January 29, 2008
ONLY because you asked
While I did not mean to leave that last post up there for so many days (hello, virus that will not die! and also sick child who stayed home from school yesterday! which made a FULL WEEK of some sick person in the house with me all day!) I really appreciate all of your incredibly nice words. You all are truly the best, and I would buy each one of you a drink, if the idea of alcohol didn’t really skeeve me out right now.
Because I am still sick! How is that possible?!? I have no idea.
I do, however, have some Big Ass Antibiotics (yes, that is what they are called; says so right on the prescription) so I should be all better ANY MOMENT NOW. At least I hope so because this is really ridiculous.
In with all your lovely compliments on how I did not look like I was dying (Prescriptives Flawless Skin foundation and Girlactik Star Powder in Lace) were a whole bunch of questions about how to go from girl with a blog to paid blogger. And since I’m finding myself writing the same e-mail over and over, I thought I would just toss the whole thing up here and be done with it.
And then we can get back to talking about really important things, like when it’s okay to drop a kid at a birthday party and leave.
If you are really serious about wanting to be paid to blog …
Treat your blog like a portfolio. Write well and often; shoot for every day, if you can. Spell check, use proper grammar, keep posts focused and organized. Choose topics that are interesting and relevant. Offer readers something they can’t get anywhere else. If there is something specific you want to write about — cooking or aprons or the mating cycles of local birds — consider starting a separate blog for that topic, one that you can point to when you go to ask for work.
Get involved in the community. Comment on other blogs, big and small blogs, personal blogs and group sites like BlogHer. Participate in social media — Twitter, Facebook, Flickr. Twitter is a great place to promote blog posts — it’s surprising how often people will click through if you Twitter about a new post. But make sure the post is worth the effort, or they won’t come back.
Update often. When you are using your blog as a portfolio, you want it to contain as much material as possible. Frequent updates build a body of work. Posting every day or so also gives you the discipline that you will need if you go to work blogging; bloggers at sites like AisleDash and ParentDish post at least once a day (and some are posting three or four times a day). Other sites will require you to post on a scheduled day or days. A regularly updated blog shows a potential employer that you are reliable.
While you are doing all that, here are three things NOT to do:
Do not use other blogger’s comment sections to promote specific posts at your blog. Even if you really DID just post about the EXACT SAME THING, don’t link to your post in the comments; feel free to say that you also wrote about this and that you agree or disagree with the post in question. Readers can follow the generic link to your blog and find your post.
Do not write about how you don’t have anything to write about. UNLESS you can do it in a really funny way (which is then less a post about how you don’t have anything to write about and more a post about how funny you are even with very little material). If you are really stumped for topics, I recommend you grab a copy of Maggie Mason’s No One Cares What You Had for Lunch, which is chock full of great post ideas (100 of them, to be exact).
Don’t obsess over your Stat Counter or Technorati rating. Unless your goal is to be a superstar A-list blogger, in which case I can’t help you. Worry more about creating good content and getting involved. While there are some sites that take traffic into account when they are hiring, there are more that want to see quality writing.
Finally, keep this in mind: if you are REALLY serious about wanting to blog for pay, you may need to be a little flexible. I’ve contacted several people about blogging for AisleDash only to be told, “I don’t think I can write about weddings.” Traditional freelance writers don’t always write about the same topics; they write about what they are assigned, or about what is relevant and interesting at that moment. Bloggers have more leeway to choose a niche, but don’t define yourself so narrowly that there is no way for you to find work.
ABSOLUTE last thing: Elise Bauer has written a great series at BlogHer on building blog traffic. Read it! You will thank me.
And now I am finished. The end.
Posted by Susan @ 8:53 am • other places
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January 29th, 2008 at 10:19 am, Sister Honey Bunch Says:
Sorry you’re all feeling like garbage, but great post nevertheless. Thank you for such solid and useful information.
Judi
January 29th, 2008 at 10:19 am, Busy Mom Says:
omg, I just posted this same thing over at my blog busymom.net! Visit busymom.net!
Heh, sorry.
Hope you are on the mend, and, this is a great post.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am, Shan Says:
Susan, so helpful, as always. Thanks so much for more insight and info! Am kind of wishing I’d pursued the AisleDash job now. Although am also still imagining the havoc that would ensue in my brain if I had to write twice a day about something I know nothing about. Truly, is there a lot of research involved in these jobs, or does one mainly obtain blogging positions related to topics about which they are at least somewhat knowledgeable? Oops, still asking questions, even after you wrote a whole post. Sorry! And thanks again.
