Well, it’s 2013 and this year the JYAJ joggling blog will turn 6 years old. Who knew that there would be this much to write about the sport of running while juggling?
While I came out strong last year writing relevant posts every single day through May 29, 2012, I stumbled in the second half of the year. I don’t really know why. Maybe it was the fact that I was writing a blog post every day on another blog about cosmetic science, keeping a joggling streak alive, writing a book, launching two online training programs, and traveling to the other side of the planet. Although, those are all just excuses. I just didn’t make this joggling blog my highest priority.
But I love joggling and I love writing about it. There was a lot that went on in the joggling world last year and if you see my post about the top joggling stories from 2012, you’ll see.
To reinvigorate this blog I’ve decided to go back to the beginning. As a sort of re-start. The first step of this is to brainstorm the Purpose of the Blog, the Content of the Blog, and ultimately ways that it can make money. It’s not that I’m trying to become a rich joggler. But I don’t have a regular job and rely on my online activities to support me and my family. If I can help people, inspire people to joggle, and get paid to do it, all the better.
Just Your Average Brainstorming
Whenever I review a topic, I like to begin with a mind mapping brainstorm. Here is a picture of my joggler brainstorm using my favorite mind mapping software, FreeMind. You can click on it to see a bigger version of the picture.
On the right side at the top are the 7 reasons for Just Your Average Joggler to exist. I tried to think in terms of why anyone would want to come to this site rather than why I do it. For me, I just enjoy writing and participating in joggling.
The primary purposes of the blog is to
Inspire people to run, juggle, joggle or otherwise become more active to live healthier, happier lives
That might be a tall order for a simple blog about juggling while running but it’s always good to have a purpose for the things you do.
Content
While I have done this before, I often struggle with topics to write about. Right now there are a total of 1488 posts on this blog. That means I’ve probably written about nearly every significant aspect of joggling and running. I haven’t written as much about juggling but the truth is while I’m a decent juggler I’m not certain that I have much to teach anyone about juggling. The extent to my juggling knowledge could be summed up as the following.
You throw the balls, you catch the balls, and you repeat.
Also, it’s easier if the balls don’t crash into each other.
Not exactly helpful. Maybe in the future I’ll work on becoming a better juggling instructor. Anyway, the primary topics that will be covered on this blog are listed on the right side at the bottom. They include…
Joggling
Juggling
Running
Stunt Runners (they’re like jogglers)
Longevity – In line with my goal to live until 107
Diet / Weight / Health – All help to achieve longevity
Goal Achievement
As a blogger, I try to create content that is interesting, entertaining and useful to our readers. So that might require things to be delivered in a variety of ways. I’ve still got it in my head that I want to do a podcast but maybe just more videos recorded from my iPhone is the way to go. I have a goal this year to do 50 videos so that would certainly help towards that goal.
Products
As I said before, while I love writing about joggling I also am obliged to try to get paid for the time I put into this blog. It would be truly unfortunate to have to go back into the corporate world and work for someone else. eeeks! So, I brainstormed a bunch of ideas about the types of products that I could make to help support my free-living joggling lifestyle. Those are listed on the left side of the picture. Some of them look like they could be really fun projects.
One other way to generate money would be to have more / better advertising on the website and re-designing the website will certainly be another goal. Look for that in the coming weeks.
Well, that’s it for the plans for the JYAJ in 2013. If you have any ideas or would like to contribute content about any of the topics above, I’d love to publish it. My goal this year will be to generate at least 300 posts which is about 25 per month. I’ve done it before so I should be able to do it again.
Joggle on and thanks for reading!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Perry,
I too have thought about writing a book on joggling. I’m a club joggler, and I find myself asking the question, what’s my juggling telling me about my running? I’ve learned that when it’s off, it’s because something’s up with my form, or posture if you will. My shoulders are too high… I’m reaching to far forward for the right hand catch, so my strides are off; slow it down…. When I get tired or ache, I think about juggling. Focus on my breath matching a certain catch with my left hand….. how much can I see while not dropping… what is it that I’m looking at while these clubs spin before eyes without a thought for there whereabouts… These things always help my running.
I believe the world of joggling is waiting to be blown up. I too, have considered doing videos. One that I’ve been anxious to create: joggling while doing track exercises. I love doing the one where you keep your body square, while running foot over foot to the right and left. Pulling that off is so FUN…. I’ve often thought of doing an exercise video of stretching while juggling. Start in classic posture, 3 ball cascade, slowing go up into over your head, bring that down until you’re dribbling 3 balls on the floor, and back up to Start. You know the drills. It’s great fun, and it’s like learning new tricks all over again, with things you already know.
I’ve done some considerable work on the book. I highly suggest you grab, “The Self-Publishing Manual” by Dan Poynter. He even tells you how-to write your book.
Sincerely,
Greg
Hey Greg,
Thanks for the comments. I think you’ve made some excellent points. I actually own and have read Dan Poynter’s book. It was a great help when I self published my first book The Beauty Brains.
In case you’re interested, I just came across another excellent book for someone looking to self publish. It’s by Guy Kawasaki and it’s called APE. You should check it out. And let me know if you get around to publishing the book, I’d be happy to review it. Or maybe we can collaborate on a joggling book.
Perry,
I’ve thought about this some. Why not look into credit card affiliate links. You get $20-100 per sign up. Take a look at the frugaltravelguy.com. He explains how to use credit card sign ups to get points and actually improving your credit. Many of the people that follow him sign up for 3 cards every 3 months.
The joggling angle could be sign up for these credit cards to fly first class to Hawaii for the Hawaii marathon. There are some other runners blogs that incorporate those ideas. Every once in a while you blog seems to blow up with traffic from media coverage. You could capitalise on that.
Thanks for the suggestion Robert. I am in a few affiliate programs but I hadn’t thought of the credit card angle.
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