"Required reading" for today's smart writer.

"Required reading" for today's smart writer.
Information & inspiration to hone your craft and increase your cash...Since 2009

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Popular Anthology Series Helps Women to Share Their Stories and Offer Support


There's great validity to the expression, "Everybody's got a story to tell."
Young or old, rich or poor, male or female, none of us are strangers to the trials, tribulations, vulnerabilities, and "growing pains" that are part of the human condition.
We can all relate to situations of love, loss, family, dreams and disappointments.

And though we are united by our similar struggles and life's experiences, we each have a different lens by which we filter those experiences. We each have a unique perspective, and a distinct voice.
We each hold a different piece to the puzzle.
Which is why it is so important for us to share our stories.

This small act has great potential to provide healing, hope, and a sense of solidarity. And, sometimes helps to maintain our sanity in the process. :-)
Storytelling is a powerful art, that when done well, has the ability to transform lives.

Because of this, I am proud to present to you, as our final Women's History Month, tribute, Vicki Ward. She is the editor of a popular anthology for mature women from across the globe.
Women who share tales of love, overcoming obstacles, spiritual "miracles", dealing with inner demons, battling doubts, and more.
Some of the women are professional writers, while others are everyday people who are passionate about sharing a little wisdom, from a "been there, done that" perspective, to help "sisters" feel empowered, understood, and supported.

ABOUT VICKI WARD...

Her essays and poetry have appeared in several anthologies and collections. A former entertainment writer, covering live concerts, and stage plays, her literary focus shifted to writing books about women’s needs and concerns.

Ward edited Life’s Spices from Seasoned Sistahs, an award winning anthology from the voices of mature women of color. She followed that releasing Savvy, Sassy and Bold after 50, a handbook for maturing women packed with financial, health, and retirement strategies for fabulous females reaching midlife. She has also presented empowerment workshops at women’s conferences and universities. Now retired, she writes full time focused on strategies to empower maturing women to navigate a new phase of their lives.

Ward earned her Bachelor’s Degree in management from St. Mary’s College of California, working for many years for a California Superior Court, managing a diverse staff in a variety of management positions, ending her career as the Juvenile Court Administrator. She is a member of the Independent Publishers Association, Northern California Publishers and Authors, Vice President of Writers Resource Center, and owns Nubian Images Publishing in Brentwood, California.

ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGIES...



 Life’s Spices from Seasoned Sistahs received the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award, The Bronze Award from the Independent Publishers Association, and Best Anthology from the Los Angeles Black Book Expo. Savvy Sassy and Bold after 50 received the Best Women’s Self Help Book Award, and an Honorable Mention from the Northern California Publishers and Authors.

The new anthology, "More of Life's Spices: Seasoned Sistahs Keepin' it Real"- full of stories to live, learn and laugh by, is slated for release on May 18th.
To find out more or for ordering information, (as the project unfolds), visit www.nubianimagespublishing.com.

Thoughts?
 Have you ever participated in an anthology project? Would you recommend it?
Any questions here for Ms. Ward?

Shoe image: Freedigitalphotos.net
 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Deserving Our Writing Dreams* Guest Post by: Noelle Sterne



Many of us dream of and fantasize success in our most passionate pursuits—writing for me, runway fashion designer for my cousin, chess master for her son, Yankees’ shortstop for her other son. Every musician dreams of rock (or Philharmonic) stardom. Every actor dreams of lead roles and Oscars. Every writer dreams of bestsellers, big money, movie adaptations, major TV appearances, and induction into the Kindle Million Club.

How do we help ensure we make it? Yes, we must work enough, persist enough, and pursue enough. But we must also feel we deserve our Dream.

Do You Feel You Deserve Your Dream?

If you feel you don’t deserve your writing Dream, no matter how much time and sweat you put in, how many agents and publishers you know, or how many “lucky” breaks you have, you’ll torpedo yourself. Spiritual and life counselor Louise Hay in The Power Is Within You says, “When we have strong beliefs that we don’t deserve, we have problems doing what we want.”

