What We Learn from Other People's Blogs
I recently ran a six-week course, to help people start blogging about their work. My mission was to blast those “I would blog, but…” excuses I often hear, straight into oblivion.
Such excuses are usually linked to not having enough time, ideas, or confidence – so the course set out to address all three issues. If you signed up, you’d have access to a private Facebook group to share your ideas. You’d also have to come along to a physical location with your laptop every week – and actually write a new blog post during each session.
In short, there would be no getting out of doing the work! (I know, I’m a tyrant).
I knew exactly what my lucky course-ees were going to come away with. Or at least, I thought I did.
But as it turned out, they all came away with some magical extra knowledge I hadn’t anticipated. That knowledge was a welcome reminder for me, too.
It’s this: you learn more if you listen.
Online life is a frenzied shouting party a lot of the time, with every guest clamouring to be heard. We’re all advised to post on social media eye-wateringly frequently, writing keyword-rich content that charms the pants off search engines…
…just so we can increase our chances of being heard before everybody else.
Done well, blogging will give your business a megaphone. But if you pay attention to others’ voices every once in a while, you’ll come away with new insights that might surprise you.
For starters, I learned that my blogging course wouldn’t have been as effective if it had been a one-off event.
(I did know this beforehand, but I thought the only reason was because having to show up every week would instil a sense of discipline).
The weekly time we spent together meant everybody had the chance to share information about their work, and their approach, that they wouldn’t have otherwise thought to include in a blog post.
During our sessions, throwaway personal comments would be seized upon with a “why don’t you include that in your post?” The result was always a more interesting and enriching read; one that sung with individual personality.
Reading other people’s blog posts can give you a head start on so many things. If you’re looking for a particular product or service, a blog will tell you more about the way that company approaches their work (which is important, when there are usually so many similar businesses to choose from).
You’ll probably come away with surprising facts and little bits of information you didn’t know before…and if you pay attention, you’ll pick up some extra tips that will help your own efforts along.
The things other people share will help you work out what you could share. You’ll start to realise that no person, and no business, has ever been brought to their knees by a humble blog post, so as you read more and you post more, you’ll become bolder and braver.
Well, that’s what happened during my course, at least.
Here are a few surprising facts we all learned:
• There’s a recognised global community of people who have a balloon fetish (they’re called “looners”)
• Pilates used to be called Contrology, and was developed to help soldiers’ physical rehabilitation from war.
• Our favourite fruit in the UK is the banana (Russians love apples most).
• Rhubarb curry tastes surprisingly nice.
• If you’ve got an allergy, the reason could be emotional rather than physical.
(One last thing – it’s always nice to know someone’s listening, so if you read a blog post and it ‘speaks’ to you, why not drop that person a quick message to tell them? They’ll feel good, and so will you).
Related Articles
Here's the thing: work/life balance won't exist unless you create it
How to set boundaries between work and life.
Read moreWhy You Must Write as Who You Really Are (Not as You Want To See Yourself)
Reader, I called bullshit.
Read moreThe Art of Listening (Or How Letting Other People Talk Helps You, Too)
Good listening is more than just letting people talk.
Read moreFun Creative Resolutions to Make You Happy in 2021
How to take the pressure off... and just enjoy being creative.
Read moreThe Art of Asking for Advice (or Why Should I Care if You Want to Be a Writer?)
What's in it for me?
Read more
All Hail September, Month of New Beginnings
Get ready to shed the skin of summer, and begin a new creative project.
Read moreWhy ‘Explain Your Obvious’ is the Secret of Persuasive Writing
Explaining what’s blatantly obvious to you, could turn out to be advertising gold.
Read moreLacking In Experience? Here’s Why You Should Apply For That Job Anyway
A creative approach could work wonders for your career.
Read moreLife in the Time of Coronavirus
There’s something reassuring about businesses carrying on as ‘normally’ as they can...
Read more
The Persian Flaw (Or, Why We Don’t Have to Be Perfect When We Write)
Don't let spelling and grammar fears stop you from writing.
Read moreWho Do You Want to Be Today?
This is a story about a career transformation. And Take That.
Read moreWant to Write Like A Human? Mine Your Inner Monologue
"You can’t be on somebody’s side, if you don’t know what they think or how they feel".
Read moreBlogging, and the Importance of Bodacious Self-Expression
...they were learning how to express their true feelings in words, and the results were honest, uplifting, and totally magnetic.
Read moreHow to Learn from People Who Aren’t Like You
No matter how scary it seems, learning from difference will benefit you much, much more than the comfy mediocrity that similarity brings.
Read moreSecret Sauce to Give Your Blog Posts Added Spice
"If you want to grab readers’ attention, you have to start with the heart."
