Confession

Tree Frog on my bay window.

Okay, time for a huge confession.
Hold on tight.

See, after four years of studying, applying and teaching about blogging, I'm still scratching my head as much as some of you. Truthfully? Probably lots more than many of you.

I KNOW the value and importance of knowing your focus and sticking with with it. The importance of knowing your readers and writing for them, giving them some kind of take-away value. The importance of all kinds of things... I know. I've taught it in workshops at a conference, online, and even here on my blog and a at least a zillion times in one-on-one contacts.

But.

But the truth of the matter is that after over 800 posts here on this site alone I'm still clueless.

Produce from my garden in one picking.

I don't know my niche. I don't know my focus. I don't even know my readers. Oh sure, I know some of you—but if the numbers are to be believed (and to be honest, I'm even doubting the numbers these days!!) I don't know who even a small fraction of my readers are. So how on earth am I supposed to write for you and offer some take-away value?!?

I've got a few ideas from the trial and error method I use and the feedback and comments I receive—both here on my blog, on Facebook and via emails, but there is no real rhyme or reason, let alone focus to what I do.

That's why, when I'm asked how I've built my site to what it is today, I'm clueless. I can only shrug and admit I don't know. Because I don't!!

During this break I took I thought seriously about posting a poll to find out who my readers are and what they're interested in—I want to be helpful and relevant. I talked about it with my husband, decided to do it, and then held back. There was just something that didn't feel right to me and I'm slowly, ever-so-slowly beginning to listen to that inner hesitancy. I'm glad I did. Here's why...

I started blogging out of obedience, not because I wanted to. It changed my life. And that's not an exaggeration. My blog has grown and changed with me over the years. If I had posted a poll to find out what you guys wanted to see on here, it could easily become me focusing on my readers (which is very good) to the exclusion of listening to God's quiet direction (which is bad).

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all for hearing what you guys want to see on here. I really am. So if there are things you want to hear more about, please, please, please let me know! All of my series have grown out of questions people emailed and asked and I've had fun writing the posts and they've been helpful to many others (again, if the stats are to be believed).

Cookie, one of our newest additions to the family.

But I've also decided that I need to keep the focus I've had all along: writing what's on my heart. That means this site probably won't ever find a niche to fit and I won't have one single focus and that I'll have plenty of off-the-wall posts along the way.

Yes, I know I break most of the rules about blogging—well, about building successful blogs that make great platforms. But you know what? I wasn't called to build a successful blog. I was called to obedience.

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What Good is a Soapbox?

When thinking about topics for your blog and platform, pay close attention to those things that tend to be your soapboxes. Yanno, those topics that when you start your family and friends roll their eyes and mutter "There she goes again." Those topics are gold. Really, they are--even if your family doesn't think so.

Soapboxes are...

• Something you're passionate about.
• Something you know a lot about.
• A topic you don't mind studying to expand your knowledge base.
• Topics you never tire of talking about.

Why are soapboxes so valuable?

• Not only do you already know the material, but you're passionate about them.
• Your passion draws people and ignites their interest, enthusiasm and spreads to them.
• Soapboxes give you a jumping off point for many things.
• They help you home in and focus with precision.
• That precision changes your message from buck shot to laser beam. 
• Knowing what your soapboxes are allows you to find places for your articles or events looking for speakers.

One Soapbox or More?

Although you may only start out with one soapbox, you might find those little critters multiply or sprout when you aren't watching.

Years ago, my one and only soapbox was homeschooling. It was a topic I knew about and lived. That grew into a second box: being a wife. As the years went on, herbs became a topic I love talking about (bet you didn't know that one! LoL.) because it's something I've spent years studying.

Those are three of my soapboxes, and even though you don't hear much about them on here, I've used them to write for other sites over the years. Those soapboxes helped me tremendously, and still do. These days you're likely to know and recognize some other favorites of mine: Blogging (and all its sub-topics), Platforms, Persona.There's a couple others that are sprouting and maturing on the sidelines and you'll meet them after awhile.

So tell me, what are some of your soapboxes that you can develop and use?

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Know Who You're Talking To

Click here for more post on making your blog work for you.

