Long-Form Blog Posts, but Uniquely Engaging? Lessons learned from maintaining a 6-year-old personal blog.

Hey! Michalis here, the person behind Strategaze; since we're talking about my blog, I'll write in the first person.

I am a lifelong learner by heart and a curious soul; so my journey in life has been of constant improvement, although I know it's a journey that's never supposed to reach its destination. 

That's the thing though; learning is about curiosity, not purpose!

In this case study, I'll walk you through some tips and processes I go through, while writing articles for gmpapadopoulos.com. Hoping to share universal tips for any writer out there. 

You're not a writer, I hear you say? Trying to click away already?

Sit your bum down - everybody writes, so you are a writer. 

Shamelessly using personal stories
(The power of storytelling)

One of the reasons I wanted to create a personal blog for myself, is to freely express my thoughts and stories to the world without limiting my imagination. 

Then I built my website in WordPress and quickly found out I needed to adhere to a whole lot of limits. 

Yet, I was still free to share my stories. 

Nowadays, I draft articles on gmpapadopoulos.com for the heck of it. My thought process behind each topic is similar to note-taking; I participated in a course, I had a life-altering event, I lived an experience, and I wrote down everything to understand them better. 

But, I still wrap everything in a narrative. Packing it with personal stories. 

Why? For me, it helps me to learn. 

But I do it, because creating articles in this way, can help others learn too. 

Adding my personal stories to the mix can break down difficult topics & 2000+ word articles into fun, easy-to-consume content. 

Not to mention the benefits of storytelling for your business; 30% uptick in conversions, or an increase of up to 2,706% in product value (BusinessDasher, 2024)? You should be already looking for the storytelling sign-up button!

The last thing to consider? Stories are some of the few things that separate you from any AI machine  - at least for now!

So don't be afraid to be real. Share your stories. Who doesn't want to read or hear a good one, really?

Find the courage to find your writing style
(and constantly improve it after!)

While I have been writing for a long, long time, I never thought of my writing as having a distinct, specific style.

Until a dear friend of mine and exceptionally talented writer, Luca, got to read one short story of mine, where he nailed the description. 

In short, he suggested I write in a dramatic, theatrical, highly representative way, that engages the reader emotionally. That statement, of course, was one of the best compliments I've ever received and will always hold dear in my heart. 

He was also right, somehow seeing the thought process behind my words. It may stem from my marketing career, but I do try to write to engage, and always consider the current state of my audience, even when writing fiction, my podcast After the Dragon, or even a message to a friend.

But the point is that, this style is not something that just popped up; it's a constant, dynamic state of work, ebbing and flowing constantly, in words, in inspiration, in tone and everything in between. 

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your writing. But with intentional work and determination, you will form your identity. 

The most important thing is to continue improving it - never believe you "found it"! 

The Case of AI in Writing: Should I?
(Answer: ...yesn't)

Ah, AI engines. Aren't they great? 

They most definitely are! And, as a writer, I would be lying if I was not saying I am not using them on a daily basis. 

But, what about them? Should I use them while writing?

I had a conversation on a recent roadtrip coming back from Albania. The driver, Henry, referred to a memory from his high school years, as he has solved a math equation yet the teacher told him he is wrong; however, when another person gave the exact same answer, the teacher this time said it was correct. 

Somewhat understandably, he became frustrated from the fact, and he spoke out about it. 

And while he doesn't remember the full details, so can't know the full truth, we can imagine what may have happened there. 

When you do something, the result can turn out correct. And, being in a results-driven society, that is where many people can decide to stop. 

Yet, it's not only about the result - many of the times, it is also about the process. And the process is here to teach you with best practices and mistakes, with challenges and struggles. 

Yes, AI is a fantastic tool. But it's a tool, not a panacea. As you shouldnt' use a screwdriver to hammer a nail in the wall (although you can try and, with enough determination, you may succeed), using AI can give you the right result - sometimes. But it will never give you the process of attempting and crafting something of your own. 

The same goes with writing tools, like Grammarly and Hemmingway App. I use them frequently, but I am also often override their suggestions, because I am in the driving seat and I feel I know better, for this particular instance. 

And, if I don't (which is quite usually the case), I can learn from it. Because it's a process!

So, can you use them? Absolutely!

Should you use them? You decide!

Do you want more tips?
(And see how I use all the above in action?)

Since this article was meant more as a portfolio blog, it couldn't cover everything. 

But, worry not! Why not head to said personal blog, gmpapadopoulos.com, and read my article on 15 (+1) Short Tips to Start Writing Better Right Away (For Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Writers)?

Click on the title or on the image for more - see you there!