Jeff Bezos, the CEO and founder of Amazon.com, has the reputation for being an effective long-term strategist in both the way he handles his business and how he takes advantage of opportunities. Here are three strategies from Jeff Bezos which I successfully applied to this blog – and how you can too.
Applying the Jeff Bezos Mindset on Your Blogging
It’s not impossible to apply the success story of a multi-billion dollar industry Jeff Bezos created to your blog or website. In fact, with the three concepts below, it’s easier than you think.
Provide Greater Value than Traditional Methods
Did you know that most blogs in the Philippines receive less than 20,000 page views monthly? This tells me that most blogs don’t offer anything on its ‘turf’ – online – than what people can find via traditional methods such as books, newspaper, or even television. Jeff Bezos and Amazon.com enabled people to shop for books for less money, faster deliveries, and more convenience.
- Do you feel that people waste time trying to find information they can find on your blog? Create a faster site for better user experience.
- Do you feel that you can offer sought-after knowledge? Create informative articles for free or for a minimal fee; think why your blog could be a resource instead of books or magazines.
Know When to Cut Losses
It’s too easy to fall in love with your own blog and/or articles. People are horrified when I reveal that I have deleted over 700 articles on this blog. I just chose to no longer publish selfish content which may not be useful or helpful to the audience of this site. Jeff Bezos also pulled the plug on two big projects, which cost him valuable man-hours and money. He tried competing on auction against eBay and on search against Google – and realized he was offering more value by concentrating on retail.
- Are you trying to do too many things on your blog? To be valuable, specialize.
Short-term “Loss” is Long-term Gain in Disguise
A saying at Amazon.com goes something like this: “If you can’t be competitive, don’t stand in the way.” Powerful message – and something many bloggers aren’t willing to even consider. Imagine being asked for your expert and professional opinion. Having no definitive answer, would you refer someone else who may? “Drive people out of my blog and to another site?? Are you crazy?” you might ask. Not at all – showing willingness to refer another person to your audience speaks volumes about your professionalism, reputation, and honesty.
Takeaways:
- Turn your blog into an easier, faster, or more convenient version of its traditional version or the way your information is usually presented.
- Trim unnecessary fat from your website – user experience is everything.
- Trust is built by helping people find what they need, even if it does not come from you or your website.
Can you think like Jeff Bezos and turn your blog into an information or entertainment hub? Please Like and Share this article if you found it useful!
Featured image from The Wall Street Journal, retrieved on January 12, 2013.
References:
- Brandt, R.L., “One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com” (2011)
- Spector, R., “Amazon.com: Get Big Fast” (2000)
- “In Looking to Branch Out, Amazon Goes Out on a Limb”, The Wall Street Journal, May 12, 1998
- Roush, W., “Amazon: Giving Away the Store”, Technology Review, January 2005.
About Jason Cruz
