One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from my readers after “What should I blog about?” is “How do I blog more consistently?”. And let me assure you that this is not a new blogger phenomena. So don’t get down on yourself if you are only a few months in and are hitting the wall. I know you may think that some of us more seasoned bloggers have our crap together and have editorial calendars planned out our wazzoos for the next 5 years, but trust me, we don’t.
Whether you are a newbie or have been blogging for years, sooner or later, you will find yourself having difficulty creating content on a consistent basis. There are many reasons for that but the excuse I hear most often is, “I don’t have the time.”
And while I do believe that is true some of the time, life gets in the way for a variety of personal reasons, I don’t think it is the sole reason why some bloggers let weeks, even months, go by without posting on their blogs.
Notice that I emphasized excuse above. Because it is. An excuse gives you validation and affirmation that it is ok to abandon your blog.
Let’s get real here. I don’t care how busy you are or how little time you have to blog, if it was really important to you, you would make the time. If you look deep down inside yourself, you know that is true.
Years ago, before I quit my job and decided to make blogging my career, I worked full-time outside the home and still found the time to blog. Somehow I managed to be consistent and productive with my time. Now that I have all the time in the world, not so much. I have to push myself to be consistent ALL THE TIME!
Here is a list of things I do to ensure that I constantly push out new content to my blogs:
11 Tips To Help You Post Regularly On Your Blog
Get Your House In Order
The biggest reason for me falling behind with working on my blog actually has nothing to do with it at all. If my house is a mess, errands need to be run and I’m behind on working on my budget, I can’t seem to properly focus on my blog.
I get distracted easily by all the things I need to get done when I sit down to write. My thoughts are filled with how bad I am managing all the stuff.
When that happens, I need to stop blogging and just knock out my personal/home to do list. Usually it doesn’t take me that long to tackle it. And I feel oh so good when I am done.
I feel accomplished and free and ready to get back to work.
If you are struggling with writing, I want you to look around you. Is there something that is pulling at you mentally? Maybe you need to get that done and out of the way first so you can focus on your blog.
Have A Space/Time To Blog
Personally, I need my own space to be able to write. I also need peace and quiet and no one at all around. I know. I am really weird that way. That means I usually have to leave the house and take my iPad with me and write in the car in a secluded parking spot.
(I purchased this keyboard to make it easier to knock off posts on my iPad. It has a backlight too so I can use it in the dark.)
I also know that I am a morning person. I am usually up between 6 and 7am and am the most productive then. Afternoon and especially evenings are a total write off for me when it comes to producing content. Graphics I can do during those times but writing or editing just becomes extremely frustrating.
If you are going to be able to blog consistently, you need to know yourself too. What is the environment you need to be productive? What time of day do you find that you get the most done?
If you can create the space and allot the proper time to work in, you will be able to produce content on a more regular basis.
Get An Accountablity Partner
I have a lot of blogging friends that keep me in check and moving forward with my blogging business. They give me the kick in the pants I need when I am slacking. And I return the favour when needed.
You really only need one, good blogging friend.
I suggest that you have at least one big blogging goal in common, like wanting to make blogging your full-time job. You don’t have to be the same age or at the same level or in the same niche to be able to help each other. Your common vision or goal for your blogs will be enough to know what the other one needs to progress.
The bonus of having an accountability partner is that unbelievably, you are very rarely in a slump at the same time. One is on fire, while the other is in the dumps. Amazingly, the one that is rocking it is almost always able to get the other one back in gear.
If you don’t have a blogging friend that can help you this way, just ask in any Facebook group that you are part of. You will be amazed at the number of bloggers just like you who would love to pair up on this journey together.
Make It A Priority
The only way your blog business will become a priority in your life is if you make it that way. Just like if you had decided to lose weight or get fit, to be successful, you have to make it a focus in your life.
It is amazing how we find the time to do the things we make a priority in our lives. We re-arrange our schedules, we let others know it is important to us and we change our language accordingly.
We don’t say, “I don’t have time.” anymore, we say, “I need to make time for this today.” And voila, we do. Even if we have to say no to doing something else.
You decide what your priorities are. If you want to make blogging consistently a priority, decide and make it so.
