Tag: online platform

Once upon a time, when the internet was new, writers from around the world took advantage of this new platform to get their writing out there. Bloggers were born, each of them with their own opinions about the way the world works.

If you were a frequent blogger back in the day (and we're talking in the order of 20 to 30 years ago now), you could amass a decent size following within a matter of months, just like any newspaper columnist could. They had the right angle, they were using the right distribution channels, and they hit the new technology medium at the right time. However, today, the internet is a completely different beast.

Gone are the days of having a fresh take that would capture the imagination right from the starting gate. Today, bloggers are competing against others with the same views (or opposing views), trying to be heard in the sea of noise. For bloggers just starting out today, your audience consists of you and you alone. For some bloggers, even their mothers won't read their blogs.

So, why do content marketers keep pushing this idea that writers need to have blogs? Well, it has to do with the impact that blogging can have on SEO rankings.

Let me explain.

At some point within a modern writer's career, they will be forced to face that common internet-based question: To blog or not to blog? I have written about this multiple times now, and I will say it again, hopefully for the last time (though I know it won't be).

A writer should blog ONLY if they want to.

Seriously! If you don't want to blog, then DON'T. It doesn't matter what others say. A blogger who doesn't want to be doing it is so obvious, and it could be harmful to your reputation as a writer.

If I was to ask you why you're blogging, there is only one answer I should get: "Because I want to." If you say anything else, then you need to go back and read my post about blogging misconceptions. If after reading that post you want to blog, then by all means, carry on. Otherwise, I'll see you in my next post.

Now that we have your reasons to be blogging out of the way, let's carry on.

I, like many other writers, spend a significant amount of time reading blogs, gleaning whatever information I can about the various aspects of the publishing industry. And there are a lot of things that I see with those blogs that are frustrating and quite frankly a bit of a turnoff.

And it's not just me. I have spoken to other writers, and we're all commenting on the same things. Yet, we see them over and over again, because some content marketer thought they would be a good idea.

It's time to tidy up the blogging world and highlight some of those ever-important Hidden Traps.

In this post, we're going to explore the content of blog posts—possible topics, the language and voice, and the paragraphing, as well as images, headings and those little things that are 100% in your control as the blogger.

So, let's get to it.

At the start of the year, many writers set goals with the determination to get their names out there. For some writers, this will mean publishing another book—or a first book, as the case may be. For others, this will be building their online presence, looking at their social media options. For others, it will mean a revamp of an old website—or maybe building a new website. And there will be some writers who have decided to try their hand blogging.

Blogging is one of many different ways to build your online platform and following. Through blogging, you can make your website more attractive to readers, enticing them to visit on a regular basis. Through a constant turnover of new web content, you can even improve your SEO ranking.

It's not surprising that many marketers recommend using blogs to drive traffic to a website. And it's not surprising to see so many writers turn to blogging in an attempt to build a following. Hell, I blog in part for that reason. But if you’re not careful, blogging can quickly lead to writer burnout or leave dispirited writers in a state where they just want to give up.

Blogging is NOT for everyone.

It's time to dispel some of the myths surrounding blogging and make people face the realities before they fall into one of the many Hidden Traps associated with online platforms.