Zach Bunn

Start simple. Really simple.

Nearly two years ago, I met over coffee with a good friend to discuss some ideas he had for a few websites. He wanted to do one that would be an online resource focusing on the advancement of leadership theory (The LeaderLab). He also wanted to do his own blog (DavidBurkus.com).

At the time, I cautioned him about doing two websites. Although I thought it was possible, I knew it would be tough. He was just starting work on his doctorate and had a full time job. Adding in not just one, but two websites to the mix would be quite the task. He intended to update both regularly. I was interested to see what happened.

I recommended that he only do one site and focus on it. I explained the many benefits of only doing one site. By starting simple and focusing in on one blog you can write better quality content, build stronger followings on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and learn how to manage a site so much quicker. You also run a much smaller risk of burning out.

While he didn’t take it then, yesterday he conceded that heeding my advice twenty four months ago would have been a wise decision. What ultimately happened is we both put in time and effort building both websites. After a few months, his own blog was a ghost town while LeaderLab was booming. He put all of his attention into building that website and before long was getting enormous amounts of traffic. Within the first year or so he broke the 10,000 follower mark on Twitter and has since broken the 25,000 followers mark! (LeaderLab Twitter)

My first recommendation to anyone who is looking to start a blog or a website is to start simple, keep it as clean and straightforward as possible, and get started as soon as possible.

Zach