Article by Wendy McCance
I have received several comments from readers who want to start a blog but obsess about what to write about. I have some (most likely) unconventional advice for anyone who is contemplating writing a blog. Just do it!
When I began writing my blog, I did so because I had things to say. I wanted to get thoughts off my chest. I didn’t think about format, who would be reading the blog or how pretty the blog might look. I didn’t worry about my niche or even if the writing was any good. I wrote because it was what I wanted to do. Hell, I needed to write. It was a part of me and I couldn’t help myself but to spend hours typing out words on a page.
My only regret after my blog became better known was that I hadn’t put much thought into the title. I thought about what was going through my head, hit on a title and just used it. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to write about, I just knew I wanted to write.
Looking back, I realize that if I had thought too much about my theme, my title, what my topics would be about or anything else, I wouldn’t have a blog at all.
How are you supposed to know what your niche will be or what direction you will end up going in unless you have been a writer and have already established your voice?
So, I say to anyone who is thinking about starting a blog to go ahead and just experiment. Put a basic WordPress blog together, pick a theme that attracts your attention and just begin. You can always switch up your topics, theme or title later. It will take a good amount of time before you draw a decent audience anyway. Maybe you can even write for a while on a private setting and go public with your best work once you feel more confident.
Think about all of the things you have attempted in life. When you begin, you are not going to know too much about what you are doing. To expect perfection out of the gate or even a strong idea of what you are doing is just going to set you up for a fall. It’s a learning process that you need to embrace. Without understanding this key piece of information, you will avoid challenging yourself and many opportunities might never occur in your life.
Be brave and just go for it. Honestly, you have nothing to lose by trying. If you don’t make the leap, you are just short-changing the experiences you will have in your life.
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
Latest posts by Wendy McCance (see all)
- A Week in the Life of a Writer - August 3, 2014
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Hi Wendy, Happy Tuesday, I love that every time I need to see this nudge about Blogging that it hasn’t been a year that you put that bug in my ear about doing so that I have been getting closer & closer to doing so.
I spend quite a bit of time contributing on LinkedIn as I am a LinkedIn junkie as I love contributing in the groups that I am in especially the writing groups. I also spend quite a bit of time on g/g+ & also keep getting complements regarding my writing so it makes me feel as though I am headed in the right direction. I am not over thinking nor obsessing just living life on life’s terms.
Reality may bite @ times but the sooner that one deals with it the easier things flow.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Good for you.
I found your blog on LinkedIn, and I didn’t even realize there were blogs for bloggers/writers
I just started mine about 6 months ago, and it was because I was starting a new phase of life that I wanted to write about! I’ve been hearing a lot about blogging communities… Where would I find one of those? Thanks for your helpful articles 
What you described on LinkedIn is a blogging community. WordPress and Blogger are blogging communities too. You can search the term “blogging community on _____” as well. Whatever subject you write about such as being a mom, changing careers etc…there are others out there with like-minded blogs. Thanks for your comment.
I am sooooo close to getting my Blog together. true story. I just have to finish getting my health situation straightened out. Mean while the most important thing that i do just about every day is write. As if I’m not mistaken that is what writer’s do.
I have been having a blast since I started last year. Thanks to many people. Starting with you.
Happy Tuesday. Love what you are doing of course.
Peace & Much, much Happiness.
Sounds great!!
Good and solid advice Wendy. The things that we learn along the way are what really matter in my opinion, so how could an experience be less than great. Just do it? The rewards are so many that it’s worth it just to begin. I’m hitting about six years now and on my second “experiment” and couldn’t be happier. ~Kathy
Wow, 6 years is unbelievable. Congrats!! That’s a major accomplishment.
Hi Wendy, I couldn’t agree with you more. I started following your blog last summer, after seeing a comment you made in a LinkedIn group. I want to thank you for all the great advice, tips and personal experiences you’ve shared about starting a freelance writing career — truly invaluable information.
Based on your experiences I decided to start a blog of my own to use as a marketing tool for my not-quite-off-the-ground-yet freelance writing career. I got the idea for the focus of my blog in September, spent a few months working out the kinks, and started publishing earlier this month. And you are right, the best thing to do is to just begin…once you start blogging you’ll discover what works for you and what doesn’t, and everything can be refined and changed as you go along.
