I’ve been putting this off for months.
It’s ironic that a copywriter is too scared to write her own blog. The very thought of it makes me want to pee myself in fear.
Procrastination is the enemy of all small businesses. We put things off until tomorrow, when we have more time to focus, to think, to get it right. But in small business, there is never enough time! And I’ve finally realised that procrastinating is doing nothing to help my business.
That fear that I will be boring? Well, bad luck. That I won’t resonate with anyone? Bummer for them! That my writing will be littered with grammatical and spelling errors? I’ll blame my subeditor 😉
I have a list as long as my arm of things I need to do. My website copy was written overnight and isn’t even SEO-optimised. Until today I had no blog copy. My social media is haphazard and reactive. I’ve been putting them all off because I worry they won’t be up to scratch.
BUT. I’m booked out weeks (often months) in advance. My business has been growing at a rate that I couldn’t even fathom. So why the fear?
In big business, it is easy to hide behind a brand. When you are the brand, it’s a little more challenging, and the fear of misrepresenting yourself can be overwhelming. But what’s worse? Getting yourself out there (albeit not perfectly, but at least getting traction) or dooming yourself to failure by having such high expectations of yourself, and doubting you can meet those expectations, that you don’t even start?
So today is the day. I’m getting my blog on.
And if you ignore the typos, I’ll try to hold on to the pee.
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well I will be keeping an eye out for your posts. Love that you are as nervous as I am about posting. I read and re read, then post, then re read then correct then repost…. and I feel nervous that I said something wrong, spelt something wrong, or just made no sense at all
Thanks Kirsten! Ironic that it is only for my stuff … the whole judgement factor!!!
Haha. Love it Mel. Peeing is my favourite procrastination method too
I’ve been blogging for over 2 years now. I *wish* I could promise that it gets easier – it doesn’t really. But when your content truly connects with a reader, then you know all the procrastination & fear has been worth it
We are two pees in a pod!!!!
*snort*
Mel,
Congratulations! It is hard to set up a blog and write – it has taken me 18 months to do 19 entries!
If you are stuck for a topic, this random topic generator might give you some ideas:
http://www.blogtap.net/blogtopicgenerator/
If you are really, really desperate, you could check out my blog:-)
http://graham64.wordpress.com/
Thanks Graham! You are doing awesome with yours, I’ve just added you to my favourites
Spot on Mel. My website not touched for years. More work than I can poke a stick at. Too flat out to scratch myself. Lotto is my only hope
Mine too KB … wanna start a syndicate???
LOVE that we are all in the same boat(knees knocking at pressing submit), LOVE that this is completely you – personal and impertinent but always clever 😉
Great work!
Thanks so much Bec! Cheque is in the mail 😉
Great first blog Mel, keep em coming
Thanks for reading Trish!!! Pressure is on now to lift my game … or at least elevate it out of the toilet 😉
I am so with you!!!! I really understand the self promo stuff!! misrepresenting myself is one of my biggest fears!! Thank you for your honesty.
Thanks Anna! I think it also comes down to social conditioning … we are taught from an early age (particularly women!) not to self-promote, to be modest, etc, which is another challenge to overcome. And I have found it is so much easier to write about my husband’s mechanical ‘business’ than about ‘myself’ as you attach a greater value to work that others do.
Look at that, there are my next blog posts right there!!! Thanks for the inspiration! 😉
Mel – are you procrastinating again???
Where’s the next post?
Can’t wait to see what you have installed next
A
SPRUNG!!!! Yep, am I that transparent??? I’ll get my butt into gear, thanks for the nudge – I need it!!!
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Ohhh love this article! Glad to see that even a successful lady boss has the same issues and concerns as someone just starting out! Thanks for the inspo!
Hey Kate! Thanks so much (and you are very welcome) – I think we all suffer from the same challenges, I’ve only just recently learnt that some hide it better than others but it’s all bubbling just beneath the surface!!!