Articles with the blogging Tag
“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.” – Quote Garden – Joe Paterno
In my last post about reviewing (Becoming a Reviewer: Where to Begin), I shared 5 tips with you on how to get started.
Today, I’d like to share with you…
5 Strategies for Reviewing Success
- Honesty is the best policy. Always, always tell the truth – even if you find a negative aspect (or several!) in the product or system you’re reviewing. This is most important, especially if you’re a blogger or the author of a review column, etc. Your audience needs to know they can trust your judgment. Your reputation is of value. Your readers’ experiences are of value. Don’t be the cause of them spending their hard-earned money on products you highly recommend, but aren’t in keeping with your rave review. Keep it real.
- Be thorough. Highlight details and clue readers in on everything you can think of to share – including fun facts or solid information about the company’s history, team and/or owner(s). Saying something like “oh, I loved the product… it was great” is not enough to provide a solid foundation for someone who is truly interested in purchasing the item you’re mentioning.
- Follow up with readers. If comments are allowed where you posted your review, try to answer readers’ questions or at least direct them to someone who can. Sometimes we forget to include something they may want to know. (We can’t think of everything!)
- Don’t forget the pros and the cons. Readers want to know both the good and the bad. If it’s a food or beverage, be sure to include how it tastes and/or smells, how appetizing it may be, how much it costs, and even list a few ways they might introduce this product to their usual meals or snacks, etc.
- Openly thank the company/individual who sent you the product(s) to review. They not only deserve the recognition for their generosity, they deserve a thank you for taking the time to acknowledge you as a reviewer and give you the opportunity to sample their product, free of cost.
And, yes, I absolutely try to adhere to these strategies when I write reviews. I’ve grown and learned along the way, so I have written reviews in the past that were short and sweet. Each time I’ve written a new review, though, I’ve built upon what I learned from writing the previous one. And, so writing reviews is not only becoming easier for me, they’ve become so much more enjoyable as I pass on to the reader not only my thoughts, but valuable, honest information, with integrity and a genuine heart.
Do you write reviews? Are you thorough? Will you try to be more thorough from now on? Do you think it’s wrong to be paid for reviews? Do you think it’s wrong to receive free products for review? And what do you think about the Federal Trade Commission’s ruling for bloggers? Has it kept you from writing reviews? Or, are you just more cautious? I’ve always been upfront and openly thanked the sponsoring company who sent me products to review – I’m glad!
And stay tuned… more tips are on the way! Is there anything in particular you’d like to know? Share in the comments!
Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.
Image credit: lockstockb
I’ve been in danger lately of getting overwhelmed with blogging work. I have all my ideas on my editorial calendar, but with so many topics in so many niches, I often sit down to write and still don’t know where to start.
Which blog? They’re all priority. Which idea? Each one tugs at my attention, begging to be released onto the page. Which client? They all pay well and on time — no favoritism here.
I decided to take a unique approach last evening, almost like freewriting with purpose. I couldn’t find paper or pen so I grabbed my calendar and a blue, fine point Sharpie. (So blame any grammatical errors on the fumes please… and the fact that I often have trouble reading my handwriting the next day.)
I started writing. I had no topics or even a particular blog in mind. I let the words come, in the messy, haphazard way I write hand-written first drafts on the rare occasions I choose to.
First, I wrote a post about types of blog posts for business owners. One Long Island Exchange column done.
Then I decided to blog about the entire experience here at WRA. In an odd way, the juxtaposition of the Sharpie, the calendar, sitting in my daughter’s room as she played for a bit before bed, took all pressure off me as a “professional writer with too much work.” (Is there such a thing as too much work?)
I completed my first post in record time. It is only now that I stop to think about what I’m writing, and, at this point the magic, the flurry, begins to vanish. The moment is gone.
Now I’m wondering about word count, graphics, linkback opportunities. (I know Rebecca and some of WRA’s other contributors have written about freewriting in the past.) I’m no longer writing. I’m “working” again.
And that’s not a bad thing. After all, those of us who love what we do everyday hesitate to even call it work. I am grateful every day to be blessed with this career path.
But for a brief time, it was nice to immerse myself in that “zone” — a writer, a pen (of sorts), paper… it’s cozy. It reminded me of a time when I thought of all writing as a hobby, not a vocation.
Writers, what do you do when you want to get back to basics — either to beat writer’s block, jumpstart a project or to simply begin enjoying the act of writing again and forget that you do it for a living?
