A poet speaking at an event I attended cautioned that "once you post something on your blog or website, it's almost impossible to get it published in a journal or magazine."
I'm not gonna lie: he's right. Aside from the occasional reprint or spin-off article, most blog content doesn't get published in other markets. If you think about it from perspective, it seems like blogging might be a waste time and energy for an aspiring writer. Right?
Actually, no.
You can't necessarily quantify the benefits of blogging with a paycheck, but you can benefit in other ways. Here's how.
Practice writing on a regular basis. Blogging helps you stay discliplined and keeps those creative juices flowing. Even if you don't have an assignment due, you still have a creative outlet. You don't have to wait for a contract or go through editing by committee or wait six months for some magazine to appear in your mailbox. Blogs are immediate, and you can post as much as you want. Plus you get almost instant feedback when others comment.
Connect with other writers. This is huge, in my opinion. Befriending other writers ensures that you have the inside scoop on editors who are worth working with, publications that are in need of pitches, and general freelance gossip. We don't have a water cooler, so blogs and forums are the next best thing (just be careful what you write online). It's nice to see other writers succeed or grapple with the same issues as you.
Find your voice. You can learn grammar and syntax, but you have to develop your voice over time. If you post regularly and take the time to listen to your inner muse, your voice will emerge. And once you have a strong, distinctive voice, you can apply that to paying assignments and differentiate yourself from the millions of other freelancers out there.
Build your platform. Just look at Penelope Trunk. Or Jen Miller, who incorporated her blog about the Jersey Shore into her guidebook's marketing plan. You don't even have to be an aspiring book author to benefit from blogging. Whether your passion is careers, cooking, or Canadian lit, starting a blog can help you get noticed in that niche and lead to unexpected new opportunities.
Control your online footprint. There are about a million Susan Johnstons out there. Several of them write books. But I'm the top search result in Google, in part because I update my blog so much (which also links to my website). Even if you don't have this problem, I'm betting you'd rather have people find your blog when the Google you than an article you wrote in seventh grade or your college track and field times. Writing good content can help you make-over your image online.
Frankly, blogging is different from writing for traditional, and I wouldn't try to this publish something like this post in a mainstream publication. But I do like the idea of having a place to publish little musings that I find interesting in the moment. What's your reason for blogging?
Monday, September 29, 2008
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40 comments:
Wonderful post. I do like the way blogging keeps you writing each day. My blog has recently been successful in getting me some pretty good paying blogging work, so I am very grateful for that as well!
Yes, I totally agree with you. A blog is a stepping stone for an aspiring writer where he/she can practice and get feedback from the readers.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing this awesome useful article.
Ok - ok - ok! Enough. I've really been wavering on if I should setup a blog. I'm not convinced that the time required to put into it is not worth me working on other projects.
But I seem to be in the minority, so I'll be setting mine up shortly... once I come up with a focus for the blog.
Great post, Susan. Not sure I agree with the blog posts not translating to published work - it can, but you'd have to rework it and beef things up a bit.
I blog for the reasons you mention, plus it keeps my mind from rusting over and sometimes spurns good material.
Really good blog posts can be retooled and spruced up as articles and such also. I like the whole concept of recycling writing.
Nice blog, BTW.
Terrific post. Apparently the poet is not aware of the number of books that have actually been published as a result of a blogger's content. Jen Lancaster is one very successful example.
I agree with everything you wrote. I always warn aspiring writers not to try to pitch their content to magazines or newspapers, unless they're specifically looking for work as a blogger. At the same time, blogging is a way to put yourself out there. It would be strange not to have a blog as a writer. Like not showcasing your merchandise online as a retailer. Or not having business cards as an investor.
I think I'll link to this article on my travel writing blog, it's a great resource!
I blog because I enjoy it. Only after a while did I realise that I have always written things and now finally call myself a writer.
@ Andrew Once you get it set up, send me a link and I'll stop by with a housewarming gift!
These are all excellent reasons for blogging!
I know that he wanted to caution wouldbe writers away from posting post their magnum opus on a blog (and thus forfeiting the chance to sell first online rights), but there are so many other reasons why blogging makes sense.
@Suzanne: it's not as common as it used to be but LOTS of writers have landed book deals thanks to a blog (Jen Lancaster and Penelope Trunk among them). Maybe yours truly someday?
I've been blogging for over a year and i have to admit, It's helped my writing a lot.
The comments and advise i get from readers has been immeasurable.
