Sheesh, this has been a whirlwind week.
First, a provocative podcast over at Steve’s place with Penelope Trunk that has my head spinning, questioning WTF I’m trying to do with this blog.
Then, a recent article that I wrote for The Daily Muse (totally unrelated to freelance writing or the technology industry) was picked up by The Huffington Post and my blog traffic quadrupled, forcing me to acknowledge that I better get my shit in order.
And lastly, Steve Jobs lost his long battle with cancer, and it’s hard not to think about having an impact when you reflect on his incredible legacy.
So I’ve been contemplating next steps, growing my business and mapping out a plan for the coming year. And I have to ask myself, what the heck’s the point of this freelance writing blog?
A Blog Fulfills a Selfish Need
We are all selfish, at some level. I suppose ultimately this blog is about my passion for writing. I love writing. Those of you who are writers understand this irresistible need writing makes me feel relieved, accomplished and grounded. So this blog meets that need. It satisfies a selfish urge and provides me with a functional outlet. And my advice to other freelance writers would be to explore blogging as an outlet. It’s a great way to keep the creative juices flowing, meet other writers, and hone your skill.
A Blog Builds Brand
While I’ve been writing since I was old enough to spell (possibly earlier), it’s only in the last year that I have had to consider ‘branding’ myself as a freelance writer. Prospective clients should be able to find me on the Internet; they will probably want to know that I’m legit and credible; they’ll want to see samples of my writing. If you create a blog, it offers readers a glimpse of who you are and what you do. It builds your brand.
A Blog Can Inspire Others
Hopefully…The Freelance Writing Blog inspires others. I write in the technology sector. But there are boundless niche markets and all writers need a little inspiration and support. With this blog, I want to:
reach out to other writers and build relationships
help you address your pain points and problems What’s holding you back? What challenges do you face? What are your freelance writing hopes and dreams? (Share your answers in the comments below, or contact me!)
offer actionable advice for others looking to launch a career in freelance writing and copywriting
I know that I’m a good writer and that I can help others. The free report I created is a great resource for folks looking for some strong, foundational tips on how to write corporate content. You should download it it’s free.
A Blog Drives Business
This is where the Penelope Trunk interview really struck a nerve. She made crystal clear (in a very ‘cut the crap’ kind of way) that a blog is NOT a business. All of those folks heralding the passive income opportunities in blogging are largely full of shit. Carol Tice pointed this out a few weeks ago, and I agree. Rarely does a blog, in and of itself, become a business. However….a blog can drive business. A blog can become a pipeline for business, and this is where I really have my work cut out for me.
I need to figure out how to grow m