The 6th annual WordCount Blogathon takes place June 1-30. The Blogathon is a free, fun event that challenges participants to post every day for a month. Every Tuesday until the event, Blogathon veterans are sharing their success stories. In this installment, Joan Bailey explains how to blogging helped her adjust to living in a new country — and land paid writing assignments. Register or read more about the event here: 2013 WordCount Blogathon. —Michelle Rafter
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It’s hard to believe my fourth year participating in the Blogathon is here. Since that first go, I’ve seen my writing and my writing career improve. Each year I gain new skills, meet someone new, and gain insight into how I want my writing and my blog, to work.
The Blogathon takes effort and time, but like any worthwhile endeavor, it’s paid off in multiple ways. Here’s how:
1. I learned to post regularly.
I started my blog, Japan Farmers Markets, in 2007. It had a different name then, and I posted sporadically at best. Then, shortly before my first Blogathon, my husband and I moved to Japan. There was plenty to discover, but all of it was in a foreign language and culture. Because the Blogathon forced me to post regularly, I had to search for stories. This taught me to write fast and well, and to always carry my camera, notebook, two working pens, and a dictionary. Daily posts became easier and easier. I discovered a full month of posting wasn’t impossible.
2. I found my niche.
As I wrote and wrote and wrote about food and farming and gardening, I pushed my limits and explored new ideas. I created regular features, including a calendar of the monthly and weekly farmers markets in Tokyo, which made it easier for me to know what to write about and benefited my readers. Publishing the calendar every Friday increased my readership, got me a mention in The Japan Times, and turned me into something of a local expert.
3. I gained credibility.
As I continued posting regularly, people I met at seminars, networking events, and socially often added this tag line to my introduction: “And she’s quite active on her blog.” Creating regular, quality content said something about my ability, work ethic, and dedication to my subject matter. Regular posting led to invitations to lead workshops, land interviews, write guest posts, and, of course, get paid writing work.
I also gained credibility in my own mind. I’d nursed a dream of being a writer since childhood, through university, corporate and nonprofit jobs and a stint in the Peace Corps. When I finally made the leap, it took me a long time to be able to take myself seriously when I introduced myself as a writer. Seeing, reading, and critiquing my own work made me a better writer. I developed a body of work that I took pride in. I could do this. When invitations to guest post came in, I happily added those feathers to my cap. I silenced that internal snicker with each post, each connection, each new assignment.
4. I made connections.
Not only did the Blogathon let me read some great writing, but I got to know the authors. I met Van Waffle, a Canadian freelance writer who wrote a lovely homage to waterways in his hometown of Guelph for my blog as a result of our exchange. He makes a mean rose hip jam, too. I met Dona Bumgarner, a food and parenting writer whose recipes for chilled summer soups are still among the top 10 posts on my blog. Freelance literary translator Lisa Carter, who blogs at Intralingo, got me to think about translation and food, and introduced me to an international women’s writing group that I treasure. I could go on, but you get the idea: none of this would have happened if I hadn’t signed up for that first Blogathon.
5. I became a paid writer.
One major result is that I gained paid work as a writer. Learning to dig up stories, tell them well, post regularly, make connections, gain credibility and confidence has all led to achieving one of my ultimate goals: getting paid to write. In the past 4 years, I’ve written for Tokyo magazines and websites, and a growing number of British and the U.S. publications as well. I recently have been invited to work as editor for a small company, too.
The Blogathon takes effort, commitment, and time. But if you’re remotely serious about writing for any reason, sign up. It’s a great community waiting to cheer you on, write a guest post for you, and read your blog. You’ll gain skills, connections, readers, and stretch your literary wings. Go for it.
Joan Lambert Bailey currently lives and writes in Tokyo where she also has the pleasure of getting her hands dirty every day on a local organic farm. You can find her at Japan Farmers Markets or on Twitter.