“A bad review is like baking a cake with all the best ingredients and having someone sit on it.” — Danielle Steele
So, you want to be a reviewer. You see bloggers and writers reviewing your favorite books, products you’re drooling over, and expensive stuff you only dream of holding in your hands. But you don’t know where to begin. You can’t figure out how to attract the attention of the sponsoring companies, right?
I’ve been in your shoes. I used to dream of receiving products in the mail like the bloggers I read all over the Web. I used to fantasize about reviewing food, books, and other products on my blog. I had no idea how those bloggers attracted the attention of companies. I couldn’t imagine myself being able to achieve my dream of being a reviewer.
Honestly, I finally got tired of waiting around and reading reviews – I was itching to write them myself!
Packages started arriving so fast, I couldn’t even review ‘em quickly enough.
What did I do, you ask?
Tips to Begin Reviewing
- Decide what it is you want to review: books, food, health products, office products, a variety of products.
- Once you’ve honed in on what it is that you want to review, consider where you’re going to write about it: your own blog, magazines, newspapers.
- If you have a blog already, this is a great place to start. Of course, if you’re already working for a magazine or newspaper office, see if you can be their go-to reviewer.
- If you don’t have a blog, start one. Keep in mind the type of products (or books) you want to review and name your blog and URL accordingly. Also choose a theme that is either neutral, or reflects your interests. For example, my raw food health blog has a fruit and veggie theme.
- Start blogging about products/books you already own, that are similar to what you want to review. If the product is in nice condition, take a photo of it to upload in your review post. If it’s showing wear and tear, simply find one online somewhere (be sure to read the copyright agreement) and then write your post based on what you like (and dislike) about it. Go ahead and name the company or brand and give credit where credit is due.
Of course, we’d all love to start out as a reviewer for The New York Times but since that normally doesn’t happen, we need to begin somewhere. I hope my tips help you do just that.
Stay tuned for tips on how to approach potential sponsors…
Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.
Are you a reviewer? Did you start out blogging? Do you write reviews for newspapers or magazines? If so, do you have any tips to share with us? Don’t be shy, share your thoughts!
Photo Credit: xaila
Reference: Think Exist
On Monday, James of Men With Pens, challenged the idea that bloggers ‘must’ post their content for free. He asked, “Are Bloggers Creating Their Own Sweatshop?” Well? Are we devaluing ourselves? Why aren’t we charging readers to read our blog posts?
I left a detailed comment expressing my thoughts in the moment, but there is so much more to this topic than surface opinion. James isn’t the first or the last to question “Free” as a business model. Let’s face it, as a statement toward the financial viability of a business it doesn’t seem particularly sound.
Why “Free” Works
Over hundreds of years, society has been opening the door to free thought. Now, more than ever before, every person is invited to express their opinion, to have their say, to participate in an expanding global community. This exchange of thought has always been free. Every man, woman, and child is allowed to share openly. The only bar to communication is an unwillingness to “give”.
Freelance writers, and professional bloggers, put a new slant on the freedom of self expression. The difference, primarily, is motive. Everyone could blog, that is hobby blogging. Professional writers/bloggers write with an intent to earn. They may still write because they love to write, in fact, it is almost a pre-requisite in this industry, but they don’t write to be heard.
Professional writers write for the dollar. Freelance writing is a business. (If you don’t acknowledge that you’re in for a hard haul toward profit just like in any other business.)
So, why does “free” still work for freelancers? Because…
Let me stress that again, blogs are a “platform“, NOT a product. Your blog is a showcase, a portfolio. It is your business card, the company logo on your car, the mass mail campaign fliers, the t.v. commercial, the full page newspaper ad, the press release, etc. Your blog is your advert, the quarter inch of niche you’ve carved out where you can say whatever you want.
How are you using your Ad space?
The real question is, “How are you using your ad space?” Choosing to blog is not the only way you could fill your ad space, but it is one of the most effective. Each post puts your ad into a fresh print run with a potential circulation in the millions. What is more, many of your readers WANT to read your ad. They’ve subscribed or searched specifically for you or the information you’re offering.
You have the opportunity to run as many ads as you have time to write, or funds to outsource. But you must make good use of your content. Remember, each post is an ad space; an opportunity to reach your target audience with an offer they truly want or need.
Your content is free because it is not your product. Your blog is your commercial and blogging is one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise. The great thing about your blog, from a business perspective, is that it is a jumping off point for your products and services.
The Blog As A Marketing Funnel
Have you ever heard of the term upsell? It’s a marketing term. Let me describe it with a story.
One day, you decide to go to your local bedding store to buy a new quilt set for the master bedroom. The store has a broad range of products that seem daunting so you approach a salesman for assistance. The salesman is a friendly bloke (man to the non-Aussies), he is happy to help you find what you need, but to get there you have to walk past the king and queen bed frames. He ignores those, you asked about linens not frames and that need is his focus.
