You probably have a million blog post ideas. The real problem is finding TIME to blog. Right?!
You're not alone. Almost every blogger I talk to deals with this, including me. 🙂
I have a personal rule that serves me very well, and I challenge you to take it on too, which is this: Create as much content as you consume.
I'll share how that works, how to MAKE it work for you, plus other common issues bloggers face - and how to get over them...
Make Blogging A HABIT
The real issue is in how we prioritize our time and tasks. We all have the same 24 hours in a day to work with, so there will always be things in our life and business that we don't get to. There simply isn't enough time to do everything under the sun, so we have to pick and choose what gets our attention... and what gets DONE.
Make your blog a PRIORITY. Get in the HABIT of creating content your readers will love. Always be thinking of ways you can better serve your market.
When you make blogging a habit, it gets DONE. Like any habit, it's simply a matter of forcing yourself to do it long enough for it to become a regular part of your routine.
Get up first thing in the morning and blog before you do anything else - Facebook, email, etc. Or simply set up a Time Block in your schedule at the same time of day, every day, to sit down and blog.
Figure out what you have to rearrange or skip to make this happen.
All of us have things in our daily routine that aren't necessarily productive, or that are less productive than creating content and building a loyal audience for our business.
Analyze how you're currently spending your time, the flow of your day and your week, and make adjustments so you can focus on your TRUE priorities.
I have a very busy lifestyle too. I get it. 🙂
I didn't think I had time to work out 3-5 times a week. For years I struggled with that. I wanted it to be a part of my routine, but I just couldn't make it happen.
The truth is: I didn't make it happen. When something you want becomes a REAL priority, not just a "hope" or "wish" - trust me... there's time for it!
Create As Much Content As You Consume
That may sound unrealistic at first glance, but it's truly not! It actually forces you to consume less content, to be more aware of how much time you spend consuming vs creating, and to be more picky about where you invest your valuable time.
It's easy to get caught up in reading social media content...
I recommend you never read your content stream at all. That may seem nuts, but read: Why You Should Be A Social Media Snob. Reading what everyone else is doing, feeling, saying or sharing may seem like a good use of your time - really?? lol - but it's not. Instead, get selective about what you subscribe to, and make sure you are giving as much to "the stream" as you are taking from it.
The Practical Side Of Blogging Productivity:
Anytime you have a topic in mind, a blog post idea, document it immediately. I recommend you put your topics directly into WordPress as a draft and save them there. I use the WordPress App for this when I'm mobile or traveling.
This gives you a whole list of ideas to work with every time you open WordPress and sit down to blog. Simply pick an idea you drafted, and start blogging!
Don't worry about details. Ideas are just that: ideas, thoughts. Put the general topic idea in the title field, make a few notes in the post area, and "save as draft". Done!
When I come back to a drafted idea, I start by outlining the points I want to make in that post. This is my "rough draft". From there I add images or illustrations, flesh out the points, add in an introduction and closing - and craft a call-to-action.
"Always Be Blogging"
Everywhere you go, everything you do, always be blogging. There is inspiration all around you, and it's your personal experiences that will make the best blog posts! This is where it's especially helpful to BE your own target market, of course. 🙂
I have a traveling food blog, so there's no end to the content around me all the time. Whether I'm walking through the grocery store, or grabbing a bite to eat in an airport between flights, it's all great for consistent social media updates and blog content!
See: Monetize Your Life – For Fun & Profit!
Also see: Successful Niche Blogging: MY Story
Quick, Short, Easy Blog Posts
Every post doesn't have to be an essay. In fact, your audience will appreciate shorter punchier posts in between some of your longer topics. Creating shorter posts in between will make it easier to increase your blogging frequency, and also give your readers more variety to enjoy.
Consider just adding a video you really like, and use it to share an important tip - or to open a discussion with your readers on the topic. You can also do a quick FAQ style post where you share a question you get via email or social media (omitting the name of the person that asked it, of course).
You could also repurpose a great facebook discussion, an interesting conversation you had, something interesting you found in a forum or group in your niche, etc.
Keep in mind that your own personal experiences - relevant to your niche - will make for the best posts. Don't be afraid to get more personal, to be more personable, and to share shorter thoughts & resources in between your longer essay style posts or tutorials. Your readers will love it!
Resource: 15 Checklists For Writing Amazing Blog Posts
I could give you tons of tips on time management, but it really just boils down to making your blog a priority, and getting in the habit of blogging consistently.
If you really want to build a loyal readership and an engaged audience, that's exactly what you need to be working on consistently - instead of reading about it or studying it or trying to figure out a "quick fix" to make it happen some other way... when all it takes is sitting down and building that readership. 🙂
Planning is key. I recently fell in love with this planner:
See this Video on Strategic Planning which talks about why I LOVE this planner, along with the two very simple notepads I got recently that have become part of my daily routine!
I would love to hear your thoughts - and your biggest blogging hurdles. Let's discuss it! Leave a comment and share a tip or ask a question, or just join in on the conversation. 🙂 *cheers*
Best,
p.s. You might enjoy Blogging Tips From A Professional Blogger too. 🙂
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About Lynn Terry
Great post Lynn! Blogging is the cheapest way I know to build your brand and authority. People who make excuses by saying they don't have the time aren't serious...end of story.
P.S. Love your food pics on Instagram 🙂
Thank you Kenneth! "They aren't serious" - good point. I think of it in terms of Goals vs Priorities. You can have a goal, or a hope or a wish, but a PRIORITY is something that actually gets DONE. 🙂