You’re Not Just a Writer, You’re the Editor-in-Chief.
Blogs are quite often a one-person show. The owners maintain the blog, write the content and promote the site themselves. They switch between different roles whenever necessary and that’s the natural result of a DIY system where one is personally in charge of everything. Sometimes, we tend to see themselves more as writers and less as executive editors.
We are more occupied with the process of developing an article idea, writing the blog post and then doing some minor editing to correct inaccurate usage of grammar, spelling or punctuation. To us, editorial work mainly involves prepping a post for eventual publication.
For bloggers, the editorial and writing process is intertwined: an efficient setup that works tirelessly to churn out content. We are editing and writing at the same time, seamlessly transitioning from one role to another in a instinctual instant. This usually happens when both the writer and editor are the same person.
Ive been writing on this blog for over a year. The writer in me has matured, while I feel that my editorial vision remains limited to the usual adminstrative concerns involved in day-to-day publishing. Somehow I think I’m not living up to my full potential. Maybe its because I’m not thinking like an editor-in-chief, like someone with absolute power over doshdosh.com.
I can do anything I want with this blog. It is all mine. But yet here I am, still thinking like a freelance writer who finishes an article and leaves it at that. Where is the competitive development strategy? Where is the expansion plan? Where is the readership analysis?
I’m thinking like a foot soldier and not a general. I throw out article after article against the wall, hoping that some of them will stick. But I’m not strategizing or thinking in the long-term beyond the immediate present, beyond the comments I have to reply to and the emails I have to write. There’s something more to that. Perhaps I’m missing the executive perspective.
Image Credit: crazy autofocus
The editor-in-chief is the person who ultimately decides the content direction of the publication in the long run. Like a curator of some sort, the editor-in-chief determines what topics to cover in the editorial calendar and decides how content is arranged together in a way which coheres with the standards of the publication as well as its overall strategy/purpose.
The editor-in-chief is responsible for keeping up to date with reader needs, industry news and competitor publications. He/she is a specialist in analyzing and framing news sources in order to emphasize specific unique angles. This is the person who looks at a piece of writing, thinks beyond copy, and asks: How can I best use this to improve the publication as a whole?
What are you publishing? Does it differentiate you? What image are you trying to cultivate? Who are you trying to reach? What works for others and how can you learn from them? How do you repackage old information in new ways? Who can you collaborate with?
I’ve written many times about having a strategy when it comes to creating content. Too many times. Now I just need to remember that I’m not just a writer but an executive editor. Someone who’s actually in charge. Sometimes, it’s so easy to forget .
To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to Dosh Dosh today.
![[Post to Twitter]](http://www.doshdosh.com/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
Many bloggers begin blogs with no background in writing, so they spend the majority of their time writing, rewriting, and focus on getting the writing right. Once they are comfortable writing, they realize the need for other things; editorial calendars, analysis, strategy.
So I think it’s a process.
Last year, John Dvorak pointed out that there are many great online courses that teach writing and recommended that anyone considering blogging do one. This removes a lot of the scariness of writing, and as a result allows you to focus on the other aspects of maintaining a blog. I think he’s got a point.
The Education portal has a great list of free writing online courses here
Maki, I think you are quite severe with you, because I’m sure, all your readership is very satisfy with the quality of your content. However, as I blogger I understand what you mean. In fact, I think that this executive view is more present when a blog is in a development mode. Blog start up require to create strategies to increase their readership.
Your blog is now an establishes one and you are seen as an authority by you readers and your fans. Maybe, you are just enjoying your success and you very deserve it! I have no doubt that doshdosh.com will continue growing. In fact, it is growing with a “freelance writer” on its head… I just can’t imagine what it will be with an “executive”
Hope you the best!
Speaking of editing…
You really should think about giving us a time frame to edit our comments
Edit Comments XT seems decent for WP
Wow, what I great post. I’ve run into this exact situation on my site… where I get so caught up in writing and just editing my writers’ posts that I don’t step back and look at the big picture.
