Consistency must be one of the hardest challenges about having a blog. Not getting it customized, not getting it designed to your brand, but by updating it with posts 2-3 times a week. Not in a day but a week.
There are several reasons why you may be having difficulty posting content to your blog regularly. You could still be working a full time job, married with kids who have activities, have an illness that prevents you from being at your computer for long periods of time, personal trouble that is depressing you to where you have no energy or enthusiasm to write, and the list goes on.
When I wrote 6 Steps to Effective Blogging that was to help jump start beginners. But if you’ve been blogging for while and you’ve customized and optimized your blog just the way you want and just need some help getting your blog updated consistently, then here’s an idea. If you have only 15-20 minutes a day, here’s just a few steps on what to do to keep your blog up and running like a well oiled machine.
1. Make Several Drafts
Ok, you know how to run your blog, and you’ve been doing this for a while. The key now is consistency! Let’s pretend you’ve got a busy week ahead (did I just say pretend?) Let’s say you have 30 minutes right now. Start typing out ideas now into several short drafts. And if you’ve had a blog for at least a couple of months, you will get to the point where you can brain storm several topics to write about in 30 minutes. Write a 2-3 sentence excerpt for 10 posts you want to publish in the near future. Go to the dashboard of your blog and make a draft for each one, save it and you’re done for the night.
2. Make a List of Topics to Address
While you’re busy writing those posts, make a list of questions you have, learn about them, then write a blog post about them to help others who might have the same problem. Or listen to others questions. If you have the answer, write a blog post about it, and if not, learn about it, then post it. Remember what questions you asked in the beginning. By always making a list of topics and starting a draft you keep the ideas coming.
3. Write Everyday
If you have those 15-20 minutes a day like I mentioned then spend it writing on each post. Type out ideas that pop up and If you are not around the computer all day then keep a blog pad to write them down. By writing little bits each day, you’ll be getting more done and it will make writing a habit, rather than something you have to lock yourself up to do in order to get it down. It will also help you avoid writer’s block by focusing on just part of a post in a day. If you find writing a little bit on each article overwhelming, then focus on the one to post next. Who knows. You might get so proficient that you start whipping out a post each day.
4. Go Video!
Better at talking than writing? Make videos to put in your blog. Video has been known to give blogs a much higher conversion rate so if writing is not your thing (and even if it is) start implementing video into your posts. If you have a digital camera, The Flip, or a web cam, you’re in business. Write a paragraph excerpt about what your video will be about and then film away!
5. Set a Deadline for Yourself
I know that several of us started our own business to escape the stress of deadlines and strict schedules. But as entrepreneurs we are a different breed of animal. We are harder on ourselves that our former bosses were and the only way you will get things done is by giving your self deadlines to follow. If you constantly give yourself the “I’ll get to it later” mentality, you wont be consistent and you wont come off as being a caring blogger. You’ll be much happier with managing your time with deadlines and your readers will stay with you because of your consistency. Have a specific day that you want to publish on so that you have that goal to get it done. By following all of these tips, you will always have something to post and you will always be working on the next post coming up.
So what do you think? Has this helped you? Did you learn something? I appreciate you all and value all comments! I would also appreciate it if you could please help me spread this around by sharing it on all your social media sites such as twitter, facebook, etc. Thanks everyone!
Your Friend,
Related posts
- Reflections (and Review) of The Unified Tribe: How It Brought Me Traffic
- How to Add the New Facebook “Like” Box to Your Blog
- 6 Steps to Effective Blogging
12. August 2011 at 7:05 pm
Hi Emily,
I am in the process of getting my very own branding blog. Thanks for the pointers. I will be sure to refer to this post often and of course implement your ideas.
Thanks,
Nathaniel Wright
6. September 2011 at 6:24 pm
Glad to hear it Nathaniel!
Thanks for stopping by!
9. November 2010 at 9:06 am
Hello my friend Emily
<3 I LIKE ! your blogging tips. I have begun an online blogging journal of my own, and I have copied your tips – will paste them into today's collection so when I am ready to create new blog posts I have all the ideas filed by the day/month of the current year(folder).
You are blessed and highly favored Emily :0 <3
9. November 2010 at 9:28 am
Thanks Bob!
I\’m glad you found these useful! Take care my friend!
8. June 2010 at 7:53 am
Very good advice, Emily, I find if I think too much about WHAT I'm going to write about – I just end up thinking TOO MUCH about what I'm going to write about. A little trick that works for me is that I just start writing – about anything. Those end up being some of my best posts. (Seinfeld made a career about talking about nothing. Posting about nothing works just as well:)) Kevin
Kevin Mastaw´s last [type] ..Thoughts on “Living Life to the Fullest”
7. June 2010 at 11:55 pm
Hi Emily,
Very informative post here. Thanks for the tips especially the idea of writing short ideas in drafts. Beginning by writing a 2-3 sentence excerpt for 10 posts you want to publish in the near future is a great start. It sure does make sense to write a little each day in order to build up consistency.
Thank you for sharing.
Nelly Paekukui´s last [type] ..Social Marketing Safety Measures Online
8. June 2010 at 5:29 am
Hi Nelly! I found this to be the most helpful tip by writing a little bit each day so that ideas are always in my mind.
