Focused Rambling About Writing and Blogging
Posted on June 23, 2007
People often wonder how to start blogging and also how to grow their blog to where they have a massive amount of readers. I’ve spent some time lately reading about how to take my blog to the next level and the general theme is consistent, write often, write what you know and provide quality content.
More of a writer than I realized
I started this blog over 2 years ago with no real goal, I was anonymous and I wanted to learn. Not much has changed, I still want to learn. The difference is that I’m not so anonymous. I didn’t realize I was a writer when I started, however, my wife recently informed me that I’ve always wanted to write, even long before this blog and as usual, she’s probably right. It’s just been lately that I have realized this and more importantly, accepted this fact. I am now trying to focus on writing more often, writing what I know and writing quality content.
I seem to get more response from my own content, rather than just echoing the rest of the blogosphere. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, there is value in that, but it’s easy to get in the habit of just repeating other people’s original content. Some blogs are built on that concept and that’s great, but that’s not why I do this, I’m realizing.
What do good writers do?
I have tried to start learning how to be a good writer and there are things that good writers do that I do not do. One thing is to make an outline before you even begin writing and apparently that helps you to stay focused and on track. I think I should try that, I have been known to get off track and ramble, on occasion. There have been times that I have had a point in mind and by the time I finish the post, I ended differently that I intended. Yet, outlining is so foreign, I never liked it in school (some things don’t change), but I’m trying to at least determine the end result before I start. Perhaps I need to formalize that process.
Something I’ve started doing recently is proofread what I write and try to step back and ask myself if I really know what I’m talking about. Sometimes I’ll get off on a tangent and once I re-read it, I realize I’m beyond the scope of my point or I’m getting into an area that I really have little knowledge or authority. I have seriously scaled some recent posts down based on that fact alone, I think it helps. The rambling that I think I do sometimes is often based on expanding my scope unnecessarily.
Let the geek war begin
One advantage of blogging is that you do build an audience and you have a platform to do and say anything you want. For example, in theory, say you have a buddy on Twitter who gives the impression that he has the upper hand on you because he has some type of technology that is better than what you have and for this example, let’s just say it’s a Blackberry Curve. To continue this example, let’s just say that you, as the blogger, know that he has you beat, and he blatantly continues to rub your face in it, mercilessly. This is the point where you can either curl up in the fetal position and admit defeat or you can fire up the ol’ blog and make it known to your audience that you don’t need any silly, overpriced text messaging capable phone even though it has a full keyboard, IM capable, browser, camera, expandable memory, a tethered modem, trackball and many other features and on top of everything else, is ultra geeky. To declare your lack of need for this little trinket could be a very satisfying use of your blog, if you ever found yourself in this situation. Or if you were desperate to compete on this Twitter buddy’s level, you can beg and plead on your blog for one of your faithful readers to donate a Blackberry Curve or equivalent to the cause. Plus, I would suggest they leave a comment or use your contact form to get your address and/or your PayPal info for a cash donation.
I’m glad I’m not that desperate, however, if you have a need to donate any geeky electronics to this so-called geek war, let me know. (I forgot until now that I did declare a geek war on him)
Just write
Now, to get focused, it’s time to answer the questions I asked in the beginning:
How do you start blogging? Just write, it’s really that simple, there are some logistics, such as publishing, just go to WordPress to set up your blog, it’s simple enough.
How do you get readers? Just write. A few other tips, comment on other blogs, including some well-read ones, email some other bloggers to begin networking and finally, just write.
Write quality content, write about things that bring value to your readers. Write about what you are passionate about and find your niche. It might be tires or furniture restoration or even something church related, which might include small groups, young adult ministry, children’s ministry, youth ministry or maybe even technology ministry.
Just write
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4 Responses to “Focused Rambling About Writing and Blogging”
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I wanted a Blackberry first.
Good post. I have been blogging the same amount of time as you and I have learned similar lessons. I wanted to learn how to be a better writer and it has helped, but what has been additionally fun is that people actually read what I write, which blows my mind.
A couple of things that help my writing…
I would never outline..but I do mind map occasionally. It has helped me to organize my thoughts and brainstorm.
Anne Lamott says in her book about writng, to write a “shitty” first draft (her words not mind!) Just get it out on paper. I do that and if I am writing a particularly difficult post, I let it sit in my draft box overnight and come back to it with fresh eyes and thoughts the next day.
Building a readership has been gradual. You are correct when you say, you got to write stuff worth having people read, and a blogger has to post consistently.
Keep blogging, I enjoy reading your stuff when it comes in Google reader.
Thanks for the comment, Bill! I appreciate your insight and experience. I have a problem sitting on a draft, I tend to just write then want to get it out right away. I definitely need to do better about just writing and getting it done, then cleaning it up.
What do you use to mind map? I would love to give that a shot.
Thanks again!
I love how you mentioned your problem with rambling and then you rambled in the very next paragraph.
I definitely agree with your assessment of the challenges of writing. I could also understand how other folks would create content in different ways—and I’m not sure there is a right or wrong answer to any of it. If the end result is pleasing to the author, then it is worth it. If it is also pleasing to an audience, then kudos all around.
On a personal level, I think I try too hard to create the “very best” content and it limits both the amount of information I produce and the consistency of publishing. I’m actually considering reducing my standards a bit just to see what churns up.