I felt undeserving of writing success for a long time, despite churning out pieces, queries, and pitches. Finally I recognized some of the negatives that kept me gridlocked.

Apply to you?

· Do you feel a vague sense of guilt when you’re writing what you really want to?
· When you’ve just settled down to write, do you suddenly remember you absolutely must go get the car washed?
· When you’ve marked out the whole afternoon for writing, are you gripped by waves of nausea, headaches, dizziness?
 
Your shifty unconscious has just dispatched the guilt gestapo to subvert your creativity and stifle your Dream.

Unfortunately, our culture keeps this squad on active duty, especially for women. Single or married career women feel we must make our marks. Mothers take the raggedy heel of the bread, serve everyone else the perfect wedges of pie, and scrape the dregs for themselves. Wives put off their Dreams until their husbands establish their careers, children are grown, elderly parents are cared for, and church members are served their last supper.

Beginning to Reverse

To reverse your Dream-draining thoughts and actions, you don’t need twenty years of therapy. Only realize you have the power to change. Refuse to let the self-denial and guilt gang in, no matter how much they’re pounding on the door and pummeling the windows.

Despite a successful career in journalism, Elizabeth Gilbert admits in Eat Pray Love finally that she dared ask herself what she really wanted. Her answers ranged from a new linen shirt to living in Italy. But you don’t have to go on a shopping binge, relocate to exotic climes, or even leave your house. Instead, practice deserving with relatively small things.

Choose the better piece of toast or neater piece of cake, get tickets to the playoffs, order a mile-high pastrami sandwich and don’t share it, give yourself a daily bottle of imported beer, get a massage, buy that slinky pair of jeans (not your grandmother’s overalls). You’ll soon graduate to giving yourself the time, energy, and focus to pursue your Dream.

Dare to Deserve

If you’re questioning your deservingness, no need. Your desire to follow your passion signals that you unequivocally deserve your Dream. Otherwise you wouldn’t desire it at all.

To focus on deserving, though, may mean giving up certain things you may have hung onto for years. Give up thinking about your face (wrinkled), your feet (bony), your stomach (too big), your house (unclean), your garage (a disaster area), your desk (piled high), your finances (lacking), your work (chronically behind), your mate (chronically annoying), your status quo (too soothing), your future (too scarily unknown).

Instead, know your Dream isn’t flighty, stupid, ridiculous, impossible, but meant to be. Creativity counselor Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way reminds us, “Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source.”

Get to Deservingness

How do we rise above those oozing negative thoughts? The principles, ancient and lately rediscovered by many spiritual teachers, are explained in Success Cybernetics by metaphysical teacher U. S. Andersen:
1. We are what we concentrate on.
2. What we concentrate on grows.
3. What we concentrate on becomes real.
4. We always find what we concentrate on.  
 
“The greatest danger in your life lies in dwelling on failure,” says Andersen. The greatest reward lies in thinking success.”

So, concentrate on what your Dream looks and feels like. When you do, you’ll make it more powerful by visualizing it in actuality now. How delicious does it feel to see yourself ensconced in your favorite spot writing what’s in your heart?

If you need a little help to reach this mind- and feeling-state, picture yourself in a field during a spring shower. Stand face skyward, arms open, the gentle drops alighting on your skin. Each drop is a positive, effortless thought. Are you straining? Trying? Not likely. All you have to do is stand there, enjoy, take in, accept.

Despite unmade beds, unwashed cars, unweeded gardens, unanswered emails, you do deserve your writing Dream. Just keep envisioning it, feeling how it feels to write, and letting yourself take the steps. One day, in the midst of a fantastic creative session, you’ll realize you don’t have to work at deserving your Dream. You’ll know it’s here.
Thoughts? Ever feel undeserving?

Bio:
Noelle’s column “Bloom Where You’re Writing” appears in Coffeehouse for Writers. In her book Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books, 2011), Noelle guides readers to let go of regrets, relabel their past, and reach their Dreams and lifelong yearnings. Please visit www.trustyourlifenow.com
 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Motivation Monday! Quotes to inspire, enlighten, and empower you...



