Blogging is a Business

Sep 5, 2012 | 17 comments

A few years ago, I had some friends suggest I start a blog. “A what?” I asked. I was certain they’d lost their minds. To me, a blog was nothing more than a digital diary. A public digital diary. Why would I want to spill my guts to a bunch of strangers?

I had a mental image of a Blogger as being someone who drank Starbuck’s all day and jotted down notes about things they wanted to (but not necessarily should) share with the World at Large. Someone who had nothing better to do with their time than write instead of work. Boy, was I so very wrong!

If you’ve been around Frankly, My Dear… for any length of time, you know that turning into a “Professional Blogger” was not my initial intention. I merely wanted to expound my writing skills while also sharing my social forays.

And then I discovered the difference between keeping an online diary and writing a Blog. The behind-the-scenes work that it takes to put together a Blog is remarkable. And the great ones make it seem so effortless. It’s like putting on a stage-play with each post. Do the characters (story elements) shadow or compliment each other? Is the set (website) designed to help or hinder the performance? Are there too many distractions, or not enough decorations?

Blogging, I discovered, is so much more than words.

As time went on, I found myself growing and changing along with my Blog. I found what worked for me (and what didn’t), what stories I wanted to tell, and what you wanted to read. It may not seem like it, but I strive hard to not be categorized as a Foodie Blog or a Mommy Blog. Frankly, My Dear… is so much more than that.

Just as you have many facets that sparkle and shine, so does a well-written Blog.

I also found myself craving the acceptance and recognition I get when reading comments from people I’ve never met. And what a feeling to read other blog posts I can relate to. Blogging is a wonderful community!

I follow other Blogs and seek advice from Bloggers. I discovered that discovery is part of the process. To learn, ask, inquire, seek, research, and hunt for the path that would get me from here to There. I’m still learning how to build a better blog. And I’m learning that it’s a whole lot more than just good writing.

The blogs I first had for reference were those from people who vented online. Bad grammar. bad spelling. Bad stories. It was all just very… bad. There were also those who told cute stories about their cute kids and had cute backgrounds. It was all just very… cute.

But I’m a serious writer, I argued. Blogging isn’t writing. It’s… well, it’s just blogging. That’s right. I said it.

Just. Blogging.

And I’m sorry. Because there is such a difference between writing a blog and Writing a Blog. The more I wanted to know about writing a good blog, the more I read other blogs. And I found some amazingly helpful ideas. I also saw what not to do.

First, find a niche. Some blogs are about one thing: Cooking. Automobiles. Crafts. Felines. Some are about life. Life with kids. Life with a Significant Other. Life Without a Significant Other. Still others (my favorite kind, of course!) incorporate a little bit of everything.

As long as the writings are coherent and connect to other posts, I think any number of categories works. Of course, disjointed posts and ten thousand themes in one year can make it difficult to follow. I try to keep it simple but real. I don’t expect every one of my friends to like every aspect about me. Neither do I expect every one of my readers to like every post I write. It’s the overall appreciation, the intrinsic value of all parts combined, that keep us together.

Add photographs. The bigger the better, but try to keep them similar in size. If you’re a blogger, invest in a good digital camera. You’ll be oh-so-glad you did. I know several bloggers that post copyrighted materials. Even though media sites such as YouTube and Pinterest gives us access to review someone else’s work, I personally stay away from putting it on Frankly, My Dear… unless I know it’s absolutely approved. Just as I would hate for someone to put all my photos on their blog without compensation, I don’t want to take advantage of others’ hard work (and copyrights!).

Comment. Find other blogs you like, and comment on them. If someone leaves a comment on your blog, reciprocate! The Blogging Community thrives on recognition. Promote other blogs. Ask for help with your own promotions. When a blog you like links up to a third blog, check it out! I’ve found several great blogs this way; and made some fantastic blog friends.

Don’t be afraid of social media. Sign up! Link up! I have Facebook, twitter, StumbleUpon, and Pinterest. So do many of my blog friends. We cross-promote and help each other out. If your blog is just for yourself and close friends, numbers aren’t too significant. But if you’re looking to get recognized and earn some corporate sponsors… well, the keyword here is earn. You have to work at promoting your blog. And ask your friends and fellow bloggers to help you out.

Don’t be afraid. Reach out! I am a big fan of asking questions. When I see a feature on a blog that I admire, I find a way to contact the blogger. Whether it’s an email, Facebook post, or direct message through twitter, I reach out. I ask, how did they do this? Who do I contact? What do you recommend? And most of the time, they reach back. They, too, know the importance of interacting.

But it’s still so much more than that. I spend several hours each week reading other blogs and leaving comments. I send emails to people and entities that I want to partner with. I’m on my social media sites throughout every day.

I’m just now learning what attracts sponsors and what doesn’t. How certain layouts can actually turn readers away from a Blog. Why sometimes short is better. What makes a good post. How to take a good photograph.

I didn’t come by this knowledge on my own. I sought it out, certainly. I googled my questions and read article upon article, blog upon blog. But without mentors and fellow bloggers, I’d still be in Bloggy Kindergarten. I’m so thankful to be striving for Blog recognition, and to have so many wonderful tutors.

Just as a diamond is made from coal, which is made from elements pressed so very tightly together into something so remarkably beautiful, so are individual people. And so are the blogs they write.

So you see, blogging really can be a business. At least, it should certainly be treated as one. The next time you read a blog post, I hope you notice the little details. But if you don’t that’s okay, too. Because sometimes, we writers only want you to read. And leave the behind-the-scenes stuff to us.

I invite you to click on the following blogs. They never cease to inspire me, and I hope they’ll do the same for you.

