Joy Paley is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on earning your nursing degree for the Guide to Health Education.
Blogging can be an extremely fun and rewarding activity, whether you’re doing it for profit, as a second job, or just for your personal gratification. After the blogging honeymoon is over, however, there are all sorts of doubts that can come into your mind, to make it more of a chore than anything else. Whether you’re facing low numbers of visitors, writer’s block, or just general burnout, blogging can start to feel like a time consuming, stressful exercise. Here are ten ways that you can handle this discouragement and push past the blogger blues.
1. Set “No Internet” Time
Especially if your blog is your personal income, it’s easy to leave your browser window open at all times, obsessing over what your next day’s topics will be. This will only worsen your rut, however, and keep your brain from any fresh insights. Set a sacred “No Internet” time and keep it holy. Go for a walk, call your friends, whatever. But don’t open that browser.
2. Look for Inspiration in Other Mediums
A great way to get new blogging topics is to explore your local library or bookshop for other sources of information. Googling search phrases may be addictive, but it will ultimately just lead you to already stale ideas. Try the nonfiction section, films, even music.
3. Get Guest Bloggers
What you might really need is just a simple vacation. Round up a list of qualified guest bloggers to take over your site for a few days. You’ll get a break, and your blog with get new content.
4. Guest Blog for Others
If you’re suffering from low numbers of visitors to your site, guest blogging is a great way to get your name and blog out there. Find other blogs in your topic area, and offer them your expertise.
5. Carry a Notebook
You’ll be surprised at how often new ideas will come to you throughout the day, if they only have a place to be recorded. Keeping your brain flowing is key to fighting writer’s block—write down every idea, even if you think it’s bad.
6. Force Yourself to Write
If you sit down and literally force yourself to write word after word, even if it begins with something banal, more often than not you’ll stumble upon an interesting idea. Instead of staring at the blank page, make yourself write 250 words, and worry later if it’s the best thing you’ve ever written.
7. Use Social Networks
While you don’t want to overuse social networks to promote your site and annoy all your friends, make sure you tap into their power. Just mentioning your site can lead new people to your site and boost your visibility.
8. Do Less Today, More Tomorrow
Rather than getting discouraged and berating yourself over one bad day (which will only make you less productive!), realize that you will do more when you’re feeling better. One off day is not the end of the world.
9. Get Personal
Blogs are great because they don’t force writers to keep their personal and professional lives separate. Instead of fighting your boredom and laziness, use it as a writing prompt; maybe it will be great, maybe only mediocre. But it will help you move past your blogging rut.
10. Introduce a Lighter Side to Your Blog
Even the most serious political blogs need a little comic relief now and then. If your blog feels difficult to write, even if it’s about something you love, consider varying your subject material to include a wider variety of topics.