Thank you again for taking the time to write about your freelance writing and blogging experiences. Also, I look forward to following Skipping Puddles. Happy blogging and all the best!
Hi Johanna,
Thanks so much for your comment. I am so glad you found the articles helpful. Wishing you all the best with your writing career. When you get your blog off the ground, please send me a link, I’d love to check out your blog.
Yes I think if you want to blog the first step is to just write, write about something that interests you, something you have an opinion about but mostly just write
Thanks so much for sharing your opinion Joanne. Terrific advice!
Wendy, this is great advice (as usual lol) and actually exactly what I would tell someone, not just about blogging, but about life!! If you never try, you’ll never know!! In terms of blogging, I was much like you in the way of me having things to say and NEEDING to get them out; we’ll figure out pretty later! Hahaha! One thing I’ve learned about doing this, and working on branding myself and creating a ‘product’, is that things will change. There are plenty of areas I want to talk about, but my FOCUS, and ‘niche’, even my logo has changed sooo much over time.
The best thing to do, I believe, is to be open to change. Don’t get too scared of it, or put too much pressure on your self because it’s turning into something you didn’t PLAN for it to be. Still hold the reigns, but be okay with bending…eventually you’ll roll right into place, exactly where you are supposed to be!
Best of luck to all my fellow bloggers!!
Great advice!! You are so right that this same advice really does work for all you encounter in life. I think the way to get the success you are looking for is to do what you said and stay open to change. Looking for ways to improve what you are doing and finding creative ways to get a better result is sure to get you where you want to go.
Hi Wendy, I love your timing with your post’s as more often than not it is what is going on in my head & I need to hear to keep pressing on. I am so grateful as I finally had that moment after reading a post on LinkedIn regarding quotes. Also I tired of being a person 1 of many who is victimized by Mobility. The thing is the longer no real action to take to a situation that has been effecting many people that I alone have been affected physically as well as emotionally & nothing is done I find that to be a problem.
How can I call myself a advocate when I don’t have a Blog so that others can share their thoughts & experiences. They have a site that they are not sincere about caring about us on & I will share that but this isn’t all about me it is about you Wendy.
Good Luck.
Glad my timing was good.
It is wonderful & refreshing to see how many people you help. As I often say writer’s write & we need to stick together helping each other.
Thank you.
Why not help each other? There’s more than enough room for all of us to do very well as writers.
I totally believe that is the way to go all of us working together & not against each other as writers. I feel that would be a wonderful thing. What a wonderful thought about the way to start out what I feel is going to be a block buster fantastic year for all who believe it to be. Thinking & feeling positive is a great start.
Wendy:
I love the encouragement you are giving to writers. I began my blog: “Walk With Father Nature” on April 2, 2012. It began as creative non-fiction; Natural History topics mainly, some Haiku. Now, for the past several months, I’ve written almost exclusively Poetry. I always add my own Nature Photography to enhance the words; or you could say the words enhance the photographs.
You must be pleased to be progressing from your blog to an online magazine. Congratulations! I would love to be included in this; perhaps as a guest blogger.
I enjoy reading your posts at LinkedIn, and I’m proud that you are also a Michigan Writer. Speaking of Michigan Writers, I received a very complimentary letter today from Dan Gerber regarding my Poetry.
You are a true talent, and you will travel far down the road to continued success.
Gratefully,
Richard Havenga
Recent post @ “Walk With Father Nature”…
http://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/2013/10/only-silence-remains.html
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for the kind words. You really made my day. Congrats on the letter you received. Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job. I love the idea of combining poetry with the photographs. What a beautiful combination of talents. Wishing you all the best in this coming year!
Thanks. That is just what I wanted to hear. I am going to be taking Carol’s Tice’s “Blast Off Audit” course in January but that is to move my magazine and newspaper writing to more profitable markets.
Blogging is something that I want to do for me and for my love of agriculture and the need to share agriculture with the community. I have a friend who loves to say, “If you eat, you’re involved in agriculture.” I just want to help people understand that and to share with them about the people who grow their food.
I think you will do great. You definitely have the passion. Please share your link when it is up and running.