I myself am from Indonesia, yet I decided to write my Destiny blog in English…at least the majority ofthe posts. I did so simply because I wanted a different atmosphere! The biggest advantage is that I can have more readers than when I write using my own language. That’s because English is like a universal language. One source estimates 1.8 billion English speakers, with about 400 million having English as the first language. Also, this does help improve my English, doesn’t it? So I have much to gain yet nothing to lose.
Here are the ways to blog successfully in a second language:
Get help to make your posts error free
Just make sure you have proofread your own post, to avoid mistakes. This is often the quickest way to notice errors in your sentences. However, if your understanding of English is truly limited, proofreading on your own won’t help very much.
Well then, you might also have a thought about why we can’t use an offline or online translator? To be honest, I’d prefer to use my mind to translate my thoughts from Indonesian to English. For me, the translator isn’t good for it can’t translate whole sentences properly, -my less than perfect translation is still much better than translator software-. I’ve tried numerous translators but none of them provided reliable. You might want to use one but it’s just for your reference, e.g. translating a few words only.
Find a buddy to preview your post
If you have any doubts about your writing in English, ask someone to proofread it. A Native English speaker is preferable. Fixing your errors or pointing out your mistakes should be simpler for them. Try social websites like Blog Catalog to find people that are willing to lend you a hand. Or, you can ask for your online / real life friends to do this. For example, here at Blogging With Success, we have writers who also proof read our posts.
Understand different cultures
Gain an understanding of your readers’ culture. Somehow, cultures do affect people style/preferences. Eastern cultures are very different from western cultures, keep this in mind. If you write something, you should write with yourself on the readers’ position. What would be their reactions? Would that post be appropriate for all readers? As for me, since I’m an Easterner, I’d position myself as a Westerner if I want to post something.
Widen your perspective
It would be great if you read/use many sources while you write that post. Blog Catalog and Stumble Upon are great sources for your writing. Reading from those sites I mentioned is recommended. Mostly you will read many interesting (sometimes weird…) topics from those places, but eh, it’s useful. You can choose topics while you are stumbling a website or bring it to Blog Catalog for discussion. Blog Catalog and forums get you different opinions, and perspectives which are very important. These steps should be useful too for native English speaking bloggers. You want to include those millions who speak and read English as a second language!
To make it a bit different, you could also write something on your blog in your own language then translate and post it on the same thread. This will make it easier for readers that speak your native tongue, without sacrificing English based readers. Although this sure is harder for you, but is also a nice option.
What about you?
Blogging in a second language is challenging, fun, interesting, but confusing as well. I personally learned a lot in this process and I sincerely hope you do too. Well then, are you also one of those non-native English speaking bloggers? What’s your reason for blogging in a second language? Share your experience here.
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Fransiska Ike is a Blogging With Success co-founder. She lives in Indonesia. Read her 
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I once wrote one blog post that happen to be read by Lorelle (the lady at Lorelle at wordpress). She comment on my blog and notice my silly grammar mistake. It’s silly and I do feel ashamed. The next day,I bought a book, “English for Dummies” and bookmark a couple of English grammar sites. I still make a lot of grammar mistakes but you have to improve yourself gradually because it’s the only way to be in business.
Cool, I just blogged about this same topic some time ago, and I am surprised how similarly you saw/do it. I blogged about this on my site because I’ve found some blogs written by non-English speakers that made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever, or required a ton of concentration to read. If your level of English is that low, I don’t think you gain much readership at all. Sometimes writing in your own language is the right way to go.
Hello Sebastyne,
Thank you for your opinion. I’ll take a look on your topic. ^^
Hey I write my blog Mr Javo dot Com in english but I speak spanish as first language. I have to say that writing in english has improved (a lot) my grammar an at the same time, it has expanded my vocabulary.
Like you, I decided blogging in english because of the wide audience…
write and blog in english, or you will die.
otherwise don’t dream to make at least 10 000 visitor/month.
That was a Metal song,”Speak English or Die”. But I disagree if you Geo Target your blog you can get Better quality Visitors depending on your Niche. You could Also write in chinese they are 20% of the Worlds Population.
@Anouar DotFixer- I admire people who blog in a second language. It’s a challenge, but a necessity for some to reach the success they want.
Personally, I am also writing in English even though it is my second language. It is not only a good way of getting more visitors, but it is really good way of getting some practice! I am also currently writing my master-thesis in English, so I actually changed my writing in the blogs from norwegian to english only so I didn’t have to change my “mentality” when writing :=)
Don’t be afraid or feel ashamed of your grammar, even those English speakers themselves make many grammatical errors. The most important thing is that we always strive to improve our grammar and do not get down when someone criticize our writings. Learn and practice… that’s the way to master it.
@Melia: Fortunately, I have personal tutor for grammar.
@Bischoff: hmmm… maybe it’s good for me to take another English course for now…
perfect thank you
Thanks for stopping by. I’d like to see your blog — leave the link. And can I interest you in a gravatar? Go to http://www.gravatar (.com)
Agree with you Fransiska, I also from Indonesia but I’m writing post in english. Google translate as one of my tool, hahaha
Welcome Fandy, glad you found us. Fransiska is away. She mentioned using Translate but only when in a real pinch. I used it recently to translate a French site that had left a backlink to one of my posts! Worked quite well for that purpose.