Lovely article.
Well written.
It's a shame if your theory is always true.
For instance, this blog post would have been GREAT as an article..
Great post, Susan. I'm a little behind because I have not set up a blog yet, but I plan to in the near future. My blog will focus on the topic that I usually write about, and I think it will be a great way to generate more interest in my articles, plus it will be a fun way to share details that I didn't get to include in the original print stories. Also, if I ever write a non-fiction book on this topic, the blog will provide a built-in audience and a place to promote the work.
@Carlang: perhaps you're right and this will develop into an article someday. :)
@Kristen: you're right on the money. I often "microblog" about issues or funny tidbits that arise while I'm on assignment (for instance, my struggles to find people willing to participate in a man on the street interviews). This is a good catch-all for those behind the scenes stories and other items that don't make it into the actual article.
Susan, You make some excellent points about the benefits of blogging. I started my first blog a little over a year ago. I intended to write about my life in retirement, but the writing quickly focused more and more on family. Looking back over the year, I have a remarkable "journal" describing all kinds of events big and small. I've found a means to download the posts to create a book and VIOLA! I have my Christmas shopping done for this year.
Six weeks ago a started a second blog to promote my freelance business and my newly published book. The focus of this blog is also evolving, and I see now that once one starts blogging the environment becomes a living entity that moves with amazing certitude and imagination.
patricia
@Twighlightme: I love how a blog can evolve over time into something really great. I'm sure your family will treasure the book you've put together. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Great thoughts. I think there's a big difference between publishing your fiction or poetry to a blog and blogging as a freelancer.
Blogging is a great way to pull in traffic--potential clients included--and establish yourself as an expert in your particular area of specialization.
@Lindsay: Very true! But I'm afraid that this poet might have scared wouldbe bloggers away from blogging and I think poets could still benefits from having a blog as an outlet so as they realize the limitations of first rights, copyright, etc.
I like this post....and sadly, I agree. Most of the stuff that we write for our websites or blogs (good or not, irregardless) is probably worthless in a mag or paper UNLESS we spend a lot of time prepping it for a 'conventional' form of publication.
But frankly speaking, I love blogging more than I love writing now simply because it's a platform for self-expression.
Thanks for the post. I started blogging on Gaia, then Zaadz, in 2005 to practice writing for my book. Then in 2006, I wrote it. I'm proud to say that in March of '09 my book, the 12-Step Buddhist, will be out with Simon and Schuster!
I'd received much good feedback on my writing style over the year of blogging. This really encouraged me to stay with it. I continue to blog now, in support of the book, to keep my writing fresh and well, because they didn't let me write a 1500 page book. I still have more to say!
Thanks to Jenn Fields who referred me to this post.
-d
Darren Littlejohn
http://the12stepbuddhist.com
@Darren: Congrats! That's a great publisher, so it sounds like you really honed your writing through blogging. You're another success story.
So far so good. I'll call it a real success if we get a reprint order and someone buys my next book!
thanks
-d
Darren Littlejohn
the 12-Step Buddhist
Podcasts, blogs and more @ http://the12stepbuddhist.com
I recommend all writers get their blog on. I am an experienced freelancer and make a living writing for consumer magazines, trades and Web sites. One of my clients actually pays me to blog, but I didn't think of starting my own until last year. When I did so, I veered away from my specialties as a freelance writer and started blogging about cats. Again, I don't write about cats at all in my professional life. But I do cat sit (it is a great sideline for a freelance writer). I can't tell you how much personal enjoyment I get out of writing the blog (you can check it out at www.catsitterinthecity.com). It allows me to show a different side of myself and just have fun with my writing. I have been asked to appear in a documentary and have been presented with other opportunities since I started the blog. I don't know whether it will necessarily lead to more writing, but, like I said, I have so much fun doing it and connecting with my readers!
@Cat sitter: I love your blog! And I'm glad to hear that it's given you a good creative outlet, not to mention connecting you to the documentary and other projects. Well done!
Thank you for your practical advice!
I'm not currently a freelance writer, but I'm working on getting a novel published. I actively write in what I consider my "baby blog", a place to test the waters, write about writing, and a way to keep my name at the top of googles list.
I expect I'll revamp the blog when I have a book on the shelves. I'll establish a website then too.
And now I have another source to point to and say, "Yes! Blogs are good!" when I run into the inevitable person who tells me to work on my novel, not my blog.