As you walk to a far wall where the bed linens are arrayed, this salesman, lets call him Bob, talks with you about the linens you’ve had in the past. Bob asks how you have been recently, he asks you about your favorite materials and fabrics, he asks you about the colors you love and the other decor in your home. He asks you about the bed, it’s size, etc.
When you reach the bed linens, Bob knows exactly which quilt sets to recommend, that you suffer heart-burn and back ache, that your mattress is sagging to the left, your queen-sized bed is several years old, you prefer 100% cotton sheets in shades of purple, your bedroom has apricot tones, twin bedside tables, a large recliner in one corner, and that your name is Jill. But, you came looking for linens so that is what he pitches you. He knows what to show you because he’s canvased your preferences so what he shows you on the shelf is exactly what you’re after. You’ve had a pleasant experience and found exactly what you wanted so you grab the quilt set and head for the counter.
Then comes the first upsell. “You know,” Bob says, “from time to time beautiful 100% cotton sheets in a range of purple colors and patterns are marked down. I could send you an email/letter or give you a call when we have something you’ll love if you leave your contact details with me.” Snag, ‘the list’, the right to contact you in the future.
Next month, you get an email, “Special deal, today only, purple 100% cotton bed sheets for your queen mattress. Buy two and get one free.” Upsell! Now you’re interested in paying for two bed linen sets to get one free.
A month later, “Did you know, aged mattresses can cause heartburn and backache?” (Remember, you mentioned suffering those symptoms to Bob.) “Improve your health and get a better night’s sleep with any of our wide range of circulation support queen-sized mattresses.” Upsell! Now, instead of linens you’re considering buying a new mattress.
This upsell action is one of the true powers of blogging. You’re blog is that first salesman. Blog Bob greets your potential customer, finds out why they came to you, and gives them exactly what they want, regardless of the depth of their pocket. That initial salesperson offers to give the customer more of what they want by leaving contact details (subscribing). It is then the platform for an upsell and can be combined with other promotional tools for maximum effect.
The most important thing is to provide the service that discovers what the customer initially wanted, delivers that, convinces them to subscribe, and continues to target their individual needs over time.
Is your blog your sweatshop or your sales representative? How could your blog more effectively showcase your products or services? Do you think this method is effective or could blogs be used in other ways to return a profit?
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” — e.e. cummings
As a survivor of domestic violence–and someone who has battled low self-esteem issues for years–I’m always amazed when I receive emails or comments (from readers, clients, and editors) on how confident I am. So, how have I built up my self-confidence? How have I found the courage to sell my writing services?
I haven’t really followed a specific recipe or any certain ritual for gaining confidence—it’s just kind of developed and flourished as I’ve moved forward on the freelance path. I put my thinking cap on, though, and have reflected on what has brought me to where I am today….
7 Keys to Building Confidence
- Faith. Above all, my faith is what has brought me this far. It’s because of my beliefs, my prayer life, and my joy-filled heart that I’ve found the strength, the inspiration, the dedication, and the passion to keep going—even when I’ve felt like giving up or things didn’t look good.
- Practice. Remember the old phrase “practice makes perfect”? It is so true. Write, write, write. The more you write, the more you’ll write. It’s a vicious cycle. Seriously. And as you continue writing and writing, you’ll end up building your confidence in the process.
- Persistence. Maybe I should have said “dedication”. If you’re dedicated and persistent in what you do, you’ll eventually achieve your goals. I most certainly am persistent.I’ve often laughed while saying “I may be a turtle, but the tortoise won the race!” It may take a while, but if you’re consistent with your writing, your queries, your book proposals (whatever), you’ll get where you’re going. Just keep at it!
- Blogging. If you’ve never started a blog, it can be terrifying but I’m convinced blogging has improved my confidence. Why? Because of the positive feedback, of course! The emails and comments I receive bring me to tears they’re so beautiful, heartfelt, and encouraging! On days I feel like caving and calling it quits, I dig through some of those positive notes and it doesn’t take long to feel the motivation kick in!
- Social Media. Like blogging, social media has its place, in my opinion. Why? Because you have the amazing opportunity to carry on conversations with people from all over the world in real-time. It’s crazy and fascinating all at once! As you begin to open up to the world and show them who you are, and find that they are very accepting of your mishaps and very praising of your accomplishments, you’ll almost feel like you’re in Kindergarten again with a big ole smile on your face, so proud of yourself for making new friends. It works. Trust me.