No matter where we are in our walk of life, sometimes the "right words" can help us deal with difficult times, encourage us to greater heights, or simply cause us to have a more positive outlook on our journey.   In fact, the "Good Book" tells us that: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."


Which is why I'd like to dedicate today as Motivation Monday, folks!
The following quotes can be used to get you through a hectic week ahead, or even serve as a writing "prompt" to stir the creative juices.

Are you stuck on how to start the intro to your next creative piece? Finding tax time to be "taxing"?
Has a recent rejection from an editor got you singing the blues?

If so, no doubt you'll find a quote or two that empowers you and inspires a smile.

These sage sayings address a wide array of themes and things to ponder.
As they were assembled from different sources, I am not certain as to the origin or (all) respective authors.

Hope you enjoy!

                                        QUOTES TO NOTE

---"About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age."

---"My mother is a travel agent for guilt trips."

 ---"Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs."

---"Poor companions are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down."

---"Good is not enough, when better is possible."

---"I used to have a handle on life, but it broke."

---"The best of all things is to learn. Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but whatever you have committed to mind is forever."

---"The mind, like a parachute, functions best when open."

---"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."---Eleanor Roosevelt

---"Sometimes God will shake you up, to move you forward."--- Jennifer Brown Banks :-)

---"When choosing between two evils, I always like to take the one I've never tried before."---Mae West

---"The road to hell is paved with adverbs."---Stephen King


Your turn.
What's your favorite quote?
Any here that resonate with you? Any that make you nod in agreement?
Do tell. :-)

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Pen and Prosper Makes 100!

Pardon me for interrupting your "usual program" Pen and Prosper peeps. But, I just wanted to do a shout out and share some good news. While checking my stats last week, I came across two unusual discoveries. One was that I had been maintaining a very high level of traffic, like twice the amount of last year. Groovy, I thought! But like most inquisitive writers, I wanted to know what to attribute the increase to, in order to enhance those efforts.
To make a long story short, I clicked on one of the referring URL's that reflected high numbers, (according to my Google Analytics). This follower of my blog, happened to mention on her site, her delight in being chosen by Livehacked.com, as one of "The Power 100" Blogs. So, I clicked to read more.
 
What is "The Power 100"? It's an awesome listing, compiled by author and blogger, Nick Thacker, of the best blogs for writers. And what I really dig, is that it's not a "popularity contest". The sites are high quality, reflecting an array of niches--from self-publishing, to the writing process, to promotions. It includes top-tier sites like: Seth Godin, Copyblogger, Men with Pens, and Zen Habits.
 
And...drum roll please...Pen and Prosper is listed as # 64, and, get this... one of the top 20 "marketing" blogs for modern writers! Yay! I'm doing the happy dance here, folks.
 
Thanks to all of you that read, comment, "share" and support my efforts at Pen and Prosper. "You are the wind beneath my wings. " :-)
 
And thank you, Nick. It's always nice to be "noticed" by someone whose talent you admire. 
 
 
Hugs and high fives!
Warmly,
Jen
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Why You Should Seek More "A-Level" Clients in Your Freelancing Efforts in 2013

 
 
 
When it comes to haggling with others to get more bang for my buck, I confess: I can compete with the best. As a veteran writer who knows the importance of embracing the frugal lifestyle in order to go the distance, I’m a self-appointed expert on how to shop smart, stretch a dollar, and cut corners in a quality way.
What I have realized in this unfolding process, is that with many “finds”, prices are not always firm and can be strategically negotiated. To a point.

In other words, my bargaining skills are an asset at yard sales, flea markets, and vendor’s booths; but with more professional services and offerings, I’m savvy enough to know that the provider has a right to dictate his service's or product's worth.
And I must oblige and honor it, if I want to do business and seal the deal.

For instance, I wouldn’t expect to go to my doctor’s office and talk him into a discount because he kept me waiting for longer than my scheduled appointment time.

