Is Blogging Heaven or Hell?
Everyone who blogs experiences a blogging nightmare at one point or another. Of course, if you have every written a blog post, you know that there is a lot more to blog writing than meets the eye. It takes planning, writing carefully, and sharing your content with the right people.
The stress of it all
If you write on a regular basis, you probably understand very well that there is a lot that goes into blogging, even before you put a single word on the page. The first thing that you need to do is to come up with a topic (a separate and unique one for every blog that you write). Once you have decided upon what you want to write about, you need to plan what you want to say. Of course, there may be times when you are faced with a blank page, which can truly be terrifying. At times, it seems as though the more you try to come up with an idea (or ideas), the harder it is to come up with anything. Of course, on the other side of the coin, inspiration can come from just about anywhere. Of course, if you have a blank screen (or piece of paper), the only option that you have at that point is to fill it up with something.
Choosing a topic
Choosing a topic for your blog article can be daunting but, at the same time, it can be exciting and wonderful. It is also important to remember that you don’t have to stick within your given niche (with narrow guidelines). You can absolutely venture into other untapped territories to come up with topics (as long as they aren’t completely inappropriate for your target audience). If you write well (which is a fair assumption), you can make it work as long as you do the proper research and organize the article properly. Always remember to write clearly and concisely.
The matter of search engine optimization (SEO)
Everyone understands that it is very important to pay close attention to SEO when you are writing although you may not be sure why you should be doing that. It all seems so nebulous at times, doesn’t it? From a technological perspective, there are several different elements that you should pay attention to when it comes to SEO and your search engine rankings. Optimizing your blog articles is important and you need to make your best effort to make sure that you do the best possible job with that. However, it is also important that you don’t get caught up in SEO and forget why you are writing the blog in the first place. You are writing the blog in order to provide valuable, educational, exciting information to your target audience. Additionally, your blog content must convey that you have the ability to solve the problem or problems of your target audience. If you can’t make that clear with every blog that you write, you will be finished before you even begin.
Establish your goals
Before you begin blogging, it is very important for you to have established goals and work toward those goals. Of course, those goals should have a professional, logical basis. They should not be based on something emotional. In order to create goals, it is important to establish what your motivation is for blogging. Where is your inspiration coming from and what do you feel you will get out of blogging on a regular basis? The answer may possibly not come to your right away. Perhaps, you will have to think about it for a little while.
Stand up to blogging and make it work
Knowing that you should blog in order to give back something to your target audience, you should make your content the best that it can possibly be. It is important to understand that you need to do this for the good of your business and your target audience. It is also important to understand that sometimes you need to go through difficult experiences before you have a smooth path to follow. That way, you will appreciate the good times more.
Conclusion
The answer to the question in the title of this blog post is that it is both heaven and hell. It may start out as hell but it eventually turns into heaven. In other words, you may have to go through trials and tribulations but it will definitely get easier over time. Blogging serves many positive purposes, including the idea that your blog writing will attract other people who think that way that you do. It is important to connect with like-minded people so that you can learn and grow together.
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Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Legal Marketing
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I think I’m somewhere in between. It depends on the day and if I’ve a topic I’m clear about and so many factors. But I know it’s important for the SEO value, but more importantly to demonstrate my knowledge/expertise, as well as provide valuable content for my audience.
By Viv Oyolu
I find that blogging is simple – how it works for me is like this – I am sometimes – on different threads or conversations such as this and then a question or previous post inspires me to think about and then to leave a specific answer which if it sounds good and I feel I have written pretty well – then I take that post of mine – give it a title – copy the body of the post and then I have a blog post – it’s that simple –
of course there are times that an idea does come to me that has not come from a discussion post on linkedIn or Facebook of RYZE and so I will just write it into my blog –
oh an by the way this is not necessarily a post (that I making here) that I feel is compelling enough to place on my blog but it is rather an important post I think that might help someone along the way – 🙂
also, since I am an artist and so most of my posts are simply of images from
The Bebirian Art Collection –
perhaps you might enjoy viewing some of these posts – only they have no words in them – let the images speak for themselves –
Walter
P.S. working with my art and my thoughts is never hell – I am always in heaven –
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: The NJ Networking Forum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Both, It can be time consuming which is why I limit my blog posts to once a month. It takes time to build a following. For blogging to truly work, you have to be an open networker and be “reachable”. My blog offers unique value as a knowledge center in reverse logistics. Out of the blog, I have acquired 3 contracts to consult. I have been solicited by companies globally, invited to apply for a position (unfortunately not here in NJ).
