Shall I Delete All The Old & Irrelevant Blog Posts? #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra

Hi Friends,

I was thinking of cleaning my blog for the last few months as the old content is irrelevant and most of the brands have lost interest in my blog and I also lost interest in those brands and promoting their products and services. After much deliberation and advice from The Cape Town Guy and TechnoBok, I decided to delete most of the content and reuse some of them. This is otherwise going to be my 2082nd post and subsequently, in the days to come, it will fall within the range of around 1000 or something.

The most important thing is if the brand is not valuing you and they are not giving you anything for your efforts in promoting their products or services, then it's better to let go of all the content which has now ended in interest and web searches. The content is generally of two types - Trending topics and Evergreen topics. Trending topics means the latest news, new products, new events, etc happening around you. Evergreen topics are like which will remain of value but might need some updates in terms of introducing new updates to the old posts and reinventing them and sharing it with the community again.

The whole list of blog posts are mentioned in detail before the process of deletion starts - 

Brand	Self	Press Release	Grand Total
TheLife'sWay	577		577
Huawei	19	100	119
Samsung	15	90	105
Indiblogger	39	44	83
Montecasino		82	82
Acer	3	64	67
Disney		65	65
Faltu		56	56
Sony	10	42	52
Silverstar		48	48
Sterkinekor		38	38
rAge Expo		36	36
ZEE	1	27	28
LG	1	23	24
Microsoft	3	20	23
BluBlood		21	21
Uber		20	20
Lenovo		20	20
Debra		19	19
Logitech	1	18	19
Tsogo Sun		15	15
Savanna		13	13
Spotify		13	13
Madex		13	13
HTC		12	12
Comic Con		11	11
GC Com		11	11
Gold Reef City		10	10
Grand West		10	10
Goliath		9	9
Imperial Auto		9	9
DJI		8	8
Gammatek		8	8
Adata		8	8
Movies		8	8
Drink Score		7	7
Jacaranda		7	7
Starburst		7	7
Blogadda	7		7
Hasbro		7	7
CH Com		7	7
Annie PR		7	7
Vodacom		7	7
Bang & Olufsen		7	7
Asus		7	7
Gemalto		7	7
HP	1	5	6
JHB Property		6	6
Bokeh fff	1	5	6
Prime Video	6		6
Native VML		6	6
Africa Com		6	6
Adcock Ingram		5	5
Rand Show		5	5
Vanessa		5	5
DSTV		5	5
Red Bull		5	5
Empire Ent		5	5
Get Black		5	5
Braai Master		5	5
Nespresso		5	5
MSC Cruise		5	5
Kelloggs		5	5
Canon		4	4
Cadbury		4	4
Simba		4	4
Emperors Palace		4	4
Prime Interactive		4	4
Flight Centre		4	4
Shield		4	4
Airbnb		4	4
Smirnoff		4	4
Netflix	4		4
DNA		4	4
Ponds		4	4
Craft		4	4
TLC - Bjorn		3	3
Siemens		3	3
Doritos		3	3
WWF		3	3
Sprite		3	3
Namritha		3	3
Fujifilm	1	2	3
Core Group		3	3
Fanta	1	2	3
NDTV	3		3
Hostex		3	3
Nestle		3	3
Hotstar	3		3
Nokia		3	3
Total SA		3	3
Reach for a Dream		3	3
U Cook		3	3
Diageo		3	3
Unilever		3	3
Monica		3	3
Western Digital		3	3
Camp World		2	2
Times Media		2	2
Nutribullet		2	2
Cell C		2	2
Price Check		2	2
Allianz		2	2
News Café		2	2
Mugg and Bean		2	2
Telkom		2	2
Corona		2	2
Tomy Takkies		2	2
Reebok		2	2
Prima Toys		2	2
Wedding Expo		2	2
Island Tribe		2	2
Battery Centre		2	2
Geek Fest		2	2
Hello Paisa		2	2
BrightRock		2	2
Case Logic		2	2
Mattel		2	2
Netflorist		2	2
Oyster Box		2	2
Hogan Lovells		2	2
12 Apostles		2	2
M&M’s		2	2
Prima Interactive		2	2
Simon		2	2
EOH		2	2
Jodi		2	2
Veritas		2	2
Solgar		2	2
Windhoek		2	2
Honor		2	2
Roman's Pizza		2	2
Heineken		2	2
Cybercellar		2	2
Kings Price	2		2
Badplaas		1	1
Vega School		1	1
Tresemme		1	1
Zee5	1		1
Frys		1	1
Qualcomm		1	1
Tom Tom		1	1
CANSA		1	1
Orbit		1	1
Capitec		1	1
Pizza Hut		1	1
Defy		1	1
Curves		1	1
READ		1	1
ICE		1	1
Lifti		1	1
Nikon		1	1
DeskStand	1		1
Craving Novity		1	1
Getaway Show		1	1
Panasonic		1	1
SADAG		1	1
Vivo Mobile		1	1
Carbon Track		1	1
Voot	1		1
Sanral		1	1
Crystal Cruises		1	1
Diaglo		1	1
Sun Stream		1	1
Discop		1	1
Epic MSL		1	1
Showmax		1	1
Body Glove		1	1
Astrum		1	1
India Apps		1	1
Bosch		1	1
Travelstart	1		1
Mophie	1		1
Trish		1	1
Motorola		1	1
Fisher Price		1	1
SkullCandy	1		1
Cresta		1	1
Cerebra		1	1
Vanessa Naude		1	1
3M		1	1
Pirelli		1	1
MTN		1	1
VMWare		1	1
Cisco		1	1
Volvo		1	1
Clorets		1	1
Flying Fish		1	1
Starbucks		1	1
Jungle		1	1
BBC		1	1
Yum Tum		1	1
Audi		1	1
STK		1	1
Zespri		1	1
Kirk		1	1
Krispy Kreme		1	1
Grand Total	704	1377	2081

