How To Write Blog Posts With Confidence
Writing with confidence doesn’t require for you to be an English language teacher. In fact, many writers or freelance writers write with confidence. Most of the time it is due to their attitude to the work they do.
If you struggle with your confidence once you hit those keys on your keyboard, stop right there and ask yourself why.
Often the number one reason we struggle is because of the lack of knowledge about the topic. It could also be the lack of structure in our post, which will make it hard to come up with a good end product.
I find that on the days when I struggle, I usually over analyze the topic I’m going to write about. The best confidence pieces are always those when I simply write from the heart and the mind.
Slow is not always best
I’ve heard certain bloggers state that they take between 2-3 hours for each blog post to complete. In my humble eyes, this is crazy. While I occasionally spend a couple of hours on a post, most of the time I get them written within 20 minutes to 1 hour. Even 1 hour is too long and I tell you why.
Blogging is supposed to be fun and not a dreaded occasion. Unfortunately, too many bloggers are very particular when it comes to drafting, writing and polishing their posts.
While this is acceptable if you work for clients, I don’t see the need for this behavior if you blog for yourself. Most of you blog every single day. Imagine you would spend two hours on each post. This is crazy and would set you back by some 14 hours every week in which you could be out fishing, playing with your kids or do whatever makes you happy.
Psst – The secret is in the message
Blogs are not university or graduate papers. They don’t require formal writing, unless your business is formal. Blogs are predominantly here to inform, amuse and educate, not to show how good you are with grammar.
I think that sometimes we really do take things out of context and I have personally started to freak out about spell checking, grammar and to make sure I cross the I’s and the t’s. Quite frankly, I have to say that this is insane.
I rather focus on the message I write about, because in my eyes the message is so much more important than the grammar.
Nobody will remember my post because of a mistake, but they will remember what I was writing about if the story connects with them.
Concentrate on the force
If you have something to say, say it from the heart and stop fretting about excessive grammar and spell check. I’m not saying you should not spell check or at least make an effort to get the grammar right. But what I’m saying is to loosen up and enjoy the aspect of writing instead.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Lance | Sep 23, 2008 | Reply
Monika, I agree fully with this! I have my best writing experiences when what I write includes a lot of my heart and soul. And these are the posts I feel “best” about. Sometimes I wonder if I’m exposing too much of myself. But I am confident in what I have written. As opposed to when I try to write something that ends up with less “heart” in it – and I’m not sold that it’s a quality post…Thanks for writing this, it will help me to be more open with myself – and more authentic – and more confident in what I’ve written.
Brett Legree | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
You’re like my long lost writing twin or something! This is exactly how I write – I lay out a few points in my head, and then *bang* it’s out on paper or the screen in maybe 15 minutes.
I’ll usually walk away from it for an hour or so to do something else, then give it a once or twice over, tweak a word here and there, and then PUBLISH!
If I edit too much, I lose the fire that was in the words when I laid them down.
We can tell that’s how you write too – so much meaning in the words.
-Brett
Vered - MomGrind | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I agree. Especially online, when people tend to scan, a strong message is so much more important than perfect grammar.
Writer Dad | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
I couldn’t agree more. The single thing that’s moved me to better writing is confidence. I used to spend twenty minutes on a post. Now, I’m up to about an hour, but I’ll trim it. It’s all about finding the right rhythm.
Rita | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
It’s so refreshing to have you back, and telling it like it is! This is a blog. It has a message. Get in, get it done, and get out!
Well done!
Rita
steph | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I hear you. Because I have become copyeditor over writer, my posts and emails take eons — I find it hard to check the editor persona at the door and simply write. I think this is because if I say or people know I’m an editor, I’m expected to produce good writing that’s also grammatically correct. It’s a bit of a business thing, I suppose, to always be on my guard. You never know who might be reading and I don’t want to look like a fraud.
Still, you’re absolutely right that the message is most important. The moment an editor focuses too much on correct grammar, or a writer focuses too much on the words (or ego), the message becomes second to the medium. And that’s never a good thing.
Hunter Nuttall | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
When I started blogging, I focused more on longer posts–several thousand words and several hours to write and edit. While there are advantages to this, there are obviously disadvantages as well.
Now that I’ve gotten some of those long posts out of my system, I find that I’m writing a lot more short posts. I enjoy writing both long and short posts, and I’ve been able to speed up my editing, which used to take me forever.
