7 Useful Tips For Non-Native English Bloggers
Do you want to be a successful and reputable blogger when English isn’t your primary language? I’ve got you covered! I will give you 7 useful tips for non-native English bloggers!
First of all congratulations on being so brave to share your knowledge and wisdom with the world. As a non-native English blogger, you have to double your efforts to make it happen, but you can grow from zero to hero in a few years.
As English is undoubtedly the most popular language in the blogging industry, many people prefer to blog in English.
According to the top content management system (CMS) WordPress blog stats, 71% of bloggers use their websites to publish their work in English. Therefore it will be beneficial for non-native bloggers to develop their English skills and proficiency to a high level.
Why are people blogging?
- For fun
- For marketing
- For monetizing
- To improve their English writing skills
Here are 3 successful non-native English bloggers!
Let’s Reach Success helps people to start an online business
Self Made Millenials blogging about creating optimized content and teaches how to attract potential customers through organic search results
BloggersIdeas is a digital marketing blog where you can find a lot of resources and read interviews with marketing legends like Neil Patel and Rand Fishkin.
Why is it essential to have good English to blog as a non-native English blogger?
Why English is so important for non-native English bloggers?
It is well known this is the language of science, diplomacy, and tourism. It is also the language of international communication, the media, and the internet. Whether it is for purposes of business or you just love to travel around the world, understanding the importance of English will help you reach your goals.
Good English is necessary
- to build a respectable and authoritative blog
- to better help your readers solve their problem
- will increase your productivity (The more skilled you are, the easier it is to write high-quality articles)
Poor English
- will reflect badly on your blog’s credibility
- It will also negatively impact how users perceive content quality.
- readers find poor grammar distracting and frustrating
As a blogger, either a native or a non-native English speaker, you can have brilliant ideas and knowledge to share, but if your grammar and spelling are wrong, your readers will not fully understand your thoughts or will stop reading.
Some people say that writing isn’t about perfection, it’s about helping someone on the other side of the screen. This is true. However, it’s much preferable to improve your English and send a clear well-written message to your readers.
As a published, non-native English author, I know that the quality of my writing is very important. Therefore, I always consult an editor to ensure every article is grammatically correct and polished.
Here are 7 useful tips for non-native English bloggers:
1. Form your working method
As a writer, who is not a native English speaker, I worked daily on developing my English proficiency to a high level.
I know many writers blog about writing, how they master their English, and provide content on these topics. However, my experience, the projects I developed, and my learning process are unique. That is my story, my pathway from improving my basic English to being a published author. It is how my website English Study Helper differs from the others.
Here is what worked for me and I would recommend:
Develop an action plan
I created my own action plan on how to organize my time, prioritize tasks, and set SMART goals.
You can see how to create a learning action plan here.
Create an immersion environment
Imagine that your goal to become fluent in English is a fortress that you want to overtake. The best way to do it is to attack it simultaneously from all sides.
First of all, create an immersion environment where you are constantly and persistently exposed to the language. Make sure to maintain the exposure at all times, by changing and modifying the study tools and techniques you use daily. For example:
- watch movies
- read books and articles
- join social media groups
- communicate with native speakers
- podcasts
Read, read, read
As a published writer, who is not a native English speaker, I would give you this advice: If you want to learn and improve your English more quickly, reading is key. The more you read, the more knowledge you gain about the language and its foundations.
I would recommend the novel Harsh affairs as a good read for non-native English speakers, either bloggers or ESL learners. You can find more helpful ebooks and free tools on my site.
Also, there are a lot of websites out there to find excellent reads, like Reddit, Quora, and Medium.
In addition, there are various social media platforms, like Meetup, to interact with them firsthand to learn how they communicate.
Create a daily writing routine
While writing my books, I found out that one of my strategies worked very well.
What is this magic tool? – you will ask.
Don’t worry! I will share my wisdom with you, dear readers!
Here you go: Create a daily writing routine and stick to it: I will spend at least 30 minutes writing in English every morning.
It is simple, isn’t it?
I also realize that having a routine and sticking to it is essential when you learn English on your own. Like I did. That technique helped me a lot. I believe it will be beneficial for you too.
Writing every single day will not only improve your English writing skills over time. It will also help you build and develop an inner writing voice for you as a non-native English blogger, that will make your blog unique. You can check out my website and find more ways to improve your written English through blogging.
