One of the big challenges of having a blog is continually coming up with new, engaging content on a schedule. When I first started to blog, that was an issue for me. Then I swapped brainstorm methods and found myself writing easier.
Before, I used to write blogs on a weekly basis. Somehow it always ended up at the bottom of my to-do list. Sometimes I was even writing blogs the morning they published. I would struggle to figure out what to write, and how to make it work.
I made an initial change when I started using an electronic organizer. I started a list of potential topics, which I kept organized. As I thought of things, I’d add them to the list. Unfortunately, that plan didn’t hold up well to how many posts I produce.
That’s where the most recent process comes in. As I consume material from other entrepreneurs, I write down questions. Then I research items relating to those questions. Usually, each question yields more than one answer. At the end of the process, I sort the answers into either brainstormed blog ideas or general interest.
Usually, I schedule my research time out a little bit. Once a month or once a quarter, I make an editorial calendar based on my brainstorm ideas. With that level of planning, it’s easier to just sit and write out the posts. It also batches the work associated with the blog posts and getting them out there.
Working this way has moved the bulk of the planning and work to one or two sessions. Instead of trying to brainstorm at the start of each week, I’m free to focus on whatever project has come through my inbox. Moving my process around has really changed how I blog for my business.