Susan says: It helps to know something about the specific topic you will be blogging about (I couldn’t write for a tech blog, for example, because I am constantly one click away from breaking the Internet) but that doesn’t mean you have to be an expert in the field. It DOES mean that you need good research skills and a creative mind. I spend a lot of time reading news feeds and blogs for post topics and links; that’s part of what I’m paid to do.
I will also say that for me, doing LESS personal writing is a good thing; it’s easier to scan the news feeds every day for post topics than it is to dig down into my soul five times a day for something deep and meaningful. I don’t have that kind of depth, really. It’s true.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am, Angella Says:
You are a wealth of information, Susan.
Also?
After watching the video I thought you were not only smashing, but seemed pretty spectacular all around.
Hope today is a healthier day for you and yours!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:28 am, Heather B. Says:
I am less concerned about becoming a paid blogger and more concerned about how you and your french fry sharing child managed to get me sick from Oklahoma. And yes, I am leaving a comment just to tell you about it.
I’m a crappy commenter therefore I will be getting zero traffic. Damn.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am, Pamela Says:
Sorry, wasn’t listening. Busy googling your face powder.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am, She Likes Purple Says:
Susan, this is incredibly helpful. Thanks for taking the time.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:42 am, slynnro Says:
I’ve got the sickness too.
Excellent advice, as always.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pm, Ilona Says:
Who knew you could write three or four posts a day about weddings? Particularly when YOUR most recent wedding, in front of 50 or so family/friends, cost less than a thousand dollars - including TWO dresses for your fashionista daughter who couldn’t make up her mind - and was held in a pub?
Not me! But there you have it.
January 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, Nadia Says:
Great Post!
Sorry you are still sick…I myself had a pretty bad cold that lasted about 2 weeks and of course it made the rounds to my son (who got it right after I recovered) and my husband…
hope you feel better soon!
January 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pm, The Simple Family Says:
How about you can’t sit around, whining because nobody has hired you. If you want a job, go get it. Very few bloggers are approached– most go after it.
Also, please. Keep the F bombs at bay. I’d be a little less inclined to hire someone if she were saying “f” this and “f: that in every other post.
January 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm, Undercover Mutha Says:
Fucking A, I don’t know what she’s fucking talking about! Let the fuckers fly! Actually, that was really great therapy, but I don’t ever plan to get hired for my writing skillz or lack thereof.
Hope you get better soon! We are finally on the happy side of death by ear, nose, and throat infection. Yay!
January 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm, kat Says:
if i’ve never been married or have not yet had a wedding am i still allowed to apply for a job at aisledash?
one might say i’m a teensy bit obsessed with weddings. i think it was the planning in 5th grade using lots of gold stars and peacocks that really started it all.
this was truly great - your post and advice. i think one thing about getting paid to blog is that you’re also out there in real life person. i changed my blog after i found out my ceo was reading my blog - which was fine but a bit scary.
but the idea of getting paid to write and writing everyday - well it sounds like a huge bonus to me.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm, Kian Says:
Once again, great advice!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:25 pm, Rocks In My Dryer Says:
Really excellent post, Susan.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:22 pm, Florinda Says:
Thanks for a great primer on this, Susan. I’m pretty interested in this topic, and your perspective on it here is a little different from what I usually see.
I’m trying to do most of the (good) things you mentioned already, so I guess I’ll just keep it up.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:31 am, Jenn @ Juggling Life Says:
It’s very nice of you to get up off your deathbed to impart your hard-earned knowledge to us. Thanks!
January 30th, 2008 at 9:05 am, Deva Says:
Excellent tips! I am hoping to be paid for blogging, as well, and I will definitely be taking your tips and using them on my blog.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:18 pm, Christy Says:
Hey Susan- I just left a comment for you @twitter and then realized that you’re not following me anymore! LOL!
I just wanted to say what a great job you did on your interview with Tory- I was SO proud of you!
www.twitter.com/christystorck
July 26th, 2008 at 7:42 am, Friday Playdate » famous is as famous does Says:
[…] yesterday? oh right I did) — I don’t know what the answer is. I’ve written about strategies for making a living blogging, but strategies for being popular or famous? I have no idea. And honestly, I don’t really […]
July 29th, 2008 at 5:56 pm, Jerri Ann Says:
I came by to say hello and say I’m sorry that my post and question coincided exactly with something that was not-so-great in your life. I appreciate you coming by to comment anyway and even coming by a second time to say, ‘oh , I think I understand better now”.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, Assertagirl Says:
I’m a little late coming to this post, but I think it’s really great. I’m also glad to see that I already do the things that you’ve recommended (I think!). I didn’t see a rule about not posting several comments to one blog in one day. Phew! ha
I’m off to check out Elise’s series now. Thanks!