I’m hugely excited today because I’m finally launching an ebook that’s I’ve put a lot of love into … The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing. I’ve written before about Why I Blog, and this ebook was my attempt to teach others how to blog in the way that I do – focusing on the actual writing.
I struggled a bit to figure out how to introduce this to you. Normally when I write about a product here on Aliventures, I’m reviewing it. I like reviews: they’re fun to write, and the feedback about them has been great (I even share my review structure in the bonus pack of templates with The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing.)
So I figured… heck, why not, I’d write a review. Of my own ebook. And, y’know, I’ll try to be my usual unbiased self. 
Enjoy. And if you’ve got any questions for the author, I’ll make sure she answers them in the comments…
NB: If you’re not too convinced that I can be totally impartial while reviewing my own ebook, you might prefer to read Charlie Gilkey’s review of The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing over on Productive Flourishing…
Overview
The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing is an 82-page ebook about writing blog posts. It’s aimed at people who already understand a bit about blogging, and who’ve probably made a start with their own blog. The focus is very much on writing rather than any of the technicalities of blogging.
The price
$29 – a very fair price for an ebook of this length and depth.
Oh, and I’ve cut a special deal just for you … type in “aliventures” (no quotes) and you get a $5 discount!
What’s included
You get:
- The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing – a fifteen-chapter ebook on all aspects of blog writing, covering every stage from generating ideas to revising and polishing posts
- A bonus pack of templates
- A $10 discount code for Ali’s Staff Blogging Course (normally $19)
Good stuff
Well, what do you expect me to say here? It’s brilliant, amazing, it’ll change your life…
Here are a few highlights…
Expert, Balanced Advice
Ali writes a lot of blog posts (600 in the past couple of years) and also comes from a writing background. She blogs for a living, and doesn’t get all “arteeest” (as James Chartrand would say) about writing, but nor does she see have much time for content mills.
If you’ve ever spent hours paging through blogs-about-blogging, trying to learn what you want to about writing great posts – structure, style, voice, revision – then this could save you a heck of a lot of time. It’ll also let you avoid some of the less-than-great advice out there.
Wide Range of Topics
Ali takes the “Effective Writing” remit very broadly, starting the ebook with your own aims in blogging (on the premise that you can’t be effective unless you know what you’re trying to achieve) and your ideal reader. The ebook also touches on the use of images to enhance your writing, and how to create saleable products from a series of blog posts.
There’s also all the stuff you’d expect on how to write and structure different types of posts, and how to come up with ideas – especially as your blog goes from “not yet launched” to a long-running site.
Easy to Read
As you might expect from someone specialising in words, Ali has written The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing in a straightforward, easily-consumed style. Colin Beveridge (quoted on the sales page) describes the ebook as “Clear and direct, with enough humour to keep it light and entertaining.”
The Guarantee
Ali offers a six month guarantee (standard ones are usually 30 days), so that you’ve got plenty of time to try out everything in this ebook and see if it really does make a difference in your blog writing.
Bad stuff
None. None at all. This is the one perfect product I’ll ever review…
Okay, it’d be very unfair to let myself off without any criticism at all. So here are a couple of niggles (raised by readers).
Too Many Links
When Ali gives an example – and every time she quotes someone – she has a habit of linking to posts. This is fine if you’re reading on the screen and have the attention span of a gnat, but a bit frustrating if you’re reading on paper and can’t keep stopping to look at links.
(Ali would like to say, in her defence, that she did take out some of the links and bung them into “Further Reading” in the appendix.)
Quite Basic in Places
If, like me, you’ve written over 600 blog posts in two years (and have bragged about it to your ebook audience…) then you’ll find some of The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing pretty basic. That’s not to say it won’t help you – all the readers who’ve given feedback got plenty out of it – but you may find yourself skimming the early chapters.
On the other hand, if you’ve not clocked up quite that many blog posts to your name, this ebook doesn’t throw you in the deep end!
Verdict
If you’re a blogger, The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing is a great resource to have to hand. It’s something you can work through systematically, or dip into when you get “blogger’s block” and need some inspiration.
Plus, with the six month guarantee, you really haven’t got anything to lose. Go and check it out now – or if you’ve got any questions, just ask in the comments!
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Good luck with the product. Sounds like a disciplined review
It’s one of those items I would be keen to buy, only I’m on a block of spending after working my way through many of the products in your review section!
Am certain there will be plenty of sign ups though.
I’ve enjoyed all your blog posts and think you have a great style of writing so i’m sure this book can deliver real value especially to someone like myself who is just starting out. Thanks for putting this together.
Greg´s last blog ..So You Didn’t Get To Do What You Wanted This Weekend.
