Dialogue or Monologue?
That’s the question I ask when I read other people’s blogs.
Is the author talking to me or to him or herself?
Dialogue or Monologue? It’s a question I ask myself every time I’m writing a new blog post. Am I really talking to my readers, or am I involved in a narcissistic exercise?
Ideally, I want my stories to be the start of a conversation with you. That’s why the comment section is my favorite part of this blog. I love it when readers share their experiences and offer additional insights.
There are also comments that you never get to see.
Good stuff as usual Paul. I think it ties in nicely with your earlier post, “Why I Spy On You”, which gives a lot of information on fine tuning your blog.
Paul… I’ll have to admit, I don’t blog like I should because I just wonder if what I have to say is worth the read for most people. Maybe it’s an attitude I need to get over. Things come to be in spurts and don’t seem to be strong enough an idea to expand on. Time for a little self reassessment, I guess. And you always knock me out with the way you think and write.
Thanks for the kind words, guys. My rule of thumb is: If yo don’t have anything to say, don’t say it. Your time is better spent promoting your services in another way.
Paul,
Thanks for writing this. (Now I don’t have to.) 🙂
I say thanks, because I get these questions too, and sometimes I’m at a loss to answer them. I think anybody can blog, but not everyone can be a commercially successful blogger (by any of a number of metrics).
I often blog for myself, knowing I have a repository of info in a place that’s handy. Other times, I just need to vent, or notify, or warn, or edify, and it feels good to have that audience already built-up.
I had never blogged before I launched Voice-Acting in Vegas. I had lots of doubts and insecurities. All I promised myself was that I would not quit. I would commit and re-commit until I felt I had some traction.
I write every night. MY best time of creativity. The routine is supremely important. It never seems like work, now.
You, sir, are a consummate blogger for your excellent writing skills, your range of topics, your careful analysis, and your “voice” that comes through loud and clear.
I always look forward to the next one!
warm regards,
Dave Courvoisier
Dear Dave, what would it feel like to be a commercially successful blogger? Some folks are making a six figure income by writing so called reviews about diaper rash cream and lunch boxes. Is that a blog? To me it’s more of an infomercial.
Monetization has crossed my mind, but the minute I’d charge charge my readers for unlimited access to my blog, my readership would go down to 0.007%. The only commercial compromise I have made is to become an Amazon affiliate. It’s actually more of an experiment. I’m gathering data that eventually may lead to another article. So far, the results are rather underwhelming.
To me, the real blogging success lies in the number of connections I have made with colleagues and clients from all over the world. Those connections have enriched my life beyond my wildest expectations. Of course I hope that my articles will inspire and encourage freelancers to act in a more professional way. From the emails and comments I receive on a weekly basis, I see that this is happening and that makes me happy. That’s worth more than monetization.
In turn I want to thank you for sharing my mission. Your blog is an shining example of gentle, intelligent and positively persuasive thought leadership, and it continues to inform and enlighten us about this crazy profession we have chosen.
Whether in Vegas, Easton or Amsterdam, we’re all connected and I am so grateful for that!
There are times when my weekly blog misses my self-imposed deadline because the words aren’t ready to be read. I have several posts that are in various stages of completion. One has been in the drafts folder for close to a year about Girl Scout cookies and voice work. It’s not ready and may never be!
Love reading your writing. It’s inspiring. 🙂
Christopher, never take a good soufflé out of the oven when it isn’t ready. You now what will happen. It becomes hard to digest. Many thanks for your kind words from one chef to another!