I moan and groan about blogging every once in awhile. Keeping up with your posts while other higher priority projects build up feels harder at times than Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
But I know that doing so is worth it.
While every writer has different reasons why they blog or don’t blog, I’ve found the benefits to more than outweigh the costs.
For example, some bloggers do it for the money. Others do it to draw potential clients/customers to their website. Some find the greatest benefit is the interaction they have with their readers.
When I created this blog and the inspiring one, I had just a few goals in mind. I knew I wasn’t in it for the direct monetary costs or to make it my primary source of income.
My main goals were to use it as a portfolio for my writing and to create two separate niches that I wanted to build in my repertoire. And it worked!
The Inspiring Bee blog helped me to create a niche in an area that I had a passion for. After blogging there for a few months, I attracted Blog Talk Radio show host Cory Clay who interviewed me on being an inspiring writer. And this was way before my column, “Inspiration Zone” for The Writer magazine and my column, “Happy Haven” for Beliefnet Health.
To me, it was the birth of the blog that led me in that direction.
I think if you want to attract new writing clients in a field you don’t have significant experience in, create your own niche. Writing a blog in that area will make you the expert via time and experience.
How has blogging helped or not helped your writing career?
I think it has made me a better writer. Since my business writing blog has a lot of tips and How-Tos, I discovered very quickly I’d better practice what I preached. 🙂 I also have a health care blog. Both have provided me with visibility and a showcase for my writing. Both have brought me clients, so I find it time well invested.
My personal blog allows me to share more of my passions. I love that.
Hey Cathy! I’m always impressed by your blogs and how you’re able to manage both so beautifully. How do you keep it a priority?
For me, Brandi, you can always find the time when you want to. I used to whine about training for the 3-Day Walk for the Cure in the hot summer months. I couldn’t do it in the morning (I cried) because that was my prime writing time. Well, guess what. I did and I actually was more productive.
I think you choose your battles and what works for you. My blogs work for me so I choose to focus more there than Facebook (which I hate except for the personal interaction) and I am not on Pinterest – no matter what EVERYONE says – because I simply cannot afford the time.
My method may not work for others. I’m a big believer in following your own path. It’s the middle child of 7 syndrome – again. 🙂
Hi Cathy! It’s one of the things I most admire about you-that you stick to what really matters and follow through. Prioritizing what’s most important is the one way we make sure we’re living according to our values. Thank you for the reminder! It’s not easy. But I guess at the end of the day, it’s more about what we’re sacrificing our time for, not just what we’re sacrificing. Thank you for that!
Hi Cathy! It’s one of the things I most admire about you-that you stick to what really matters and follow through. Prioritizing what’s most important is the one way we make sure we’re living according to our values. Thank you for the reminder! It’s not easy. But I guess at the end of the day, it’s more about what we’re sacrificing our time for, not just what we’re sacrificing. Thank you for that!