I’ve continued to blog 6 days a week in January after blogging for 7 days a week in December. It takes a lot of work. I spend probably 15-20 hours a week on my blog. Probably more like 30.
I do it because I love the online space. I know how to create online content. I love participating in online communities. I have some design abilities. I can write code.
What I’d like some help brainstorming is how to create something using these skills. I do that on this blog which is great because it’s like a sandbox where I can experiment with design and video creation and writing. It’s great to have the freedom to do whatever I want here and have the interaction of blog readers.
I have a strong feeling that I could also do something that I could monetize. I’ve looked at many ideas including the following people who have taken various sets of skills and created an online space for themselves and might provide some ideas for what I could do too.
Chris Pearson, creator of Thesis
On this site, I use the WordPress theme called Thesis which is more like a framework than a theme. Chris went to college to be a mechanical engineer and he was miserable in his job so he quit and then worked to figure out what he should be doing next. He ended up designing a framework for WordPress which is sold to lots of bloggers like me who want something that looks polished. He has a unique set of skills in that he is a great programmer but also has an eye for design, particularly with typography. He also happens to be a very good writer and wrote this article about becoming an entrepreneur that I really love.
iJustine, Internet celebrity
I’ve mentioned iJustine before because I love her but she was basically a graphic designer with the ability to create good videos (including extensive editing, shooting the raw footage, recording audio) who became am Internet star. This business model relies heavily on her personality paired with her technical and design skills to succeed. Video: interview with iJustine
Alan Taylor, creator of Boston Globe’s The Big Picture
Alan is a programmer who put together the concept of The Big Picture, the fantastic photo blog, and proposed the concept. Since he is a programmer and not a journalist, the concept wasn’t easily approved. Eventually they accepted it and he has been updating it 5 days a week ever since. He does it as a side project and spends 2-3 hours on each post. Interview with Alan Taylor
Me
So now I’m trying to figure out what *I* could do. I feel like there’s something on the horizon. Help me figure out what it is.
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Hey Shannon,
You gave some extraordinary examples.
I watched that iJustine interview and it’s awesome to know that she films on a point-and-shoot. So many people get caught up with useless junk instead of just taking action.
As far as helping you brainstorm: there are a few ways to go about it, but one way is to find a market and see how you can give them what they want.
Chris Pearson learned people wanted a Wordpress theme that was great for SEO, easy to use, and easily customizable. It was a ready made market and the success of Thesis is proof of that.
YouTube success seems to be similar. All of the popular YouTube producers fill a niche in entertainment. A common trait is that they take the time to produce quality videos on a consistent basis. Much like successful bloggers.
So the question is, what is the cross-section of a ready made market that you’d like to serve with your particular set of skills?
☛ Karol Gajda´s last blog post: [Video] Location, Productivity, and Happiness
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Hmmmm…….you’ve got the techy stuff down. And, I know you love the interwebs……I’ll be brainstorming.
☛ Casey´s last blog post: Hot And Handy
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I’m brain dead. And of no use. But I will continue to brainstorm. I love iJustine. I now love to say INVENTORYYYY like she does. Awesome.
☛ Sass´s last blog post: Heidi Tells People Magazine She’s Addicted to Plastic Surgery. Really? We Couldn’t Tell.
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I don’t know you very well as of late but, I picture you in charity organization. Perhaps started and run as a company where you help/ inspire women. Giving would give you joy. It doesn’t have to be non-profit just a Robin Hood sort of endeavor. Where you gave the rich what they want or need and give to needy. This is broad I know, but like auction site sales of things people or celebs will give you and then you can have help desk on your site for resources for whatever cause your helping. I am rambling and finding it hard to explain what I am thinking. Maybe it will jog something in your mind and maybe its way bigger project than you were thinking.
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