By Brad Bloom, @faithfitnessmag, Publisher, Faith & Fitness Magazine

My wife still does it the old-fashioned way. Most nights she reaches into her nightstand and pulls out a spiral bound notebook to make her next journal entry. It’s nothing fancy and I think in many ways that is a good thing. She has no intention to publish them. They give her a way to listen to God’s Spirit, talk with Christ, document our life and express herself.  She may have well over one hundred of them by now. As a writer I have a lot of catch-up to do.

Nowadays most people don’t use pen and paper. There’s research that suggests our increasing inability to communicate through the process of physically writing will have a lasting impact on our culture and families. Nonetheless, with today’s technology it is easier than ever to write and share.  You can use free website building tools that have powerful features to create and grow your message and brand. If you aren’t doing that then you should.

I encourage you to start a blog before the end of the month. I know that’s just a few days away but you need to do it. By the time we gather for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2018 it should have quite a few regular entries.

Here are some tips:

1. BE INSPIRED BY GOD – Everybody’s doing it, right? So you need to be different. However different, in my opinion, is still just good perspective at best and at worst it’s more cluttering in a crowded land called Internet. The world desperately needs good faith and plenty of it. The only way you can deliver is to keep God in focus.
2. CREATE A PROCESS AND STICK TO IT – As much as I want to hurry and post my next great inspirational message, I give it time. I write off-line, save it, come back tomorrow, read, edit, do all of that again the next day then have a second set of eyes review it. Writing, I feel, is much like carving wood. You craft it by feeling it.
3. BE FAITHFUL WITH COMMITMENT AND INTEGRITY – If you believe that God gave you this talent then you need to be sober and be a good steward of it. When you have the opportunity to write for someone, follow through to the end and do it well.

A blog is a good way to get started with your writing career. Sure, it gives you an immediate outlet to write. It also helps you build a foundation of accountability and motivation. Once you have that down to an art there are outlets like my magazine that may be interested in you doing a regular blog for them.

Contact me and tell me about your blog. What are your challenges with doing a blog? What are your success stories? I’m eager to learn how God is using your blog for His good purpose.

In my next BRMCWC post I’ll be talking about how some of last year’s conference attendees have leveraged their opportunity to write for Faith & Fitness Magazine and are already getting increased exposure. In some cases they are even generating some revenue. In all cases their words are making an impact in the lives of others. It all happened when they decided to follow through on a handshake and get started.

Click the link above to visit Brad at Faithandfitness.net!

Brad Bloom is the publisher of Faith & Fitness Magazine and Shout! Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine. He is president of Lifestyle Media Group, a ministry that develops content to help you connect your daily lifestyle with the Christian faith. Brad presented at last year’s Blue Ridge Mountains Christian’s Writers Conference and returns in 2018 with all new sessions to help you practice your craft and expand your influence now. You can use the CONTACT US form to schedule him to speak at your church, organization, group, community gathering or event.