13 Tips for Fitness Blogging Success
Blogging
I get e-mails on a weekly basis asking me about ways to break into the fitness writing industry. It's a little amusing to say the least - I absolutely loathed English throughout high school, and if you would've told me that I would be paid at any point in my life for my writing, I probably would've laughed in your face.
With that being said, when it comes to writing I'm still no Adam Bornstein, Adam Campbell, Lou Schuler or Sean Hyson. I am simply a guy who enjoys teaching people about my passion - fitness.
Over the past few years, here are a few facts about my writing and website:
- I've written well over 100 articles (I'm too lazy to count them all, so this is probably on the low-side).
- I've been blogging since 2006.
- My blog has grown from ~50 hits per day to one that gets anywhere from 800-1000 hits per day.
- My newsletter list has doubled in the past year and a half! (And no, it's not from 10 to 20)
I don't say any of this to blow sunshine up my rear end, or to make people believe I've become some sort of prolific writer. Instead, what I can offer are some tips and tricks to help you write successfully and grow your blog.
What I'm noticing is that while blogs are currently all the rage, the divide between the good and the bad is growing rapidly. The ones that follow the principles below grow on a consistent basis; others die a painful death in cyber space, never to be heard from again.
With that being said, here are 13 tips to help you become a better fitness blogger in 2010.
1. Content is still king.
Regardless of what techy people will tell you, great content will keep coming back to your website time-and-again.
Sure search engine optimization and great headlines will help, but if you're not providing great content, people will quickly stop visiting your site. There's nothing worse than a great headline followed up with sub-par content. NOTHING.
2. Keep it (primarily) positive.
Nobody likes a downer. If the entire mood of your blog is negative, people will eventually stop showing up.
Now, don't confuse this with being soft! If you're passionate about something, let it be known. I try to be as positive as possible, but sometimes things I see in the industry flat out piss me off. The goal, then, is to not just complain about what's wrong, but to provide solutions that you feel are more appropriate. Don't leave people hanging.
3. Use spell and grammar check.
Remember that whole thing about not being great at English?
Luckily for me, they invented computers!
I write all my newsletters and articles in Microsoft Word, putting them through spell and grammar checking before they see the light of day. Sure, thing will slip through from time-to-time, but this simple yet effective tip will keep your posts looking tidy and professional.
4. Keep it fresh.
It's imperative that you work to keep your blog fresh. Consistently blogging about the same thing, or writing in the same way over and over, gets boring very quickly.
The easiest way to avoid this is to keep learning. If you're consistently reading articles and books, listening to Podcasts, and attending seminars, fresh content will never be an issue.
5. Use multiple writing styles.
This goes hand-in-hand with my previous point - by constantly changing or tweaking your writing style, you help keep your posts fresh and informative.
I'm sure there's some fancy term for this in the writing world, but I try and mix it up - sometimes I use stories, other times a Q&A format, and when all else fails, old-fashioned direct content gets the job done.
Try a host of different styles and see what works best for you.
6. The rule of 50+ blogs.
I have a rule that works well for many beginning bloggers and fitness writers - write a minimum of 50 blogs before you try and get an article published.
There's nothing magical about the number 50, but if you take the time to write 50 or more blogs, you have taken the time to find your creative "voice" and put it to work for you. As well, you have an idea of the creative process that goes into writing; at that point in time an article is really just a more in-depth blog post.
7. To niche or not to niche?
This is a huge question - it's not really a question of whether or not to niche yourself, rather, it's how niche do you want to be?
For instance, I consider myself in the very broad niche of fitness. I write about anatomy, fat loss, strength training, corrective exercise, etc. It may not be ideal from a marketing or sales perspective, but it helps me deal with my ADD a bit!
On the other hand, there are people that are very niche - for instance, fat loss experts who write solely about the many facets of fat loss.
You don't have to decide immediately, but if there's a topic you consider yourself to be strong in, start blogging on that topic first and foremost. From there, you can either work to dominate your niche, or expand your horizons.
8. Develop trust with your readers.
This is an important (albeit often forgotten) point.
