If the thought of writing your first blog post has you overcome by fear, stricken with writer’s block or frozen by analysis paralysis – you’re not alone.
The doubts creep in as soon as you start writing. A little voice in your head whispers that you’re not good enough. That you’re going to get mocking comments and hateful emails. That family and friends will think you’re crazy and maybe even laugh at you.
Even deciding what to write about can be overwhelming. Should it be an introduction post? Or one that clearly establishes your authority and expertise? Maybe an ultimate guide? It’s your first post, so it has to be special, right?
So. much. pressure.
Maybe you can relate?
I know I can.
I made so many plans.
Created so many lists of ideas.
Started a dozen or more “first” posts. And fizzled out on all of them.
And every time I started writing what I was supposed to write – what I had on my “plan” – I hit a solid wall of writer’s block. I overanalyzed what I was doing, told myself no one would want to read what I had to say, gave into my fears and gave up. Over and over again.
It took a very long time for me to break free of this cycle. It wasn’t till I realized these three things that I was finally able to write that first post:
First, it’s not that important
Oops, did I really say that?
What I mean is: yes, your first post is very important to you. However, it’s not important to your reader.
Remember: your blog is about your reader, not about you.
Your reader doesn’t care if this is your first post or your 40th. When she clicks over to your blog, she’s looking for answers to help her solve some kind of problem or pain point. As long as you give her the information she’s looking for – a new idea to try, the steps to take her through something she’s struggling with, or a success story she can emulate – she’s going to be happy.
Where it falls in the sequence of your blog posts? She doesn’t care.
Second, done is better than perfect
Blogging is not about perfection.
I’ve read plenty of blog posts with misspelled words, questionable grammar, mixed-up expressions that make me crazy, and numerous other issues – but if that blogger is publishing valuable content that provides her readers the solutions they’re looking for, then who cares?
Because, guess what? Those imperfect posts will be read and they’ll be shared. That unfinished post sitting on your computer? It won’t be.
Perfectionism will bring you to a grinding halt. Even the best, most accomplished writer will have the occasional typo and will sometimes get some element of grammar wrong.
If you’re struggling to start because you feel like your first post has to be perfect, well, it doesn’t. In fact, in two months, or in two years, will anyone even know what your first post was? Will anyone care?
(No, they won’t.)
Third, doing will get you farther than planning
Think about where you’ll be in a week, or a month, or a year, if you continue down the same path you’re on. You’ll be no closer to accomplishing your blogging goals, and in all likelihood you’ll be rehashing the same tired excuses and fears that you’ve been dealing with for days or weeks or even years. I know, because I’ve been there.
So, think about why you want to start your blog. Is it important enough to take that first step? Maybe you want to be able to stay at home with your kids, escape a miserable 9-5 office job, or start a career that allows you to be location independent. Whatever your why is, you’ve decided that blogging will help you achieve it. Waiting won’t make it any easier to start – now is the time to take action.
Don’t make my mistake: don’t let planning become a substitute for doing. Think about it: if you write your first blog post today, you’ll be that much closer to reaching your goals tomorrow.
Finding your words
Once I came to those three realizations, everything changed.
In the interest of getting started, I veered away from all my “plans.” I gave myself permission to write what I wanted to write, the way I wanted to write it. I stayed in the general theme of my blog, but I didn’t worry about the exact topic, and I told myself I didn’t have to publish it if it was awful. And the words started flowing.
So, if you’re struggling to get your first post written (or if you’ve stalled out on your third, fourth or tenth post), you need to take action. Start writing. Push through and finish a post. Then, put it out in the universe (okay, the internet – same thing, right?) for your target audience to find.
Then, go write post #2.
Are you ready to write your first blog post?
It’s time to banish that little voice in your head that’s obsessed with choosing the right topic. That tells you every single person you know + mean internet strangers are going to laugh at you, or criticize you, or hate you. That tells you that your voice doesn’t matter.
If you’re still struggling to write your first blog post, what issues are holding you back? Or, if you’ve been blogging for awhile, what tips do you have for getting past writing doubts, fears and blocks? Feel free to share in the comments.