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I started blogging in 2011. Today marks my 456th blog post.
Whew! (It’s fun. It. Is. Work!)
At first I experimented with a five-day-per-week schedule, as well as various other formats, but eventually I settled into a MWF blogging groove. That could change again someday; I re-evaluate my options every six months or so.
Though writing novels is my first priority, blogging has grown me as a writer. It’s sharpened my skills. It’s taught me focus and self-discipline.
For me, it’s less about platform and more about connecting.
I believe writers should have an internet presence of some kind. (Just my personal opinion.) It’s disheartening when I want to check out another writer only to find… nothing. (OR—if said writer does blog, but his or her posting schedule is so erratic I never know when to check back, I lose interest.)
If you’re not sure whether you should blog or not, The Creative Penn offers these thoughts. And L.L. Barkat shares yet another perspective via Jane Friedman’s website.
How to Write Blog Posts that Jump off the Page gives some insight into what generates traffic.
NOW—once you decide to blog…
Should you go it alone OR should you be part of a community blog?
I think it depends on your goals. What’s right for one isn’t necessarily the best thing for another.
If fear is the only reason you’d rather not go it alone, that may not be the best reason to step into a community blog.
On a community blog, folks still want to hear your voice. Know your thoughts. Connect with you in some fashion.
Laziness (yes, I said it) also isn’t a valid reason to hop on board the community blog train. If you think blogging with a group of other writers will be easier, less time-consuming, or not require much input on your part—think again. Every writer in that blogging community is a vital part of that network. It’s expected you’ll do your share of the work and contribute accordingly.
IF you want to group blog for the following reasons, then it might be the way to go:
- A cohesive group offers a unique perspective.
- You can broaden your reach.
- There’s strength in numbers.
- You can expand your skills and develop new ones.
- A niche-oriented group meets readers’ needs.
- It might be fun!
At present, I’m not part of a group blog because I stay so busy with my own, but I don’t know what the future holds.
Group blogs like Seekerville and Inspy Romance are favorites of mine, both for content and voice.
Whatever blogging route you take, understand that a blog will always take a back seat to your WIP (work in progress).
Blogging is simply a vehicle to enhance the journey!
***
If you blog, what’s your favorite or least favorite part of the process?
Are you part of a group blog?
What has blogging taught you?
Blessings Always,
Comments 8
Cynthia, my favorite part, as with any writing, is seeing the end result. You start out with a tiny fragment of an idea … and see it realized into a whole “article.” A few weeks ago, I started out with “active and passive voice” from the girls’ school work … and said, “God, what can we do with this?” That was fun.
Author
Shelli, isn’t it wonderful when we develop fresh perspective?! God uses interesting ways to stretch us. I enjoy your blog—I like learning what matters to my friends. (And I pray you’re feeling stronger each day!)
The best part of blogging has been the relationships that I’ve built – more from commenting on others’ sites that through traffic on mine.
The worst part is the weeks where there are no comments at all, and you don’t know if you’re reaching anyone. The numbers indicate traffic, but there’s just a blankness there…
Did what I write make sense? Or was it such twaddle that I’ve made myself a laughingstock?
Or a bore?
I’d love to be part of a community blog, but the opportunity hasn’t come up. Maybe someday.
Your point about consistent Internet presence is well-taken. It’s frustrating when posts from someone you’d like to follow come at weird intervals.
it doesn’t take that much to be consistent, and there’s little excuse not to, even through holidays, since you can schedule ahead, or recycle a favorite post from the past.
Good post today, Cindy. Thanks.
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Andrew, consistency is huge. Most blogs wilt after just a few months. Showing consistency indicates self-discipline, professionalism, and a desire to connect. I understand, too, there are times we must take breaks. I always tell my readers when I’m going to do this and I appreciate it when others do the same, if possible.
About comments—except within a few niches, I believe comments, in general, are down across the board. But yes—all of us enjoy hearing from our favorite folks. It lets us know we’re connecting with our readers. One problem I’ve experienced (and I’ve heard this is somewhat of a problem for others) is the code-speak between the Blogger and WordPress formats. To comment on my Blogger friends’ sites, I totally have to change browsers which is time-consuming and frustrating. Likewise, I’ve had friends tell me they can’t add my site to their (Blogger) blog roll. Wish we knew what to do!
I have an amazing stats counter which gives me a wide range of behind-the-scenes information. It’s always helpful to know which posts resonate with readers.
I always appreciate your insight!
I was a reluctant blogger in the beginning. I started because I felt like I had to (this was a few years back when basically everybody was saying basically every aspiring writer needed to blog…lol…that’s definitely changed some). But I grew to absolutely love it mainly because of two things:
-It majorly helped me find and shape my voice
-It opened me up to amazing friendships…people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise found me through my blog and are now some of my closest writing friends.
I write both individually and as part of a couple groups. I will confess that my own is my favorite simply because I feel I can be 100% quirky Melissa there. On some of the group ones, I feel the need to at least somewhat temper my silliness. 🙂 But I enjoy being a part of those, for sure.
Author
Melissa, I adore your silliness. =) It’s necessary, I think, in the writing biz. And yes—blogging in the beginning was a bit different for me, too. I really enjoyed it, but blogging five days a week wore. Me. Out! (Glad I saw the light and found out what worked best for me.) And hear-hear to new friendships! I’ve made some lifelong “God-connections” I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Great post, Cindy! I hate the time it takes to upload photos. I like to include several throughout the post so it gets tedious and time consuming. But I love blogging in general!
Author
Jess, I used to struggle with photo loading in the beginning. (Such a time drain!) Now I use free photos (with proper attribution) from two of my favorite sites that offer photos already formatted for quicker load time. If I use my own photos occasionally, I resize with PicMonkey (pretty quick and painless).
I enjoy blogging, too, and I’ve learned how important it is to take time off. Yours is one of my favorite blogs, BTW!