For many writers, the journal or diary entry has always been a sacred space where one’s public- and private-self find expression. Hopes, dreams, fears, and secrets can be recorded in a safe, confidential space. There’s no need for censorship or finding the “right” way to say something. Writing in a journal means writing without limits or restrictions.
With the advent of blogging, writing down your daily experiences has taken on a whole new dimension. As with most places on the Internet, a blog not only allows you to record your thoughts and interests but also connect with other online inhabitants and build communities. Going from journaling to blogging seems like a natural progression but there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge.
Journaling takes place within a safe, solitary environment, while blogging turns your journal into an interactive platform. This transition takes your journal into a new terrain where what you share can be seen and shared by others. Connecting with readers also requires a certain degree of clarity as opposed to putting down words and ideas in a patchwork fashion. For these reasons, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind when you go from journaling to blogging.
Journaling blogs require you to write from a different perspective besides your own. Most of the people, places, and things that populate your journal are familiar to you in terms of how they look, how they act, and what they do. When you’re writing for public eyes, your readers don’t know these familiar aspects of your life. This means you’ll have to go into more detail, and maybe even give a little backstory, so your readers can follow along. That’s not necessarily a bad thing since details can add depth and up the quality of your writing.
Journaling offers freedom of expression that may not be feasible when blogging. If you want readers to interact with you on your blog, anything you write is up for grabs. Granted, a journal blog can be as personal as you want; however, including certain details about people you know or experiences you’ve had can create uncomfortable situations or problems for yourself and others. For example, if you’re relaying an experience you had in alcohol rehab, the details you reveal when journaling will likely require some careful revision when blogging. Likewise, when blogging about family and friends, try not to write about matters that might invade their privacy.
Going from journaling to blogging can take different forms, from a day to day record of your life to an in-depth exploration of your favorite subject or hobby. There are online journaling blogs about movies, politics, relationships, and gardening. Anything goes, so the sky’s the limit as far as topics or niches are concerned. Having a niche journal blog will also make it easier for interested readers to find you when searching online. And if it’s a topic you’re passionate about, connecting with readers will be easy.
If building a community of like-minded readers sounds appealing, your quest from journal to blog will require some marketing skills to get readers to your site. Blog marketing is constantly evolving with social media apps and new technologies so there are more than a few ways to get the word out. For instance, the type of blogging platform you use can give you a head-start with marketing. Platforms like WordPress have built-in features and lodes of extensions that make marketing your blog a breeze. Other marketing techniques to consider include:
While going from journaling to blogging may require a bit more discretion, blogging allows you to inspire and influence your readers, which is something a personal journal can’t do. Also, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with being able to connect with and inspire an audience, which can add a new dimension to your writing experience. So if you’re ready to take the plunge, there’s no better time to join the blogosphere than now.
1 - Copyblogger, “5 Ways to Bond with Your Blog’s Audience”
https://copyblogger.com/bond-with-your-audience/
2 - Penn Today, “The Dangers of Sharing Personal Information on Social Media”
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/dangers-sharing-personal-information-social-media
3 - Sunshine Behavioral Health, “Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers”
https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/alcohol-addiction/alcohol-rehab/
4 - Writer’s Digest, “The 12 Dos and Don'ts of Writing a Blog”
https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/the-12-dos-and-donts-of-writing-a-blog
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