My job is to write marketing copy, including blog posts, for a wide range of B2B clients. Now don't get me wrong - I love being a copywriter, and I sometimes can't believe that I get to blog for a living. But writing about products like all-in-one credit card processing and high temperature welding gloves all day long can leave me a little burnt out and cross-eyed by the time I get home. Most people might think that writing by day means that by night, I'm doing anything but. While that can often be the case, I still find the time to maintain a personal blog when I'm not at work.
The ability to start a blog and write for the Internet is so easy, anyone can log in and start calling himself a writer. But not all writers are actually blogging. Are you a writer? Start thinking about the benefits of having a personal blog.
Stay passionate about your craft.
As with any job, when you love to write and you write for a living, you can start hating it pretty quickly - especially if you're writing about topics for which you don't have very strong feelings. A personal blog allows you to write what you want to write, when you want to write it, so you can remember why you love it in the first place.
Strengthen your voice.
A style and voice that stands out from the crowd is one of a writer's most valuable assets. Use your personal blog to sharpen your writing skills and find your voice. By exploring different styles of writing on your blog, you can keep your voice fresh and avoid your professional writing from getting stale.
Find your niche and network.
When starting a blog, it's good to find a niche on which to focus your content. Using your blog as a diary for random, everyday musings might be nice for staying in touch with family or just getting your thoughts out, but by finding a niche, you can build a larger community around your blog while establishing yourself as a thought leader within it. Networking and becoming a part of a support system of other writers can help to motivate and inspire.
Learn more about social media.
For writers who don't already understand the ins and outs of social media, blogging offers a great opportunity to learn. The Internet has become a huge market for today's writers, and keeping up with social media trends is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. A Twitter account and a blog go hand in hand; Twitter allows you to promote your blog content and maintain ongoing conversations with readers and other bloggers. Play around with Pinterest, start a Facebook page, and discover how social media can help market your content.
Build an online portfolio.
Depending on your personal blog's niche and the type of content you write for your blog, you can use that content to help expand your writing opportunities. A well-written, relevant and established blog can show your expertise and dedication to a certain topic. If you write a food blog, for example, you can use your blog to showcase your recipe-developing skills and culinary knowledge, and potentially land more food writing assignments.
Do you have any tips for writers, or anyone, starting a personal blog?