You’ll never expect your writing voice could evolve a lot over the years as you continue writing professionally—slowly losing your true voice.

Why didn’t I realize these things in the first place?

I am a writer. So, I blog.

When I was reading my old blogs written nine years ago, I was quite surprised as to how my writing sounded. The words spoke my heart, connecting to how my blog’s intent was.

Echoing inner voice, expressing words. 

It is beautiful, isn’t it?

While reading all the posts I wrote, I realized how far my writing morphed into something that’s only satisfying professionalism. That’s also been the reason for losing my focus on writing content on this blog. 

That said, this is also the first post I wrote that’s not concerning too much of the blogging technicalities i.e. SEO. At least, in this way, I can freely express my journey as a writer. 

I have to be selfish at this point. At least, today. So I can tell you my story. Perhaps, you might learn something new from me.

How Did I Realize I’m A Writer?

My mother once told me she felt disheartened when she saw a 2-year-old me scribbling her books with a pen on my hand. 

As much as she wanted to take those away from me, she let me do it. Probably, that’s the earliest account I could count as evidence of my gift. The gift of words. 

The internet has a lot to say when it comes to asking Google about the “signs of being a writer”. However, these are shallow descriptions that could validate someone’s view of himself being a writer. 

But beneath the surface, it all boils down to how you feel about writing. 

Every person can write a lot of things. But only a few can effectively live and embody the power of writing and realize how writing can transform someone’s life, how your words change the world. 

Do you feel the urge to write even when you’re away from your desk? 

When you’re doing groceries, do you always think about writing that fascinating experience you had a moment ago? 

If none of these rings true to you, you are not a writer. 

You’re only forcing it because either you’re curious about trying how the system works or how writing can bring you money. For sure, blogging can do that for you.

Every person can write a lot of things. But only a few can effectively live and embody the power of writing and realize how writing can transform someone’s life, how your words change the world. 

Are you getting my point? 

Going back to the question, how did I realize I’m a writer? 

It was when I felt connected with myself when I typed in the words on the blank page. Simple.

As young as four years old, I felt the same connection when I first used a typewriter, typing random words from a St. Therese booklet. 

For whatever reason, I loved the sound of the keys as if they’re an orchestra. 

How about you? 

Did you experience the same? 

Did you have some sort of earliest accounts of you enjoying scribbling, typing words, or something like that? 

If you say yes to these questions, you’re indeed born to become a writer. 

All you need to do now is to learn how to transform that writing to inspire billions of people using the internet.  

How Did I Start Getting Serious With Writing?

It was late 2014 when I realized I had to find a source of income since I left my teaching job for language classes. As much as I wanted to find another teaching job locally, I couldn’t find that spark anymore.

I don’t like to commute anymore and I felt like I had to find myself by stepping back from all the pressure from everyone. My parents and to all who were expecting high from me, especially as an overachiever. 

Right, I know I tend to be a people-pleaser. I can’t help it as an INFJ, whose strengths rely on people leaving my wants set aside. 

Because of that, I decided to ignore all people’s opinions and started to change my direction. I wanted to go back to my writing craft and make something out of it. 

Without any background nor online portfolio, I scoured the internet to search for the content mill providers like Elance (now commonly known as Upwork), Great Content, LinkedIn, and Onlinejobs.ph. 

It wasn’t a bed of roses as nobody wants to have me on their team. Well, I couldn’t blame them. 

I didn’t have anything to show to prove my skill that fits the job description. I had no self-hosted website at that time as I only had personal blogs under my belt. 

A few months after, I got hired as a freelance writer for the first time and the rest is history. 

Blogging gave me the chance to gather an audience, share my thoughts, and teach others who need my knowledge.

Why Did I Start Blogging As A Writer?

Blogging at the time was something fancy and only the rich could afford to do it. I only saw celebrities owning such a thing. 

One reason could be the money involved to set up a website. For me, it would cost almost my entire salary as a writer so I didn’t jump into that idea. Aside from that, the technicalities involved in running it daunted me to the core.

That changed when I met a fellow content writer. We’re working for the same company but she’s juggling a lot of virtual stuff to earn more income. She told me to start a blog to open more opportunities for me. Especially for writers.

So, I did. 

Without any clue on what to do with the website, I just went on and wrote whatever I liked to write. 

It was the first time I felt proud of myself I did it because it gave me a sense of freedom—without editors who constantly demand this and that topic to write about, without a boss who micromanages.

It was the first time I felt totally free. I had full control of my content.