One time I attended a women's video-cast conference. One of the first speakers on the big screen was a man and as I listened to him, I watched the responses of the women around me. Unfortunately, most were less than impressed. This man knew what he was talking about and had a big name, but it seemed he didn't know he was talking to an auditorium full of women. Consequently, many of them checked out mentally. A few hours later, another man was on the big screen and the response was totally different. He spoke to the women in a way they could connect to, and not only did they connect, they got the full impact of his message. I didn't notice any women mentally leaving that session nor did I hear any negative comments about his message later. In fact, he was one of the two favorite speakers of every lady I heard talking after the conference.

Both men were accomplished speakers. Both knew their topic inside-outside-and-upside-down, but only one connected. What was the difference? How much they kept their audience in mind and tailored their message to their audience.

If you study the big blogs—the ones with thousands of feed readers and followers, you'll notice something—those bloggers not only know who they're talking to, but they understand their readers. Your audience is a key ingredient in blogging. Knowing who they are and what you can do for them, is crucial.

Once you know your target audience, you can seek them out like a heat-seeking missile would. How?

• Keywords
• Post topics
• Visit similar blogs and comment
• Find Facebook groups that fit and interact
• Frequent forums of like-minded people and get involved

Remember the old slogan, “Do not ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”? Well, the same thing holds true in the blogging world. Decide what your blog can do for others and do it.

Take-away value. Make sure there is take-away value for your readers. A message, a tool, instruction, a chance to laugh, something cool to see or learn, or even just a smile. If there is consistently no take-away value for your readers, they'll quit visiting. Blogging may feel like a one way street, but it's not. Thinking otherwise will cut down the effectiveness of your blog.

Give your readers what they want. If your readers expect gourmet, don't serve them goulash. They trust you for the content they're looking for. So does that mean your only choice is a niche blog? Not at all, but if you don't deliver the goods often enough, they'll be less willing to trust you with their time. False advertising on blogs will dramatically drop your readership.

Visual appeal. Many of us would prefer it if content were king, but it's not always that simple. Yes, killer content is a must, but I've heard of many people who stop frequenting sites because the layout and colors are the equivalent of fingernails raking down a blackboard. Do all you can to make your blog not only reflect your personality and who you are, but also one that is attractive to your specific readers. You want to draw readers in and not repel them before they get to your content.

In the world of writing, you often have to give away a lot of work. It's one of those things, though, that if you stick around, the return-on-investment is tremendous.

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Know Who You Are

The thousand dollar question is often: “What am I going to blog about?” and that's a great question.

Click here for more post on making your blog work for you.

Last week we talked about knowing the purpose of your blog rather than having a niche blog—its something that has helped many of us. Even if you know the purpose, knowing what to blog about can be daunting. Here's an idea to help get some post ideas...

• Brainstorm. Take ten minutes and write down every single idea that comes to mind. Do not toss any ideas out, no matter how far-fetched or stupid they sound.
• Study the list and look for threads that tie your ideas together. Are there a few main themes?
• Are there ideas you could expand on, maybe turn into several posts and not just one?
• Keep your list and use it.

Blogging is not just what to write about, it's a matter of who you are to your readers. No, I don't mean you have to rank with the stars at all. I'm talking about how you present yourself to your readers. Are you a cool-voiced, professional one week and a down-home country girl the girl the next? If you're just starting out, trying on voices, that might work until you settle into your stride, but once you find that, go with it.

Want an example? Jeannie Campbell is a therapist and her blog, The Character Therapist, is consistent with who she is. She stays in character because it's her. Sure, she may post on personal things occasionally, but she maintains her professionalism in her posts. In contrast, I'm just an ordinary country girl and often use non-words like 'yanno' and 'hafta' because... well, lemme tell ya, they're me. I don't have a professional voice or professional post topics and if I were to try it, my readers might double check the url to see if they were in the wrong place. Both Jeannie and I know who we are and we stay consistent—in fact, our brands mirror who we are. Jeannie's brand: “The character therapist.” Mine: “Finding the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives.” Consistency pays off.

Knowing who you are will help define what you post about and it will dictate your angle on topics. You may write about many of the same things as others, but it's your angle and voice that makes it unique.

Another key to making your blog work for you is to get it in front of as many people as you can, reasonably, without being a streaming advertisement for your site and without doing constant self-promotion. How can you do this?