This is kept for the purpose of keeping memory and the efforts that have gone into promoting the content on various social media platforms. The best part of the performance came when I used to share all the old blog posts on twitter on a daily basis but it also led to the people and brands muting or blocking me. If I reduce some 600 posts my press release to self-written posts will come to 50% and it will definitely make me happy. Meanwhile, I will continue to promote more and more self-written content on the platform and will schedule the series of posts for some time to come if possible. 

What are your opinions about the old posts and press releases? Shall we delete them all or modify them to see if they can be reused?

Sawubona!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts. Namaste!

7 Days To www.TheLifesWay.com 5th Birthday Celebrations #5YearsofTheLifesWay #27Dec2017 #Community

Hi Friends, 

A week's worth of posts and then I can relax until the end of this year when I complete 6 Years of The Life's Way. I have learned a lot and now I am applying the learnings from fellow bloggers and influencers. You need to be in the community if you seek any guidance or advice or help or support. These communities grow together and you learn from each other. We are not made in isolation and we can't progress in isolation. We always need to collaborate with several individuals and agencies to let our network grow further. I have been missing a lot on this parameter but now as I have opened my arms, a lot of new opportunities are coming my way this year. 

A lot of efforts are required if you need to collaborate and the first one being disciplined. It means that you need to do what you were supposed to do on a certain date or as promised to the other party. Sometimes in my life, I am too tired to do the same but I have made this a rule of my life, long back that if I have promised something, I will surely do it. Habits are difficult to make but once you make them, they will help you throughout your life. With passing time, as you grow older you become more and more wise and humble and you start to think from other person's perspective too. 

Trying Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera #CanonRoadshow

Life is all about bringing your true potential and realizing your full potential. Mostly in our lives, we are not able to realize our own potential as we might not get suitable mentors or we never sought the guidance of anyone. Communities, if you a part of one, can take this disadvantage away from you as someone will be there to guide and mentor you. As I think of the past and connect the dots, I have been part of Landmark Forum community even before I started writing my blog and it helped me grow by putting me on right trajectory of thinking. It helped me grow myself from a boy to a man who valued his words.

Once I have started valuing my own words, I take time to respond and also say what is required to be said. But when you are in the industry of influencers then you need to constantly say, the same thing again and again to several people which might be boring to you but the other person will have a different reaction. You don't need to bring in a new topic of discussion in a single evening but the same talk with each and everyone present but make sure that the same person is never there in your conversations else he will find it boring to hell. I don't know how much benefit it will bring to you but I will definitely try out the same strategy at one of the next events I attend. Till that time...

Cheers!!!

Contact me at editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on paid/sponsored campaigns. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra!