Bonus Tip
Use your SMART goals to create a daily or weekly plan that you do effortlessly and effectively.
What is a SMART goal?
Let me help you with that,
You can see it here:
Bonus Tip
Don’t overcrowd your schedule!
Here are some free tools
2. Improve your typing speed
Why is typing speed important for non-native English bloggers?
As a non-native English blogger and writer, one of the challenges I had to face in the past was my slow typing speed. At the beginning of my writing career, I had very low productivity as my typing was so slow. Because of that, I failed to meet the deadlines I set up on my calendar.
Later on, I started procrastinating and felt overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed. It was such a nightmare!!!
How did you resolve this problem? – you would ask.
Well, long story short, I attended a course at my college as I was a student at that time. However, there are more options available for you now. Therefore, If you’re typing at a snail’s pace like I used to, you better take a course at any provider or a free online typing program to improve your speed.
You will see encouraging results very soon and how the faster you can type, the faster your next blog post will be written. Here are some online platforms that can help:
Typesy is an all-in-one platform for typing. Given the fact that this is an interactive typing software that combines videos, games, and exercises, I think it is worth trying. It stores everything in the cloud and automatically syncs on your computer.
According to their website, you will get master mega-fast typing, popular apps, and productivity hacks.
Type master is another website that claims it will help you double your typing speed. It also allows you to test your wpm (word per minute) speed and accuracy.
Visit Type Master here
3. Find an accountable partner
What is an accountable partner?
An accountability partner is someone who supports you to keep your commitment or maintain your progress toward the desired goal. My accountable partner is one of my close friends who writes poetry. We are both non-native English bloggers.
Therefore, for you, dear reader, the accountable partner could be a person with the same interests as yours or have the same goals. You might decide that finding an accountable partner that is native can work better for you.
How does an accountable partner work?
An accountable partner and you have to establish a stable, ongoing, reciprocal relationship. It is a small team of two dedicated members who coach, control, and empower each other, so both can reach their goals. This can feel tedious, but sometimes it’s the only way to get things done.
What is an example of an accountable partner?
Once again, my friend and I could be a perfect example of such a partnership. We’ve been partners in crime for almost ten years. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to share your thoughts and fears with?
It is so funny as we spend more time together sometimes than we do with our families, It could be such fun!
What are the benefits of an accountability partner?
Here are a few:
- helps you stay motivated
- helps you plan and set strategies and priorities
- reminds you of your tasks and goals
- gives you advice
- tells you if you need improvement
- just someone that is there for you
- reduces your stress
Bonus Tip
Use a site like FocusMate to find a body double.
4. Build an audience
How to build an audience?
As non-native English bloggers, we have to work harder than natives when building our audience. We have to consider two main points – valuable content and correct English.
Let’s face it, everyone starts as a beginner. The first step is to find people who will benefit from or enjoy your reads. Once you have readers, ask them to give you feedback or correct your English, and you will see substantial improvement in your writing.
How do you attract more readers and grow your audience?
Make your content memorable.
First, it is essential to differentiate your blog from the others. For this purpose, you need to provide value to your audience and create helpful content for readers.
Further, add your unique personal touch, experience, expertise, and opinion. Thus, you will make your content valuable and unique.
Publish compelling content regularly.
As a result of doing this, you will see your audience grow. Even more, you establish yourself as a reputable non-native English blogger.
Bonus Tip
Make your content intriguing
Maybe you should start with a secret.
Read this, please:
Ana often has dreams that predict the future. This night’s dream scared her to death. She was walking in a dark forest when her late grandmother appeared right in front of her. I will tell you a secret, she said. Ana was shocked by what her granny whispered about… are you still reading?
Sorry, dear readers! I outsmarted you! It was my imagination. I just wanted to make you wonder. I wanted to pique your attention and make you continue reading.
Create curiosity in your readers, and you will build a loyal, growing audience.
Good luck!
Hey, dear readers! How is your day going? I would love to have you on my website. It’s called English Study Helper and it is where you can find tips, strategies, and resources on how to improve your English faster and more effectively. Hope to see you there!
5. Avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism is a sensitive topic in our days. However, let’s clarify what it means and why it has become such a real issue. Especially for us, who are non-native English bloggers, it is essential to formate our writing according to the rules.
