Fear and the Guest Blogger
May 19, 2008 by John Hewitt
I am still seeking guest bloggers interested in writing an article for June. I am even giving out prizes and such. I thought this would be a great way to reward my fellow bloggers, but I think I may have tapped into a well of fear. I’ve received quite a few responses, but only a handful of articles. The main reason many people seem to be holding back is fear.
Several people have written to me to let me know that they are scared. They are actually scared of writing an article for me.
Wow
I did not know this.
The fear seems to stem from three items.
- They fear the contest (especially trying to have the most popular post).
- They fear my audience.
- They fear writing about the craft of writing. They think they don’t know enough about it.
Let me try to help out.
Fear of The Contest
The contest was just an attempt by me to add a reward. I picked traffic because, of course, I would love more traffic. I could just as easily have picked most comments. I was trying to avoid picking “best article” because that would mean I would have to act as judge, and that would kind of ruin my vacation. Whatever the case, don’t sweat the traffic. The three simple ways to drive traffic are:
- Link to the article from your own site.
- Tell some friends to stop by.
- Submit it to a few of the social networking sites.
It isn’t complicated and you shouldn’t worry about it.
Fear of My Audience
I have a great audience. They have a lot of love to give. They won’t bite your head off. If you write about something controversial, they’ll probably get involved, but they don’t hurl insults. Sure, you get the occasional comment crank (every site does), but they don’t stick around long. The worst thing that can happen (and it isn’t that bad) is that you don’t get many comments. That is why inviting your friends to take a look at the article will help. Don’t be afraid to stack the deck with your friends. It works at karaoke contests. It can work here.
Fear of Writing About Writing
The main fear people seem to have is that they don’t know enough about writing to write about the craft writing. Many of the people who responded are comfortable writing about freelancing, marketing or blogging, but not about craft. I feel kind of bad about this. I assumed that anyone who writes a blog entry a day or five a week would have formed opinions about the craft of writing. That is probably may fault. I often expect people to think like me, and most people don’t. I have a strange and wondrous mind.
This is the easiest item for me to fix. If you want to write about freelancing or marketing or blogging, go ahead. I’m willing to open up the floor in order to make people more comfortable. I’ll even suggest a topic — fear.
- What do you fear the most about writing?
- What is the most irrational fear people have about writing?
- How can fear help your writing?
- How can you conquer your writing fears?
Because I am changing the game a bit (and I really want more entries) I’ll extend the deadline to May 28th. That should give you some time to get over your fears.
Related links
- Looking for Guest Bloggers -- $250 Prize (0.500)
- Why Newspapers are Dying (and what they can do about it) (0.500)
- 5 Reasons I Love Blogging More than Freelancing (0.500)
- Blogging Changed My Life (0.500)
- Are You Determined Enough to be a Freelance Writer? (0.500)
Contact John Hewitt
Writing Content and Web Consulting
Email: hewitt@poewar.comPhone: (520) 261-6104
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Thanks for the extension John. I’ll think about it I promise.
Thanks too for naming the fear – it really grips people when they think about writing a guest post.
Joanna
Joanna Youngs last blog post..12 Simple Ways to Narrow Your Focus and Expand Your Sense of Purpose
Okay John, you roped me in. I really want you to enjoy your vacation — especially as you so deserve it after Blog Madness. I’ll see if I can crank out an article about the craft of writing.
Just so you’re fairly warned, if I get stuck, I’m gonna take the easy way out and write about something I do know about (eg, freelancing, marketing and a lot of other stuff freelancers are always questioning me about).
You’ll have my entry in 48 hours.
Best,
Yuwanda
@ Joanna,
Luckily for me, I do Karaoke. After you butcher enough songs in front of a bunch of drunks, you no longer fear making a fool out of yourself in public. It’s like having a superpower.
@ Yuwanda,
You have my full confidence.
I think you may have just changed my mind on this. In my case, it’s not so much fear (although that does play a part in it) but a time crunch factor as well.
Harrison McLeods last blog post..Clever Website Content Writing that Converts
@ Harry
Thats great! I always enjoy your articles.
Hi John,
I fully intend to send you something about the craft of editing. I’ve just had trouble finding the time to pull it together. I understand the fear factor, though. But having already been up for scrutiny in Writing Blog Madness, this should be a piece of cake.
Lori Cates Hands last blog post..Typewriter Jewelry
John, I’m almost done with my post. Do we just submit it as a Word document at your email address, or how?
Tom Johnsons last blog post..Podcast: XSL, Flash, and Live Blogging — Interview with Sarah O’Keefe
@ Tom
Word Docs are fine. I have the latest version so you don’t even have to dumb it down.
@ Lori
Time is an issue I can’t solve easily. The darn thing just keeps passing me by,
How about passing Social Philosophy for potential authors?
I spent whole semester writing articles and short stories during those lectures. And apparently in two weeks I’m supposed to take an exam. With my notes being non-existant. *heee* I love living on edge
@ Miss Jane,
Essays are an area in which being a strong (and prolific) writer really helps. I managed a Straight A average in grad school despite having only a C’s worth of knowledge in some subjects because I was so good at explaining the things I did know. Also, as a technical writer, I’ve learned to put together reams of material about things I barely understand. Given a day (4 hours for reasearch, 8 hours for writing) I can rattle off a 12-page paper about almost any subject. Hmmmm, that would make for a good contest. “The 12-Hour Expert”.
John,
If you fall short, I can offer more than one article. Just email me and let me know. I write two to four editorials a week not counting the blog, so I can honestly say the fear factor isn’t an issue.
Hope
FundsforWriters.com
Hm, that’s interesting. I’m always puzzled by people who fear writing, but I think you pegged it wrong:
Writers fear rejection.
In my case, though, I have no fear. (Except when it comes to leaping from tall buildings in a single bound – working on that one.) I just have squashed time, but I thought there was still plenty of time until the 23rd.
LOL – don’t you know, John? Procrastinators work much better at the last minute.
James -Men with Penss last blog post..Website Content: Are You Turning Readers Off?
@ James
Fear of rejection is an excellent point. I wonder why I left it out? BTW, great post today about not being negative. It kind of contradicts this entire post, which I love.
@ Hope
You are a trooper Hope. I’ll keep you in mind.
John,
Like James, I intend to get you an article … right at the deadline.
And now that you’ve extended the deadline, I have more time. As others have said, I’m in a time crunch, (aren’t we always?), but I’ll meet the deadline.
@ Lillie – hahhahahah beat you! Sent mine in this morning in a burst of coffee-inspired muse. And non-drowsy Sudafed. I swear, I’ve never been more wide awake in my life. They should change their tagline and sell it to freelancers.
Want more hours in a day? Sudafed is your legal speed solution!
James -Men with Penss last blog post..Website Content: Are You Turning Readers Off?
John:
Even though you gave me an out by handing me my topic, I still agonized over it, wanting it to be letter perfect (which I can never seem to achieve). See what you do when when you make writers THINK about the craft of writing?!@#$
Thanks for the opportunity to guest post; I hope what I sent in wasn’t too long.
Yuwanda
Yuwandas last blog post..How One New Freelance Writer Netted Enough Clients to Quit His Job in Just 12 Hours
@James, I didn’t have the benefit of Sudafed so I just got my post in this morning … but I beat the extended deadline.
@Yuwanda, I know what you mean about agonizing over the post. I’m a much better editor than writer and am a little intimidated trying to come up with something worth publishing on John’s great blog and in company with so many great writers.
@John, Thanks for giving me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. Have a wonderful vacation.
I just sent in my submission, John.
This is a nifty idea. I look forward to reading all of the guest submissions.