Nor would I expect a hairstylist to charge me less because my hair is shorter than her other clients comparatively.

So, what does this have to do with freelance writing?
In a nutshell: realistic expectations and industry knowledge.

Here’s the moral of the story:
Landing clients that actually value our worth, “get” how we enhance their businesses, and understand the creative process, makes a big difference in reducing stress and earning what we deserve.

Read and heed.
A couple of years ago, this paradigm shift in my way of thinking, changed the way I approached my business and brought in more money with less drama.

In part, I credit Peter Bowerman’s book, “The Well-Fed Writer” with helping me to reconcile a very important truth about freelancing: there are clients, and then there are “clients”.
One example that readily comes to mind is a national, membership organization, that I found through online research some time ago, and pitched my creative services.

Initially, these folks were very interested. And we kept in touch over a period of months.
They had a blog that was in much need of updates, and a functional website, that though informative, reflected poorly on their collective image, due to typos, etc.
To add insult to injury, they simply didn't have the time and expertise to bring it up to snuff and maintain it. Ideally, it would be a win/win for both of us.

Since they were working with a “tight budget” and I really liked their “cause”, I patiently allowed them to make me an offer, and see if somehow we could meet in the middle.
I was amazed at their final offer. The verdict?
They somehow felt that 50 bucks a month would be fair compensation for several blog posts and social media promotions. Say what?! J

Well, since we couldn’t quite see eye-to-eye, I wished them well and went on my merry way…

Which brings us to today’s lesson...

Job bulletin boards and online market places for writers are saturated with gigs that will pay you five bucks for a 700-word blog post, or gladly “pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”. But, those shouldn’t be the places that you seriously seek to earn a living. Hello? :-)
The key is to work smarter, not harder.

If you have to go that route, use them in the early stages of your career to hone your craft and to build your portfolio. As you progress, let the “level” of your clients progress as well.
Do a good job, and you may even get a bigger bonus through referrals and increased pay. But give it a limit.

So who and what are these “A” level clients?

Here’s how I would categorize these awesome individuals, based upon my experience.
See if you agree.
  • “A” clients believe in paying an honest wage for an honest day’s work. Typically, you won’t have to jump through hoops to get paid a rate that is fair, and received as agreed upon.
  • “A” clients ultimately understand the need to draw up a written contract for your protection and theirs. Or minimally, will verify terms through email to serve as documented reference for the future.
  • “A” clients are not evasive; full disclosure is not a problem, as it relates to doing business. They will let you know when you’ll get paid, the method, and there is full contact information provided, should you have problems or questions.
  • “A” clients are responsive. They get back to you promptly, respect your time, and value your services.
  • “A” clients understand the difference between a freelance professional and an employee. They don’t “micro-manage” and get in the way of their own success.
  • "A" clients have a good track record of maintaining a successful business, and can appreciate what it takes to operate yours. 

If you want to take your business to new heights this year and beyond, be more selective in the assignments you seek. And remember that it's not just "how" you write, but for "whom" you write that will ultimately determine your success and your quality of life.

Have a terrific Thursday.

Your turn.
Thoughts? Questions?
Do you have any "A" clients?

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Monday, March 18, 2013

How to Juggle Fiction When Nonfiction Brings in the Bread-Guest Post by C. Hope Clark

 




Writers know that nonfiction is bread and butter when it comes to earning a living. Fiction, often much more fun to write and a style that many writers feel better displays their prowess, does not draw in much of an income for years, if ever. So therein lies the rub. How much time do you spend on writing what you love versus the writing that pays the bills?
How is a writer to remain sane and satisfied? How does he juggle fiction and nonfiction?
 
1. Writing time.
Regardless the type of writing one does, a writer needs to have a regimen. What time of day and how long a period can you devote to your profession? It’s only when you identify the block of time you have at hand, and instill it as a hard-fast habit, that you can decide how to divide it up.
 
