Bloggers often get stuck. They face a blank screen, not knowing what to write. So they go off for a coffee and return to their computer only to find that the blank screen is still there – no magic has typed in some words while they were at the coffee machine. So, these people then make a phone call to book their theatre tickets, looking back at their computer screen to still find a blank screen. They are stuck – no idea what to write.
This is a frequent frustration for bloggers – you might call it “Blogger’s Block”. The result is that they only write their blog when they can truly think of something to say. The problem with that is that it doesn’t engender reader loyalty.
Think about your daily newspaper – you expect it every day. If the editors decided only to publish it when they could think of something to write about, you would soon give up buying it and look for an alternative. It’s the same with blogging – your readers expect it to be regular; either daily, or every week on a specific day, for instance. You cannot change your “schedule” to suit yourself – you have to publish even if you are unable to think of anything to write.
That means you need a plan – just like a newspaper or magazine. Have an editorial schedule to show yourself what you are going to write about each time. Plan well in advance and search for topics you can write about. Keep a clippings file of ideas, categorised by the various topics you blog on.
I’ve put together a short video explaining how I am able to come up with fresh ideas for blogging every day.
