Why do you want to write? Many of us starting writing just to have an outlet. Others of us became writers as a source of income. Is it possible to blog for both reasons at the same time? Yes, it’s possible. But, to do so successfully, you have to be honest about your motivations for blogging in the first place.

There are three motivations to consider in becoming an effective writer. One is to write when you have something important to raise up others. The second is to write to show your passion about a subject. The third is to write when you feel you have something to say that can make a difference.

Writing to Raise Up Fellow Writers and Creatives

It’s no secret among content creators that true success comes by raising your fellow creators up through shout outs and collaborations. After all, we are all writing in order to share our thoughts with others. But, we don’t have to feel like all of the ideas have to come from ourselves. 

Sometimes, it’s very important to identify writers who have touched you in some way through their work. Sharing what they have to say and why it’s important to us helps others to better understand our viewpoint. You may be surprised at just how many other people are affected by the same things. Plus, you may be equally surprised at how they may react differently or have a different perspective on the same thing.

While you should certainly take time to share your own thoughts, don’t ever put all of the pressure on yourself. After all, writing can be a lonely profession. You know how they say everything is better with friends. It’s no different with blogging. In fact, to succeed in blogging, you’re going to need all the friends you can get! 

Writing to Show Your Passion

The best content you create is made when you are being fully authentic. You need to be really feeling what you’re saying through your words. True passion for a subject is what makes the most compelling content, and the best bloggers on there have to be greatly passionate.

Of course, when you are passionate about something, your first impulse may be to react negatively about a subject. That doesn’t mean you should avoid those subjects. The trick is to find a way to be constructive and positive about it. 

If you truly care about something, you’ll find a way to spin your thoughts into something useful. It’s far from easy, of course. But, one of our jobs as writers: to say the things that others may just not have found the words to express. Others may be thinking about the same things, and it’s our job to let them know they’re not alone. Then, we have to show some good can come out of anything, if we put our passion into thoughtful practice.

Writing Because You Can Make a Difference

If you’re worried about becoming an unoriginal writer, let me ask you this. What can you do with your writing that can make a difference? Every single one of us has something unique to offer the world at large. It can take time to figure out what that unique angle is, but believe it or not, there isn’t yet a blog for absolutely everything.

Every time you sit down to write, ask yourself: “how can what I’m writing make a difference?” You may be surprised just how much reading one article or essay can do in someone’s life. Many people search Google just to see if someone else out there is thinking about the same things they are. Chances are with the billions of people online today, someone is searching for what you have to say.

In the online writing world, it’s easy to get caught up in the trap of only writing to popular topics and trending searches. There’s nothing wrong with catering to low-hanging fruit. But, true success as a blogger means taking risks. It means saying what you feel needs to be said that could really change someone’s day for the better. Words are powerful, and words from the heart can change entire lives.

So, my fellow writers, why do you want to write? How do you think your writing could make a difference? Don’t rush to answer these questions; take time to understand your motivations. You’ll discover that you may have a lot more to say than you first realized.

~ Amelia Desertsong