I get asked this all the time – What do you love writing about? Here’s the answer:
- I love writing things that help people
So what do I mean by I love writing things that help people? Well, over the years I have found that the articles that jazz me up and get me crazy excited, are the ones that teach people how to do something. For example, writing what to do with the pumpkin seeds that come out of the pumpkin you’re carving for Halloween, or tips to give a frugal Christmas gift that doesn’t look cheap – I get a HUGE kick out of articles like that. I get revved up about learning something that appeals to me, and then sharing it. Ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers? I’m all over that! How to eat more healthy foods that still taste good? YES! More importantly, how to cut my cooking and meal prep time for those healthy meals? Give me all the tips!
Yep, I love learning tips and sharing them. In this respect, I feel like a reporter. I find the story, and share it with the world. That’s my favorite! I like picking up new, more efficient ways of doing things, and then telling everyone who will listen about it.
I had a month where all I wanted to do was talk about essential oils, because I was learning all about the benefits of them. I had a spell where I could NOT shut up about couponing, because I was saving so much money at the grocery store. I had an addiction to discussing free entertainment in my area because I was enjoying the thrill of the chase of a night on the town without paying for it. I get stupid stoked over discussing how to run a freedom based business…
The pattern I have seen emerge with all of my writing is that I want to help people. I want to expand their knowledge of the things that matter to me – even if it only matters to me for a spell… It’s taken me nearly 10 years to realize it, but THAT is my favorite thing to write about.
I think it’s one of the reasons I’ve been dragging my feet with my ghostwriting business lately. Not being able to share the tips I’ve learned makes me feel muzzled. The articles that take me the least amount of time to write, are the ones that have my name on them. The ones I know I’m going to be able to promote the crap out of, shouting from the rooftops “I WROTE THAT!”
It’s also part of why I’m developing a course on ghostblogging. I know HOW to get ghostblogging clients. I know what to do to build up my ghostwriting business. But, if I’m being 100% honest with myself, I don’t want to be a ghost. I don’t want to hide in the shadows sharing amazing content that I can’t put my name on. In 2017 I foresee myself pursuing a lot more opportunities where I can share who I am, and put my stamp on the world. I want to write all the things I’ve written for my clients, but in MY VOICE, with MY NAME, and with MY SPIN and opinions.
Will I still do ghostwriting? Yes, for now. As I continue building up MY NAME. But, I’ll be honest, when I start getting more recognition for Ashley Grant, I will take less ghostwriting clients, if any at all. I would love to continue consulting people on great blog ideas for their websites, and the types of content I dream up in my mind that I think the consumer would want to know from a business owner. But, outside of consulting on blogging ideas, I’m not sure I want to write from behind an alias anymore.
