Today is Day 12 of 2012.
One of my main objectives for the year was to be more consistent across my three main blogs. Ideally I would like to blog daily on all three, but would be happy with 5 posts per week on each.
Like I said, it's Day 12 (January 12th) as I write this. And this is my very first post for the New Year here on ClickNewz.
LOL 😐
As I was sitting here yet another day, staring at a blank WordPress draft, I thought... why not discuss the obvious? 😉
So let's talk about why consistency is so important, and what to do when you're not feeling particularly inspired to write an outstanding piece of content...
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I haven't been at a loss for topics. There is ALWAYS something to blog about. It hasn't been a lack of time. Honestly I can get a post out in under an hour, and sometimes less than 15 minutes depending on the post.
If I have time to do it, and topics to write about, what held me back?
The truth? Some weird little thought in the back of my mind that I should put out something "significant" or "outstanding".
Meanwhile, perfectly good posts went into draft and were saved in the queue with no new posts getting published for almost two full weeks.
That's just plain silly!
But I bet you can relate. 🙂
It happens to all of us, I imagine - or most of us at least.
The fact is, every blog post you write is NOT going to be "Pillar Content". It's not meant to be. Pillar Content are those exceptional posts that get a lot of buzz. They become the most viewed and most shared posts on your blog. You won't write one every day, or even every week.
Not to say that other content is just "filler". Far from it. But that we simply get in our own way sometimes when it comes to creating quality content. Or defining "quality" even. And that's exactly what happened to me, which like I said... is just plain silly. But hey, it happens!
Why Consistency Is Important
Our readers want to hear from us.
They want to hear our opinion, and they want to know what we're thinking & doing and how it relates to them or solves their issues.
This applies to your blog, to your email list, and even to your social media channels. Anywhere you provide content and have an active readership.
Going silent is a good way to lose the engagement and rapport you've worked hard to build up with them, and to potentially lose their interest long-term as they replace the void in their content stream with other sources.
Google will also take notice. If your content frequency changes, your crawl frequency will change. Meaning if you blog daily, they will crawl your site daily to index new content & links. If you drop down to twice a month, you'll eventually notice slower indexing. Not good.
Being consistent is important.
What To Do When You're Not Feeling "Brilliant"
You could always write about not feeling brilliant. 😀 LOL.
You can also put out photo posts, share great content you're reading - maybe a "top 5 blog posts this week" resource, embed a YouTube video you think they'll enjoy and then ask their thoughts/opinions on it.
Interviews are very easy content as well, especially when you're not feeling inspired. If you can write 3-5 questions for someone, you have an easy quality blog post.
And of course, you can always invite other bloggers to guest post while you're feeling a bit quiet.
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You'll find many more ideas in my upcoming Easy Unique Content guide. For now, I just wanted to encourage you to blog consistently. To be consistent across your social media channels, and with your mailing list. And of course, I wanted to get a post out and get things back on a roll here at ClickNewz. 😉
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you ever struggle with this yourself? Writer's block, perfectionism, lack of time/topics... what holds you back from keeping up with YOUR blogging schedule?
Best,
About Lynn Terry
I guess what holds me up right now is learning how to write all over again. I was good at it in high school and college(that was 20 years ago), but this is the first I've done any extensive writing since then. I find myself making beginners mistakes like repeating certain words too much. I am also learning how to write for the web which is different from writing those 10 page boring papers in college. 😉 I'm looking forward to your guide, Lynn. Thanks for the great post. Have a great day! (Oops, see I repeated the word "great". LOL)
Hi Susan! I can relate. But just so you know, it gets better and better with time & experience. I went through the same issues myself, especially with repeating words that made my content sound redundant.
Keep in mind you can always go back and edit. 😉 I just write freestyle, then go back and edit things like that myself.
I know what you mean. I actually had to go back and unlearn some of the things I learned in school. At first it felt weird to break the rules, then if was kind of fun. I try to write conversationally and leave the strict grammar rules behind.
Love this post, Lynn, because you wrote it just for me 🙂 Like you I have three blogs and find it challenging to keep up. The very points you mentioned have been of concern to me: losing the engagement with my readers, Google and other search engine crawlers slowing down. But I also appreciate the solutions you gave, some of which I can implement right away.
