Yep, I’ve written just over 500 blogs for my own sites, not to mention all the blogs I’ve written for clients. I should also point out that most of my blogs are optimum length, which is about 1250 words. So I did the maths – that equates to 625,000 words. The average business book (I’ve written 6) is usually around 60,000 words … so those blogs equate to 10 books! So why did I do that?
Why I wrote 500 blogs
Passion to educate
Yes, I have a passion to teach, educate and share my expertise. As a business coach, I share my expertise every day with my clients, but I also like to share my extensive experience with all business owners. To write around a million words, you’d have to be passionate and you’d have to be knowledgeable.
Demonstrate expertise
When someone writes a lot on a subject, it shows everyone what they know and that they know their stuff. If you write a book that cements your ‘expert factor’ even more. Sure, anyone can write, but if you’re going to get it produced and published, it must be something reasonable and commercial.
One of my blogs is titled “Love Google and Google will love you” and it’s true. I spend very little on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), but I’ve sat on page one of Google (multiple keywords) for more than two years now. There is a heap of reasons, but one of them is blogging weekly. All that fresh new content is loved by Google and loved by my readers.
Writing generates leads
I can say without a doubt that I have people who have read my material, content, blogs and after they do, are inspired to pick up the phone and make contact with me for coaching of their business. Hey, that’s a big chunk of what it’s about – generating quality leads.
My tips on how to blog
Ok, sounds all very good – but it’s not always that easy. Let’s look at some of the challenges around writing a blog every week:
- You may not be a touch typist. I type on average 90 wpm so for me to produce 1250 words in theory would take 14 minutes. Actually, it takes about an hour. Sometimes I have to research my material, give the structure some thought or check my facts.
- You may not have the time. Sure, I get it, finding the time to write isn’t always easy. Whilst I average 3 blogs a week (one for me and two for clients) it’s part of my business. I coach and I write, so I expect to spend time doing this. I usually write in blocks and I set a time of the week that I write so that time is blocked out and used to write.
- You just can’t write. Now I hear that a lot and because I run writing retreats (Bali, Vietnam etc) then I have people on my retreats who say they are hopeless. Actually, they are not always hopeless, they just need some guidance and help. Think about something you used to not be good at – but you did some training, practiced it and now you’re quite good. Writing is similar. With training and practice you will get better.
- You hate writing! I know that not everyone loves writing as much as I do. Just like working with figures (another thing I love), some people absolutely detest figures. I would suggest if you just don’t have the time, or hate the task, then it’s time to delegate it to someone who is good, or outsource it to a professional or expert.
- Not knowing what to write about is another challenge. It’s often called ‘writer’s block’ and this is one of the subjects I cover in my writing retreats. You can Google subjects to write on – but really, it’s quite simple when it comes to business blogs. Write about what you know and write about what others want (or need) to know.
- Having ideas to write on, when you don’t have time to write, and then when it’s time to write, those ideas vanish into thin air happens too. I keep a file on my desktop called “Blog Ideas” and when an idea strikes me, I quickly note it there. I almost never write at random times during the week; I stick to my writing block periods, but I will write ideas down. You can use Apps on your phone to store ideas, or a notepad on your desk. The method doesn’t matter, as long as you jot those ideas down as they strike you – so essentially writer’s block will never be an issue.
- If your spelling or grammar is a little lacking – again that doesn’t need to be an issue. Find someone to spellcheck your material or correct grammar. Also these days, even in business, you can get away with a more conversational style. Show a little of your personality (within reason) and hey, have a bit of fun. If you’re clearly having fun writing, I’ll get your reader will also have fun reading your piece. Remember too – don’t spell check what you write – our eyes naturally jump over mistakes because we think we know what it says – always have someone else do a final spellcheck.
- What about ‘keywords’. Yes, these are important but it’s also important to not ‘stuff’ or write an article around keywords. Write for your audience firstly, make sure some of your important key words are included but make your main focus writing for your audience. Thankfully Google is smart enough now to see articles which are primarily people friendly
- People ask “what if I write what someone else has already written?” This is a super important question. If you are writing a blog to put it on your website to improve your SEO so that your Google Ranking (position) is improved – then your content must absolutely be fresh. For a start, you don’t want to plagiarise someone else, but you also don’t want Google to penalise you for duplicate content. So, for this reason NEVER copy someone else’s content. Actually, if you do, their page is bumped up, and you get bumped down. I say to my competitors, copy away! There are a number of programs online you can use to see if the content passes originality. I use Copyscape and the fee is minute; it’s easy to use and ensures all my content is original. I work with Accountants and other professionals and service and trade businesses and one of the worse things you can do is use content from an industry ‘library’. It will have already been used by a heap of your colleagues, you’re doing your website ranking major damage. Your content must be seen as original!
- When is the best time to start? Well, yesterday of course, but the next best time to start is now. If you are not blogging, then make a start, or get some training or outsource it.
Well, blog 501 (plus) now written. Check out some of my other blogs on my website www.donna-stone.com.au or my books, eBooks and of course my business coaching services. Writing is just one area of my expertise when it comes to business coaching – I also specialise in finances, marketing and sales. If I can help you with any aspect of your business, coaching or writing, please reach out to me – 0411 622 666 or email donna@donna-stone.com.au.
Yours in writing! : )
