Blogging: The Rules Are….There are No Rules

Bloggers who earn money like to tell other bloggers how to earn money. It’s what we do. We like to think our way is the best way and share our success secrets with others.  Here’s the thing though, what works for one blogger doesn’t necessarily work for another. If there’s one thing I’ve learned these past few years it’s to use other bloggers’ experiences to experiment with my own blog, but find my own formula for success.

Every time I read another blogger’s thoughts on how to kill a blog, I feel as if they’re writing about me.  My sidebar is cluttered, my SEO sucks,  and I’ve been tweaking my navigation for months (though judging from your mail it’s better now).  Here’s the thing….this is the formula that works. The monetization works, the navigation works and the search traffic is bigger than it’s ever been. I’m going to keep tweaking, because I’m the kind of girl who has to try the couch in every corner before committing to a permanent location. However, I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong – even though others may not feel the same way.

Here’s my piece of advice to you about blogging for a living: Take everyone’s advice into consideration but find the formula that works for you. No two blogs are alike.

New Research About Bloggers’ Ethical Beliefs and Practices

My blogging pal Peggy sent me a link to a new survey you may find interesting – the survey, published in the journal New Media Society, takes a look at how bloggers handle their own ethical beliefs and practices.

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore created a web survey related to the ethical ideals and ethical practices of bloggers, then sent said survey off to 1224 international bloggers with active, text-based blogs to find out more. The survey looks at both bloggers who blog for personal reasons and at bloggers who blog for clients.

While the opinions of just 1224 bloggers is in no way comprehensive (Technorati tracked around 113 million blogs in 2008) it’s still interesting to read what these bloggers think. Blogs are often viewed as a form of citizen journalism, BUT one open to anyone with Internet access. Because blogs continue to grow in both popularity and consumer influence, many think that bloggers should adhere to an ethics code, one much like the standard code followed by other journalists. Of course as bloggers we don’t have a set code, but what the research found is that bloggers do follow codes of their own making.

According to the survey:

There are four major underlying ethical principles important to bloggers: truth telling, accountability, minimizing harm and attribution.

Issues related to the above four principles included:

• Truth telling = honesty, fairness and completeness in reporting.
• Accountability = being answerable to the public, bearing the consequences of one’s actions and revealing conflicts of interest.
• Minimizing harm = privacy, confidentiality, reputational harm, consideration of others’ feelings, and respecting diversity and underprivileged groups.
• Attribution = avoiding plagiarism, honoring intellectual property rights and giving sources proper credit.

Bloggers who blog for personal reasons valued attribution most, followed by (in order of importance) minimizing harm, truth telling and accountability.

Non-personal bloggers (i.e. you’re blogging for clients) valued both attribution and truth-telling most, followed by minimizing harm, then accountability.

What I found most interesting:

Both personal and non-personal bloggers value attribution most and accountability the least. However when it came to actually practicing attribution, non-personal bloggers do a better job. Personal bloggers tended to try and minimize harm more than they practiced attribution.  The researcher note that maybe non-personal bloggers are better at practicing attribution because of credibility. When you’re working (blogging) for someone else, citing sources and placing links is way more credible and one way that bloggers can make readers take their content seriously. What I found surprising about this is that many personal bloggers I know are using their personal blogs as vehicles for something else. Not all of course, but many personal bloggers use their blogs as a gateway to becoming a working blogger or writer so you’d think they’d want to look credible.

Accountability was valued and practiced least by both groups of bloggers. The researchers state that this might be because bloggers feel safe behind their blogs i.e. maybe they think that they can’t be sued for content (which is false, you can be sued for content). The researchers further note that perhaps bloggers don’t place as much value or risk on failed online relationships as they might face-to-face relationships.

Personally had I taken the survey I also would have placed the same high value on attribution and truth-telling that other non-personal blogger did. However unlike the bloggers surveyed I think accountability is more important than minimizing harm. Minimizing harm is for sure important, and obviously I don’t think we should ever reveal confidences that we’ve signed off on. I also don’t think we should slam others just for laughs or fail to consider others feelings, but when it comes down to it, I think it’s more important to be honest than to avoid hurting feelings.

All in all though an interesting survey and I like that it highlights values that bloggers should be considering. It’s a nice reminder of how we should best act in order to keep clients, readers, and other bloggers happy, or at least trusting us.

The best thing IMO is to actively practice all four ideals – but just for kicks where do you stand on these values. There’s truth telling, accountability, minimizing harm and attribution; which do you value most AND which are you actually practicing the most?

Read the research online – Doing the right thing online: a survey of bloggers’ ethical beliefs and practices

Online resume mistakes you may be making

Applying for online writing gigs is a writing talent all on its own. If you make a mistake you’re not kicking off this whole, “I can write for a living” deal very well. Because you’ll be sending your resume / work bio by email, you need to adjust it for the web. Following are some mistakes not to make when applying for an online writing gig – be it a blog or other website.

Mistakes when applying:

You cut and paste from Word or another doc. application: This can result in some funky formatting and make your email look unprofessional.

