6 Simple ways to keep blogging from being a burden
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There’s no question about it – blogging takes time. As a solopreneur with a to-do list as long as your arm, updating your blog may not always make it to the top of that list. However, it’s a valuable marketing strategy, so resist the urge to just leave it on the back burner.
Here are six tips for taking the weight off your shoulders and making blogging the enjoyable and profitable activity it should be.
1. Find your best writing times
Each of us has a unique set of energy cycles. For example, you might feel most inspired in the mornings just after you wake up. Set aside time during these periods for working on blog posts.
2. Block time for blogging
Instead of scrambling to whip up a blog post just before you publish it, devote an afternoon or even a whole day to writing and loading up your blog with draft posts. If you write a number of posts at one time, you’ll be set for several days or weeks, and you won’t be sidelined when you just don’t feel like writing, or when other emergencies come up.
3. Keep an ideas file
Whenever you get an idea for a post, whether you’re working, walking your dog, or even going to sleep, write it down. A recent Blogging Organizers poll revealed that the majority of members use a paper notebook to capture their blogging ideas. Other popular choices include a Word document, Evernote, OneNote, and an editorial calendar. Several members admitted to keeping their ideas in their head, but I don’t actually recommend that.
Whichever tool you prefer, start a file for your blogging ideas and just keep adding to it. When you’re feeling uninspired or have writer’s block, refer to this file and choose a topic that strikes your fancy.
You might also set aside time for brainstorming topics. Let the ideas fly and don’t judge whether or not they’re worthwhile. An idea might seem off-the-wall now, but may be a winner later.
4. Keep a list of sources
Bookmark good websites for getting new ideas when you run out. You can find interesting ideas absolutely anywhere, but some of the best resources include forums, question and answer sites, article directories, social media sites, or other blogs. Read what people are talking about. When a question is posted that’s relevant to your area of expertise, write a blog post that answers it.
5. Outsource and edit
Hire someone to draft short articles, then edit their work to flesh it out with your own ideas and give it your own voice. As they come to know you, they can even come up with post ideas for you.
6. When the inspiration dies…
If you just don’t feel like blogging, don’t! If you write when you’re not feeling inspired, it’ll show, and you need to give your readers nothing less than your best.
When you’re feeling uninspired, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just take on some other tasks from your to-do list and move on.
How do you keep blogging from being a burden? Do you have something to add to this list?
Image © stokkete / depositphotos
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…and when the inspiration dies just hire Janet Barclay 🙂
Thank you for the plug, Gareth! 😎
I really enjoy blogging but suspect it’s not a big draw for my readers, so I aim for a post every couple of weeks or so. Yes, I keep ideas in Evernote, but also have an editorial calendar for time-sensitive topics. I absolutely agree, though, that if you’re not enjoying it, your energy is better spent elsewhere.
Pauline, it sounds like you’ve found a way to combine doing what you enjoy with meeting the needs of your readers – good job! It also sounds like you’ve brought your skills as a former organizer to your new career as an author. So good to see you here again!
I so agree about the energy cycles. Having a rhythm for all of my weekly tasks, including blogging, helps me prepare mentally for “what’s next.” Another way to keep it fresh is for me to try different kinds of posts. If I’ve been writing instructional texts, maybe mix it up with a humorous post or infographic!
A while ago I set aside Friday as my blogging day every week. Because I love to do it, it ensures that I finish the week doing something I enjoy and gives me something to look forward to if I’m having a rough week.
I also look forward to reading your posts – they don’t always relate to me, but I love your style and the way you put your unique touch on even everyday topics.
Great tips Janet! I especially like the last point you made about not writing when you’re not inspired. There have been many times when I “forced” a post because I felt like I had to get one out. My heart wasn’t in it and it showed. I’ve learned to write as much as I can when I want to and am inspired, and take the pressure off myself when I don’t feel like it. Sometimes we just need to give ourselves that permission. Thank you for helping in that area!
I’ve done it too, Liana, but that was mainly when I was trying to write my posts right before publishing. Now that I have a “blogging day” I’m never caught off guard. If I do find myself uninspired, I look for an older post that I can refresh and republish.
These are great tips! I currently block out time for blogging, usually 4 uninterrupted hours at a coffee shop, and I refer to my idea file to write upcoming posts. I find that this has really lowered my stress level when it comes to blogging, and made it more enjoyable.