7. June 2010 at 12:10 pm
Great tips Emily. I always find great inspiration from the coaching sessions I have with my clients as well as the questions that people send me (via email or a blog post for example). Thanks for sharing!
warm wishes,
Cindy
Cindy Schulson´s last [type] ..5 Tips to Energize your Business Marketing Articles
8. June 2010 at 5:31 am
You're most welcome Cindy
That is a great way to find new fresh content to your blog. New people have some very good questions that make great content 
7. June 2010 at 10:23 am
Very good pointers. I think this is something most bloggers, especially new ones face as a challenge. I think the key is to get at least 1-2 pieces up a week which is what I strive for…although I don't always make it. Thanks again!
VaNessa Duplessie´s last [type] ..Everyday Creativity – DeWitt Jones
8. June 2010 at 5:33 am
Hey there VaNessa
good to see you again! This is definitely a challenge that we all face. But once we make it a habit, it can be so fun 
7. June 2010 at 8:34 am
Thanks for a shot in the arm! I spend too much time adding applications and updating my sites and not enough marketing. I have printed this post and will put it next to my computer. I'm also open to any more suggestions.
Thanks,
virginia
Virginia Sproul´s last [type] ..The MLM Deadly Curse; Why Are You Losing Money In MLM?
7. June 2010 at 9:43 am
You're welcome Virginia! I too tend to start dressing up my blog more than write so I'm there with ya! If you ever have any questions you can send me a direct message. Also we should connect on facebook
7. June 2010 at 6:32 am
Emily,
Video is kick butt and I am glad that you brought this up…and also things don't have to be perfect…they just need to be authentic – which means they need to be YOU!
Great article!
Believe in Yourself,
Ange;-)
Angela Giles´s last [type] ..How to Make Twitter More Useful for Your Business!
7. June 2010 at 9:44 am
You're right Angela, as long as they are authentic, that is where we make the big difference.
7. June 2010 at 4:09 am
Hi Emily!
Thanks for inviting me to your Blog…it's so nice meeting you.
Usually when an idea pops in my head, I'm pretty spontaneous & I just run with it. I know that consistency is KEY in order to be successful, always putting forth the effort & staying focused on the end result.
Have a pleasant day…your tribal friend Steven Suchar
Steven Suchar´s last [type] ..A Blog Is A Blog Is A Blog!!
7. June 2010 at 9:46 am
Nice to meet you too Steven
I have days like that too. I'll start work without any plan of writing a post and then all of the sudden I get inspired and write it all then and there. But for most of the time, I have this plan to combat writer's block that happens to me often. 
7. June 2010 at 3:29 am
Hi Emily,
thanks, this is a great list to get started with – thanks for your thoughts on this. I've been going through a "lean" phase – blogging only once a week – as I'm so busy, so these pointers are really useful
Best wishes
Tracey
(UTribe)
Tracey Rissik´s last [type] ..Videos Part 2 – The Video Salesletter
7. June 2010 at 9:47 am
You're most welcome Tracey
I'm glad this helped you. It sure has helped me!
7. June 2010 at 12:19 am
Thanks Emily!
Great post, it is difficult for me to keep up at a bare minimum of 1-2 posts per week! Even with drafts and lists, but I'm just going to have to step it up, there are plenty of ideas!
I like your suggestion of the video though, I think I will start using that. I've been a bit camera shy but it would be faster to get an idea up this way!
Thanks for the great content as usual!
Vicki
Vicki Berry´s last [type] ..Michael Clouse and Les Browne with Richard Brooke
7. June 2010 at 9:48 am
You're welcome Vicki
Video is great and pretty soon you'll be seeing video in this blog. It's difficult to start but once you get over the first video, it really is alot of fun 
6. June 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hi Emily,
thanks for reminding us of the importance of consistency. So I welcome your ideas. Unfortunately you are right when saying that we are harder to ourselves than our former bosses used to be
Keep up your great work.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last [type] ..What are you – Entrepreneur or Self-Employed ? Part II
7. June 2010 at 9:51 am
Hi Oliver
Yes, sometimes we can be unrealistically hard on ourselves in a way that is unproductive. By following this system you can stay on top of your blogging without overwhelming yourself. Thanks again Oliver!
6. June 2010 at 1:11 pm
Hi Emily,
It does get changeling at times. Thanks for the tips. I like “Go Video”.
Coach Freddie
Coach Freddie´s last [type] ..Are Your Habits Serving You?
6. June 2010 at 9:23 am
Hi Coach Freddie! Yes, this is a challenge for everyone, but these steps have helped me to stay on schedule.
6. June 2010 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the tips! It’s so easy to fall behind on blog posting when trying to address all the other parts of your internet business. In fact… I’m behind right now! I’ll implement your tips right away.
Thanks for the great post and keep up the great work!
Jesse
Jesse Walker´s last [type] ..Your Own Professional Internet Marketing Video Studio for Under $300?
6. June 2010 at 9:24 am
That's great Jesse
You're right. With everything else that we have to do, many times writing falls on the back burner. I'm glad this helped you 