Marketing Your Blog

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Megan

I love starting new projects because the learning curve is steep and challenging. Starting a new blog means coming up with the idea, writing the posts, and watching the visitors roll in to read your words of wisdom.

Writing is the easy part! (Photo: B. Kopp)

Stop right there! If nobody knows you’re there in the blogosphere, nobody is going to come to visit. Marketing your blog is critical. I’m picking up the pace in our marketing plan in a couple of ways.

Step #1: Go Back to School
I started a guest blogging course with master blogger Jon Morrow. Guest blogging allows you to get your name out there, get recognized, and draw visitors to your site. This course is serious schoolwork and not recommended for casual bloggers who write to share news of their lives with family and friends. It’s for bloggers who want to learn how best to market their efforts in order to make money.

Step #2: Read and Learn
There’s always more than one way to do anything. I’ve checked out a few books from the library (Blogging for Dummies, WordPress for Dummies, etc.) and have been trolling top sites online (Problogger, Copyblogger, Blogging Tips, etc.). Read and absorb. Read and learn how best to market your work.

Step #3: Share Your Work
Social media sites are perfect for writers to get the word out, but sharing your latest blog means more than Facebook. I’m posting links on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+. Note to self: look into sharing via StumbleUpon, Digg, and Reddit.

Step #4: Google Analytics
Using this tool helps you keep track of the number visitors coming to your blog. You can follow which days see the most traffic and time your posts accordingly. Spoiler: it can be a fun time suck!

It’s a lot of work, but I’m keeping track of the numbers and will let you know how it goes. Do you have a marketing plan for your blog? Feel free to share.

Passion, Social Media and the Freelancer

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Megan

Hiking Kananaskis with a couple of mountain hounds! (Photo credit: B Kopp)

I love the outdoors; always have. It doesn’t matter if I’m strolling a frozen riverbank spotting early spring migrants or hiking a desert canyon – I’m into being outside. I also love the information and technology that either allows me to get outside with greater ease or provides insight into the world outdoors. Sharing this passion through social media is an easy conversation. Columbia Sportswear took notice and asked if I’d like some of their gear. I said no.

Just joking! I came home yesterday after a weekend away to find a package on the front porch. Inside it was a Columbia Trail Drier Windbreaker and a note that, among other things, said: “We dig your posts about the outdoors and wanted to help you get outside and enjoy them more.”

Okay, maybe it is blatant flattery and they are just hoping that I’ll tweet or blog about the product as a gear tester. Good (even bad) reviews help spread the product name. It’s free – and personalized – marketing for them. Participation in this is, of course, voluntary and without compensation other than the gear, but – and here’s the catch – I like their gear. It’s stuff I would and do buy on my own.

Will I spread the word through social media about this product? I already am – in case you haven’t noticed! And I will continue to do so – in my own way and on my own schedule – because it suits me. Would I do this for every company? No.

I received an email last week asking if I’d like to write a travel-related post for a different company’s blog. I asked if it was a paying proposition. They said no, but would I be interested in goods or services in kind. I looked at their products and said thanks, but no thanks. It’s not that their product is bad – in fact, just the opposite – but it isn’t something that I would be spending money on. Their product is not my passion.

Writing for free is a hot topic these days. Dissenters will say that I should hold out to be paid for writing anything – even for a product that I personally like. I say that most times they are right…

… but usually not when it comes to outdoor gear!

What’s your passion/writing niche?

Back and blogging again

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Megan

“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamouring to become visible.“- Vladimir Nabakov

I showed a friend some travel pics a while ago and he asked, “Why aren’t these, and stories of your adventures, on your blog?”

Cinque Terre’s Blue Path at sunset, Italy. (Photo: Megan Kopp)

Good question.

I guess it’s safe to say, I’ve been busy. It may be true, but it’s probably a bit of a cheat.

Lazy? Perhaps a little.

Unfocused? Yup.

Unsure if maintaining this blog was really necessary? Definitely.

I’ve recently come to the realization that promoting yourself is not only necessary, it’s rather critical for a freelance writer. Letting people know who you are and your specialties is important – especially if one your niches is something like enjoying the outdoors through self-powered travel. It can be a somewhat small market for a writer.

