Giving Back to Your Blogging Community
Life can become crazy and noisy for us writers most of the time. Instead of hearing those sweet whispers clearly, we get static fuzziness that often leaves us feeling tired, uninspired, and discouraged about our future with words. Add to those hectic times the nagging need to keep up with our own blogs and we find ourselves too drained and stressed out to even sleep!
I’ve finally made time myself to sit down and write a guest post for Rebecca. My heart went out to her when I read her recent post apologizing for the sporadic updates. I know how it feels to not have the time–or energy–to drag out even a few short words for my readers.
How we fall behind
We’ve all blogged about, or thought about, solutions to this problem.
- Have extra posts on hand
- Ask for guest posts
- Make better use of our time
- Yada… yada… yada….
Why is it we don’t follow through? I know I’ve yet to write extra posts to keep on hand and apparently Rebecca hasn’t either. But why? One word: time. There never seems to be a huge supply of it. Each second of every day is a precious commodity. Sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) life gets in the way and we simply cannot keep up with everything.
That thing we do
Part of a writers nature is procrastination. Don’t you agree? I’ll write that article tomorrow. I’ll respond to that email later. Those query letters can wait a few more days. Maybe I’ll find time to write a blog post in the morning or at lunch. The laundry can wait. The dishes can wait. I’ll meet up with friends another time. Does any of this sound familiar?
I think it’s just another way we creative writers express ourselves. Painters paint. Bakers bake. We dream, create, write…. and put other things off.
What we can do
Since we can’t seem to bring ourselves to always plan ahead, why not go ahead and offer up a guest post the next time one of your favorite blogs goes several days with nothing new. I imagine the blog owner will appreciate your offer, and if your proposal is keeping within the theme of their blog, they’ll more than likely snatch it up. I’m sure they’ll breathe a sigh of relief when they hit publish on that post they didn’t have to write (like Rebecca is probably doing right now).
Be willing to share your talent with the one who has been inspiring and teaching you. You’ve enjoyed their writing. Now it’s your turn to give something back. The blogging community is a warm and caring one. Let’s keep that alive.
Michele L. Tune, when she isn’t busy meeting deadlines, dreaming, or keeping her eyes open for bloggers needing a guest post, can be found Writing the Cyber Highway.
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Kindest Regards,
Michele L. Tune
Inspiring readers one word at a time…
Freelance writer & blogger
www.michele-tune.com
Writing the Cyber Highway: a blog
http://www.writingthecyberhighway.com
Rebecca Laffar-Smith says:
Thank you so much for the fantastic guest post Michele. I sure did breathe a sigh of relief as I posted your guest entry to the site. I was concerned another weekend would go by without an update.
I appreciate your brilliant, thoughtfilled post and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I do.
Michele says:
Thank you, Rebecca, and you are more than welcome! I’m so glad I could help. I do hope other writers/bloggers take this opportunity to zip you a fresh guest post (hint, hint, wink, wink to the readers)
You have been such an inspiration to me and I’ve learned so much from your brilliant mind, the way you think and share your knowledge and heart. You’re a true asset to the writing and blogging community and I’m so honored to be able to glean from your wonderful talent!
Smiles,
Michele
LaskiGal says:
Michele–
This is a great post–having a guest post would probably provide some variety and a whole new perspective . . .
Michele says:
Hi LaskiGal,
Thanks! Yes, guest posts do provide variety and new perspective. We all approach topics differently, so guests really liven a blog up (or, in this case, really help the blog hostess out!)
Smiles,
Michele
Rebecca Taunton says:
Another great guest-post Michele. I wish I could stop procrastinating enough to work on my own blog, photography, writing etc & then I could consider offering guest posts! It would be nice to be able to give something back. RT
Michele says:
Thanks, Rebecca! I appreciate your kind words. Yes, part of our “creative” nature, I think, is endlessly putting things off.
It makes us unique, wonderful and vibrant people, but we can also get behind on some things we’re passionate about! Here’s to finding a happy balance….
Smiles,
Michele
deborah wilson says:
An excellent post - and an excellent idea.
Allowing guests posts is something that I’ve been considering for a few days now - I may put it into play next week. I think it would be good for a few reasons:
1.) It would fill my gaps (Tech is starting back next week)
2.) It would provide serious writers and poets another outlet, giving them extra public exposure. Links are good, but content is better, because it’s THERE before a reader’s eyes. A lot of people do not click on links. I think reader’s would be more apt to click those blog links if they read content beforehand.
For instance, a reader would read a post and think, “Oh, this is good ! Let me go check her/him out!”
But really, I believe that too many new bloggers get the wrong idea - that they have to post everyday. I don’t think that is true. Many of the larger, more widely read blogs, are only updated once or twice a week. I see this across the board with the political and celeb blogs. So it must be the quality of the content that keeps readers returning - not the quantity.
It’s not humanly possible for any blogger to post everyday and answer every comment, especially when that blog receives high traffic on a daily basis.
It gives one dark circles under the eyes.
Grandy says:
What a surprise to find you over here, Michele!! I agree that offering up a guest post is a good thing. I’m working on two this week. Your site, and this one however, both seem maybe a little out of my league. I would love to guest post for either of you, if you ever need anything. I’m just not sure I have enough words of wisdom for writers.
How wonderful of you to help out though!!
Rebecca Laffar-Smith says:
@ LaskiGal: It sure does provide variety and introduces some brilliant new voices to a blog. It also lifts a burden from a bloggers shoulders. Sometimes we just don’t have words, don’t have time, or don’t have health and it requires all three and more to continue to blog regularly. Having guest posters willing to step in and offer a post, even when they aren’t needed is wonderful.
@ Rebecca: *chuckles* I’m the same. I spend so much time elsewhere that most of the time it is a struggle just to keep up with what I NEED to do before I can consider taking time to give time to others. Of course, I’ve found the more you’re willing to give away the more others will give in return.
@ Deborah: I hope Tech is going well for you and you’ve found some great guest posters to fill in those gaps. You’re right about guest blogging as a brilliant way to generate exposure. I’ve even taken to paying for guest posts from time to time so it could also be a great way to earn an extra income.
It is quality over quantity that counts and I’ve tried to maintain a three posts a week kind of regime but even that can be hard to maintain at times. Thankfully, guest blog posts can help fill those gaps and they also give me a chance to build a backlog of posts when I can’t get fingers to keyboard.
@ Grandy: Way to go with your guest posting, Grandy! Don’t undergrade yourself. I know you’re an excellent writer and I’d love to share your insights on writing and a writer’s life. Share your experiences, lessons you’ve learnt from others, your hopes and dreams. I’ve found entries that deal with what is deep inside us as writers truly connect with readers and EVERY writer has that to share. I’d love to feature a guest post (or two) you’ve written here at Writer’s Round-About.
@ Everyone: Thanks so much for your comments and support and another special thank you to Michele for sharing this wonderful post. I do truly appreciate guest posts and as you might have noticed have taken an effort to try and gather more. If you’d like to see your name here at Writer’s Round-About, have extra links to your own blog and site, get some extra coverage, or explore this niche topic with a blog post of your own I’d love your guest posts. Send me an email!