This was soooo what I needed to hear. Tish sounds really great – I was checking out her blog, and it made me think of a question. Her Facebook page has 150,000 likes so obviously she has done FB in the past. What about new bloggers? I don’t have even 300 likes yet so my traffic isn’t what I want it to be. Can new bloggers really afford to take it easy on social media?

You asked about the “gold nugget” too. My gold nugget was how I shouldn’t be measuring influence by my page views, which is awesome. That gives me permission to do things at a more relaxed pace.

Great podcast, Jen. Thanks!

I needed to hear this! I have read (and listened to) so many say “build your numbers”. That’s what I focused on the past 6 months but my sales have not grown. It’s finally nice to hear someone say that’s not necessarily the way to do it. I will be taking Tsh’s advice. Thank you for a great podcast!

This was really a great interview; so many ideas & things to check out now. I’m downloading this to listen again (and again) just to be sure I’ve got it all!

I really appreciate hearing that I don’t need to be chasing all the social media platforms. It seems there are new ones popping up every month and I can’t keep up with it all. Great podcast full of encouragement!

Hi, Jeni,

Through your blog, I have discovered Pinterest and it is now my favorite play ground also!

Thanks for all the social media tips and I’m going to listen to this podcast while making dinner tonight.
Sue

When it comes to the length of posts, I believe they should be as long as they need to be. Some posts will be thoroughly covered in 300 words, and it’s silly to keep writing just to make the post longer. But some things are not adequately covered in few words. Either that means a lengthy post or a mini-series, and I think readers who find the topic compelling will read all of a lengthy post if that’s what it takes to thoroughly address the topic.

I like the idea of posting less often, but my experience has been that there’s a dramatic drop in my page views if I publish less often, and that negatively impacts nearly EVERY monetization method: fewer ad views, fewer PR reps interested in working with me, etc. So there’s definitely a tradeoff (because even if you just want to bring in enough to offset COSTS, SOME monetization is necessary).

So I guess I would echo Kristine: this all sounds really good, but how does it work for someone who isn’t already at a place of great influence, big numbers, and good income, providing a “buffer” so you can experiment with things. (I’ve been blogging for almost as long, if not as long, as Tsh, and have decent social media following, ‘though not LARGE, but I see immediate negative effects if I drop off any of these things.) I’d really like to see someone show this WORKING for someone newer or less prominent.

Golden nugget for me (and I’ve had this jump out at me from other sources, as well): none of the “big bloggers” do everything themselves. They ALL outsource. So if you’re a “one-man show,” you’re NOT going to be able to do as much.

Love this interview! Especially since I already follow The Art of Simple 😉 My one takeaway is to “be a student of yourself.” To experiment with things that I like (and maybe others will like it too). I also like what you said earlier, Jeni, is to (be brave) ask your customers what they want. So, listening to your customers is important too 😉

Thanks for the great interview!

Thank you for this fascinating interview. I really enjoyed listening to your joint, thoughtful approach to blogging. I am considering starting a blog, so I am still at the reading / learning / planning stage, and I particularly appreciated the reminders to focus on what I can do well, enjoy and have fun with, which is what inspired me to think about blogging in the first place. It’s just that as I’ve started to investigate the ‘how-to’ process I have felt overwhelmed at times by the sheer volume of advice and my ever growing list of ‘notes-to-self’. I laughed out loud when Tsh said that is how to wear yourself out. Thanks Tsh, I will bear that in mind! 🙂 I want to blog intentionally, but not let the long ‘to-do’ list stop me from starting. So I guess apart from enjoying what I do, I want to remember the advice not to spread myself too thin. Satisfaction will come if I can do a few things well. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. 🙂

Thanks Jeni and Tsh for sharing a few thoughts. You both confirm what I’ve known for some time. In the blogging world it is important for me to follow the path that’s best for me {and my family} and stop obsessing about what everyone else says I should be doing. I have loathed, detested, and out-right rebelled at all of the focus on social media channels. It just isn’t me. I’ve always believed that you should do what you love and, in doing so, you will find a way to earn an income.

