Reasons why you shouldn’t blog
But I’m not saying that they’re good reasons … Let me explain:
Many of us have been told why every writer should have a blog. Obviously, I agree. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be writing in this space …
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been chatting about various things with a couple or three writers I know. When the subject of blogging came up (which it invariably did), everyone with whom I spoke had the following feelings about blogging:
- They enjoy reading blogs, especially ones aimed at writers
- They’d never take the plunge and start blogging themselves
The second bit caught me somewhat off guard. Here are people saying that they find blogs valuable, but aren’t willing to join the conversation. Fair enough, I thought after a few moments. When I asked why, the responses I got were interesting. The two main reasons were:
- Blogging takes away time and ideas from my other writing
- I don’t have anything to say that hasn’t already been said
I definitely don’t agree with either response. Sure, blogging does take a bit of time. But if you create an editorial calendar, and block off 20 to 30 minutes a day then you can actually get a lot of blogging done. On top of that, you don’t have to post every day unless you really want to. Doing the deed two or three times a week is a great way to get your feet wet and build an audience.
As for ideas, chances are you won’t be blogging about the same things that you’re writing about for your paying gigs. That’s not to say you can’t. You can use the blog to develop those ideas, or to go off on a different tanget than (say) of an article.
To be honest, I can’t think of a writer whom I’ve met who doesn’t have something to say about something. Especially about writing. We all have ideas and opinions. Many of us have new and interesting and completely different takes on a subject from our peers. As someone once told me It doesn’t matter if something’s already been said. Say it again — someone might not have heard the first time. And a blog is a great way to put out that alternative view point, or to restate something from a fresh angle.
Thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment.
Related posts:
I’m a writer who loves blogging — but I don’t focus on sharing my viewpoint. I started the Quips & Tip series (you linked to my Quips & Tips for Freelance Writers in your May 15 post, thank you!); my goal is to offer readers tips on achieving their goals.
Blogging gives me the freedom to say whatever I want without worrying about an editor’s perspective, which I love. I also find it relaxing, and it gives me an immediate sense of accomplishment.
And, regarding whether something’s already been said: your reader may need to hear it the way you say it, or you may post it at the perfect time — when the reader needs to hear it again. So, I’m not held back by whether it’s been said before….but I do try to be as helpful as possible to my readers.
Thanks for this post – it may have been said before, but it struck me in a whole new way!
Laurie