Jan O'Daniel's Blog » blogging

Carly Fiorina and my blog revolution

JanO — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:35:35 +0000

My schedule got all wonky today. An old/new client postponed a meeting and a rush project came to a screeching halt (for the moment). I don’t mind. I always have plenty of projects going on and appreciate the opportunity to pick the one I feel like working on vs. the one on deadline.

While working a bit on my home-study web content/copywriting course, I got to the part about generating ideas. That led me to start a blog post about finding content in the everyday, which led me to thinking about blogs I like and why, which led me to revising my original post to the one you’re reading now.

Whew. A bit circuitous, but that’s how ideas work most times.

And it proves my point, which is that by writing about something very ordinary that happened to me (working a blog post), I can share an idea that may prove helpful to you (write about your everyday life no matter who you are or what your blog is about).

My favorite bloggers do just that. Leo Babauta, Brian Clark and Alaina Sheer continually, constantly and consistently write stuff worth reading because they write about their lives and how it relates to you and to me.

Business and political blogs, on the other hand, have a tendency to slog, drone and drag their way through post after post with a self-serving agenda.

Who wants to read that?

So I propose a business and political blog revolution.

I propose that business and political bloggers (CEOs, politicians, their ghostwriters and the like) stop writing about their business or agenda — and start writing about their life and the application of it to the rest of us.

Wouldn’t it be more interesting to read about Carly Fiorina the woman on the campaign trail than to read a deadly, dull post that goes something like this: “During this morning’s event, Fiorina rode in a parade vehicle alongside Huntington Beach City Councilman Gil Coerper; Councilman Coerper’s son, Major Michael Coerper …”

Oh, joy and rapture. Carly road in a parade vehicle. (Who even talks like that?)

Instead, do what Carly doesn’t do and use your blog to let people live inside your world (at least part of it for a little while).

Tell us something personal and meaningful and then make a point about it.

Let us get to know you, the person with ideas — instead force-feeding us the prim, proper and staid persona you want to project.

Agree or disagree?

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Post tags: Alaina Sheer, blog, blogger, bloggers, Brian Clark, business, campaign, campaign trail, Carly Fiorina, ghostwriters, huntington beach city, ideas, Leo Babauta, life, lifestyle, person, political blogs, politicians, post, reading, woman, Write, writer, writers, writing

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Being me

JanO — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:24:00 +0000

I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about writing and communicating and all that. It’s what I do.

I love it, of course. And you, dear readers, seem to like it too. (Thank you.)

But sometimes I don’t wanna come up with another post titled “3 tips for better communication” or “How to write faster and better.”

Sometimes.
I just.
Wanna.
Write.
About.
Something else.

Sometimes I just wanna share my ideas, thoughts, opinions and experiences.

About nothing.
About me.
About life.

And life is a series of planned and unplanned conversations. Of good communication. Of bad. Of humor. Of sadness. Of humanity.

And so, that’s what I’m gonna do. Inspired by Christine, modeled by Dawn and informed by Alaina, I’m going to start writing about all kinds of things here.

I hope you like the change.

I know I do.

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Post tags: Alaina, blog, change, Christine, communication, conversations, Dawn, experiences, how to write, humanity, humor, ideas, life, nothing, reader, self, tip, Write, writing

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Holiday blogging hiatus

JanO — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:13:01 +0000

December is shaping up to be a busy month both personally and professionally so I’m taking my usual holiday blogging hiatus, albeit a little early.

But honestly, I’m also assessing the long-term value of this blog for you — and for me. I’ll be back in January with new content or a new blogging strategy.

Until then, there’s lots of great content within my previous posts. And, I’m still microblogging regularly on Twitter so follow me for quick-hit ideas that can instantly improve your writing and communication.

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Taking a short-term blogging vacation.

JanO — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:31:06 +0000

I love blogging, sharing ideas and teaching people something that’s new to them. It’s one of the reasons I love holding my 1/2-day writing workshops. I get to see people learn and re-learn great copy techniques.

For weeks now, I’ve been super busy with tons of exciting client engagements. (Yippee!) And in spite of my jam-packed schedule, I can’t help but mull blog ideas over in my head. Unfortunately, there’s simply not enough time to capture them on paper. I spend anywhere from 20 minutes (rarely) to an hour (typical) or more (often) on my blog posts. But even 20 minutes is tough to come by these days.

And I don’t want to short-change you, dear readers, on content.

Which is why I’m ‘fessing up here. I wanna blog and share great copy ideas. I just can’t right now.

Ouch. It hurts to say that. But I simply cannot give you my best with my current schedule. It will change.

But until then, please forgive me while I take a short hiatus. While you’re waiting, please feel free to visit my archives or shoot me a question that could become a future post.

P.S. I’m still microblogging on Twitter most work days so follow me for some quick-hit ideas that can instantly improve your writing and communication.

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