Is there any way to subscribe to your podcast on iTunes? I can’t find it!

Lots to consider from Tsh’s interview and your blog posts as well. My takeaway is the encouragement to know and do what feels right for me. My goals have changed over the years, so it’s time to let the blog(s) reflect today objectives, not those from 2008/09.
Note to self: get organized, list priorities, research the how-to or get help.

This touched me on so many levels. I started blogging as a news reporter in 2007 but life got nuts for me in the years following so I floundered and lost focus before completely falling apart. It’s been a long road, but the journey has produced a desire to live a much more intentional, simpler life. I want to start a new blog with practical, helpful stories about recovery from crazy and chaos. My takeaway is to think about who my reader is. And I think she might be the old me who is desperate to find the beauty and joy I have.
Thank you for this.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this podcast. I am a new blogger (almost a year now) and the social media takes upkeep takes up more time than than actual writing of the blog sometimes. I am definitely going to focus on the post and not so much on the social networks. I do need to find a way to atomate my post to all social sites. Any suggestions would be great! My take-away is probably going to be seeing the viewer not as a number but as a real person and focus less on the view numbers.

This was so good, Jeni. Thanks! I am PUMPED to learn about EntreFamily. Perfect for our family.

Loved this, Jeni. So much great stuff here, but my biggest takeaway, was that it’s ok to just be me…and do for me. I only post twice a week, I don’t like FB, I do write longer pieces occasionally and that all works for me. Unfortunately, I do get caught up in the “shoulds” every now and then and start doing the things that don’t feel authentic and frankly, drain me. Thanks for the reminder to block out the noise and do what works well for me. 🙂

I had 2 golden nuggets! Do what I do best and create a full description of my reader. Love that idea!

Thank you so much for this podcast- it was so refreshing! I just found your blog (actually through EntreFamily). I very recently started blogging, and also have been hearing so much different advice. My golden nugget from this is to really become a student of myself and stay true to who I am. Looking forward to reading more of your site.

The hardest thing I deal with is simply making time in my day to do the background work. I have about 6 good hours to work, and a couple of so-so hours after my son is home from school. I want to create content for clients, and also for myself, and barely have time to step away from the keyboard to sit down to generate an editorial calendar and some social media strategy to go with it. I think I am just too easily distracted. But I paid for a pricey planner and a blog planner this year, and I am hoping they help me organize my work and thoughts. Fingers crossed!

Shared in a group that I am a part of. Most of the other bloggers are so worried about growth and I want them to realize that there are so many other ways to measure success. My takeaway is to basically fall off the face of the earth with some social media. My imaginary reader profile is a mom who hops on Pinterest for help with her day (fitness, healthy eating, mommy duties) and Facebook for her mom support. Those two areas are where I need to shine, but Twitter and some others are NOT. I have also been posting less often but really taking the time to provide quality information for my readers and I am noticing a huge difference in my traffic (in a good way) as well as my connections with readers. I ALWAYS want my blog to be fun and not feel like work!

This was a great interview especially for someone like me who stopped blogging because it was draining…It inspired me to re-think my decision.
And I loved the idea of creating a reader profile.
Good job!

This is incredibly helpful! Thanks for sharing and posting as a podcast! There’s something so cool about hearing someone talk about blogging! Makes them seem more “human” and reminds you that there is a person behind all those posts – great reminder for myself too:)

I loved this podcast. It could be life changing for me.
Most significant gold nugget – come up with my fictional reader and write to her (I know mine is a her but not sure what else.)

The goal I came away with is to figure out how to incorporate a decorative email subscribe button to my blog. I have a generic Mailchimp form but it’s so dismally basic.
Thanks for the great interview. Loved hearing that Tsh is a friend to one of my favorite authors, Emily Freeman

I’ve been beating my head against the proverbial wall for 1 1/2 years, and gotten nowhere with monetizing or even growing my subscriptions and page views. The emphasis on advertising never really made sense to me but I did it because all the “how to” advice said to. I really like the idea of the focus being on my content and what I have to offer as opposed to providing links to other companies and brands. Thanks Jeni and Tsh!