It's human nature to want to trust each other. Many fitness bloggers make that hard, as their feelings and/or message tend to sway to-and-fro depending on what products they are currently pimping and promoting.
I have a strict rule, as many of my readers are also personal friends on Facebook and family members: If I wouldn't recommend the product to a friend or family member, I won't promote it. Period. I made this mistake once before with a product I wasn't 100% behind, and it will never happen again.
It's not easy, and it won't make you rich (at least not overnight!), but always put your readers' thoughts and needs first and foremost. If you do this, you'll never have a shortage of people checking your blog.
9. Did I mention content?
Yes, it really is that important.
Taking it one step further, I'm constantly reminded of a quote from Jim Rohn on the topic of sharing knowledge and wealth:
"If your glass is full, the only wall to add something more is to pour something out."
If you really want to help people out, keep teaching them things. I don't view my knowledge as proprietary or "secret." The only hold-up is that there's only so much content/information you can get across in a blog post. The logical hierarchy then becomes this:
Blog Post --> Article --> Manual, DVD or Seminar Topic
If something is really large in scope, it's no longer a simple blog post. To try and reduce it to such would be a disservice.
The goal, then, is to pair the message with the correct medium.
10. Read other great blogs.
There are two sure-fire ways to improve your writing skills:
1 - To write often (more on this later), and
2 - To read other peoples' blogs.
There are more than a dozen fitness blogs I read every single-day. Each and every one has a unique message, writing style, and niche they are catering to. Not only does this keep me chock-full of writing ideas, but it also inspires me to keep getting better myself.
Here are a few of my favorites; be sure to add them to your Favorites if you haven't already:
- Eric Cressey
- Alwyn Cosgrove
- Bill Hartman
- Leigh Peele
- Tony Gentilcore
- The FitCast
- TJ Lensch (aka TJ the Intern)
- Dan John
- Michael Boyle
- Robert "Dos" Remedios
- Chase Karnes
- Nate Green
11. Stay consistent with your message.
As the saying goes, "Consistency is key." It's no different in writing, but let's look at a prime example.
If you're a low-carb advocate one second, and a low-fat advocate the next, you need to be able to explain why you changed stances. If it's simply to make money or pimp a product, that's a problem.
This isn't to say that you can't change your mind - for instance, I've radically changed my thoughts on core training over the past 10 years. The goal with writing is to develop and espouse your philosophy; if you change your mind, why did you do it? Can you support it with research AND practical evidence? If so, that makes for great content and shows you're willing to change your stance in light of compelling or more complete information.
If you're doing something simply to pimp a product or create controversy, however, it's going to be difficult to see consistent success in ANY endeavor.
12. Stay current.
While I briefly mentioned this above, you have to stay current. Go to seminars, read books and articles, listen to Podcasts, etc.
If you're writing about things that were discussed five years ago, you're not going to do well. Blogging as a whole is successful because it satisfies people wneed for here and now information. If you're spewing thoughts that are old or outdated, it's simply not going to work.
Staying on the cutting edge of the information curve is critical to developing and maintaining a successful blog.
13. Keep writing!
Possibly the most important point of them all, keep writing!
Just like the first time you baked a cake, mowed the yard, or wrote a training program, the first time is never perfect. In fact, it's never perfect no matter how many times you try!
The goal, however, isn't perfection - it's the pursuit of perfection that's important (thanks Lexus!).
With each blog you write, you'll get better. Your vocabulary will increase, your style will improve, and your message will become more concise and direct. Whatever you do, if you have a message to convey, don't stop writing!
So this very short blog post has turned into quite the ordeal. What about you guys? Any tips from the fitness bloggers out there that I might have missed or overlooked?
Have a great New Year!
MR
Comments on This Entry
Posted by Mark Young at 08:06AM on December 31, 2009
Hey Mike,
The only things I might add are:
- Keep your font sizes reasonable. I don't know about you, but I hate reading text when every second line is in giant bold letters.
- Break up your posts into small paragraphs and/or use subheads. This makes the conent look more appealing to read instead of a page of solid text.