Jenn at …so this is love…
Ann at Doodles and Jots
Larissa at Papa is a Preacher
Winnie at Winnie’s Inky Fingers
Sylvia at Living and Homeschooling With a New Normal
Kathy at Bereaved and Blessed
Margaret Christine at From Maggie’s Farm
Shell at Things I Can’t Say

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

BHBHBadge

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I Had a Job Interview Today!

Aug 9, 2012 | 6 comments

Yup. I had an interview. A real, in-person, we-think-you-could-benefit-our-business job interview today. [I also had a call to join an insurance team about an hour’s drive from home and work for commission only… had to turn that one down. Darn.]

I had been referred to today’s Real Interviewer through mutual contacts. A year ago, I wouldn’t have considered it: part-time. Small office.

And today, it felt like a perfect fit. Because it’s a nice atmosphere. Because they’ve been in business for over a decade and are still growing. Because any job is better than no job. Because a pay check is still a paycheck. And because every little bit helps.

Whether or not I get the job, I’m glad I went to the interview, which was more of an informal get-to-know-you meeting. Mostly because I don’t get out much these days. Also because it was nice to see new faces. I love meeting people!

The office manager was encouraging. She was excited about the marketing/advertising background I naturally come by on my resume, through my blog and just because I’m a naturally chatty person (go figure!).

But the absolute best moment of this meeting was when she said, “I heard you’re a great writer and want to make sure this job wouldn’t get in the way of those goals.”

Uhm…. NO. I will gladly work for you part time until it turns into full time, and in the meantime I will continue to write and blog and write and cook and write and review and write. You’ll just be helping to pay the bills until the write check comes along.

But thanks for asking.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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In Case You Missed It…

Feb 19, 2012 | 0 comments

This is sort of another stream-of-consciousness posting, but not really.

There’s been so much going on this weekend that I can’t just settle my thoughts onto only one theme, so you get them all. Lucky readers!

First, I want to remind each of you that there’s still time to enter the Cookbook Giveaway. The cookbook is still in pre-production, but don’t let that fool ya. Barring any more complications, it should be available within the next few weeks. So stay tuned!

I spent Friday and Saturday at home alone for the most part. Dot was on a field trip of sorts. We cleaned the house the day before she left, but of course with five cats there’s dusty little pawprints everywhere and it’s driving me crazy. They’re indoor cats, but because I have dirt lots for the front and back yards, and the winds have been blowing, there are dusty little pawprints. Everywhere. And it’s. driving. me. crazy.

 

Old Blue has been coming back on a regular schedule. This is the only photo I have so far. I took it from my cell phone yesterday morning. He arrives for breakfast in the morning between 6:30 and 7 a.m. Sometimes he comes for brunch around 10:30. But he always returns for dinner between 3:30 and 4 pm. It surprises me that I keep getting surprised at my excitement. I think to myself that I should be almost complacent by now: it’s obvious this beautiful Cooper’s Hawk loves my yard. So I shouldn’t be surprised to see him glide into the tree. But each time, it takes my breath away. And then I annoy him by trying to “sneak” outside with my camera. I guess that interferes with his feeding. So tomorrow I’m going to just stay inside and let him linger around the feeders.

 

I finished my first official freelance writing assignment today, and it felt GREAT. What I loved most about doing it, was verifying my information online through several sources. I love knowing that I do a good job, when I do a job. It’s very affirming of the fact that New Inklings Press is what I’m supposed to be doing. And I love it. Even more than I thought I would. I don’t know why I resisted for so long, but I’m so thankful God kept pushing me in this direction.

And this freelance assignment came later on a day when I had turned down another one. I chose to trust God to provide as I clung to my Good Name instead. I can’t bring myself to earn a paycheck from people who don’t care. Where my by-line is insignificant. Where the work is sloppy and unprofessional or worse. I also recently turned down an interview with a disreputable company only to be blessed that same day with the funds I need to get through the rest of this month and take care of the final start-up expenses for the company! God works in mysterious ways…

I tried to catch up on my fellow bloggers’ sites by reading lots of posts and leaving comments. I don’t like to let it stockpile on me like that. Sometimes I can go a week without reading other blogs, and that means a week’s worth of reading and commenting on each one. It’s a little time consuming, but also inspiring.

Two worth mentioning are Ann’s Doodles and Jots. Ann is extremely creative with her drawings, photography, and words. I really look forward to her postings.

Another is Ariel’s From My Heart 2 Urs. Here’s another woman trying to navigate Christianity, singleness, and a writing career. She’s always so encouraging and uplifting. I’m glad I call her Friend!

So while Dot was gone, you can see I got a lot done. It was also a happily productive weekend because I’ve had this stupid virus for over a week now and it’s turned from a dry cough into a congestive cough. The fact that I got anything done, and made it through both days without a daytime nap, makes me feel like I accomplished a lot.

My Lizzie Cat loves it though because I reek of Vapo-Rub when I go to bed at night and that’s her favorite scent ever. Anything with a menthol fragrance, and she’s on it! Needless to say, the cat cuddles this past week have been more than usual and I’m totally okay with that!

 

Dot’s trip turned out fun. Her school drama club went to a college’s Shakespeare Festival. They learned how to project their voices with less straining, how to fight with swords (thankfully not real ones!), and they even had performances to do.

When she came home, she started telling me about it, and I realized I kept glancing at my laptop. I figured she deserved better so I closed it and gave her my complete attention. That’s not easy for me to do, as I’m such a multi-tasker and always online or working on a writing project or both. So for me to turn off the computer and the TV and give her my complete attention… it was different.

And I’m really glad I did. Because I learned that she needs to be listened to. Even if she’s telling me things I already know. Even if I’ve heard her stories before. Even if what she’s saying doesn’t always interest me. She deserves my full attention. And I almost missed that.

So while she learned Shakespearean techniques, I learned not to multi-task. I call that a Win-Win Weekend.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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