Why do you write? Why do you blog?
The first blog post I wrote a year ago, to restart my blog, was my answers to these questions.
I restarted this blog to help other writers and bloggers.
Here are 6 powerful lessons I’ve learned during the past 365 days while writing and blogging.
1. Be focused.
Never underestimate the power of being focused.
Choosing a specific writing topic will tell you who is in your writing audience (or community, or tribe). This makes it easier to continue writing on a regular basis, because you know you have a group of readers (even if it’s a small group) waiting to read your work.
My very first post on my blog was actually more than four years ago in 2013. I wrote only two blog posts that year. And I didn’t write another blog post until 2016.
Why did it take years for me to start blogging again?
The answer was simple. I wasn’t focused.
I had no idea who I was writing for when I set up my blog in 2013. I just wanted to start a blog, so I did. And then I stopped shortly after that when I became distracted by other good and bad events in my life.
That all changed when I set a focused topic for my blog: Share my knowledge and experiences to help other writers.
Now, it was easier for to keep writing for longer than two months.
2. Slow and steady wins the race.
It’s tempting to rush into starting a blog, or any other writing project.
But there’s some truth to the old saying “Only fools rush in.”
You need to write the way that is right for you.
This gives you time to learn about how to become better at writing, connecting with your audience and finding more writing clients.
And if you’re just getting started, you will probably need to write for a shorter time period daily. This might mean publishing a blog post less frequently, at first, than other bloggers.
When I started blogging again, I wanted to come in swinging. I thought about blogging daily. Then I read advice stating that blogging weekly is a good frequency.
But I didn’t do either of these frequencies.
Instead, I usually posted once a month and sometimes twice a month.
I even had a successful blogger and writer tell me that I needed to post more.
But I wasn’t mentally ready to do so. And when you’re not ready to do something, you’re just not ready.
Blogging only once or twice a month gave me time to read other blogs and to notice how other bloggers structured their posts.
I read advice about how to schedule blog posts and how to come up with ideas for my blog. Also, scheduling a time to write helped me stay focused on putting out a new blog post every month and, now, every week.
Writing at a slower frequency also gave me time to connect with other writers and bloggers, both online and in person.
Suddenly, I was ready to blog weekly.
3. Just write.
Write something today.
Just sit down and write whatever comes to mind about your next blog post’s topic. You have to get those thoughts outside of your head and onto a piece of paper (or more often, a screen).
The same is true for ideas. Start jotting down writing topics and ideas, even the ideas that aren’t directly related to your blog’s topic.
Before you know it, you will start more of your days and weeks choosing from different ideas, and waste less time worrying about what to write about next.
The Lone Wolf: Don’t be this guy.
Image by Clarence Stewart via Flickr
You need a community to support you. There are lots of bloggers and writers.
But writing, and especially blogging, still seem pretty weird to many people.
Your family will hopefully be supportive. But unless you just happen to be related to another writer or blogger, they probably won’t get what you’re doing.
There’s only so much advice your 3-year-old can give you about building your social media presence.
So, find potential local writers groups by doing a simple Google search.
Other writers groups are on social media. Do a search for writing groups on your favorite social media sites, such as Facebook. Good online writers’ groups will share advice about how to improve as a writer. Some groups also regularly share members’ work, and share available writing opportunities.
5. Learn how to write when life sucks.
I could have restarted my blog, writing at least one post every month, earlier than I did.
But, I kept waiting for the “perfect time.”
There’s no such thing as the “perfect time to write.”
It’s the writer’s unicorn. It’s a wonderful, magical myth. But it doesn’t exist.
Sometimes, you have to write while dealing with your own or your family’s problems.
It’s not easy. But it often helps to write when times are bad.
My father died in April 2016, so I was still coping with “the year of firsts” while starting to write again. His first birthday when he wasn’t here. The first Thanksgiving and Christmas without him. And the one-year anniversary of his death.
There were also other issues I was dealing with including health problems and career changes.
My blog was a bright spot during dark times. Sometimes, writing gave me a break from everything else that was happening.
Writing can be therapeutic. You continue to grow and improve as a writer.
Plus, when things get better, it’s easier to just continue writing, rather than having to figure out how to pick up from where you left off.
6. Build your blog one step at a time.
Blogging is complicated.
Grow your blog one step at a time.
Write. Focus first on writing well and sharing inspiration, encouragement and helpful advice in your blog posts
Then share your writing with others. Start with the social media platforms that you already use, such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Consider trying newer platforms, like Instagram or Pinterest.
Then consider building an email list, and using other online tools to help you and your writing connect with as many readers and clients as possible.
Read other blogs as you go along. As you read, focus more on the advice that helps you move to the very next step.
Final Thoughts
I hope these 6 lessons and my other blog posts have helped you and other writers and bloggers during this past year. I plan to continue sharing more helpful tips about writing and blogging.
And I can’t wait to see what the next 365 days will bring for all of us!
What lessons have you learned about writing or blogging during the past year?
Let us know if you have any questions or share your advice by leaving a comment in the comments section below.
Great post! My life doesn’t suck right now, but your advice to “learn how to write when life sucks” really speaks to me. I get terrible headaches, and I let them put me out of commission for a day, or a day and a half sometimes. Crazy how they frequently seem to coincide with large blocks of time that I’d otherwise use for writing. Need to find a way to toughen up and write through the pain. Lots of writers do it. What’s their trick? Thank you for writing!