2. Prioritize.
If you need the income from writing to pay your bills, then nonfiction takes priority. Frankly, you need to focus all of your official writing time on nonfiction to establish your career before you can afford to steal time away to write fiction. Once you are solid in your writing income, you can judge how much time you can afford to lose to fiction.
 
3. Note your most creative times.
Fiction is more imaginative a craft than commercial nonfiction. You’ll find that evenings might be more conducive to your storytelling, once the world has slowed down. Or maybe you love mornings, while your mind is fresh, so you can tap those wonderful lines of dialogue and savvy plot twists. When you reach the point of assigning time to your fiction, give it the plum piece of day that makes it sing. You’ll be more inclined to stick to a schedule if your spirit is fed well using peak times. Chances are your nonfiction, business side works best at other times anyway. You use different parts of the brain.
 
4. Set goals.
Your commercial career has deadlines and administrative duties. You need time to write, research, manage queries, promote and collect payments. When you develop that managerial routine, you’ll be surprised how that knack carries over into your fiction. Everything you write needs goals even if they are no more than hours per week, word count per day or chapters each month. Without direction, you go nowhere.


I followed the above-mentioned four lessons to establish myself in this nonfiction career path. The primary goal was to make people see me as a writer, regardless what kind. Nonfiction was most logical in reaching that goal. Once I knew how many hours per week to work, once I’d collected published clips, once I knew what time of day suited me best for my nonfiction versus my fiction, I reopened the door to my fiction.

Every night, once I’d completed my nonfiction requirements, I wrote my mysteries. Nights let me escape and think characterization, emotion, setting and storyline. I knew my biological clock and its preferences. I gave myself a minimal length of time to write creatively.

That was a decade ago. Today, FundsforWriters.com is fourteen years old with 35,000 subscribers. I’m also author of The Carolina Slade Mystery Series, contracted with Bell Bridge Books. Lowcountry Bribe was the first in the series, released February 2012. Tidewater Murder, book two, comes out in April 2013. Palmetto Poison, book three, is tentatively planned for early 2014. I’m pleased as punch, but admittedly, I wouldn’t have published my fiction if not for the discipline developed in my nonfiction career.

1) My writing matured.
Writing so many articles, keeping so many deadlines, and tightening pieces to specific word counts gave me a more skilled, agile, practical knowledge of words. It doesn’t matter what you write, you improve your writing abilities with it. Each word on paper is one step closer to marketable talent.

2) My editing matured.
Under deadline I developed an eye for effective turns of phrase. I quickly grasped passive voice, hooks, metaphors and how to efficiently complete a thought. Punctuation, verb choice and minimal use of adverbs became natural to me.

3) My voice took root.
Nonfiction writers need recognition amidst the fray of other nonfiction writers, just as fiction authors fight for their places with readers. We twist sentences to be slick and wise. We learn to make a point more succinctly, more cleverly than the next guy. Over the years, after penning so many magazine features and essays for FundsforWriters (two to four per week), I awoke one night with the realization that my novel needed to be in first person, like the hundreds of essays I’d written. That sarcasm, pithy phrasing and pointed messaging from my essays was actually my voice, and those traits soon assumed their places in my fiction, making my protagonist a power to be reckoned with.

You can juggle fiction and nonfiction in your career. However, you need more than a storytelling aptitude. You need organization, diligence, and the ingenuity to recognize how to give each skillset its proper time, place, and respect in your writing life.

BIO
C. Hope Clark is author of The Carolina Slade Mystery Series (www.chopeclark.com) and editor of FundsforWriters.com (www.fundsforwriters.com) . She lives on the banks of Lake Murray in beautiful South Carolina.

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

What's Your Favorite Book or Blog by a Woman Author- or on the subject of Women?

A good book is like a good handbag. It makes us feel enhanced. It's functional. And it transcends trends and fads.
And if the good book happens to be of the self-help genre, it becomes like our favorite bag that takes us through the many seasons of our lives and becomes somewhat irreplaceable.
Am I right?