Thanks for the reminder!
Vic
I was waiting for the punch-line on this one Maki, sadly something that never came. Now that you’ve had these thought processes that you are not just the writer…what is going to change?
- How are you going to take control
- How are you going to create a competitive content strategy
- How are you going to analyse the readers
I was hanging on for it, maybe this is the start of a series?
Thank you. This is a big-picture perspective I needed reminder on.
I’ve been blogging for years, enjoying the freewheeling creativity of expressing whatever is on my mind that day. But recently I tried to turn “professional” and I’ve been struggling my way through the transition. Well, I don’t think I’m doing poorly in that transition — probably not less than any normal adjustment — but still, I feel like I haven’t hit my stride as a blogger.
I think having a mission, a focus, a clear message about what it is that you’re trying to communicate is very important. And I want my blogs to add up to form a greater whole, instead of just being random posts (even if it’s on a specific range of topics) cobbled together.
I did realize, for example, that after I started writing about my thoughts on self-actualization, I needed to write some entries dedicated to establishing/explaining my world view. It’s like writing a little glossary — “this is what I mean when I use this word, and that is the system I use to explain this phenomenon.”
I do think it’s a tough balance to have a big picture that doesn’t stifle freewheeling creativity, though. That’s an aspect of storytelling I didn’t get along with — once I figure out how the story is going to end, I didn’t find it interesting to fill in the gaps about how the story gets there.
Anyway, very good food for thought here. Thanks!
ari
I look at my blog like a magazine. I pick a particular topic within my niche and then spend the next month exploring it. So, every month I have some standard posts… like Letter From The Editor, Featured Articles and even advertisements.
I find having a purpose every month allows me to grow my blog in a systematic manner, instead of just posting willy-nilly when the urge hits me. It allows me to grow my blog as a whole, and not just one isolated post at a time.
While for some, this structured approach might take the fun out of blogging, I find it refreshing. I rarely sit in front of the computer wondering, “what should I write about today?’
Boy, I was doing exactly what you were doing. I had no strategy, I would constantly be wondering what to write about next. I like your think like an editor in chief, that is what I need to work on.
Edward;
Great way to do things, I like that one topic a month and spending some time on it so you can really get people some useful information versus a one time post that leaves them with too many other questions.
I love your writing man but there is something different this time. Not bad but more like what happens a half hour after you open a fine vintage and it catch’s its breathe. I look forward to the future your realization forebodes. To think the top of our field is ‘coming of age’ with a ’second coming’ is rather exciting.
Peace.
Youre right, blogging is one person show, and we have to learn everything sometimes from scratch!. Your blog is young yet popular! (16826 subscribers!), so I think you can keep focused on the content (which is quite important) and give yourself time to learn how to be an executive editor slowly.
I don’t think you can think like a true executive editor on this kind of blog, sorry. Why?
1. An exec editor on a magazine or newspaper has a pool of people competing to get their article into the publication. The editor is able to pick, choose and spike stories or send them back for re-writes even when the author thinks it is a pain in the behind. Can the solo blog author do that? No.
2. Any editor worth their salt will submit their writing to someone else for a critique and then to copy desk for editing. Just because you are in charge does not mean that your work cannot be improved.
Journalism and blogging can learn many things from each other, but the disciplines don’t necessarilly map directly on to one another.
Magazine reporters have editors and copydesk to keep them honest and on track.
Blog authors (the lucky ones at least) have their commentors, who often provide exactly the kind of critical feedback, post publication as journalists get pre-publication. Part of the joy of blogs is seeing ideas being refined in real-time, no?
As for keeping the blog on track and ensuring that each post makes the grade, why not use a poster stuck on the wall with the criteria that you demand of yourself. And if a post fails the grade? That’s when the problems start.