Here via Janet Reid...
As I said there, not in so many words, blogging daily WORRIES me daily. I've got tens of thousands of words invested in the site now, after only about six months; while it's been great for discipline and, yes, platform-building, the notion that what I'm posting automatically becomes unpublishable gives me the heebie-jeebies..
But well, y'know, even if it doesn't do me any good while I'm alive, maybe my literary executor will be able to make hay from it. :)
Thanks, Janet, Just Me, and Rumpel! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Also here via Janet Reid, agreeing with you wholeheartedly.
Writer (since 2004), blogger (since 2006) and physician (since 1985) here. Blogging is great for writers of all descriptions for lots of different reasons, starting with those elaborated here. Once you actually get your blog going, check out this post of mine that I call Dinosaur's Blogging Rules:
1. Write well
2. Say something
3. Mix it up
Not trying to tell anyone what to do, but I've discovered that the blogs I like the best are the ones that more or less follow these principles. Besides, truly amazing things can happen when you're least expecting them. (Sorry to be coy; details to follow sometime in 2009.)
Hi Susan - great post! Blogging has been a revelation. The site is complimentary to my fiction, but because it is aimed at encouraging writers with daily prompts it doesn't conflict with 'real' work. It's evolved into an online writers' group which is fantastic ...
@#1 dinosaur: I can't wait to hear your good news! And I think you have a solid strategy for blogging.
@Kate: thanks for stopping by! I'll have to check out your blog when I need some inspiration.
Blogging definitely exists for me to do writing ever day, but it scares me everyone has a plan but me! I just started to put down some thoughts...I should have been more professional!
Thanks for the post. I couldn't agree more. Quite apart from the fact that blogging keeps you writing on a daily basis even when you're between projects it's a great showcase for what you do.
I write a blog that I set up to publicise my first book but I also write a lot about murder trials going through the Irish courts (The book is true crime and it's an area of journalism I've been specialising in for the past couple of years). Because I would normally write straight news copy it's a great opportunity to showcase a different side to my writing - and hopefully lead to other opportunities.
The blog also gives me another place to link to any pubicity I get for the book (apart from my publishers website)and a way to reach out to a much wider audience. I've also signed up to Twitter and love the idea of microblogging about events like launches or signings.
It might be a pain when you've had a long day and still haven't posted but it's worth looking at the blog as a tool of the job.
Also and finally (this ended up far too long, apologies) I agree with Susan about the blog posts not totally translating into pulished work. Blogging is a far more informal form of writing and that's part of it's strength but in order to make a traditional article out of a post it would need a lot of extra work. Post are closer to columns but again it's a very relaxed style...it's a fascinating new dimension to the kind of self publicity you have to do as a writer!
I was referred here by Janet Reid's blog. I am not a professional writer but created a blog so that I could practice my writing. Kind of a 50th birthday present to myself.
In the back of my mind I keep thinking that someone like Anne Lamott published several books from her articles in Salon.com. Why is that different than publishing from a blog?
Or is she the exception to the rule?
Denese
I've been blogging since my book came out. Why I didn't start before that must be something to do with menopause. I'm blaming all my bad habits on that these days.
Thanks for an informative article, Susan. I'll be back - for sure.
Blogging is an excellent way of meeting people who are interested in the same genres. My writing has improved just by doing it.
With respect to posting portions of stories or work-in-progress which the writer intends to publish later, here is an exception from Jim Baen at Baensuniverse.com, a Sci-Fi and Fantasy publisher:
"We do not care if your story has been "published" somewhere else -- fanzine, personal web site, whatever -- unless you turned over the rights to it. So long as you retain the rights and it's an original piece of writing, you can submit it unless it's been previously published in one of SFWA's established professional publications (book or magazine)."
I use mine for my own mental health. It's where I keep my journal about working on my novel.
I completely agree with you on the value of blogging! Sure, your material becomes unpublishable, but with a good blog, you've got a platform, which makes your future stuff more publishable in the end. Yes, you'll have to write new stuff, but isn't that what writers do? :)
@Carrie: those are some good points. In the end, maybe building a platform now could better position you to write brilliantly later and reach a wider audience.
Having never written a diary I found it hard to start blogging, but it gets addictive given half a chance. I think it's nice, too, when you don't really have anything published - be it in books or magazines. It makes me feel like I have something out there already that I can build on and show people if they ask. This really is a great post because it hits the nail square on the head! Good stuff.
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