As we continue to explore Women's History Month, I am reminded of the vast array of awesome books authored by fabulous females. Titles that transform, enlighten, elevate and empower.
Books that help us to recognize our vital roles and become better mothers, wives, teachers, daughters, friends. Books that become like bibles for better living.

Not to mention, the popular blogs of today that entertain, educate and enrich us.
With this as today's focus, I'd like to share a few of my female "faves" and invite you to join in!

FAVORITE BOOKS BY OR ABOUT WOMEN: 

1. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff---By Kristine Carlson
OMG! If you have money or time just for a few reads to add to your list this year, this should be in the front running. Oddly, this was an accidental discovery. You see, I was a fan of Richard Carlson, PH. D. and his popular "Don't Sweat" series. So when I came across this book at a local thrift store, I was intrigued, so I immediately bought it. What a major score! Women will discover sage advice like that offered from a best friend. So rich with "valuable gems" that I even recommend it for gift giving.
Chapters include: bust your boredom blues, cut your friends some slack, and stop comparing yourself to the media measuring stick.

2. Simple Abundance---By Sarah Ban Breathnach
Given to me by my dear friend Carol, ions of years ago, this book remains a constant source of comfort and inspiration. Sarah helps readers to become more reflective, introspective, and focused on things that really matter in the overall scheme of things. It's a must read for modern women seeking to "be more and not just buy more".

3. Anything by the late Erma Bombeck
She's the literary version of Lucille Ball, and even more.
Over the years, I have collected so many of her titles that I can't single out one over the other; as each and every one of them will make you laugh to the point of tears. She was a master at her craft, and sorely missed.

4. What Every Woman Should Know About Love & Marriage---By Dr. Joyce Brothers
I personally am of the opinion that one of the leading reasons of failure in relationships is unrealistic expectations. Anyone with me here?
Please believe that the honeymoon won't last forever. Hello? :-)
Accordingly, this title helps to debunk a lot of myths about marriage and mating. To reinforce the "strategies" and advice offered are test studies, case studies, and years of counseling experience provided by one of the most noted female "therapists" of our times.

5. He's Just not That Into You---By Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo
Wow...where do I begin?
This self help book was a reality check for chicks, with a simple wake-up call serving as a voice of reason: girl, he's just not "that" into you! :-)
Have you ever tried to decipher the mixed messages men send? Like he takes your number, says he'll call and doesn't? Or he professes his love, but his actions say otherwise? Well, you'll learn how to pick up important clues, and detect valuable red flags for interacting more successfully with the opposite sex.
Please note: I don't think that "all men" can be accurately assessed by using "blanket" behavior techniques, or even that this author should be the spokesperson for all men's actions and belief systems. Still, it's an empowering read, with much food for thought here.

6. Chocolate for a Woman's Heart---By Kay Allenbaugh
First of all, how can you go wrong with any project that includes "chocolate"?
When I was selected to participate in this popular anthology published by Simon and Schuster some years ago, I was elated! Then when I read the other stories, I was really stoked. It's an impressive read written by accomplished women of all walks of life and ages, on universal themes. From dealing with death, to exploring dreams, to new beginnings, to marrying for the second time, and even overcoming obstacles. Savor its sweetness one story at a time, or devour it all at once. Either way, you're in for quite a treat.

This closes the chapter on this post, folks.
Join me later this month when we'll explore further some bodacious blogs by females.
Stay tuned; it may even be your blog! :-)

Your turn.
Thoughts? Comments?  I'd love to hear from you on this.

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Pen & Prosper Honors Women's History Month

In a popular song of former decades, Helen Reddy sang: "I am woman hear me roar!"
And though we may be deemed the "weaker sex" women are indeed a force to be reckoned with. We are caretakers, "help mates", political decision makers, noted authors, entertainment icons and more.
Which is why I am tickled "pink" to honor Women's History Month in March.