What is plagiarism?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary plagiarism is:
- “to copy and pass off (the expression of ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use (another’s work) without crediting the source
- to present a new and original idea or work derived from an existing source
- copying of one’s work, in most cases verbatim, without reference to the original.”
As bloggers, we don’t want to look like we are stealing someone’s work and need to make sure we avoid any intentional or unintentional plagiarism. Here are some tools to help you.
How to avoid plagiarism?
Here are some techniques:
Summarize
What is summarizing?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary summarizing is:
- “To tell in or reduce to a summary
- It includes the main points of the original source but you present it in your own words”
Paraphrase
What is paraphrasing?
- “Your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.”
- “One legitimate way … to borrow from a source.”
- “A more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea.”
Source:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/619/01/
An Example
According to the OWL website (Purdue, Oct 29, 2011), “paraphrasing is a way to legitimately use sources that other people wrote. When paraphrasing, the writer takes all of the “essential information and ideas” from sources he or she didn’t write, and expresses them in a different format, using different words.
It is not the same as a summary, which is a short statement that expresses the “single main idea” of a source. A paraphrase goes into more detail, to be sure that all important information about the topic is included.”
The Purdue University website was recommended to me by my English teacher at the college. I found a lot of valuable information there (especially for non-native English bloggers) that helped me to keep my content free of plagiarism and to quote my sources properly.
I think their steps for paraphrasing are very helpful and give a straightforward direction:
Steps to Paraphrasing
- “Read over the original text to make sure you understand what it is saying.
- Set the original aside, and write a short paragraph expressing the meaning IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
- Check your version to make sure it includes all the important information without repeating the original.
- If there are places where you directly repeat the words of the original, make sure to put quotation marks.
- Make a parenthetical reference at the end of the paraphrase (Last name, Initial, year, p.#) (Purdue, Viewed October 29, 2011)”
Paraphrasingtool.ai
Paraphrasingtool.ai is an all-in-one writing solution for content writers.
Paraphrasingtool.ai offers the following built-in tools: paraphrasing tool, summarizing tool, content generator, plagiarism, and grammar checkers.
Paraphrasingtool.ai is a free tool with premium features. Therefore, you can save money, time, and energy.
Quotations
What is quoting?
According to the Purdue University website, “quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.”
Here is one of my favorite quotes:
„Writing is hard…. Coal mining is harder. Do you think miners stand around all day talking about how hard it is to mine for coal? They do not. They simply dig.“ — Cheryl Strayed
or
Source: Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar Last update June 3, 2021. History
Source: https://quotepark.com/quotes/672312-cheryl-strayed-writing-is-hard-coal-mining-is-harder-do-you-th/
Do you want to practice? Here is one topic:
My favorite mentor
Read here before you start
Don’t forget to
use Reference List
Example:
Purdue OWL. (2011). Paraphrase: Write it in your own words. Retrieved October 29, 2011, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/619/01/
Bonus Tip
I recommend WordTune as your writing assistant & editor
6. Correct your grammar and spelling mistakes
Nevertheless, I am a published author, and I’ve always had a fear of writing. Somehow, I was thinking: as a non-native English speaker I’m not a reputable creator compared to natives, and my books, content, and blog posts aren’t as good as theirs.
Do you have similar fears, dear readers?
I want you to know that many of the most reputable content creators are non-native English bloggers. However, their knowledge and professionalism help millions of readers in many different fields.
Not only this. There is a website called Medium, where most writers and contributors use English as a second language. This fact doesn’t stop them from creating amazing stories that inspire people from all over the world.
This is obvious that non-native English bloggers can create compiling, engaging, and useful content (in many cases better) as English natives. However, it always requires double efforts, persistence, and continuous improvement.
In other words, to keep improving is the key to past feeling stuck and starting to use English confidently. The more you publish, the more you master your English your confidence as a non-native English blogger grows.
Having said that, I’m confident to conclude that hard work pays back!
So, this is the day!
You wrote an appealing new post for your blog!
Perfect!
But you still have hesitations and fears if it is good enough.
The good news is I have you covered!
Before you publish it, proofread it. Read through the text carefully and correct any mistakes. I recommend using a checklist like this one:
- Spelling
Focus on each word and check it for spelling
- Punctuation
- No comma errors
- Placed commas before the
conjunctions and, but, or in compound
sentences - All final punctuation is correct
- Capitalization
- Each sentence begins with a capital letter
- The names of people and places, months, and days of the week should begin with a capital letter
- Sentence length
It could be challenging to write simple and clear sentences. As a non-native English blogger, I am always concerned about my writing. Are my sentences grammatically correct? Are my sentences clear enough so my readers can understand?
