This post originally appeared as a guest post over at DIY Blogger
I’m a blogging dummy. And I’m glad to be one. You see, when it comes to blogging, ignorance can be bliss. Sometimes, we listen to too many “experts” tell us how we should blog that we forget that blogging (writing) is an art form; and art has no rules. Right?
I never went to film school, or worked at a film or video production company. Perhaps, if I had, I would have thought that one person couldn’t possibly direct, produce, shoot, or edit their own film. My very first film (which I directed, shot, and edited), won an award at its very first film festival. My second film (which I produced, directed, shot and edited) won ‘Best Florida Film’ at the 2010 Sunscreen Film Festival, beating out films helmed by film school graduates with a full crew.
Bragging? No (OK, maybe just a little). But had I listened to a bunch of filmmaking pros tell me what I needed to make a film (I’ve read many articles since then that would have totally discouraged me), I might not have even tried. Or maybe I would never had realized my own budding abilities. I was a dummy. The same way Orson Welles was a dummy when he directed “Citizen Kane”. Blogging (writing) is no different.
Now, let me preface the following points by excluding those people who are paid to blog (people that have to produce content on a regular schedule for their company or employer) and those people whose income is dependent on traffic generated by their blog posts (regardless of how original they are). You all get a pass because when you have to do something, it ceases from being an art form and becomes a job. For the rest of us dummies, here’s my take:
1) Forget Your “Audience”
One thing I hardly ever consider when writing a post is my “audience”. You’ll often hear, “Write for your audience!” proclaimed from the social media pulpits. This will eventually create a dilemma: “I really wanna write about (X) but is that what my audience wants?” Don’t let your “audience” stifle your creativity. Your readers may actually appreciate a fresh perspective, another side of you they didn’t know existed, something different than the norm. Do you think the people that visit your blog regularly are gonna stop coming because you published a blog post that’s different from your usual posts? The only thing that will make people stop coming are consistently crappy blog posts. If you’re not writing for YOU first, you’re just a pretender (and we’ve got way too many of those already, yes?)
2) Don’t Be An Ass-kisser
Oftentimes, I’ll come across a blog post that appears to have no other objective than kissing major ass. “50 Amazing Bloggers That Will Make You Feel All Tingly Inside” or “117 Awesome People On Twitter That You Should Be Following”. Upon further review of these posts, you’ll find nothing less than the who’s who of the A-List social media community (many of which, in my opinion, produce some of the stalest content on the web). I guess if you kiss the ass of 50 people on your blog, you should expect nothing less than 30/40 “Thank you!” comments and when you throw in your own 30/40 “You’re welcome!” replies, you’ve got 60/80 SEO boosting comments on your blog. Lame. Very lame.
If you’re gonna shout out some bloggers, why not highlight a few flying under the social radar? You just might find a few new loyal readers of your blog instead of taking a number and hopping on the A-Lister ass-kissing line so many bloggers are already on.
3) Don’t Blog Every Day
Again, unless it is your job to do so or your income is somehow dependent on it, there is absolutely no need for you to blog every single day. Some of the blogging “experts” will tell you differently but pay them no mind. Most of the really good blogs I read post every 3-4 days, some even weekly. Not surprisingly, the content is always fresh and original. Moreover, many of these blogs generate 30-50 comments on average. Who can possibly post something fresh and original every day? Whilst working a day job, running a business, taking care of a family, spending time with friends, and watching “American Idol”? Like a great painter, songwriter, or composer, great works come via inspiration; and inspiration doesn’t always make a daily visit.
Don’t cheat your readers from your best work by rushing up a post because some blogging genius said you have to blog every day. Moreover, don’t emulate the über-lame bloggers who stick up an insipid, double-spaced, single paragraph disguised as a blog post (with the infamous generic stock image) just to keep their self-imposed daily blog quota intact OR the other desperate bloggers who are at least smart enough to realize that they most certainly cannot come up with a fresh blog post every day so they allow any Tom, Dick, and Harry to guest post on their blog just to keep google happy. When you allow quantity to supersede quality, your blog will start to suck eggs and your readers will look elsewhere for fresh content.
