Often a blogger has other things to worry about in life besides blogging. Writing the latest in an endless series of wise and wonderful blog posts isn't always at the top of the day's agenda. I know, that is a blasphemous statement, especially for a self confessed blog evangelist. Bear with me for a moment.
During times of illness, or of fatigue from work, play, or just simply from living, the blog posting ritual loses some of its appeal. Note that I used the term ritual. In fact, for many bloggers, the writing of a post and the clicking of the publish button takes on an almost mystical value. The writing of a post is the revelation of a bit of the writer's soul, and as such, the act of blogging has real spiritual significance. Writing the post becomes an act of ritual sharing of oneself with others.
At times when the blogger is not feeling like doing any heavy posting, the problem can be solved with a lighter touch. I like to refer to the post, written in times of near exhaustion, as the throwaway post. Of course, that title is highly inaccurate, and has little to do with the post quality itself. Many of these supposedly delete button ready postings are some of the best writing many bloggers will ever commit to their pages.
When you're slightly tired, the mind seems to trigger deeper emotional states, and more philosophical posts magically make an appearance. You may have noticed that phenomenon several times, but may have simply ignored it at the time. Often filled with feelings and thoughts written directly from the deepest parts of the subconscious mind, the resulting emotionally packed posts strike a chord in the reader. The blogger might not always agree with that assessment, however.
Very often, the blogger will feel the just written post is not their best work, and consider the post a mere space filler. Taking the point of view that any post is better than no post, the writer forgets the posting and returns to other thoughts. The readers may have other ideas.
Have you ever noticed how some of the posts where you put the most effort, got the least response? On the other hand, some of the allegedly throwaway type writings might have received many comments, compliments, and generated a number of e-mail responses. The reason is the writing that speaks from the heart, as opposed to the composition from the head. Blogs tend to engage their readers on an emotional level, along with the more frequently discussed intellectual level. The emotional connection is the basis for the blog's relationship building capabilities. It's not the blog. It's the blogger.
Next time you are tired and consider skipping your regular posting routine, consider the throwaway post. You might think it rambling, and lightweight in content, and therefore not a great piece of writing. Your readers might just have other ideas about its quality.
Writing from the heart once in awhile is not a bad thing for bloggers; even for business or professional bloggers. You may be starting that all important relationship building with your potential clients and customers. When they see you as a real person, and not a suit in a mahogany walled office, you are much more likely to make a personal connection with your readership.
In that sense, the throwaway post is more like a lifeline than than a discard. It's like a direct line, from heart to heart, rather than an appeal to the logical side of life. People build relationships with people whom they like, and who they feel understand them as individuals. They are more likely to conduct business with someone who they know and trust as well.
Consider writing a few throwaway posts today. Your readership will appreciate them more than you could ever imagine.