I'm also working to establish a pattern where I post consistently three days per week on my main customer service blog and one day on each of the other two. The goal is to keep posting the same day each week...but am still working on that.
Thanks for your transparency and recommendations.
Having a blogging schedule and/or an editorial calendar helps A LOT. I have tried that on more than one occasion, but find it much easier to write freestyle. With the never ending topics that are always available, the only real issue I have is getting in the habit of consistently publishing - no matter what. That's my goal!
Here's to better blogging in 2012! 😀 *cheers*
Hey its always been said that content is king, and now with the latest "Panda Updates" (not to promote panda even more as if we haven't heard enough of it last year", content is even more of a esential aspect to having a success blog that not only is loived by the search engines, but our actual visitors as well.
I do still think that mini sites isn't a bad idea, however, it just makes a lot more sense to build authority style site with quality content.
I think I will start building more sites that will feature many guest posts, as this is a great way to keep content on your site for readers as well.
Thanks for the value I really enjoyed the read and gain some very nice insight on content (as always)!
Thank you Alex! 🙂
It's true that with the changing web, especially in the last year or so, quality content is more important than ever. With social media integration - and the way it integrates with SEO now - engagement is key!
Interesting Lynny! I had decided to get to grips myself with this in 2012, and you are not the first other person I see talking about it! I think you are spot on with the nagging thoughts about it being a 'really good' post, when in fact a consistent blog becomes a 'really good' resource *because* of that consistency! Great post, Gordon
Exactly, Gordon 😉
Lynn, you always share topics that I thoughr of ... writing what for today. Your ideas open up a new insight for me. I am going to write every week even though I am not good at it but I will write from my heart.
The more you write, the better you will get. 😀
Hi, Lynn
Actually we´ve been missing a higher activity from you lately. Good to check you´re back.
What I like the most in your blog is how close we feel you in posts, you don´t pretend to seem a marketing "guru" (though you are) and the issues you write about are always appliable by entrepreneurs.
One question, how should we face the US market from Europe? Better as a whole country or by focusing on one or two target States firstly?
Thanks
José Félix
That's your perspective perhaps 🙂 but from mine, I am NOT (nor have I ever intended to be) a "marketing guru". A super affiliate and a professional blogger maybe - but guru is not my hat. 😉
Thank you for the kind words!
It's hard to answer your question about targeting without knowing your market or your niche. Unless it's locally based (state level) I wouldn't target States.
Yeah definitely feeling this post, Lynn.
Blogging frequently is something I threatened to do more than once. In fact, I probably decided to blog frequently more often than actually write posts!
Anyway, thanks for the great tips; looking forward to the content creation guide 🙂
Tony.
LOL I can relate to that. 😉
This is my 9th year blogging. And I have blogged consistently over the course of the last 8 1/2 years, but there have definitely been "quiet spells" here and there. All in all, I can't complain much lol.
Here's to blogging consistently in 2012! 😀 *cheers*
Thanks so much for writing this post, Lynn. It's a great reminder that the more I write the easier it gets. I really needed to hear this today!
I've been consistent in not writing. Here's to consistency on the positive end of the spectrum.
Now for a truly embarrassing revelation: It's been so long I even forgot my Twitter ID! The one in the post above is wrong. This post has the correct one.
LOL Elizabeth! *cheers* 😉
Lynn:
Okay, 5 posts a week on all 3 blogs seems like a might big task, well at least for me it would be.
Yes, I too have several Draft posts thinking that I need to make them better for my readers but you are right sometimes you just got start posting and start communicating.
Lately, I have been spending so much time building affiliate sites and trying to build backlinks that I have not spent much time on my main blog.
I sometimes forget to take my own advice and just schedule a 1 hour block each day or at least every few days and get over to the blog and post and communicate with my readers.
Take care,
- Rick
It might seem like a big task, but one of them is a video blog - and I shoot them all in lots then queue them up. And the other is mostly food pictures. 🙂 At the very most, it would take me 3 hours for all three blogs, but usually less than 90 minutes. Not un-doable. 😉
Great content consistency suggestion. Content is something that in my view is the main attraction to a blog. Whatever people say about looks and all that is really just a matter of saying, but at the end of the day, one needs to have good content. You can have a fabulously good looking blog with crap on it, and that will most definitely not succeed in attracting people to the blog. But if there is good content people will consistently come to read the blog. Yeah consistency is needed in what you choose to write about. Thanks for this, I will definitely keep it in mind and try to follow it.