4) Share Your Stuff
If you spend any amount of time on the social space, you’ve heard that “content is king” when it comes to blogging. Good, fresh content, of course. But how do you know if your blog posts are worthy of a thumbs up or a thumbs down? You gotta get your posts in front of readers, no? Otherwise, your great post is just a giant redwood tree crashing down in the forest that nobody hears. Thanks to various social media platforms, we have no shortage of outlets to share our stuff.
Share a link to your blog post a few times a week on facebook. Post it on Linkedin (and don’t forget to share it on any groups you belong to where the content may be relevant). Share a link to your post on twitter…not just once or twice but 4-5 times a day, several hours apart…for several days. You heard right. But let me add this: if all you do on twitter (or any social media platform) is promote your links, you’re just pissing in the social media wind. Keep your timeline busy with other activity throughout the day: comments, replies, and especially links from all the other cool blog posts you’ve read. People aren’t online 24/7. They have jobs and families, and a social life outside of social media. They may only check their timelines a few times a day. You wanna give your post the best chance to get discovered. Oh, and anyone who tells you you’re breaking some social media “rule”, tell them to go fly a kite.
If you stay active on social media platforms, several good things will happen: more people will connect with you (just like in the “real world”, people like people who talk/listen to them), you’ll find birds of a similar feather who will dig your blog content (and you’ll dig theirs, giving you additional good content to share), and you’ll also be putting the Law of Reciprocity to work by sharing the creative content of others. It’s win-win all the way.
5) Disregard 73% Of What You Read On #Blogchat
Are you familiar with #Blogchat? (a twitter chat every Sunday night at 9pm ET). When I started blogging, I spent many a Sunday evening studying the fast-moving stream. During that time, I’ve picked up some good blogging tips on plugins, site maintenance and best practices. I’ve also learned to disregard a good percentage of what I read there. Why? Too many voices shouting too many “rules”. How long your blog post should be, how often you should post, who you should write for, what keywords you should use in your post, what you should write about, when you should write about it, yada yada yada. ‘Blog like this, not like that’ makes blogs lame. Blogging ain’t hard…just write.
6) Just Write
Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re gonna make a six-figure income (or even a meager living) by blogging. For the vast majority of bloggers (even many of the so-called “experts”), this just isn’t the reality. So if you’re gonna write, do it for yourself first…and enjoy it. Make it the best you can before hitting “Publish” (what’s the rush?). If you’re gonna put several hours (or days) into writing it, make sure you’re proud of it before sharing it with the world.
At the end of the day, whether a few thousand people view/share your post or just one, if you enjoyed writing it; if it helped you relieve an emotional burden you’ve been carrying around; if it served as an outlet for your anger/frustration; if it made your wife/kids smile; if it allowed you to express that which only the written word allows us to express…then you’ve done well. You’ve written.
So let the pro bloggers blog as they will. Since writing my first blog post a couple of years ago, I’ve come to enjoy the process of writing; of expressing myself, my views. And the fact that I can write about whatever the heck I want to write about makes the process even more enjoyable. I follow no writing schedule, only opening up a Word document when I get a bug up my ass to write something. And before I hit “Publish”, I’ve always been pleased with what I’ve written. And guess what? My work has been read, enjoyed, hated, and shared by thousands of people. That’s gravy. So for me, I plan to remain a dummy…
Because when it comes to blogging, ignorance is indeed bliss.
[Photographs by Les Goodman]
Like us on facebook and you’ll make us really happy; we’re not sure why, though, but studies have shown that people who like our facebook page are 37% cooler than people who don’t…
30 comments
I have nothing else to add, as you pretty much covered it perfectly. I am also a blogging dummy and know that when I started worrying about doing it “right,” I lost my authentic voice and any enjoyment associated with it. Once I got back to just being “me,” for better or for worse, both that passion and a great community of people returned.
