing you can do about it.’ literally
@Flying Llamafish - Thanks!
@Darren - Yes, that definitely is the way to go. I’ve come to find thinking “outside of the box” works best when it comes to the blogosphere, and you certainly are the poster child for such innovation! Thanks for stopping by!
Yep, I agree totally as you probably know. There is no point in trying to duplicate…you can learn from others and adapt it to your situation, but trying to be another Darren, or Luis, or anyone else will prove to be not worth it in the long run.
It’s true. If you imitate others, you will never get anywhere, or at least not very far. It’s the original voices that blare the loudest and therefore travel the furthest.
People try to chase down some magic potion for blazing fast success and copy and stea,l thinking they will get it quicker that way. If you do get it, you may gain a little popularity, and maybe even make a little money, but it will be short-lived more often than not.
Wouldn’t it feel better paying your dues, and gaining success, knowing that you stuck to your guns and did it your way with your own ideas?
It’s crucial to gain knowledge from the successful ones that you admire, but just make sure to implement that into “your own thing”.
@Writer Dad: Nice quote.
Cheers Luis!
Jay
@Normal Joe - Well put Joe. Finding ones true self is what works and replicating others is what doesn’t.
@Writer Dad - And far they will travel. With you only having your blog for 4-5 weeks (I think it is?) and averaging 30+ comments already, you’re living proof of that as well Writer Dad — My best goes out to you!
@Suite J - I absolutely agree. And if there ever was some magic potion I think John Chow used it all up.
The innovators, dreamers, and pioneers are the groups to follow. I agree 1000% with this post. One thing I’ve noticed in my SHORT blogging career is the over abundance of people running the same old game and selling the same old lines. I don’t read many blogs regularly because of this. This is a good one.
Talk to you soon
T
You should write about the over crowded Make Money Online Niche..
I swear.. if I find one more of those blogs being created..
Some of them aren’t bad.. They show you a decent earnings for a month ($1000+)
but most of them haven’t even made $100 and they are preaching about how much they know and will practically beg for your subscription..
Then once you’ve subscribed they will bombard you with RSS ads and sponsored posts..
Ugh.
Good post though, I fully agree that Problogger is much more established than smaller blogs and to try to be yourself
Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Helps last blog post..Sunday Review: Blaze Media Pro
@Brad - I agree. The MMO niche is way too saturated. Even though this site can fall under that category, I’d like to think this blog separates itself from the rest — of course I’ll let the content do the talking on the one —
Thanks, and yes, everyone should try and be more like themselves, instead of more like the top-ranking blogs. Thanks for reading!
Very true. In the end you’ve just got to do what only you can do.
There are just so many of these make money blogs. They all seem to have tips, how to guides. They are useful, but it seems the market is saturated (and probably was a while a go).
The trick is to write stuff that’s informative and interesting and also unique. I’d say the best policy is to just write what you enjoy, so that the process is fun regardless. If the money flows, great. If not, no problem.
It’s true that you can duplicate the methods used by Darren but you certainly can’t duplicate the kind of success he has, yet many fail to see the difference. Interesting insight.
Yan