The only down side is that by making yourself available to blog readers, you generate a lot of solicitations which can be time consuming in and of themselves. As I am independently working at the moment, I overcame that problem with a Google voice number that is used on all social media content. It gives me the power to screen messages and determine who I might like to connect with.
By Jennifer Bilodeau
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: The NJ Networking Forum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I find blogging to be neither heaven nor hell. I resisted the blogging concept at first, but have found it to be an overall good experience. I’m pretty sure I’m not doing good SEO, but I’m OK with that.
By Sandra Wagner-Wright
You are so correct. Although I have found for me it is more like purgatory and heaven. At times when I am in between inspiration, I feel like I am in limbo waiting for the idea to hit and for the flow to begin. But at other times I will have the topic and as soon as I begin to type I am in the zone. I am able to write until the post is finished without stopping.
I enjoy blogging because it reminds me so much of journaling except it is public. While at times I am unsure how my post will go over with my readers but I always write from the heart so I tend not to worry as much.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Network – #1 Group for CMOs
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
My business is diversified. So I have to remain somewhat formal and precise in my blog.
As a direct marketing strategist, I not only consult with clients in multiple industries, but I’m also building my credibility as a healthcare/managed care marketing expert witness.
So it’s a balancing act and a rather demanding task to write interesting, yet accurate posts. It is well worth the effort, however, considering that it does generate a fair amount of new assignments.
Thanks for sharing.
By Ted Grigg
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
The key seems to be having a topic that you find interesting, and about which you have something to say. If you are blogging only to gain traffic and search engine points then yes, blogging is probably going to be difficult on days when your mind is a blank.
Find a niche, schedule some time to do research so you are current on your topic, and schedule time to write so you don’t feel pressured to “be brilliant right now!” Composing a good blog entry should be a lot easier in these circumstances which will make it a lot more heavenly.
By Caroline de Gruchy
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Carolyn — I write as a form of relaxation and to communicate… so blogging seemed to come “naturally” even if I was nervous at first. But yes… if hitting deadlines or putting yourself out there makes someone uncomfortable … I can see how it could be hell for them.
By Kathleen Kline
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Israeli Start-Up Marketing
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
valuable insights! I completely agree with your conclusion. people need to remind themselves that a beginning is always difficult. Especially when writing a blog – you can always perfect the process and the outcome. Also bloggers should always remember that there are technical solutions that can make the process easier and worthwhile such as BlogsConnections.com
By Eti Finkelstin Nachum
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
A couple of times I have accepted blogging gigs that called for me to write three times per week or more. I have lots of experience in my field, and at first it was no problem. I had a backlog of topics I wanted to address, and I commented on timely topics as they arose.
I discovered after about a year, however, that I was running out of ideas. I caught myself writing posts in which I revisited topics that I had covered previously.
Part of my lack of ideas, I suppose, is that I am living outside the U.S. and I am not working in an office with other journalists who are covering the same field. So I’m not part of the everyday friction that generates ideas like sparks when bright minds rub up against each other.
But I have seen in other blogs that a certain fatigue sets in. Lots of times, it happens after the initial rush of six or 12 posts. Other times, it takes months or longer. But sooner or later, it’s hard to come up with topics.
If I were to sign up for a blogging post again — and I might, I do enjoy it — I would try to maximize the coverage of new products, current events, and emergent issues, and minimize the how-to content and overall commentary. For me, it’s these latter topics that tend to run dry.
By J.D. Hildebrand
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I happen to be a writer myself, so blogging for me is part of everyday life, and it is an enjoyment.However if do not participate in the blogging escapade as much as I would love , it does not mean that I am scared or hesitant , it means I am too busy to take this simple step.
Honestly , by the time I finish from writing a research paper, a column , lecture and adding a chapter to my novel; I just do not want to add more letters or sentences to my usual task.
I Just want , by then, to watch other people cultural reflections.
Though to complete my interest in their opinions I find myself obliged to make a comment here and there.
I guess that I cannot stay away from words’ temptation!
By Nadia Hashem
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Network – #1 Group for CMOs
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Hi Carolyn, it takes me 10 to 20 minutes to write a blog and I love it. What I hate is proof reading my own work – which ensures that this process falls down. Love blogging. Hate proof reading! I can’t have everything it seems 🙂
By Mellissah Smith
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Business Writers of America
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I love blogging, both for my own blogs as well as for the 25 or so clients for whom I provide content. I write 45-60 blogs per month and truly love the craft of it. It doesn’t matter if I’m writing about creating the perfect man cave or tech requirements of a small business, I love the blog format and medium of communication. For me, there is no hell in blogging, only heaven.