That being said, here goes a toot or two – and no, you don’t need to stand back from the monitor!

I’ve got a hiking article on Italy set for online publication in September.
Several weeks ago I received feedback from my spring continuing education travel writing course at Mount Royal University – and this, copied directly by staff from comment sheets, is what the students said:

What did you like about the course?

Megan was very well prepared, knowledgeable, provided a great deal of relevant information and resources
That Megan encouraged so much class participation – we all critiques each other’s work.

What changes would you like to have made that would improve the course?

Nothing it is great
I liked it as is
Nothing at all – WOW!

Other Comments:

Megan was informative, knowledgeable, humorous, helpful, encouraging.

I may be blushing, but I’m also focused, knowing that what I say can have an impact and that what I write can be useful to others.

What about you, do you think it’s important for your writing and work to have an impact?

Networking Opportunities for Freelance Writers

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Megan

“It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

I started writing for a local regional parenting publication almost 12 years ago. Well over a hundred articles later, the editor let me know late summer that they are closing shop and reassessing if, when, and it what form, they may come back.

A newly acquired book editor seemed like the perfect fit in September. In October email reads “moving on to new position in a different company.”

Sent a query to a local newspaper. “Like the idea, unfortunately no budget for additional stories this month.”

One children’s writer forum I follow has a new thread about disappearing school visit opportunities.

Interesting times in the life of a freelance writer. Some may see this news and think it’s time to reassess the writing career. Others may look at it and say get busy finding new places and ways to sell your words. I’m of the latter school.

There is no doubt that the publishing world in a state of flux. Budgets (or lack thereof) are a direct reflection of the current economic recession. There is a definite shift in delivery from paper to computer screen. But the sky isn’t falling in, it’s just clouding over. When the clouds clear, it may look a little different, but it’ll still be there.

Now’s the time to network (see my post on social media for writers). Contact other writers who’ve mentioned potential new markets and follow through on those leads. Join writing organizations and attend the conferences and other networking opportunities. I’ve got to admit, this is harder than it sounds if you’re somewhat quiet in crowds, but the pay-off is there.

Ready, Set, Net (work!)

Children’s writers – check out the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrator’s (SCBWI) 12th Annual Winter Conference ,Jan 28 -30, 2011.

Travel writers – check out the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC).

Social Media for Writers

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Megan

There’s been a lively discussion going on in my non-fiction for kids group on marketing and social media for writers. The debate rages about whether or not one should toot their own horn and how loud, how often, etc. It’s stirred up a lot of opinions about the value of time spent on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve questioned it myself.

Writers are wondering where the line is drawn between self-promotion and annoying people.

I’ve wondered the same.

What I do know is that I have had amazingly good fortune just talking with people, getting to know them and letting them get to know me.

True Writer’s Tale Number One
I was on a press trip to Kentucky. The trip almost didn’t happen because I was recovering a recent cycling accident. I reached my destination and found out that one of the writers was delayed. As a result, we had an hour of down time in the airport. Another writer and I started chatting and before long we were swapping tales of adventures and mishaps. I didn’t have a chance to talk with this writer again for the rest of the trip, but less than a week later, I received an email. One of her fellow editors was looking for a bicycling feature and she recommended me, would I be interested? Are you serious? I’m a freelance writer! That chance meeting turned into four years of cycling features for this publication.

True Writer’s Tale Number Two
I met a fellow writer for coffee and brought along my two newly released kid’s books. I was feeling proud and wanted to share this success. Pat took her time looking at the books and then threw out the name of another publisher in Calgary that I should contact because my work would fit perfectly with their format. Turns out I’d already approached the publisher, but never heard back. As luck would have it, Pat knew the managing editor and had her email address. I sent out an introductory query the next day. I’m now working on my third book for this company (thanks Pat!).

My thoughts on Social Media
It doesn’t matter if you toot your horn softly or blow it loud. Just make sure people get a chance to know you. If they know you, they’ll care about what you have to say. Share your passion, not your product. Don’t fret about self-promotion, be yourself. Do it through Facebook, do it through Twitter, or do it in person. Open up and let the writing/reading world get to know you. It pays off!

“One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills.” – Earl Wilson, columnist (1907-1987)