I’ve never made a dime of my blog and probably never ever will, and maybe that’s for the best. It seems those that are paid to do it tend to sell out a bit and their content seems boxed and generic at times (not all, but some.) While I don’t have a paycheck, I also don’t have a filter or an obligation. And amen to those who blog every day! Far be it for me to judge, but I feel like 99 percent of them should cut it down to 1-2 times a week. Quality, not quantity people.
Anyway, from one blogging “dummy” to another, great post.
Funny how I was just reading a very similar post on your site, yes? The only way to do it “right” is to do it like you do. When I read your posts, I always say to myself “That’s how I want to write.”
You’ve been an inspiration to me, I love your book (my 14 year old daughter has even read several posts). Let’s just keep doing the “me” thing. Deal?Always a pleasure to see you here 🙂
If only more of the so-called ‘experts’ on blogging had a point of view just like this. I don’t post regularly, write about what I want when I want, couldn’t care less about stats and figures and guess what ….. a year after starting I still get a kick out of pretty much every post I write. Others may read what I write and if it amuses/entertains/educates them I’m not so shallow I don’t appreciate it, but I’m not doing it for them I’m doing it for me. Great post!
If not for you, then who?
Oh, and it’s become very obvious to me that you enjoy every post you write 🙂
Nice to see you here…
I vote for #6 – three tips to being a better blogger: write, Write, and WRITE!
I agree with everything you say but I do want to toss one thing in there. I have done my share of warm & fuzzy posts that promote other people, but I *never* did it for link bait or comment bait, and I always did it with an effort to promote people I didn’t think were getting enough attention. Did I include *some* well-known people in there? Sure, if I legitimately thought they deserved kudos. But it really bums me out that I feel like I can’t prop people up that way because a few bozos have given it such a bad name. It used to be one of my favorite things to do on my blog, but now people just view it in the most cynical way possible. Major bummer.
Believe it or not, I wasn’t thinking of you when I wrote #2 but now that you mention it 😉
I mean, when it comes to those types of posts, I just have a problem with them. It’s just my stupid opinion but nobody should thank 50+ people on any blog post – especially “the usual suspects” that really don’t need it.I was fortunate to stumble upon a circle of funky fresh bloggers that work outside the stale social media blogging community (seriously, what’s left to be said about social media marketing that hasn’t already been said 1000 times?).
Poke your head out of the box and discover a new blogging community (check out the blogs of commenters Gooddayregularpeople and Abby, just to name a few) who blog just because they want to and then give THEM props.
Don’t be bummed.
Well, except, one of the people I often mention is YOU. Dummy 🙂
I love this post. You can go crazy if you follow all these rules. Just write b/c the words have to come out.
I have had to learn to ignore and just click out what I see on other’s blogs. If I notice someone does something I’d never do…I don’t have to let them know that
It’s their blog: if they want to write every day on how the neighbor tramps all over their daisies every day: let them. It’s their blog.
Artforms don’t have any rules and last I checked, writing was still an artform, no?
I’m preaching to the choir with you, aren’t I 🙂
Nice to see you hear, my dear.
I love your blog posts! 😀
Me, too 🙂
Enjoyed this post, Dan. I blog every now and then, do not make a dime, and enjoy it because I like to write and it occupies my down time as I look for a job. I have learned a lot about blogging from my twitter friends and yes did get some valuable information out of the 27% of blogchat. Just one point, I believe #1-writing for your “Audience” refers to those who blog for work…not a personal blog, because obviously if someone’s subscribing to your blog, they are your audience, whether you’re writing about your kid’s potty schedule or the latest exercise craze.
Rule #1 def applies to people who blog for work or company but many people believe it has to apply to their personal blog as well (I mean, they hear it so many dang times they end up believing it!)
