Blogging Black Hole
Does anyone else have that moment when they know a blog post deadline is just around the corner and have NO idea what to write!? You are in a blogging black hole.
The black hole can be nerve-wracking! I’m not the only one that struggles with ideas. It’s pretty common. Some days it’s a piece of cake and I have lots of brilliant ideas, so I write them ALL and schedule them. It’s smooth sailing for weeks! Set! I can put my own website aside and focus on my clients and grow my client base. Then before I knew it, it was time for another NEW post and the blogging black hole is (insert verb here).
My mind is everywhere but on post topics. It’s a challenge. Not to mention, going from 24 posts a year to 52 in no small task. The ideas have seemed to dry up!! I:
- checked Facebook
- checked email
- messaged friends
- got a snack
- played with dogs
- checked email
- cleaned the kitchen
before committing to this post. Sometimes these diversion tactics help spark ideas - A friend asks a question that is perfect to answer in a post. An article is shared where you can share your two cents. Other times, they are exactly what they seem - procrastination. Which is it for you?
No luck for me this time. I went back through my old posts, reviewed categories, did a little tweaking with the hopes that it would recharge and focus my brain. I hoped it would get my creativity flowing. I created new tags for my old posts to better identify some topics. It also doesn’t help that summer is almost over so I’m thinking about the beach, sunshine, and tanning. These are not topics that I cover in my blog and aren’t helping me focus.
After reviewing older posts, I find myself smiling because I follow my own advice. I schedule writing time (and photo editing and social media time) on my calendar. I normally have a few extra posts in the queue (until now because the ideas just aren’t coming - beach, surf, sea oats, boat rides and reading fun… No! Focus!!). I also plan ahead. When the creativity flows, I let it flow… and flow, and flow. I’m glad I reviewed my older posts. It helped me come up with this article and see that the previous tips are helpful. I also read books, articles, do webinars, watch YouTube, and listen to podcasts to help me help you.
Takeaways:
- review older posts
- think outside the box - what sparks ideas
- scheduled writing time
- read, attend webinars, network
- watch YouTube, listen to Podcasts
- when the creativity flows, go with it!! Stock up!
- when worse comes to worse, do something completely different - move on. The idea will come.
For more ideas to get the creative juices flowing, check out this post.
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