That is true, and you bring up a good point. Especially if you consider how many people read your content elsewhere - not even ON your blog. In a reader, via email, etc.
That sounds like a great plan, Lynn.
Just curious. What are your other two blogs?
I would like to see them.
I believe I know of some, your weight loss blog and this one.
What is the other one?
Mark 🙂
This one of course, and the video blog at http://www.LynnTerry.TV and my low carb blog at http://www.TravelingLowCarb.com
I have others, but they're under pen names and I do those in my free time. 🙂
I totally feel you here.
I am also working on this same thing.
I have started with a calendar to help me blog at least twice on each of my three ok four sites.
I too have missed you here so glad to see you back telling us just what we need to hear.
Thanks!
Are you using a paper calendar, or a digital editorial calendar, or one of the plugins?
It's like you were reading my mind! I was just looking at my travel blog and I couldn't believe I had not posted since New Year's Eve. Yikes! It's the new blog so I'm struggling planning it out and adding it to the business plan.
Doing OK with posting on the weight loss/fitness blog so just need to get a 'schedule' set to make sure they are all getting the love.
I was writing for a client and wrote something short and sweet and it turned out just fine. Your blog posts don't always have to be some grand thing, just realizing this one lol
I love gust blog posts and I want to start doing interview posts too. Great ideas. Looking forward to your guide.
Ha - I don't feel so bad then. 😀 lol 😉
Consistent and persistent. I always hear those words of advice from you in my head Lynn! I've set a blogging schedule this year with my weight loss blog which is helping to keep me on track but I did plan to blog everyday which just doesn't seem acheivable when ;ife and other work gets in the way. So it's minimum 4 days a week. Alot of my posts are definitely not pillar content but regularity definitely keeps a steady stream of traffic and engagement occuring.
Those are definitely the keys. 🙂 4 days a week is a very nice rate, and will do well to keep people engaged. Great goal!
I love what you say about what to write when you're not feeling brilliant - write about not feeling brilliant! That type of transparency is what i try to do on my blog and people seem to connect to me about that.
You have to share your down times as much as you share your ups or else it damages the reader in one of two ways:
1. It makes them feel inferior because they feel alone in their struggle. Or...
2. It makes them not trust you wholeheartedly because they know not everyone is that perfect.
So that was right on target for me, Lynn!
Great post!
tiff 🙂
So true, Tiffany! Real is GOOD. *cheers*
Consistency is absolutely the most difficult thing for me of all this web stuff. I don't know why, really. I'm pretty set into routines in most other things I do, but blogging daily remains an elusive goal. My favorite inspiration blog for this is artist James Gurney's "Gurney Journey" on Blogspot. In the couple of years I've followed him he's never missed a day-- and every post is terrific.
I am adhering to my New Year's resolution to at least leave one tweet a day for 2012. Blog posts? We'll see.
What do you think holds you back?
I can relate to that. I agree consistency is definitely the key to keeping your readers. I haven't been to consistent lately and I want to get back on track. Lynn, I just wanted to let you know that I always find your blog posts encouraging and inspiring.
Thank you Maketta 🙂
I was thinking more about this (as I set about writing my next post!) and I think a problem many people have is that they think a blog post has to be an article.
Once you get used to it, a 400 word article can be written fairly quickly, but it does still need thought and consideration. For newer writers it can seem like a real effort until the practice kicks in.
So, my advice would be that a blog post does *not* have to be a full article, and more than that, a blog allows much more personalisation than an article can - a blog post really can just be about how you are feeling for example.
Valuable ideas in this thread - anyone spot a product creation opportunity? lol
Gordon
I'm on it 😉 http://www.EasyUniqueContent.com 😀
I agree, and a blog post can just be a question or a video or a resource (list)...
Hi Lynn, Thanks for another great post that is right on target. This has been one of my biggest hold backs and I know it but still haven't gotten on a regular posting schedule.
I am trying to get there and you have helped so much. Thinking that posts have to all be great is something that has held me back.
I always question what I write because I think,do I really know enough about that to write about that.I guess it is called insecurity and I have to get past it.