In the past years, I realized that clarity is one of the essential skills to improve for any blogger. Here is my advice:
Use a technique to make your sentences concise and clear.
What is this technique?
Give a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive.
How do you do it?
Shorten a phrase or sentence by eliminating unnecessary words.
Why is this technique important?
To get your point across to your audience as quickly as possible. Also, clearly state your thoughts and ideas so they’re easier to understand.
Today, I have a challenge for you:
Find any piece of your writing – a blog post, email, or journal. Select a long sentence and use the technique I talked about above to revise it. Your goal is to remove the unnecessary wards but still keep the main meaning. From now on, try to use that technique in your everyday writing. Practice and edit your old blogs.
Isn’t this a clever way to make your everyday writing routine funny and exciting? What do you think?
- Grammar
Make sure you follow the correct grammar rules
Verbs and subjects should agree
Verb tenses should be consistent.
Bonus Tip
If you are a non-native English blogger and blog or write content online, Grammarly is a handy online writer app to consider. First, paste your writing there. Second, the grammar checker will give you a neat list of potential grammar and spelling errors in your writing. Finally, you’ll get suggestions for how to fix them.
I used Grammarly’s free plan for quite a while before switching to Premium.
Here is the screenshot from Grammarly’s website.
7. Create a swipe file
What is a swipe file?
A swipe file for writers is a collection of words and phrases you can use on multiple posts.
According to Rob Powell (the Smart Blogger website), there are 13 Types of Transitional Words and Phrases Readers Can’t Resist.
“Mind Reader” Transition Phrases: I can almost hear you thinking…
“Can’t-Miss This” Transition Words: Here’s why that’s important…
I highly recommend you read this article and learn about the other types of transitional words and phrases and see the examples. Then you can create a swipe file.
Creating a swipe file is a brilliant tool for non-native English bloggers to polish their English and improve productivity. Not only this, but by using this technique you will pique your reader’s curiosity and build a loyal audience that wants to read more.
How can swipe files improve your writing?
- producing engaging content
- shorten your writing process
- It helps to write faster
- It helps you to be more productive
- fostering creativity.
How to create a swipe file?
Let’s find out!
I used this chart of transitional words and phrases from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Writing Center.
Then, I created a spreadsheet.
I would recommend that you create a swipe file in a cloud platform like Google Drive.
It will always be accessible no matter where you are or what device you use.
Visit Google Drive and click “New” on the left sidebar followed by “Google Sheets.”
Bonus Tip
To expand your vocabulary and bolster your swipe file, use the Merriam-Webster Word of the Day.
How do I do it?
It is part of my daily routine. Every day when I am taking my morning coffee, I choose one or two words to be my “words of the day” that I add to my swipe file.
Also, keep in mind that the dictionary Merriam-Webster has a subscription service.
For example, I receive “Word of the Day” sent straight to my email.
I highly recommend you do the same.
You can receive the daily word via email by entering your email address in the “Subscribe” field.
More to read:
Rocket Languages: In-Depth Review Of The English Learning Platform
Unlock Language Learning with Fun and Engaging Gamified Apps
Unlocking Emojis: How to Boost Your Language Learning Playfully
Top Ways to Accelerate Your Learning With Powerful Emojis
How to Use English Chat for Learning: Best Tips
Top Apps For Brain Training: How to Study Faster
Where to Learn English Online In 2024: Powerful Tips
Concluding thoughts: 7 useful tips for non-native English bloggers
In conclusion, I would say that being a non-native English blogger deserves respect and admiration because that requires double efforts to be successful.
I mentioned here some useful tips for non-native English bloggers. Such as developing your own working method, how to improve your typing speed, the importance of an accountable partner, ways to avoid plagiarism, and how to create swipe files.
My tips are proven by my experience as a published non-native English writer. Follow my advice, and you will see significant improvement in your written English, and your content will stand out. It will take time, but at the end of the day, you will establish yourself as a reputable and respectable non-native English blogger.
I hope my blog post will inspire you, and my tips, strategies, and techniques will help you, as a non-native English blogger, create valuable content and master your English.
Good luck!
Thanks for reading!
With love and respect,
M.K.
