Jeff Goins is a writer and a blogger sharing his insights about writing at GoinsWriter.com. His blog has emerged as one of the best resources for informative articles about Writing. Besides publishing a successful blog, he has even authored the E-book 'A Writer's Manifesto' in which he shares his frustrations he has experienced as a writer. It has been appreciated a lot over the web.

 Jeff, as a blogger, is doing exceptionally well. His understanding of the subject and connectivity with his readers is impeccable. And this is what makes him our 'Blogger of the Week' this week. If you aspire to be a writer or already an established one, read his interview below and take your writing spirits even higher:


Jeff, let's start with a brief introduction of yours.

My name is Jeff, and I'm a writer. I've written my whole life; though, only recently have I started calling myself a "writer." I've been blogging for over six years, but learned most of what I know about social media from the past year. I like reading good books, listening to music and drinking (lots of) coffee. I work a day job for a nonprofit called Adventures in Missions (www.adventures.org).


Tell us about your wonderful blog 'Goins Writer'. What is it all about?

It's about writing — sort of. Really, it's my journey of finding my voice as a writer. A lot of people read my articles and say, "This applies to more than writing." I just grin. That's the point. Yes, I focus on "writing, ideas, and making a difference," but really that's just an excuse to share my perspective on a lot of things. If you want to learn about the life of a writer or have aspirations of getting published, you will probably enjoy it. But if you're a musician or a plumber or a barista who considers your work an "art form," you may really find a lot of useful application, as well.


What inspired you to start blogging? We would love to know about the inception of your blog.

I started blogging on Xanga back in 2006. I just wanted to share my ideas. I moved from Xanga to Blogger to an independent blogging platform and for years just shared my thoughts on any random topic. However, this year, I did something different. I focused. I launched a blog on writing and started building a platform to hopefully get a book contract. That was in February. Fast forward several months, and I'm working on a book (with a contract) that will be published next September.


What do you think makes your blog stand out?

That's a tough question to answer. It's always hard to tell why certain things become popular and why others do not. I blogged for years, sharing really great stuff (I thought), and nobody seemed to notice. Now, in a short amount of time, I'm seeing more traffic than I ever dreamed of.

As far as I can tell, there is only one significant difference between the two blogs (the unsuccessful one and the successful one): I care a lot more about the second one. I have a friend who recently told me that his blog is "dumb." I used to think the same thing about my blog. Here's the rub: You're not going to give your best work to something you think is dumb or pointless. I've never thought that about Goinswriter.com. I've always tried to give my very best to it, because I believe in it. I want it to succeed.

And maybe that's the lesson: if you care about your blog, so will others.


How has blogging helped you both personally as well as professionally?

Personally, blogging has motivated me to write every day. That has made me a much better writer.

Professionally, it's given me some visibility to start earning money, consulting and speaking gigs, and the opportunity sell products (which I'm currently working on.)


Let's have a rapid fire:

One blogging tool you can't do without?

Evernote. I use it to capture ideas on my phone and computer, many of which eventually turn into posts.

One thing you love the most about blogging?

It allows you publish yourself — to share your ideas with the world. Truly amazing. This is the most revolutionary thing to happen to communication since the invention of the printing press (yes, even more than Television and radio, because it shifts power around.)

One thing you hate the most about blogging?

I hate what it does to me and others. Since it can be "all about me," there are some unhealthy slippery slopes when it comes to arrogance and personal pride. If I'm honest, I deal with these regularly, and I see it ruin some of my favorite communicators.

Your favorite blog?

It shifts, but one I continue to go back to with a lot of admiration is Copyblogger.com. They feature some of the best writers on the web.

The most influential person in your life?

Without a doubt, my wife. She inspires me, encourages me, and calls me out. Without her, I don't write, I don't create, and I don't matter. She always reminds me that I'm better than I think (when I'm feeling discouraged) and brings me back to reality (when I getting arrogant).

Your favorite one-liner that you use often?

"Do or do not. There is no try."—Yoda


Give us a few tips on building a successful blog.

Start with others, not you. Don't assume people want to listen to you (not yet, anyway). Find a topic that interests people (hopefully, it's one that hasn't been overdone) and go deep in that topic. Through the process, be intentional about finding your voice. Serve your audience by adding consistent value and ask for permission to sell anything. If you do this — if you focus on others first — you will succeed.


You've also published 2 E-books. How is it different publishing an E-book from writing a blog?

An E-book (or any book at all) allows you to go deeper into one particular subject than a single blog post. Also, it allows you to lay out a linear sequence in a much more understandable way. For example, if you want to talk about the path to publishing a book or launching a website, an E-book is a better way to do this than a blog.

In my experience, writing an E-book requires a lot more work on the front end than starting a blog. When writing an E-book, you need to plan a lot. With a blog, you can basically just start and tweak as you go. It's not a bad idea to blog for awhile before writing your first E-book. Just don't wait too long.


What do you do in your free time? What are the other things that interests you?

Well, a lot of my writing happens in my free time, since I have a day job. However, in addition to that, I like to read a lot, play guitar, and watch movies. I'm not much of a TV guy, but I enjoy a good movie once in awhile.


Many aspiring bloggers would look up to you for an advice. What message do you have for them?

Don't give up. This is mostly about perseverance, not instant success. If you see someone doing what you want to do, don't expect your path to success to look like theirs. If it takes longer, don't fret. This is a long-term deal, so if you want to get-rich-quick or succeed overnight, there are easier ways to do that. If you don't love writing and sharing ideas, you may want to consider another hobby.


And a final word for our readers..?

Be awesome. Seriously. There is so much noise on the Internet (especially with so many new blogs). The best way to stand out is to do your very best. No exceptions. Yes, you will get better over time, so I don't mean, "be perfect." But don't compromise. Don't settle for mediocre. Strive for excellence. Your audience deserves nothing less.


Jeff, thank you for sharing your blogging journey with us. It is really inspiring and we're glad to have you on our blog. E-junkie wishes you good luck with your blog.

Jeff Goins on Facebook and Twitter.