- Include pictures. As mentioned above, a page of straight text isn't going to make many people want to read your stuff. Just add a couple pictures to capture (and recapture) people's interest.
Posted by Dave at 08:21AM on December 31, 2009
Nice post! I was pleasantly surprised. I think the most important point (other obvious technicalities) is finding your "creative voice". There's a lot of information out there, and a lot of knowledgable people out there that say a lot of the same things. So, what sets your blog apart from the rest? It's going to be your writing style and how you get your point across.
Now, time for me to get myself on YOUR list. ;-)
Posted by Leigh Peele at 10:12AM on December 31, 2009
Writing and blogging is such a fascinating challenge for me.Writing for me is like being stuck in quicksand during a foot race. It is very hard work and a constant struggle, but the payoff is worth it.
Great stuff Mike.
Posted by ddn at 11:33AM on December 31, 2009
3. Use spell and grammar check.
But it still can't save you from writing the wrong word.
> Luckily for me, they invited computers!
Posted by Mike Robertson at 11:40AM on December 31, 2009
@Mark - Absolutely agree on all fronts. BTW, you have a great blog too - I knew I would forget someone! ;)
@Dave - For sure, creative voice is HUGE!
@Leigh - You've improved immeasurably. I think we're in the same boat here; writing isn't our strong suit.
@DDN - Edited - I knew someone would find something...
Posted by Rafe at 11:47AM on December 31, 2009
As someone coming up on my first anniversary at the blog linked off of my name (warning: lots of four-letter words, strong opinions, and workout summaries), I may or may not be exhibiting or breaking many of the behaviors Nate lists here. Then again, it's a personal blog slash online training log, so it's less pertinent there.
On the decidedly more professional one (www.shrinkgeek.con, going live with a redesign tomorrow), my co-conspirators and I are taking a much more professional approach to things; this has also been the case when each of us, individually, worked as professional bloggers and columnists else-web.
One other thing I would definitly add is, especially if you're expressing anything more substantial than opinions or personal experience/perspective items, is to include links and citations, and credit sources who may have turned you onto a topic or a particular article. People pay attention to who links to them when it generates traffic, so it's good manners and may result in developing some good link-buddies, professional contacts, or even friendships.
Posted by nr at 11:53AM on December 31, 2009
Doesn't get much more ironic than #3, great content though
Posted by Renee DeLano at 05:37AM on January 01, 2010
You have a very nice blog, I enjoyed reading it, thanks for the tips! Michael Boyle posted your link on facebook, so I gave it a shot! Great content and I loved your Lexus quote at the end! Keep on blogging!! Renée DeLano
Posted by Warren at 06:29AM on January 01, 2010
Top post Mike, I especially agree with the point about products. I won't recommend anything I haven't had success with myself.
Posted by Mike at 06:43AM on January 01, 2010
Mike,
This was a great read for me. After devoting endless hours to getting my facility up and running the way I want it run and renovating it to make it bigger, I want to put some more energy into sharing what has been working for our athletes as well as business men and women who train at our facility. This year I am determined to make more of a presen ce online by writing religiously in my blog. The tips you wrote about were great so thanks.
Mike
www.hanleystrength.com
Posted by Tony M at 07:04AM on January 01, 2010
Excellent tips for any blogger, not just fitness. Mike, theres one thing about your blog that is pushing me away and thats your font size is really small, like 10 point. You're a great writer and I would hate for you to lose readers because of squinting. :)
@Mike - HanleyStrength - You're right on track with that blog. Keeping it local, a place to talk about your business will work awesome for you. Not only will search engines find you more, but you'll develop a more community feel within your facility.
Posted by Niel at 10:50AM on January 02, 2010
I like how you use the word "pimp" instead of advertise, ha.
One of the things I do is that any time I get an idea that may be good for a blog post, I type a quick sentence about it in notepad and save. Keeps me on point for making sure to have fresh and new posts. It also helps with keeping track of all the topics I've done or haven't done in one document file.
More than anything though, proofreading goes a long way for me.
Posted by Mike Robertson at 01:12PM on January 02, 2010
Thanks for the kind words everyone!
