Posted By Amanda Collins on June 2, 2009

I’m going to go out on a thin branch of a limb here and assume that you know the value inherent in blogging for your business. It should be an integral component of your networking / business-building strategy. If it’s not, you might have bigger fish to fry!

Unfortunately – but not surprisingly – too many business owners are intimidated at the prospect of blogging for their business. “I’m not a good writer,” they say. Or, worse, “I’m not sure what to write.” Since blogs are a bit more informal, it’s okay to not be an excellent writer. Instead, a blog is a way to share information and tell a little bit about you; although, as The Grammar Doctor, I want your writing to be good, it doesn’t have to be “A” caliber; “C” works just as well in this arena.

For those who aren’t sure on what to write, I suggest grabbing your calendar. Okay, now that you’re looking at a few months in advance … well, breathe first … it’s not that bad! I promise, this strategy will give you some great tools to get blogging! First, think about your business. I’m guessing you can break it down into four distinct components. Perhaps you’re an image consultant. Your four components might be clothes, shoes, coloring, and accessories. A network marketer for a skincare line might use skincare, makeup, household items, and a new product. As luck would have it, there are four weeks in most months! Like magic, you now have a category to write about each week.

Now, drill down deeper. If you’re thinking about clothes, shoes, coloring, and accessories, what can you talk about each month? Perhaps there’s a new style or cut that’s hitting the runways, a color palette creeping up for the next season, or a controversy about real gold vs. plated. Whatever those things are, jot down about three ideas for each initial category. Okay, look at your paper. You’ve just noted the subject of your weekly blogs for the next three months!!

Okay, so that was easy, but what about actually writing the blogs? This is almost as easy, believe me! Write from your heart. Write what you know. Share parts of yourself. A decent blog only needs to be about three paragraphs, so there’s not a lot to write. In fact, most readers will veer away if they’re not engaged pretty much immediately – and no one wants to read pages of text. So get to the point. And, remember, NEVER blatantly sell. People like information, but no one wants to be sold. Remember that as you write your blog. Share information, anecdotes, links, and how to reach you; don’t sell your product.

Need help with your blogging strategy or editing what you write? The Grammar Doctors can help! Contact us to set up a FREE consultation.

Category: Internet, marketing, writing | 1 Comment »
Tags: blogging, business owner, entrepreneur, marketing, writing

Posted By Amanda Collins on March 5, 2009

As a writer of materials for others, it's sometimes challenging to get my carcass in gear and actually start writing things for myself. Granted, I have my PDA (that's right, PDA; I'll get an iPhone or Blackberry eventually) set to remind me to blog twice weekly and send out my newsletter every three weeks. Of course, I can just click the "okay" button and this gentle reminder fades into the background. Worse yet, I can delete the offensive reminder altogether.

But how far does that get me?

I recently met with Patricia Brooks, a book shepherd who assists writers get their books out to the waiting public. What she doesn't do, however, is actually help one write. Of course, once I do get my helpful hints into the computer and out of my head, Patricia will be waiting to assist me in creating an appealing presentation and then put the book into the hands of job seekers (and others).

So what is this magic formula for making a book flow? I recently reviewed an amazing book for a client. Written in the style of Dante's Inferno, it's a masterpiece of rhymes and reason. How long must it have taken this writer to complete? I can't get the ideas out, much less get them out in anything other than rote prose.

So it goes for a writer, I suppose. I continue to type useful words and phrases for my clients to advance their careers, expand their SEO, and get them known in the world. One day, I will go away to a beach or mountain with my laptop and write for myself. Well, as long as there's no Tivo or Internet there.

Category: writing | No Comments »
Tags: books, publishing, writing