Listening and Successful Blogging Tips

Just in from the TypeAMom Conference, I have a few tips to share about Blogging and your own Voice. This was in my inbox this morning and I wanted to share. It's by ProBlogger's Darren Rowse . Over a year ago, I began with his daily email and wisdom. It is so worth it. Check him out. Here's today's topic.

ProBlogger: Listening - Principles of Successful Blogging #1

"Last week I shared a set of slides from a presentation I recently gave which outlines a variety of lessons that I’ve learned as a blogger over the last 7 years. Over the coming months I intend to expand upon many of the points in that presentation - starting today with ‘Listening’.

When I began blogging in 2002 I made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of false assumptions about blogging. One of the things I quickly found out didn’t work when trying to grow a blog was to use it purely as a broadcast tool.

In the first few weeks of blogging it was almost as though I was using the blog as a platform or a stage where I stood with a megaphone in hand blasting out my message for anyone who might happen to be passing by to hear. It’s no wonder that only my wife read my blog that first week (and even she never really came back).

Nobody likes a loud mouth. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of someone talking AT them.

The people we tend to be drawn to in real life are people who pause in conversation to let you have a say, people who ask questions about you, people who have a genuine interest in what you’ve got to say.

The same is true (in most cases) when it comes to blogging...." Read more here.

Also, you can check out the very informative Blogging Basics 101. It's a great resource.

For more Tips on the "Type A Mom Conference!" you can check it out at Robin @ Pensieve! There are lots of articles there. And go to "Works For Me Wednesday" for more Tips on life in general.

Please post any questions you have about blogging, the Type A Mom Conference Notes, etc. We'll discuss further.

Warmly,

New Year and Writing

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

Hello Friends, Hello New Year! Can you tell I am excited about 2009. I love a New Year. You know the whole New Year's Resolution thing we talked about yesterday. There's more.

A New Year seems to get me really charged up and in super creative mode too. That is always a good fun thing. Knowing that all of my bloggy friends love to write and journal your lives, your passion, etc. I wanted to make sure you are aware of friend, Darren Rowse @ ProBlogger. He has an awesome feature article today "How To Write Fast." The article opens up talking about monetizing your blog. However, whatever your blogging goals are, the writing advice is sound. Efficiency is a good thing regardless.

Of course, content is important and she addresses how to keep content and be more speedy. I would agree. In fact, I was taught this way in undergraduate school @ the University of South Carolina and in graduate classes at the University of Colorado. And it still works today.

Here's what I would add:
1) Once you do brain storm and/or have an idea write it down then. As a writer and former Columnist, I would even say, get to the desk/laptop then. Do not wait.

While studying Creative Writing at the University of Colorado, Professor Reg Saner said, "The one thing about writers - writers write!" How right he was/is! :) Even today, I continue the habit he reinforced that year, carrying notes or 3 x 5 cards with me wherever I go. Leading into...

2) Have paper, 3 x5 cards, pen, pencil. iPhone, Blackberry, In other words, have your favorite way of getting it down so to speak.

I even keep a stationery kit by my bed for these purposes. And yes, I have been known to turn on the light during the night to get something down. Or slip into the restroom. Then that has translated to the latest time - it turned into a full blown post right there sitting on the restroom floor with my laptop in lap. Anyone else familiar with this one. and

3) The last thing I would note here is once you have that great sentence or opening line. That great phrase. If you do not translate it into a post now, go ahead. Keep it. File it and use it on a 'rainy day.' There will be a time. Or not, and that is okay because "Writer's write."

Hope this was helpful to you and your everyday writing. Let me know what you think. Any other resources you want to share.

Warmly,