Hello Okay, I FINALLY started my own writer's blog! lol (some of you remember the saga: Should I start one or not?) Now I'm simply not sure what to talk about. I specialize in several types of writing during the day, and I'm concerned about writing on one topic and turning of readers. I'm also wondering just how much "advice" to give, because although I will respond to posts here in a friendly way -- I don't have a very "advice" type of personality -- and I can't think of very much advice to give at the moment. lol Maybe it is my post-vacation mood to blame.....? I welcome any and all suggestions on creating blog topics, blogging for your professional "image" per se. Any advice people have about what I should do to create posts or not do. Thank you for your time. Abby
1. I'd say to get a few key posts up early on. These could be things like how-tos on writing or using certain kinds of things, or even a piece on how to hire writers in your niche or specialty. 2. Then a good way to use it to build your "professional image" would be to start networking through it - posting to comment on another blogger's post in the niche perhaps (maybe to disagree with them; maybe to expand on the issue further than they did; etc.). 3. Short interviews with recognizable folks in the niche might be a good way to make people aware of you (they'll often link to your blog interview with them, exposing their readers to what you have to say). Those are just the first few thoughts that popped to mind.
I'd like to respond, but can you tell me what a "writer's blog" is first? I don't want to load up my guns and go off on the wrong thing. Thanks
When I'm out of ideas or its just not happening while im in front of my computer, Ill get ideas by reading the newspaper, magazines, local magazines, or by watching tv (BTW i use television as a tool for ideas), and when you do get that "a-ha" idea write it down on a notepad and improvise on it later in the evening. You just have to relax, the ideas WILL come to you.
First thing they teach in J-school is that if you're at a loss for ideas, go look at what others in the media are talking about. Works like a charm every time. I never am at a loss for ideas and neither should you. There's no need to reinvent the wheel.
Just look at other professional writer's blogs and see what they are doing to get insight and inspiration.
Talk about things that you go through (and you see others go through) as a freelance writer. Your first post could be about making the decision to start a writer's blog. I'd give you more ideas, but I'm reinvigorating mine (blog) soon and if I give you all my ideas, what would I write about?
A lot of people talk about blogging with the voice of 'authority', but if you don't naturally have that kind of personality it might be hard for you to write that way (I know it is for me). You don't have to give advice in an advice-ey (authoritarian) kind of way; just tell people how you go about your day and how you do things. So instead of a post like "How To XXX", you can write "How I XXX". Ideas: - what are your daily routines? - how do your organize your files? - what tricks do you use to stay motivated, get un-stuck from writers' block, defeat boredom, etc? - what tools do you use? - what mistakes have you made that you've learned from? - how do you go about starting a project? what do you do in the middle? how do you end it? - how do you find work? ...and notice these are all topics that are broad and generic to writing, so you won't scare anyone off by being too specific. I hope you post a link to your blog, and if not maybe you could PM me with it? I'm a blogaholic, especially writing blogs.
Oh you guys have great advice Thank you so much! Yes, I'll admit I don't want to say anything too specific. A lot of my work is ghostwriting and nevertheless, I protect my client's confidentiality. I wouldn't want to say something very mild and have it taken out of context. I'll start thinking of some ideas for posts. Thanks!
Yeah, you should check out my writer's blog as an example. Oh wait, I forgot. I don't have one. This has been a drive-by posting sponsored by U'd-Waist : the next time you have an idea, don't do it. Instead, think about all the time U'd-Waist. We now return to our regularly scheduled program about making money, already in progress . . .
Hi, I have a personal blog, and it has many many topics and categories to write on. I don't really know if i my answer is right here, but after writing for awhile my writing skills improved. One very very good tip I use is to use a thesaurus... I hope I can share my writing good stuff after a while. Is it ok to put a hyperlink to my personal blog ? I've just started in May.
As others have said, a solid base of posts is absolutely key. You need something to get people there. You can alternate new, exciting, interesting content with some of the more necessary basics.