• Link your blog to Facebook via Networked Blogs and have the feed post automatically. Facebook taps into readers you probably wouldn't have otherwise.
• Comment on other blogs. Yes, this takes time and time is at a premium, but if you just leave 5 comments a day, it adds up. (When you do, remember their comment section is not your advertising grounds.)
• Use keywords that people might use in a search engine.
• Use the post labels wisely, for topics, not for key words.
• Offer rss and email subscriptions so people can follow you in a way that work for them to find their way back.
• Invite them to comment and encourage their responses.
• Interact with commenters. The comments section can take on a life of its own. Want an example? Seekerville. The comments there are like a 24/7 party and through it all, they're tossing out nuggets of help, encouragement, and things they've learned over the years.

Get yourself out there so people can see you and let your blog work for you.

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Blog Niche vs. Blog Purpose

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As writers, we're told to find a niche. We're also told to use that niche to build a platform. Sounds good, but it's not as easy as it first appears. First of all, how do you find a niche you want to blog about for months on end? A niche you're an expert in? A niche that people would want to read about? And what do you do when you're sick of writing about that little niche? Quit blogging? Find a different niche that interests you enough to write more than 10 posts on? And what about all those readers you had but might lose when you switch niches?

Some people have 3 or 4 blogs, each for a different purpose. Let me warn you away from that if you're just starting out. It's exhausting and it divides your time, energy, and results. (I'm talking personal blogs, not group blogs.) This is where knowing your purpose for blogging trumps having a niche. There's also a "business" benefit in knowing your purpose and keeping it in mind as you blog.

Terry Burns, an agent with Hartline Literary Agency, says that when you have an appointment with an agent at a conference, it's usually only 10-15 minutes. That is far too short a time to sell your book to them. His advice: Sell yourself. I don't think this applies only to conference appointments.

Some people think selling yourself sounds counter-Christian, but when you look at it from a business angle, selling yourself makes good sense. And you can do this without being "me, Me, ME!" about it. We need to look at our writing through business lenses occasionally and run our time in a business way so we can be efficient and effective—especially if we're aiming to do more than just blog for the sake of blogging.

When you blog, keeping your purpose in mind, you'll be selling yourself—even if you post about three majorly different topics. Your niche will develop, and it might just be your voice, or sharing what God has put on your heart or is teaching you, or how you're coping with career, family and ministry, or some other angle you blog about out of love for writing about it.

Know your purpose.

It's okay if it takes time to find your purpose, your blog will accompany you on that journey. When most people start blogging, they don't know their purpose. They may try a niche blog only to run out of enthusiasm for the subject after three months. That's when they need to look around and refocus.

Allow your blog to travel with you on your journey. Then, after awhile, evaluate.
Here's some things to look for:

• What posts were your personal favorites? Which ones did you love writing? Were there any that really fired you up? Pay special attention to these.
• What posts did you get the best comments on? Not the most comments, the best comments. Comments that said people really connected to what you had to say in that post. Look for the quality of comments.
• Common topics. If you're using labels, categories or tags, those will help you spot topics.
• Common themes. You may find that you have 3-5 topics you post about fairly regularly, and as you study those posts, there may be common themes tying the topics together. You may even find one common thread that ties them all together, even if the topics are a world apart.
• Ask your friends what they see your blog is about.

After going through that process, I was able to nail down my brand, “Finding the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives” and it clarified and simplified so much of my writing. That was the common thread running through almost everything, or it could be. Many times that thread is there without me intentionally adding it. My brand became the purpose of my blog.

Niches are great, if they aren't too confining. As writers we sometimes get caught up in the “writing blog” mentality, but that's a trap. We don't have to be writerly on our blogs! The “business” side of our goal is to develop a platform and garner readers. Readers are all about personality and voice and content. And there has to be take-away value for them—even if it's just a smile that makes them want to come back.

When you know your purpose for blogging it guides and directs you, without confining you.

So tell me, do you know your purpose for blogging?

Click here for more posts in this Blog at Work for You series.

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How to Make Blogs Work for You

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My blogs work for me.

