6 Ways to Bounce Back After a Bad Blogging (or writing) Episode!

It happens to the best of us. The worst happens. For me, it was a simple task to tweak my blog and make it more appealing to give it a more competitive edge.

Two lines. I tell you, just two lines.
And what should have taken two minutes took about three hours. GEE WHIZ.
“I could’a had a V-8“!

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but feared my neighbors would call 9-1-1 thinking I was crazed, or had been attacked.

So, for the purpose of venting and edification, allow me to elaborate.

I had a guest post appearing at a few highly-ranked sites this week, and simply wanted to make sure that if the link to my blog created a few more “new eyes” and potential fans, I would be up to par.

I kind of liken it to when visitors and family members come to your home. You know the deal: you make sure you tidy the washroom, have all the essentials, infuse the air with aromatherapy candles---that kind of stuff.

In and out was my objective.
Especially in that my to-do list was in need of getting done.
To my horror, it was like a blogging episode from hell.
Can’t say just why, but the Blogger software, or platform went all askew. The formatting was looking fiercely wrong, and no matter how much I revisited, revised, ranted, and wrestled with the thought of tossing my laptop out of the window, I was stuck. Nothing was going right. Simple changes that I had made many times before on my blogs, as well as clients’ was just not happening.

If you blog recreationally, it’s perhaps not a biggie, and depending upon your topic and tone, folks may be a bit more forgiving. But, if you blog professionally, (as I do), it can have different consequences, as both potential clients and “fans” who view your blog as a blueprint for their personal success, can come to question your ability and credibility. After all, appearance matters. And you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Hopefully, it won’t happen to you, but if it does, here’s how to bounce back from a bad blogging (or writing) episode and still score winning results!

1. Don’t retreat, reload. I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. The more you freak out and feel frustrated, the more Murphy’s Law prevails and spoils your day. Don’t let the “forces” force you to give in! I fixed a big bowl of Captain Crunch, refocused, and started again.

2. Write a Blog post or article about it. Perhaps it will help someone to troubleshoot a similar problem and earn you cash. For example, when I had a negative experience, some months ago, with customer service provided through tech support, I wrote an article entitled, “5 Tips to better customer service” and earned fifty bucks and a published piece at WorkAwesome.com.

3. Shift gears. Instead of hiding under the covers, or escaping through your favorite soaps, make needed phone calls, answer Emails, do research, or jot down article ideas. Stay the course. After all, no output means no income.

4. Have realistic expectations. Technology has flaws! There, I’ve said it. With all its capabilities, it still has flaws, limitations, and drawbacks. Keep it in mind to move forward. Make sure to have hand-written notes for back up, as well as other means of retaining your work.

5. See the humor in it. It can be a challenge. But you’re up to it!

6. Cut yourself some slack. No matter how hard any of us try, perfection is impossible. Excellence, instead should be our daily goal!


Keep these six tips in mind to make the most of any writing day, and to earn the most for your efforts.

How do you bounce back? Is it a cup of tea? Wine? Meditation? Prayer? A break? Curious...
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What You Need to Know About Anchor Text...

Guest Post by Scott Spjut

Scott Spjut is a writer and editor who has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and websites - including Newsweek, the Washington Post, CBS News and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Scott currently works with Professional Marketing International helping people change their lives.


Without hyperlinks, the power and effect of the Internet would be greatly diminished. Often referred to just as “links,” hyperlinks are the text, image, or other feature which – when clicked on or otherwise accessed – directs the user to another place on the website, another website, or some other location.

In the instances where text is used as a hyperlink, the specific text utilized to display that link is called anchor text. The author is able to decide which text they would like highlighted or otherwise set apart in order to distinguish it is a link. Most often, a link will be underlined and will be a different color (usually blue) but most content management systems will allow you to customize those features.

There are several purposes to anchor text. Firstly, the anchor text should give the reader a good idea of what they’ll be seeing if they click the link. That highlighted text will give them a brief insight as to what they author wants them to see.
Secondly, from an SEO perspective, anchor text is one of the many factors which contribute to search engine results pages. If search engines see that various websites are each linking to the same website using the same anchor text, the search engine will likely rank that website higher when people search for that phrase.

Because of these factors, there is some strategy when selecting anchor text. The most important factor should always be the user’s experience. If they’re going to be confused or surprised when clicking on that specific link, it’s probably best to either place the link elsewhere or present it differently. Keep the SEO benefits in mind, but pay more attention to how it will affect your readers.

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Apples & Oranges -The Difference Between Writing for Play and Writing for Pay!

There are as many different reasons for blogging as there are audiences.
For example, some blog to share their views with like minded readers. Others may blog to vent about office drama, bad bosses, and events of the day as a way of release. Many use it as a vehicle for sharing their creative works and building a platform.

Still there are others that merely like to "strut their stuff" before a virtual audience because it feels good to their ego. To each his own.

But, rest assured that regardless as to the motive, there's a difference between blogging for pleasure and blogging for pay. And those who fail to know the difference may fail to earn money for their efforts.

