Forget a new site or CMS, just jump right in and start writing Sep24 '08

A while back I talked about using existing web services rather than starting your own blog or site, especially if you just want to publish some content and don't care too much about the domain or branding.

For example, let's say I wish to start a movie journal, where I jot down notes or thoughts about each movie I see. It might be nice to have others read my thoughts, or somehow subscribe to my entire collection to be notified of future updates.

Many would consider starting a new blog or entire site... but why bother with all that cost, overhead, and maintenance?

If you already have a Google account (for example), just open a new Google Notebook and start writing! No overhead, and it gets you writing immediately. Google Notebooks can be published on a public site so anyone can read your notes. Readers can also subscribe to the RSS feed.

In the five seconds it takes you to log into Google Notebook, you've just obtained all of that for free: a public web site which can easily be updated with no technical knowledge, and the ability for readers to subscribe and follow along. Five/ten years ago, there was nothing this simple and immediate.

Here's an example of my "Movies" notebook. As you can see, it's nothing fancy. Just straight-forward, unformatted thoughts spilled out of my head. I don't care about grammar, appearance, etc. I just want a place to vent, if you will. Just to scribble down notes. Grab the RSS feed if you'd like.

Is this a comprehensive archive of every movie I've ever seen? Heck no. Is it sloppy and does it contain incomplete sentences and thoughts? Sure.

The point is... these days it's so easy to get your content out there, without having to create brand new sites or content management systems, and spending time making everything "perfect."

Many people take a lot of time to start blogs or new sites, and then realize they have nothing to say. The problem is they've associated the content with the burden of setting up and maintaining the site. Their initial ideas to write about have diminished since it becomes too much "work" to actually publish something.

It's like having the urge to drink a beer, but having to wait in a 20 minute line to get one. By the time you get to the front, does it really matter if you get that beer anymore?

The more the web and technology improves, the quicker it is to go from thought to published. These days we can publish web content straight from our cell phones while rolling on a train at 80 miles per hour.

The important part is finding the quickest way to get your thoughts from your head onto paper. By paper, I mean some systematic journal or resource that houses your content.

We all have something to say - it's just a matter of finding that proper avenue to say it with!

Categories: Services , Sites , Tips , Writing

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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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