The Beauty of Blogging

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

19 May 2006 06:50 AM

Some writers view blogs as amateurish writing, something that anyone with a keyboard can do. Many writers seem to think that "real" writing means only painstakingly researched copy, footnoted facts, or feats of literary genius.

In fact, blogs are an important part of internet communication and they are excellent marketing tools. A blog is to the online community what a reality show is to television. The reason both are so popular is that people enjoy looking into other people's lives and sharing common experiences.

Instead of discounting stream of consciousness writing, realize that other types of writing are far less challenging once one becomes skilled in the trade, because there are hard, fast rules, stylebooks, and grammar checkers to keep things prim and proper.

Blogs however, require a writer to be casual, open, and offer more of him or herself to the reader. They are a more intimate media, one in which readers and writer may share common experiences and personal trials and triumphs.

"Rants" are probably the blog style seasoned writers most devalue. This style may be perceived as a list of complaints or a forum for airing dirty laundry. However, rants can be a great tool for showing the reader that he or she is not the only one who feels a certain way about a topic, product, or service. A rant often supplies information about how to take care of a problem as well (example: I felt cheated, so I did this or that, and I got my money back).

Besides, all blogs are not just rants. Many offer valuable information, just in a more conversational tone, and often in first person. That does not mean that a writer must sacrifice his or her integrity, it just means information is presented in a more relaxed fashion.

Quality bloggers keep their entries from sounding like self-absorbed diatribes. Even though the writing is in first person, they give their work substance. Good blog material is a combination of personal opinion, wisdom based on experience and research, and a laid back presentation of factual information wrapped up in an interesting, easy to read package. A punch of humor never hurts either.

Either through selling pieces to contribute to someone else's blog, or through creating a blog of your own, these are some of the benefits of blogging:

1. You can earn extra money.

2. You can work at home.

3. It's a great way to earn more exposure.

4. You often get feedback from your readers. Positive feedback gives you a boost in confidence, and even negative feedback can be helpful for fine-tuning your writing.

5. Blogging is less formal, so it can be more fun.

If you have shied away from blogging because it doesn't seem like professional writing, perhaps you will look at it differently after reading this article. If you'd like to give it a try but are not ready to commit to a blog of your own, start by contributing to someone else's blog. You can do paid blogging for someone else or sell your work to a blog owner via a content site.

Start your own blog at Families.com now!

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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