Would you listen to a song if it’s not in English?
If the singer doesn’t fit the mold of a global star, would you lend an ear?
When you think of international music icons, the celebrities that come to mind are mostly Western, right? Not anymore. The Koreans are here.
Their songs aren’t in English, and lots of them don’t even speak English, yet they’ve seduced the world. The K-pop music industry is huge, and the K-Pop invasion is undeniably a phenomenon.
What does that have to do with you? Here are some key insights freelance bloggers can learn from the K-Pop invasion…
Take Time To Prepare
- K-Poppers start the groundwork early: at a young age they start training to master their craft.
- They hone their craft seriously: K-Pop uses apprenticeship as the main strategy for equipping group acts and solo artists with voice, dance and language skills.
- They supplement their skills: K-Pop artists often also get involved in movies, soap operas, event management, talent management or stage directing.
How about you? Are you ready to compete in the flooded market of freelance blogging? What can you do to win?
Prepare.
Enrol in journalism classes or writing courses; read books, magazines and blogs, and absorb all the information you can about this business. Freelance writing is hard work, so you need to learn the essentials to get through the initial phases of your career.
You’ll learn about the theories behind the scenes of good writing practice. Why an active writing voice works wonders and a passive one doesn’t. Why sentences work better one way than another and how to use transitional sentences to carry the reader from one paragraph to the next.
Enhance your craft, sharpen your skill and that will help enlarge your professional territory.
Offer Something Others Can’t
K-Pop artists’ product is unique and they’re the only producers.
When they record a song, they’re meticulous about every minute detail of the production: the musical arrangement, musicians who’ll play, right through to the post production.
Take a cue from their great attention to detail. That’s how they create catchy refrains and melodies that stick in your brain–the same effect you want your blog posts to have on your audience.
When writing a post, work out a plan to make sure you cover the essentials:
- research
- style
- writing voice
- grammar
- syntax
- rapport with your audience
I know the whole process is tedious. You have to painstakingly go through the checklist to make sure you have a hit.
Tailor Your Marketing to the Target
K-Pop is an amalgamation of projects in different kinds of media: TV, radio, fashion, magazines, and the internet.
Lee Soo-man, founder of the South Korean music label and talent agency S. M. Entertainment, conceptualized ‘Cultural Technology. It’s a 3-step process for promoting K-pop overseas. Look at the 3 steps:
- Export cultural products (the singers) and field them in different countries. Insight: as a blogger, pitch your posts to different sites to gain exposure to a wider audience.
- Create collaborations internationally. Insight: befriend other bloggers in your niche and related niches to widen your influence.
- Package singers’ images and styles, tailored to the country they engage. This strategy targets specific audiences in the most effective way. Insight: tailor each post to fit the blog and touch the audience in a special way.
Koreanovelas, as they are known today, have invaded the whole of Asia and stretched their fame to the western world. All of these factors contribute to K-Pop’s fame.
You must use all possible avenues to promote your blogging work–social media marketing, email marketing, link building, networking with other writers, guest blogging, content marketing, SEO, video marketing, and community building. Radio has been neglected; it might be old but it’s still a potent medium, adds to your credibility, and builds up your brand.
The combination of all these media efforts creates a synergy that can build your reputation as a pro freelance blogger.
Be Bold
K-Pop artists are not afraid to show who they really are. These artists and groups are bold.
They’re not afraid to sing in their own language. Listen to “Gangnam Style”, which is listed as the 25th best song of 2012 by Rolling Stones magazine; you’ll notice there are only a few English lyrics. Most of it is in Korean.
They have bold hairstyles that look different and attractive; it intensifies their appeal and sustains their popularity among fans. Looks are a big part of their packaging and for the most part, it rocks.
Let’s be honest, unique and brave acts always gain attention. So, be bold…
- With your website design. Don’t be afraid to use bold shapes and colors, or use black and white and nothing else.
- With your blog post structure. Use phrases instead of sentences to convey thoughts. Try using bullet points for 80% of your post. Don’t be scared to experiment.
- With words. Use colloquial expressions if appropriate or even foreign words. Make sure of one thing though; tell your audience what those words mean.