You attach your resume or bio: NEVER send attachments unless a potential client asks you to specifically do so. Most folks won’t open attachments, and some have them blocked. However, if you have pertinent clips what should you do? Cover it at the end with a quick, “Magazine clips are also available upon request.” Exchange “magazine clips” with business clips or what have you as needed.

You’re long-winded: Long winded isn’t even great on a paper resume, but it’s the kiss of death on a web resume. Web writing is partially about being succinct. If your resume / bio shows that you can’t be you’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot.

You make spelling, grammar, or other errors that ‘writers’ shouldn’t make: Come on now, I know you know this one. Don’t do it. Note though that web writing technique is different than other sorts of writing. Short blips in bullets are fine for a web resume.

You post the great resume wall of text: HIT ENTER! I’ll say it again… hit enter. I get emails from people who have questions about writing online, and that’s cool, but I don’t make it through half on them because my eyes don’t enjoy reading 60 lines+ of text in a row. Potential employers don’t want this either. Make your text skim-friendly. Note that some bold headings and bullets will help as well.

You leave the subject blank: In the subject should be the job title you’re applying for.

You use a lame-ass email: Sexy_writer@yahoo.com is NOT a good email. iwriteawesome@hotmail.com is also lame. If you can use an email with your name, or the name of your writing biz (if you have one).

You include too many irrelevant facts: No one cares about your ceramic dog collection or the fact that you like creating scrapbooks in your spare time. Keep to the facts which one, keeps it skim-friendly, and two, keeps it focused.

WHEN TO BREAK THE RULE ABOVE…

• You say where you’re from (quickly) – this has landed me jobs because where you’re from is a good conversation starter.
• The potential client ASKS for some personal info.
• Your personal info actually relates to the gig. When I applied for a pregnancy blog I write for I did mention that I’d worked as a doula, went to college for nursing/midwifery, and went through childbirth myself, because it made me look more credible.
• You can say it all in a few sentences. Something quick, like, “On a personal note, in my free time I like music, Frisbee, and have an insane addiction to chocolate” can add a bit of personality to an otherwise blah resume, but you need to add this at the end, and do so for gigs that seem a little more casual.

You add in your entire educational career: Fact, none of the clients I have right now asked me about my education ever, in fact, over the span of my writing career almost no clients have asked – good thing too since I’ve got degrees in math and science, not writing. Education is less highly rated in the online writing world than experience and your clips are. Sometimes a client will ask and by all means include it. OR the info may add to your credibility (like holding an RN degree when applying for a health site) but otherwise, education info only takes up space.

You don’t include links to clips: If you don’t have online clips, start a blog. If you don’t want to start a blog, start your own website and post your clips there. Clients want to see your clips.

For more tips on applying for blogging and online writing gigs read:

• Applying for Blogging Jobs – Do You Need A Resume?
• Sample introduction letter for blogging and online writing gigs
• Applying for a Blogging Job: When to Blow Off Directions

Coming soon we’ll look at mistakes not to make when posting your resume or bio on your personal website.

Client issue: make sure you’re not paid in oddball funds

Here’s a situation I haven’t run into before. I’m sure many writers have, but luckily this issue has escaped me; until now that is…

1. First of all I took a gig with a somewhat promising blog client. The editor I had to report to was cool, the blog was my style, it seemed all good. Then:
2. The editor that hired me quit immediately and the new editor they hired was the world’s biggest pain. She peppered her emails and posts with flowery, wordy, annoying to the max wording. For example, she always called the writers things like deary and the most bestest of friends (OMG).
3. I got fed up and quit. BUT I did turn in my contracted work first and they used it.
4. The client put my pay into a PayPal account back in December 2008. Not my PayPal account mind you because they misspelled my email.
5. I emailed (in December) and for some reason they couldn’t get it fixed. No one seemed to be able to get my $ into my actual PayPal account.
6. I emailed the old annoying editor who also had not been paid and was of no help.
7. Finally in April I decided to email every single day until they paid me, hoping that by being annoying, I’d maybe get my $. Up til then I’d been emailing every week.
8. Finally one of the blog owners emailed in Mid April saying “OH SO SORRY” and said she’d send a check asap. Nothing.
9. I emailed again. The owner says, “I just had a baby and was busy.” Um, ok. That would be a decent excuse if my payment wasn’t already 5 months late. I had a long labor with my son, but really, not 5 months. Geez.
10. So amazing beyond amazing I get a check the other day. Guess in what sort of funds…? That would be Canadian. Since I’m in the U.S. the exchange rate is not currently in my favor and I’d lose part of my money if I cashed it.

I don’t care if a client owes you $20 or $200 not paying you is the lamest damn client deal ever, and it’s so annoying because I’ve never had this issue in other types of work. Writing appears to be the only career where clients feel it’s a luxury to pay you or not pay you for the work you’ve done on a whim. Not all clients of course, some are great, but all in all writers run into this too often.

