All those who are passionate for everything about blogging, the very famous and loved blog "Men With Pens" is no new to them. But who are new here in this blogging world, let me introduce you to "Men With Pens". It is an established, recognized and reputed web design and copywriting agency that aims to help you grow your business from zero to hero in quite a short time.
They provide you with a wide span of online marketing services like world class web design, a compelling web copy, online business consultants, E-book design and many more. It covers all the important aspects of a business. Men With Pens comprises team of a number of specialized experts that helps you achieving your goals.
They provide you with a wide span of online marketing services like world class web design, a compelling web copy, online business consultants, E-book design and many more. It covers all the important aspects of a business. Men With Pens comprises team of a number of specialized experts that helps you achieving your goals.
James Chartrand is the foundational name behind 'Mens With Pens". He specializes in copywriting, branding, blogging, sales and marketing, online business and many more. We got an excellent opportunity to interview him and know more about his journey with "Men With Pens". Lets know more about him in the interview below and don't forget to say him hi on Twitter.
James, although you don't need an introduction but let's start with a brief intro of yours.
Let’s go with the boring stuff:
I’m the founder and owner of Men with Pens, a world-class leader helping companies create stronger impact and sales through snazzy web design that get results. Our blog is a leading resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs, and it’s been a Top Ten Blog for Writers for over four years running.
You're the famous founder of 'Men With Pens'! Tell us-when and how did you get started? Did you ever imagine it would become as successful as it has?
We’ve been around for several years now and it’s been a wild ride. I knew the business would be successful, but I certainly didn’t expect the blog to take off as it did! I’ve definitely enjoyed every minute of building Men with Pens into a recognized name and a leading resource.
Your blog has made it to be among the top 10 blogs for writers. Are there any particular methods you adapted that makes your blog stand-out of the crowd?
Great content… and great advice. I always try to write posts that provide practical information people can put to good use immediately, and my audience appreciates that a great deal. I don’t write fluff, and I keep posts jam-packed with advice that gets results.
I also try to question the norm to get people thinking and present new ways of doing business. And I like to show a human side that helps readers feel they’re not alone – and that they can achieve their goals.
I also make sure that my posts appear on top sites with high standards – Copyblogger, for example. I’ve used guest posting as a marketing strategy, and it let me share my work widely. That gave my own blog good exposure and helped it become a recognized resource in the business field.
Give us your few valuable tips on writing a successful blog post.
Write as if you’re speaking to a friend. Think of one person in your mind and write directly to that person. It’ll bring out your natural voice and make it so that your blog post speaks straight to the reader. It’ll also be a lot easier for you to write without worrying about the pressure of an imagined audience judging you!
Also… relax. Write for yourself, for the pleasure of it. A lot of bloggers stress about what readers will think, and they end up tying themselves up in knots aiming for “perfection” or tons of comments, or raves. Of course, aim to write well, but let yourself be not so perfect, and you’ll find that blogging becomes a lot more fun.
If you could go back to the time when you started your blog, what advice would you give yourself?
Business first, blog second. It’s very easy to get caught up in the blogging craze and focus solely on that. Blogging is a great marketing method, but putting it ahead of your business means you’re continually spending time on writing for readers versus working within your business.
What books would you recommend to someone new in blogging world?
It’s very hard to say what I’d recommend for the blogging world, because blogging is really a marketing strategy and the books you should read depend entirely on what the goals for the blog might be.
For example, someone may want to simply share stories and information on their blog to educate readers, and someone else might want to use blogging to promote their products or services.
Some books that I like in general that I’ve found to be very useful and practical include Cialdini’s Influence, Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, and Made to Stick by the Heath Brothers. They’re my definite favorites!
Do you think making money online out of a blog is over-hyped and might get stagnant in future?
Well, I think “blogging for money” is really a bit of a crock… you can’t just write blog posts and expect money to fall from the sky. Blogging is a marketing strategy that provides exposure, builds credibility, engages readers and eventually can work to turn them into customers or clients.
I think it’s important that people realize that if they want to make money, they’d best have some sort of business or a strategy that lets them lead readers to purchases that bring income. Business first, blog second!
Other than using social media, what are the best methods one can use to promote a blog?
Guest posting on credible, recognized blogs goes a long way towards gaining exposure. Hanging out in comment sections of other blogs also works. You need to show up where your target market and potential readers linger, and let them see you exist so that they get curious and come check out your blog.
Before the social media craze happened, these two methods are what I used to build the audience for Men with Pens – it definitely worked for me!
What is your vision for 'Men with Pens' as a whole?
I’m proud that Men with Pens is an excellent resource for freelancers and entrepreneurs. The blog is going to evolve and change based on people’s needs, and we’re developing new products and services that will further help freelancers reach their goals.
Our focus has always been on providing information, products and services that help people start and grow their own business, and we’re going to keep doing that for years to come.
Lastly, many aspiring bloggers and our readers would draw inspiration from you. What message do you have for them?
Buy lots of Shiraz…
Just kidding. :)
Figure out your mission. Take an hour, a day or even better, a week, and write down what you believe in. Why you want to blog. What you want your blog mission to be. What you want to achieve with each and every blog post. I wrote about this two years ago (http://www.fuelyourblogging.com/what-to-write-for-your-very-first-blog-post/) and I still find the advice to be one well worth revisiting.
Having that guiding light to refer back to through the months of writing will help keep you going. Blogging is a long-term commitment to both yourself and your readers, so create a mission that reminds you of what you wanted to share and achieve.
Oh, and slow down. There’s something to be said for the person who slows right down and stops racing against the clock. You’ll absorb better understanding from what you read, and you’ll also be able to write better posts for others to enjoy.
Well, now that's a truly valuable advice. James, thank you so much for talking to us. It was a pleasure to have you on E-junkie. I am sure all the E-junkies out there would be benefited and inspired by your rich insight. We wish you all the very best! :)
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To read more interviews of expert bloggers like James, you can subscribe to our blog. You can also choose to receive updates via emails.
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How does one become a blogger of the week? Is there a sign up sheet somewhere. lol. Let me know.
Oh its way simpler than that! :) Just send us a message from the 'Contact Us' link on the top of this page and we will take it forward from there.