Blogstipation (and how to avoid it)
Cheers to Cassie Aiden for introducing me to this fabutastic word…
Blogstipation. Is it the inability to write blog posts? The back-up of so many good blog ideas? Or is it a blog that’s just not moving – no increase in visitors, pageviews, business?
Of course the term itself fits all three of these possibilities….it’s that good.
The inability to write blog posts
You’ve run out of ideas, you’re having a bad day, you’re simply out of juice.
1. Search the net, check other blogs. Chances are someone’s writing about something that either you could write better or their take on it is a 180 degree spin from yours…make it your own.
2. Walk away from your computer. Literally – take a walk, a bike ride, something to get out of your head and get creativity flowing through every limb again.
3. Don’t panic. Ask some folks to guest post, do some interviews – take the heat off of yourself and your muse.
4. Whatever you do, don’t just write something for the sake of filling your blog. People are less likely to leave you because of your silence than because of your pointless or crappy posts.
The Back-up
So many things brewing that you simply can’t get anything done or published.
1. Don’t let ideas back up in your brain, it’s very crowded already. Carry a notebook or a digital voice recorder or a smart phone to get the ideas out of the brain and into the world as they happen. You know, let it flow.
2. Make a list, schedule, calendar…and use it.
3. Hire a VA or other specialists (like writers, designers, techies, cleaners, bookkeepers, etc.) to help you get things done.
4. Prioritize. There’s bound to be something in that there should be done first. Do it…and get the ball rolling again.
The stagnation
Same number of visitors day after day? No new business?
1. Guest post somewhere else – preferably on a blog with readers who have never heard of you and need your services.
2. Use Twitter. Follow new people, build relationships, give good tweet by sharing interesting links and info on a wide range of subjects. (I ‘spose a little LinkedIn and Facebook wouldn’t hurt either)
3. Write an ebook and make it free and valuable.
4. Do some keyword research about your topic and find out what people are looking for…then give it to them.
If absolutely none of this works:
1. Shut down your blog. Maybe it’s just not your thing?
2. Add more fiber to your diet: get out there and experience life, learn more about your industry, go to conferences. LIVE away from your computer.
3. Take some blogging Pepto: Shot of Red Bull? Glass of Merlot? Shot of Tequila? Mug of green tea? Flask of hot chocolate?
4. Call me…a good friend, your coach or mentor. Sometimes we just have to talk these things through…
Image credit: Alexander Ekman
Related posts:
- the importance of proofreading, and how to avoid mistakes
- How to Get a Ratings Bump Without George Clooney
- Selling apples? Talk to the oranges.
2 Responses to “Blogstipation (and how to avoid it)”
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What a perfect picture. In terms of tracking ideas for those times when you hit a wall, I am an unabashed fan of Evernote. I have one notebook called Blog Ideas. If I think of something, but don’t have time to write it at the moment, I drop it in my ideas folder. Come across a blog post that gives me an idea, clip it to my Blog Ideas folder.
I also just take cruise around the web. I use Google Reader and it’s invaluable (especially in combination with Evernote).
Finally, if you have a smidgen of an idea and can’t quite find it, take a shower. I find ideas flow under the water, your mind opens up. A walk or drive also sometimes does it.
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This advice came at just the right time. We are finally launching the Colonial Inn blog this week – we have a few articles written in reserve, but the pressure is starting to build for more articles so that we have ‘enough’ to post. I am printing this and posting it on everyone’s desks, just in case!
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