Ali, considering your writing style is literally the most refreshing of all the blogs I follow, I’m sure this eBook has a ton of value. Heck, if it can get me writing half as good as you it’s worth a fortune!
…Best of luck with your product!!
Marcus Sheridan´s last blog ..Why Shotgun and Outbound Marketing are Dead…and What You Can Do About It.
Amy, thanks! Come back and buy any time, it’s not gonna be off the shelves ever… Hope you’re enjoying the products you’re working through (and good on you for being disciplined with not buying more — I know I’m too prone to buying ebooks and not really making the most of them).
Thanks Greg, I really enjoyed writing this one, and hope it’s a helping hand to lots of bloggers.
Marcus, wow, thank you! I hope it has a ton of value too … it’s really hard to price things like this (with my last product, quite a few people told me it was underpriced and I suspect I’ll hear the same about this … but I’d rather people got a bargain, instead of making them feel screwed out of every last penny!)
Ali,
I have been through it once, and I’m impressed. You offer a fresh approach from a writer’s perspective. The examples you provide along with detail-rich instructions will help any blogger no matter their level of experience.
Thanks for providing this resource and for the inspiration to improve my own writing skills.
Alex
Thanks Alex! Glad you enjoyed it, and hope you pick up some useful bits and pieces. Yes, giving a writer’s perspective on blogging was important to me … a lot of blogging advice comes a bit more from a marketer or entrepreneur’s perspective — and the writing matters too!
Hi Ali!
You know I think your new eBook is great! I just told both of my readers about it over at my blog. I hope one of them becomes a customer!
Great work!
Tim
Tim Layton´s last blog ..The Blogger’s Guide To Effective Writing
Ali,
Well, why am I not surprised, though?
Something like this was bound to happen. And continue to work on collaborating with Charlie (and other luminaries), which will help you serve your readers, subscribers, clients/customers. Congratulations!
I think there are a lot of people out there who want to emulate your example, but just don’t know how to go about it. This important contribution may well be the light they are looking for as they grope in the darkness. I think there are a lot of people who can gain from you due to your educational background and practical experience.
You are a prolific writer who leads by example. You walk your talk. Keep up the good work. My best wishes to you and Charlie and wish you oodles of success in the near future. Spread your wings and fly in the oceanic sky.
Tim, thanks! I love the review (guys, do, check out Tim’s review: http://www.remodelingguy.net/2010/02/the-bloggers-guide-to-effective-writing-2) And I hugely appreciated your feedback, thanks again for that.
Archan, thank you! Yes, I really hope this is a valuable resource for people and one which helps them achieve their goals. And thank you for all your good wishes and encouragement, it’s much appreciated.
Hi Ali,
I have been a reader for a while now, just not much of a commenter
. However I did not want to pass up the opportunity to grab your ebook. Can’t wait to dive in and see what tips, ideas, and strategies I can apply to my own posts.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Omar
Omar Reyes´s last blog ..Bedlington Terriers – A Breed Profile
Thanks Omar, for commenting and for buying! Hope you enjoy the ebook — and best of luck with your blogging.
I been feeling the need for a little bit of guidance! So, this is very helpful, thanks, I’ll try some of these tips out in my next blog.
Kelly´s last blog ..How to Make a Photography Portfolio
By the way, Ali, sorry I forgot to mention this earlier but….(I am responding to one of your earlier posts)…I am happy for you that Goldsmiths worked out for you, although UEA has a more prestigious program in creative writing. I have been aware of University of East Anglia for some time now, and was planning on applying. Somehow, life got in the way, and here I am.
Sometimes, we go for a brand name instead of finding what works for us. In fact, maybe UEA may not have served your special needs at all. I know of a person who graduated from a prestigious program, and ended up working on Wall Street. He turned into a corporate drone and hated the long hours and the three piece suit and carrying a briefcase and having to wolf down your lunch at the desk and…need I go on? And then there was a financial debacle, and this guy lost his job. Today, he is self-employed and could not be happier with his choice. It’s funny how life sometimes delivers a knock-out punch, and yet it was just what the doctor ordered. In an era of unemployment, this has become a global trend. Thanks for your input.
UEA is indeed generally considered the “best” place for creative writing (I applied several years ago and got turned down, I’m still bitter
) In the long run, the location of Goldsmiths has probably suited me better … UEA’s in Norwich and it’d have been hard for me to see much of my then-boyfriend-now-fiancé if I’d gone there.
And yep, a well known program definitely isn’t a guarantee of success! I’ve met some fantastic students (and have a great tutor) at Goldsmiths and it’s hard to see how that could’ve been better at UEA.