Ampers & Dot

In an attempt to get back on writing more frequent (and quality) blog posts, I’ve begun trying a few new methods for being productive in creating blog material. And as interesting as that is, today I’m talking about the opposite: ways not to be a productive blogger.

This goes along with ProBlogger’s running series of “Ways to let your blog go” - if you’re looking for other demotivators for blogging make sure to read the collection. Or if you are looking for real tips, just read ProBlogger regularly- it’s about as good as a blogging-blog gets.

Also, hopefully my new methods help my productivity enough that I actually get around to the “productive” post… because otherwise this would be a pretty disappointing list.

1. Sit down at the computer and just start writing.
The whole “Just sit down and start typing” thing works well if your problem is getting material out. But if you’re like me and have seriously trouble with brevity then all this will do is draw out your posts beyond an interesting level. You’ll end up with introductions longer than the post itself (something I’m known for (which isn’t good)).

Instead, try keeping a notebook of thoughts (or a running .doc if you want to practice writing) so that when you sit down you already have enough thoughts to start pulling it together.

2. Just go hunting for a topic when you’re ready to write.
The internet is a vast wasteland of worthless time sinks. Hunting for a topic will get you off track and then three hours later, after you’ve watched every crazy Parkour video on YouTube, you still haven’t started your post.

To fix this, try keeping a “blog topics” folder of bookmarks (favorites for you IE weirdos) so that whenever you are ready to start writing you can open up the folder and have dozens to choose from depending on your interest that day.

3. Get wrapped up in finding pictures
I’ll never discredit the value of images for a blog and to be perfectly fair: I miss opportunities on this blog by not using more images. That’s my bad. But at least I don’t waste too much time digging around for the perfect picture to compliment my post.

Keeping an image repository would be ideal, but the biggest tip I have for this: compromise. It’s ok if the image isn’t exactly what you want- the power of your blog should be in the writing anyway. Unless you’re a photo blogger, people aren’t coming to your site for the pictures.

4. Writing blog posts while your email is open.
I consider myself relatively talented at multi-tasking and can write well with distractions. But not blogging. When writing for a blog it should be a cogently readable thought. I find that if I jump to emails or other distractions while blogging then the topic will be fine, but the text will suffer.

I find time to write blogs usually early in the morning before the bulk of the day’s email comes in, or on weekends. If this is tough- then just close the inbox. Minimize isn’t enough. Close it.

5. Pushing out a disinteresting topic.
This is a huge one for me. Even if I’ve done well and have notes and links already in front of me, some times I’ll start writing a post and will realize it just isn’t that interesting. This happens. It’s ok. BUT- I find that if I force myself to push through it then it will take two or three times as long to write and will likely end up crappy anyway.

If the topic isn’t going well- save it to a draft and start over with something new. Truth be told, this post was outlined a few weeks ago but I just didn’t like it. So I saved it and waited until a bit more inspiration hit me (ironically, I couldn’t come up with this fifth bullet, which you see now is pretty important).

Blogging should be fun. People forget that sometimes, but blogging should be something you do because it’s enjoyable. I find that if I get hunting for pictures, digging around for material, or I don’t like the topic, then I’m not having fun. Fundamentally these tips are all about making blogging easier and thus, more enjoyable.

And that was a productively written blog post.