It was also the first time I saw where my writing could take me.  

Blogging gave me the chance to gather an audience, share my thoughts, and teach others who need my knowledge. It was a fantastic feeling but it also became the source of my biggest frustrations. 

And I’ll tell you why. 

When Does Blogging Become Overwhelming?

Running a blog is often a one-man show. 

You’re the only one who does everything because you can’t afford to hire somebody to help you out. Hence, you have to know every single thing about blogging. 

When a writer transitions to becoming a blogger, it’s like forcing a writer to become a content marketer, storyteller, businessman, and company staff at once. 

You have to know how blogging works, learn the SEO, and the marketing strategy to leverage your content and future business. 

For someone who chooses to blog simply for expressing yourself, it could be overwhelming. It’s a lot to take in. 

When I decided to get serious with my writing and blogging at the same time, I collapsed. That said, it’s best not to do the same thing as I did. 

Your writing and blogging should connect and it shouldn’t be treated as separate entities. You blog because you want to build a brand of yourself as a writer. That’s it. 

The business comes after when you slowly build an audience and earn people’s trust, and growing your loyal fans. 

Otherwise, you’ll end up like me—3 websites down, wasted hundreds of dollars, and thousands of hours of work for nothing. 

When a writer transitions to becoming a blogger, it’s like forcing a writer to become a content marketer, storyteller, businessman, and company staff at once. 

What’s The Best Way To Transition From Offline Writing To Blogging?

You may feel confident about writing offline. I know you already had quite an experience in writing research papers, essays, or love letters at school. 

When you were young, you already had that feeling when you scribbled the words. The words you want someone to read and know your thoughts. 

However, that’s quite different when you transition to blogging. 

You start to write pieces of content that’s not only valuable to you but your audience as well. You’re not your only reader anymore. 

Your writing isn’t for your consumption anymore. It’s for everyone to read, to learn, and to appreciate. 

Your content becomes a call to action for people who listen to what you’ve got to say. 

Does that make sense? 

Therefore, the best way to transition from merely writing to blogging is by balancing your values, your audience, and your search engine. 

If any of these areas overlap, blogging will only frustrate you. Hence, you, the audience, and the search engine become the key areas for you to look at. 

You start to write pieces of content that’s not only valuable to you but your audience as well. You’re not your only reader anymore. Your writing isn’t for your consumption anymore. It’s for everyone to read, to learn, and to appreciate.

For example, if your values have more significance in your blogging, for sure, your audience would like to read your experience. 

But that’s not the only thing they’re looking for in content. They search for something beneficial to them. “What’s in it for me?” They’ll ask that when they land on your page. 

And if you can’t serve it to them, they won’t bother staying with you to the end. That’s the hard truth you need to accept. 

Here’s another example. If you don’t see the importance of learning Search Engine Optimization (SEO), how would Google find you? 

How would your users find your content? 

How can you lead a tribe if you can’t find your audience? 

Are you getting the picture? 

Being aware of these 3 areas play a big role for a writer to position himself as a blogger without getting too frustrated. 

I’ve been there without guidance. I couldn’t spend a lot of money on courses. 

How could I? 

I was broke. I barely survive the day-to-day financial situation. If my salary as a low-key writer barely covers my monthly expenses, how could I have a budget for premium courses—though I know I need guidance, I need an expert’s advice?

So, I relied on free courses on Udemy to supplement my knowledge and analyze thousands of content online to provide you a clear path to where you could go. 

Conclusion – Can You Become A Successful Writer?

Indeed, time flies fast. Whenever I think about my humble beginnings as a professional writer, it urges myself to ask, “How far have I gone?” 

When I continued reading my old blog posts, I realized how much my writing changed from personal (and sometimes metaphorical) to business (seemingly professional). 

Although it is like that, I still felt proud of myself I overcame a lot of challenges in writing. 

And I did a lot. I used the internet to explore my craft—writing fiction stories on Wattpad, freelance writing, ghostwriting, content writing, and blogging. 

I am a writer. So, I blog to reach the right people who will listen to what I have to say. 

How about you?

Do you still doubt your ability to write? Do you feel pressured to write the best piece all the time thinking that’s the only way to succeed online? Or, do you fear you would fail?

It’s your decision. 

If you like this post, feel free to share it with your friends and family. 

If you have something more to say, feel free to share them in the comment section below. I’d be glad to read them. 🙂 

[hubspot type=form portal=7343047 id=4b80b8d2-89f7-409d-b86e-ef2e5ed7fb3f]