I listened to the whole thing!! (I’m so bad at podcasts because I get bored just listening, but I’m working on a writing project right now that involves typing up some journals, so perfect!) I love Tsh (in a non-celebrity-worship kind of way) and admire the way she goes after her dreams. Really love the focus on simple & slow & experiencing the world. Thanks for a great interview! I second Stephanie as your next guest!

I like long posts and I cannot lie. I like to read them, and I can’t seem to escape writing them (though this says more about my editing process than anything else). I’m a new blogger and so I constantly read to keep it short, use lists, 300 words or less. I’m just not interested in producing that kind of content. I love your approach Tsh and appreciate your sharing your core values on blogging.

Great interview, thanks! My golden nugget takeaway from Tsh is that it is OK for me not to chase the numbers to be able to get on an ad program, that I should just stay true to myself and create my own bespoke ad program. This is something I very much wanted to do, but kept putting off. I will now go for it! What I am unsure about is how to achieve that 100% commission payout you talked about Jeni? Could you give more idea of what you mean/ how to achieve that please? Thanks, Vohn

In pretty much every single Art of Simple podcast I listen to, I find myself wishing I could hear more of Tsh’s thoughts… and here they are! Great stuff (she’s one wise old bird!) x

Thank you for this podcast. I have been reading Tsh’s blog for about a year, started following right after I read Notes from a Blue Bike, and I am happy to hear her spontaneous enthusiasm for what she writes so beautifully about.

soooo much great information here!

a question for anybody- I’ve been blogging ‘semi-anonymously’ for 4 years with a pen name- Should I/How do I change over to myself….? Or is an internet persona ok?

Thank you for this interview! I’ve been reading Tsh’s writing for a long time (in blog years) and “have been” through several transformations with her. She comes across just as honest and down-to-earth when she’s an interviewee as she does when she’s the one doing the interview.

My 2 nuggets:
1. Create things that you believe in. Ultimately, that will keep “your people” with you.
2. Work towards sustainability. Granted, that word wasn’t used, but it’s the idea of working smarter and avoiding burnout that made me think of it.

I am not even sure how I found this blog post (somehow through a minimalist blog on bloglovin) but I am SO THANKFUL I did. I have only been blogging a year and enjoy the creative side but hate all the formulas and social media strategies, etc., etc…. I was contemplating whether I should just quit and go back to my simple, homesteading life since all the advice out there was leading me to more and more work away from my family and farm. Then I happen along this podcast and I am inspired to keep going by doing the things I actually enjoy and not worrying about the numbers. Thanks again for a great interview. I do have a question – we tried to find your podcast on ITunes so I could subscribe but I could not find it. Is there a link?

Thanks again for this – back to my creativity…:)

I get a lot of webinar, podcast invites. My time is limited but I saved your email telling me about this podcast on January 22nd. And this interview was golden. I’m not going to let my stats determine what kind of day I will have….last year google analytics almost drove me to a psych ward. Loved it, thanks to both of you.

Just visited Tsh’s blog from this post and read couple of amazing articles there. You are absolutely right Jeni, she is outstanding and her writing style is very simple yet very informative. About the podcast, really good interview, very informative and lots of points are noted. I will love to explore those suggestions for my business and will see how these work in my case. Thanks Jeni for sharing this amazing post and introducing this lovely lady Tsh.

Jeni, the way you lay out this post- with the links and resources- is so helpful! And seeing the links and resources got me intrigued about the interview (and I loved her take on not being everywhere). Thanks for doing it smart and putting a great model out there for the rest of us to follow.

I absolutely loved listening to this podcast. Not only am I able to walk away with several golden nuggets in my proverbial pocket, but I also believe I’ve learned a great deal about you two. I know it goes without saying, but you both genuinely care about your subscribers. We’re not just a number, we are people you genuinely desire to help in our blogging and/or simplified living pursuits. For this I thank you. Indeed, I’m walking away with nuggets from people who have been successful in their area of expertise and desire to share that success for the betterment of others. Not that’s…priceless.

