Successful Blogging is like Brushing your Teeth

by Guest Blogger on October 7, 2011

in Blogging

Post image for Successful Blogging is like Brushing your Teeth

My name is Jonathan Gaurano and I’m a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. I was told by someone that I should focus on a passion to keep my mind distracted from any harm I could create to myself or others. Thus, I write. I write stories, confessions, polemics, and give advice. This is therapy. You can visit me online at my blog to learn more at, Gaurano.com.

I look in the mirror every morning and see my pretty face. Though beautiful, it’s not complete unless I brush my teeth. It not only cleans the plaque off, but it cleanses my body because it acts as a refresher to my morning.

Last week I was following my morning routine when suddenly I had a panic attack

I realized that successful blogging is like brushing your teeth!

This idea that successful blogging should be like this everyday habitual routine, may seem strange to you. But it’s not to me, and I’ll tell you why.

I understand that I have yet to become a successful blogger. I know this because it’s a statistics game and I have yet to be there with the ‘big leagues,’ let alone the ‘minors.’ Basically, I’m writing this not only for you but for me.

It’s a reminder that I should follow the philosophy I will soon explain, because this philosophy has been proven by other successful bloggers that it works.

Brushing Your Teeth

  • The ToothBrush: Is it dentist approved? Are the bristles too old? Does it have mold? This is the management portion of your blog. Successful bloggers have a flexible toothbrush that allows them to have an organized ‘content management system,’ to produce their ideas with ease. This means having and understanding the necessary code to run a blogger, wordpress, tumblr, custom cms, etc.. Without management, you cannot begin.
  • The ToothPaste: Is it whitening? Is it aquafresh? Is it a mix of colors? Or, is it glittered bubblegum flavor?!? Tooth paste is your idea, it’s your thesis. It is the mood you want to project in your next post. For example, this guest post is surely ‘minty fresh with a hint of starburst!’
  • Brushing: This is a crucial element because how long you brush depends on how much time you have. You can be thorough and meticulous, or you can brush for a few seconds missing a few teeth in the process. Overtime these under-brushed teeth will decay and rot inside your mouth. These rotten teeth are like posts that do not add value to your blog.
  • Rinsing: There comes a time where you have to stop brushing. If you don’t stop you’ll never be able to get out of the bathroom and show your pearly whites! Rinsing is like ending your blog post with a conclusion and feeling satisfied that your ideas have been laid out to publish.
  • Flossing: They say that you floss the teeth you want to keep! The same goes for blog posts, if you don’t add the finishing touches by ‘editing’ your piece, you’ll fall victim to half-done work. Every detail in this process counts.
  • Mouth Wash: The fresh liquid that gargles in your mouth allows your breath to smell invigorating. This is the same as sharing this post to your Facebook page, Twitter, etc.. If you don’t gargle your post, know one will read (smell) or notice your article.
  • The Tongue Scraper: Not everyone tongue scrapes. However, I think it is necessary because it adds more value to your mouth. ‘Tongue Scraping’ is parallel to guest blogging. Though it takes more time and can be a hassle, it makes your mouth more prominent than others.
  • Smile in the Mirror: Don’t forget to open your mouth from ear to ear! You worked hard writing, editing, and advertising the post! Appreciate your work and give yourself some praise! You are beautiful, don’t forget this true fact!
  • The Dentist: Lastly, every six months it’s good to get a checkup on your teeth. Though you’re doing a great job, the dentist will always tell you what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. This goes the same for blogging. Always consult with your readers to figure out how best to improve your blog.

I hope this helps. This realization hit me hard last week, and I will begin to follow my own advice. It is my goal, as should yours, to make your smile shine throughout the world!

Thank you for reading!

I have a few questions for you. I’m curious:

How often do you brush?
What is your brushing routine?
What do you think is necessary to have shiny teeth?

