7 Things Influencers Need to Stop Doing
We all want to be productive, prolific content creators. The truth is there’s always more that we could be doing… if only we had the time!
We talk a lot about to-do lists: managing them, organizing time, blocking them, and so on. That’s helpful, of course, but it isn’t everything. Why? Because, again, there’s only so much time! So, to be more efficient, let’s chop some things off that list!
Consider this your to-don’t list!
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Your journey and your story are yours and yours alone! Sure, you might covet the huge follower number of so-and-so Instagram star, you know what? They might be green-eyed over your engaged Facebook audience. Stay true to you, and don’t worry about what anyone else is doing!
Don’t jump on every bandwagon.
There’s a new platform or tool around every corner. Don’t spread yourself thin by trying to adopt them all. Instead, figure out what truly serves you and your audience, and stick with those. The next-best-thing might not be it!
Don’t try to be everything to everyone.
You’ll make yourself crazy trying to keep everyone happy. Be authentic to you and your values. Tell your story. The people who need you will find you and stick around.
Don’t sacrifice your integrity.
Even though many of us don’t write about ourselves and focus solely on our pets, the truth is… we are all our own brand. Sure, my readers might recognize Emmett’s face before mine, but it’s my integrity on the line when I choose which campaigns to apply for or which causes to cover. No matter how much fame or fortune is on the table, at the end of the day, it’s really your integrity you’re selling. Make sure you pick opportunities that align with your values.
Don’t be afraid to speak up.
If it’s a cause you believe in, a product you love, a training technique you stand behind, don’t be afraid to write about it wholeheartedly! The fear of what others might say shouldn’t guide your hand. Speaking of which…
Don’t take trolls personally.
No matter what you write, someone somewhere has something negative to say about it, and the internet gives ‘em all the voice to say it. Trust that it’s not you. It’s them. (Here’s some more help for handling trolls.)
Don’t give up time with your pets to work on your blog.
We can’t manufacture time. That’s true for time to get all our work done and time with our families. Whether it’s your after-work play session with your cat or your morning walk with your dog, don’t skimp on those activities to put more time in at the keyboard. You can squeeze in a few minutes of work other times: your daily commute, your lunch break, the midnight oil. (True story: My grad school adviser wrote his entire first book in 15-minute chunks riding the bus to and from work each day.) The work will always be there. That time with your furries is time you can’t get back.
What is one thing YOU want to stop doing today? How can we support you in that effort?
Maggie Marton serves as the BlogPaws senior editor. When not hiking with her two pit mixes, Emmett and Cooper, or playing with Newt the Cat, Maggie writes about them (and the pet industry) at ohmydogblog.com and maggiemarton.com.
Images: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
