Getting to write

I was working with a delightful blogger/copywriter-to-be yesterday in my consulting capacity – and she asked me this:

How do you get yourself to write everyday, how do you get yourself into the habit of regular writing?

1. You’ve got to love it…or at least love the rewards it will get you – if you don’t have a penchant for the writing itself. The endgame is important here.
2. Find your community. You (yes, I’m looking at You) are part of why I can’t wait to write and then publish here everyday. I revel in your comments and your tweets and your emails, in our connections.
3. I never force myself to write. If it’s not working, I move on to another project. Or I walk away from my computer. No one likes to be pushed. I don’t believe in writer’s block – I do believe that there’s a time and a place for everything. Sometimes it’s not your time to write – accept it and move on. It will come back. I promise. But it will take a LOT longer if you don’t just let it go for a bit, if, tragically, you insist that it happens.

And there’s one more answer.

So often when we can’t do X, it’s because we’re only thinking about X. And hence, we forget that we can do A, B, C, D….

I hate speaking in intangibles so, let’s do this: I wrote a post yesterday about making up a portfolio if you don’t have any ‘official’ writing samples. And Dave Doolin commented that it’s the same with programming. And I responded, ‘Isn’t it the same with everything?’.

The thing, the ‘X’ you think you can’t do is: make a writing portfolio, designing a website, baking a cheese cake, running 5 miles. But the how is the same: you do it one piece at a time, you ask others for help, you follow directions, you jump in, you PRACTICE, you realize you should hire someone else to do it.

The Point is this: the WHAT isn’t important. It’s the HOW that matters. And you already know how to do the HOW – you HOW all the time. Sometimes easily, sometimes with a bit more sweat and grit.

So, when it comes to writing…

….there must be other ‘things’ in your life that you do on a regular basis with ease and joy.

• What are they?
• Why do you like them?

Now: apply those answers to writing, blogging, your business.

Here’s how I do it.

4. For the love of Running: It gives me a sense of accomplishment to finish my course. It makes me feel strong. I thrill at saying hello to other runners along my way. I like the rhythm of my foot falls on the road. Writing Translation: I get a sense of accomplishment when I finish a post. I feel strong and smart after I’ve written. I thrill at saying hello to my online community…and I love the rhythm of my finger falls on my keyboard.

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FYI: You may have noticed a new button up there at the top of my sidebar, courtesy of the astoundingly good Amanda Farough. Check it out if you need some personalized juice or jumpin’ for your writing, blogging or other businessly pursuits.

Image credit: The Hamster Factor

Filed under Blogging, Critical Copywriting, How To, Writing | Tags: blog writing, copywriter, copywriting, how to blog, how to use a copywriter, women blogging, writer, Writing, writing practice | Comments (21)

is blogging the new letter writing?

Dear…all of you,

As I was explaining the concept of blogging to a non-web-type the other day, she asked me, ‘So is blogging the new letter writing?’ It’s been percolating in my brain ever since. My immediate answer is that I would love to think so because:

1. I can’t really write with a pen anymore. Literally. The hand muscles that have to work to hold the pen are practically atrophied from non-use, so it’s physically uncomfortable and my hand writing more closely resembles that of a 3rd grade boy every day…but I type really fast.
2. I have serious issues with sending things. I get hung up on things like finding an envelope, licking it shut (eww and I watched Seinfeld), finding a stamp and then getting it to the post office. Meanwhile, hitting the publish button comes easy to me.
3. I like my communication served with a big old scoop of instant gratification. Letters take 2, 3, 4 days to cross the U.S. – even 5 or 6 if I’m just trying to send them from one end of my tiny little island to the other.
4. I always tell my bloggers-in-training to write the blog as if they were writing directly to someONE (friend, family, ideal client) – make that connection, let your post be personal or authentic or apropos (pick at least one.)
5. It would make comments and return visits the ‘letter back’ – and everyone wants a letter back, an answer, a response. So, your posts should ask questions, elicit strong feelings, make people feel welcome, inherently give good information while emboldening your readers to answer back with their own thoughts and brilliance.
6. Blogging over letter writing saves paper, transportation fuel and your fingers (from papercuts)…though computers use electricity, I think more energy is saved via blogging.
7. We still have email for the private stuff, this is a live broadcast from the heart and guts…blogging is a letter to the world.

Write back soon and tell me what you think.

Be well,

Julie

Filed under Blogging, How To, Marketing, Myth or Reality | Tags: blog, blog writing, Blogging, copywriting, freelance copywriter, how to blog | Comments (13)

what would i write about? thinking up good blog content

As you’re developing your writing strategy for your blog, you may want to break it down like this (I’m going to use a popcorn blog as an example because I’m hungry, I adore popcorn and last time I checked, popcorn wasn’t political):

1. The Basics. Cover all the facts about popcorn – different kinds, standard recipes, gift ideas, special ingredients, health benefits, history of popcorn, favorite kernels, favorite poppers, etc.
2. News. What’s new in the popcorn world? Did Orville Redenbacher discover a carb-less cookie? Has Cuisinart invented a hybrid popper? Was the world record for biggest kernel just popped? (sorry I absolutely had to do that)
3. Personal Experience. As you were popping corn today, what did you notice? How did your latest recipe turn out? Which brands do kids love, which do they abhor? (Hopefully that nasty microwaveable kind with the fake butter).
4. How To’s. How to start a popcorn business. How to keep the popcorn from going stale. How to make the perfect bowl of popcorn every time.
5. Guests and Features. And here come your opportunities to connect to your community. Invite chefs, parents, popcorn companies, kitchenware companies, kids, teachers, other bloggers, etc. to your blog to increase its content, information and value (and to cross promote and drive traffic).
6. Contests. Everyone loves a contest (though not this crowd so much – what’s up with that?)…but popcorn people definitely do. Give things away, raise money with a raffle, donate funds to a cause, partner with another site…the opportunities are endless.

