Fear of blog writing or is it shyness?

Written by Andrew Rondeau in blogging guide | 35 Awesome Comments - Add Yours?

blog writingI’ve been thinking about the obstacles people have when it comes to blog writing and starting to blog for the first time.

So many people come to me asking about the benefits of blogging, and how it can enhance their life-style (working from home, for instance), income and generate sales leads.

It’s easy to convince people of the potential when it comes to setting up a blog.

I take them through the process, choosing the right theme, setting them up with their perfect platform, and preparing everything for the first moment when they put finger to keyboard and tap out their message to the world.

And nothing happens.

It can be frustrating to see people who would so obviously benefit from letting the world know about their services and industry. These people are articulate, funny and interesting.

They’d be an asset to the blogging community.

So why are they silent?

I have some theories about this…

My first is that people get some form of performance anxiety – as if they can’t quite get the nerve up to offer up their ideas and communication to the world.

It’s the equivalent of getting up to sing karaoke sober, maybe?

Another thought is that people may be too busy, and can’t get the time to sit down and write for their blog. In which case, why aren’t they paying someone else to do it for them?

My final theory is that people are suffering from some sort of imposter syndrome. I wonder if potential bloggers often worry that they’re going to be caught out as frauds.

Regardless of why you may not be making the most of your blog, I’ve sketched out some ways to overcome your initial fear and get on with it. You wouldn’t set up a Real Estate Agency and then keep the door closed so you can’t sell anything – why would you have the potential sales goldmine of a blog, and leave it dormant?

Here are my tips for getting over the initial blogging shyness:

  • Remember you’re the expert. No-one knows your business as well as you do, so don’t feel nervous about standing on your soap box and declaring your expertise to the world
  • Quantity works for blogs. Even if you pop in once a day and simply update your blog with a line or two, it’s still good for your SEO and rankings
  • Get guest writers in. No-one will mind if your blog is written by one, two or three different voices. Choose people who know their stuff, and let them support the blog on your behalf
  • Outsource your writing completely, if you feel that you’re really not cut out for doing the job yourself. There are some superb services out there for people who don’t have the time to blog for their company, but recognise the importance of having a great blog in place
  • In a rush? Upload a picture instead. Or video. Or Podcast. The written word isn’t the only way of reaching your target audience!

There’s another great quote that comes to mind, this time by Eric Hoffer…

He says “It is when power is wedded to chronic fear that it becomes formidable”. Maybe a bit of performance-related panic when it comes to blogging could give you the edge you need to really make this work for you?

So. You now have the power – you’ve got a blog which will support you to reach all your customers on a daily basis, persuading them that your organisation is the right one to choose. If you were going in to battle right now, you’d be armed to the hilt.

Write something.

Post it up.

Feel smug for the rest of the day.




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35 Responses to Fear of blog writing or is it shyness?
  1. Chris Peterson

    Always you are giving something different information, this time also. Your post is really amazing. I’m very much appreciating your article. Always it’s necessary to every body thinks as expert whether she/he know or not. When we write at that moment we should think ourselves as expert. It will encourage to write better.

    Reply
  2. Happy maker
    Twitter:

    Great Andrew,

    Now i know I have the stuff to keep my blog going. I try to remember that everyone thinks differently and what one person says my hit a home run for nother person.

    Thnks again for the reinforcment.
    Debbie

    Reply
  3. Joel from Blog Solutions
    Twitter:

    Some very good points Andrew, so many people are afraid of writing when it’s actually nothing to be scared of. Like golf, it’s very easy to be decent enough for everyone around you, but incredibly hard to be a master.
    .-= Joel @ Blog Solutions´s last blog ..How To “Grow” Your Blog =-.

    Reply
  4. Bruce

    I really like the idea that perfectionism is backed by fear. That makes a lot of sense and is a good reason why many things worth doing don’t get done. Thanks for your input and suggestions.
    .-= Bruce´s last blog ..PREVENTION-What do you think it is? =-.

    Reply
  5. Vladimir Hristov

    It is strange when you first start. I have been going around something very similar myself. I have been accumulating knowledge about SEO, PPC, Social Medias, Email Marketing and everything related and still i couldn’t make my mind to take the next step and start seriously blogging and writing about it. Same goes with videos.. There is very similar feeling once you start recording videos. But if I can give you one advise that will be: Just do it! Practice makes perfect! Just start doing it and you will see how easy and how fuzzy it can all be:)

    Wish you all a wonderful online journey!
    .-= Vladimir Hristov@Online Success´s last blog ..Growing Your Business With Social Media =-.

    Reply
  6. Jen

    This is a great article. It can be daunting when you first start out writing on your blog, and finding your own voice. I think the best way is to just jump straight in and do it, without being afraid of negative reception – most people are friendly and receptive to new bloggers, so it’s worth just going for it!
    .-= Jen @ blog writing services´s last blog ..On the mentally defective youngest child =-.