This realization came to me awhile ago, in reading the posts of a fellow blogger that was doling out advice in the form of a how-to.

She suggested that bloggers write for themselves, and not worry about what readers felt. Huh? Pursue your passion and forget the advice of "experts" she suggested.
Can I share a secret? And this is not to disparage her views in any way. She was just simply misguided.

That approach and fifty cents will get you about as far as the corner. Seriously. Of course, if your blog is simply recreational in nature, and it's for your family and friends, and a way to save on potential therapy. I agree; by all means let your hair down! Do you.

But, don't expect a career as a "pro" blogger where you'll be paid.

I liken this to cooking for yourself vs. being a professional chef. If you want folks to keep coming back for more, you have to serve it up right!

And I say this as a writer who started out blogging for pleasure, who has since then evolved into a "pro blogger" who has been paid to blog on everything from business blogging, to romance-related posts, to even blogging about jazz music. On the regular!

Here's what you need to know if you'd like to do the same.

1. Know your audience, and let that knowledge be revealed in the topics you address, your tone, and your language. Keeping them in mind keeps them coming back.

2. Stay on topic. If I must admit, when I visit some sites, I'm not sure of what the focus or objective is. One day it might be about food, the next day about dogs, the next day about celebrities. That's okay for a "personal blog" but not a professional one. Of course, unless it's a commentary blog.

3. Watch your language and how much you reveal. I did a recent post that elaborates on this point at Workawesome. com.

4. Take advice from those who have been successful in venturing the path you choose to pursue. To quote a recent comment I heard, "Everybody's got a voice. But not everybody deserves the microphone." Are you with me here?

5. Know that numbers matter. Particularly in the form of blog comments and visible followers. Here's why: If you show no ability to engage your own target audiences with your writing, it will be hard to convince potential clients that your writing will be a hit in marketing their site, product, or services either. Make sense? :-)

Keep these five tips in mind to build your blogging career and your bottom line.

Thoughts?


IMAGE: Suvro Datta

The Rebel Writer! 5 Ways to break the rules and break the bank

Most scribes I know adhere to the “cardinal rules” of writing more strictly than the 10 Commandments!
Because experts and how-to gurus often give the impression that it’s the only path to publication.

However, it’s not long before these wordsmiths discover that there are many roadblocks when venturing down the “traditional path.”

Perfectly crafted queries get them nowhere, and wild goose chases often leave them frustrated and questioning whether or not they have the talent to make it in this business.

Perhaps it’s even you.
Take it from someone who knows---there’s a better way.

When I became a freelance writer many years ago, there were many obstacles facing me. At the time, I had never taken a class in writing, I had no college degree, (I now have several), no contacts or connections, and I hadn’t discovered my passion until much later in life! What I did have was a business background and the realization that I had to be strategic in order to overcome what I viewed as potential setbacks. To compensate for lost time and less experience, I learned to be more creatively clever than the next person. And to work my "BIC" off. And it worked big time!

What I figured out along the way, is that sometimes“ rules were meant to be broken”.

Here are a few that can increase your productivity and enhance your bottom line!

1. DON’T QUERY, BE HAPPY! Would you believe that I’ve sold about 600 articles, commentary pieces, short stories, and poems without ever once having written a query? Not one. Nada. The trick here is to request writers’ guidelines, produce your best work, be unique, and know intimately the audience of the publications for which you target.

2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO “PUSH THE ENVELOPE” A LITTLE!
A few years ago, an anthology publisher posted guidelines on an online bulletin board for an upcoming book that really bowled me over. I feverishly went to work, and submitted what I thought was a fantastic piece. There was just one problem. No matter how much weeding and revising I did, I couldn’t stay within their specified word count. For me, to dissect my story any more would take away some of the essence of my work. To remedy the situation, I wrote a nice little cover letter to the editor explaining my dilemma. Guess what? The piece was purchased and was ultimately selected from out of more than 600 entries around the country.

3. KNOW THAT “NO” DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN NO. As an avid reader, I sometimes enjoy writing book reviews. A local magazine that previously did not accept book reviews bought mine. The reason? It was well written, fit the slant of the magazine, and I had established a good working relationship with the editor. Sometimes you never know until you try!

4. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT ALSO WRITE WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO DISCOVER. Never limit your creativity to things that you have prior knowledge of. You’ll miss out on some great fun and the opportunity to expand your knowledge base.

5. WRITE EVERYDAY? I wouldn’t dare dream of it! Truth is, sometimes my muse acts as rebellious as a teenager. The more I force, the more she holds out. Still, I do something each day to support my writing career. When I’m not crafting a piece, I read or research markets, or turn on the boob tube to be inspired. You should too!

Some rules were indeed meant to be broken. And my long,
successful, satisfying career is positive proof of it!

Thoughts? Break any "rules" in your writing career?
This piece was previously published by me @ Writing for Dollars and is dedicated today to Linda O'Connell.


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