This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
- Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
- Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
- What topics do you think you’ll write about?
- Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
- If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
Our2Sons 
I am just writing to tell you that I think that what you’re doing is great. I have struggled with addiction in the past and have seen it destroy the lives of good people. I live in Lake Worth and would be happy to get involved if there is some way I could give my time to help your organization help struggling addicts.
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Thank you so much for contacting us. The HUB in Delray, a Recovery Community Center, is opening in Delray Beach in February. Volunteers are needed! Be well! Cindy and Staci
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I was very touched when I learned about you and your stories in a people magazine article given to my daughter over Christmas. I am so sorry you both have lived through such tragic times. I immediately bonded because addiction has surrounded me most of my life. My father was an alcoholic – a practicing alcoholic. Lived many nights as a 10 year old wondering if my dad would come home at night and how drunk he would be. When he retired he got better and life was good.
Next chapter, my daughter got involved in drugs in the 9th grade. I ended up having to “pluck ” her out of life as police removed her from her work one day and flew her to a rehab place in Montana. It took 10 years for her to come out of a terrible time of severe drug use, scary court visits, jail time, many rehabs and being homeless in Seattle and New York City at 2 different times for months in the dead of winter. My sister and I had to go look for her in Manhattan. We found her. I brought her home, got her better, only for her to leave for the streets once again. The stories go on and on as I am sure they did with the both of you and your sons. Finally, after being diagnosed as bipolar and everything else, my daughter slowly got better on her own. She is now a thriving healthy 32 year old wonderful citizen full of love and happiness. But by the grace of God go we.
Next chapter, my daughter is fine and I fall into alcoholism, get a DUI, spend a night in jail and put myself into rehab. I lost my job, was publicly shamed all over the news because I was a principal. End of story, I moved myself down to Florida and started a new life. I am now remarried and have a fabulous life in Boynton Beach on Lake Ida. Again, but by the grace of God go I.
Next chapter, my husband (shortly after we got married) fell to severe alcoholism and admitted himself into rehab. He came out of it well, and since then life has been wonderful.
Flashback to when my daughter was in the thickness of her addiction, I ran a marathon raising money for cancer. I did it because I wanted to learn how to possibly run my own charity run for those with addictions. When I was going through it with my daughter, it was very difficult to find anyone who could help. The police didn’t help, the counselors didn’t have answers, and on and on. However, I think I was just so happy not to deal with it anymore I forgot about doing anything after she was healthy again.
I am sharing all of this with you because I am so excited that you two were able to start something. I’m even more excited to see that you are close to me in Boca. I would love to learn more and find out how I can get involved. I would love to hear from you. I know my story is one in a million of heart wrenching stories. Addiction is a terrible disease. But with help, people can have successful lives. My daughter, myself, my father and my husband are proof that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So if anyone with an addiction problem is reading this, know you can have hope and find loving people who will support you as you learn to help yourself.
May God bless all of you.
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