9 Days To www.TheLifesWay.com 5th Birthday Celebrations #5YearsofTheLifesWay #27Dec2017 #Validations

Hi Friends, 

Your work should always have your own unique kind of mark which won't come so fast in your life. For some, it might but for some, it takes a hell lot of time. I am still trying to find my niche where people can validate or vouch for me in that area. I am still not sure as to where I am and where I want to go. I am doing several mistakes in my pitching to brands and PR companies. I have also done several mistakes for not grabbing opportunities when they came to me due to some constraints created by my mind only. 

Being vulnerable is okay and to get fooled is also okay because sooner or later, you will get what you want as companies will see your loyalty. As they say in the scriptures, Ramayana, where Lord RAM says to his followers, that Making someone fool is selfish and bad but if someone fools you, it's okay. You have accepted the person but now it will be his/her guilt that will be carried along with him/her always. You always have to believe in your KARMA as it can change anytime for anyone. 

You should carry on working on your niche and skills without any tension of paid work. The money will come once you beat your own work day and night. Beat your own self again and again. BE on the top of the things and enjoy what you do. I only wish that for myself but I am trying to get my mojo of things back. I recently observed after my last post that I have taken a lot of tension on myself to make it work. Even if it doesn't work won't have any effect on me financially but to match my lifestyle, I need to make it work. 

The best way to make it work for you is to enjoy your time when you are doing your social media stuff whatever it may be - posting a picture, writing some content or posting a blog post. Enjoy your time creating your content and later enjoy it getting viral. It might take some time but let's create something unique in 2018 which can help you fall in love with yourself again!

Cheers!!!

Contact me at editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on paid/sponsored campaigns. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra! Check my influence and book me via https://webfluential.com/TheLifesWay

10 Days To www.TheLifesWay.com 5th Birthday Celebrations #5YearsofTheLifesWay #27Dec2017 #Relationships

Hi Friends,

Not always we have the luxury to do paid or sponsored posts but we do have is what is called a winner's attitude which is a necessity to work in this industry. You need to thick skin otherwise people will abuse you a lot when you ask for money. They will either make your working here difficult or will take you out of the business. 

I have been under a lot of stress since the day I started asking PR companies for paid posts but they said, I don't have the ROI, we don't have a budget, the brand doesn't want to and thousands of excuses. But you will hear that they will have deals with their known resources so it all comes down to relationships in this industry. If you are good at building a relationship with every brand and every individual working with them, you will be hugely successful. 

Either you go up building your relationships or the EXIT is nearby!!! - Aashish Rai

Relationships are difficult to make in a single day, you need to devote and spend time and attention with the individual. You also need to be a little bit of charming and extrovert to be able to spend some quality time with the person. You have to have a collection of talks to initiate the conversation and smart enough to participate in all kinds of talks. I am all of it but I have never given a chance to anyone or myself to come closer to me. I don't think I have talked with many people for more than a minute or so. This is really taking me towards the stage of life where you are getting lonely and alone where I am in the party but still aloof. 

Every blogger needs to work on their social skills as it's what Social Media influence but when you don't have the first word correct in your personality, then what's the use of being one. So, you need to be a little bit of approachable and talkative so that every person can enjoy your company. Some people will like you and some won't so don't bother, keep giving your best as in this industry, there are same people in all the parties, all the time, whom you already know but this time take time to meet the person behind the facade and invest time in building a relationship.

This is one of the biggest mistakes I am doing and in 2018 I want to build relationships more!

Cheers!!!

Contact me at editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on paid/sponsored campaigns. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra! Check my influence and book me via https://webfluential.com/TheLifesWay

12 Days To www.TheLifesWay.com 5th Birthday Celebrations #5YearsofTheLifesWay #27Dec2017 #Pride

Hi Friends, 

I have told several stories of my life and how and why The Life's Way came into existence. There have been thousands of contests I participated in and hundreds I have won to receive small to big prizes. I have been in the attitude of a winner and that's the only reason I could win so many things. But sometimes with the same comes pride which will take your attitude away and brings ego in. I have been part of this cycle numerous times and it feels bad to fall into this vicious trap again and again. Feelings and emotions are difficult to control unless you follow the law of detachment. But it's not so easy to stay attached while being detached.