Did you know that Tina Su has spent over 20 hours on some posts? That’s a lot!
Davina | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I’m not listening! Na, na, na, na, naaa, na… I can’t hear you
I can’t help myself. I like polishing my writing. I always have. I hear exactly what you are saying and you are right! But, even though my priority is getting the message out, I enjoy the polishing just as much. That is me now, after only 3 months of blogging. Let’s see where I’m at in another 3.
Tumblemoose | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
Once again, you’re right on the money. 2 – 3 hours to write a post? Ugh. I get “nap-py” just thinking about it.
Whenever possible, writing from the heart is the way to go. When you write from the heart you are inspired or “in-spirit”. When you write from this place, it gives you the greatest joy, the greatest passion. Readers can sense this, just as they can tell when the writer has struggled to bring all of the pieces together.
Well done.
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
I DO take longer to hit send on a blog post. The funny thing is I think about a post for a long time. I mull it over in my head for ever. Then I type it out all in one sweep- right from the heart- all at once. THEN…I have to go over and over and over- and anyone who has ever been the victom of reading my comments can guess why. I can’t spell, I transpose everything and I have to fix my grammar. It’s a mess! I’m dyslexic and I was a paid editor! I can KNOW it and can’t do it on the first pass.
I think all of you who can do that are lucky. I will spare you and keep checking my work before I hit send…it’s bad enough I let my comments go through!
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
One more thing, I think you may be still smarting a bit from that ding a ling from your guest post. Forget about him. You are a great writer and he is just one who is like my ex-boss the Red Pen Man. If the best talent he has is pointing out another person’s errors, then…well…that’s not a really great creative talent..is it? I think he has Pen Envy. Symbolic for something else perhaps?
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I tend to whip off a post, then ignore it a day and come back and edit the crap out of it – mainly cutting it down significantly.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Lance: Like you I worried about opening up too much. I kept thinking about the internet predators and the twisted but had to conclude that I need to be open in order to establish trust.
I think it is harder to trust people online because anybody could pretend to be anyone. There is no way to verify that we are who we are unless we are listed on some registry or get visited by an online friend.
Interesting enough, opening up more and more has had quite the positive effect I never expected.
You are doing the right thing I think Lance.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Brett: Yes, we seem to be. I do the same thing. Sometimes I don’t even edit or wait. Especially if I’m really on fire that day.
I also found that the earlier in the day I write my posts, the better they usually are. If I stew over an idea or topic all day long, I lose my fire and out comes a crappy post instead.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Vered: Yes true and that is why we need to include bullet points and sub text too. I think this also helps the scanning. Thanks for stopping by.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ WD: I’m not sure whether confidence is also related to how popular we are as a blogger but I seem to think it does help. I remember when I first started out, I had no readers and no comments. It sucked and made for very stilted writing too.
Over time I improved and more people started to take notice. It certainly helps with the confidence aspect. Another thing is when we are truly happy with our own work, confidence is a pleasant by-product.
I agree with finding the rhythm. I blog best myself when I have my rhythm.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Rita: Well thanks. I try to be of service, always.
As for being back, I’m not sure whether I am because I’m still having issues with my health. That is one of the reasons why I write this post.
Thanks for the contribution though, it’s always nice to see you around.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Steph: I hear you and understand where you are coming from. As a freelance writer I too have to be somewhat conscious of producing half acceptable posts since many new clients find me through this blog.
Despite this, and despite spell check and making an effort to do the right thing, mistakes happen and I have come to accept them.
In the end, it is like you said it. If we are too focused on the grammar, rather than the message our writing becomes stilted and will be hard to read in context. So, if we can find an acceptable middle ground that works, I suppose it will be best.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Hunter: No, I never knew this about Tina. 20 hours to write a post! Wow, I’m not sure how I would handle this to be honest. I do find it a waste of time, even if the message is strong.
However, if she is that passionate to get it all right and it works for her, then good luck to her too. She does have a huge following and perhaps the time spent on those posts are the reason for her success.
I’ve noticed your posts getting shorter too. I think there is nothing wrong with this. In the end, we all have to do what’s right for us and if the readers keep coming, it’s all good.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Davina: LOL, good on you. If it works for you, then keep doing it. I think with me there is the issue with time. Even if I wanted to spend 2-3 hours a day on a blog post for this blog, I just wouldn’t have the time, nor the energy to be honest.
What I do now works so I keep doing it.
