Find The Blogger Inside Of You

I can relate very well to the nervousness felt by new bloggers. We all want share our thoughts, experiences, and observations. Yet the thought of doing so in writing, and online, is more than a little intimidating.

We've been conditioned to believe that published writing is beyond the reach of most people. The popularity of blogging proves the skeptics wrong and proves that there's a writer dwelling deep inside each of us. Writing a blog post that successfully communicates your message isn't as intimidating as it seems.

This is a modified version of a blog post that I wrote a couple years ago for a group of real estate agents who wanted to learn how to blog. You might find these tips helpful if you’re secretly wishing you could blog on Patch, but need a confidence boost.

Start with an idea that you want to share.  The premise of your post doesn't have to be earth shattering or completely original. It won't be, at least most of the time. The thoughts and words contained in the post, however, have to be your own.

I like posts that relate a seemingly small event that had great meaning to the writer. It's almost like an explosion went off in someone's head and they had no choice but to write about it.

Try not to think about spelling, or grammar, until the post is completed. Write as though you're speaking to your best friend. Use only words that come to you naturally.

Don't try to find "your voice;" relax and let it find you. Many new bloggers seem nervous about developing a conversational writing style. Stop worrying.  

Think of the subtle changes that occur in your speaking style during the course of a day. It changes to adapt to your moods, your emotions, your passion for the topic being discussed. It's as easy as saying what you want to say ... what you have to say. Just let it happen!  

Freestyle skiing great, Glen Plake has a line that I love. He said: "I just ski." Well then, just write!

Allow your post take on a life of it's own. I never think about the ending of a post as I begin writing. Part of the fun is exploring a premise and discovering, with amazement at times, where it goes. Writing, in all it's forms, is about self exploration, and self discovery, as much as it's about communication with others. Make your post interesting for readers by taking it places they couldn't possibly anticipate. Anticipation creates a tension that keeps people coming back for more.

Keep in mind the "3 rules" of great communication, including written communication:

• Tell your audience what you're going to tell them.
• Tell them.
• Tell your audience what you've told them.

In other words, your reader should follow your thoughts through 3 distinct phases: an introduction; a message; a conclusion.  The introduction and conclusion should relate directly to your message.

Let your post "simmer" for awhile before publishing it.  This is an important step that's overlooked by many bloggers. Complete your post and walk away from it.  

Take your time reading, and re-reading, your new post while checking it's spelling, grammar, and overall structure.  A post is nothing more than a short essay and should flow in a way that makes sense.

We all have a tendency to become overly expressive when we write. It's important to eliminate unnecessary words and sentences.

Image yourself a random reader, instead of the writer, as you proofread.

Ask the question: Does the message come across the way you want it to?  If not, keep making subtle changes until it does.

My message to new bloggers

If you simply follow these guidelines, you'll become confident in your blogging abilities.

Again, they are:

• Start with an idea that you want to share.
• Relax and let your voice find you.
• Allow your post to have a life of it's own.
• Remember the "3 rules" of great communication.
• Give your post time to "simmer."

I can't wait to read your posts on Patch and learn more about you through your writing.