While I find the comparison of your blog writing to that of a freelance writer’s duties harsh, I see where you are going. I won’t go into much detail about that, as there are some instances where clients ask me to do some of the work that a “chief editor” might carry out (market research, audience demographic research, then compiling that into high quality copy, and personally editing it until it sells).
I do think that the idea is that you are your own editor on top of being the writer should be apparent to anyone wishing to write a successful blog. If you aren’t able to grasp and know what your core audience wants from posts you’ve decided to put on your blog, then you will never be able to be truly successful and blast through the blogosphere.
Strategy is a major key to success, and if you plan on building that success with your blog like any other business, you’ve got to plan, plan, research, plan some more, make some mistakes and learn from them, examine what you’ve done right, and incorporate all that into every aspect of your blog - visually through design and cognitively through language.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Justin Dupre
http://justindupre.com
Once I found your site. I made sure to come back. So I became one of your regular readers, or fans.
Your information is right ON. And if you are feeling growing pains into becoming more of an editor in chief, that is fine, just be sure you don’t lose the trees while you are gazing into the forest. I like the forest here. My blog is a LONG way from here.
What a great post, Maki! I have been reading your blog for quite sometime now and always find your writing not only useful but above all well thought. But this post… It has so many things into it, specially the matter of responsibility towards oneself and others as it is reflected in the relationship we establish with our blog. You have given me a lot to think and ACT about. Thank you.
When did Dosh Dosh start exactly??
I guess I can compare an editor-in-chief is like Haruhi, always keeping up with the vision and enthusiasm, while getting more help from friends and other people. You can be very talented and versatile, but one person is only one person, and it’s best to get more people jumping on board together. I feel like you are now one of the top foot soldier. And if you can find yourself some followers who can help expanding your vision, it would turn your life into greater, bigger, more enthusiastic circumstances. For example, a Mashable or Techcrunch type of blog, or a business network regarding consulting other local business in building up their own social brands on the internet.
I, for once, had an idea about web 2.0 business, and tried to convince some friends to jump on board. The first 5 people refused to follow my call. It took me 1 year to assemble my own team of 6 people and finish the first versions of our site. The existing business idea is way different comparing to the old one last year, though. Anyway, it’s always better to have people by your side, who are more talented than you in specific areas.
It’s kinda embarrassing to share with you about my own experience, but since you are quite honest about your own thinking… Sometimes, it would be nice to just “disconnect”, or “stop”, to think about the route we are taking and reflect upon what we have done so far. That’s the best way, in my opinion, to strengthen one’s strategic vision.
And thanks for a mind tickling post, Maki.
It is a challenge to keep all the hats in place of a blogger: writer, marketer, editor, and CEO. I constantly try to keep in mind my vision for my blogs, who my audience is, and what my long term writing goals are. It’s fun, but it ain’t always easy.
Being a recreational blogger, I actually never thought about having a vision for my blog. I figure I write whatever pops into my head. But you are right, because of this approach, sometimes I feel like my blog is does not stand out from the crowd. Hmmm…. I need to think about this vision idea for my blog.
I admire your dedication to writing and you’ve been an inspiration. Thanks for all the great articles and keep it up Editor-in-Chief!
Failing to think about these things actually contributes to the mean perception by some folks that blogging is just hack journalism. Because of the freedom that owning a blog affords, bloggers sometimes fail to consider that people actually read what they write and form opinions based on what they’ve written especially if their vocally expressing their views on something.
I can fully empathise with your sentiments, Maki. I often find myself wondering the same thing.
I like the idea. It puts me into someone who is fully responsible.
A strategic content plan is necessary for bloggers. They set the direction of the blog. Of course, feedback from the readers can change it.
Also thanks Lid for the writing resources.
You said. “I can do anything I want with this blog. It is all mine.” I like that line of thinking for our blogs and for our lives. We too often forget that we enjoy complete freedom of expression. Thank you for the reminder.
I do find it a challenge having to write and edit articles, then publish and market my posts extensively. Sometimes, I think I spend too much time with the writing and editing part, and forget that promoting and marketing is just as important if not more.