However, it is good to see that some people like you think otherwise. Nothing wrong with that.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Tumblemoose: Oh, you said this so lovely. Writing “in-spirit”. That is exactly what I like to do most. And I with you that readers can indeed sense this.
I always get the most comments on those “in-spirit” posts. Thanks George, I appreciate your feedback.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Wendi: I would have never guessed you were dyslexic. My hats off to you my friend. Your writing is powerful and if you have to work harder to get it to this stage I owe you an apology. I guess I never thought about dyslexic people, or those who struggle to write in English.
Don’t worry about the comments. We often do them on the fly and if there is no editor for comments we can’t change our typos. Not that I noticed yours were bad anyway. If it helps, I make many mistakes when I comment.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Wendi: Whaaaaat…do I? Ok, perhaps a little. Thanks though I really value your nice words and I promise not to worry about this person anymore.
Monika | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
@ Alex: Your editing sounds like a diet for word clutter. LOL. I guess it is one way to polish up a blog post, plus you get spidered twice for one post. All in the name of bot power.
Kelly@SHE-POWER | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I agree with this Monika, though I wonder if we sometimes spend a long time on posts until we figure out a writing system that works for us. I have to just blurt a post out, then walk away. When I come back and read it, I stop for a think and work out what am I REALLY trying to say, then I edit it.
Sometimes this all works and it takes 40 minutes plus time to find a photo etc. Other times, maybe if what I want to say is important to me, I get very confused about what my core message is. After 14 months of blogging, I now know this means a post needs time to sit. But I used to just keep working on it until I cracked it, even if it took hours.
So I guess i agree that if you are taking a long time to post, then you probably need to relax and enjoy your blog more. Or relax and explore what your optimal way to write is. Either way, RELAX.
Kelly
steph | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
Middle ground. It’s almost always, if not always, the best answer!
steph | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
Oh to have such discipline! How do you not just post right away? I can’t keep anything. It must go so I don’t have anything hanging over my head!
Monika | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
@ Kelly: Thanks Kelly. I understand what you are saying. It isn’t always black and white. Good to hear your input on this too.
Friar | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Monika
I have nothing much to say, but AMEN!
You hit the nail right on the head.
Especially, about taking the extra time to play outside, or spend time with the kids, etc.
Sometimes we take ourselves and our blogs WAY too seriously!
Jenny | Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
Thank you! I always am super anxious about my posts until someone reads them and comments, usually that it was really good. However I am a little obsessive about spelling and grammar, more the spelling because usually my fingers are flying so fast I get things mixed up! Maybe now I can relax at least a little!!
Steve Errey | Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
There are a lot of ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’ that creep into article writing, and all kinds of self-doubts can be bouncing around that get in the way of writing something good.
By all means check grammar and spelling, but I agree wholeheartedly that it’s the delivery of the message thatcounts. Instead of listening to all those fragments of ‘I should write this’ and ‘I can’t write that’ ju trust yourself to write something good and allow it to happen naturally.
That’s confident writing and it’s how your best work will get done.
Monika | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
@ Friar: Hehehehe… I knew you would say that.
Monika | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
@ Jenny: Flying fingers. You mean they dance when you type? Way cool. My hubby calls me the two finger basher because I type so fast with only two fingers.
It’s ok to check grammar Jenny, but do not let this take away from the fun of writing itself.
Monika | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
@ Steve: Thank you, I’m glad you see it the same way, being the confident guy and all.
I do agree though that it is in those moments when we truly shine. The message takes on a whole new dimension and the reader usually feels this.
Thanks for stopping by.
Evelyn Lim | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
What you say makes good sense to me. I am one of those who have been spending hours on a blog post. I guess you are right: the message is more important than the grammer.
I’m also writing shorter posts nowadays. I’m not even sure my readers are reading all the long copy. I find that having a mix of long and short posts is better, rather than trying to find a sufficient number of words to make a long post.
Write within one hour? Okay…I am going to try and see if it works better for me. Thanks!
Mani Karthik | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Very well written Monica. “Slow is not always best” – I like that.
Susan | Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
Thank you! I was starting to feel inadequate when I’d write up a snappy and informative blog post in under a half an hour when all the experts were spending hours, if not days, to write up a mini manifesto.
I do believe in offering quality, but it is a blog after all.
Shon | Nov 16, 2008 | Reply
I hate writing I try to outsource my blog post