Tooth-brushing photo by stevendepolo

Related Posts:

  1. The 7 Be’s of Successful Blogging
  2. “Mom, stop teaching me about blogging!”
  3. Blogging Tips For Beginners


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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

Eddie Gear October 7, 2011 at 8:53 am

Funny to read blog advice in this context. But love the idea. Its interesting that many bloggers over look so many of these aspects.
Eddie Gear recently posted..Cheap Windows Web HostingMy Profile

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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 9:15 am

Hi Eddie,

I wrote it in this context because I wanted to create a very light-heart-ed and fun-filled post! I’m glad you love the idea. Yes, many bloggers – including myself – look over many of these aspects. This is why. Starting TODAY I will begin to follow my own advice!!

I hope it works out for both of us… weee

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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 1:35 pm

Smile in the mirror. I think that’s my favorite thought from the post. I’m beautiful, I’m doing a great work, and I need to give it my all and effort.

Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Christian

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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Life is about smiling and being happy! Even though life can be exhausting – it’s always good to smile. (:

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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 2:42 pm

It seems to be what I work on most. Smiling more. There are lots of reasons, I just think we sometimes stop looking for them – or are blinded by other things.

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Quintius M. Walker October 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Interesting. The intro caught me because so many years ago I was actually told the same exact thing about writing. More so to keep me mind off of harming myself. It’s definitely therapy. I like the comparison to brushing one’s teeth. I find poetry within it.
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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 8, 2011 at 12:08 am

Thank you. Writing, as a use for therapy, is one of the best non-violent ways to express your cathartic emotions. This is why I stress that to be a better writer/blogger – it’s always good to keep brushing. The more you brush, the more we’ll be able to see your smile!
Jonathan Gaurano recently posted..Confessions: Getting Her Number Without Saying A Word (Case Study)My Profile

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darrin coe October 8, 2011 at 10:57 am

nice analogy, very creative thinking. blogging should be a daily habit.

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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 9:51 am

It should be… I’m not following it at the moment and it’s a very upsetting. I don’t want those cavities…

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farouk October 9, 2011 at 4:22 am

very true and creative christian
its all about commitment and doing the important tasks day by day
if we brushed our teach once a week it will decay ! :)

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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 9:53 am

I really don’t understand the ‘christian’ part. However, you’re right about commitment. As I’ve said before I need to be more committed to this blogging/writing career I have in my mind. We’ll see.

Decay is bad, bad thing.

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joy October 9, 2011 at 8:28 am

I absolutely love this post! (and am seriously pushed to be more consistent with my blogs!) PS also a recent Berkeley grad, May 2011! What did you study?

Reply

Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 9:55 am

Hi Joy! Thank you!

Are you a transfer student? I arrived in Berkeley 2006 – ended 2010. I studied rhetoric and now work in San Francisco as a political consultant. Obviously, politics doesn’t pay much and I’m still figuring out my life. If you weren’t a transfer student – you would probably remember me as an ASUC senator? What did you study?

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joy October 10, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Hi Jonathon,

I knew the name was familiar! I was not a transfer student; I actually started in Fall ’06 but took another year to wrap up, so we would have been in the same class! I started as double in Middle Eastern Studies/Music and then transferred to the Near Eastern Studies dept.

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Daniel Lim October 9, 2011 at 10:06 am

Hi Jon!

Great post here. Thank you Christian for featuring him!

I love the way you’ve compared brushing one’s teeth to blogging and I can relate to it. I think it really boils down to how much of a balance a blogger can strike between all of the points you mentioned above.

For example, I can be an excellent “brusher” and “flosser” of my teeth, but if I pay little/no attention at all to the toothbrush that I’m using or the toothpaste that I’m using for that matter, no amount of brushing or flossing my teeth is going to make my teeth any whiter or healthier.

Likewise, for us bloggers, I feel that it is crucial that we strike a balance between wanting to beautify or sites with the nicest themes, writing killer content for our readers, and even stuff like communicating with our readers and being truthful and upfront about the people whom we are, behind our blogs.

One can have a great looking site with a great layout and nice buttons, but without good content, or without good audience interaction, I don’t see that blog going anywhere in the near future.

Just my two cents worth. Great article once again!

