When should I start a blog?
You should have started five years ago. Today’s a good day too.
What program should I write in?
It doesn’t matter.
Wordpress?
Great.
Typepad.
That’ll work.
Medium.
Great option.
So which one should I use?
They’re all better than the one you’re using right now.
I’m not using any of them right now.
Exactly.
OK, so I’m going to start writing.
Good, start right now.
Where should I put my drafts?
Don’t create drafts, publish what you write.
But I’m not a good writer yet.
How do you know if you’re a good or bad writer?
I just don’t think I’m good.
Are you writing for yourself or others?
For others.
OK, then let them decide if you’re a good writer or not.
What if I’m a bad writer.
That’s not a problem.
Why, because I’ll get better?
No, because no one is going to read your writing to tell you you’re a bad writer.
That’s kinda cruel Andy.
It’s a gift.
Is it a gift for people to ignore me?
Would you rather people ignore you while you’re not good or pay attention to you while you’re not good.
I’d rather they not see my bad writing.
Great, then get as much bad writing out the way as quickly as you can.
So I should write a lot?
Yes, a lot.
So how many posts should I write every week?
As many as you can.
Like three times a week?
Or once a day.
A post every day?
Or three.
I can’t write three posts in a day!
Ok, then write one a day.
How long should they be?
They should communicate an idea.
That doesn’t help me.
You’re making it too complicated. Just get an idea and deliver it in your voice.
What if I don’t know my voice?
Then you need to use it more.
So I’ll find my voice by using it more?
Yes.
Should I get email subscribers?
Sure, do that next week.
Why not now?
Because it’s a distraction.
Ok, so what if I’m not a writer?
Can you talk?
Yes, I can talk.
Then you can write. My friend Ray Edwards says that “Writing is doing part of thinking.” If you can think, you can write.
Well, I don’t think I can write.
Then you’ve got your first post.
What?
Write about how you don’t think you’re a writer.
That’s ironic. What if I run out of ideas?
Then write about how you run out of ideas.
People will think that’s dumb.
No, they won’t.
They won’t think it’s dumb?!
No one will be reading it to think it’s dumb.
That’s cruel Andy.
Anonymity is a gift for now. Go be anonymous. Enjoy it while you can.
