As I celebrate the first anniversary of my blog, it’s a moment of both reflection and celebration. This journey has been transformative, not just for my business but also for me personally. Today, I’d like to share my experiences, the benefits I’ve reaped, the challenges I’ve faced, and how I overcame the fear of writing. This is not just a recount of the past year but also a guide for anyone contemplating starting their own blog. So, this week we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to get a little personal. If you’re ready to go on a journey with me, settle in and let’s get rolling.
Reflecting on the Journey
When I started this blog a year ago, it was a leap into the unknown. My goal was simple: to share my expertise in accounting and bookkeeping, connect with my audience, and hopefully make a difference in the way businesses manage their finances. Little did I know that this blog would become such a significant part of my professional identity.
Some of you may relate to this, maybe all of you will, but I suffer from debilitating imposter syndrome! I have been in the accounting industry for over 9 years, I’m more than qualified to do what I do. I’ve launched my own very successful firm and haven’t lost a single client since the beginning! And yet, I still feel like I’m just an actress playing an accountant on TV. So when I tell you I had some hurdles to get over to begin this blog, I mean Grand Canyon type of hurdles.
My long-time mentor and friend, Christine, had encouraged me for years to start a blog. I always pushed her off, saying “I will, I will. I just have to figure out what to say…” She assured me I had plenty to say and that I had a unique perspective to speak from. The reality was, I was afraid that if I put myself out there and actually wrote a blog, then the whole world would see me for the fraud that I surely must be. Today, I know that I’m not unique in feeling this way. Many of my fellow entrepreneurs have echoed these sentiments to me and so I thought, in honor of my 1-year blog-iversary, I’m going to talk about my journey and what I’ve learned over the year!
Overcoming the Fear of Writing
As I mentioned above, overcoming my fears and self doubt was the hardest part of this whole journey. Perhaps its a result of being a performer and acting on stage and screen, but I’ve always felt more comfortable speaking than writing. I’m not a bad writer, I know that, but its just not the medium that I’ve spent my time expressing myself in. I knew that overcoming this was a necessary step, but I also knew that I wasn’t going to overcome the fear BEFORE I started writing. This fear would be something I would conquer after the taking the leap. Here are some tips that I’ve learned along the way:
- Start Small
The fear of writing can be paralyzing, especially when you’re just starting out. I began with short posts, gradually increasing the length as I became more comfortable. My very first blog was a very generic piece about bookkeeping, titled Demystifying Bookkeeping: Unraveling It’s Importance for Your Financial Success. It is a mere 868 words long and that includes the disclaimer at the bottom! For reference, my longest post was published in April, titled Customer Chemistry: The End of the Road, and that post came in at 10,423 words. If I had tried to write that blog right out of the gate, I would have inevitably failed and given up. The important thing for me was to start, no matter how small. - Planning and Outlining
In the beginning, I didn’t really create blog outlines. My first few posts were very loosely outlined, but mostly free-written. Over time, I figured out that creating detailed outlines before writing helped to reduce my anxiety. Knowing the structure of the post in advance made the writing process more manageable and less overwhelming. I also began planning out my content calendar for the next few weeks at a time. It was easier to know what I was writing on in advance, rather than trying to come up with a topic each week. I give myself permission to go off the schedule if something comes up that I want to address or write about, but having a plan and outlining my posts has really kept me consistent and on course! - Embracing Imperfection
Perfectionism can be a significant barrier, especially when you cling to it as an identity as I have been known to do. I had to accept that my first drafts wouldn’t be perfect. The goal was to get the ideas down and refine them later. I’ve also had to accept that when writing I may not take everything into consideration. I have utilized ChatGPT to assist in outlining and crafting my blog posts. That’s not to say that AI is writing the blog, but rather helping me to ensure that I’ve included everything associated with the post that should be there. This approach took the pressure off and made writing more enjoyable. - Seeking Feedback
Feedback from trusted colleagues and readers has been invaluable. Constructive criticism has helped improve my writing and boosted my confidence. Positive feedback, on the other hand, was a great motivator. I always love when colleagues or fellow entrepreneurs like and comment on my posts. I’ve even had compliments about my dedication to the weekly release and as the volume of posts has added up over the year, I have received some very positive feedback on the library I’ve been able to create! - Continuous Learning
Learning is a continuous process, and the more I learn, the more confident I become. Reading other blogs, listening to podcasts, and engaging with my clients and colleagues has been very inspirational to me and has informed my writing. I have found that writing this blog has motivated me to learn more about my industry and the issues my clients face. The more I learn, the better the blog gets, and the better the blog gets, the more I learn! It honestly feeds itself!