//Daniel
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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 10:01 am

Hi Daniel,

You’re absolutely right. Content is ‘King’ or your blog will die. This post is trying to convey that your site will become beautiful, overtime, if you get in the habit of ‘brushing’ – ‘flossing’ and taking care of your blog. The biggest thing I’m find, though, is that the only way your blog will survive – is if people READ your blog.

This is where the comments (flossing) / guest blogging (tongue scraping) / advertising (braces) / review (dentist checkup) – come in. I have much work to do, as does everyone, and I appreciate this comment because I find it very motivating.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Jonathan

Reply

Daniel Lim October 10, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Hi Jonathan,

I can’t agree with you more. No blog is going to go anywhere if noone reads it.

I think one thing that many of us, who are new to blogging, face, is that we tend to burn out and get discouraged because after putting in so much effort and time into our blogs, somehow, the readers just aren’t coming.

I can only say that we must never despair, and keep pushing, keep persevering and one day the efforts will pay off. That is of course we’re pushing on down the right track. We have to always look out, and try not to reinforce failure.

Thank you for the reply and the post Jonathan! Hope to hear from you soon! God bless!

//Daniel
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John Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:06 am

I appreciate your work, and this is a great article and a great example you have picked to define blogging. This is a good initiative to make a habit of blogging on a daily routine life. I love this post.
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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 10:02 am

Thank you! I will not repeat the replies I’ve made to the past commentors. I will say that I appreciate all affirmations because it really motivates me to continue this blogging path I’ve decided to take. I just hope I follow my advice… because my gut tells me that it works.

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Emma October 10, 2011 at 11:38 am

Very cute post. As an oral hygiene fanatic, this thrills me in a multitude of ways. The biggest point here is probably just general maintenance – without which, one can’t hope to keep a blog, or steely set of choppers, going for very long. Keep at it and good will follow.
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Jonathan
Twitter:
October 11, 2011 at 9:37 am

I hope good follows. I just have to try. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Jonathan
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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
October 11, 2011 at 12:59 am

Isn’t it grand to see your post tweeted over 200 times, Jonathan? You sure wrote one outstanding, incredible piece. Thank you your constant support of myself, projects and blog. You rock my friend.

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Jonathan
Twitter:
October 11, 2011 at 9:36 am

Christian! Thank you! You really motivate me and you keep me on track. I think I’m going to follow my advice and continue to guest post around websites (including yours).
You rock. Period.
Thank you.
Jonathan.

Now it’s just time to follow my advice, above, ha.
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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
October 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm

I think we all have to work a little harder in order to follow our own advice. Sometimes it can be a little difficult, but it’s worth it. We push ourselves!

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Greg October 16, 2011 at 4:42 pm

Nice comparison Cristian! Brushing our teeth is a part of our hygiene regimen. Different people have their own rules in brushing their teeth… Starting from the brand of toothpaste and brush, direction of brushing, time spent and other stuffs like using mouthwash. Just like in blogging, it is important to consider things. Having a post is not solely the factor in blogging but having a great post which attract the readers is important.
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Jonathan Gaurano
Twitter:
October 18, 2011 at 5:42 pm

Thanks Greg for reading my post! Christian was nice enough to post it on the site (:
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Heather Smith December 27, 2011 at 12:30 am

“smile, and the world will smile with you” dont get frustrated so easily keep on doing what you love……. blog on!

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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
December 27, 2011 at 6:52 pm

Blog on! A great thought to takeaway from the post. Keep rocking the blogging world!
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Nathan Woodbury January 9, 2012 at 1:08 am

Probably this blog creates a great interest for readers because it catches attention thus it helps individual understand its importance. “Smile don’t frown, Smiles are great investments: the more you collect, the better you feel.”
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Christian Hollingsworth
Twitter:
January 9, 2012 at 3:13 am

Thank you!
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bardonsmiles April 28, 2012 at 10:38 pm

Hello there!
Brushing our teeth is really a very important daily routine that we should do. Especially in the morning when we wake up. For it will make our day perfect. And that we will not be shy to talk to other people for we are sure that they will not faint when we speak. :)

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