You are right to point out that a strategy is important. I really need to make a plan rightaway! Thanks for the reminder!
Evelyn
Dear sir :
I want to thank you for the article , i hope to be a writer some day , i’m trying hard to do it and i need your help , i don’t have a website , if it necessary just tell me what to do and how .
yours
dina
You are indeed correct. Bloggers tend to be tactical in their approach - as you point out, mostly because they use the platform as a vehicle of expression - to write. However, you ultimately need (at some point) to stop and review the strategy… The WHY.
If you blog only to “vent ones spleen” then tactical is peachy. If you use your blog (or blog powered website) to create an online presence so as to market yourself, then you’d better be thinking strategically. You’d better be creating content to plan - randomness need not apply.
To carry your metaphor of a soldier versus a general a little further, you’ll probably appreciate the old maxim “Battles are won in the war room - not on the field.” A gruesome image to be sure, however it does impart the required message: plan and get strategic or face an uncertain future.
.jb.
hmmmmm… After reading this article the first thought that springs to mind is “blogging is liek chess.” You have to think ahead. all the articles must contribute to something and you must be able to draw in a lot of readers just by the way your articles flow from one to another.
Another superb post, Maki. It’s nice to know that there is someone is reminding himself and others simultaneously. I thought that reviewing my post multiple times before and after submitting it is enough to be called a good editor. I wonder why many are still hooked with blogging knowing that it requires multi tasking.
Unfortunately, there are also some bloggers who do not realize this that’s why their blogging career does not improve.
Completely and totally understand. I started a social network site - taking my blog portion on the outside to both promote the site and let others see what it is about.
Being a blogger means wearing multiple hats…it’s a wild ride.
I, myself, go through waves of uncertainty.
In the end, though, I guess it comes down to trusting yourself….and believing that others find value in what we’re doing…
Alice
http://www.modernmet.com
I think some people won’t understand it that easy. When I was starting out I thought that blogging is just about writing and publishing but then it’s not.
Maki, I think you’re asking some good questions at a good time.
You have spent a year developing your writing and establishing a successful following. I’m guessing that was your original goal, and you’ve achieved it. So, what now? You can keep throwing out “article after article against the wall, hoping that some of them will stick” and also hoping that you won’t get stale. Or you can reinvigorate the blog by deciding whether you want to change the format, direction or a host of other things about it. Establish fresh goals, and raise the bar to achieve them.
I don’t think you’re being too hard on yourself. You haven’t been negative about the articles you write. You have certainly been critical of your own thinking - “here I am, still thinking like a freelance writer who finishes an article and leaves it at that”.
We have to go through this process of rethinking the big picture eventually. All the best with yours. I look forward to seeing what comes of it.
This is a great post.
I personally hate doing the analyzing, I would much rather focus on writing posts and the quality of the content.
But I do realize that I too have to take more time and focus on the executive responsibilities and take my blogs to the next level. I think though, this maybe a process of trial and error, where different techniques and strategies should be utilized to determine which works best for the end goal, whatever that may be for the blogger.
Thanks!
We should give ourselves a pat in the back for the hard work that we do!
I agree the writing blogs is a lot of hard work. An editor-in-chief wouldn’t allow so many typos in some of the blogs out there!
It would be nice if we could be just one or the other. However, that’s part of the challenge.
I’m still trying to get my blogging style sorted. I seem to blog in two ways: thought out posts and spur of the moment posts. Each have different tones (and the spelling in the latter can be awful). So tryign to bring together a process which works for me is taking time.
That said half the fun is fixing things and getting advice from others - wouldnt be a community if people didnt pull me up for bad grammar. :p
Good post Maki! In fact, the number of hats that the blogger has to wear is much more I believe
Read on…
http://www.dollarshower.com/when-alexa-technorati-and-seo-take-precedence/
Cheers,
Ajith
@Lid
Maybe its a process. I don’t know. But then again, even writers who can write well don’t often think strategically about content. It’s more about taking a step back and then changing your mindset. You can learn how to write, but I think its important to think about writing in a different way, not just as a writer but as someone who is in charge of the entire publication.
