Q&A with September Luncheon Speakers

Written by Tricia Barendregt.

To blog or not to blog? That is one of the questions that Jackie Dana and Dr. Carolyn Roark will cover at the WCA Luncheon on September 16. They will discuss their insights on the how, when, and why of blogging, plus much more. We asked them a few questions about blogging, themselves and what you can expect to learn at the luncheon. This is what they had to say: 

WCA: How long have you been blogging?

Jackie: I consider myself a serial blogger, as I’ve lost count of how many blogs I’ve created and abandoned over the years. I first created a blog on Blogger in 2005 to document a trip to France. After that, I found ways to incorporate blogging first in my day job and now as a freelancer and author. Currently I have a personal/author blog, a business blog that’s being reworked, and guest posts in a number of different places.

Carolyn: I’ve been writing my own blogs for about 3 years. I got my start writing for other people’s blogs and online columns before that.

WCA: How did you come to be a blogger?

Jackie: Since grade school I’ve been both a fiction writer and journalist, writing articles for my high school and college newspapers and then community (print) publications. Blogging for me was a natural progression.

Carolyn: I was working as an independent writer, and websites are always looking for compelling content.

WCA: What kind of blogging have you done? Do you specialize in any topics?

Jackie: I’m a freelance copywriter and I write a lot of blog posts for B2C marketing, and particularly enjoy instructional, “how-to” posts. For my personal blogging, I’m trying to focus on my fiction and the craft of writing, while my new business blog will focus on different aspects of independent publishing and freelancing.

Carolyn: At this point, I prefer to write mostly for my own website. As an editor, I’m glad to help any smart, enthusiastic blogger who wants to improve their approach.

WCA: Who should come to this luncheon?

Jackie: I think the ideal audience would be people who have a blog that they want to take to the next level (or that they just don’t think is performing as well as they’d like). These can be personal or business blogs. Having said that, people will also benefit from our conversation if they don’t have a blog at all but want to start one.

Carolyn: Anyone who is contemplating adding a blog to their own marketing mix. Anyone who wants to write for other websites as a “gun for hire.” Anyone who feels their blog just isn’t yet all it could be.

WCA: What would you say to someone who wants to start a blog?

Jackie: First, ask yourself why you want a blog, and what you want it to accomplish. Is it a way to keep friends and family updated on your personal life, or is it part of a business? You need to be really clear about a blog’s purpose and its audience, and stick to it. One of the biggest mistakes people make is mixing multiple purposes on a single blog, making the branding and focus muddy and unclear, and then no one really knows what it’s about. And to be honest, you also need a combination of passion and commitment to make a blog succeed. If you want to grow an audience and possibly make money on a blog, you need to create new content weekly (if not daily) on a regular timetable.

WCA: Everyone seems to have a blog these days. What advice do you have for someone who wants stand out?

Jackie: Find your unique voice or contribution. What are others in your general subject field not talking about, or what can you bring to a topic that’s fresh and interesting? Maybe it’s really thoughtful analysis in an area that generally lacks such things, or maybe you insert humor into an otherwise serious subject. Regardless of what you write, it should be authentic to you. If you try to force it, you aren’t likely to stick to it over the long haul.

WCA: What are two things about the “business of blogging” that attendees can expect to learn from the luncheon?

Jackie: 1) How to turn a blog into a business through various monetization opportunities, and 2) how a blog can enhance and grow an existing business of any type.

Carolyn: Attendees will learn to identify the best blogging approach for their needs. They will also learn simple hacks for better writing.

WCA: What are some of the biggest challenges that bloggers face?

Carolyn: You must learn to be consistent and persistent. And it’s tough to continually find inspiration for new material. Then of course, there’s the lingering fear that no one reads or likes what you produce.

WCA: What are some blogging mistakes and how to avoid them?

Carolyn: You can’t write like you speak. Active phrasing trumps passive. NOT using an editor will cost you more in the long term.