Now on to the golden nuggets: One I’m taking away is to “follow the fun”. Furthermore, I hope to always keep my readership in mind when it comes to reaching them where they are. I shouldn’t waste much time advertising or networking on social media platforms where my readership don’t go typically. Keeping my readers in mind will help me to be a better steward of my limited resources (time/energy), to focus on what will help render them truly JOYFULLY Alive.net. As one who is writing about living a life that is full of joy and life in Christ Jesus, I don’t want anything to distract me from sharing that heart and even living that reality myself. I want to live a life of joy, so anything that can potentially take my eyes off of that and how I can serve my readers should not be given “air time”, so to speak.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, ladies! I appreciate all you’ve shared.

Thank you for yet another inspiring post, Jenni. I’m completely disheartened with blogging just now, so I’m gonna read through your blog, your advice and your tips in the hope that my motivation will return. I see bloggers popping up out of nowhere, storming up the google rankings and achieving what seems to be instant success and I want to know their secrets! Cross your fingers for me Jenni 🙂

Thank you Jeni and Tsh for this podcast. I know you said one golden nugget but I have a few to take away.
1)To stop chasing numbers.
2) It’s okay NOT to be on all social networking sites.
3) To create a fictional reader and focus on them.
Thank you ladies, Blessings

Hello there,
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this and share with us.
I have a question. I have been working for the past 2.5 years on an online service and on a lot of content that i will be loading onto my website in the next couple of months. It is extra,crazy work. No doubt about that…
Anyway, i am new to the blogosphere (i am a registred nutritionist who worked (and still does) at my own private clinic.
I have a concern. How do you organise yourself with kids ? Are some of the woman in your community live laptop lives ? Do they travel a lot ? If so, how and where are there kids educated ? I would love to have insight about this.

Thank you so much,
Sofia Abdelkafi.
Nutritionist. R.D. Helping people make lifestyle changes that last.

Thank you so much for this. I admire Tsh so much for being true to herself and her brand-I find that so refreshing and inspirational.

Thanks for introducing Tish to us. It was great to hear her speak. I would love to ask a question. I have a Facebook fan page for my site, but the number of people I reach with every post is nowhere near to where it used to be once. Is there a social network where I can still reach people organically without paying up for ads?

Hi Jeni,

First time here on your blog. That podcast with Tsh was packed with useful information and easy to listen to as it was very conversational. Thanks for sharing. It’s refreshing to hear that you can build one social network before moving on to others. Which for me my focus is on Twitter at the present time.

I totally agree with moving away from 3rd party advertising and focusing on your own advertising and products so you can keep more of the profits. As a result you need less pageviews to make the same amount of money or money as opposed to an affiliate product or 3rd party advertiser. Work smarter, not harder should be everyone’s goal I believe.

Kurt

As a beginner blogger I am constantly trying to keep up with what I have read on what to do for my blog such posting a number of post a week and trying to promote it all over social media and its tiring me out. This podcast is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much Jen and Tsh! What I got from the podcast is do what is fun, and also to visualize who you are writing for. I never thought of that, giving people a service and building a community!! This is such a worthwhile hour :D!

Thanks so much for the podcast! I loved being able to run errands AND learn about blogging at the same time (which seems kind of ironic because the podcast was about keeping things simple).

It’s my first time on your blog and I stumbled onto it looking for good wordpress plugins (which was very helpful). And I’m so glad I decided to listen in because it really gave me a piece of mind and has also encouraged me to be more active in the blogging community and leave comments. Even though I just started the blog, I have already become anxious over growing my readership. The podcast reminded me why I wanted to start it in the first place and it was reassuring to hear that page views are not the most important thing. My golden nugget was to stay true to yourself and follow the fun. Thanks! Look forward to hearing more podcasts.

All points are nicely explain. I also downloaded the audio. This will help for future. Thanks for this post and keep posting.