Sometimes the simple things I read are the best.
Gail
It's much more fun to just write, than it is to try to be an expert. That's what I love about my newer low carb blog. I just share what I'm learning and eating and do NOT claim to be an expert on the topic. But rather a "peer".
That reminds me of a recent post you may enjoy, if you haven't already read it: http://www.clicknewz.com/3108/3-types-of-bloggers/ 😀
Great post. Good thing I put my shoes on today or my toes would really sore. LOL
My biggest hang up is feeling like every post should be grand and informative. I'm not sure why I think that because I love reading short, personal posts from other people as much as I love reading their latest product review.
I discovered blogging when it was still new and everyone was writing about their lives and what they did that day, laundry, kid mishaps, pet mishaps, etc. I even did that and people engaged in what I was sharing.
When I discovered freelance writing, everyone was saying to stop being personal, start being professional. I did. I don't like it, but it's still ingrained in my head. Un-learning something can be very hard.
I had a longer comment and decided that it'd make great blog fodder so I saved it in notepad. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It seems many of us are having the same issues lately.
True, and it was nice on my end to know so many people could relate. 😀 And hey, I stepped on my own toes with this one. LOL. 😉 Being personal with your writing, and more importantly: personable, is key. People like reading blogs written by people they can relate to...
Hi Lynn,
Yup, this is definitely me. I haven't posted to my blog since December 7th of last year... YIKES!! I procrastinate a lot, that's my problem. I have been known to run out of ideas as well. I want to stay consistent but it gets so hard at times. However, I must push through it and get the ball rolling if I want to accomplish anything in 2012. I plan on writing a post today and hopefully everyday from here on out. Thanks for the info!
Any clue why you procrastinate? Do you not enjoy writing, or maybe find it difficult? Or worry about response, or lack of response? Just curious 😀
Hi Lynn,
I believe I procrastinate mainly because I'm afraid. I'm in a touch niche.... teens. It's easy to talk to them, but tough to get through to them. I'm afraid of the site failing. Sometimes I find it difficult to come up with topics to write about because I try to think of things that will help them but also catch and keep their attention.
My online adventure hasn't been easy and it's still a struggle. I've been at it for several years.Even though I have all the tools to become successful, I feel like I don't know what to do with them. I think to myself all the time that it can't be this hard since I see so many people doing it. I guess it's different for everyone.
People say all the time to don't give up, but it's hard not to when you haven't gotten very far in a long period of time. But I never give up because something just won't let me. I want to succeed online. I have to.
Sorry, I've gotten completely off subject. But that's why i procrastinate. However, I guess I'll never know how successful I'll be with my site until I keep at it.
It sounds like you need a strong plan and a clear objective for your business model. 🙂 That will help put things in proper perspective, so that your content leads your market toward the objective(s) and you feel confident about what you write - and the angle you write from.
You might do a brain dump, or a brainstorming session, and really sift through all the ideas and options and decide what direction you want to take it - as a business.
This week I'm doing a Winter Seasonal Repatterning for Getting Unstuck. Sounds like I'm right on schedule. I'm going to set my intention to clear stuckness around my blog. Thanks for the idea, Lynn.
That sounds interesting! Where can I learn more about it?
Here's the link. Check it out and let me know what you think. I'd appreciate any constructive feedback you have to offer.
http://liztobin.com/get-unstuck/
How interesting! I read the entire page. The context piqued my interest, but as a sales page I would recommend starting with benefits at the top of the page - instead of features. A strong headline that speaks to their pain would be a good start. 🙂
Thanks so much for your advice! You totally Rock!!
Hi Lynn,
Happy New Year!
Thanks for a timely reminder. I was just getting ready to write a post as I came across yours. I tend to over think everything and then it doesn't get done !
Mary
I'm the opposite, I tend to shoot first and ask questions later. LOL. There are pros and cons to both sides of that one, I'm sure. 😉
I tend to over think things too much too. I believe it is also a form of procrastination. If you're busy thinking about it, you're not doing it.
I've noticed that when I shoot first and ask questions later I get better results. If I sit and try to plan everything out, like a step by step deal, I get so uninspired. I have pages and pages of plans I've made and they are all still on paper. LOL So, I'm also guilty of "getting ready to get ready."
