It may not be new, but it’s mine
On Saturday I attended a workshop through the NSA New England – The National Speakers Association. Topic: SEO Made Easy. Presenter Steve Mertz ranks #1 in Google for many searches related to SEO. His talk was based on helping the participants rank #1 in their specialty area. I have some work to do to increase my ranking for stress, professional success and general wellness, among other things. Baby, steps, right? Let me tell you, there really is nothing easy about SEO. Ok, maybe it’s easy, but it takes a lot of time! That said I learned a lot, and received some tips I can implement immediately.
Surprisingly though, the tidbit of information that impacted me the most had nothing to do, directly, with SEO.
As Steve closed his presentation, he mentioned a friend who once asked him “Steve, if you’re such an expert on SEO, why haven’t you written a book?”
Simply put, Steve didn’t think another book on SEO was necessary in the marketplace. It is a topic frequently written about.
His friend’s response
“But Steve, the book hasn’t been written in YOUR voice.”
This really hit home. I know my topics are not new – the internet, bookshelves and magazines are filled with personal development, stress relief, and wellness information. Sometimes my thoughts are similar to Steve - it’s already been written! Then I remember about MY voice. I write using my voice, my experiences, my education and my perspective. And that in itself is new. Recently Wendi over at Life’s Little Inspirations wrote her Letter to the World. In the post she writes (among many wonderful words): “I am one little voice.” My first thought upon reading that: She’s not a little voice. She’s got something to say and she’s saying it - something many people wish they had the courage to do.
I’ve got something to say, and I’m saying it, in a blog, in a speech, or in a book. People may read it, agree with it, or disregard it. But getting my words, my experiences, my voice out on paper or on the internet is freeing, liberating and powerful. My experience tells me my words help others, and that in itself is all I need to keep writing…in my voice. Regardless of how many books and blogs are already published on my topics of specialty and interest, I’m going to write about it, speak about it, and write about it again. And no one out there can stop me.
What a great testament to sharing our voice with the world! However we choose - writing, speaking, singing, …
You have a wonderful voice to share Stacey! I come here to learn and be inspired. So, I’m here to say that your word do indeed help others. Keep on writing, keep on speaking - as long as you love it and are passionate about doing it. When that’s there, the love and passion come across. And that’s what makes me come back. That’s what makes me feel connected to you.
The thing is, how one person writes, and how another writes, even though they write about the same thing, can do it in different styles. And that’s the beauty of it - you attract certain people because they like your style (me) and yet others will be attracted to other sites/books because the style fits them better. There’s always room for your voice (or my voice, or the neighbor’s voice, etc).
Lances last blog post..The Impact We Have On Others
Hi Stacey: I think that a lot of people are under the impression that it’s all been done and it’s all been said, so what’s the point. But in reality there’s room for improvement in everything so it hasn’t all been said, and it never will be. There’s a couple of people who have mentioned me in their blogs and they all say that I write about things that are tried and true, but with a different twist. At the end of the day I think that’s all we can do: add our own twist.
Marelisas last blog post..Success - On Your Own Terms
Stacey,
Very nicely said.
I once read a study published by a major university. They researched every major business business book written since 1920. Their conclusion? There were no fundamentally new concepts in any of the books.
However, they did find that the same concepts were explained in different ways. Different language was used. And this was critical. This new language gave readers better access to the concepts and resulted in different behaviors.
Keep on writing. Keep on speaking. Your voice and your energy are indeed unique.
Steve
The *Good Book* says ” There is Nothing New Under The Sun” But that soesn’t mean we can’t keep saying our own versions of it, in our experiences of it with our viewpoints, generation after generation! there are many flavors of opinion!
I love hearing what you think and everyone else too. Otherwise, I would just get up each day and talk to my mirror, it is an excellant listener!
Thanks for the link, we voices can stick together and be heard! I really appreciate it.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Dirty Dishes in the Sink
I love those that speak freely about living. I found you in the comment section of “Lance.” That sounded funny! Anyway, I began to blog to leave something behind for my children to read. I have plans of giving each of them a “blog” book for Christmas. I try to write what I feel about my journey in life. Along the way, I have met some wonderful bloggers. I think each person is heard in their own way. Writing and reading are gifts that we in life are given. It is great that we have the freedom to share it.
@Lance - thank you! I do love it and have tons of passion for it. I remember when I first left my corporate job to explore opportunities on my own. I was met with “Isn’t the market saturated with that?” To your point - there is someone out there for everyone. Thanks for coming back to visit!
@Marelisa - Absolutely - we all have different eyes and experiences and by sharing we can teach others and continue to expand our vision.
@Steve - Thank you for stopping by and for that information. I’m intrigued and would love to read more about the study. I think it validates a lot for those who have a story to tell and are afraid the story has been told.
@Wendi - You’re welcome. You made me chuckle “…just get up and talk to my mirror.” Isnt’ that true? I love it when people have a different opinion - much better conversation!
@Tammy Warren - Thank you for visiting! That is a wonderful reason to blog and how fun to create a Christmas present for them - that is a wonderful idea that I might “borrow” from you! Freedom - that is the key here isn’t it?
Staceys last blog post..It may not be new, but it’s mine
Hi Stacey,
What a great inspiration! Sometimes I wonder if what I’ve written has been done to death, but it’s so true, our unique life experiences shape the way we are…and our writing.
Great blog!
Pink Inks last blog post..High School Love
I always look forward to your words. You have such a unique way to share your thoughts. Fantastic post! Thank you!
Mark Salinass last blog post..One Step at a Time
I am the type of person, that when I am struggling with something, I talk it over with many different people. It’s because I often have to have something explained to me in several different ways, and from several different angles for me to finally have that Ah-Ha! moment. There are more blogs out there than you can count on similar topics, but I choose the ones where ‘the voice’ makes sense to me.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Birth of a panther
I think that a LOT about fitness and just wrote a post where I laugh about beating the proverbial dead horse—-but adding you voice (literally yours :)) to a topic CHANGES IT TREMENDOUSLY.
there’s nothing new under the sun….just new twists on old ideas.
MizFits last blog post..It’s BURGER TIME up in herre.