Wednesday, December 11, 2013

10 Suggestions for a Would-be Blogger



The new year's coming with all its possibilities, and if you're like me, you want to challenge yourself a bit and try something new. If you've ever considered blogging, this list of suggestions is for you, although frankly I have only three years of personal experience (and a very small blog) from which to write. My recommendations:

  • Go for it.
  • Know why you're going for it. I'm not talking about "niche" so much as purpose. For example, my purpose has always been to write things down for my children. Knowing my purpose helps me decide what to blog. It also helps me on those days that I'm discouraged, for whatever reason, with my blogging. On those days, I ask myself: am I still writing things down for my kids? And I am, so there's really no good reason to be discouraged. I'm doing what I set out to do. 
  • You may be shocked to hear this from someone who's studied and taught English, but it's not about the grammar. Grammar's important, yes, but perfect grammar can actually feel stiff and tiresome, and I'll choose an engaging storyteller over a grammarian, any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
  • Write whatever you want, but expect push-back, and be prepared to stand behind your words. The blogosphere, facebook, and the world in general would be better if people would buck up or shut up. You have freedom of speech, and so does everyone else. If the only words you want uttered are your own, find a quiet corner and talk to yourself. Don't enter the conversation, and for goodness' sake, don't start it.
  • Have you ever studied group dynamics? I've actually taught it (although I wasn't necessarily qualified to do so), and it's nearly always awkward to join an existing group, even a Christian one. The Christian blogosphere is fraught with cliques, pow-wows, and "better/holier than thou" attitudes. Try not to let it get to you. You'll make real friends over time, if you want them.
  • Don't compare yourself to anyone else. A wise man (either Dwight Edwards or Theodore Roosevelt) once said that comparison is the thief of joy. In my experience, yes. Every time.
  • Google is your friend. I've learned many things about blogging by using Google.
  • Back up your blog. (Google to learn how. See?) I recommend printing your blog, also, if your content is personal. Your family will treasure those words some day, even if you don't. I use Blog2Print for this.
  • If a large following is important to you, know that it'll probably take a good while and a lot of work to get it. This form of success is about more than the writing only; it's about promotion, reciprocity, and many other things.
  • If you decide to give blogging a try, please let me know so I can cheer you on. I prefer reading small blogs because relationship matters to me, and those with large blogs have only but so much time for it.

9 comments:

  1. funny thing........that typewriter image? I have one similar...... one of E and I first dates he was so nervous he called the type writer they had at the restaurant (yea ? right?) and he said "lawn mower er..... i mean vacuum cleaner" in reference to the typewriter

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    1. Poor E. Love him. I was driving down the road, earlier, thinking the typewriter image is kind of lame for this particular post. Obviously, you're not going to be able to publish your blog post from a typewriter. Oh, well. Love you.

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  2. i love your list. i don't even know if I am a blogger anymore...after four or so years. Weird feeling. :)

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    1. Maybe you are and maybe you aren't; I can't say. What I know for sure is that you're my person. Thankful that blogging is how it came to be.

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    2. I miss your blogs, JoAnn. Not saying that as a guilt trip or anything - just wanted to let you know that your words, just like Brandee's, here on the internet have encouraged, challenged and helped me.

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  3. Good list, Brandee! For me, one of the best surprises with blogging is the people I've become acquainted with and the relationships developed.

    One item I would add to your list (though it doesn't apply to everyone) is to not get too hung up on frequency of blog posts. Early on, I read all the expert opinions on the need for consistency and the need to post at least three times a week. For a while I tried that...it sucked out all the fun and caused my family to hate my blogging...because I was either spending all my time on the internet or stressing about not working on the next post. I finally decided that blogging is supposed to be fun, not a high priority source of stress. I now post when I have time, or when a topic strikes my fancy, and don't worry too much about it in between.

    Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!

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    1. Thanks, Joe. So glad to have met you through blogging! I think yours is an EXCELLENT point. I was definitely over-zealous in the beginning (235 posts in the first full year)! 3 posts per week feels about right to me, now, but sometimes I can't comfortably write that many. I think it goes back to purpose; mine doesn't require me to write according to a certain schedule.

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  4. Great advice. I've gone through many different "phases of blogging," - writing completely about the kids/mommy-ing, writing about what ticks me off, writing to reflect - only to realize I don't really have an exact niche - so I will just write what comes into my head or what I know I just have to write.

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  5. OMG I saw the funniest thing on the news , this guys went to meet all of his FACEBOOK FRIENDS since he had over 2000 on his list and people were NOT really his friends he found out.... very very hilarious (he is a comedian)

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