I spent roughly two weeks working on plans for this year and I'm about ready to chuck them. They say if you don't have a set destination you won't know when you get to where you're going. Well, the journey itself is important too and some of us need to take the road less traveled and just enjoy the ride...consistently, of course. LOL
I have projects & plans in varying phases of completion too. I get just as stumped when I get too involved in the planning - vs figuring it out as I go (live, lol).
I wonder if the difference is in the passion I feel for one project over the other. Now you've given ME something to ponder. 🙂
I think passion may be a lot like Christmas. If you mention Christmas between Valentine's Day and Halloween, you generally get the response of, "Oh no, let's not talk about that yet. I'm not over last Christmas."
After Halloween and close to Thanksgiving, people start getting excited, you see more decorations and it puts you in the mood.
There are a lot of things I love, but not many things I care to work on day in and day out. It doesn't mean I've lost the passion, I'm just not as passionate today as I was yesterday. I love peanut butter. Many days if I have a spoon and a jar of peanut butter, it is a totally blissful day to me. But, it's not something I am that blissful about every day.
Glad I gave you something to ponder. 🙂
I've also struggled with consistency with content across all my sites. One of my goals this year is to schedule out content so that if I don't get back to adding content there's something useful posting at least once a month, preferably more. But I tend to bite off too much, so I'm shooting first for once a month and then I can always go back in and update it more. I've learned that I do best with short bursts of activity, so doing a burst of content creation and schedule seems to make sense, we'll see how it really works 🙂
That reminds me of when I had a family of 7. I did most of my cooking on Sunday afternoon and froze meals so that lunches and dinners were easier to prepare - while also working from home full time.
It was called OAMC (Once A Month Cooking), but I did it once a week. You might block off your best day (quiet) every week for writing/creation. 😀
LOl - love the analogy Lynn, especially since that's exactly what I do on Sunday afternoons for breakfasts for my family of 6, how funny. So I'm off to mark off a day for OAMC - Once a month Content 🙂 gotta love the wordpress scheduling feature 🙂
Lynn, I DO suffer from the "consistent" gap and I think it's because I am doing all my work myself. I get caught up in sorting out issues technical and financial and preparing client work....then delivery and follow up. It all seems to take 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have some systems but the best suggestion I've had this week is: Blog First. Get up early and blog before I tackle the rest of my day. (Yes, I know about outsourcing. I'm still in early start-up mode. 🙂 ). Thanks for this post. A great positive "kick in the pants."
I've been there - and my start up days were similar. Consider the things you're doing that aren't necessary, or maybe things that could be done more efficiently in blocks.
For example, I open all three of my blogs and reply to all the comments. Done. Then I open my HyperAlerts.co for my Facebook Pages and respond to all comments there (across 4 pages). Done. I do the same with email - and go through things in blocks or sets, totally focused and without distraction until that task is complete. It does help me - much better than skipping & hopping around everywhere all day! 😉
This post has really kicked me into gear! In fact, it inspired me to make my first blog post of 2012. (Actually this is my first blog post since last spring.) And I'm working on a follow-up post for tomorrow. Whoo Hooo! Thanks Lynn, for the K.I.T.A!
Awesome! 😀
Another great post from Lynne Terry. Consistency is very important in blogging. When your blog posting schedule is unpredictable you'd lost regular visitors and subscribers. If you can't make it to post blogs daily then I suggest on publishing 1-2 posts per week. Making the schedule attainable in regards to the availability of the blogger is very important in this case.
Consistent with a dash of growth, this works the best for me. Not too much growth because you'll just teach Google with it and you'll get to the point where the growth is not sustainable anymore.
Writer's block - who doesnt get it? Once a legendary writer was asked this question, and way to cope with it. He/she replied 'write'
I find it hard to write posts sometimes, and even harder to write ones that are consistant with my site. I will get "writers block" and I just stair at my screen. I find if I take a break of a day or two it really helps.
Writing posts is really my 'weak point,' when it comes to managing my blog. I know that sounds a little silly but when I first step up my pet project site I read a lot about SEO and the like but didn't know how tough it would be to constantly churn out content. I might take Lara's advice above and take a few days break now and then and when I do come back and click into the zone, I'll knock out a FEW posts in advance and schedule them.