Early in 2008 I knew the next step God had for me was to start a blog. Why He would want me to blog, I had no idea. I mean, why put the effort into something no one would ever find, let alone read? But I had learned the hard way that running from God makes one miserable. Very miserable. So, with that in mind, I obeyed and fumbled my way through setting up a blog. I banged my head on the wall trying to figure things out because I was not tech-savvy. I almost hyperventilated when I clicked 'Publish'. I wanted to crawl into my attic and hide in the farthest, darkest corner up there. Instead, I comforted myself with the “fact” that no one would ever find me in the wide world of cyberspace.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

That was about four years ago and the beginning of my story. When I wrote a proposal for an agent last year, I worked the numbers—because we all know numbers count in the economy of things—and the number on my calculator stunned me. Four years ago a realistic number for my platform would've been 15. When I worked the numbers last summer the calculator read 5500+. Big difference, huh? I'm rarely on Facebook and I don't Tweet, so that number has come almost exclusively from blogging.

Here's why blogging works for me:

• Posting when I want + Ability to schedule ahead = Needed flexibility.
• I can put as little time or as much time as I want or have available in any given day.
• It's an outlet for all those little things that run around in my brain.
• As a testing grounds for ideas, it's hard to beat.
• My blog travels with me, it's not confined to one project or one small corner of my world.
• Blogging has provided the platform I need with little financial investment (I spend $10 a year on my domain), while still being here with my family 24/7.

So how did I grow the 15 to 5500?

Remembering the big picture.  God had called me to write and I knew I couldn't quit. Putting down my pen had landed me in the desert for 15 years and I wasn't anxious to ever go back there again. I needed to keep writing.

I had done my homework enough to know that I needed some kind of platform—and at that point I was a homeschool mom of 5 and home 24/7. My contact with the world was limited to church on Sunday and I was quiet enough some thought I was either backwards or a snob. Building a blog was the only option open to me at that time, and it scared me silly. Needing a platform and fear were a daily struggle.

Keeping the goal before me. Obedience was my over-arching goal, but as I looked at what I wanted to do, where submitting to God's will seemed to be pointing, I knew I had work to do. It wasn't enough to hone my craft, as important as that is. I'd heard agents and editors liked to see strong platforms. Well, being married to a contractor, I knew about building. Building anything takes time. I didn't want to reach the finish line (in my case, an agent or editor) and hear “Manuscript? Check. Platform? *buzzer Come see me when you have a platform built. Next!”

My goal: Not to have a mega-blog but rather, to be a well-rounded person and writer for the next step of whatever it was God had for me to do.

Realistic expectations. I knew what I wanted from blogging: writing practice and experience, and a platform (readers!). I knew it would take time, persistence, and work—and I committed to those things. I also gave myself room to make mistakes, grow, and change—and it's a good thing. My blog has journeyed with me.

Two things I've learned along the way:

• Persistence pays off.
• If you don't like the results you're getting, change what you're doing.

Blogging works—if you're willing to invest in it.

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How To Build A Platform

Last week's post, Platform Schmatform, leads us naturally to today...

 How can you build a platform?

• Blog!! Oh, don't tell me you didn't see that one coming?! LoL.
• FB and Twitter. They make me shiver but they work super well for others.
• Participate in forums and loops that deal with your book topic.
• Public speaking...
• Ladies' groups--small groups, added to others, add up!
• Bible studies--This is one of my favorites because it's something I've done and there are other benefits, like helping those of us who struggle being in front of people.
• Toastmasters--Excellent for gaining speaking training and experience.
• Book clubs
• Teaching opportunities--look for them.
• Special events in class rooms on your topic, whether they're topical or about a historical time or event that you're knowledgeable about, especially if you write historical fiction. Some teachers would love a writer to come in for a day to speak about the topic, or maybe even teach a short creative writing unit.
• Write a lot of free material and get it out there. This seems counter-intuitive to many, but has been proven worthwhile time and time again.
• Write articles as you research for your book.
• Newspaper column. Even a small newspaper column, probono, can gain you an audience and grow into far more than anticipated.
• Newsletters (Dee's News keeps Dee well connected with the former Amish she writes about and provides her with a great platform, Margaret Brownley started out writing the church news and was encouraged to start writing fiction as a result.)

• Get out into the volunteering areas in your writer organizations, and other organizations. This can be HUGE! Almost all groups need workers and if it's related to you or your book, it can be beneficial for all involved.