And Tony, I'll talk to my web guy about the font size. There's got to be something he can do about that!
Thanks again!
MR
Posted by Tom at 09:26PM on January 02, 2010
Mike,
Unless you have a lot of time or your life if less complicated, what is so great about this blogging?
R U getting paid by some website or some blog watcher that rewards you with how many hits your blog gets?
What reward do you get, unless your folks that visit your blog are your clients or future clients?
How is your time being leveraged properly if you don't get paid for being a fitness blogger?
Please advise or explain your rationale..........I believe the blogging, twitter, myspace, etc...are just making us slaves to technology and doesn't mean you are a legitimate published fitness guy, it just means you have all your other fitness bloggers publishing what you right or they are all part of the inner circle at Men's Health, Men's Fitness, etc...right?
Please advise or explain if what I am saying is off base.
Posted by Rafe at 10:05PM on January 02, 2010
@Tom: What Mike prefaced this whole list with is what you've overlooked.
"I get e-mails on a weekly basis asking me about ways to break into the fitness writing industry."
This is simply advice for people who wish to *become* professional writers. You don't walk into a hospital and become a doctor - you study and practice medicine first. You don't put on sneakers and become a marathon runner instantly - you put in the time to train.
Unless you're exceptionally gifted and lucky, you need to practice, and in the world of online writing, that means blogging, or keeping a journal, or some similar thing.
Blogging, as an unpaid writer, is a way to hone your craft so that when you want to present yourself to someone who is looking to hire a writer, you've got the skills and polish to land the paying gig. Plus, it gives you a ready-made body of work, not unlike a visual artist's portfolio, that you can present to a potential employer.
Speaking from personal experience here, that's *exactly* the way I got a job writing about computer gaming for one of AOL's subsidiaries. There are people who know more about video games or computer parts than I do, but I write better than they do ... because I've been doing it on my own for years.
As far as "what's so great about it," there's pride of craftsmanship, and maybe somebody out there will happen upon something you've written and it might resonate with them and change their life, even if it's just "Oh, so THAT's how you do a Turkish Get-Up." Writing might be a hobby, and it's probably easier to keep an online journal or blog than it would to do one the old fashioned way, with a Composition Book and pen.
Posted by Rob sinnott at 02:41PM on January 08, 2010
Mike,
Thanks for the list and happy new year. I have only been blogging since summer of 2008 and I can definitely see a difference in how I convey my thoughts to my readers. I started out by ranting in sentence fragments about training styles or people that would irritate me, blended in with knowledge gained or used with my current coaching (high school football), volunteering (collegiate s&c staff), school (masters degree), or my own training programs.
I now include all of those components, but also post videos I feel are encouraging, links and quotes from the other blogs I read, and successful client milestones.
I am also never scared to ask questions from the people's blogs I read. thanks for all the info, look'n forward to reading what you have to say in 2010.
Rob
Posted by bryan Krahn at 11:55AM on January 14, 2010
Hey Mike,
Bryan from TMUSCLE here. Great blog, and it dovetails nicely with that kick-ass podcast you did with our mutual friend, Lou Schuler.
I'm adding your blog to that must-read list I have that prevents me from doing any real work.
Bryan
Posted by Coach B Meyer at 06:33AM on January 19, 2010
Keep being positive and you love what you do that is for sure. Nice to see someone putting great effort into their field. Best of luck in 2010.
Posted by Glenn Harris at 08:51AM on January 28, 2010
Mike,
I really enjoyed your post. As you said in #10 "Read Other Blogs" and #12 "Stay Current," I think that it is extremely important for professionals in our industry to continually educate ourselves. Attending seminars & conferences, reading the literature, and learning from others are all extremely important for anyone and everyone in our field. Thanks for the great information.
Glenn
Posted by Coach B Meyer at 12:02PM on January 28, 2010
You give information for people to use that day. Its nice to find a small group of people who you feel @ home with discussions. Open minded to get better in what we do.
Posted by mike g at 10:43AM on July 27, 2010
Great Blog thanks!