5 minute read
The Heart of Blogging
Putting Your Readers First: The Key to Successful Blog Writing
Although blogging has existed for decades, I used to think it was a fad. Who would want to read a random write-up? When it became trendy, I struggled to decide what I should be blogging about. Who cares about what I think? However, the advertisements on my social media feed caught my attention, promising bloggers vast fortunes.
Like millions of content creators, I purchased a course and then another, thinking that blogging could help me pay off the balance of our mortgage. Why not try? After all, I don’t need millions; I only need a side stream of income.
When our son was getting married, I delved into wedding blogging. Since I’m involved in the planning, why not share all my wisdom with the world? I dove into content creation, searches for images, keywords, SEO optimization, and affiliate links. It was a fun venture, but I soon learned the blogging business is a lot of work.
I watched my traffic grow, diligently posting twice a week. When the curve in my analytics portal flattened, I added a third post. This project started to take over my life. The fun was gone once I discovered the need for backlinks and the list of complicated ways of acquiring them.
Over time, while seated at my desk staring at the latest data, I would sense a tug at my heart. What’s God trying to tell me? Then, one morning, at the top of the stairs leading to my office, I heard a very clear command, not with my ears but within my heart. It was simple. God said, “Stop.”
The desire to write another post evaporated as if invisible scissors cut the strings I had so firmly held onto. That day, I looked at my screen and prayed for direction. What did God mean? Should I stop writing? I shook my head. Of course, I needed to write. It’s a vital part of who I am. However, I also needed to listen to what God wanted me to do with this precious gift of words.
We all know God is faithful, yet it often shocks me how much He cares.
Writing online had been a part of my repertoire for a long time, aside from romantic suspense, romance, humor, and women's fiction—I can’t help it. I love them all. Why choose only one delicious chocolate truffle from an entire box of assortments? My newest love is dual-time historical fiction. And here is where this article about blogging comes full circle.
After much prayer, a marketing course, and endless book-marketing podcast episodes, the light came on. As an author, I understood my blog needed to be a direct line to my readers. While writing books allows me to explore deep themes and weave intricate stories, my blog offers a different kind of connection—a space to speak more personally and directly with the people I work so hard for, the ones reading my books.
I wrestled with a tendency to write for my fellow authors, as most of my friends love to create, just like me. Once again, I felt another heart tug. I sorted through the collection of my “banked” posts, which were ready to be scheduled. Perhaps I should design and pin a poster to the wall above my desk that reads “Think Readers.”
For the reformed me, blogging is more than sharing behind-the-scenes moments or updates on my latest projects. It’s about creating dialogue around the themes that matter most to us—faith, hope, love, and resilience. I write with the hope that my words will inspire, encourage, and resonate with readers’ journeys wherever they are.
I need to constantly remind myself that readers’ comments, questions, and thoughts help me shape my stories. It’s a way to build community, share my reflections, and offer insights that brighten my readers’ day or help them see things from a fresh perspective.
As authors, we must remind ourselves that our blog is for the readers as we craft each new post. It’s a place to unite, grow in our faith, and share meaningful stories that lift our spirits. Writing for your readers isn’t a menial task. It’s a joy, a connection, and a ministry.
Author, Helena Smrcek
I was fascinated by writing from an early age. In high school, I faced unwanted attention from the Czechoslovakian Secret Police for my writing. Four years later, still in high school but in the US, I was a refugee struggling with English. Yet, I managed to get my first three articles published in The Mississauga News. In 1999, I wrote a string of one hundred articles. I also had the opportunity to work in television production and met influential authors who mentored and inspired me. In October 2011, I published “Kingdom Beyond Borders,” a collection of true refugee stories. I’ve spent fifteen years developing my storytelling skills and hope my stories deliver style, substance, and unforgettable characters.