There are so many things that are clouding my mind and stopping me to do and achieve what I want to do for The Life's Way. I was reading through and came across an idea of Fair Exchange which means that you provide much more value than you receive. I have been following this principle initially during my first 2-3 years in my blog but then I set my ego into the same and that's a downward path for sure. Now after completing 5 years on my blog, I am thinking of just giving out a great fair exchange without any ask but remember it exchanges are not open season.

Sometimes brands and PR agencies use you to complete their targets but you get nothing in return. Now I am thinking why waste time sweating the small stuff of what they do to you but if your time is what they are wasting then don't look backwards and fire the bridge between till there is a fair exchange policy and understanding between you and the brand. It is a lot of time to keep running this blog and to share the content you want to display on your social media channels. I do whatever I am on with passion and commitment and will continue to do so but my focus will be my happiness and not someone else's.

I will totally give my end's worth despite whatever the other person tells or says and will do my own writing an edge by buying stuff and reviewing it or by lending them out. I am going the minimalist way so I won't hoard stuff I don't want or don't like and give it away to my family members or friends whosoever wants it and values it. The next thing I want to save money is for the Apple Mac Book Pro as I am tired of my Dell XPS 15 laptop whose battery is now dead and too heavy to carry and work around wherever I want. Apple laptop will help to write stuff as and when I want and will give me around 5-6 hours of battery life on the go!

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Mar 2016 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys,

Life is full of surprises and it gives you enough of them to keep you playful and agile along the way. My life has been one where I have seen a lot of ups and downs but always kept hoping for the best. It's the ability to carry on and moving forward that gives us all strength to face whatever life throws at us. 

March 2016 was a hectic month as there were so many new phone launches along with several events for various other brands last year. It's just the right time to bring new things to the retail markets as Easter is around the corner. People are either upgrading themselves or buying gadgets for their loved ones. 

1. 7 Tips For #Snapping Better #Pictures With Your #Smartphone #HTCOneLifeSA - http://www.thelifesway.com/2016/03/7-tips-for-snapping-better-pictures.html - Everyone loves taking photographs and smartphones have made cameras available to each and every one of us. Some people are so great at taking pictures and creating something unique out of their shots. Check out instagram for all such inspirations. 

2. Exceptional Dining Delight at #Drakensberg @TsogoSun #SunResort #SouthAfrica - http://www.thelifesway.com/2016/03/exceptional-dining-delight-at.html - I never had the opportunity to visit this amazing hotel in the valleys of Drakensberg but I would not leave any chance also if offered. All Tsogo Sun properties are awesome and I had the pleasure to stay in SilverStar Casino in Krugersdorp and The Cullinan in Cape Town. 

3. LG's G5 Smartphone Wins 33 Awards #MWC2016 @LGSouthAfrica - http://www.thelifesway.com/2016/03/lgs-g5-smartphone-wins-33-awards.html - LG G5 has been a great smartphone and won so many awards. I too used its camera to win some gifts at the launch of the Mall of Africa Instagram contest. LG launched their latest LG G6 in the South African market and I was not invited to the media launch. Time flies!!!

4. @CRAFTParkhurst #Jozi Launches #FreakWAFFLES - http://www.thelifesway.com/2016/03/craftparkhurst-jozi-launches.html - Craft Parkhurst is one of the most loved restaurants in the area and why just look at the amazing food/snacks items they create. They are not only great in taste but also photographing them is amazing for your Instagram channel. 

5. @SamsungSA #2016 Predictions See The #IoT and #Mobility Connect and Serve - http://www.thelifesway.com/2016/03/samsungsa-2016-predictions-see-iot-and.html - Samsung has always been the front runner in terms of new technology. They launched S8 and S8+ recently in South Africa as well as globally. I was not part of the invite list this year. I am feeling sad but happy to see the latest gadgets arriving in SA as they are launched globally around the same time. 

The brands and PR's keeps oscillating between what they need from their influencers and who will be the right fit for their brands. Also, the people working in these PR agencies keep changing and the old one has some relationship with you and when that person leaves the company, you are not getting that attention you were getting before. That's why it's all part of learning and facing the ups and downs of your life! So to keep the same level of relationship, your work and blog or social media channels shall speak so that it doesn't make any difference who is the PR agency employed by the brand at the moment. Your work shall rise above all this and brands will come looking for you! I hope that I create the same for myself this year in 2017.

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!