Read more
How to Transform Your Blog Into a Book
If you have trouble motivating yourself to write that next blog post, whisper a little reminder: this could be a book one day.
Read more
How to Plan Your Career Change CV (Hint: Be Selfish!)
"If you really want to change your career, you have to be determined, and you have to be selfish."
Read moreWriting to Sell? Weird Words and Crazy Phrases To Avoid
This is a blog post unlike any other.
Read more
Is your business preaching to the converted?
How to sell your amazing ideas to a brand-new audience.
Read moreThe foolproof formula for blogging success
How regular blogging will boost your business - as if by magic!
Read moreTop profile clichés – are you guilty?
Are you an easy-going enabler of success who thrives in a fast-paced environment?
Read moreLooking for a way to beat the January blues? Start with a letter
It's Universal Letter Writing Week - how will you celebrate?
Read moreKick-start your writing in 2019 (with a little help from me!)
I’ve gathered together some of my most-read blog posts, tips and tools to help you get writing.
Read moreStraight from the heart: how to write irresistible words
When you give people a piece of yourself, you will naturally engage them.
Read moreHow to give good interview (whatever side of the desk you’re on!)
Simple tips to help you breeze through any interview scenario.
Read moreHow to choose the right coach or training course – at the right time
"If you like someone, you might be tempted to look for excuses to work with them, even if their particular skills aren’t what you need."
Read moreBeware of the flowers: why customers don't care about your business
Focus on telling interesting business stories that reflect your ideal customers’ lives back to them.
Read moreFinding your freelancing tribe: be uncompromising (and don’t be too nice!)
My advice to freelancers: never lose sight of what freelancing is all about!
Read moreWhen it comes to recruitment, manners cost nothing
Recruitment moves so fast, and so stressfully, that I think we forget how it feels to be treated like we matter.
Read moreRamp up your summer content to reap winter rewards
Keep your summer content fresh and updated to be remembered all year long.
Read more
You're writing great content. So why aren't people reading it?
It takes time to craft compelling
Got a book or blog to write? Beat the block and get it done!
November means #NaNoWriMo - so whatever you're working on, it's time to get it done!
Read moreWhy being old is great for business
Age aint nothing but a number, right? Wrong - here's how getting older can be great for business.
Read moreRead this before you publish you're next blog post!
Do you edit your work before you publish it?
Read moreCopywriting for beginners
Whether you want to hire a copywriter, or just want to give it a go yourself, it can be hard to know where to begin. My experience on the copywriting trail has helped me discover a few handy insights.
Read moreHome truths for aspiring remote workers
Remote working is on the increase - so here's some advice on how to work it well!
Read moreFor that special person who has everything, give the gift of words
If you know someone who already has everything, give them something truly unique - special words.
Read more“Telling it like it is” – giving effective feedback in writing
There's a new trend sweeping Silicon Valley - giving honest and direct feedback to your colleagues. Before you go rushing in, focus your message by writing it down first...your colleagues and your career will thank you for it!
Read moreGive yourself a special Christmas gift...a happy working life in 2017!
If you're stuck in a job you don't particularly like, mindlessly searching job boards for something else, it can be hard to dredge up any enthusiasm to make a change. But that little bit of rest time between Christmas and a brand new year beginning is perfect for considering exactly what you want, and how to take the very first step towards making 2017 your happy work year!
Read moreHow to write your life story
With a new year on the horizon, why not make a resolution to tell your life story? Committing your personal tales to paper can be a rich and rewarding experience for you to write and others to read...for generations to come. Here's how to get started.
Read moreFitting in ‘me’ projects – five panic-free time management tips for the professionally overwhelmed
Is time getting the better of you? With a growing business, several passion projects on the go, books to read and friends I'd quite like to see, I was starting to feel overwhelmed...until I decided to take a closer look at planning my time more effectively. Here's how you can do the same.
Read moreGhost stories…how shadowy script can light up your life and work
BOO! Like a ripe pumpkin Hallowe'en has rolled around yet again, so what better time to extol the benefits of ghostwriting, definitely not just the province of bargain-bin bound celebrities.
Read moreHow I escaped the corporate cage and set myself firmly on the ‘write’ career path!
An encounter with a corporate headhunter made me question my career - why was I still doing something I didn't love? Here's how I formulated my corporate escape plan and found a career I truly enjoy.
Read moreMaking meaningful business connections…in writing
Speaking up in networking groups used to bring me out in a cold sweat. So I sought out the people I really wanted to talk to and introduced myself in the way I'm best at - in writing.
Read moreBeyond the online dating profile - using the power of words to find a perfect match
Writing an online dating profile that reveals the real 'you' takes time and courage - but that special person will appreciate the effort. Read on for a few tips to get you started.
Read more