As you might expect there were a whole lot of tips on blog writing from the gathering of 100+ successful and outstanding bloggers in Chicago at the weekend.
Here are some that stuck out for me – not direct quotes but close enough for me to attribute them to the speakers.
They’re structured around some key questions to ask yourself before you start to write.
Why
Write to get attention – but make sure it’s the right kind of attention
Brian Clark @copyblogger
What
Add value – don’t just repeat what others have said
Chris Garrett @chrisgarrett
How you do your job or your business – makes for an interesting story and might be the thing that helps you to stand out
Your successes – don’t be shy of letting people know about the good stuff
David Bullock @davidbullock
What’s
going on – the good stuff and the challenges, let go a bit of control and allow your readers to identify with you – and be inspired by what you’ve done
Wendy Piersall, @emom
How
Take ownership and responsibility; check your sources; correct any mistakes instantly
Anita BruzzeseDon’t write for your teacher – chances are they’re not reading your blog
Liz Strauss @lizstrauss
Use powerful questions to get feedback or stimulate a response
Say what you mean, don’t worry about getting it perfect but do make it attractive and easy to read
Use techniques to break through your barriers: start writing by penning an e-mail (not to be sent, just to draft the material), using voice recognition software, talking to a rubber duck.
What do you want to say, why, what difference does it make, “so what”?
Those last three were all from Chris Garrett. I’ve included a lot of his because he had so many useful, practical suggestions on productive blogging (getting more bang for your blog.) If you don’t already follow his work, check out ChrisG.com. Chris is also the co-author with Darren Rowse of the Problogger book – I got a copy at the weekend which I’ve just started and will share more of later.
When
Think about your schedule; how often to post; days of the week readers are around (varies from market to market)
Be aware of your own time and energy; use it wisely; watch drains on your energy and focus on what matters
Anticipate periods when you won’t be able to write – holidays, times when you’re ill; have a backlog of posts, collaborate with others so you can cover for each other
Again, these three are all from Chris Garrett. Cheers Chris for giving us so much practical advice.
Thinking about ‘when’ is the most important one for me: when I draft (trying to do them in one sitting), when I post, getting a mix of short and long, anticipating periods when I won’t have time to write so much.
What about you? Have you picked up a tip recently that has helped you be more productive in your blogging?
This is one in a series of posts on learning points from SobCon08. I’ve also posted some ideas on blogging and business for those of you that are interested in that.
If you want to talk through how to apply these and other principles and learning points you can book an hour of my coaching time – find out more here, including how to book.
Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count
Photo Credit: Gentoo Book by Gunnar Wrobel
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a grand list Joanna. I was especially impressed with this one from Chris …
“Use techniques to break through your barriers: start writing by penning an e-mail (not to be sent, just to draft the material), using voice recognition software, talking to a rubber duck.
What do you want to say, why, what difference does it make, “so what”?”
I’m going to start using that tip right away. For sure.
So, did you walk around with a notepad while in Chicago?
I’m seriously thinking of investing in a hand-held recorder for times like those.
(I started researching on amazon just this week)
If I ever get to have times like those
Cat, Chris G’s suggestions were great – practical, straightforward, valuable. I might have more detail on that point about means to breaking through your barriers that I can share with you.
Didn’t use a recorder – though I do have one that I use sometimes – but I take notes all the time. In a totally disorganised way, scraps of paper, envelopes, hotel pads… but it works.
I also wrote a lot of stuff down in the plane when everyone was asleep. Even though the lights were down! Surprised how well I could read my writing afterwards…
Joanna
Those tips are tops, Joanna! You’ve counseled me to inject more of myself into my posts, and that is good advice. The art of asking questions is something I’m working on now. Not as easy as it sounds, for me anyway. If only a blogger/writing coach would concentrate on that theme for a month …
Brad, today’s post from you is a fantastic example of you being you on your blog. I loved it.
http://tinyurl.com/4zlv4q
Good point about questions. There is an art to it, which I’ve mainly learned from my coaching training. Don’t know I could manage a month on questions, but I will do a post or two. Could fit well into my theme of purpose next month.
Joanna
my biggest shift and I would say david and chris spoke to this beautifully is to let folks know I have a business, i tend to be sharing and giving and not let folks know that I am earning my living here…ha! I also think I wrap it up too tight, and asking the questions at the end of a post would foster more conversation – and conversation is what I love the most about blogging
good list my dear
I don’t actually consider myself a terribly productive blogger, although others have commented on my prolific output. I think if I could give a tip of my own, it would be to blog about your passion. If you’re passionate about your blog, then you will become productive almost by default.
I am so enjoying these SOBCon posts, Joanna. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your learning with us here.
Amy
xx
Thanks Karen. I’m going to do some more on questions and how to make them work as part of my next topic. It’s hard to balance with the desire / need to be an authority though – a challenge for most of us.
I agree with you on the takeaway message re letting people know about your business (esp from David, boy was he inspiring). I’m going to start doing some more of that next week.
Joanna
Joanna, I enjoyed Liz’s reminder not to write for your teacher.
That is absolutely too boring.
What we need is more personality… And that’s just the kind of spice and pizzazz you add.
Thanks for a great post.
I’m glad you’re enjoying them Amy. It was certainly a resource rich conference.
I know what you mean about passion – recall you saying this in ref to your switch to writing at lives less ordinary – though you know passion is a word that just doesn’t connect with me in relation to my work here. I’d use words like focused, determined, proud, motivated, purposeful but it’s never felt like passion.
Maybe it’s semantics, I’m not sure, or a cultural thing. (Calvinists even reformed ones struggle a bit with passion!)
I’ll enjoy chatting to you about this some time.
Joanna
It is good advice isn’t it Robyn, especially in the early days when we think we ’should’ write in a certain way. One of the things I love about blogging is when you see people start to stretch, play, create and develop, learning how to add their own pizzazz…
Joanna
Thanks Joanna for so generously sharing these. The wonderfulness that it was is palpable( my favorite word this week) I fully hope to be there next time.
All best,
Jan
Jan, what a great expression for the event – “the wonderfulness is palpable” – it really was. Hope to see you there next year
Joanna
Terrific advice. You are making me regret not being there.
I’m looking forward to hearing more as these ideas gell and cook in your head and heart.
I’m glad I’ve found your blog!
Deb, part of the idea is to make you want to be there next year!
I think the material will keep on cooking and thickening so thanks for saying you’ll be glad to hear more. I’m glad you found my blog too
Joanna