Pen and Prosper

Jennifer Brown Banks

Blogs are defined in their most basic form as online journals. Since their evolution in the 1990's, they have emerged as a popular mode of expression to do everything from rant, to raise the consciousness level on certain social issues, to self-promotion.

They are indeed many things to many people. I've started several over the years for various purposes. A few were recreational in nature, while others were devoted to sharing knowledge in my niche area of writing.

My most recent one, Pen and Prosper, has been the most successful and rewarding thus far. I've found, like many aspects of life, you learn from your mistakes.

Here are a few valuable lessons that my blogging experience has provided thus far that I'd like to share with you today.

1. There is great truth to the adage, “Rome wasn't built over night.” In other words, you're unlikely to be an overnight success with blogging or a writing career. It takes time to develop your style and voice, and to cultivate and maintain an audience. Don't rush it. With my current blog, I can't even count how many times in the beginning that I started to call it quits because I wasn't getting a lot of feedback in the way of readers' comments, or in the number of followers. I'm now proud to say that I recently celebrated my one year anniversary with my blog, and even though the numbers are still not “record breaking” they improve more and more each month. And yours will likely too. Hang in there!
2. For best results, choose a topic for which you have a great deal of passion and experience. One of the reasons that I make frequent posts to my blog, and am able to maintain momentum, is that I love writing about writing! When you love what you do, it's easier to engage other people and to cultivate a loyal following.
3. Be the star that you are! There's a lot to be said about being authentic and real. Strive to be the best version of you, as opposed to being a mediocre carbon copy of someone else.
4. Post to your blog on a regular, consistent basis. Even if your posts are short; just make sure they're quality. Sometimes it can be as simple as a beautiful image and your favorite poem or quote. By doing so, readers know what to expect and you build trust and credibility.

Now that I've shared how to blog better, I'll share with you the role blogging has played for me professionally and personally.

For me, my blog has gone from being a way to gain exposure for my creative ideas, to a means by which to teach and reach others from all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, and regions. It has allowed me to connect with others, network, and form lasting bonds that have been beyond my expectations. And hopefully yours will too.

Jennifer Brown Banks is a professional, veteran freelance writer and Blogger with over 500 publishing credits both online and in print publications. She has authored several relationship columns and produced feature pieces on an array of topics. Other hats that Jennifer Brown Banks wears include creative writing instructor and prolific poet. Jennifer Brown Banks also serve on several advisory boards. She is a former Senior Editor of Mahogany Magazine.

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