Here are a few interesting tidbits you should know:
  • Women's History Month was established by Congress in 1987 to recognize the collective contributions and historical impact of women through events, programs, and awareness activities.
  • Women's History Month actually evolved from Women's History Week, which was expanded previously from 1981. 
  • According to statistics provided by www.Census.gov, over 200,000 females are among the active duty ranks in the military as of November, 2012.
  •  Median annual income is slightly over 37,000 for full-time work in 2011.
  • 30.1% of women 25 years of age and older have acquired Bachelor's degrees or higher as of 2011. 
We at Pen and prosper salute you.
And I invite you to join me in recognizing and embracing our awesome-ness!
Throughout this month, I will be featuring guest posts by bodacious female bloggers, sharing interviews, book reviews and more!

Whether you'd like to share a poem of empowerment, give tips on how to juggle a writing career and a family, or provide a motivational quote to move us forward, I'd love to hear from you.
Let's connect.

Leave a comment here on the Blog, or contact me at Gemsjen@yahoo.com.
And as always, thanks for your readership and support--whether you're fabulously female or marvelously male. :-)

Warmly,
Jen
...Comments? Thoughts?

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Guest Blogging (but were afraid to ask)




 
 
Every blogger who’s been on the scene for a while, knows that Guest Blogging is as hot as “Bieber Fever!” Guest posting is a great way to garner greater visibility, share expertise, and build one’s brand.
In fact, Leo Babauta, mega-successful blogger, author, and creator of Zen Habits, (with more than 200,000 subscribers), states in an interview: “Guest posting is by far the best way to grow an audience.”

And as someone who has reaped the benefits of being featured at top-tier sites such as Men with Pens, Pro Blogger, Daily Blog Tips, and Write to Done, I would definitely agree. But, it’s also important to recognize that much like other creative pursuits, it’s not just what you do, but “how” you do it that matters. In other words, there’s a right and a wrong way to guest blog for optimal results.

With this in mind, here’s the ultimate guide to getting started, and a few insider’s tips for greater success.

1. A common question is “How do I get started?
Well, it’s unlikely you’ll receive a personalized invitation. So your best bet is to simply Google “Guest Posting Opportunities”. Once you yield search results, make a list of maybe ten, (based upon the niche area, topics addressed, and readership) to target for potential posts. Start there.

2. In real estate, there’s a popular mantra that states, “location, location, location!” The same rule applies to strategic guest blogging. Where you blog matters. However, until you hone your skills and build your confidence, don’t shy away from approaching smaller, lesser known sites. They too have merit. Size is not always an indicator of quality. Once you’re able to score at smaller sites, it will be easier to graduate to the more popular sites, (which should be your ultimate goal). To beef up your Bio and your portfolio even more, aim for sites with a Google Rank of 3 or more. To check a site’s Google Rank, see here: 

http://www.prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php

3. Never approach a blog owner with a sense of entitlement.
A “virtual home”, much like a real one, requires permission for access; it is a courtesy, not a right. Always interact with blog owners professionally, observing the protocol established through their guidelines.

4. Big site or small, make sure that your post is unique and of the utmost quality.
It increases the likelihood of being welcomed as a “guest” in the future. Remember, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

5. Have realistic expectations.
Can you make money? Sure, but not right away--and not all the time. Your efforts won’t likely land you a book deal or “cult-like following” either. At least not initially. Give it some time and give it some effort. Though results vary, within 3-9 months you should see measurable results.

6. Recognize that not all blogs are created equally.
Your goals should dictate your game plan. For example, if you’re seeking to get good traffic to your site, or quality links, it would stand to reason that you would post at blogs that have a substantial following. If you’re seeking to “win friends and influence people,” or a more intimate experience, then a smaller blog might be more effective.

7. What should you write about?
Choose a topic for which you have both expertise and genuine interest. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, it typically yields greater success. The more passionate and versed you are in terms of the subject matter, the easier it is to connect with your audience and to establish authenticity and authority.

Follow the following timely tips to take the “guess-work" out of guest posting, and to reach greater heights in 2013.

Questions? Thoughts?
Anything come as a surprise here?

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