I will look into the wordpress plugin you’ve recommended.. I think this is the 2nd time you asked me about making the comments editable.:)
@ Han
Thanks a lot for the kind words! Hopefully doshdosh will grow even more once I sort out how I want to expand it
@ ScreenRant
You’re welcome!
@ Glen
I didn’t feel like writing a how-to post so this isn’t one…. I just wanted to ‘think outloud’ for once. Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll look into expanding this post when I have time.
@ Ari Koinuma
You’re welcome! I think one way of getting organized is to set aside one day every week or month to do an analysis of the website’s editorial calendar, progress and study what type of content seems to be well received, while planning ahead. Splitting up managerial and writing time is quite useful in this aspect.
@ Edward
I’m glad your plan is working out for ya!
@ Mich D
Yup, this is not usually the kind of post I write so it might seem a lil different.
@ Chris Noble
Thanks for your comment. I do agree… mainly because of the obvious organizational differences between a blog and a newspaper. I guess what I’m trying to emphasize in this post is about having a big-picture perspective which entails having a strategy for content development.
@ Justin Dupre
You’re welcome. Yes, the idea of being both editor + writer is apparent but its easy to forget or overemphasis on one aspect at the expense of another. That’s something I need to keep in mind, as you’ve said.. strategy is a major key to success.
@ Donnab
Glad you enjoy dosh dosh!
@ Jose
You’re welcome!
@ Gerald
Dosh Dosh started in January 2007, which makes it 1.5 years old. Hmmmmm time really flies. I still remember when I first started the blog..
@ Odin
Yup, an editor-in-chief is a lot like Haruhi! I have often thought about working with others to expand the blog into something larger and more news-oriented but haven’t made the leap yet. Thanks for sharing your experiences… I know how hard it is to work with people. You need a lot of trust to iron out the details. If someone is an expert in a specific field and I’m not, I’ll always defer judgment to him/her although our visions may conflict. Comes with the territory I guess…
@ Third World Geek
I know what you mean… but I actually think the ‘amateurish’ nature of blogs is its main appeal. I like how personal they can get sometimes… since they are usually free of all the editorial constraints which may come with ‘proper journalism’. The anything-goes attitude can result in a lot of junk/poor content but it can also result in some gems..
@ Tom Volkar, Evelyn
You’re welcome!
@ dina
You can start by purchasing your own domain and finding a web host. Or you can try blogging on wordpress.com or Blogger, just to get a hang of how it works first…
@ James
Definitely. Except for the exceptional few, most successful bloggers develop their popularity by strategically planning ahead.
@ guardian angel
Recognizing that there’s more to editing a post before publishing is the first step!
@ Melvin
blogging can definitely be just writing + publishing if you don’t care if anyone but friends read you… but if you want a large readership and use it to build a reputation, you probably need to think beyond just writing + publishing…..
@ Tracey
Thanks. I’m still thinking about how to move ahead. Sometimes you just need to take a big risk, like I did earlier by completely revamping the blog design. I can definitely make some more big changes but must be sure that this is what I really want.
@ Ajith
Indeed… bloggers do wear many hats at once
@ Everyone else
Thanks for your comments!
Thanks for the reality check. It’s really difficult to keep focused on the content when there is all the “mechanics” of blogging that has to be done. To keep the content on track for my blog I do the following:
I created a “vision statement” that is posted on my office wall. The vision statement is the main purpose of the blog.
I write out monthly “objectives” for the next three to six months. These objectives give me a general idea of the content I want to write about. They help me to stay focused on the main intent of my blog.
I then write 6 to 10 articles headlines and maybe a few notes based off those objectives.
