Comments on: Two Simple (and sort of mean) Words Every Blogger Should Know

By: Not getting enough traffic? Key questions that can help | Blogging for a Living| Part of the Freelance Writing Jobs Blog Network

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:33:02 +0000

[...] should readers come back? Is there even one good reason they [...]

By: Try not to suck as much as Chris Garrett | Blogging for a Living| Part of the Freelance Writing Jobs Blog Network

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:38:51 +0000

[...] sorry. Have a better reason. Blog for good pay, blog to promote your own career, blog because you have something to say, blog because you can’t imagine doing anything [...]

By: Eight easy tips for writing better blog posts | Network Blogging Tips

Eight easy tips for writing better blog posts | Network Blogging Tips — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:35:12 +0000

[...] 1) Give an opinion – PLEASE!: I read far too many blogs lately that are full of posts reporting the news or discussing fresh products but the bloggers are keeping their opinion to themselves. I don’t mind news or new gear on blogs, in fact I like it, but without your perspective I could have got the news elsewhere just fine. If 30,000 kids dropped out of college this year, don’t just tell readers that fact, tell them why you care – why it matters to their world – why it should matter to anyone. [...]

By: Blogging rules you should follow and rules you can break | Network Blogging Tips

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:13:49 +0000

[...] you hit publish ask yourself one question. “So what?” Asking yourself this one question can help you with pretty much every post you write and help you to avoid the above mentioned [...]

By: Is your blog job sucking the fun out of blogging? | Network Blogging Tips

Is your blog job sucking the fun out of blogging? | Network Blogging Tips — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:00:20 +0000

[...] When people say bad things about you it sucks, but keep in mind that people talk about you because something you said made them feel something – bad or not if you’re making people feel mad it’s [...]

By: Balancing Post Count : Network Blogging Tips

Balancing Post Count : Network Blogging Tips — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:44:30 +0000

[...] think that as long as you follow the “So what” rule that I wrote about at FWJ, then you’ll be fine. Some bloggers really can write endlessly and interestingly about a [...]

By: Too Many Hats Spoiled The View | Monetize Your Blog

Too Many Hats Spoiled The View | Monetize Your Blog — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:14:26 +0000

[...] wait – I found it – Here’s the So What story, it’s [...]

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:04:56 +0000

You mean no one really cares if I spent hours writing a post? Hey, defeat is a temporary situation. It’s giving up that’s permanent.
Love your blog and “I subscribed so I won’t miss another post.” keep on posting! Julie

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:22:03 +0000

Thanks for the article, and I’ll keep it in mind when starting a new blog or reviving one I had last year.

A wise and generous senior colleague who used to be at my workplace once taught me to try using the ‘so what?’ technique for preparing for job interview questions. It did help me think of more convincing answers for at least some kinds of questions.

cheers
Tim

By: Teoh K H

Teoh K H — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:23:05 +0000

Yes. Good advise.
People who blog must think.Then we will improve himself also.

By: L. L. Woodard

L. L. Woodard — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:05:16 +0000

So what? There’s a big impact in that small question, and as stated in earlier posts, applies to all types of writing.

Those two words can also be used to help the writer stay focused. If, when you’ve come to the end of writing your piece, and you re-read it and can’t answer the question, then you probably need to go back and revise or otherwise change the focus.

Great food for thought. The question is now in bold writing on a post-it note attached to my computer screen. Thanks much.

By: FreelanceWritingGigs.com | freelance-zone.com

FreelanceWritingGigs.com | freelance-zone.com — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:40:11 +0000

[...] new writers, this site is a treasure trove. Jennifer Chait’s “So What” should be required reading for anyone who presumes to put up a blog about…anything. I am [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:05:14 +0000

I agree to a point, but also disagree. So what works for writing posts you want others to read, but not everyone reading is going to be interested in everything you write or post or link at any given time. Someone, maybe just one person out there WILL get that funny story you post…and that funny story you post YOU need to post, because, well…it’s your blog and you can post/publish/write what you want to. Same goes with the random news story. Of course, I’m referring to my blog which, is a hodgepodge of All Things and my readers know I’m all over the place.

Now when you’re talking about fluffing up a post with keywords to get links, now that’s another matter…more than so what, I think it hurts your original intent and voice which turns readers off. Might get more hits from search engines? But will you gain readers?
Not likely.

I also think as bloggers it is really important to share these WOW! comments with others when we read something on a blog that hits us…not to create a link, but to share the love.

By: moonslice/Peggy

moonslice/Peggy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:28:21 +0000

Jennifer, glad I could make you laugh!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:19:28 +0000

Rebecca, true. I hate when people leave generic comments. The best way to comment is to add something to the conversation. The other option is to chat – like how people do here often (because it has grown into a nice community) but simply saying “great post” everywhere you go is so boring.

By: Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Rebecca Laffar-Smith — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:39:03 +0000

I think this home truth is even more important when it comes to commenting on other blogs. Are you doing it just to get a link back?

It’s great to have comments and I love to hear people sounding out that they’re reading but it would be fantastic to have readers who considered the, “So what?” factor of their comments. Leave something meaningful. Leave something interesting, inspiring, informative.

If you take a moment to think about it you can always draw on some point in the post to express specific interest, share a personal opinion or additional tip, and interact with the writer and other commenters etc.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:09:56 +0000

Peggy – that was the best laugh I had all week. So, thanks, I needed a laugh.

Thanks John, for your input. I’ve never heard, “kill the darlings.” but it’s true. I know people (um me) who get attached to phrases or words. It’s not wise to give in to that temptation though.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting Franklin

By: Franklin

Franklin — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:41:07 +0000

Great article! I will try to keep those words in mind while blogging. I hadn’t really thought about them until I saw your post.

By: John Clausen

John Clausen — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:46:59 +0000

This is sort of like the old saying about “killing your darlings.” I can’t remember who said it first, but I’ve used in frequently as a writing coach. Sometimes clients or other writers will latch onto a phrase or even a word that they find extremely amusing or tasty…and they’ll try to stuff it into their copy even if it isn’t appropriate or useful. A timely application of your “so what” question can help a writer find the discipline to “kill the darlings.”

By: moonslice/Peggy

moonslice/Peggy — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:04:30 +0000

So what.

Just kidding!!! Great post.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:34:27 +0000

Thanks everyone!
~ Dorit Sasson: True. I’ve used this advice for most of my writing projects through the years. However, I do feel that it’s easier to write nonsense words on a blog. A blog is faster writing combined with instant publising, and usually, you don’t have someone editing you. It leaves you wide open to words that don’t matter. But you’re right.

~ PreSchool Mama, you know, I am guilty of the funny story situation. I try hard not to do it; sometimes I just can’t resist. That’s why I like having a personal blog or two stashed away. When I feel a story coming I can head over to one of my personal blogs, and then my work blogs (and poor readers) don’t have to suffer.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:24:23 +0000

I know a couple of other words all bloggers should know.

Spot on as usual, Jennifer.

By: PreSchool Mama

PreSchool Mama — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:42:30 +0000

Thanks, Jennifer!

I know posts have to be written with the reader in my mind, but it’s so easy to forget, especially when you have a killer “funny” story to tell that no one but you, ultimately finds funny!

By: RLD

RLD — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:09:36 +0000

This was a great reminder for me. It’s easy for me to forget the reader’s point of view. Thanks for the great post!

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:15:34 +0000

Great post, thanks Jennifer!