Long story short – SUPER obnoxious client, but there’s a lesson here too. Before this, I never even thought to check and see what sort of funds a client will pay you in. If you’re in a different country, you should make sure you’re going to get paid say the $50 they owe you in actual U.S. funds. I know I will from now on for sure.

Have you ever had clients try to pay you in funds that lower due to the exchange rate?

From Network Blogging to Blogging for a Living

The other day my blogging partner in crime, Jennifer Chait, and I had a conversation about this blog. Since neither of us really believe network blogging is the way to go when wanting to earn a real, sustainable living as a blogger, or even make a name for one’s self as a blogger, we wondered if a blog called “Network Blogging Tips” really reflects the way we feel about blogging for a living. Read more

What one PR gal really thinks about working with bloggers

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a series on PR contacts and tips for bloggers. In that series:

• How to create a ProfNet opportunity for blog news, products, and tips
• How to build or break relationships with PR contacts
• Managing Your Blog PR Contacts

During that series I noted that I had a PR person willing to answer some questions for us here at NBT. Today I’ve got those Q&As ready to go. My PR contact got a little time crunched at work, as we all do, hence the late posting of this, however, there is some excellent information here. If you blog it’s well worth a read – especially if you’d like to maintain good relationship with your PR contacts.

Q. Is there something you like better about working with bloggers vs. other media pros? Are there any perks related to working with bloggers? Read more

Which online writing and blogging jobs pay the best?

This week we’re discussing single parents who write online for a living.

Writing for a living is rare depending on your niche, and I’d wager that freelance bloggers and web writers fall into an even rarer niche. Single parents who write online and blog AND make a good living probably fall into an even rarer niche. At least up to this point. The good news is that web writing gigs are on the rise.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Ed. says these general writing jobs are where the best opportunities are:

• “Technical writing, blogging, and other writing for interactive media that provide readers with nearly real-time information.
• Print magazines and other periodicals increasingly are developing market niches, appealing to readers with special interests, and making Internet-only content available on their websites.
• Businesses and organizations are developing newsletters and websites, and more companies are publishing materials directly for the Internet.
• Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring the demand for writers and editors, especially those with Web experience.”

The OOH also notes, “Replacement needs are relatively high in this occupation because many freelancers leave because they cannot earn enough money.” Which is good news if you’re looking for work, but sort of a downer too; others leave because pay is low, but people are ready to step in.

The above is just general information though. In the last post, I noted that as a single parent you need to aim high and find the highest paying gigs. Where are those jobs?

First of all, to know if you’ve got a decent paying gig on you hands you need to calculate your hourly rates in order to figure out if a client is worth it. No writer should skip these steps, but they’re very important if you’re the sole bread winner. It doesn’t pay to take 20 low paying gigs vs. 5 higher paying gigs and these steps help to point this out.

Where I’m seeing (or not seeing) the best paying writing jobs online: Read more

How to create a ProfNet opportunity for blog news, products, and tips

Last week we started talking about bloggers and their PR issues. One reader; Keilann asked, “How do you create targeted call for products and ideas at ProfNet? I’ve signed up for the site but it’s very overwhelming and I can’t find any in-depth instructions on how to use it to my advantage.”

First off, she’s not wrong. ProfNet seems to like making it as hard as humanly possible to set up a query letter to send off to PR folks. I had issues when I first tried. My blogger friends have had issues. It’s just sort of  a wacky process.

I haven’t done a targeted query (or what’s actually called an opportunity) in a while, so let’s see if I remember how… Read more

How to build or break relationships with PR contacts

This week we’re taking a peek at PR topics that relate to bloggers. Yesterday we talked about Managing Your Blog PR Contacts. Coming up we’ll look at how to set up a ProfNet query letter and bonus – I’ve got a couple of PR folks lined up who will be telling us what it’s like to work with bloggers. The good, not so good, and more. So stay tuned.

Today – how to build relationships or I suppose you could look at it the other way too; as in how to royally mess up your relationship.

There’s no fancy tricks to managing your PR relationships. What I live by in the online and offline world, is treat others as you’d like to be treated, and everything will eventually work out; and if not, the relationship was not worth your time. It’s not very complex, but for me, it works. Keep in mind that when I say PR, I’ve merged companies into that category. They’re not the same, but I do handle them the same, because both companies and PR folks feed me info.

If I don’t currently want a relationship with a specific PR person: Read more

Three Useful Blogging Tools Including the Best Free Image Editor for PCs

In the post One Blogging Tool That Makes My Life Easier, I noted that eventually I’d cover some other cool tools. Looks like I’m late – better late than never I suppose.

Three other blogging tools I’ve been very happy with include:

1) The Sociable plugin. This is a plugin that many of you may know, but since I like it, I’m still going to mention it. In case you haven’t used it, Sociable is the plugin that creates this (see below) at the bottom of your blog posts. …

I really like Sociable because it’s one of those reliable plugins. It’s never given me any trouble, is easy to personalize, and of course allows folks to bookmark your posts at all the best social networking sites. Some plugins are ultra testy and annoying; this one just does its job.
Read more

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