I then try to remember to write those articles every 6 days or so.
This works for me and my blog because I am trying to develop a specific theme.
Quite interesting. I have a question for you:
Have ever gone back and edited posts after they have gone up?
I do this on a regular basis, and am constantly trying to hoe my voice. My posts go up raw, and after a few months may be complete. The blog is where my thoughts flow, and while some get read after edits, the real goal it to one day use them as the skeleton for longer works.
Through the raw post I find my voice. Through the editing process I find my storyteller.
“What they said” Blogging is not as “easy” as everyone thinks it is. It is very time consuming. I am trying (day in and day out) to try and organize and prioritize all my tasks. That in itself is a daunting task! I can’t decide what my favorite part is though. I guess I just love it all!
Great post Maki!
I never would have guessed you’d write this. You’re a natural; often ahead and when not, able to distill effectively. Keep it up.
Maki,
I agree - blogging makes me forget that I should also have my editor-in-chief hat on my head… you right, I need a strategy for my blog, instead of just writing and writing.
Cheers!
Hi,
Your problem is solved.
You just have to pay me to be your editor-in-chief
Have a nice weekend,
José
Those are really wise words. Always difficult to run a blog indeed.
Lots of comments, which only shows that this article is hitting a nerve!
The first thing that come to mind while reading was: focus. Without a focus, a blog will be like a little boat on the wild open seas. The writer will react to whats going on, being tossed left and right, and not going anywhere. It’s a passive method, which is good for a journalist-blogger. However, some bloggers are not journalists, and don’t want to be journalists. They want to achieve something with their blog thats beyond ust recording whats going on in their particular world, their niche.
So you must ask yourself; “what do I want to accomplish?” This will not only help with choosing topics for your blog, but it will give you some clues whether or not you’re doing it ‘right’. Set the goals high, don’t worry if they are realistic or not. Maybe you want to change the world, or introduce a whole new perspective on your particular subject. This will help; slowly you’ll write articles that wil take your readers towards your vision, introducing them -gently- to new ideas, etc.
As for editing… in my experience as writer and publisher, I’ve always found one can’t edit one’s own articles. To edit one must be as objective as possible. So find another writer, or even better: two, and let him/her/them edit your article. And you can edit theirs. In fact, in this way you can set up a circle where all will edit eachother’s articles.
I totally agree with you. It’s great to play writer/blogger and editor-in-chief at the same time. I just started blogging at Squidoo and playing both roles teaches me to be creative and resourceful. I especially like what you said below and I’ll keep this in mind everytime I blog or write marketing materials for my company:
What are you publishing? Does it differentiate you? What image are you trying to cultivate? Who are you trying to reach? What works for others and how can you learn from them? How do you repackage old information in new ways? Who can you collaborate with?
Thanks for the tip!
Interesting perspective. My challenge is that I come from a traditional journalism background. Often, I find myself, in the interest of fairness, balancing things I probably don’t need to. I think you can express your personal viewpoint without degrading those who may disagree and it’s been so much fun getting to branch out as a writer in that regard!
The long-range planning is what it’s hardest to find time for…but also the biggest time-saver when it’s place
Great stuff…. if you can think this way every time, the quality of your content should increase dramatically.
I have always wanted to be a journalist and an editor. Blogs give me the opportunity to realize at least a fraction of my dreams. When I read your post, that’s what came to my mind. Anyways, I am now hooked on to the blogosphere…..
Destination Infinity
PS: BTW One of your other articles on 6 fool proof steps to make money from blog was really good. Even though I may just use them for the betterment of my blogs than monetization part of it. I feel that passion should always be passion. We should not monetize it. Maybe we could have a separate blog in our specialization for monetization purposes.
Wow! This is so true. I found your site from a link at ProBlogger, where I’m trying to do his 31 Day Blog Improvement Challenge. I’ve written competently for years, but have really been missing the “executive perspective” you describe so well in this post.
Thanks for the insight!