I try to write something every day. Some days this is impossible. I have times where writing comes easy. And sometimes writing is difficult. Yesterday, I noted that you need to post something everyday but you also need to be able to do that without being a fool. Here are 10 suggestions to help you post something every day even when you cannot necessarily write something every day.
- Take advantage of good writing days. When you have a day where your typewriter cannot seem to keep up with your massive brain and awesome writing powers don’t stop the flow. Keep writing and save those posts for a later date. Currently I have something in my queue for the next week.
- Read and quote. Read good books, find a few lengthy quotes, introduce the quote, publish. Rinse and repeat.
- Write a book review. I tend to post my book reviews on Friday because those are lower traffic days for my writing genre. But book reviews are those articles that always get traffic. Once you finish book write a quick review.
- Link. Aaron Armstrong and Trevin Wax are geniuses when it comes to using Twitter to get traffic to their blog. They will post one article with 4-5 links and then throughout the day direct people back to their blog to check out those other articles. I’m working on copying their wisdom here.
- Have a schedule. I try to write some sort of “Ministry Musing” on Monday. Something interacting with John Newton on Tuesday. A lengthy series like Proverbs for Christian Blogging on Thursday’s and Saturday’s. People You Should Know on Wednesday’s, Book Reviews on Fridays. Archives on Sunday. And then I fill in the gaps with other things. But these are anchors that I can work on whenever I have writer’s block and have several things queued up.
- Break up posts. Nobody likes to read lengthy articles anyways. If you have an article that is longer than 800-1400 words why not break it up, try to lengthen it a little, and make a series out of it? But don’t post them all the same day. Keep your readers waiting a little. I could have easily made this a 10 day series. (Part of me wants to give you the other 4 tomorrow but that would be just mean).
- Keep a journal of writing ideas. I have a little blue book filled with quick reference ideas. That way whenever I get stuck and I do not have much in the queue I can consult this and try to write through an idea I had in the past.
- Try to Write Everyday. Sometimes you simply need to sit down at the computer and just start typing away. If it stinks keep the draft, you may be able to make it salvageable some day. Your queue will dry up quickly. So write every day that you are able. And even on most days when you are not able.
- Archive. If you have been blogging for awhile you pull things out of the archive. You may want to update them a little to make them more relevant or to reflect your growing writing skills but you hopefully have a decent amount of quality stuff that your newer readers will have never read.
- When in Doubt Make a List. People like lists. They are easy to read quickly and somewhat easy to write. Get an idea and try to make a list. If you are really strapped you could turn a list like this into 10 days worth of writing.
Some great ideas. Now, some comments from me.
1)To do what you are talking about, writing has to be a passion and a calling, not just a hobby. I’ve seen them come and go in the blogging world, but those who love to write and have something to say are the ones who stick around.
I don’t view writing as an interruption of my ministry, but as an important part of it!
2) I find I go through productive times and times of burnout – that’s why I like having a group blog. That way, when I’m burned out or dry, I can just steal your articles and post them until I get the fire back in my belly. (I mixed some serious metaphors there).
3) I am not sure if I disagree with you about quotes and links. I want to read bloggers who have something to say. If someone scours the web and finds good articles and links to them, that is good. But I like original content!
4) One of my biggest failings as a blogger is ignoring your “keep it short” rule. I think you are probably right about it, but I am not very good at it.
Besides, I think people at Voices just look at the title and the first paragraph and start yammering anyway, right?
Dave,
1) Agreed. I view writing as a significant part of my ministry.
2) I think every writer has those periods of time. That is why it is important to take advantage of seasons of summer and create a storehouse of posts. I can see how a group blog would be really helpful for that too though.
3) I too like original content. I think your own original content should be the major focus of your blog–unless your name rhymes with Rustin Faylor. Otherwise it’s kind of pointless to draw people to your blog. Just post links on Facebook and Twitter. Why even bother blogging? But quotes and links can not only help generate traffic but also provide good filler. It’s a tough balance. Guys like Trevin Wax, Aaron Armstrong, and Tim Challies do it really well.
4) There are articles at Voices? I had no idea. I thought we just put up titles and then fought about what we figured the article would have been about had someone written one.