Blogging advice! Part three – Making blogging easier!

We’ve all been there many times before – the dreaded blogging slump. Just like in reading, we can sometimes burn ourselves out on something and suddenly it starts to feel like a chore. The first time I experienced blogger burnout I was so upset! I ended up doing some soul searching and figured out why it happened and how I can prevent it. Like the other advice i’ve given, this is also a personal thing to each blogger and some of these may not work for you. Also please remember – I am not a blogging professional! So take this advice at your own risk!

WRITE DOWN IDEAS!

Whether you write down your ideas in a notebook, on a spreadsheet, or on your phone, point is – write it down! There are so many times where I’ve thought of a post topic while busy doing something else thinking to myself “I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.” NOPE! I’ve lost so many great topics because I didn’t write it down. Now I’ll write down all my ideas in my bullet journal or my notes app on my phone. That way, when you’re stuck for something to talk about, just look at your notes and you’ve got tons of ideas at your fingertips!

SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE!!!!!

For your sanity, I can’t stress this one enough!!!! For this one, I have a two step process:

1. At the end of the month, and then again at the beginning, I sit down with a calendar and jot down what posts I’ll be doing. I first write down the things set in stone (T5T, and weekly wrap ups) then I fill in the holes with other ideas. I know I do 1-2 reviews so I leave a day or two open, then I fill in the days with pencil. That way I can erase and move things around when I need to.
2. A few days after I’ve written a loose schedule, I start writing!!! It cuts down on my reading time for a day or two BUT it’s so worth it in the end. I take a day and write all of my scheduled posts (except for my reviews obviously), set them to post on a certain day, and then I get to relax for a week or two! The more you schedule, the less you’re leaving things to the last minute and scrambling to put up a post.
3. Anything that can’t be finished (if I’m waiting for the link or pictures) stays in my drafts. When it comes time to finish it, the post maybe takes a minute or two!

I’m not even kidding – this one has been an absolute lifesaver! Yes it takes away from reading time for a day or two but, if I set it up for a week or two it’s so much more relaxed!! Do this on your free time so there’s a lesser chance of feeling like writing is work. And after you write a post or two, reward yourself with a couple chapters!

PREP YOUR POSTS IN ADVANCE 🙂

This one kind of goes along with the scheduling tip. When I know that i’m going to finish a book soon, I will actually prep the post in advance. I get the pictures uploaded, book information and synopsis written, so that when i’m finished and it’s time to write the review, all I have to do is add my thoughts. This makes writing reviews feel like it takes a lot less time in the end. Also, since this is a post that can’t be scheduled until you’ve read the book, you can prep the post at least and have it sitting in your drafts waiting for you.

You could also do this with tags! When you see a tag you want to do, start writing the post by writing down all the questions, then save it. The questions will sit in your drafts until you’re ready to finish it. Then, when you’re looking for a tag to do, all you need to do is answer the questions and upload your pictures!

That’s it for my advice series! Please keep all of your pieces of advice coming. I will be putting up the post with your comments and additions next week. I hope that these helped at least one person feel better and more comfortable about blogging. It’s not easy, and it’s not always sunshine and rainbows, but it’s the best decision i’ve ever made!

Until next time, happy reading!