Hello, it's been a while (or at least it feels like it's been a while). Although it's been just over a week that I have not been publishing blog posts, that time and quiet has given me some space to reflect. I have been blogging increasingly regularly over the last few weeks, to see if there was a change in how my website grew and how my readership changed. Here are a few insights and observations on what I've learned.
Blogging is a long-term investment of time
No one quite knows who is reading their writing. Of course, there is the general idea of who and how many people are reading our writing from who clicks where — and other analytics. However, there are also readers that — to the best of my knowledge — are called ‘lurkers’. Lurkers, in the sense that they do not interact with — but read — what we have written. In other words, there are readers of your work that lurk in the shadows, and from that we can glean a feeling of opportunity: if we don't know precisely who's reading our work, then it could be anybody. That opens doors in itself.
Writing keeps me going
On the face of it, this could sound a bit morbid, but it really does keep me afloat during the highs and lows of life. It's almost like a constant thread throughout everything that I do, and how everything can change. So, although I already knew that writing was very important for me and how I live my life, it has given me a fresh perspective on how much it has become a part of my life. On the other hand, there is also the side of things where writing has become so much of my life that it can be hard to acknowledge the fact that I do have a life beyond writing. It is not that I'm moaning about writing — not at all. It's more that, if I forget the life outside of writing as such, not writing can feel very overwhelming.
Blogging gives us the opportunity to write voraciously on a range of topics
Writing consistently — about all different types of things — can nourish our writing elsewhere. For example, at the minute, I am writing an essay collection, and I am putting together my first novel. It is very hard to focus on just one project at a time, I find. Blogging presents the opportunity for consistent writing in a way that is different to that of a novel. Shorter pieces of writing allows us to explore our niche and various interests. I find that I can more realistically comprehend what I would like to say, and how I would like it to be said. As discussed, writing a blog is a much shorter commitment of time than writing a novel — and, in many ways, more simple. There is the element of satisfaction and gratification, if I'm honest. This reminds me that I can do this, and I just need to keep going. There also feels like there is less pressure, because of the pace that I write posts like these; if one doesn’t feel as good, there will be a next one. Blog posts are like timestamps for my development as a writer.
Look at writing and publishing objectively
Just because somebody doesn't read one piece of writing, doesn't mean they won't read another. The amount of reads a piece gets (particularly in the case of blogging), can go up and down — but generally it is consistent.
I have found that when I write about money and writing, in particular, then the views spike up on my blog — because it is of interest to a lot of writers; not just me. Having said that, I don't necessarily write blog posts just for me. I do write them from my perspective and experience (obviously), but they are written in such a way that (hopefully) resonates with other people. From there, readers choose for themselves whether or not to apply the insight.
The value that headings and titles can bring to a piece
Titles and headings are actually really useful, and it is better to be blunt and clear; summarising a blog or article through the title. It might sound obvious, but usually with my titles, I like to include a bit about what the piece is about — as well as a bit of ambiguity. Again — I found with my writing and making money post — that being short, sharp, sweet, and specific was most beneficial. Now, I'm not saying that the title was the main reason that the post was of particular interest to readers, but it is something to consider. I remember, as I was writing that post specifically, that I'd consciously made an effort to keep the title short, on a slight whim, in terms of SEO. It seems to have worked. So, in future — and perhaps this post — I will be keeping my titles short.
Writing a blog isn't all about the readership
Writing a blog is also about keeping your website active; building a ‘behind the scenes’ portfolio. It gives potential readers of our work the opportunity to gauge what they like about you; whether they like you or not. That is the way a website starts to act as a lead channel, in the sense that if they like your blog, then they might like your other writing — and vice versa. As I mentioned before, writing a blog feels a lot more straightforward, compared with writing a book, or something similar. I am more able to publish more often, and keep my readers entertained (at least that is the idea).
Trust is very important
This isn't something that has suddenly dawned on me, but — since writing blog posts more regularly — I have realised the importance of trust. Somebody can appreciate your writing and publications, but if they don't trust your writing style — whether it is reliable, whether it is something they are going to enjoy over the long term — it can put them off. Writing a blog again allows for that consistency and that routine.
As I've mentioned before, the more we put our writing in front of other people, the more likely they are to acknowledge it; pick it up, read it, and apply the knowledge (if that's the idea).
You may have noticed that, because I have recently got out of the routine that I was getting myself into — that my writing is slightly more rusty than it has been before (at least, that is how it is feeling to me. Perhaps it is that I haven't sat down to write a post in what feels like a long time). That's an interesting observation: writing consistently is crucial to my writing habits. Another thought: is something a habit if it is not consistent?
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