It’s not “Julie and Julia”
Did you see that film? A young woman in New York who desires to be a great cook starts preparing a recipe a day from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”. She starts a blog site and writes about her experiences. By the end of the story she has become an internet sensation having done nothing to promote the blog. It’s an excellent film that my wife and I enjoyed very much. However, this business about her blogging success was just pure “Hollywood”. It doesn’t happen like that.
To blog, or not to blog... that's the question
Don’t let anyone fool you, it’s a JOB.
READ ON > Is blogging right for you?
Ready for another time suck?
If it was easy, anyone could do it...
Do you like to write?
I love to write, I feel compelled to write. It’s just part of who I am. Blogging is a natural extension for me. That’s not the case with most people as we all have unique gifts in life. lt’s important to be honest with yourself when making a commitment of your time and mental energy. If you have trouble communicating through written word, rethink the idea of blogging or be willing to pay someone to write for you.
Better yet, team up! There are many partner teams with successful blogs. If you have the penchant for building and maintaining the site and and your spouse or business partner likes to write, you may be in business. Otherwise, my advice is this: Don’t bother with blogging. Instead, put your efforts into something you feel compelled to do for YOU.
There is no quick fix, no “get rich quick” scheme to having a blog.
If you do not enjoy it, chances are you won’t stick with it and any time you put in would be a waste.
Why should I anyway?
There are some compelling reasons for blogging which are documented all across the web – increased site traffic, increase of influence in marketplace, blah, blah, blah… The important thing to know is this:
It DOES WORK, but it IS WORK.
Trace says "thanks for tuning in!"
To understand how I use The Social Freelancer ™ blog in conjunction with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin and more, check out this post and video:
Keep the “Social” in Social Media
Watch and learn. Yes, mostly free.
People pay a ton of money to learn about social media. Some of it is well spent, IF the person follows the advice given in reputable seminars, books, webinars and other sources.
The fact is, ALL of it requires ACTION.
There is a wealth of information from good, experienced sources for free online if you choose to seek them out. That’s what I have done, and continue to do as I don’t have any “discretionary” funds to spend on training. I am trying to “pay it forward” by writing blog posts, sharing what I have learned for free about social media. Hopefully, you will find what I write about here helpful, interesting and informative and you will share my posts with others. That’s payment enough for me.
In this post I provided links to five sites that I have personally found very helpful. If you are thinking about starting a blog, do your own research first. This would be a good place for you to start:
My Top 5 Teachers: The Social Freelancer ™ Speaks Out
More Relevant Posts from The Social Freelancer ™
Reciprocate! A Simple Concept for Social Media
Freelance on Facebook – 5 Fast Tips
7 Incredible People I Know Through Social Media
Focus on What You CAN Do, Not What You CAN’T
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Need help with media training for upcoming TV appearances? Need video produced for corporate audience or broadcast television? What about Social Media? Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Linkedin are business drivers in the new economy. Let Tracy help – Call Trace Productions (972-437-4433) or email tracy@traceproductions.com to schedule a phone consultation. We tailor our services to fit your needs. Thanks for visiting The Social Freelancer ™ blog.
Tracy Ready is a Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Vocalist and Media Consultant based in Dallas, Texas USA – contact tracy@traceproductions.com
Tracy Ready, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Vocalist: The Social Freelancer - Photo by: Steve Lewis
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Yeah, you can pretty much bet I won’t be starting a blog anytime soon. I can’t even think of a funny status to post on FB anymore. I’m hanging up my “funny status” hat for a while….too much pressure! But, I’m glad there are people like you who are willing to put themselves out there! Good job, Tracy!
Rockin post as always Trace – I dont write as often as you, I take the other approach – when I have something I want to share, something I feel will add to my over all blog and website – I write.
The joy of blogging is it is not a one size fits all thing – it is as individual as the blogger. Everyone is a unique little corner of facts and insights
Hiya and thanks for posting this comment, Susan. You are right it’s not a “one size fits all” deal… thanks for your kind support of my efforts here to educate and amuse… I appreciate the feedback. T
Hi Jill, Thanks for posting comment here, I really appreciate it. But don’t tell me you won’t be posting your divinely witty status updates on Facebook!! I love ‘em – don’t stop… please? cheers, T
i agree with you a thousand percent. i’m doing this blogging thing and trying to generate income from freelance work on a full time basis for pennies but i’m following my passion. i’m thankful for a husband that keeps the bills paid and roof over our head. i always advise people not to leap into this blindly. everything in life takes work to be successful. there’s no easy way out. thanks for sharing.
oh and i saw that movie and was thinking the same thing. still a fun movie (Julie and Julia).
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So true..
Regardless whatever reason you blog, I think it takes time.
Most of my friends thought that blogging is just for fun or for channelling their emotion.
I started to blog as a life journal, to share my experience, and hopefully people can make use of it too.
Blogging also takes commitment to be consistent. Most of my friend only blog for a few posts and stopped.
So yeah, I agree that we can take blogging as job too.. Great post Trace!
I have found blogging takes a huge amount of time, because very little information is original so it’s really a matter of rewriting useful information in a more entertaining way, and that can be hard work!
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