Blogging Success: You, as Your Client's Guide and Mentor

This blog post is the second one of a mini series about building a successful blog. Yesterday, we talked about getting clear about the problem you solve and for whom you solve it.

Today, I want to suggest that the best blogs tell a story to their readers. A hero's journey that calls them to the quest, shows them that you are the mentor they need to guide them to the solution they are looking for and then tells them how to work with you.

Your hero’s journey begins in your usual daily routine. There’s something wrong, something seems to be missing. ... Suddenly a new path appears in front of you as an inspiration, ...which calls you to new adventures. [Next we might encounter] a mentor, a person who prepares us and inspires us to take the journey into the adventure... - To Real Life

Every person who visits your blog is on a quest, and she's checking out your blog to see if you might be the answer or solution. When you make yourself the mentor for your hero or target market, you can use your blog to tell her story.

As she sees herself in the story, it will be easier to see the solution you offer as the obvious perfect fit because you've placed it so well in the story you're telling, and describing it so clearly as the next step on her path.

Here is a simplified version of the stages of the hero's journey...

(1) The Call to Step onto the Hero's Path: the story may have begun when the hero was in denial or resistance, but gradually, the problem becomes clear or gets worse and the hero becomes aware of the need for change or resolution. She may continue to resist the call, but eventually, she decides that the uncertainty or fear of taking the risk is better than continuing to live in the problem.

(2) Meeting the Mentor: In this part of the story, the hero meets her mentor or guide. And immediately, the guide knows what to do to help. She isn't a fairy godmother, unfortunately, but her advice is exactly what the hero needs. So, instead or rescuing or saving the hero, she teaches the hero how to do it herself, empowering her for a lifetime.

(3) The Transformation: during this phase, the hero learns and practices everything the mentor taught her and gradually, things begin to shift. At times, it almost feels miraculous and happens faster than she expected. At other times, the wait seems long, but the mentor has helped her heal fear and develop trust, so she knows it is only a matter of time.

(4) The Resolution: finally, the problem has been solved and everything is as it should be. The journey has changed the hero and she now feels empowered to create the life they want.

   We all love stories of heroes & courage, and when you tell a story that spotlights the consumer it shows that you care more about serving the people than you do about making sales. When consumers can make that connection, when they can go on an emotional journey with your brand, it helps to build customer trust & loyalty." - Alex Herring, PaceCo.com

Here's another way to look at how you can use the hero's journey in your marketing, from StoryBlock.com, and in Kevin O'Sullivan's telling, as mentor, you and the hero defeat the enemy together! He shares the following principles...

Your customer or recruit is the hero of her own story.

Her pain points or challenges are an enemy you two will fight together. She takes a leap of faith & accepts your help.

As her guide, you lead the way & show the hero how to defeat the enemy.

After teaching the strategy, you continue to guide her through her quest, and you defeat the enemy together.

How can you use the hero's journey in the stories you tell on your blog?

A Hero's Guide to Blogging

Today is the last day for the flash sale for The Genius Blogger's Toolkit. 

Although I am an affiliate for it, I also wholeheartedly recommend it as a fellow blogger. I want all of us to succeed at offering our brilliance, and I know we can't do that if we remain unseen and our blogs don't succeed.

I have seen a lot of training come and go for bloggers and entrepreneurs. And I have to tell you that it's not always true that you get what you pay for when it comes to online courses.

I've learned things that were nearly free that made a huge difference, but I've also spent money I shouldn't have, hoping against hope it would give me the secret to success and had my heart broken when it didn't.

What I love about the Genius Bloggers Toolkit is that it teaches like a fancy school but costs like it's for blogger moms on a budget. Like me.

If you have questions about it, I would be happy to answer them. Know that Ultimate Bundles offers a money-back happiness guarantee.

You owe it to yourself to check it out, and then see if it seems like this is what you need right now. Don't buy it if it is not the right time; don't miss it if it is.

Love to you, bloggers!

Jeanine