I’m not even going to try to deny it. My blog has well and truly fallen by the wayside. And I’m meant to be a blogger and content specialist… I’m so embarrassed.
In my defence, I’m not the first and I’m 100% certain I won’t be the last. The internet is littered with sad, neglected blogs, that haven’t been updated for months – or even years. Thank goodness mine isn’t that bad!
The truth is that maintaining a blog on top of your day job is no mean feat. It always seems to get shoved down the priority list, whether due to a lack of time, fresh ideas or inclination.
So, to give all those lapsed bloggers out there (me included) some inspiration and motivation to give it another go, here’s a few pledges on how I plan to keep my blog in tip-top shape from now on (and you can hold me to it!)
Be realistic
Targets are important, but don’t put pressure on yourself to blog more than physically possible. Instead, set yourself realistic goals based on the time you have available. After all, it’s better to publish something people actually want to read, less regularly, than to churn out substandard content due to a lack of time and a rushed job. So, start small, and work up from there.
Make time
As anybody in a client-facing industry will know, finding the time for any non-client work can be tricky. Clients always come first, that’s just the way it is. So, how can you ensure your blog gets a look in? Treat it like a client! Create a schedule or plan and block out regular time in your diary to work on your blog, whether that’s first thing in the morning, a couple of days per month, or once your clients have clocked off for the day. It will take some discipline at first, but once you’re into a routine, it will get easier and easier, until it doesn’t even seem like an effort at all.
Just start
A wise man once said: ‘don’t get it right, get it writ’, and that advice always stays with me. The reason many blogs fall by the wayside is because the task of writing often seems too overwhelming – especially when you’re busy. You’re not quite sure what you’re going to write, and the time and brainpower involved means you constantly put it off. But the key is to just start, as it’s never as bad as you think – who knows, you might even enjoy it! Once you’re in the writing groove, that’s where the magic happens.
Take it step-by-step
Similarly, don’t worry if it doesn’t work out first time. Some of the greatest masterpieces in history have been edited and re-edited multiple times before they’ve seen the light of day – and it’s the same with writing posts for your blog. You’ll most certainly face some obstacles and definitely some confusion and forehead wrinkling along the way, but you mustn’t panic, as it’s all part of the process. If you get stuck, keep mulling it over and coming back to it, and I guarantee you’ll get there in the end.
Never miss an idea
The other big barrier to writing is knowing what to write about, without the time to spend developing loads of ideas for articles. To get over this, a great approach is to follow those chains of thoughts that pass through your head constantly; as you’re going about your work, on the train, in the shower, or reading the paper, and plucking out any that could be the germ of a tasty blog. It could be an ‘I wonder why…’ or a ‘isn’t it interesting that…’ When that happens, add it to your ‘must write about that’ list and you’ll soon have loads of possible subjects to tackle.
Of course, one surefire way to ensure your blog is always filled with up-to-date, unmissable content is to hire an expert to help you develop ideas and put your unique perspective down on paper. Here at Scripsy, we’ve got years of experience helping businesses keep their blogs fresh and focused, so they help drive traffic to your site and build your brand. Want to know more? Then drop us a line at info@scripsy.co.uk.
