Guest post by Eric Rea
What’s the difference between a blogger and a journalist?
One still has a day job.
Jokes aside, there’s still a lot that bloggers can learn from journalists. Here are a few ways that thinking like a journalist can help your blogging.
Write a Post Daily.
I’ve never been a full-time journalist, but I was in a newsroom part time in college. I learned something that has helped me since — you have to get the story out and you have to do it quickly. Every single day no matter what. Give yourself a deadline every day and it will motivate you to “ship” — even if your blog post is not perfect.
Use an Editorial Calendar.
This is especially helpful if your blog has multiple writers. Brainstorm themes then write topics and plan them out. It’s good to have backup content. Consider writing a series of posts around a theme (such as a 3-day series on how businesses are using Foursquare). Schedule posts around common themes during the year (such as stress relief for bloggers). Every December I like to list the most popular posts of the year. Then for New Year’s I write about what I want to accomplish for the new year and ask for feedback.
Write about News.
Write about news in your niche and try to be one of the first ones on the story. People will read and link to blog posts around hot topics, so pay attention to what’s in the news right now and see if you can tie it into your blog post. Use a tools like Trendistic to see what’s happening on Twitter or look at the front page of Digg to see what’s new. Another way to find out what is happening is to go to search.Yahoo.com and search for a keyword.
Think of your readers.
Always think of your readers and what their needs are. You want readers who not only read, but readers who talk to you. Don’t lose sight of that fact. While many journalists have lost their jobs, you won’t lose yours if you forget your readers. You just won’t have many.
Any other tips that have helped you improve the quality of your writing? Please share them in the comments.
Eric Rea is a college student from Canada who loves Blogging and Sports. He spends his free time working on his own blogs and playing sports. You can follow him at @ericwilliamrea.
About Kiesha Easley
You’re right, it’s all about putting out content and doing it on a consistant basis!
As a Blog Marketer it seems that most people just dont know how to promote their blog, this causes lots of frustration
Updating posts and keeping content fresh is hardest!
As a college journalist, I couldn’t love this post more! I think my background in journalism has helped me in all of these ways as a blogger. One other thing is the stress and pressure of deadlines in the newsroom made me a quicker writer, which helps with the editorial calendar.
Yay for journalism :)
Lauren Ashley Miller recently posted..The Social Funnel- Twitter- and Theory
The hardest part for me seems to be adding new relevant posts daily. Either time constraints or creative difficulties seems to limit me.
Great article, this is so true! It is important to write an article daily.
Wow! This was really great, we can really learn from journalist way of writing articles or news for our blogs because blogging is just the modernized version of journalism. The opportunity for blogging is really huge and therefore this is very important as pointers for us bloggers. Having a passion in blogging, maybe the most essential pointer to learn from a journalist point is writing by how your readers think.
Florida Traffic Tickets recently posted..Florida Traffic Accident News – High Speed Car Crash Leaves Bradenton Eye Doctor Dead
Stress relief is also very important for our mind because in today life it is very hectic. Finally I like your thought.
“…even if your blog post is not perfect. ”
See, this is where I sabotage myself. I’m so afraid to post something that I consider a “B” post. And then it festers into fear of not having anything good EVER to put up. So lately I’ve only gotten two posts up a week if I’m lucky. It used to be double that. Ugh. Maybe I should just make myself write something now, no matter what.
Kathy recently posted..My Wall Street Journal Interview
I’m still trying to keep pace at writing posts more frequently, so far I can write an article every 2 days. But I guess the more I will write, the more I can adapt and improve.
Cindy recently posted..Beach Portraits by z3olyte
I think that one of the biggest problems bloggers have is that they recycle content rather than present something unique. Journalists report the news that they investigate and research. Bloggers take others work and re-purpose it.
I think it’s important to have something to say which hasn’t been said in the same way before. If you can find anything out there which already includes your bullet points and you have no unique take or angle or manner of presentation, don’t say it. Research is one thing. Regurgitating is another.
Orchid64 recently posted..Will Miss 210 – the longer intestines theory
Hi Eric, thanks for the tips. One thing I would add is the personal experiences I go on and on about in a lecture to my children. There are life lessons in every situation and I always try to draw out something we easily overlook.
Kissie recently posted..Will Blogging Fade with Rap Music
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the tips. Admittedly, I still struggle to write on a daily basis. That’s the part I’m still working on.
Have a good one.
Oh, Kiesha, thanks for replying back so quickly. Your advise definitely gave me an idea.
Have a good one too.
Gines recently posted..A New Journey Will Begin Shortly
Hi Eric,
I’ll be checking out Trendistic..never heard of it. Thanks for sharing your tips.
I read blogs about writing and that has helped me a lot.
Take care!
-Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..10 Lessons in Eating a Raw Vegan Diet- Becoming Raw
All good points and I’m starting to write more about relevant topics on my blog now. (Wrote about Kanye joining Twitter yesterday)
Sometimes it is a struggle to write a post everyday, since I want everything I write to be of a certain quality but so far I have been churning them out. Even did two in one day yesterday.
I am going to start reserving certain days for themes, starting tomorrow with my first ever Sunday Inspirational.
Good tips and thanks!
Wayne Howard recently posted..Get Rich Quick
Eric: Good post. Looks like you guys/gals have something to say to citizen journalists. Would you be interested in an interview for one of our e-zines or blogs on citizen journalism?
Ron Ross
Catalyst-in-Chief
National Association of Citizen Journalists
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Ron,
I can’t speak for Eric, but I’d be honored to do an interview anytime. :)
Hey Dr. Ross,
I’d love to do an interview. Send me the details.
My email is ericwilliamrea@gmail.com
Thanks
Eric Rea recently posted..New Music Video From Brandon Flowers feat Charlize Theron
Hi Dr. Ross,
I’d love to do an interview.
you can contact me at ericwilliamrea@gmail.com
Thanks
Eric Rea recently posted..New Music Video From Brandon Flowers feat Charlize Theron
Hi Eric,
Trendistic is a new one for me. Thanks for the tip, it will come in very useful for at least one of my blogs.
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