By Shadra Bruce
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I find it very useful to provide structure for a day. A blog post can be knocked off quickly to get the creative juices going. It’s also proving helpful with a long term project I’m working on to keep both members of the team interested when life gets in the way:
By Phil Parker
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Business Writers of America
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I love blogging, both for my own blogs as well as for the 25 or so clients for whom I provide content. I write 45-60 blogs per month and truly love the craft of it. It doesn’t matter if I’m writing about creating the perfect man cave or tech requirements of a small business, I love the blog format and medium of communication. For me, there is no hell in blogging, only heaven.
By Shadra Bruce
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Woman 2 Woman Business
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
You can still have a great business without a blog, but like Sarah, I’ve been told I should have one. So along the lines of Sarah and Patricia, I find it too difficult to find the time. I have found ghost writers that will do it for competitive pricing. I haven’t hired any yet, but I think it will be soon.
By Bonnie Branch
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Network – #1 Group for CMOs
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Blogging is a lot of fun, especially when you receive encouraging feedback. I enjoy writing about other handmade eco-friendly artists to make the post interesting.
By Jules LaVallee
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I love writing, especially on topics I enjoy. I guess the hellish part is writing on topics that don’t inspire me, which isn’t often. That and doing ‘giveaway’ ‘free-prize-if-you-comment’ type posts. But, I still try to have fun with it.
By Jill A. Case
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
I like blogging. It is very time consuming and even frustrating at times, but well worth the effort. I think time consuming is the difficult part of blogging. There are always topics that I can discuss about the South. The South is full of rich history and ancestry. Your thoughts can float on a sea of imagination and intrigue.
By Carlotta Shinn-Russell
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Network – #1 Group for CMOs
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Great post, Carolyn! Blogging can definitely be difficult but there are certainly steps that can make the experience easier. For example, keeping a list of blog post topics can make writing posts often easier. As any writer knows, inspiration tends to come to us at the strangest times. Writing down a sentence or two can help you remember the idea when it comes time for a new blog post. Another way to find inspiration is to turn to current events and industry trends. Writing about these topics demonstrate to your readers that you are a current brand and that you are interacting with a larger community.
I also find that like you said, it starts off as hell, but if you bear with that long enough it can turn heavenly. A lot of advice I have heard in this area (and I find it to be very accurate) is that it pays to devote a specific time each day to blogging or writing. To sit down no matter what else is going on in your life and use that time to write a blog post– even if after the hour or whatever allotted time you set out for yourself you have only a few lines, keep going with the habit day after day, and eventually things will start to flow and come easier and easier.
By Justin Belmont
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
The niche is the key. Try to be to broad in your blogging and you lose focus and find it difficult to write. Mine a niche well enough and the readers will come and this will encourage you further.
By Phil Parker
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
J D, your thoughts interest me as I totally agree – as a person I think we need to keep experiencing something new to enable us to write great content that is of interest to the reader. That’s got to be a win/win then hasn’t it – for both reader and writer.
By Janice Stringer
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Thanks, Janice. Like other freelancers, I feel I’m at a disadvantage because I work at home, in relative isolation. I make a deliberate effort to stay close to my readers on social media. I read other bloggers and I participate in gathering places like Reddit. It takes a lot of time and I have to devote deliberate effort to what happened automatically when I worked in an office. But it’s gotta be done.
By J.D. Hildebrand
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
It can be so isolating I agree – I enjoy being around people and getting to know them and this is one of the difficulties I find when working from home. Relationships are important to me and I like meeting people in the flesh and getting the ‘feel’ of them. If that makes sense. Sometimes this conflicts with my writing – at other times enhances it!
By Janice Stringer
Yes, it can be hell, but I’ve been blogging for a number of years now on various blogs and still continue to do so so it’s heaven for me. I just wish I had more time to do it.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Web Editors
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Like anything, it depends on you and your particular wants and needs. I blog purely for fun, and to stretch my writing muscles in a way I can’t in my paid communications gig. A regular quota and deadline might be more than I could take.
By Dave Swan
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Woman 2 Woman Business
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Remember that blogs can be written in batches…when you’re inspired…and when you have time to devote to two or three… and then pre-schedule them with ease so that when you’re out in the real world experiencing LIFE, the blogs “magically” appear on your site.
P.S. It’s real life that inspires the blogs!!!
By Sarah Lee Beaven-Wickham ACC
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
The toughest part is sticking to blogging, especially when I have a lot of writing assignments to do.
By Julie Blodgett
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writum
Discussion: Do you find blogging heaven or hell?
Both. Deadlines and difficulty articulating what I want to say is hell. It’s heaven because I can express messages to the world that it needs to hear and know others enjoy it.
By Leta Darnell