Writing with integrity.

It can mean many different things, but I believe one of the most important aspects is the golden rule: honesty. Whether you’ve got your own writing business or are blogging for fun, honesty is crucial for your work and it can make or break your audience.

Honesty in Freelancing

When I first started freelancing, I could tell by the reviews my clients left that there was something unique about my way of doing business. Now, I’m not trying to toot my own horn, here; I had no clue what I was doing. It took me several clients to realise what made me different from many other freelancers: honesty. It wasn’t something I was even consciously doing; it’s just part of who I am. I believe that any relationship, whether it be personal or professional, should be founded on honesty.

And I’m not just talking about honesty as it pertains to money, although that was part of it. I was honest about when I could get things done and always kept my word. I was also honest about my own abilities. If there was something I didn’t know how to do, I let the client know – and many times, they gave me space to try, anyway.

So here’s my challenge to you, freelancers: are you being totally honest in all aspects of your business? (Don’t worry, bloggers, it’s your turn in a minute.) This is a hard question to ask, but I can guarantee you that clients will rave about you even more if you offer them simple honesty.

Honesty in Blogging

And what about bloggers? Blogging is a much more personal experience. Social media influencers rack up millions of followers by purposefully being controversial and/or displaying a seemingly “perfect” profile, but that’s not what we bloggers are here for. Our followers aren’t just numbers; they’re people. People who should be able to trust us. And of course, as you already know, that means being honest.

So what does this look like? Doing your research before giving facts. Correcting yourself when you make mistakes. Admitting when you’re wrong. Those things are all tougher to do than they might seem, but it builds an authentic audience who knows they can trust you to steer them in the right direction. And that is so, so important.

You have influence as a blogger, so make sure you use it right.

No matter what kind of writing you do, make honesty one of your core beliefs. A following built on fakery will eventually collapse, but a community built on honesty will stand the test of time.

How do you use honesty and integrity in your writing practices? Let me know in the comments! And remember, if you’re struggling with any aspect of writing, feel free to contact me!

Happy writing!
-E.J.

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