It’s been a while since I have conquered a Blogging 101 tutorial here at MamaNYC, so I decided to talk about a topic that is always on my mind. Authors of some of the greatest novels in the world have complained about the dreaded WRITERS BLOCK, so whose to say bloggers can’t suffer the same disease?
Each and every day I wake up with a plan: Compose over a dozen blog posts that will keep readers on their toes! Does this happen? Not very often. Do I go to bed crying? No! (Okay, sometimes.) Some days I find it much easier to put together a blog post, but the next day I will be dragging my feet. I’ll have plenty of items to review – with NO inspiration to open WordPress!
I’ve put together a list of some great starting points to get you going.
Find Inspiration & Get Going!
[1] Create a list.
I know, I know. The word "list" gives me goosebumps also, but creating a list does not mean you need to break out the highlighters and rulers. Scribble down a few thoughts or phrases without thinking twice. Pick a topic and create a "Top 10", "Best of 2012", "5 Reasons Why…". Any of these will do, but your readers will love a countdown or top’s list. If your blog is about cooking and filled with great recipes, I would consider a list called "My Top 10 Favorite Recipes with Chocolate". Now that is surely a list I would print {and frame!}. Lists are quick and painless to compose, but also a lot of fun to read!
[2] Sprout from your comments!
Believe it or not, but your readers will actually HELP you more than you more than you would think. Read through some of your recent comments and find some interesting questions, thoughts, or worries they may have discussed on your blog. Did they say something to provoke a thought into your head? Look for something that will click and get your writing off without a hitch!
[3] Go outside of your comfort zone.
This has happened to me all too much lately and I am trying to ‘kick the habit’, as they say. So your blog is one specific category with a very descriptive niche. Your blogger network consists of only those with the same exact niche. All day, every day, all month, and all year you discuss that one topic. The only blogs you seem to visit are related to YOUR niche – only! Break down those walls and start to explore blogs in an entirely different category than yours.
I have found such wonderful inspiration from other blogs that are outside of my blog niche for MamaNYC. If your blog is devoted to crafting, why not look into a few recipe blogs? If ou only discuss parenting, I would consider a marriage blog. You might find a topic to discuss about mom and dads relationship – shelf the kids for a day.
[4] Greatest Hits: Revive Them!
This is a great way to either revive or branch off from an older thought. Read through your old posts, specifically those that received the greatest exposure or feedback from readers. Consider writing about the same topic again, but refresh your thoughts. Do you feel the same way? React and compare how your old self and current self feel about the issue.
[5] What are THEY talking about? Stumble & Discover!
Bloggers don’t get to spend a lot of time surfing the net. We really don’t. Seems strange now that I say it aloud, but in my own situation – it is sadly true. Yes, I constantly have no less than 8 tabs open on my browser, but the tabs are Facebook, Su.pr, StumbleUpon, Google Doc forms, HootSuite, and other media sites that are solely social networking or blogger profile pages. It’s nothing exciting and I miss the days of innocent browsing.
Find your inspiration by closing ALL of your tabs and start STUMBLING! StumbleUpon is going to give you some great inspiration. You’ll discover some amazing blogs and website you’ve never seen before. You may begin to follow new blogs and read their old posts. After 20 minutes of Stumbling – come on back to your blog and just start writing.
How do you find inspiration for your blog posts?
Have you tried any of these techniques and found them to be successful, or one that was a total failure?
Tell us your secrets!
About Nicole
Nicole is a stay-at-home mom living on the outskirts of Manhattan with her husband and their 3-year-old son. She is also expecting a second child in January 2013.
Thanks for the tips. I’m really new to blogging and there’s so much to learn.
Thanks for the tips. So helpful! I am still new to blogging. I find myself writing about things that I would want to read. Although it might not appeal to everyone, my hope is that someone will also want to read it. Maybe I’m just writing for myself, ha!
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I agree with searching your comments out for inspiration. I have asked some questions on Facebook. Some questions remain unanswered while others turn into a hot topic of discussion or sharing tips and experiences. I love that! Building community online and offline is so important to me. So I have a few blog post ideas based off of comments from readers. I also agree on reading other blog articles for inspiration. Sometimes I have an idea, but I loose the guts to be bold and share my thoughts. Then I stumble upon a similar article, and I see that I have a voice that can be heard too on the same topic. Thanks for all of your tips!
Thanks so much for all your help. I have just discovered blogging and am in the process of creating my very own blog. It hasn’t been easy. It is really hard work and you have to have patience and dedication. I have learned so much from you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the inspirational ideas!
This is great and very helpful for me. All the tips are great and I think my reading what other people think and feel can help us also. We are not alone to say the least.
Great job and thanks for being honet!
My blogs have always been personal blogs. I end up talking about my life alot. My pets and my son. And ranting endlessly about my “real” job working in retail.
I love to write but knowing I HAVE to would take the fun out of it.
Thanks so much. I started a blog knowing nothing except I want to have a blog. I knew none of the grammer, spelling, computer knowledge etc I now am reading posts from different bloggers so when I decide to revamp my blog I will know a little something.
Gladys P