Thanks for your comment 🙂
The world is coming to an end — once again, I agree wholeheartedly with you. Excellent post Dan.
Best advice I ever received on blog writing — be yourself.
You made me laugh at #2, and I absolutely agree with your points.
Bottom line…be yourself and just write.
Like I said before – I’m the voice of reason disguised as a stupid filmmaker. Listen up 😉
Love your post! 90% of the time I blog out of sheer boredom. If I spouted off half the insipid, inane, ridiculous stuff that crosses my mind during the day the world would be a much lamer place. 🙂 I blog too much, but then again if I didn’t I might actually explode or get a life. Dear God someone hold me. I’m scared.
Don’t get a life. I dig your writing. Consider yourself held.
Now go…and sin no more.
Hmm, well let’s see…the exclusions you include at the beginning help out here, as the distinction needs to be made between personal blogging and professional/business blogging. Obviously you can’t ignore audience and search rankings for the latter, so there will be a different approach to the writing and post frequency. I also think there will be some crossover to the personal sphere, though, in which some of the common blogging tips remain germane. Some writers may equate a successful personal blog with being well read and renowned in a certain niche, which also requires a significant focus on audience.
That said, I fully agree with you that personal writing blossoms most when it comes unfettered and unfiltered, allowed to flow based on the emotion that brought the writer to the keyboard in the first place. Being stymied by blogging rules and regulations isn’t something that should happen to anyone who simply wishes to write to express themselves.
What it comes down to is the end goal of your blogging, whether personal, professional, or somewhere in between. The more you have specific targets and desired outcomes for your writing, the more likely it is that a certain amount of prevailing advice will serve you well. The more free and creative you wish to be in your writing, the more those same ideas could well constrain you.
Thanks for writing freely, Mr Filmmaker 🙂
Strictly personal on my end as the purpose of my website is primarily to showcase my video work to prospective clients. Similar to video/film editing, I’ve really come to enjoy writing and being free to express whatever I want.
People seem to dig it (or hate it) most of the time so I guess I’m doing something right 😉
Thanks for stopping by…
I agree on all points. I do forget that with Twitter just posting once about a post link doesn’t do much. Facebook is a different story. I try to get something out twice a week, more for my own sanity than anything else, but usually it’s once a week. I think I might do better if it were more than one a week, but life gets in the way.
Now, if someone wants to start paying me, that’s another story.
You can schedule links to your post throughout the day using Hootsuite or even Tweetdeck. Mix in the other cool links you find on the web and you can have a whole day set up in just a few minutes.
Always nice to see you here 🙂
I think I’m in love with you. Not in a creepy way, but more in a “I have a husband, but you wrote a really great post that made me have less blogging angst, so I’m your new fan girl” sort of way.
If I had a nickel for every time someone falls in love with me over a blog post…I think I’d have a nickel. Maybe two.
Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I’d sell out for fame and fortune in a minute 😉
In the meantime, let’s just keep doing what we do. Deal?
From what I see on your blog, you have many more hits than misses. Keep doing your thing…
Ha! Yes to breaking rules, not kissing ass, liberating emotion, and writing for the love of it. Brilliant.
This is what I am talking, straight and to the point! I have seen allot of what you wrote about and I have to sit back and laugh. I think paying it forward with bloggers not that well known is more priceless than you think. I get the opportunity to network with some kick-a– people and they have taught me more about blogging then the well known bloggers. Besides, anything edgy and straight forward always get my vote.
Dan, I just love this post. I’ve gotten so sick of the gospel surrounding blogging — everybody’s a social media expert, and everybody has all the insight scoop on how to properly blog. This is one of the best (and enjoyable) posts I have ever come across! Especially #2 — don’t be an ass kisser. How refreshing.
As are you! There is just something about you I have always liked.
Love the Toy robot pictures. Oh, and the post is pretty on point as well. Agree on all of the above. 🙂 Well played.