So you’ve set up your blog. Maybe it’s a business blog, maybe it’s personal. You want people to read. You’ve declared to the world that you’re a writer. Now what? You have to think like one.
You don’t want to disappoint. If you are looking for a following in today’s market, you better write. Do you have enough ideas to fill blog posts at least once a week, probably more? You’ll want to start finding blog ideas in every aspect of life that you can imagine.
Writers find ideas in all walks of their life. Why not carry a small notebook with you? When inspiration strikes, take it out of your pocket. Put this thought, quote, or idea on paper so it’s there when you need it.
You can also find all sorts of inspiration online. You are reading what your competitors are doing, right? It’s best not to blatantly rip them off, but you can find something inspirational. Industry blogs, websites, magazines, newspapers and books are all great factories of ideas.
Find the power button. Live a good portion of your life offline. Pay attention to the people in your life, and if they give you inspiration or ideas, write it down. You never know when you might need it.
Austin Kleon suggests that working on a computer puts a piece of glass between you and everything that you create. Computers are ideal for publishing. Sometimes a paper and pencil is all you need to create. Don’t be afraid to go analog for a while.
Creative people sometimes get a reputation for being lazy, and that’s not the case. Always showing up late and taking smoke breaks every five minutes doesn’t make you better at what you do.
Don’t be afraid to step away from your work every once in awhile, however. Take five minutes before you publish your blog. Step outside, unload the dishwasher, whatever it takes. Make sure your ideas are sound. Make sure you didn’t misspell anything. Sometimes those short breaks bring the clarity you need.
Happy writing.
Matt Brennan is a Chicago-area marketing writer and copy editor. He is also the author of Write Right-Sell Now.
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