Block Your Time/Make It A Habit
So now that you have made blogging a priority, you need to block your time. Schedule your writing for your optimal time of day and work in the best space conducive to productivity.
In the beginning, it may be hard. You may stare at the screen for a bit. But by choosing the same time every day and putting yourself in the proper physical space, you will eventually train your mind that it is time to work. Much like laying down in your bed means it is time to sleep.
When I was working full-time, I would blog in my car during my lunch break. I got so use to it that if something happened and I couldn’t write then, I felt deprived. Writing on my lunch break became my norm and I actually craved it.
Ultimately, you want blogging at a certain time in a certain place to become a habit. When it does, consistency won’t be a problem for you anymore.
Create A Doable Posting Schedule
It is far better to decide to post once a week and achieve it than to say you want to post 3 or more times a week and fall short.
Let me tell you what happens when you fail to keep up with your blogging schedule: Instead of trying to catch up, you give up totally. Am I right?
This is when you need to put your blinders on. I don’t care how much other bloggers are able to post. Never compare yourself to anyone else. It is the worst thing you could do.
Create a posing schedule you can live with, then set your time accordingly to achieve it.
Keep A Running List Of Draft Ideas
Inspiration is a roller coaster ride. Sometimes all the stars align and you have a million ideas and you can whack out post after post easily. Then you hit a valley and you don’t have a clue what to write about.
It happens to the best of us.
That is why you must keep a notebook with you at all times to record any ideas you may have when you are out and about. When you are in a drought, your list of draft ideas will be your saving grace. And sometimes, those few words written down are enough to get your creative juices running again.
You never know when an idea will strike you and you need to log it right away. If you are anything like me, you will forget your idea as quickly as it came if you don’t write it down. I have even pulled out my phone and voice recorded ideas if I couldn’t access my notebook at the moment.
Create Different Types Of Posts
There is so much pressure in the blogging world to create long posts filled with oodles of information. And sometimes, it is easy to create those kinds of posts.
But you really don’t have to all the time. In fact, I think posting a less than stellar post is better than nothing at all. At least you are keeping to your schedule and you always have the opportunity to re-write the post in the future or delete it. No biggie.
Plus, your readers love variety and consume information in different ways. If you are feeling pressed for time or motivation, you can always post a list post, round up post or a personal story. They are quick and easy to write and each type of post has it’s own value in the overall content of your blog.
Re-do Old Posts
Re-writing old blog posts has so many benefits.
- It won’t take you as long as writing it from scratch.
- Improving an old post gives it more value and may boost SEO.
- It is new content to readers who may have never seen it.
If you have been blogging for awhile, you may be shocked when you read your old posts. They probably need to be looked at anyway so you may as well re-write them if you find yourself needing to post something and nothing is catching your attention in your vault of ideas.
Listen To Podcasts For Motivation
Sometimes the best thing you can do if you are having writer’s block is to find things that will fire you up and get your motivated back.
Podcasts are an excellent way to do that.
Personally, I like the Blogging Millionaire and the Get Ruthed episodes on the Do It Scared Podcast.
There are so many great podcasts. All you have to do is search “blogging” on your favourite listening app and you will find a ton of great resources.
Just make sure you put into action everything you learn and don’t get stuck in the listening to Podcasts mode.
Maybe You Need To Change Direction
If you are really, really struggling for motivation and inspiration to blog consistently, you should re-evaluate your niche and blog mission.
Maybe you aren’t meant to blog about that particular topic anymore because you have said everything you wanted to say and you don’t have any more value to provide your readers.
A change in direction may be the very thing you need to get back on track and excited about blogging again.
Don’t be afraid to explore this option. It will be a lot of work to shift but it may be the best possible strategy to reach your blogging goals.
It is almost impossible to grow your blog business without blogging consistently. It is the foundation upon which everything will grow. Even if you eventually create a product based business, your blog will help you reach new readers and new customers if you nurture it with new content.
I hope these tips help you keep to a blogging schedule. If you have any more tricks up your sleeve, please share them in the comments.
3 comments
Yeah, blocking your time is a great idea.
Excellent advice especially about a schedule and redoing old posts. We really need to look over our past posts and do some work on them because you are so right about the quality. Never quite sure how to repost on WordPress without breaking links but will look into it now. Interesting post as always Elena.
Are you self hosted?