You want to become a published writer? Start a blog.

Friends, if you're wanting to become a published writer, I highly recommend starting a blog (and promote your blog on social media). I know I bang on about blogging so much, but it really is a gateway to getting wider exposure.

Blogging is a great way to get practice, to show commitment to a task, to show that you can meet a deadline (even self imposed) and to show that you can handle criticism. Promoting it on social media might just get the attention of an editor who might want to republish and pay you for your awesome writing! Or a company might like your writing style and content so much they might ask you to work with you in a different way! Blogging gives you an awesome portfolio of work to show people you'd like to work with.

If you get confident and pitch to an editor, your pitch doesn't have to be complicated - just:

"Hi, I wrote this about this issue/person/fun thing. Would you like to publish it on your awesome website? I think it suits your publication because... I could edit it so it looks like this. Thanks so much!"

You could even catch the attention of an editor by tweeting their publication, or using some clever hashtags.

(I took a course through the Australian Writers Centre, it was Magazine Writing and Pitching (as a prize from being named a finalist in the Best Australian Blogs Competition), and I can't recommend this highly enough! The Facebook group for graduates is SO supportive and people share lots of valuable information!)

And if you need to get some confidence pitching to editors, start by pitching to other bloggers, asking if you can guest post on their blog! Guest posting is a great way to reach a new audience and build communities.

Even if you don't want to become a published writer, blogging is such a good way to keep a record of your life and to meet new friends. Blogging is also a great way to get to know yourself through writing, and see how far you've grown.

Go forth and blog! But don't just start a blog. Keep going. Keep at it. Good luck!

(Monday's blog post was picked up by an editor and was republished on Daily Life. Look at this wonderful conversation!)

For advice about starting a blog, click here.

I am developing a blog course to be released this year. If there's anything you'd like to know about blogging, please let me know in the comments and it might be something I include in the course!