Blogging is a huge opportunity... and a lot of people are missing out.
They're missing out for one reason.
They don't believe they can write.
They might have slept through their English classes at school. They don't know what a semi-colon is for. And since entering the workforce, they might never have had to write anything longer than a grocery list.
And now I'm telling them that they can make their living -- and more! -- writing on the Web.
They can. You can too. If you can talk, you can write a blog.
A blog isn't a screenplay or a work of literature. It's a diary. Or a magazine. Or whatever you want it to be. It's just a place to put your thoughts, your ideas and your advice.
If you tend to share any of those things -- and if people are interested when you do -- you can create a blog that gets views and makes money.
The difference is how you share them.
A conversation with a friend is spontaneous. You only know what you're going to say when you're saying it. That approach doesn't work too well in writing. It's much better to spend a couple of minutes thinking about what you're going to write and planning it out in advance.
Once you've decided what you want the post to be about, you should have a length in mind. That's not strictly necessary but knowing when to stop and having a goal to aim for can make the writing process much easier.
You should also know how the post ends. Whether a post makes an argument or tells a story, you should be able to sum it up in one sentence. For this post, for example, that might be "bloggers should plan their posts." If you were describing your daughter's goal during her weekend soccer match, it might be "Natalie scored a great goal this weekend and the training helped."
It's as simple as that.
And finally, you'll want a short list of points the post should mention on the way to the conclusion. In a 350-word post, there might be no more than two or three. So for the post about Natalie's goal, you might want to write down that you want to mention how she recovered from a tackle and went past the goalkeeper, and how each of those skills were things that had come up in training.
That sounds like a lot, but in practice, the list might be no more than: "tackle, goalkeeper, training." They're just reminders so that you always know what's coming next.
Plan what you're going to write before you type the first word and you'll find it all flows a lot faster and comes out a lot better too.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 17, 2008 07:12 AM
Thanks, Joel!
It's often useful to have this kind of information to hand rather than staring at a blank screen and waiting for inspiration!
January 17, 2008 07:22 AM
English was my worst (least favorite) course in school. Yet, I find many spelling and gramatical errors in major publications. If major publications can put out shoddy work, I guess anyone can. Blog away!
January 17, 2008 07:35 AM
Hi Joel,
Most of us don't beleive at all that they can write an article on any subject...
But if I'm able to write an email, then I can write, if I can write a complaint to my hosting provider
company, then I can write... its that simple!...
I'm new to writng
and English is not my native language, howewer I insist to write because this is one
of the most effective marketing tools for every serious marketer.
All the Best,
Hatem
http://www.arbizhosting.com
Check my del.icio.us bookmarks:
http://del.icio.us/arabsense
January 17, 2008 07:56 AM
Blogging is as easy as speaking. It's all fine when speaking english is easy. I've come to find that blogging in english is what gives you more income. If people do not find what they need in their language, then they will search it in english. So, when english is not your natural language, it can turn to be a headache. The solution I've found is to buy content, but it's not as original as if I were writing myself.
January 17, 2008 08:25 AM
I totally agree with you Joel.
I've started a few blogs in the last couple of months. And I found that once I started writing how I would talk to people, they tended to respond better. I would actually get way more comments and feedback which is what you want for your blog.
I have a friend who has am ivy league education and when he first started his boxing blog he was very dry and formal.
Now he writes more like the conversations we normally have and its helped his blog numbers as well. So you're dead on.
People have to get over the fear of sounding stupid or not using proper English. Lord knows I probably made a few mistakes on this comment. But guess what? You're still reading it.
Point made. lol
Eddy Salomon
January 17, 2008 08:32 AM
Right on Joel. In addition it is important for the author to remember that when speaking in person a poor subject matter can be somewhat compensted by the speakers voice, mannerisms, gestures and such. In other words a skilled speaker can hold the attention of the audience. In the written word the subject matter itself must hold the readers attention aided somewhat by the choice of font and print layout. So an author would be wise to choose the subject matter carefully.
