I’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
- There’s a great quote by David M Burns about fear: “Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can make you a far more productive person.” People don’t like, or expect perfectionism when it comes to reading about you and your services
- 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.
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.
Thanks, Chris.
We are all experts as something.
Andrew
.-= andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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
Debbie,
What you say is so true…we can all help someone with our expertise.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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 =-.
Jen,
Of course at some time during your blogging you will get negetive feedback…but that’s fine…you have to have a ‘thick skin’.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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 =-.
Joel,
You are right…what is the worst that can happen…possibly a negative respond.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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? =-.
Bruce
I think a lot of people suffer from ‘it has to be perfect’ syndrome…and it holds them back.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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 =-.
Vladimir
What made you start seriously blogging?
Did something happen?
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Product Reviews =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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.
Jane
I believe you have to be confident in your subject and we can always ask our customers what they would like to hear more of.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide : How To Write An About Page (video) =-.
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 =-.
John,
John C’s course was excellent – best on-line investment I made.
You are right about being persistent.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide : How To Write An About Page (video) =-.
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.
John,
I am fairly clear on what I want to say but then I just right and sometimes it changes!
I don’t develop a detailed outline…might be a bit over-kill for me.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide : How To Write An About Page (video) =-.
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 =-.
Mark John,
That often happens to me (and I sometimes end up with 2 blog posts!).
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Want A Blog Income But Have No Time To Write? Then Cheat! =-.
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 =-.
David,
Why is the starting the hardest point?
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Successful Internet Business Models =-.
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.
Thanks for thsoe kind words, Casey.
For some, it is a matter of letting go and not being fearful of what others think.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide: Feedback On Our Free Guide =-.
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 =-.
Nice to hear that Gerlaine.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..I Am Famous =-.
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
You are right – people must start. That can be the hardest part!
Andrew
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.
Gary
Thick skin…is essential. As soon as you go on-line you are open to abuse!
Andrew