IF you are struggling for ideas on what to write for your blog then instead of pulling your hair out take a look on your computer for inspiration.
I have just been pinging emails to Linda Jones whose website You've Got Your Hands Full is going from strength to strength as her readers get involved via comments and linking to the site.
Linda has just mentioned that hidden away on her computer are three files full of articles she has written in the past that are suitable for her site.
I think both journalists and businesses can draw from this and look at ways to use what they have already produced as a way to update their blog or website (see also Make the most of your work).
There are a couple of things I would keep in mind before copying and pasting pieces across the first of which is copyright and to make sure that you are able to use pieces on your own site.
Most journalists should have come to some agreement on this when they first wrote the piece and most businesses will have secured copyright when purchasing the work.
Also be aware of posting a number of pieces up in quick succession as search engines may wonder what is going on and could penalise the site, thinking it is some way to spam the results.
But the most important consideration is the tone of the articles - writing for a newspaper, brochure or official publication is very different to what you should be looking to achieve through your blog.
The key to a blog is the connection and relationship with readers it generates, putting marketing speak and brochure-ware on the site will destroy its very essence.
So if some articles are not suitable don't be tempted to put them up and instead use them as inspiration, for example, if you prepared a booklet for a trade show write something on what you gained from the show, or what you learnt for the next.
Turning to your computer's hard drive could be a very useful way to get you out of writer's block, just be careful you don't put a barrier between you and your readers.
Hi Craig,
Thanks so much for your continued support with You've Got Your Hands Full. As ever you make such excellent observations and give brilliant guidance on where to go with this stuff.
Many of the pieces I have are of specialist interest but can help parents facing specific challenges. With each, I can bring them bang up to date, relatively easily.
It's encouraging to note that readers of articles offering a first-person account of say miscarriage, post-natal-depression or even breastfeeding are drawing visitors to the site, but more importantly offering genuinely useful information.
I'm so pleased to get feedback that says 'thanks that really helped - good stuff!'
And that was one of the main reasons for starting the site - I couldn't help like that if those pieces were still hidden away in the chaos of my filing "system" on my PC.
Good day to you.
Posted by: Linda | March 22, 2007 at 11:49
Hi Linda, that connection with readers via comments and emails is often overlooked by writers of a blog, it's rare to have such immediacy when writing for a newspaper or magazine.
All the best, Craig
Posted by: Craig | March 23, 2007 at 08:23