Too Much of a Perfectionist?
I am at the point with my blog that I need to add more content. I know how important it is to provide my readers with interesting and useful information so they will keep coming back to my site. In fact, I literally have a list of over 100 topics that I'd like to post articles on! It has become a daunting task for me.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy researching and writing articles, but I find that I edit them so much to get them "just right" that it sometimes takes me an entire day just to get one new article posted. I am concerned that my grammer has to be perfect or readers will not believe that I am an 'expert' on the topics I write about. Then, I have to consider the number of paragraphs, intro, ending, etc. - yes, I recall those lessons from English class many, many years ago!
I thought I might speed up the process by purchasing some articles from other authors and places like Elance. After I read the submissions I paid for, I found myself editing them as well! They didn't sound quite like me or flow well enough. I couldn't put my name on something like that, so I ditched that idea.
The solution for me has been to invite other authors to guest post on my site. I don't allow outside links within the articles, only an author credit at the end of the article. My site is pretty active so it takes, ideally, about 10+ new articles per month to keep it where I am satisfied. I choose the authors based on my topics and their expertise, then I personally invite them to submit something specific. Most of the authors offer affiliate programs for their products or services so I have a relationship with them now as well.
I still take time to write some of my own content, but now I have less pressure to write all day long by bringing others in to help. Since their name is on the article, rather than mine, I don't feel as compelled to correct every little detail and have learned to let go of, just a little, control.
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It takes me all day to write, I wish I could do it a lot faster myself. Thanks for the advice :)
I'm a bit like that and I'm a writer. I had to learn, though, to establish a cutoff point or it's not worth it. And trust me when I tell you that your readers probably won't notice it if you forget to dot an "i" or cross a "t". Most don't know basic grammar anymore anyway. If it bothers you that much, though, you will have to find a way to edit quickly and efficiently. Guest bloggers help out with this problem. I applaud you for coming up with that solution. However, whatever anybody writes on MY site is subject to my editing. :) Good Luck!
What a great idea!! I'm afraid I'd still find myself reaching for the whiteout if I got someone else to guest write for me ... It's nice to know I'm not the only perfectionist around these parts.
NOTE: DO NOT try this at home - whiteout is hard to get off your monitor.
Funny! It's tough to let go, but it's a step in the right direction if you can wrap your mind around the idea that the article is not really YOU.
That's one way to do it indeed. In my case, my website is very personal to me and I want the readers to see that I'm writing my blog posts from personal experience or from my own research. I'm quite a perfectionist as well, but I learned to make things easier on myself.
For my product reviews for example, I'm writing the pros and cons about the product as I research it. That way it's much easier to write a good blog post on it.
It usually takes two days. I'm not writing non stop, though. So when you ask how long it usually takes to write blog post effectively then I would say half a day to a day. It also depends on how inspired I feel.
Hi Debbie! -
I wrote this post for you - some time ago!
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/davyrobot/blog/don-t-worry-be-crappy
Hi Debbie! -
I have seen you many - many - times!
And not always wearing the same hat! :)
I like to take this opportunity - to share one more of my 'rumblings' -- If I my!
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/davyrobot/blog/invisible-influence
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it does seem to take a long time to write the articles with the research, typing, spelling & etc. - I understand what you are talking about.