How to Work with a Blog Zombie
Feb 27, 2012 General Blogging
Posted by
Allison
It’s unavoidable; sometimes, you have to work with blog zombies (uninspired, unoriginal bloggers without passion).
Whether you’re blogging together for a client, you’re working on a project together, or some other circumstance has brought you together, it’s a frustrating situation. And if you aren’t careful, they’ll bring you down too. When you surround yourself with mediocrity, it’s hard to rise above and be excellent.
So how do you work with a blog zombie?
1. Limit how you’re tied to the person.
It might not be in your best interest to quit whatever you’re doing that requires you to work with the blog zombie, but you don’t have to tie yourself to that person forever. It’s actually not a good idea to tie yourself to anyone super closely. You never know what the future holds, and they may go on to do things you don’t like or even be involved in a scandal. So, work together but keep your distance and be your own person. A good example of this is Chris Garrett and Darren Rowse (not that either of them are blog zombies). They wrote the Problogger book together, but they each have their own individual identity online.
2. Make suggestions.
It’s not up to you to cure someone who is a blog zombie, but that doesn’t mean you can’t push a teammate to be better. Make suggestions (tactfully) on how their content could be improved. And always be open to learning. A blogger might be acting like a zombie, but that doesn’t mean they’re complete void of good ideas and smart blogging practices. You can modify their techniques to work for you in many cases.
Don’t be so arrogant that you think you have nothing to learn from another person. That is one of the signs that you’re becoming a blog zombie yourself, after all.
3. Stay challenged by other bloggers.
Again, when you’re surrounded by mediocrity, it’s pretty damn easy to get complacent. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some amazing bloggers through my work with BlogWorld, but that hasn’t always been the case. If you’re working with people who remind you of the undead, stay motivated by finding bloggers who do challenge you. In fact, go out and find the best blogger in your niche, the blogger you think does the very best job…and challenge yourself to be better. Read the blogs of others and use their knowledge and creativity to inspire you. Just because you aren’t directly working together doesn’t mean you can’t surround yourself with bloggers who make you better.
Have you ever found yourself working with blog zombies? What are your best tips for staying motivated?
Related articles
- Blogging from the Heart… But, Smart! My Chit-Chat with ProBlogger, Darren Rowse (virtualbusinesslifestyle.com)
- Five Things You Can Do RIGHT NOW To Make Blogging Better (blogzombies.com)
- 15 Wasteful Habits of Unproductive (and Unsuccessful) Part-Time Bloggers (kikolani.com)
Tags: blog content, blogging, working together, zombies are everywhere
Great article. It is frustrating when people blog without passion, verve or interest. They seem to think that they have to have a blog but then just put out half hearted content that even they wouldn't read. Well neither does the reader.
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LikeLauraC Thanks for stopping by, Laura. I think that your comment brings to mind another great point - you don't HAVE to have a blog. I'd rather a corporation or small business avoid blogging altogether than see something boring and self-promotional.
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