- Exercise. This really works too, folks. From walking to rebounding to my latest love affair with yoga, I find when I make the time to get in some exercise (especially when fresh air’s involved!) I think more clearly and feel more refreshed and confident.
- Listen. This is where a lot of people fail—and not just freelancers. It’s hard to listen but taking instruction can carry you a lot farther down the path to success than if you ignore the wisdom of others and traipse along blindly. Case in point: Close your mouth, open your ears, and listen. The wisdom you’ll gain will not only help you build your confidence, it will help you build character.
Two Bonus Tips:
A retired school teacher/author once told me: “Michele, you’ll face a lot of rejection. Just accept it and move on.“ I have followed her advice and no matter how sad it made me and how bad my heart ached when my work has been turned down, I’ve accepted it as part of the freelance writing journey, and I have absolutely moved on.
Of course, I can’t leave out the fact that I have a strong support system. Not everyone has that. I realize I am truly blessed. But I still believe (with all my heart!) if you’ll apply the above steps to your freelance life, you’ll find confidence you never knew you had!
Photo Credit:
svilen001
Would you like to get the word out about your blog, website, or business? Want to showcase your writing talents, add a byline to your portfolio, and practice writing for the web? What about simply increasing your sites page rank with some link love and social media perks? We’d love to have you guest post at Writer’s Round-About!
Simply pitch me an idea via email or go for it with a writing, editing, or web related topic. It would be fantastic to share the voices of a large range of writers and I’d love the opportunity to showcase your bio, blog, book, etc.
How many hats do you juggle each day?
As a single mother running a freelance business it sometimes feels like I never wear one hat very long before it’s blown off in a flurry of activity. From one moment to the next a new item is added to a never-ending “To-Do” list. Tasks range; day to day living (laundry, dishes, vacuuming); business organization and maintenance (email, invoicing, queries, blogging, research). Parenting seems to be a blend between, especially these six weeks of Summer holidays.
Amongst all this activity it is no wonder I often feel like I’m racing in a hamster wheel. Busy, busy, busy, but just not getting anywhere. This is what the Writer’s Round-About is for freelancers. We spin in constant circles. Thankfully, imperceptible as it may seem at times, our circles spiral upward, boosting us at varying momentum toward greater success.
Repetition is a necessary downside to the most rewarding elements of life. To be rewarded with an enchanting home there are certain chores we must do every day simply to maintain the status quo. Each day our own bodies require the same vigilant, yet repetitive, care. We sleep, we eat, we wash, over and over again.
A successful business requires similar upkeep to avoid stagnation or decline. In the beginning, freelancers wear all the hats of their business. We must keep our own books, send our own invoices, do our own research, and keep our own home office space in an order of some sort. Each of these routine tasks take their toll on the time we have available for those projects that make up the bread and butter of our business.
The Hydra: Multi-Project Freelancing
I’ve been in an interesting position these last few months. Instead of having a diverse range of short, quick projects to work on I’m immersed in a handful of longer, more intense projects. Learning how to track the activities needed for these projects and the time I spend working in each aspect has been a challenge.
Do you ever feel torn between the priority of your projects?
Because each of these projects is grandiose in their entirety and on a long term deadline I often find myself working on one project and feeling guilty for not working on another. My own personal projects get pushed aside because they feel less significant. After all, I won’t have an angry client waving their fist at me if I don’t finish this book or put off another blog post.
Even with client projects I feel a conflict between, for example, building search engine optimization into the long tail of a blog and creating new content. Both tasks are important to the wellness of that project, they are both mandates of the job I am doing. How do I decide which takes precedence?
How Do YOU Juggle?
I am sure I’m not alone in this strange juggling act. In a way it is one of the benefits freelancing provides. There is always a diversity of projects to work with and it is impossible to get bored. Maybe a fellow freelancer has discovered the secret to working effectively across the range.
How do you juggle your various hats and the priorities of your projects?
At Word Camp 2008 in San Fransisco, Stephan Spencer talked about mistakes bloggers make when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Take thirty minutes today to learn these mistakes, how to avoid them, and how you can optimize your blog for better search engine results.
Blog writing requires a different tool set. A blog entry is not a magazine article or a newspaper clipping. To connect with readers we have to break some freelancing rules and discover that what is right and acceptable from one medium will not work in this one.
When I started my blog just over a year ago I knew about writing. After all, I’d written hundreds of articles. I was making money from my writing. I was complimented, rewarded, praised, and touted. I wrote articles all about ‘you’, because freelance markets focus on their readers. I knew how to write captivating titles. I knew how to keep my points sharp and posts short. I even knew how to optimize content for the internet.
