So you’ve been reading about the benefits you or your business can get from prolifically adding your message to the web through frequent blogging. You’ve been adding a post now and then to your blog, but this year you’ve vowed to really dig in and become a serious blogger.
How You Can Help Yourself Blog More in 2011
What makes this year different than last year? Do you have a lot more free time? Have you suddenly found that you you’ve got so much to say that it’s just like turning on the faucet and the words just come pouring out?
Well, I hope that has happened for you, but for the rest of us, it’s good to have help. Here are just a few things to help you develop your blogging skills and build your momentum as a prolific blogger.
Read more blogs.
This gives you something to work with. It’s hard to create from a vacuum, get some input first. It’s like learning how to play music. Even the most naturally gifted musicians don’t produce good music until they’ve listened to hundreds of hours of other’s music. Better input = better output.
Don’t Limit Your Writing Time
Write whenever you have time. Don’t just have a specific time of day to write. If you have an idea at 10pm and have a free moment, sit down and crank out your thoughts. Blog posts don’t have to be novels, so you don’t have to commit the rest of the night to this post. In fact, blogs tend to be received better if they are short, concise and to the point. In fact…
Brevity
Just to expand on that last thought, don’t think you don’t have enough time to write a post. It doesn’t have to be pages of profundity. Take a look at Seth Godin’s blog. You won’t see any long essays there. Again, short, concise and to the point. (maybe throw in a joke now and then)
Write More Than One Post Per Sitting
If you’ve got a little momentum built up after writing a blog post, write one or six more! Seriously, take advantage of that spirit when it moves you. If you’re using WordPress then you can schedule when you want the post to be published. This can also help make it appear as though you’re writing every day, when in reality you might be writing three posts one day, but then skip a couple days.
Remote Writing Tools
There are so many tools available for writing whenever and wherever you are. I could devote several posts on just this topic alone. (maybe a good idea for a series?)
Apple has really revolutionized the mobile world recently with the iPad. They’ve also hit a home run with the MacBook Air. These lightweight devices make it easy to pen your thoughts on the go. There are also many apps for smart phones that can turn your “phone” into a virtual dictation machine. The Dragon app allows you to dictate your message, then send it to yourself to edit and post. I’m certain there are countless other apps that are perfect for this kind of thing that I don’ know about. What are some of your favorites?
Okay, these are just a few ways to help you reach your Super Blogger goal. These tips aren’t anything new, or earth-shattering, but if you’re new to blogging and really want to develop your chops, these little tools can give you a good start.
One last thing: The Old “Quantity vs. Quality” Issue
I know this post really focuses on quantity, but lets hope the quality is a given. Some will debate that in the world of blogging quantity is king, but I believe you’ll always have a better run if you focus on the quality of the information you’re providing.
What Helps You Blog More?
What are some of your techniques and tools that help you keep up your blogging momentum?