How I Made The Decision to Begin Writing Online
Beginning an Online Presence
Allow me to pose a question. How does one begin to become a writer? It sounds like such a simple thing to ask. And the common answer is by writing, of course. But where? On napkins? In a journal? On Twitter? What is the best platform from which to begin writing your “Magnum opus?” Well, that is the greater question.
It’s a personal decision that every creator must make — where to start. Obviously, I’ve chosen to begin my writing career by building an online presence with a blog, but why have I made that decision? And why do I think other creators should make a blog as well? The following are a few of my own reasons.
The Why of My Personal Blog
Sure, I have an Instagram, and a Youtube channel with no videos on it as of yet, (Here’s hoping that will change eventually,) but the blog is coming first.
“A blog is so accessible to a novice like me, because of the un-curated nature of it.”
I realize now, that a blog is something special, and not to be discounted in this age of video content bombardment, and immediate attention.
A blog is so accessible to a novice like me, because of the un-curated nature of it. I don’t have to worry about whether the content is completely thought and planned out. I don’t have to worry about entertaining the $#i+ out of people in increasingly shameless attempts to inspire them to “FOLLOW ME.” No learning curve, (Ie. video editing, filming, youtube story structure, etc.)
I just get to go with the flow of my own making. I talk about what I’m currently doing, and thinking about.
I’m not overtaken by thoughts of how many likes or views a post might get, or whether my content is “Evergreen,” (Ie. something worth reading after the current social trend has scurried by,) or even whether I’ll be able to monetize at some point. With a blog, I just get to ride along with my creative energy, and begin to settle back and casually get accustomed to a growing responsibility to write often, as all writers MUST do.
I, like all beginning writers, have a LOT of bad writing habits that I will need to get out of my system, before I begin writing novels, and this is a place to do that, while at the same time, sharing the process.
“…Blogging is a lot like making a “Mud pie,” except you’re actually adulting.”
It’s like when I was a kid, and everything I did, was just because I was having fun doing it! In fact, I’d say that blogging is a lot like making a “Mud pie,” except you’re actually adulting. And that’s so LIBERATING for a chronic over-thinker like me. Blogging feels more like making a “Dear Diary,” than it feels like work, which is GREAT for now, because I barely know what I’m doing...
However, here’s someone who absolutely does!
Let Me Introduce You to Ali Abdaal
Let me introduce you to Ali Abdaal, a popular youtuber, blogger, and e-course creator, among many other things.
I found out about Ali Abdaal when I was searching for courses on how to use Final Cut Pro X, (by the way, he teaches a GREAT course on the subject on skillshare, so def. check it out if you want to begin creating youtube videos, or want to learn general video editing in Final Cut!)
“I always thought I wasn’t entertaining, original, or talented enough…”
It’s taken me quite a few years to get to the point where I was comfortable posting online. I always thought I wasn’t entertaining, original, or talented enough, and was constantly searching for perfection in everything I did.
I was at a standstill for YEARS, constantly putting perfection ahead of completion. I thought I had to “Learn it all,” before I would be ready to share my ideas with the world. I thought I had to be the BEST — better than anyone else, otherwise I wouldn’t be worth listening to. (I’ve recently found out that in the “writing world,” this is called imposter’s syndrome… but most might call it procrastination by way of the fear of sucking.)
This video by Ali Abdaal completely changed my perspective on what it is to share my journey. In fact, the way I feel now, is a complete 180 from the way I used to feel about getting started with my career, and I owe a lot of that to Ali.
How Writing Online Made me a Millionaire
Done Is Better Than Perfect!
Here’s a random thought… We don’t have to be perfect. To be completely honest, we don’t even have to be good at what we’re doing.
I have to ask myself, who am I really doing all this for, anyway? Am I doing this for other people? Or doing it for myself?
I’ve had a recent revelation… I don’t care anymore, if I’m good enough to become successful. I don’t care if I’m even good enough to avoid embarrassment.
I want to do this either way. Whether I’m good or downright terrible. I want to do this for me, and no-one else. Because it’s something I LOVE!
