Blogging
Other than “What card should I get,” the question I got asked most over the last 8 years was…
“I’m going to start a blog. Do you have any tips?”
To be honest, I never knew what to say. So, I’ll try to sneak this answer in here before the buzzer. Keep in mind, it’s based totally on my experience with a very unusual blog. People found MileNerd with zero help from me. I don’t know a thing about marketing. Me covering that subject would be like a Kardashian discussing ways to age naturally. But here’s what I do know…
There were only 2 things I loved about blogging – the writing and the people.
My first piece of advice should be obvious – you need to love writing. It doesn’t matter if you’re great at it or not. If you enjoy doing it, your skill level will improve in a hurry.
And you’ll find your voice.
Man, that’s not easy. But it’s incredibly important IF you want to be a writer. Some people are more passionate about spitting out data like a robot. Which is totally fine. But it’s not what I think of when you ask about writing a “blog.”
(I realize some would say blogs are a dying relic of the past)
But, if you’re still interested in spite of that…you need to find your voice. Or nobody will find you
So…how?
Well, it’s tricky. Most of us are people pleasers to some degree. I’d avoid inventing a “persona” you think readers will like. Spend more time thinking about what you like. For example, if you’re funny…your writing should put smiles on YOUR face. How can you make us laugh while you’re yawning at your own shit? Really spend time with the basic questions…
- What would you like to see on a blog?
- What’s missing?
- What’s the most interesting side of your personality?
- What do you need to say and why do you need to say it?
Have a clear reason for writing or don’t do it.
If someone’s saying what you want to say in the same way you want to say it…why on earth would you start a blog?
The other thing I love about blogging is the people. And most readers have no clue how important their feedback is. Multiple times per week, I find myself opening an email from a new reader. Someone I’m “meeting” for the first time. And, it often includes a sentence like this:
“This is Manny from Boston. Your blog has been the first thing I read in the morning for years.”
Imagine someone saying that to you. Wouldn’t it would feel incredible?
Of course!
Would it put a little pep in your step that gets you excited to write?
No doubt!
Ok, so let’s look at the same email from a different angle…
Manny has loved your work for years. The deals. The jokes. Whatever it is. Nodding in approval at his laptop. A real appreciation for what you do.
And you literally had no idea he existed until this moment.
Manny has had zero impact on your life until now.
Not in a mean way…but, again, you didn’t even know he existed. So…
At some point, you’ll find yourself on a blog as a reader. One that you love. Maybe it inspires you in some way. Try to remember this post. Especially if that blog is independently written…tell the writer what you think. Reach out, string a few words together, and let them know you exist.
If you got something out of their work, express it.
Because, once you start your own blog…you’ll see just how much those words mean. I think that’s really what this is about in the moments you do it well…
Connecting to another person. And doing it through your own perspective.
The more personal your writing is…the more universal it becomes. Every so often, you might even have the ability to make someone feel less alone. If you can do that once or twice, that’s a big success as far as I can tell. But it has to come from you. That’s basically the only thing I’ve learned from doing this. Hope that helps.