- With your marketing strategy. In my query letters, I always give a link to my blog. It’s a marketing tool that can work in ways you never expected. For example, I mentioned in my about page that I own a German Shepherd; a prospect saw that, took it as a sign I’m a good pick (she’s a German shepherd lover too) and hired me.
Find ways to market your business in uncharted territories. Boldness pays.
Push the Boundaries
I know it’s a cliché but “thinking outside the box” is the best way I can describe it. These K-Pop artists are outside the box. They don’t fit the mould of global superstars, yet they capture the imagination of the world.
Their quirky looks are irresistible. Their moves and tunes are somewhat similar to their western counterparts, but they have a unique style that has enthralled the global audience. They absolutely don’t belong to the norm.
As a freelance blogger, venturing out of the mould can help you get noticed.
This means doing your best to produce unique work all the time. Yep, it entails great amounts of effort to be different, but we might as well not write if we don’t have something new to offer. Just make sure your uniqueness charms, rather than alienates, your audience.
Keep It Fresh
K-Pop is always fresh and served hot. We’ve never heard songs like theirs. Their tunes captivate our senses. Their production technology amazes even tech gurus.
They innovate with that insatiable urge to create. They work hard to come up with new songs, new videos on YouTube, new hairstyles, new bands.
What can we learn from this?
Bloggers are required to come up with fresh ideas. It’s part of the creative life. We might have the same point but please—have a different angle. We might have the same story but tell it another way.
Work hard, think and squeeze your creativity till it hurts. [I hope I don’t sound masochistic there. ;)] Express it in your own style and have fresh ideas all the time to stir your reader’s mind.
Be Determined
K-Pop stars go through rigorous training for years, testing their determination to succeed. PSY’s energetic moves captured the world only after years of K-Pop’s anonymity in the western music scene.
The world is full of bloggers who, if they could have persevered just a bit more, would have increased rates and have become sought after bloggers. Unfortunately, these writers gave up after several tries. Lack of determination killed their dreams.
We’ve heard it enough but it’s always good to remind ourselves–never give up. Show up to work even when you’re sick; when you’re not in the mood. That’ll see you through the hard times and make your success much sweeter.
Determination is your friend.
Blogger, persevere…
Your reward is waiting.
Image: blakespot
Please allow me to comment first. Thank you for this invaluable opportunity to contribute on your epic blog Sophie. This one’s really BIG for me. 🙂
You’re welcome, Anthony! Thank you for sharing your perspective with everyone here. 🙂
Can’t keep it to myself, Sophie. I’m impressed by what these artists have done. I’m completely awed by what creativity, persistence, and determination can do. Learned from them. K-Pop, I salute you!
Great post! I never thought K-Pop would be an inspiration for blogging. Surely, the tips and ideas you’ve shared will give writers a new perspective on blogging. This post is well-sharing.
I mean worth-sharing.
Thanks SkyBlue! Never saw it that way. I’m humbled by your opinion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Wow! I never thought I could learn from them. Although not a fan of K-pop, I certainly am impressed by the dedication they put in. We certainly can learn from them.
Hey Ralph, thanks for dropping by. I know how you feel. It’s totally unexpected. K-Pop + Blogging? Very unlikely, huh? But hey, look… you said it, as creatives, we can learn from them.:)
I think a lot of American music producers could learn a thing or two from Korea!! Thanks for sharing this post.
Sure, US music producers could pick up some tactics from Korea. And so do bloggers and other creatives. Entrepreneurs can get some tactics too. Thanks for dropping a line Willie!:)
On being bold and pushing the boundaries — Tell me about it. K-Pop music videos are SO visually striking that even if I can’t understand what they’re singing and dancing about, I can’t help but stare.
I think that as I writers, we can really use that boldness factor to our advantage when we’re presenting ourselves.
Vivid description! You said it, the videos are a testimony to what boldness can do. The camera angles, the ‘I don’t give a damn attitude’, the ultra pace, and the colors, never got a treat like that before. Williesha’s right, American music producers can take a cue from the K-Pop phenomenon. Thanks for visiting Francesca. I dig your stuff too.:)
Bloggers like us can have a much stronger presence by following in the Korean artists’ footsteps. Being BOLD and taking risks can set you up for higher levels of success!