What I didn’t know was one fundamental element of a successful blog. I didn’t know “ME”.
Over the past year I’ve written some great posts about “you”. They were jazzy and informative. They would make excellent magazine articles. But Writer’s Round-About isn’t a magazine, it’s a blog. Month after month I created new magazine content and grew more and more deflated by the lack of response and the shallowness of growth. I didn’t understand that blog readers do not just want to know new information that can help them, they want to know real people have walked their path before them. Blog readers don’t come to Writer’s Round-About to know about themselves, they come because they want to know about me.
The First Clue: My All Time, Most Popular Post
Do you know what my all time, most popular post, on Writer’s Round-About is? It is a short, reflective post that is 100% about me and A Sax outside My Window.
I’ve often gazed at my site stats wondering, “What nugget of truth does this post hold? Why is it so popular? Why does it still get new hits every single day while other posts wither from loneliness in my archives?” The secret is, “me”.
The Second Clue: Following The Trend
Other posts in my statistics show similar trends. Reflecting on An Australian Writer’s Australia Day brought a wave of readers. The post has nothing to do with ‘you’, it’s all “me”. But enthralled readers were captivated by the story, the truth, the heart.
The Third Clue: Comments Say It All
I might have started to catch on by now but perhaps my inner child was calling out for acceptance because it took another element before I caught on. Your comments! When I talk about myself, you interact with me. Of course! Why would you interact with yourself, you don’t want to talk to you, you want to talk to others!
Why Freelance Writing Isn’t Blog Writing
In the end it comes down to this. A blog has a different audience, a different expectation, than a magazine. The writing needs a different perspective, a different depth and integrity. When I read a blog I want to meet a person. I want to know them. I want to walk a mile in their shoes and learn from their mistakes. I want to make a friend, to pat a back, to smile at a memory. I bet you want that from the blogs you read as well.
From now on I’m going to make more effort to share myself, my experiences, my thoughts, my heart. I hope you’ll respond in kind and remember, do not be afraid to talk about yourself. Blogging has created a new social acceptance. Ego is no longer taboo. Build your confidence and your voice. Be yourself!
After a year of blogging I’ve noticed that growth happens in spits and bursts. There can be long periods of stagnation and during these it becomes hard to keep blogging. This phenomenon echos a challenge writers come across known as “The Wall”. These days, weeks, or even months of stagnation are the hurdle before massive growth. If you keep pushing onward you’ll break through that wall and skyrocket into success, or at least the next major leap forward toward your own perspective of success.
The pro-activeness of each blogger plays a large role in the growth and potential of their blog. A blogger who can settle into a niche and feel comfortable posting a quality blog entry every day might find their blog boom earlier than one who chooses to post every other day or three times a week. If you can maintain the integrity of your posting schedule you’ll find your growth more stream-like and steady.
Committing to a niche with which you remain passionate is a key element in maintaining the momentum and motivation to push through challenges and break through “The Wall”. Understanding your personal boundaries, potential, and resistances will help you know the best way to approach your blogging goals.
Recently, I asked readers Why Are You Here? In my way I was attempting to get a feel for Writer’s Round-About’s audience. Writing a blog is never something you do as a solo except in life and I wanted to make sure what I wrote here was productive. Nobody likes spending several hours a week on a pursuit that has zero potential for growth, it’s the true loathing I have for housework that makes me so certain of this fact.
Reflecting on this time of personal turmoil and indecisiveness I recognize, “The Wall”. It rears it’s ugly head and is familiar at this point since I’m facing it with my current novel-in-progress also. In fact, many of those who faced National Novel Writing Month are perhaps intimate with “The Wall” right now. You might be hitting the 29th of November firmly face-planted into it or are rejoicing in the rush of energy having successfully broken through.
For writers and bloggers the solution is the same. The only way to get beyond “The Wall” is to move forward, push ahead, keep writing, keep blogging, and put one foot firmly in front of the other. If your blog feels stagnant, if you are struggling to maintain a consistent posting schedule, if you’re facing the blank page with horror and remorse, if you’re looking back over days or weeks when there have been zero updates, take comfort in the fact that there are others around the world facing the same thing each and every day.
Of course, in the end the only solution is to BIC (Butt-In-Chair). Sit yourself down, decide that you really want to accomplish this goal, and begin. If it helps, return to your Goal Setting Workshop notes to discover why this accomplishment is so important to you. If you haven’t created leverage do it now. Then get back to the grindstone, write onward, move forward. The rush of adrenaline and euphoria is just over that wall.
Break through the barrier with me!