This is great insight to have! So glad I found this resource, I think it might just be the push I need to start my own blog 🙂 There is definitely lots to think about and explore when it comes to this post

I find the podcast an excellent idea for I don’t always have time or the want to read a lengthily write up on steps to take to become successful. I can listen to the podcasts on my way to work (30 minute drive to and from). In addition, the podcasts, for some reason, stick in my head more than reading something would.

Jeni… you are an amazing interviewer. Generally I don’t have the patience for listening to podcasts… yet, it started so well, I took my laptop to the kitchen and warmed my homemade soup and enjoyed it with my cheese and crackers while listening and even sat still following to the end. That says a lot. You have great questions and your pace is amazing. I don’t know how many times you’ve done this… but you are the consummate professional. 🙂

All that being said… my take-away… create one or more people to whom my posts will be directed towards. I’ve tried this multiple times and it just doesn’t work. I spent about 10 years in direct sales speaking to women in their living rooms and somehow I now speak to a group more than an individual. I really need to work at wrapping my mind around this and “getting” it.

I feel like I’m call to do whatever it is I do with excellence. And frankly, one can do everything in the blogging world with excellence. At best right now, I feel adequate on my blog and on Facebook. I’m continuously second guessing myself… perfectionism rears her ugly head. !!! Everyone loves Instagram and I do too as far as seeing other people’s posts… but it is too complicated to email images from the blog, etc., and then pick them up and post them from my phone and sit there and peck out 11 hashtags. Ugh!! And Twitter… I just don’t get it. BUT… if “you” want sponsored posts with agencies, “you” must have a decent social following. So there’s always the pressure to push numbers. And I cannot afford to push my numbers… and what’s the point if they are fake numbers anyway?

Well… now that I’ve written my tome… thanks Jeni and Tsh for making me think. Evaluation is good… now to set a few goals.

To remember to focus on what I am good at and cultivate that to share that with my audience. I loved hearing the idea about visualizing your reader as a real person. I’ve been planning to do this and liked getting reinforcement that is a positive thing to do.

Thank you for an awesome podcast! I’ve been blogging for over five years and miss the simplicity of the earlier days. My takeaway is that I can ignore all the “advice” and “shoulds”, and can stop using Facebook (which I don’t like).

“Follow the fun” – I need to get back to the things I enjoy about blogging, instead of burning so much time on the busywork. Working to find the assistant who will help me do that.

What a great podcast! I’m just getting started in the blogging world, so I have much to learn. I like the idea of being yourself and not spending too much time on social media. I try to stay focused on learning what I need to know right now, which is setting up my blog in WordPress. There’s so much information here to absorb, along with other blogs. My main concern right now is whether my writing will be good enough to keep a reader interested in what I have to say, even if it’s a subject they are interested in.

is there a way to listen to this on my iphone? i couldn’t find it in a podcast search 🙁

I can’t wait to listen to this on my way home today! Just found your podcast and I’m excited!

Wonderful post! It’s interesting how we determine what we need and what we want and how often we decide that a want becomes a need because we really, really want it. Thank you because this post confirms what I’ve been trying to do – simplify.

I love it. Well well well so much new blogs that I can take inspiration form! I’m only beginning my journey to minimalism as so but I find it fascinating and the way people co working

First time here on this blog and let me tell you it didn’t disappoint. I’ve been writing blogs from the past 4 years and actually reads several articles in a week to improve my blogging skils but never in my life I’ve learned so much about blogging until I went through this 1 hour long podcast. Thank You Jeni for sharing this to the blogging world and thanks Tsh for your tip.

This is one thing I learned. Take your sweet time blogging and creating that valuable content. Reason being is like you just said, there’s others bloggers that’ll come by and blow you out the water. But you as a blogger have to get adjusted to your own time and create content on your schedule that you’re comfortable with, and not look at comparing yourself with other bloggers that might get ahead of you. Focus on great content and moving @ your own pace and everything else’ll respectively fall into place.