Do you have drafts of blog posts that you’re afraid of publishing?
Maybe there’s something on your mind that you’re not sure you should write about.
I hear it all the time.
I’m too afraid of putting my writing out there.
What if no one reads it?
What if no one cares?
I can’t say that I haven’t been there. There have certainly been times when I question a subject matter in my head. There have been posts that stayed in draft and then, eventually, went into the trash.
So, how do you know when to hit the publish button?
I have a few rules of thumb:
- Picture your post on a billboard for everyone to see. With your name on it. Is there something in it that might be offensive to someone close to you? Will it get you fired? If not, go ahead and publish it. What’s the worst that could happen?
- Don’t over think it. I can go back to every post I’ve written and make a few edits. I’m sure of it. Every blog post doesn’t have to be perfect. And it won’t be. It just has to come from you. That’s it.
- Knowing is better than not knowing. We all have things to say. Interests, habits, opinions and other things that make us tick. Guess what? When you put it out there, you find others that feel the same way. You might find some people with a different perspective. That’s good too. The point is that you don’t know what will happen if you don’t publish your posts.
Be bold. Be heard. That’s my advice.
What about you? What are your rules of thumb when it comes to “questionable” posts?
Photo Credit: OLD VINTAGE TYPEWRITER © Alexander Shingarev | Dreamstime.com
jenn says
December 4, 2011 at 9:59 pmSometimes I have a fear of publishing posts, but I figure that there are people out there probably feeling some of the same things, so why not? Great post- and I think it really challenges people.
jenn recently posted..Stream of Consciousness Sunday
anotherjennifer says
December 4, 2011 at 10:30 pmThanks, Jenn. There are people out there that can relate to our posts. If we didn’t put them out there, we wouldn’t find those people. What a loss that would be!
anotherjennifer recently posted..The 30-Day Microphilanthropy Challenge from Good
Cynthia M. says
December 4, 2011 at 10:27 pmI absolutely struggle with deciding when/if a post is ‘publishable’. Especially since I barely consider myself a writer. That’s what I’ve loved about doing NaBloPoMo – it’s forced me to publish posts, even when I think they’re far from perfect, or perhaps shouldn’t be posted at all. I feel a little bolder and less inhibited when I have this shared goal of writing daily – and publicly! – with others.
Cynthia M. recently posted..An Endless Wood
anotherjennifer says
December 4, 2011 at 10:32 pmA daily blogging challenge does help. Even with this post, I was hurried because I needed to complete it quickly so we could go out and pick out a Christmas tree!
anotherjennifer recently posted..The 30-Day Microphilanthropy Challenge from Good
KATHLEEN says
December 5, 2011 at 2:03 amGreat post- and I think it really challenges people. I feel a little bolder and less inhibited when I have this shared goal of writing daily – and publicly! – with others.
KATHLEEN recently posted..Truth about quickness
anotherjennifer says
December 5, 2011 at 8:11 amI feel bolder when I’m daily blogging as well! It’s the challenge, I guess. It forces you to think about what you’re putting out there. Thanks for reading!
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Larissa T. says
December 5, 2011 at 10:03 pmI try to polish it up as best as I can, follow your number one rule of thumb, preview, and publish. What I struggle with however, is sometimes not being brave enough to sit down and type out my thoughts.
That’s something I’ll get over. Soon. I hope.
Thanks for sharing your rules of thumb! 😀
anotherjennifer says
December 5, 2011 at 10:46 pmI know. I’ve been there too! But I always hear the advice from other writers to “just write.” I figure, even if I leave it in draft, at least I got it out of my brain!
Larissa T. says
December 5, 2011 at 10:59 pmMost definitely!
Shalani says
December 6, 2011 at 5:51 amI can definitely relate to this and you even hit me on that!It really scares me to hit the publish button especially when I think I don’t deserve it…
Shalani recently posted..How to Lose Weight in Stomach Area
anotherjennifer says
December 6, 2011 at 10:47 amIt’s funny that we think these things. It’s easy to over think a post. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta hit publish and see what happens. You deserve it!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Charity is giving. Philanthropy is doing.
Alaina says
December 12, 2011 at 6:49 pmI agree and I really think that you hit a lot of people with this post!!(Include me on that lol)Thanks anyway for the motivation…
Alaina recently posted..Dating Tips for Men
anotherjennifer says
December 12, 2011 at 8:13 pmThanks for reading Alaina!