Love the takeaways here, Anthony:) It’s sooo important to continue to hone our craft and to differentiate as much as possible, like the K-Pops. Great info, Anthony!
From you, I’ll take it as a great compliment! Persisting to enhance our craft and striving to stand-out from the crowd are 2 essentials we don’t wanna neglect in our blogging industry.
What I appreciate about the Korean Government is that it’s actively doing it’s share in promoting their artists. I believe other countries should do this too. Don’t you think? What a way to give moral support for their local artists.
I’ll be checking out more of your stuff, Tania. I got smitten when I did a sneak peek on your blog, lately.:)
Talk soon!
Anthony, I’m so delighted to see you here on one of my favorite blogs. I love what you said about experimenting and being bold. What works for one blogger doesn’t always work for the next.
Thanks for the insights! And congrats on appearing on Be A Freelance Blogger. 😀
Savannah hello! (Anthony Dejolde takes a mock bow timidly, wearing the BIGGEST super delighted smile…) Thank you for the encouragement. I’m glad you like what I recommended. If we study the most successful business ventures, past and present, we’ll discover that they’re always open to experiment and they’re fearless, audacious and BOLD!
If you can just see my face now. I’m elated to the highest degree.:) Thanks!
These are my takeaways: be bold, be determined.
Sometimes I forget that it’s all right to step out, to do that one thing that I want to do. Sometimes I’m afraid to do it.
Forget bucket list boldness here. As a writer, I have at least one major goal to get to. However, even that one goal is a big picture. Boldness is what I need to do every day to accomplish even a small facet of that picture.
Then, of course, there is the determination. I used to be a carrier of the local paper. I had no backup, no substitute to call if I was sick. I had to show up because the papers weren’t going to deliver themselves.
As a writer, I also have no backup. No one is going to write something the way I write it. Likewise, no one is going to hire me for writing if I don’t put proof out there that I know how to write what they want.
In short, boldness and determination are verbs. They require an action from me in order to continue.
I like that!
My buddy Kendra. You just don’t know how ecstatic I feel right now.:) It’s quite clear already–BOLDNESS is a runway favorite.
Remember the ancient Israelites? They had to step out with all the courage they could muster before God moved His hand, showing a miracle. It’s almost like a requirement before delightfully mind-blowing things happened. Freelance Bloggers got to have that kind of boldness too. Think of it this way–you can’t please everybody so go ahead experiment… You’ll charm those who’ve decided they like you way before you did that experiment.:)
And determination, good ol’ determination is needed in any endeavor worth pursuing. I made countless tweaks on this piece before I could say… Tuh-Duh! I did it! Done.
Now there’s a promise to take to the bank: “You’ll charm those who’ve decided they like you…” That’s something we writers tend to forget.
We can’t sell salad dressing to people who don’t eat salad, but we can sell it to those who do. And to those who do like our dressing, they’ll be waiting for more. So, begin setting the table for dinner!
I’m ready to devour what you’ll serve on your blog Kendra. You know I believe in your writing skills. Just buzz me when you have a new post.
To more delectable success for both of us!
My fingers are not serving me right today, must be the uric acid I get from the black bean burritos I gobbled-up last night:)–that’s — ‘a runaway favorite’…–
Great insights bro!
You’re very good at what you do, never thought you’ll be this good in writing.
I say it’s a very good stuff because you are also sharing these insights that can better enhance the style of your fellow bloggers or for those newbies at writing who are still hesitant to take their first steps.
I know artist like you – writers, are unique in their own styles.
The way you write and the way you use words, you are all unique in every way.
But your insights here are very well generalized and so you and all the rest of the different writers can benefit from it.
And the fact that your insights here were inspired by these K-Pop Invasion, the most popular and the most unique of all styles, which is now taking the world by storm, will surely be of relevance to all you, bloggers.
Kudos to you and keep on inspiring your fellow writers so we, readers, can always have interesting stuffs to read.
Hi Jops, I’m turning red with glee now.
You’re right, I love sharing lessons I have learned when I was just starting with entry level bloggers. Just like in any career path, you have to rise from the ranks. You can’t be good instantly!
Thank you for seeing the value in what I have shared here.
I’ll expect to see you here, more often.:)
Cheers!
