Advice for starting up a blog
Welcome to Questions from my team; where my team at Deakin gets to ask me questions and hold me accountable in answering them.
So here's Question #2:
My short answer - YES!
The long version of that answer is split into three distinct parts:
(i) Consider the medium first!
A perfect place to start is to ask yourself, do I communicate best over written content?
For the team member asking the question, the answer is obviously yes.
But for others that may read this - a blog doesn't necessarily have to be written content.
It can range from videos to photos to the written word.
Example - I'm terrible on video; so I steer away from it as often as possible.
So identify the medium that is best suited to you, and own it!
(ii) Create content consistently; as defined by you
I hate it when Garyvee is like - you should be posting a billion of pieces of content a day!!
And you're sitting at the screen like, wtfffffff is this mad man talking about?!?!
But creating content consistently is crucially important, especially when your idea is fresh.
However, it is important to set realistic expectations on what consistency means to you.
I was 18 when I started my travel/culture blog; then, it was literally just a place where I could practice writing on the digital medium.
It was ad hoc publishing, I didn't have any time frames and it was only really for me to read.
But when it started gaining more attention, I pivoted and starting publishing three times a week and always kept my modest but awesome audience in mind!
There's always time to adapt - so the best way to start is simply by starting.
(iii) Always write about things you care about
This is the simple answer to the issue of motivation and time.
If you're writing about things you already care about and love, it won't feel like just another task or chore you have to tick off during the week.
It should be your passion project rather than a "side hustle."
It should provide you a sense of escapism from the everyday.
It should make you smile - even just a little.
I love writing about the different cultures I visited while travelling, or what it is like navigating the everyday as an ethnic Australian or even writing this piece right now!
This doesn't feel like work in the slightest.
So if you're hella into books and poetry and indie films and reviewing said films - the answer to the questions is a no brainer!!