Why Should a Writer Blog?

Following is a copy and paste of the 2 pages of hand-outs from our new member and blogger expert Julie Height. She did a presentation at our meeting this past Sunday. Her website is Sober Julie Doing Life and can be found at www.soberjulie.com.

Unfortunately this is from a paper document so the hyperlinks on page 2 are not clickable. You will have to look up the sites.

Why Should a Writer Blog?

If you are a writer, you should have a blog. Your blog will become much like an online resume, documenting your knowledge, skills and experiences.

Following are 13 more reasons why writers should blog:

·         Have your work read.  We write for people to read our work. Blogs have no limits, readership is universal and promotion is simple once you gain an audience…it spreads. Blog readers become fans of books.

·         Get feedback.  If you choose to create circles within other writers you can share critiques and improve you skill, develop your works. Having a fresh set of eyes can assist with perspective. One must have a thick skin.

·         Visibility and credibility.  The more often people see you, the more they will trust and follow you.  This consistency lends to your credibility.  People will get to know you, your style of writing, and your dedication to your craft.

·         Connections. By engaging online you’ll be led to relationships you couldn’t achieve otherwise.

·         Trying a new style. Blogs are online journals, so this is the perfect place to express your thoughts. You can try new writing styles out and gain feedback.

·         Freedom.  You have the freedom to say what you want, how you want and when you want on your site. There are limitations when you work for others as employees or freelancers.

·         Become an expert and resource. As long as you provide original content on your topic and add value to your readers, they will return. They may even bring others with them.

·         Blogs serve as a website. Writers who are not involved in social media are often considered invisible.  Blogs are a cost-effective and easy way to develop and maintain a presence.

·         Keep you prominent.  Keep others abreast of what’s going on with your projects. If you are writing a book, document your journey to completion, including the challenges and successes.

·         Develop a consistent writing schedule. Although blogging is very time consuming, you should come up with a consistent weekly schedule that you can realistically stick with.  This consistency will help build your credibility because your visitors are checking you out to see how well you do and how often you do it.

·         Publish unpublished works. Not all of your written successes will be accepted by publishers and magazines. Instead of letting disappointment set in, put your works on your blog. They will at least be read by your audience.  The feedback provided will help you turn your work into something greater. Just because it wasn’t accepted initially doesn’t mean it won’t be accepted at all. 

·         Write your book. Many of us are working on writing a book, a blog allows us to develop this in public and use feedback given.  As we write blogs we may find certain topics recurring which can afford us insight into our book.

  

To Start a Free Blog there are 2 Common Choices for building your site on:

www.blogger.com

www.wordpress.com

Book Reviews:

Tyndale Blogger Network

Booksneeze

 

FREELANCE JOB SITES:

1. Freelance Job Openings
2. Kijiji
3. Problogger – a great list of blogging and telecommute gigs
4. Blogger Jobs – this one doesn’t have jobs very often listed, but every once in a while they have something good
5. Whisper Jobs
6. Performancing
7. Simply Hired – this is a search engine that will help you narrow down the job search
8. Mashable – lists freelance jobs every once in a blue moon
9. Digital Media Jobs – occasionally lists writer jobs
10. Career Builder
11. Sun Oasis – great list and you can also get updates via Twitter
12. Dice - lists mostly technical writer jobs
13. USA Jobs
14. Twitter - don’t forget Twitter when looking for freelance jobs! Use the #jobs or #amwriting to narrow your search
15. Poynter Online – allows you to search by job name and location
16. Telecommuter Jobs
17. Monster - lists a lot of technical writer and temporary jobs, but also has the occasional gem in terms of freelance writing
18. Journalism Jobs – reporter and journalist work
19. Media Bistro
20. All Freelance Writing – jobs and also great tips on how to be a freelancer
21. Work at Home Mom (WAHM) – lists writer and other types of telecommuting work
22. Writers Weekly – job board and great list of writing tips
23. Craigslist - don’t forget Craigslist! It offers great jobs – just be sure to weed through the clunkers
24. About.com – Has several contributing and guide positions
25. Writer Find
26. Seed - lists jobs to claim which pay anywhere from $15-75
27. Indeed - wonderful search engine to find job opportunities
28. Morning Coffee
29. Write Jobs
30. Suite101 – telecommute freelance writing
31. Freelance Careers
32. Poe War – lists job by category or look to the right for most recent
33. Essay Writers
34. Prospect Solution
35. Creative Hot List – many creative jobs, including writing
36. Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs – jobs in Canada along with tips on freelancing
37. Break Studios
38. Elance