Overcoming Challenges
I wish I could tell you that once I got over the initial fear of getting started, everything has been sunshine and rainbows. Unfortunately, rainbows only show up after the rain! There have been many ups and downs this year as I have struggled to keep the blog posts on schedule and ensure that my topics are of value. Here are just a few of the challenges I’ve faced this year:
- Finding Time to Write
One of the biggest challenges was finding the time to write consistently. Running a business is demanding, and adding regular blog writing to the mix seemed daunting, if not downright impossible. The solution for me was to create a content calendar and stick to it. Scheduling dedicated writing time each week (Friday morning for me) ensured that blogging became a regular part of my routine. I literally blocked off my calendar so that I have a dedicated time to write. In the beginning, I felt very anxious, but now, I value this time and have come to really look forward to it every week! - Generating Fresh Content Ideas
Another challenge was continuously coming up with fresh content ideas. To overcome this, I kept a running list of potential topics and paid close attention to industry news and trends and also issues that my clients were facing each week. Google and social media have been a valuable tools to see what people are currently searching for and what’s trending. I’ve also utilized ChatGPT to help create blog content ideas. In the beginning, it was a little murky each week trying to figure out what to write about. But since I’ve been using all of my available tools, it turns out the well runs very deep and I have yet to run out of ideas to write about. - Technical Aspects of Blogging
Navigating the technical aspects of blogging, from setting up a website to optimizing for SEO, can be very intimidating. In full transparency, I’m no expert in either of these things. Our website makes posting the blogs very easy, but I could definitely take some time to learn about SEO and how to make the most of it on my site. Investing time in learning these skills, using online resources, and maybe even seeking professional help would likely make the process smoother. These can be my goals for the year ahead! - Dealing with Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is a common challenge for any writer. To combat this, I used several strategies: taking breaks, changing my writing environment, and sometimes just starting to write without worrying about perfection. The key was to keep the momentum going. When I really get stuck, I’ll do a little research. What are other accountants writing about this topic? Searching Google, social media or utilizing ChatGPT when I get stuck has proven invaluable. Sometimes a fresh perspective is just enough to get the creative juices flowing again!
The Benefits of Blogging
I consider this first year of blogging to be an absolute success! I faced my fears, overcame the obstacles and I managed to post a blog every single Friday for a whole year! Are my blog posts going to win me a Pulitzer? Of course not, but that’s not the point! That’s perfectionism getting in the way of progress. I can assure you, my blog is far from perfect, but I’ve still reaped many rewards over the past year. Here are a few of them:
- Establishing Authority
One of the most rewarding aspects of blogging has been the ability to establish myself as an authority in the field. Regularly sharing insights, tips, and updates in accounting and bookkeeping has helped build credibility for myself and my business. Readers can discover me as a trusted source of information, which has translated into increased trust in my business. It’s also given me a boost in confidence personally. As an “imposter” in the accounting world, a little ego goes a long way in helping me feel like a member of the accounting community and a trusted advisor for my clients. - Enhancing Online Visibility
Blogging has significantly boosted my online visibility. With each post, my website’s SEO has improved, leading to higher rankings on search engines. Keywords related to my industry, when strategically used in blog posts, attracts organic traffic to my site. This wasn’t just a spike in numbers; it was the right kind of traffic—people genuinely interested in accounting and bookkeeping. It’s this kind of visibility that lends credibility to my firm and to myself when potential new clients are looking for a bookkeeper or advisor. - Engaging with the Audience
Through my blog, I found a platform to engage with my audience more meaningfully. Comments, emails, and social media interactions provided invaluable feedback and helped shape the content to better serve the readers’ needs. It wasn’t just about pushing out content; it was about creating a dialogue. My blog posts have many times been a nice ice breaker for my audience to ask questions and further the conversation! - Generating Leads
Content marketing through blogging has proven to be an excellent lead generation tool. By offering valuable information for free, I was able to attract potential clients. Now, in all honesty, I’ve only gained 2 clients through blind searches on Google. But, I can attest that referrals and prospects that have come in through other sales funnels have absolutely used my blog as a vetting source. They have appreciated the insights and have often reached out for professional services, trusting that the same level of expertise would apply. - Supporting Other Marketing Efforts
The blog content served multiple purposes beyond just the blog itself. It was repurposed for social media posts, newsletters, and even discussions during networking events. This multifaceted use of content helped maintain a consistent message across all marketing channels. It’s a win-win!
Looking Forward
As I look forward to the next year of blogging, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. There are so many more topics to explore, more readers to engage with, and more value to provide. My goals for the coming year include expanding the blog’s reach, maybe introducing guest and team posts, and perhaps even getting started with video to complement the blog.
Blogging has not just been a marketing tool; it has been a journey of growth and learning. It has taught me discipline, enhanced my knowledge, and connected me with an incredible community. For anyone considering starting a blog, my advice is simple: just start. The benefits far outweigh the challenges, and with each post, you’ll find your voice becoming stronger and more confident.
Thank you to all my readers for your support over the past year. Your engagement and feedback have been the driving force behind this blog. Here’s to another year of sharing knowledge, learning, and growing together.
Happy blogging!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Consult with a qualified professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.