Content is Nothing, Audience is Everything
Many bloggers think that blogging it is about content, but actually is all about their audiences’ needs. If you get clear on who your audience is, and what they want, then your blog can reach into the hearts and minds of your readers and gain a steady following.
Inspired by a conversation with Breakfast Blogging Club member, Sandra Edwards, I realized that we bloggers can open up to our audience and key into to who they are and what they want in a fun way.
Your Blogging Voice
Our new member via Meetup.com, Trish Roque, posted this great comment: “Hi Beth, thanks for the greeting. My biggest blogging problem is finding the right blogging voice. I know that will only come from blogging a lot. Looking forward to spending more time with the breakfast bloggers!”
Trish, We look forward to spending more time with you too!
You’re right — time will help you sort out your blogging voice.
Voice is a combination of factors, primarily:
1. Who you are.
2. Who your audience is.
3. The result or experience you want to provide to your readers.
Breakfast bloggers, What do you think about your blogging voice?
What is our Quick Start Guide to Writing Your Blog?
Many small business owners and entrepreneurs may think that blogging is just one more chore to add to their marketing list. But actually blogging for your business can be fun and create results, as long as you know what you want from your blog and how to go about getting that.
After teaching over 20 blogging workshops in 2009, the year we launched the Breakfast Blogging Club, we (Cheryl Liquori and Beth Barany) have distilled our knowledge into a fun and useful (and free) Quick Start Guide to Writing Your Blog. Read more
Risky Writing
What is risky writing? And why is it important?
Your idea of a risk will be different from mine.
Define your kind of risky writing. For some, it is:
- controversial
- voicing a strong opinion
- being contrarian
- stating your readership’s fears
- showing vulnerability
We’ve done a few risky blog posts n “Blog Snobs” here, at the Breakfast Blogging Club.
Writing risky posts can generate attention, bring more readers to your blog, and create more connection with your readership.
What risky writing will you do/have you done? Let us know!
5 Tips to Get Writing Now
Last Saturday, Cheryl and I got video taped for GuruTube.net. I had a great time! I have to admit, though, I was nervous. I was going to have a video clip on the same site as Guy Kawasaki and MC Hammer! (Our videos will be posted in a few weeks.)
For the Breakfast Blogging Club, I presented on 5 Tips to Get Writing Now.
Tip 1: List of 20
On a piece of paper, list from 1 through 20. Set a timer for 3 minutes. With a blog topic in mind, write as fast as you can.
The purpose of this exercise is to generate ideas.
Tip 2: Mind Mapping
Pick one idea from your List of 20, and place it in the center of a blank page. Then read how to use mind mapping in the post, “What Are You Passionate About?”
The purpose of this exercise is to expand upon an idea.