January 17, 2008 09:09 AM
Joel,
Nice blog! It has a good balance of information. Good points about blogging & writing.
I bought the Secret Classroom DVD's and all I can say is... what a perfect product that was.
Kudos to you and Eric H for putting all that together with the Next Internet Millionaire.
I learned alot from that course, so thanks again. You'll be hearing more from me. ;-)
Jason Counts
aka: The FireStorm Marketer
January 17, 2008 09:45 AM
I will blog everything! Money and Fun!
January 17, 2008 11:27 AM
Ha I love maddy S. comment. You go girl. I love blogging. I find I write too much. But then I like to hear myself talk might as well like to see myself write.
January 17, 2008 12:37 PM
Joel, you always have a knack for excellent copywriting. I wish I did. So what I do is write my blogs in notepad before I post. That way I can play with my thoughts and words. If I get writers block, well then I haven't posted something that isn't complete or have an old time stamp. Point is with a blog you can still find just the right words before you blurt them out.
January 17, 2008 12:41 PM
I've been reading a lot about people making good money, even a decent living from blogging. I've finally been convinced to start my own. I'm anxious to see what happens. Thanks for the great information Joel.
January 17, 2008 06:24 PM
Hi,
I suppose you could write about anything you are very interested in or like.
say if you were a dog owner you could blog about the antics of your dog and what you got up too.
There are some people that make lots of money from blogging, and one i heard about is only 14 yo. I have not as yet started up a blog but may give it a go.
steve
January 17, 2008 07:21 PM
It's always amazed me how, when I blog, it's mostly the posts that I don't think will get many views, that actually do. I find the quicker, get it out, spontaneous posts work better.
But you are right, by quickly writing out the main points of my post, certainly keeps me on track and stops the rambling!
Cheers
Ian McConnell
Western Australia
January 18, 2008 01:20 AM
Thanks, Joel!
I always thought that I can not write. but when you put out that way I think I will start today.
January 18, 2008 03:55 AM
Hello Joel,
Thanks for this post. I just recently started blogging, and I'm kind of winging it as I go along.
Your tips are quite helpful.
Thanks again.
Cheers!
Ricardo
Footholds For Favorable Outcomes
January 18, 2008 12:57 PM
Hi,
I make a blog a mounth ago and the ideea about this came from a book that I read.
I think is a good idea about making a blog.
Is about tourism in Romania my Blog:
http://pensiuneadanielainhorezu.wordpress.com
January 18, 2008 07:42 PM
Hi Joel,
I wanted to give you a big thumbs up for the new blog design. Wasn't sure where to post this comment.
It looks very inviting and more "fun"...little more inviting I think.
Regards,
Fran
January 18, 2008 07:46 PM
Hi Joel,
I wanted to give you a big thumbs up for the new blog design. Wasn't sure where to post this comment.
It looks very inviting, warm and more "fun"...
Yes, I think the best way to describe it is a little more inviting.
I am drawn in like I was walking into a friends den...the light of a warm fire attracting me.
Regards,
Fran
January 19, 2008 11:05 AM
Joel...I've gotta raise my cup to ya for this post...
I've had or have several blogs and never any traffic or readers or comments...I'm wondering what it takes.
I've varied my topics...stayed on topic...changed topics...and still nothing...
I'm not thing of or suggesting of quitting...I'm not that type of person...but when and what does it take to make it happen...LMK...anyone...
~~gourmet coffee snob~~
Always Drink Coffee Be Very Happy
spotajavacoffee.com
January 19, 2008 05:03 PM
This is another great idea such as the many others you continue to share.....thanks.
Michael
www.TalkAboutCancer.com
January 19, 2008 05:04 PM
This is another great idea such as the many others you continue to share.....thanks.
Michael
www.TalkAboutCancer.com