Wow, you’ve nicely put blogging and K-pop together. Reading your blog gave me a clearer picture of what K pops are. It’s really amazing how these non English speaking (or singing) groups are making it in the music/entertainment industry and how their fashion are influencing people. My son would just smile sheepishly whenever someone would comment that he looks like a korean.
Keep blogging, Anthony! 😉
Thanks Cessna, in the snobbish world of the blogosphere, you have to be different to be noticed.
I had to suck up bowls of cappuccino and read, read , read… before I came up with this idea.
Besides, K-Pop is really in a class all it’s own.
Thanks for dropping by and taking the time. Blessings!:)
Awesome post, Anthony! You’ve actually hinted a requirement that I stand firm to for all writers: to prepare.
You can just jump in and call yourself a “writer” if you can’t even master the language you are writing in, whether it be English or Spanish or Chinese. Moreover, you must know the basics (and eventually the advanced levels) of your craft, continue honing it, and use it to the best of your abilities every single day. Writing becomes better and more valuable with practice, constant review, and experience.
Keep up the great work!
– Stef G.
Hi Stef.
I’m absolutely elated you have the time to share your opinion here. You know I value your views.
I agree, the quality of time you dedicate to your preparation will directly affect the quality of your work as an artist.
Thanks for the encouragement Stef.
Fancy seeing you here, Stef! 🙂
Great post!
I especially liked the first point about taking time to prepare and to learn.
In the words of Seneca, “As long as you live, keep learning how to live.”
Rohi, hello!
Preparing and learning are 2 of the ‘can’t-do-without’ ingredients of the blogging cuisine. 🙂
We, bloggers won’t come out with mouth-watering dishes without ’em.
Thanks for reading this piece and for sharing your precious time. Loved that quote from Seneca too!
Great day!
It means now one needs to do blogging like Gangnam style. Just kidding; u r right blogging knows no border just like any other field of art; so it is your creativity and passion that can escalate you to the sky of fame and wealth even if wherever from you are.
Hey Edson, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. You’re right, you can use creativity and passion to reach higher levels of success in this career path.
Cheers!
Hi Anthony! Just read your article and I thought it was schweet!
I had never even heard of K-Pop before today, so now I have to go do some youtubing. “giggles”
I liked your advice about being bold and unique, and being prepared. I need to learn so much before I become successful. Blog posts like yours mean a lot to me as they give me the needed encouragement and reminders that I need to keep persevering.
Thanks Muchly!
Hey Angie!
Describing my post as ‘sweet’ is the sweetest.
I agree we have to keep learning but please don’t wait ’til you think you’re prepared. Scenario based learning is way more effective than lecture based learning. LAYB (Learn As You Blog) is the way to go for freelance bloggers.:)
Go be successful ‘content angel’!
I really enjoyed reading your post. It was really creative. I never would have thought that K-Pop would have something to teach me about writing. I guess I should keep my eyes wide open to all the posiblities for learning that there are in the world.
Wow! The way you put it: ‘Really enjoyed’ flatter’s me no end. Thanks!
And, right… The world has loads of lessons for us bloggers and they’re ready or the taking. We just have to open our eyes and be alert for ’em when they pop out.
Looking forward to see you around this site, Jodie.
Remain awesome!
I mean–‘The world has loads of lessons for us bloggers and they’re ready for the taking.’:)
Anthony, this is fantastic! Being a pop culture nerd myself, I always feel there are lessons to be had from almost every corner of it, and you’ve just proven my point with your post. 🙂
Hi Bree,
All of us, pop culture nerds have special eyes. We can discern pop wisdom from a hundred miles:), and we’re open to receive learning from anyone who can offer ’em.
(Anthony takes off his hat and executes his finest courtesy) Thanks for paying a visit Your Geekness! 🙂 I’m honored.
Wow, who would have thought that Ganham Style was connected to freelance writing. Anthony, thanks for your valuable post. I especially liked the ‘Insights” in the first paragraph; as well as the “BeBold” section. Your points are inspirational to me. I plan to use them all.
Hi Ronn, thanks for the kind words. I’m happy you find the insights valuable. From a professional actor and writer, I receive the comment with pride in my heart. I respect creatives especially those who belong to the performing arts. You deserve more praise than you’re being accorded.
