Risky Writing
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.
A Little Blogging Haiku
Filed under: Blog Topics, Writing Tips
Blogging French Toast
Sometimes I find it hard to sit down and start writing a blog post. Anyone else feel that way?
Even when I have an idea of what I want to write about, sometimes staring at that blank computer screen is such a drag.
Tomorrow at our monthly Breakfast Blogging Club meeting, Beth is going to show us some ways to easy into it… almost like tricking your brain into writing. And I’m really looking forward to it. Read more
Blog Snob II: Darth Blogger!
Blog Snobs on the Web
Remember what I said earlier about how Blog Snobs, “…wag their finger and remind you how much you’re missing out by not playing their way;…”
Well, I just got this email today from one of those “blog gurus” and the sanctimonious and arrogant tone is exactly what I was talking about. Read more
Have You Ever Met A “Blog Snob”?
I’ve met a few lately. They look kinda normal – except for a few ticks…
…the slight raising of one eyebrow, “You mean you only blog once month!?”
…or the haughty look down the nose, “I have over __ followers on Twitter and made ___ dollars as a result. What about you?”
…or how ‘bout the gun-slinging swagger of the tech wonk (I had another word for gun…), “If you’re not using such-n-such technology/application/plugin/widget/web tool/hardware/software, you’re an idiot.”
In the old days (like about 3 years ago) a Blog Snob was someone who took a ‘tude with a non-blogger. Nowadays, I meet Blog Snobs who deride their fellow bloggers for a variety of reasons:
- Not blogging often enough
- Not doing it right
- Having a “lame” blog site
- Not using the “right” technology
- Not optimized appropriately
- ….and other crimes against blogging
Blog Snobs laud their social networking prowess, as if the fantastic number of friends, feeds, fans and followers confirms their “expert” moniker and popularity. It’s like we’re back in high school – puhlease, not back there!!
Another thing Blog Snobs do is wag their finger and remind you how much you’re missing out by not playing their way; trying to impress you with their knowledge, their name dropping, and how successful they are. It’s all about them. They don’t really give a rat’s ass about what other people might need, want, or prefer – leaving them feeling somehow lacking or inadequate.
You might think I’m projecting here. Maybe I am. I’m the poster child for ‘glacial blogging’ and don’t care. I tweet when I feel like I have something to say that’s relevant, interesting, funny, or acknowledging. I’m more amused and curious by Facebook than “strategic” about it. A lot of it I find inane. I’ve been on LinkedIn for a couple of years and would probably use it more if I swam in the w2 ocean like I used to. For now, I use it mostly to check people out – like my ex-husband, whose profile is exceedingly boring and straight-laced, just like he was.
Here’s what I say: engage in your blogging, tweeting, writing, podcasting, video’ing, and basically communicating and expressing yourself in ways that feel authentic and good for YOU.
Don’t worry about frequency, style, quality, image, looking good, doing it right, doing it wrong, being perfect, screwing up, or breaking the internet. Do what you want, and don’t do what you don’t want.
And don’t try and be someone you think others will want you to be. I’ve been down that road – heck, I helped pave it – and it sucks! I have more power, am more successful, and make more of a difference to others and to my communities when I am true to myself. I suggest encourage insist you do the same. Ignore the Blog Snobs.
Stand up for who you are.
Open up to who you are.
You are totally enough!!
