Beyond Words

Mea culpa. Let me just get that out here right up front. I have totally neglected both of my blogs of late; sure I have a few great excuses but…

Last week while sitting at a Starbucks working, instead of trying to work at my son’s house while negotiating a 2 and 5 year old, I was writing about how to make blogging a priority. Or rather, why a business owner with a website should consider blogging and how to do it effectively. Of course, one of the standard things every blogger will tell you is that you have to be consistent. If you are sporadic in posting articles your customers or followers might stop coming to read. Everyone wants new content. It lets the reader know the blogger  is involved and motivated. Fresh content reassures a potential customer that you, the owner, are paying attention to your business.

Wow. I know how to say the right stuff. But of late, I have not been following my own advice. I’ve got a new client, an SEO marketing expert, who’s hiring me to write articles for his blog and to write for his clients as well. I’ve done my first job for him and am working on the next 2 pieces for him. I’m doing all the right things to build our relationship; pitching ideas, collaborating, meeting deadlines, communicating promptly and producing copy he wants and likes. All good.

But, I got lost in the last few weeks. Lost priorities, lost a clearer purpose and lost most of all my discipline.  So, to add some metaphors here, it’s time to get back on the horse, to get back on the wagon, to follow the trail of crumbs.

The first step is to get a blog post up. Here we are, done that.  The harder bit is to examine what went awry in order to keep that from happening again. Like any other freelance writer, my blog is a way I try to connect with potential clients. It’s part of my marketing toolkit and neglect is unacceptable.

Without beating myself up, I got off track a little. We all do it and the only real answer is just to get a plan; a short term one at first and then a more involved, realistic set of goals to keep me going.

I love blogging and the rewards I get in seeing the finished product and in reading your comments are motivating. And, the funny part is that when I’m in the groove and blogging it’s so much easier to stay connected.  The work itself is often as rewarding as the potential results.

I can’t promise that I won’t fly off the map again. We’re all human and our priorities shift at times due to necessity or events beyond our control. But for now I’m present and accounted for.

photo from Everytrail.com