How to Blog Your Heart Out
If I had a dollar (inflation, people) for every time someone asked me how I manage to keep up with all my writing…well, let’s just say I’d be doing a lot less writing!
One area that causes consternation is blogging. Since you’re here, it’s a good place to start.
How do I keep up with the relentless pace of creating valuable content 3-5 times a week? And what happens as my blogdom grows? (My new blog, CopyVirgin, will be available in March. If you can’t tell who I’m targeting, drop me a line and we’ll discuss it. 
)
Here are some tips to get you going:
Pay Attention
Did you make New Year’s resolutions? Are you still keeping them? If so, you’re the exception to the rule. Like dieting, losing weight, exercising, quitting smoking…blogging requires commitment and attention. Don’t relegate it to the back burner. Schedule it as if a client is paying you for it.
When you stop posting as frequently, the search engines lose interest. So do all of those great groups you’ve worked so hard to attract. If necessary, trade services with another writer who can post content for you, or pay a professional blog writer to get you over the hump (last resort).
Get Organized!
To blog regularly, you’ve got to make time for it. Solving this challenge requires organization, a plan. You schedule your time to meet client deadlines, don’t you? Plan your blogging time. Set aside 30 minutes a day, or 2 hours once a week, or Saturday mornings…whatever works for you. This is Blog Time and nothing and no one is going to get in your way.
Bring the Inspiration to You
Often, the problem isn’t your ability to write. The problem is, “I don’t know what to write about.” I suggest creating a document called Blog Ideas. Keep it on your desktop. As blog ideas pop into your head, jump over and jot them down before the phone rings or the kids interrupt and you forget. Then, when it’s Blog Time, the ideas are already there.
Google Alerts are another neat little trick – simply type in your chosen keywords. I typed in ‘copywriting’, ‘freelance writers’, etc. as well as the names of companies I want to follow. Don’t forget to follow your own name – you’ll be surprised where you pop up! Google Alerts will send information matching your keywords straight to your inbox, hot off the press. Voila! Instant inspiration!
Don’t Give Up!
There will be times when you feel pressured, just don’t feel like it, or something else needs your attention. That’s business, isn’t it? But it’s no excuse to give up. Like the dieter who gives in to chocolate cake, no good can come from skipping a scheduled blog post. If you miss a post, get back on track for the next one. Be disciplined and reap the rewards!
Have blogging tips of your own? Please share!
5 Responses to “How to Blog Your Heart Out”
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What a great posting, Victoria. I’ve just celebrated the first anniversary of my blog. I love the blogging process, but indeed, the biggest issue is finding the time to do it, and the time necessary to promote your blog and drive traffic to it. (I’m never short of ideas on what to blog about. For me, it’s definitely a time issue.)
I’ve been using the blog as a key component to building my author’s platform. I have a new book out this week and another in the works. And both ideas came to me as a result of the blogging process, which seems to have released an unending flow of creative juices (a third book is on the backburner).
I usually write my blog posts on the weekend and have them upload on a Monday. Once a week is about all I can handle with all the other demands on my time.
Drop by my blog and leave a comment. You’ll find an eclectic blend of lifestyle topics that include writing, travel, personal growth, volunteerism, and chocolate.
Thanks, Victoria. A few short and sweet, to-the-point, and helpful hints for blogging. I especially like your last suggestion, to not give up. We all occasionally lose heart temporarily, and I find that a little “self talk” every morning is a great help. You know, a minute’s pep talk with a few invigorating sentences, like “I love when people smile back at my smile” or “I’m great at remembering names”. You might like to read a recent blog, where I mentioned my motivating “self talk”.
I love your suggestions, Victoria. Corralling those stray ideas and thoughts right away really works. I have a “bloglog” file on my laptop, too.
For those who blog about niche interests, I heartily recommend exploring blog carnivals, in which participants are encouraged to submit posts keyed to specific themes or prompts.
I try to have a couple of running themes on my blog, too. Mine are pretty specific to my blog topic (family history research) but themes could be anything really, such as Inspiration of the Week, Weird Link Day; Sales Tip of the Day, etc. Just another way to keep it interesting and keep the well from going dry.
Sounds like you’re doing great, Liz! I am fond of saying that, due to the Internet, there is always a niche interest group who want to follow you. It’s my famous “blue noodle” analogy. My staff is sick of me talking about blue noodles
But it’s true! If I woke up tomorrow and decided blue noodles were my passion, I could find people out there who would want to hear about it. I could build a business around blue noodles, give away t-shirts that say “I’m a Blue Noodler!” and blog endlessly about the health benefits of blue vs. egg noodles. Am I right?
Anybody know if there is such a thing as blue noodles?
Robbie, I’ll go take a look at that and I encourage everyone else to read it too. Who couldn’t use more motivation? I know I do. And by the way– this isn’t a shameless product plug, really- but my 30/30 Coaching Program is perfect for those moments when you just feel overwhelmed, at the end of your energy, out of ideas, or you need to vent confidentially to someone you can trust. Details right here on the blog.
Thanks Robbie!