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How Blogging made me a Better Writer Posted: 18 Jun 2008 03:41 PM CDT Karen Andrews is an award winning short story writer coming up to the second year anniversary of her blog www.miscmum.com. Her first book, a children's picture book called Surprise!, will be released in Australia in October. Further details can be found at www.miscpress.com.au I recently spoke at a writers' festival about the potential confluence of my blogging 'world' with my writing 'world' as the release of my book looms. There I posited the benefits this might entail; how one might help the other in terms of marketing and exposure. As I thought about what I wanted to say that day, it occurred to me just what a difference blogging has made to my life. I don't think I'm alone, either. Wherever I turn these days it seems like every blogger I read or admire is coming out with a book. I wondered, surely this is no coincidence? What is it that bloggers are doing to be so proactive and productive? What can we learn from their achievements? For me, it boils down to one thing: It's about finding your voice… I am what is often described as a 'personal blogger' (some might say 'mommy blogger'). I suppose if I was to label myself, either term would be acceptable, but my point is no matter what field you specialise in, blogging is a fantastic medium for experimentation. Through words, video, and photographs one can truly find a means of expression that they're comfortable with and communicate vividly through. I get so pleased for people who discover their voices; say what they've always wanted to say and mine their life's experiences to tell wonderful, funny, poignant stories. For some, their voice becomes immediately recognisable. And famous. Perhaps profitable, if that's important to you. The truth is, once you've found your voice, a whole lot of the blogging questions which you inevitably face are easily answered. Clarity lets you say 'no' as much as 'yes', depending on the circumstances. It lets you focus on what's most important and for me that's the writing process itself. …but finding your voice isn't always easy It is, however, a process. You might write a blog which only grabs a handful of comments per post – if that. You might feel you're languishing in undeserved anonymity. You might wonder why aren't your words more powerful? More popular? Why don't you have as many subscribers as this or that person? I can't solve any jealousy issues you might have (and I think we've all had them from time to time, if we're honest) because that kind of external validation has nothing to do with the place where your passions and motivations are rooted inside. And if your validations and motivations are connected, then perhaps you're a different kind of writer than I am. For example, I often write about my children. As I see writing about my children as a celebratory act of their lives, any response I get back from readers – good or bad – doesn't shake the integrity I have each time I sit down and think of what I want to say. Your voice doesn't have to be likeable to everyone. It only matters that you're happy with it. It also doesn’t mean that everything automatically falls into place every time you sit down at your keyboard; that words will spill out effortlessly. Writing, as many people quickly discover, can be a hard slog. But it helps if the basics are there. Cultivating your unique voice may take years, but eventually you will come to a point when you stand back from what you've achieved, from modest beginnings, be proud, and turn towards the future. The rewards are worth it. Share This

Becoming a Self Centered Blogger - How to Let Your Blog Go #3 Posted: 18 Jun 2008 09:05 AM CDT Another way that some bloggers let their blogs go is to let their blog become more about them and their own needs and less about the needs of their readers. A blog will only ever be successful if it fulfills a need for readers in some way. This need might be for information, tips, inspiration, entertainment, community etc. I’ve seen a number of blogs over the years rise to popularity only to fall in a heap when the blogger took their readers for granted. This can happy in many ways - bloggers whose posts become stuffed with affiliate programs/paid reviews, bloggers who become too big for their boots (arrogance), bloggers who just promote their own work and don’t acknowledge their readers or other blogs in their niche. Let me say that I understand how easy it is to let your blog slip in this area. Sometimes the temptation to make your blog self serving rather than reader serving is great - however you need to keep the balance right (and it is a balancing act because a blog needs to serve you too). Solution : The solution is to know your readers and why they come to your blog and to work towards being a useful blog that fulfills their needs. Tips for Having a Blog that Serves You AND Your Reader: Every now and again it is worth doing an audit or review of your blog in numerous areas. One of these should be around how useful your blog is and how much you focus upon your readers. So do a review in this area by asking some of the following questions: How many of my posts have practically helped people lately? What percentage of my posts contain affiliate links or paid reviews? Have I heard any recurring reader complaints lately? How much reader interaction do I have (in email and comments)? Do I answer reader questions? What have I given to my readers? If you are out of balance with your blogging here are a few suggestions that I’d make to right things (based upon previous posts here at ProBlogger): Email a new Reader - emailing someone that is new to your blog can make a great first impression. Email an old Reader - sometimes long term readers can feel a little unnoticed when a blog grows. They used to get personal attention but then it disappears. An email can reignite their passion for your blog. Respond to a Reader Comment - being active in your own comments section makes a big impression. Run a Reader Survey - the perfect way to get in tune with readers Make a Reader Famous - blogs are usually about making bloggers famous - but one that highlights and shows off it’s readers will always attract new people to them. Ask for Reader Questions - and Answer them - this ensures a relevant, open and useful blog Check Your Stats to See what Questions Readers Have - this technique for finding out what your readers are searching for is priceless! Write a ‘How to’/Tip post that will help readers with something practical - the more practical and ‘useable’ your posts are the more you’ll find readers attracted to what you write. Ultimately, when you find that your blog is starting to serve you more than readers its about refocussing your blog. Draw a line in the sand today and make it the start to a more useful experience for your readers. Remember - it’s about Balance Do keep in mind that for a blog to be sustainable in the long term it can’t be ALL about your readers. Yes they need to be front and center in your mind - but YOU need to get something out of your blog too. This might simply be personal satisfaction, building your profile, earning some money or something else - but unless you gain something from it you’re likely to burn out from your blog. Get the balance right and you’ll be well positioned to have a blog that not only helps do something for you but that helps others along the way. Share This

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