One of the most common reasons I hear from people that don’t blog or create any content at all is, “I don’t know enough.”. Is this you? If so, be prepared to proven wrong.
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What do you do?
When someone asks you, “what do you do?” What do you tell them? You probably mention something about your full-time job. Most likely, you casually tell them you’re an accountant, you work on computers or you’re in finance.
We all have something to answer that dreaded “what do you do?” question. If you can answer that question, you know enough to begin blogging.
You do something and you probably do that thing a whole lot better than the majority of the population. It might not even be your job but it could be a hobby your passionate about or those parenting tricks you’ve learned from having three kids. It doesn’t matter what it is; none of us live under a rock and do absolutely nothing.
Throughout our lives, we gain experience and learn. Whether we like it or not, we’re constantly evolving, getting better at things, discovering shortcuts and coming up with new ideas.
We All Have Skills
Whether you figured out a quicker way to down Ho Hos while binging The Sopranos or you’ve discovered a potential new cure for cancer, we all have a set of skills learned and experienced over time.
Our specific set of skills is relative to everyone else. I, for example, have been in information technology for over 20 years. I bet you dollars to doughnuts that I know a lot more about a computer than your grandma.
On the contrary, I know nothing about fashion. My idea of fashion is comfort wearing sweatpants, a T-shirt and some tattered socks. My wife on the other hand… Well, don’t get me started!
It doesn’t matter what experience and skill you have; you know more about that particular area than millions of other people. You’ve honed that skill over time on purpose or as a simple afterthought of living your life.
Humans are incapable of not learning. Our brains are constantly trying to find shortcuts and form habits around every aspect of our lives.
You do know more than your neighbor, your family, and friends about something.
But do other people care to know what you know? It depends.
Your Knowledge is Valuable
I come from technology and run a successful blog called Adam the Automator. I’ve been in the area of technology for many years.
For the first 16 years of my career, I would simply go to work, solve problems and come home like a lot of people. I didn’t think anything of this behavior because it was “normal” for my environment. Little did I know, all of that knowledge in my head had a monetary value. I just had to get it out!
I now have a published book, a successful blog, many eBooks and online training courses available. And do you know how much research I did for all of this? Probably close to 0. How? Because I knew it already!
I was preparing for all of that content my entire career. Little did I know all of those late night fixing servers and helping users with their computer were putting credits in my brain.
I guarantee I could write a dozen or more books with the knowledge in my head and I bet you can too!
Fast forward six years and I’m now trying to convince others in my community their knowledge is valuable. In fact, I’m actually paying up to $200 for an article around a topic that some writers just have in their head.
Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is defined as:
..an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. While this definition is usually narrowly applied to intelligence and achievement, it has links to perfectionism and the social context.
https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469#:~:text=Coping-,What%20Is%20Imposter%20Syndrome%3F,perfectionism%20and%20the%20social%20context.
In layman’s terms, imposter syndrome simply means you think you’re not as good as others think you are. You look around and feel that others know you’re a fraud and you’ll be found out at any time.
Imposter syndrome makes you think you shouldn’t have gotten that job promotion because you’re really not good enough or you shouldn’t start that blog because you’re obviously an idiot.
This type of thinking is obviously hugely detrimental for your life and career! Think about feeling like you’re an imposter for every activity you’re actually pretty good at. It would not only force you to not enjoy the activity as much but prevent you from getting even better.
I’m no therapist and, take it from me, I know it’s hard to be confident around others you feel are smarter than you. But at some point, it does get easier. The more you write, the easier it gets and the easier it gets, the more enjoyable the activity will become.
The Best Blog is Real
You might find websites out there that taught the “best of” this or “how to do X with Y in 5 easy steps”. Most of these blog posts are written by people that simply do 10 minutes of research and puke out a bunch of general, non-specific information.
Below is a screenshot from a quick Google search on “best tax accountant”. Now, if you’re searching for “best tax accountant”, you’re probably looking for an honest review of various tax accounting agencies.
You probably want to know where these places are located, what kind of Better Business Bureau rating they have, real reviews from the customers, and more.
You are not looking a “Here are 7 tips to find the best tax accountant” like the below screenshot. This kind of content is watered down, thin, and is obviously not written by someone “real“.
Readers want to here information from a real person that has experience in that area. They want to read about how you’re experience was. They want “real” information! Real information you can provide them if you have experience in a topic.
Get Over Yourself, You Expert
Quit him-hawing around and get over yourself. Sure, you may not be the best writer, the best presenter or a famous YouTuber; it doesn’t matter.
Everyone has to start somewhere and readers want to know your take on life, how you solve problems and what you can offer them.