How can a professional wall-flower build a successful platform without hyperventilating or moving into a rubber padded room?

• Remember we all have both sides in our nature, we just need to learn how to bring the other side out. We're different at home than we are at work, or with friends, or in the grocery store. We understand our roles in those situations and present ourselves accordingly. Our writer self is no different. We need to understand our role and present ourselves accordingly—putting our best foot forward. More about this in April and May.
• Be transparent without specifics.
• Realize your writing is a business. Even if it's ministry, you need to run it like a business.

  “Think of your work like a store. If you had a store, you'd advertise. If no one knows about it, how much product will move off your shelf? ~Angie Breidenbach

• Don't get ME-focused. It's the attitude we have while doing things.
• Make sure you're always giving value, not just flapping your jaws.
• Know the image you want to convey and then create it.
• Build your persona and USE your persona. (More about persona in April and May)
  

  Focus in on who you are as a writer and let that part of your personality take over when it needs to. ~Karin Beery

  
  

Click here for more posts about building your platform.

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Platform Schmatform

Last week I said that one of the huge benefits of blogging is platform building. That leads naturally to a good question...

What is a platform?
Your platform is the number of people who have contact with you and your writing. It isn't necessarily anything about your book.

“It’s what you have that can give you access to people, then you learn how to use that access to also promote your book.” ~Terry Burns

So why do we need a platform?

• So your light is seen and your voice is heard! After all, we aren't given our light so we can hide it under a basket.
• The competition is greater than ever.
• Agents and editors look for more than just a strong storyteller. They look for an author with a platform so they can tell people about their books. Michael Hyatt says a strong book hasn't been enough to stand alone for 20 years now. He says: “Writing a great book is half the job. The other half is promoting it.” Platforms are a must.
• Publishers expect the authors help with the marketing.
• To sell yourself, not just a book you have out.
• Your target audience needs to know you exist.

• Actors market themselves by getting in front of their audiences through public appearances—public parties, interviews and speaking for charities. We need to do similarly and get in front of our audience.
• Building a platform is being a good steward of the gift God gave you. We need to work hard to spread the message we're bringing.
• God's given the story, the message, for His purpose. Keeping silent won't accomplish His purpose.
• Build readership.
• Connect with readers.

All that said, I think it all boils down to one key thing: connecting with people. It's not about marketing, as important as the bottom line is to agents and editors. It's not all about you and me. It's about others and reaching out to them.

It's about bringing glory to God.

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Benefits of Blogging

Last Monday I wrote about why I blog and it was fun writing about it. Questions like that have led to a series I'll be running here: Blogs at work 4u. Boring series name, but it gets the point across.

I did leave out one of the reasons I find myself blogging now--to teach little things I learn and to help other bloggers. This series, Blogs at Work 4u is along those lines and will showing up on a weekly basis for a bit. Why weekly instead of days in a row? So it doesn't over run my blog. ;-)

I'm also a guest at the Faithwriters blog today with Treasure Hunting Mararthon about using the time before publication well.

So, first, some basics...

What exactly is a blog? By definition it’s an online journal. A web log. But we all know that a blog is so much more than that.

Blogs can be for everything
from marketing to ministry
and everything in between.

What blogging can accomplishes for you

• Writing experience—by keeping fresh content on your blog, you’ll be logging in experience. All the thinking, plotting and planning cannot take the place of hands on experience. You’ll find what works and what doesn’t work, and often, knowing what doesn’t work is as important as knowing what does. You can also play with your voice and find one that is truly you, then develop it.



Click here for more post on making your blog work for you.

• Builds platform—if you’re a writer, this platform is very important. Agents and editors look for writers with a platform already in place. It could give you a leg up on the competition and could put you a head above the others.
• Shows consistency and style—agents and editors want to know if you’re able to keep the pace or if you’re sprinter attempting a marathon. Having an active blog demonstrates to them your staying power and your style.
• Gets your name out there for search engines—you want people to be able to type your name into a search engine and find you easily. That way if they hear about you through word of mouth or if they read an article you wrote, they can find you online. This creates...
• Name recognition—you may not ever become Mrs. Fields, but the longer you write and blog, the more your sphere of influence grows.
• Gives you a site to link to—if you’re writing articles for either print or online publication you need to have a site to direct people to. Most publications will give you a byline and a link. Don’t waste that opportunity but make the most of it, which gives you a...

