Professional Blogging Observations
Here are my confessions from a professional blogger. It seems to be almost an article – so here I go again! I haven’t been keeping up on blogs because I’ve been writing them – for other sites. I blog about music the most. Writing about hip hop music is a pill I’ve got to swallow. I schedule the posts in advance so I don’t have to think about it too often. This is like my dose of pop culture, something I normally avoid or don’t have time for. I especially hate crude and obscene pop culture, it’s not my style.
Thankfully I’m not living in the projects somewhere as a single mom. I live in one of the most conservative towns in the country if not the world. So I’m not often around blaring rap, sirens, and beggars. I’ve taken to a song I blogged about by the albino, blind, Muslim rap singer who was raised by black parents – Brother Ali as part of my 4th of July themed posts. Even the title of the song is a swear word but it’s so passionate. The lyrics run through my head a lot: “Welcome to the United Snakes, home of the free and land of the slaves.” I have that crusader in me that really responds to this song. I feel like I should stick in the YouTube video right here, but you’ll have to look it up.
So it’s about to the point where my blogging can support me professionally. I keep wondering if it’s time to redesign my blog but then don’t have the time to follow through. I have a hesitation to blog full-time that I can’t quite get over. It’s that it’s so isolating. I really like working in jobs where I talk out loud more and more importantly where I can listen. I learn the most by listening and repetition. I’m around people talking about the things I love and that is hard to resist. But I love to write too, so that’s my dilemma. Doing both is a bit taxing.
Here are some pointers for you from my experience:
How to Survive Large Quantities of Blogging – a Formula
One thing I’ve learned about blogging for other people that I don’t do on this blog, is you have to use formulas. When I start out that’s what I’m trying to do – establish my method.
If you notice my friend Kelly at Startup Princess she does this well. She covers a topic about how a women entrepreneur has succeeded. She sums up the post with a “magic wand” – a tip that summarizes the main point. That’s her formula – and it’s a very popular one.
Give your Opinion
Another thing that sets you apart in blogging is your opinion. Same with your web site. If you use an authentic voice and write how you really think or feel people respond. That’s what gets readers and what can make a good blogger. There is no one who sees the world like you do.
Wrap up and a Thank You
I also know that so far I’m still better at blogging than teaching blogging, but I’m getting better. I want to thank people who have purchased hosting and other services on my blog lately. Each time I see progress I’m closer to my goal of making all of my income 100% online. That’s my ultimate goal.
3 Responses to “Professional Blogging Observations”
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July 7th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Thanks for the pointers Janet. I really enjoy reading your blog. I hope you hit your goal of 100% online!
July 11th, 2007 at 3:08 am
I found you through another blog and love what you do. I too am working towards empowering women to earn money through internet marketing and would love to connect with you. I am putting on teleseminars and also have a podcast directory http://www.personalgrowthpodcastdirectory.com
You can look for the Women Internet Marketers podcasts or find my name Diane Corriette.
It would be an honor to connect with you and to see how we can work together to help other women. Too many of us work alone. Find me at http://www.women-internet-marketers.com
Blessings
Diane
July 24th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Have you heard of Lupe Fiasco? He’s an interesting muslim rapper (maybe the one you mentioned above). I heard a fascinating podcast about him with excerpts and all — I can’t remember exactly where I heard it. PRI International or NPR maybe.
It must be hard blogging about something you’re not totally passioanate about. But maybe it provides you with a more objective perspective?