As writers, we all know that delivering great content for paying clients is what puts food on the table and keeps us in the style to which we’ve become accustomed to (ie. the happy beneficiary of a basic cable subscription). This restricts you to satisfying your clients’ demands and covering topics and angles that serve your customers, rather than your creative spirit. By maintaining a personal writing blog, content writers and article writers can give inspiration free rein and offer prospects the chance to discover the “real” writer behind the professional content.
Your personal writing blog is just that, personal. A successful blog writer uses his or her blog as a platform to showcase what sets his or her writing apart and so should you. Your blog should have “you” stamped all over it. Cover topics that interest you and take the opportunity to tap into communities of like-minded individuals. If you love skiing, stamp collecting, or sky-diving then share your passion with your readers. Just because you specialize in generating content for the healthcare industry doesn’t mean you can write about your interest in running marathons.
In addition to blogging about what moves you, design your blog to reflect your personality. If you love color, then your blog should be bold and bright. Are you more refined? Reflect that by choosing an elegant layout with a classic color scheme. Easily recognized websites convey personal choice and choice. Just because a three-column layout is standard doesn’t mean you have to use it if you’re a minimalist. Your site should be instantly identifiable as 100 percent authentic you, from the masthead down to the fonts.
The key advantage of a blog is that it gives you the chance to do what you love: write. The more you update your site, the more clearly your voice and style as a writer will emerge. Every entry will be a chance to challenge you as an artist. You can try new techniques, explore different media, and learn what works for you and what doesn’t. The more you contribute to your blog, the more you’ll want to contribute and soon you’ll have a dedicated following eagerly awaiting your next anecdote.
Your blog may be about you but remember to plan and edit your posts with care. You want to highlight your best self as a writer. By putting thought into what you publish, you speak volumes about the quality of writing you can provide to future customers. Readers appreciate thoughtful writing and will be more likely to return to check out your latest update on your attempt at mastering the ancient art of floral arrangement if you consistently offer entertaining new personal experiences and insights.
By keeping a thriving personal blog, you’ll satisfy your personal desire for self-expression. You’ll also give clients a glimpse of the person behind the words and display your range and capabilities as a writer. Your blog is an invaluable marketing tool and can be one of your greatest pleasures. Join the ranks of blog post writers around the world and let your true self shine.
Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com
