Blog

A few days ago, I sent an email with some blogging tips to one of my clients, and thought: HEY! This would be great for other folks out there who are new to starting a WordPress blog!

It seems like a daunting task, and I’ve known more than one person who breaks out into a sweat at the mere thought of writing a blog. They say very understandable things like:

1. “I have no idea what to say.”

2. “I’m REALLY (!) not a writer.”

3. “I’m kind of private — how personal do I have to get?”

To which my responses are usually:

1. You may not know what to say on a blog, but you definitely have something to say, or else you wouldn’t be starting your own business/serving a nonprofit/sharing your artistic talent/what-have-you. Let’s figure out ways to get what you have to say on the blog.

2. Good news! Blogs don’t have to be artsy-fartsy writerly to be good blogs. If you can type clear sentences more often than you type muddled-up strains of gobbledygook… if you can write an email… if you can start a conversation — you can write a blog. (If you don’t have time, consider my ghostwriting services).

3. You’re private, but your business or organization isn’t. So it’s not necessary (and not always advisable, frankly) to be uber-personal with your private life on the world-wide-web — they key is to write from a personal viewpoint about the business. Warmth and humor go a long way, and you can still let yourself be a mostly-private citizen.

Unless you’re on Facebook.  But we’ll talk about that later.

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FINDING GOOD GREAT CONTENT… RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE

Today’s tips are all about content.  Tomorrow’s post will focus more on how to be web-friendly (also important), so be sure to check back.

Tip 1: Check your “Sent” email folder.

Chances are, you’ve got some good posts lurking in there (this post is Exhibit A).

Anytime you send an email to one client/donor/prospect that could easily be clarifying or helpful for a number of people, it would likely make a great post. And for those who get nervous when faced with a big blank blog-post screen, this is good news: you’ve already written some of your bests posts without even knowing it. Yay.

Tip 2: Q & A

Ever feel like you answer the same question over and over and over about your work, or a certain process, or how people can get involved? It’s because a lot of people don’t know the answer.

Make a list of the 3 most common questions you get asked… those “if I had a nickel for every time” questions. Write down a clear, friendly explanation. You now have 3 blog posts. (Don’t forget to offer a place for people to ask more questions in the comments section… questions can become your own little Blog Post Factory).

Tip 3: Fill-in-the-Blank

If coming up with new content all the time freaks you out, you’re not alone. A simple post schedule based on days of the week (or if you post once a week, rotating topics each week) can help. A few ideas:

My photog friend Brook and I were brainstorming recently on how her photoblog could work — she’s very busy, and though she wants this added point of connection with clients and fans, it needs to be quick and easy if it’s going to work. My favorite idea of hers: One-Word Wednesdays. One word, followed by photos that reflect that word, followed by an invitation for visitors to chime in with their own words and reflections. Easy, and for a photoblog, it’s a great fit.

Another favorite, from my brilliant fundraising friends at Oneicity: Good-job Mondays. They take what can sometimes be a bear of a day and send out a virtual high-five to someone who’s out in the world doing good things. It never fails to start the week out on a positive note. Across the board, celebration makes for great blog posts.

If you’re writing a blog and need some help coming up with topics specific to your work, write me at stacey@lawliscreative.com and we’ll brainstorm together.

Tip 4: Share!

Share books. Share news. Share links. Share cool products that make your life easier. Share, share, share. If something was helpful to you, maybe it’ll help someone else, too. A link, a few of your comments, and an invitation for visitors to tell you what they think . . . you’ve got yourself a blog post.

Tip 5: What’s in it for them? (Also… it’s about them).

This might fall better under tomorrow’s post, but I can’t help mentioning it now, because it’s SO important. I may say it twice.

Each and every post should have something valuable in it for your readers. Vital information. Permission. Helpful insights. Encouragement. Ways people can be involved. Special offers. Conversation. A coffee card.

Your blog isn’t about your company. It’s about your readers and clients and fans. If there’s nothing in it for them, they won’t return. So make sure every post you write has a gift inside.

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Got some other good ideas for blog posts? Spill ‘em. Questions about blogging content that I haven’t touched on? Leave a comment and I’ll try to help. Or, feel free to email me directly at stacey@lawliscreative.com.