Hope to see you more here.:)
Hi I have just read your blog and loved it, I have also shared it on Twitter and Facebook. Sometimes us writers for get to be BOLD and different we some times think we have to be like everyone else but we don’t we have to be ourselves and don’t give up even though sometimes it feels like all is lost. So lets not forget be BOLD and DON’T GIVE UP!
Veronica.
Hi Veronica,
Being bold, and not giving up, are 2 of my personal affirmations; I utter ’em to myself all the time. I go in front of the mirror, say it with conviction, ‘I’m BOLD’, ‘I’ll never give up ’til I reach the top!’
I feel great every time I do that.:)
Go, chase your success!
Hey Anthony
I’ve shared this invaluable post with a friend of mine who lives in Korea.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing with your friend. Please feel free to share it with anyone, you think, will find it useful.
Nice of you to drop a line Festus. Cheers!
Excellent post, Anthony! I love how the lessons we can take from K-Pop are applicable beyond freelance blogging.
Thanks for this post – bookmarked.
Hey Urooj,
Thank you! I’m still floating on air with these overwhelmingly positive remarks from fellow writers like you.
I won’t hit the ground if I don’t make an extra effort to do so.:)
Right! The tips can actually be applied in any aspect of life.
Thanks for having the time to share your thoughts.
K-Pop is very catchy and constantly reinforces branding. It’s a great reminder not only to be bold but also consistent in message.
Hi Caylie,
Thanks for sharing a point. K-Pop is a strong brand and always innovates. It stands out ‘cuz nothing like it ever existed before. I think that’s what bloggers should aim for–An irresistible, powerful brand!
Looking forward to see more of your footprints here, Caylie.
Cheers!
Great insights! Applicable indeed to blogging. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Deli,
Thanks for seeing the value in my post. Tell me about the positive effects on your blogging, ok?
I read a lot of articles from Bannawag and the Readers Digest in my younger years and I was so amazed how a writer titillate and stimulate someone’s imagination. I wished I could write one essay someday but after 49 years I still have yet to do it. I’m glad to find a friend like you who is making a mark in the blogging world. Congratulations, you seem to have the best writers in the world following you now and that’s including me. Your writings are so well inspired and world class I felt like reading the New York Times. God bless Anthony!
Hey William! Nice to see you here.
You know I started writing in my high school days without knowing it. I wrote songs to express my teenage angst then gradually gravitated towards a career in broadcasting.
It’s where I had a first taste of copywriting; crafting scripts we used to bark in radio ads and station yells. I’m sure you remember those days. Back when we used to rule the airwaves of our hometown, right?
I never thought I would be using those experiences to enhance my blogging career now.:)
Tell you what… start blogging. I’ll be in your corner, promise.
Cheers!
Hey Anthony- awesome post for a start! Good analogy between K-Pop and Blogging. Indeed, with a million bloggers out there, every blogger needs to prepare and get noticed! Congratulations on your first guest post 😉
Thanks Rob! This is a special guest post because it’s on an epic blog; however, this is not my first. My first was featured on The Freelance Pinoy being run by Stef Gonzaga.
Thanks for the compliments. Really appreciate it.
If I need to start this work do I have to pay something or deposit some money if it so I don’t have money but I really need this job
He isn’t talking about being an employee. (Copywriting is a freelance position.)
If you need an employee-type job, go to your nearest employment office, day labor temp office, or look in the classifieds . None of them should cost you anything.
Hi Kendra,
Thanks for explaining and elaborating there. Appreciate it! How’s your writing?
Very Nice news. I’m the long-time BTS Fan and was a good ARMY Lover from 2014.
my girlfriend and I follow all Kpop tunes, and BTS and 2NE1 are
particularly 2 kpop team that I listen to the best.
Nice blog, thanks for sharing…. I remember Sulli, she began her career as a trainee at the very young age of 11 in 2004, and then played the young Princess Seonhwa of Silla in the drama movie Ballad of Seodong. Further, as a young actress you played in drama movie like the ‘Vacation’, ‘Punch Lady’, ‘Babo’.
I tried to write a blog about her, hope you like it :https://stenote.blogspot.com/2020/04/an-interview-with-sulli.html
Thanks! I’m the BTS fan.