I received an email from Katie. She explained she wanted to write more personal blog posts, “in hopes to share personal stories, things I'm learning, insights, etc. My hope is that it wouldn't be just something people skim … but that it would be written with intentionality AND read-worthy … to be someone people can connect with, relate to, and show that I'm a real person.”
I love it! She asked a few questions and I'm sharing them here (with her permission) in case you find yourself wanting to blog personal posts for your business.
Would share how you draft your personal posts?
Most of the time, I think about something I want to write about, but I also need to analyze what I want readers to take away. It isn't enough to simply write about X. It's best to share what you learned/how it changed you/what it meant/etc because it allows readers to join the journey with you. While readers may not share in your story, they can identify with the with the take away, connecting us in a real way.
Are your posts something you've drafted weeks in advance?
No, in reality they are drafted 1-2 days in advance.
Do you have a list of things you want to write about?
Yes, I keep a running list of ideas, but I don't write about a personal topic unless it feels right. I know that must sound ridiculous, but in order for me to feel confident about writing something so personal, it needs to come from my gut, a place where my truth resides. If I feel like the story is truly me then I'll share it.
How do you come up with your topics?
Topics reside in two main categories: childhood and present day. My personal posts really focus on things I was taught (mostly by my family) and what I'm learning. I share these things to connect me with others who learned/are learning the same thing.
How do you keep your posts, short and concise with providing the most “punch?”
I learned this the hard way. I started blogging at the end of 2005, a time on the internet where keeping an online journal was new (and, yes, strange). Bloggers wrote long entries and people were engrossed. However, in the past decade, social media changed the way readers consume online content. Readers now want quick/fast/digestible tidbits. As a general rule of thumb, I try to keep my personal posts between 150-300 words. Anything more than that is less likely to be read in its entirety. So how do I do this? STRIP AWAY. I find myself editing down my blog posts after I've written them to ensure I cut away with unnecessary fillers and fluff. Get to the point as quickly as possible without sacrificing your voice.
Have you found having a schedule of how often you post helpful?
Yes, absolutely. I post 4-5 blog posts per week, with 1-2 personal posts in the mix.
When you hit “dry spells” in posting, how do you overcome?
I'm a firm believer in pushing through. It's so easy to say I'm uninspired/tired/overworked/stressed, but I've discovered some of my best posts have come when I write with intention, working past my excuses.
What kind of systems do you have in place for posting?
I don't have systems in place. I'm a blog-on-the-fly type of creative, so I don't have much advice when it comes to system creation.
Many thanks to Katie for allowing me to share her email, but if you have any other questions regarding how to become a better blogger for your business, check out THIS video. If you have tips, feel free to leave them in the comment box to help others!
