How to Get Started in Blogging, with A-List Blogger, Leo Babauta!

VBL023 – How to Get Started in Blogging, with A-List Blogger, Leo Babauta!

January 26, 2011 12 Comments

When it comes to blogging there are a few names that just about everyone involved in the industry knows – Leo Babauta is one of them. His background as a journalist is the perfect platform for a potential successful blogger, however, even Leo himself says that blogging has been way kinder to him than journalism was.

I met with Leo at BlogWorld last year, where I shot a lot of these interviews (they will all start rolling out nicely in the coming weeks and months), and I have to say this one was a highlight of the trip for me. The guy is just too cool!

As his schedule was limited, due to speaking commitments at the convention, I had the chance to not only do this interview with him, but also have lunch with him, too, as part of the A-List Blogging round-up of members that were at the event. Overall, a very enjoyable day, to say the least.

Through our chat we discuss, among other things:

The single most important ‘rule’ of getting started in blogging.
Why all the widgets and plugins are not really needed to build a great blog.
How to create great content over and over again.
How to make a fantastic first impression on bloggers that you would like to guest post for.
Why he removed comments from his ZenHabits blog.
Plus much more!

Play or download the audio of this VBL Podcast (below) to listen to it on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad and be sure to subscribe on iTunes, too!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:32 — 15.5MB)

You’ll see and hear from checking this interview out how important the content is on a blog, above and beyond everything else. Like I said, even though the topic is more aimed more at bloggers that are just getting started, there are some real gems of wisdom in here that even more experienced bloggers need a little refresher on! And let’s face it, we all need a little refresher, and the chance to go back to basics, from time to time, don’t we?

Check out Leo on his ZenHabits.net blog, and be sure to click over to A-List Blogging Bootcamp site, too – the content and community is well worth the investment, I assure you.

Comments

Derek Jensen says:

January 26, 2011 at 6:43 pm Derek Jensen(Quote)

Chris,

Thank you so much for meeting with Leo. He certainly does offer many different perspectives that relate more to the core value of blogging and what it’s true intent was set out to be.

I like the concept of minimalism and believe it has the same structure or theory when it comes the interaction that takes place with Seth Godin’s blog.

He writes. People share it and talk about it via social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, or their very own blogs. This is surely something that will pay off and can happen to a blogger that writes nothing short of original and breath-taking content and maintains an authority.

Leo has productivity. Seth has marketing. These are just two people and if we all return to the core values of blogging it will only get easier as the years pass.

Thanks again for the interview and it would be interesting to do a more in-depth interview with him and his perspective of blogs that are going about blogging differently.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 26, 2011 at 9:37 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Derek
  
  Glad you enjoyed the chat with Leo.
  
  I also would’ve loved to have been able to make this a little longer – it’s not as if I couldnt have come up with more questions, thats for sure.
  
  Unfortunately, Leo’s time was genuinely limited. Maybe next year I’ll be able to corner him for a little longer session!
  
  Thanks for the comment.
  
  Chris
  
Benny says:

January 27, 2011 at 4:01 am Benny(Quote)

Really great stuff. Informative. The audio was good and I thought the video was the right length. Thanks!

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 27, 2011 at 4:36 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi benny
  
  Great! Glad you enjoyed it, buddy.
  
  Thanks for commenting…
  
  C
  
johns online says:

January 27, 2011 at 2:56 pm johns online(Quote)

Thanks Chris this kind of thing is a massive help to us older boys and I am starting to see thoe point in it.

I never really get on with Fb but blogging is relatively straightforward.

It did not seem rushed and was fine buddy

cheers

trying to think of original and good content when starting out is massvely difficult as you dont want to add to the tons of garbage that is flying around

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 27, 2011 at 4:36 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Glad you enjoyed the interview, John.
  
  You’re right, there is a lot of crap out there online – one of the other reasons why so many blogs begin and then filter out of the ‘blogosphere’ pretty quickly, too!
  
  Hope you picked up a few tips from Leo – he’s a blogging legend in my eyes.
  
  C
  
Sam Wilson says:

January 27, 2011 at 4:39 pm Sam Wilson(Quote)

Hi Chris

Outstanding!!

What a great chat. You have been getting better and better on these interviews not that you were ever bad. I’ve also enjoyed them.

Leo must have been great to meet and speak with. I’m curious to know if he really is as minimal in real life as he is on the web. Is he?

Sam

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 27, 2011 at 10:51 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Sam
  
  Thanks for the comment, bud. Glad you liked the conversation.
  
  Actually, YES – Leo really is as minimalistic as he claims he is. In fact, on his presentations he didnt even use a Powerpoint presentation document, like everyone else – instead, opting for a piece of paper with his topics hand written hung on the speakers table for the seminars. Can’t get any more minimalistic than that!
  
  Anyway, thanks for dropping by and for the question.
  
  C
  
Stuart says:

January 27, 2011 at 4:50 pm Stuart(Quote)

Of course, after watching this, I’m not jealous that you got to interview one of the blogging legends, with glorious weather and surrounded by like-minded individuals. Not jealous at all!

That was a fine interview there, and it gave me food for thought about what my blog means to me. The biggest takeaway for me is guest posting; I want to write for the ‘big sites’ out there, yet I’m worried about rejection, so it was good to hear Leo’s advice.

BTW, I consider VBL as a ‘big site’, I was stoked when I saw my post published here! Thanks again

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 27, 2011 at 11:06 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Stu
  
  Thanks for commenting, bud. No need to be jealous – just get yourself to BlogWorld next year – its actually surprisingly easy to rub shoulders with everyone. Everyone’s very cool and easy going.
  
  Glad you see VBL as a ‘big’ site, happy to hear that, bud.
  
  C
  
Victor says:

February 26, 2011 at 9:18 am Victor(Quote)

Great interview Chris.
Did you say full uncut glory? oh my!

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  February 26, 2011 at 2:17 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Victor, I meant it in the ‘unedited’ sense, obviously, my friend…
  
  LOL