    Reply
  7. Carolin

    It took me along time to decide that it was ok to outsource some of the articles. It’s been such a blessing. I found fantastic writers on craigslist. I used to spend all my time writing and now I can spend time on marketing and research too. If I had known how easy it was I would have started outsourcing a long time ago.
    .-= Carolin´s last blog ..Homemade Natural Deodorizer: No More Nasty Smells =-.

    Reply
    • Andrew from Blogging Guide
      Twitter:

      Carolin,

      I do a fair amount of outsourcing…including marketing and research but it took me ages to find a really good writer.

      I must have tried at least 20 – all not up to the standard I want.

      I’ve now found one, thank goodness and she writes just how I like.

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.

      Reply
  8. Benjamin from meditation techniques

    These are great tips, Andrew.

    I’ve definitely suffered from the impostor syndrome… but then I looked around and realized that no one does what I do as well as I do in the medium I use… or if they do, I certainly haven’t seen it yet

    It’s a pretty nice feeling.

    I’ve also noticed that when I’m proactive… it’s easier to ignore any thoughts of “this content isn’t perfect yet”

    It seems the more I practice getting out of my comfort zone (general laziness), the easier and easier it gets.

    keep smiling,

    Ben
    .-= Benjamin@meditation techniques´s last blog ..Interview with Shinzen Young =-.

    Reply
    • Andrew from Blogging Guide
      Twitter:

      Wow, Ben…that is a nice feeling.

      Just do what you do best…is what I say.

      I sometimes think of things while I’m walking or at the gym and then my little inner voice would say, “No you can’t do that!”

      Then I make my big inner voice say ‘shut up’ to the little voice and…just do it.

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.

      Reply
  9. Jane Cooke

    Some reasons I have experienced for not picking up blogging earlier. May apply to a few others
    1. Taking a stand on a controversial topic. You have the topic ready but not sure how to take the controversy.
    2. Not being confident of your subject or not sure what subject to go for.
    Now with experience, I believe it is getting better on both points.

    Reply
  10. John Soares

    As a fulltime freelance writer and creator of information products, I can say that the most important factor in getting writing done is being clear on what you want to say and then developing a detailed outline.

    This will help you get it done well and quickly.

    Reply
  11. John W. Furst

    Andrew,

    Now I know why you write so well. I have seen your testimonial for John Carlton’s training. Excellent.

    I really think it’s important to be persistent, especially in the beginning. Better a short post when you are short of time than no post at all that day.

    Have a nice day.

    Yours
    John
    .-= John W. Furst´s last blog ..Email Marketing Tips – Edition 19 =-.

    Reply
  12. Mark John

    There’s a great line in Finding Forrester, when Sean Connery’s character asks, “Why is it that the words we write for ourselves are always so much better than the words we write for other people?”

    And

    I create some pretty solid outlines, but every now and then I will start off on a tangent on some related topic, and get so far away that the article I’ve written is completely different from what I set out to do. Not always a bad thing… unless it’s deadline time!
    .-= Mark John´s last blog ..Go-Go Google Gadgets: Secrets of Google =-.

    Reply
  13. David Rogers from self confidence

    I must admit I’m stuck at doing a weekly post; if I ever outsource I think post writing is the last thing I’d ever let go of! However, I’m warming to guest posting, both doing and receiving. I find once I start writing a post it flows fairly well, its just starting that can be hard.
    .-= David Rogers@self confidence´s last blog ..Self Confidence from Failure =-.

    Reply
  14. Casy from Water Feature

    I really amazed with your post. You always manage to dine different topics and points of view. It is a talent!:) On the other hand, I think all of us has the capability to express their heartstrings through writing but few have the passion. Thanks for the wonderful thought out article.

    Reply
  16. Gerlaine Talk

    I have been doing that lately. I’ve been posting, posting, posting! I am working on it! I love it! No more shyness about my blog.
    .-= Gerlaine Talk´s last blog ..I’m Good 30 Day MCC =-.

    Reply
  17. Grady Pruitt

    I use a variety of methods myself. I have some blogs that I write on, and some that my content is mostly video. The key is to sit down and create the material — or have it created for you.

    The problem is most people either don’t think they can do it or aren’t willing to give it a try. All we can do is expose them to the opportunity.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Grady Pruitt recently posted..How to Build Self Confidence by Being YourselfMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Gary Ashton from Nashville short sale listings

    Completely true, starting is the hardest part its just like making your first million and thereon there is no looking back. I like what you coined Andrew ‘thick skin.’ Bloggers should be thick skinned for all the feedback its going to receive from its readers.

    Reply
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