When I started as a writer in my early 20s, I foolishly believed that to become successful I had to produce a masterpiece. Instant fame would come as soon as I wrote that masterpiece. I was idealistic and romantic like many young writers. And though I managed to get paid for the odd freelance article, I accomplished little actual writing during those formative years. If I could turn back time… Since then, I have had a lot of time to reflect on what I would do differently. What information from my experience can I share with new writers who want to dive into the world of writing? For one, I would avoid the reckless pursuit of the “perfect article” and not be so dependent on the approval of outsiders. Stop chasing the perfect article When I was younger, I wanted to write the perfect article that would set me apart from […]
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Why I Write So Many Damn Listicles
If you follow my blog, you know that I love writing articles with numbered lists – the so-called listicle. Listicles are fun and somewhat easy to write. People also love reading them! That being said, the listicle seems to have a bad rap. Many see them as low brow, geared more towards entertainment. But there is a reason why the listicle is still popular – and why I and so many other writers, bloggers and marketers will continue creating them. There’s method behind the madness! Listicles are great for producing content quickly Having a steady stream of online content is extremely important for content marketers and bloggers alike. Period. Luckily, listicles are relatively easy to produce. To create a listicle, do the following: Select a topic – this will be your headline. Create bullet points – this will become your numbered list. If needed, fill out bullet points with further […]
Read more5 Winning Qualities Top Bloggers Share With Workplace Conversationalists
You know who I’m talking about. It’s that awesome communicator at work, who is generally well liked and excels in social situations, whether it be over the water cooler, at the lunch table or during a coffee/smoke break. Every workplace has one. What you may not know is that workplace conversationalists share a lot in common with the world’s top bloggers. They both know how to engage, help and inform the people around them. Check out the 5 winning qualities shared by top bloggers and workplace conversationalists below! 1. They’re present Workplace conversationalists can always be counted on to liven up the conversation during coffee breaks and at the company lunch table. You can feel the void – and awkward silence – whenever they’re absent. Successful bloggers are similarly always present. When they’re not publishing articles, top bloggers are active on social media or networking in the real world. 2. They […]
Read more6 Digital Marketing Tricks to Get People to Read Your Blog
Do you want more people to read your blog, but are unsure how to go about doing it? Being a great writer is half the battle. But if you want your blog to be successful, you should know some basic digital marketing tricks to help promote it. So what are you waiting for? Consider using these 6 simple digital marketing tricks below to increase your blog’s readership now! 1. Use social media influencers Don’t have a lot of social media followers? Don’t worry! Get a social media influencer to share/retweet your post to exponentially expand your audience. Influencers are active on social media and have many followers. The best way to get an influencer to share your post is to include them in the article. I experienced this firsthand when British comedian Ricky Gervais retweeted my tweet – which was a link to my blog post covering his social media […]
Read moreHow to Find Time to Write When You’re a Working Parent
Though rewarding, writing can be a difficult activity. Writers need to be patient and often face criticism for their work. Writing also requires LOTS OF TIME… a luxury many working parents don’t have. I’m a working parent who also happens to be a writer. I know what it’s like to try to balance everyday responsibilities with a writing passion. I know what it’s like to want to be the best father in the world while also aspiring to be a superb writer. The juggling act may seem daunting, but it’s definitely possible to be a good parent, spouse, employee and writer all at once. Here’s my advice: Let go of the idea that you can write 4-8 hours a day Reality check. Unless you’re employed as a full-time writer, it’s unlikely you have hours upon hours to write each day. If you were to write like this, you would be […]
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