Krystal, I’m glad you can relate to trying to write when you don’t feel great. I’m sorry you have to deal with headaches. I think there’s more to writing during the pain than just toughening up. Being patient with yourself during physical and/or emotional pain is key. You have to realize that you might write for a shorter amount of time than usual, but just be committed to writing something that day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. You can (and should) always dig deeper and edit and finalize a blog post or other writing project when you feel better. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Maya, loved this! Such great advice. Happy Blogging Birthday!
Thanks, Leslie! I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I’m glad you enjoyed this advice and I hope it helps.
I agree with staying focused. This was my major issue getting started. Because I had never defined my audience, I lacked the incentive to constantly put out pieces because I couldn’t be sure if anyone was actually reading them. Another thing I’ve learned is that every single blog post doesn’t have to be a super polished, 800 word piece (in fact, often shorter is better). Having to come up with this amount of output and literally spending hours on each blog post each week quickly became draining. While I might still occasionally write pieces like this, knowing that I don’t have to is definitely freeing.
Kate, thanks for reading this post! Consistency is great. But there needs to be a “why” for doing something consistently. When I relaunched the blog, I couldn’t picture myself having weekly posts. I had to just start with monthly articles. Then some of my friends started telling me they read one or some of my posts. Then I would come across blog posts from other bloggers about how to schedule and write blog posts more efficiently. I eventually decided to just try writing weekly posts for a month, just to see what would happen. Writing weekly blog posts is now just a normal part of my weekly schedule. But it took some time, encouragement, learning and practice to get there.
Good point kate
I enjoyed reading this post-Maya. Made me think of my first year as a blogger. The feelings of being lost because of all that I didn’t know about blogging and growing my blog. Site set up and design. Finding the time to post regularly. All the growing pains of starting and growing a blog! I learned in that first year to embrace and enjoy the process of growing as a writer and blogger. As you say here it is one step at a time. 😀
Thanks, Cori! I like your advice to embrace and enjoy the growing process.
Well done. I agree – and the most important tip – one step at a time. Amen.
Thanks, Brad! I think knowing that you don’t have to do everything in one week or one month gives writers a quicker start for blogging, or any other writing project.
Thanks maya.loved this. I agree we should write even during the painful shitty times.
You’re welcome, Michelle!
Wow! Has it been a year already, Maya?! Congratulations! Your advice is sound and realistic. I can tell it’s based on your personal experience.
I’m curious what specific support groups/resources you used to keep you going? I’m currently a member of AWAI’s Wealthy Web Writer (the name is a little hokey, but the support is authentic). I also have taken other AWAI online courses plus the Intentional Blog course with Jeff Goins you and I first connected on.
Staying focused and writing every day resonate with me because I sometimes get “shiny object syndrome,” where I’m pulled from one great idea to another. Today, however, I know I’m a B2B writer focusing on cloud-based solutions. I specialize in email marketing packages that include the landing page, a free report–usually a white paper–and a lead-nurturing email series. Know any IT pros who are looking to market a new SaaS from their website? I can help. 🙂
Thanks, Phoebe! Jeff Goins’ blogging courses have been a big help in relaunching and continuing my courses. I also belong to a regional writers group, Triangle Association of Freelancers in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area. Having at least a few writers look you in the face at least a few times a year and ask about your blog is also a major source of inspiration and motivation. I do suggest Googling your city’s name with writers group (example: Chicago writers group) to find local groups. This works for many small-to-medium sized cities, too.
For those who aren’t familiar with blogger/author Jeff Goins’ writing courses and books, here’s a link to his resources: goinswriter.com/resources
And for those who are in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area, here’s a link to Triangle Association of Freelancers: tafnc.com
“Learn how to write when life sucks” has been the hardest lesson of all. Thank you for the great article.
You’re welcome, Vicki. Yes, learning how to write when life sucks is a very tough lesson. I hope all is well. And if not, I hope things get better for you.
Great article, Maya! Numbers 5 and 6 really resonated with me, especially number 5. And I started my blog (one of many) in 2013 too! Then stopped, started, stopped, started etc. Now, it’s 2017 and I’ve hardly made anytof my blog. Unfortunately I have always had the mindset that if I can’t do something perfectly the first time, why bother? It’s a character traits I’ve struggled with my entire life. So this year, when I’ve had to put my content development career on hold (again) for family issues, I realized this could go on forever. What will be my excuse in another 5 years?? There won’t be, because I’m taking this one day at a time, relieving the pressure of expecting I should post daily or even weekly, and instead just focusing on writing, editing and publishing one post at least every 2 weeks for now (a little tip from Jeff Goins!) for each of my 3 blogs. I’m now raising twin preschooler grandsons so my days are totally full, but I am determined to make this happen this time!! If I have to back off on one or two to concentrate on the other that’s fine. But honestly I have written toooonnnnsssss of posts over the years that are saved in Google drive, Dropbox, OneNote and Evernote…lol! I just need to edit them and post!!
Thanks, Dawn-Renee! I definitely understand the struggle of wanting to post weekly while having a lot of things going on in life. I think choosing one blog to focus on for now is a great idea. I would also suggest creating a weekly schedule. Feel free to let me know if I can help you with that or other writing issues.
For me, I schedule my blog posts to publish on Wednesdays. So, I use Sunday afternoons to write a blog post and Monday evenings to edit and “polish” the post, add pictures, etc. That way if I have a Sunday or Monday event pop up, I still have Tuesday evening to catch up. The other days of the week are open for coming up with blog ideas and starting rough drafts for future blog posts, etc. But Sunday afternoon the time I set aside to focus on writing a complete rough draft. Hope this helps and good luck with the blogs and the grandkids!