Blogging Keeps Me Outta Trouble . . .

Camping - my way

I blog.

And now you're probably wondering why on earth I'm blogging about blogging.

Wait for it . . .

My blog is a series of short stories about growing up.

Huh. Me. Growing up.

Most people think it didn't happen. Couldn't happen. Will never . . . but I digress . . .

Occasionally, I feel guilty about spending such a lot of time with my beloved blog.

Even entertain the thought of abandoning it.

But then, someone tells me to continue.

Usually this is a reader (I do have them . . .). Or a person who has read a particularly amusing tale (true story). But sometimes, it is someone . . . OFFICIAL (dun, dun, duuunnn!).

This has happened to me.

Twice.

The first was my publisher, Cedar Fort.

Imagine my joy . . . "Diane, get your name out there. Blog. Get people reading your blog."

It's like being told, firmly, to "Eat that chocolate! All of it. Don't miss a bite! Oh, and lick the wrapper when you are done!"

Mmmmmm.

Where was I?

Oh, yes. Bog.

And officiality. (is that a word?)

I scurried (favorite word) to obey, frantically typing little stories and posting them. Then telling everyone in Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Google . . . you get the picture . . .

It was . . . fun. (Fun being 'ten' on the 'fun-ness' scale.)

All was well.

Then, another magical day.

I was sitting in Church ( I do that sometimes) and our Stake President was speaking.

And what pithy, uplifting theme did he choose to advocate?  

Blogging.

You heard me right.

It was from the pulpit.

I am not making this up.

His exact words were, "I encourage you to blog. Blog. Blog. Blog. People are reading your stories. They are making a difference."

Okay, I know that there were many, many people in the congregation, but I'm sure he was talking to me.

That made it official. With a capital OH!

And good enough for an elbow in my husband's ribs and a hearty "Ha! Told you so!"

So I blog.

Officially.

It just doesn't get any better.

So, admit it, you're convinced. Blogging is what you want to do.

Now, how to do it?

First, choose an amazing topic.

For example, what do you most enjoy reading or hearing about?

Surprise! That's what your blog should cover.

Things you enjoy.

That was easy.

So now you are writing a world-class blog. How do you get to be, for want of a better term, better?

Be entertaining. Be unexpected. Be humorous. Be inventive. Be courageous.

Okay, yes, also be honest.

Sigh.

Then get yourself known.

How, you ask?

Well, you could do something outrageous.

But, trust me, that just creates more problems.

I know.

Really.

Moving on . . .

The best way would be to blog every day. Get your name out there every day.

Post every day. (Have I said 'every day' too much?)

And read other blogs.

Comment.

Their authors will follow you back.

In a non-creepy way, of course.

And before you know it, your readership has gone from zero to sixty to six hundred to . . . you understand.