My advice? Write what you know and write to people that don’t know as much as you do, write to people interested in your field. Hell, even if they know as much or more than you know, they don’t know it like you know it so they’ll learn from you and it’s a great opportunity to learn from them. Make your mark by being completely you. Twenty people could write about Smart Food and they would all sound different and they would all resonate with different readers…like a poem, if you will.

I know this is no big secret, but I’m going to say it anyway: there are a lot of people in this world and many of them are online, reading blogs even. And because there are so many readers, the people who care about what you are writing will find you…and you will find them. I swear, it just happens that way.

Filed under Blogging, How To | Tags: blog, blog content, blog writing, Blogging, copywriting, freelance writer, how to blog, Julie Roads, marketing writer, Writing Roads | Comment (0)

starting a blog? ask these questions first…and a CONTEST.

When you decide to blog, you need to ask several preliminary questions. For the bloggers that are publishing a blog for the purposes of growing their business, establishing themselves as an expert, selling products, promoting services, etc…certain questions must be asked first – before you begin – in order to reach your goals. Here’s the list:

1. Why are you blogging? What is your goal, your mission, your raison d’etre?
2. Who is your audience? You will write, I hope, different kinds of posts if you’re communicating with 12 year-olds vs. electricians.
3. What is your audience looking for? This will influence your post topics, your keywords and your tone.
4. What do you know? Please only write about things you know – we look to many bloggers as sources of quality information, add to the trend.
5. Who knows what you don’t know? Interviewing experts offers vital information to your readers and it rounds out the information. I know, I know – I think I know everything too…but I don’t!
6.  What does your schedule look like? It is best to pick regular blog publishing days and stick with them. We are all creatures of habit and we tend to expect our blogs to air at their usual times – like our favorite TV shows.
7. Can you commit? The biggest blogging pitfall is not following through. If you can’t commit, pay someone to. If you recognize blogging as a powerful marketing tool for your business, it’s worth it.
8. Can you write? Valuable information that is captured in quality prose raises your levels of professionalism, engagement, return visitors, joint partners and respect. Hire a writer to help you if this isn’t your forte.
9. Does blogging make sense for your industry? Is the Pope Catholic? Sorry, I’m biased. I’m hard pressed to find a business that wouldn’t benefit in some way from a member’s establishing themselves as an expert, driving qualified traffic to their website, spreading the word, etc. But, if you can think of one, send it along. Let’s see if you can stump me. The gauntlet has been thrown. I’m giving away:

• 2 quality links from my blog to your blog or site AND
• a Blogging Roads post featuring your business
  

(unless it is mean, dirty distasteful or unfriendly, according to me). Just comment below or email me directly: julie(at)writingroads(dot)com

Filed under Blogging, How To, The Business | Tags: blog, blog marketing, blog publishing, Blogging, business blog, copywriter, copywriting, freelance writer, how to blog, Julie Roads, marketing writer, Writing Roads | Comment (1)

writer’s block, shmriter’s block

I don’t believe in writer’s block. I do believe that sometimes your mind, fingers and assignments are not aligned – and the single most important thing to do….is not to push it. When you try to force it, you get resistance. And it hurts. If you follow what feels right, what’s working, (pardon me) where the flow is – it will lead you back around to the place where you were struggling.

Let me put it this way: it’s mud-season, you turn on your car and the tires just spin. What will happen if you keep trying? The wheels will spin deeper and deeper and you will get increasingly more stuck. BUT, if you add some sand, chains or rocks, turn the wheels in a completely different direction or better yet, go do something else until the mud dries to dirt – THEN, you will make progress and you will be able to move your car.

Here’s how I handle myself (and my work) when it just ain’t workin’:

1. I work on a different project. I find one that feels really good. For instance, writing this blog is something I love, so if I’m having a hard time with a client’s project, I’ll write tomorrow’s post (in fact, I’m doing this right now!!!). Once I shift my energy, produce something I like and feel accomplished, turning back to that original project is easy and all good.

2. I eat lunch. Have you ever looked up to discover that it’s 3:00 and you haven’t had a thing to eat or drink since 7am? I’m not suggesting that you eat every time you can’t think of a good word (that would be enabling a serious case of compulsive eating)…but our brains need food and drink to function. Make sure you’re taking care of your physical self.

3. Ahhh, the web. Web surfing is a brilliant ‘un-blocker’…I stumble upon (so that’s where they got it!) all kinds of great nuggets that inform current projects, future marketing strategies and general professional development. Also, if I’m supposed to be writing an article about marionettes, but I just can’t think of anything to say, I look at other sites. No, not to copy them – to springboard from them. As good as the web is, it can be very, very bad. Sometimes I find terrible websites about my topic which make me exclaim, “I can do better than that!” And then I do. I call it WPK (Web Pants Kicking) and I need some every once in a while.

4. The clock. Occasionally, I find myself unable to write even the simplest email. Confused by this predicament last week, I glanced at the clock and discovered that it was 6:30 and I had been working like a dog for too long…so I went home, and when I arrived the next morning, the assignment just flew out of my head.

5. Make a call. Contact someone who specializes in the field you’re writing about and interview them or just chat about what’s happening with their work…of course, this is a great way to use your clients or an outside expert – carefully consider which is most appropriate.

Filed under Critical Copywriting, How To | Tags: blog writer, Blogging, copywriter, freelance copywriting, freelance writer, how to blog, Julie Roads, marketing writer, writer, writer's block, Writing Roads | Comments (3)