• Point of contact—capitalize on it and develop relationships with your readers so they keep coming back.
• Outlet for ideas and thoughts—it’s a great place to try out ideas to see if they’re feasible or if they’re better off in the recesses of your mind.
• Marketing tool to build loyalty and connection—readers can get to know authors by following their blog, whether they ever say hello in a comment or not. This connection creates loyalty, and loyalty increases sales.
• Create or discover your brand—this is one of those things that takes time to discover and blogging is a fantastic way to find it. By studying what you post on your blog, the posts that get the best comments (not necessarily the most comments!) and the posts that you loved writing and that really lit your fire, you can fine tune your brand and find the perfect fit.

Blogs can be used for many things. Their scope is far beyond just an online journal. If you’re entering the world of writing, a blog is a natural step. It’s also a smart step.

A blog is a tool.
The better you know how to use that tool,
the more effective it will be and
the better your results will be.

So tell me, do you have a specific reason for blogging?

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Why I Blog

One of the things I'm often asked is why I blog, and rather than just answer that myself, I invited my Take Flight friends to join me and tell us why they blog too because I know we all have reasons. (If you're joining us for the Take Flight Challenge, be sure to link up with us at the end of this post.)

People want to know the benefits of blogging and I don't blame them. So, I'm going to do a "Blog at Work for You" mini-series on blogging, starting today and posting about once a week until it's done.

Blog at Work For You will cover:

• Why I blog (today) -- simply why I started blogging and my journey.
• Benefits of blogging
• How to make blogs work for you
• Blog niche vs. blog purpose
• Know who you are
• Know who you're talking to

And any other posts that come to mind. *wink*

Why I started blogging and am still blogging...

When I finally quit running from God’s call on my life, I joined Faithwriters and immersed myself in learning how to write. January of 2008 found me chewing my nails but determined to take the next step I felt God leading me to: blogging. I had no illusions of grandeur and I had no idea what I was doing. I felt like that first step into the blogging world was the equivalent of stepping off a cliff into thin air. But I was convinced it was what I was supposed to do, so I stepped in faith. It didn’t matter to me if people found me up there or not. My blog was all about obedience. Me obeying God.

But people did find me. As I stepped out of the comfort zone of Faithwriters and visited other sites, I found new friends. I also wondered how they got the cool looking blogs they had! My sister taught me how to change the colors on my basic Minima layout, and that helped, but when Kristen Schiffman stepped in, I was over the moon. She gave me a blog make-over and I gave her some spending money for something-or-other. She didn’t just stop there, though. As I studied the layout she used for my blog, she answered my questions and I learned to tweak my blog. It became a challenge that relaxed me, much like doing a jigsaw puzzle.

When I started blogging in February of 2008, it opened up a whole new world to me. A world I’d heard was out there but that I didn’t know how to tap into. I thought I was simply starting a blog to obey God and to practice my writing, but what I found was a huge opportunity for service and ministry. I honed my skill of devotional writing, found women’s sites that post devotionals and submitted to them. I became an occasional guest blogger with a short byline and a link back to my blog. I got the thrill of seeing my name somewhere other than at my site but far more importantly, I was able to minister to people—to give back to God a little of what He had given me.

Was I paid? No. I look at it as the first fruits principle. God is giving me so much and blessing me tremendously in many ways, writing for some ministry sites is a way that I can give back to Him.

Since then, the sites I was a guest poster on have become normal hang outs for me, and you'll see me posting there monthly (like TODAY I'm at the Internet Cafe with a devotional --they were the first place to accept a guest post from me and they're near and dear to my heart. Love it there!!) Most of last year I was a monthly contributor on four group blogs that were anywhere from start ups to large sites, all because of starting this blog four years ago. Can you say "Suhweet"?

My site has grown and changed with me over the years and as hard as I try, I don't understand it. Now I blog because I love it. I love the people it connects me with and the outlet and opportunities it presents. I love it because of the fun stuff I get to do--like sharing blog tips and the Take Flight challenges and the a 2 z memes.
I love it because blogging is still all about obedience for me. =)

So tell me, why do you blog?

Joining us for the Take Flight challenge? Be sure to link up with us and tell us why you blog...

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