When I started blogging, over four years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing. All I knew was that I had always loved sharing myself, and writing. I am passionate about many things, and I am an open book. In person I am pretty reserved, but with a pen in hand - with words flitting across the screen - I am able to articulate myself and come alive.
When I started blogging, over four years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing. All I knew was that I loved finding other people out there - willing to share themselves - others who also loved writing. It was so nice to find others who were just as passionate about so many different things, as I was. And it was so nice to find so many other "open books" out there.
Bloggers "blog" for many reasons, but the main one is: they want to be read. If they didn't, they would simply write in a journal or notebook and tuck it safely under their mattress. But, no, bloggers share their lives and their thoughts on a public platform for all the world to see. For a reason. To be read.
When I started blogging, over four years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing.
I still don't.
I don't have a main theme, or topic. Never have. I drift here and there, sharing my Life and my Loves with anyone who might care to know about it.
It's strange to continue discovering there are, apparently, many out there who care to know about it ... even after a two year hiatus.
The first year I was on my break from blogging, I barely gave it any thought ... notice I said barely.
The thought was still there. But I didn't want it there.
The second year I was on my break from blogging, I gave it plenty of thought ... I kept being nagged, and reminded, that I had forsaken a gift.
And, then, as I often do, I over-analyzed the possibility of writing again ... to the point of paralysis.
How would I brand/market myself all over again? What would I write about? How would I make money? What would draw people back in? How will I stand out? What does the blogging market want these days? How could I remain focused, and loyal, to the routine?
Three things helped me heed the incessant call.
1) Constant encouragement from friends who missed my musings, my thoughts, my words.
2) A random quote I stumbled upon that spoke directly to me ... which is profound because I am in the business of marketing and public relations ... "Don't position your "brand" as anything other than who you really are ... who cares what the market wants." - Donald Miller
3) An extremely faithful, and successful, blogging friend/mentor, shared his wisdom with me, "It's all about living your Life like a full-time job...writing about it is easy once you get into the groove."
Mr. Wells said that to me seven months ago ... look how long it still took me to act upon it.
Edited to Add:
Thanks to M.Mann for reminding me of the most important thing:
4) I FLAT-OUT LOVE TO TALK
When I started blogging, over four years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing. All I knew was that I loved finding other people out there - willing to share themselves - others who also loved writing. It was so nice to find others who were just as passionate about so many different things, as I was. And it was so nice to find so many other "open books" out there.
Bloggers "blog" for many reasons, but the main one is: they want to be read. If they didn't, they would simply write in a journal or notebook and tuck it safely under their mattress. But, no, bloggers share their lives and their thoughts on a public platform for all the world to see. For a reason. To be read.
When I started blogging, over four years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing.
I still don't.
I don't have a main theme, or topic. Never have. I drift here and there, sharing my Life and my Loves with anyone who might care to know about it.
It's strange to continue discovering there are, apparently, many out there who care to know about it ... even after a two year hiatus.
The first year I was on my break from blogging, I barely gave it any thought ... notice I said barely.
The thought was still there. But I didn't want it there.
The second year I was on my break from blogging, I gave it plenty of thought ... I kept being nagged, and reminded, that I had forsaken a gift.
And, then, as I often do, I over-analyzed the possibility of writing again ... to the point of paralysis.
How would I brand/market myself all over again? What would I write about? How would I make money? What would draw people back in? How will I stand out? What does the blogging market want these days? How could I remain focused, and loyal, to the routine?
Three things helped me heed the incessant call.
1) Constant encouragement from friends who missed my musings, my thoughts, my words.
2) A random quote I stumbled upon that spoke directly to me ... which is profound because I am in the business of marketing and public relations ... "Don't position your "brand" as anything other than who you really are ... who cares what the market wants." - Donald Miller
3) An extremely faithful, and successful, blogging friend/mentor, shared his wisdom with me, "It's all about living your Life like a full-time job...writing about it is easy once you get into the groove."
Mr. Wells said that to me seven months ago ... look how long it still took me to act upon it.
Edited to Add:
Thanks to M.Mann for reminding me of the most important thing:
4) I FLAT-OUT LOVE TO TALK