Sounds like a good system, and it’s clearly working, as you always seem to have something interesting happening on your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Really Cheerful advice! Thank you for posting. When something like that happend to me I try to go outside. Some short vacation for a day or two. Partying with friends or just a moment for relax. Think something out of the box. 🙂
Cheers,
Kelly
I am with Seana. Knowing your energy cycle is so important. I am a morning person. I just don’t function between 2-4 in the afternoon. Writing is just a waste of time at that time. So, I do something physical, like clean the house or get rid for dinner. And then around 8 PM I can write again.
I’m a morning person too! I rarely work in the evening, because I’ve been up so long that I’m tired out, and if I push myself I’ll find it hard to unwind and get to sleep. But… I’ve never tried blogging at night, which I enjoy so much it rarely feels like work. Something to consider!
I agree about not blogging when you don’t “feel” it. I didn’t this week, and that’s ok. Next week I am planning an excursion to the library to do some uninterrupted media time. I will let you know how I do in my next blog post.
Good for you! I’ll look forward to reading your post.
Love these tips to make blogging easy. It’s part inspiration and part marketing. As you have written about in your blog, it’s taking the next step for me to “share.” I have a dedicated rhythm to my sharing twice a week and being on social media for 30 minutes a day.
Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great routine, Ellen. I haven’t yet figured out the best way for me to schedule my active time on social media – it’s sort of hit-and-miss as a transition between tasks, and I’m quite sure that’s not the most effective way to go about it! Did you choose your time based on what’s most convenient for you, or when most of your followers are online?
Janet, Thanks for reminding me that: ‘Blogging shouldn’t be a burden, but fun, energizing and creative.’ Sometimes among all the things going on it is hard to remember that blogging should feed my energy not consume my energy!
That’s a good way to put it, Pam. Maybe you need to figure out what time works best for you for blogging – or break it into separate steps: an rough outline or draft one day, and come back and fine tune it later. Now that you’re a full time divorce coach, you have a more flexible schedule than when you were just starting out. 🙂
Right now I am in a “blogging is a burden” mindset. I try writing 4 at a time and that seems to work best for me. When the weather gets nice I would rather be outside than blogging. Sometimes I compromise by blogging on the porch.
That sounds like the perfect compromise. If the weather would just stay nice for a while, you’ll be all set!
Thanks a lot for sharing, Blogging is really difficult and for the most part is that time to write quality content. you have made it easy in a way for sharing this great tips. thanks you!
You’re welcome, Ted! I hope you’ll keep them in mind when you start blogging.
I will surely do that janet
Great tips! I love blogging and find that I work best in the afternoon. I so wish I was a morning person but I’ve given up on that. Can you give us some examples of online forums or question and answer sites? Thank you!
Two Q&A sites I recommend exploring are Quora and Reddit.
For discussion forums, you need to find out where your target market hangs out. Try doing a Google search for phrases like “discussion forums for organizing” and see what comes up. Facebook groups and LinkedIn groups can also be good.
I love blogging when I feel I am on a roll with a topic. I often need to do a draft and then it all comes together in the end. I need to work on an inspiration file either on my phone, laptop or paper (however, paper gets lost). I often think about some inspiration for my facebook group and if I haven’t written it down its lost. Ugh!! I need to work on that file for inspiration. Thanks Janet
Always happy to help! For my Facebook group, I use an Excel file with days of the week across the top and dates down the side, and add ideas in whenever they strike me. I’ve tried doing something similar for blogging but it hasn’t clicked yet.
I get inspired by reading other people’s blogs and organizing articles and I do keep a physical and digital folder with ideas. Thanks.
And I know you have LOTS of great ideas! Keep up the good work.
I love writing, but even so, sometimes it’s easier than others. While I have a specific day that I write and post each week, there are times when life throws some curveballs. And when it does, I’ve learned not to be too hard on myself. But at the same time, it’s helpful for me to be as consistent and accurate to my blogging calendar as possible. I set up my schedule six months in advance and build in a few “free” weeks when I intentionally don’t write a post. Keeping an ideas file, as you suggested, is something I do too. The curated ideas help nudge me when I’m not inspired. I look in the binder and find a treasure to spark a post. There are weeks when my posts are just so-so, and I’ve come to be OK with that too. It’s about practice, consistency, and doing my best at that moment with all else that’s going on. The other thing that helps me remain enthusiastic about blogging is that I see it as a creative expression. For me, it’s not just about the writing and connecting with others, but also about the photographs and other imagery. I enjoy taking photos, making videos, and using those to enhance and market the posts.
Linda, your passion for your blog is very clear! I love that you use all of your own photographs and would like to do that more often myself. I also like that you follow a fairly consistent format. I find that knowing what to expect helps to build anticipation. And you take the time to engage with your readers, which is so important. I often go back to see how you’ve responded to my comments. 🙂