Over the past week several people have asked me about the mix of topics in my blog – and my willingness (bravery? stupidity?) to write about yoga or leisure activities in the context of a business-oriented blog. Don’t get me wrong – they like the mix of topics, and feel it reveals interesting things about the person writing the blog. It’s one of the reasons they keep coming back.
These conversations have taken place over coffee or lunch, after a meeting – but not in the blogosphere. Some have been with people I already knew, others with folks who wanted to meet in part because of what they’ve read in my blog.
They’ve told me they use Twitter and/or LinkedIn (and maybe Facebook for family connections). But they don’t yet feel the need – or have the time to commit – to their own blogs. From their questions it’s clear they’re trying on the notion of writing their own blog. A couple wonder if they’ll find it a satisfying creative outlet.
I suspect they’re confronting the question of finding their own voice, worrying about revealing their passions, wondering what they might find interesting enough to write about on a regular basis.
The time factor can be a real issue when the time available for blogging competes with family interactions, other leisure activities or real-world socializing. Blogging, after all, is a kind of hobby for those of us who don’t earn our living in SEO, SEM, social media punditry, etc.
For me writing about yoga or what I’ve been reading lately feels authentic. Even if interspersed between more traditional business topics.
As a self-employed person I have the luxury of “flow” — more flex — in my daytime hours, unlike my husband who’s trapped in the corporate world. If I feel like writing about marketing concepts for yoga studio owners – just for the heck of it – there’s no one standing over my shoulder asking why I’m not doing “something more worthwhile.”
On the other hand I’m also not getting paid to blog. Needless to say, when deadlines loom, I don’t feel compelled to blog…
To those wondering how to jump in, find your voice – Just do it. Find a blogging service that suits your needs, a writing tool that lets you think (without risk of losing half-based thoughts), identify some topics that get you energized, and get going.
If the subject is interesting to you, you’ll figure out a way to tell the story in your own words. Or pictures.
Enjoy the ride.