Where to start if you want to run a column or blog?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A small instruction for beginners.

This question was submitted by our reader. You also ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer.

How to start writing columns or blogging?

Anonymously

If you haven't written anything since your high school essay days, but really want to, start by understanding what your column or blog is for. What are the benefits for those who read them? And who, by the way, is your reader? On which platform will he follow you, how old is he, what is his hobby? How will your blog differ from other projects on similar topics? By answering these questions, you will be able to formulate the mission of the column or blog.

Since you want to create not one text, but a whole series (both the blog and the column imply that), it would be good to test the mission for strength. Try to come up with 10–20 topics. Do they all fit into your concept? Will you have anything to say after 20 texts? If yes, great, continue.

Then start writing. The hardest part is to overcome the fear of a blank slate. There are several that will help you cope with it: for example, you can try to make a plan of the text and then expand it to an article, or write a message to a friend with the main theses of the material, and then polish the wording. When you've finished writing, put it aside for a while and then look with a fresh eye. Are there expressions in the material that do not convey anything to the reader and are painlessly cut out? Heavy-to-read wording? Duplicates, extra or missing commas? Learn not only to write, but also to edit the finished text.

When the material seems good enough, you can post it on social networks or show it to your loved ones: this way you will see the first reaction. Study any feedback and don't be intimidated by negative comments, they can be very valuable too.

Do not worry that you do not have knowledge and experience: they will never appear as long as you just dream of a blog, and do not create one. With each text, the skills will improve. Be sure to keep learning and absorb new knowledge. Lifehacker has a free course "" for those who want to write - take it to learn more about writing and editing.

If you have come up with a useful blog, realized who it is for, and have already written a couple of articles, continue. Lead the project on any platform you like and learn new ones. Improve your texts. When you feel more confident and understand that the number of readers is steadily increasing, you can try yourself as a columnist in some media. Study and write to the contact mail with a proposal for specific topics. Be prepared for edits or rejections - do you remember that any feedback is valuable? If you're turned down, don't give up: keep learning, writing, and offering your services to other sites.

The creation of any blog is a job, it will not take long on enthusiasm alone. If you are willing to think, edit and fix a lot, you have a chance of success. I believe in you, good luck.