Lessons learned: WordCount's 100th blog post

What you’re reading marks the 100th post on this blog, WordCount, which I started as an easy and free way to post my resume and clips online where prospective editors could see them. Very quickly it evolved into a continuing examination of how online media is changing the business of freelance writing.

I did a quiet launch in September 2007 and had my grand opening on New Year’s Day, 2008. After six months and 100 posts, here’s what I’ve learned:

♦ I enjoy blogging, now more than ever. It’s introduced me to a widening circle of fellow writers who blog, as well as online media and social media entrepreneurs who I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

♦ Blogging is rewarding in and of itself, but it’s been financially rewarding too. The subject of this blog is how digital media is changing freelance writing, so I had to taught myself Web 2.0 tools to write about them here. I’ve taken that knowledge and used it to pitch close to a dozen stories to three regular clients.

♦ Blogging can get you noticed. Paula Berinstein, producer of The Writing Show podcast, recently interviewed me for a segment on how to write short. Another freelancer interviewed me recently for a story about writers who blog that’ll appear in an upcoming issue of the American Society of Journalists and Authors‘ (ASJA) newsletter. I’ve also sold rights to a post on tips conducting great interviews to be published in an anthology for new writers this August by Great Lakes Literary.

♦ I’ve reconnected with reporters and editors from previous jobs or stages in my career.

Want more lessions learned from another writer and blogger that’s reached the 100th blog post milestone? This 100th anniversary post from Joe Pulizzi, founder of Junta42, a content marketing, custom publishing and search firm, has really good advice about how to structure a blog.

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