How to Blog Every Day
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Creating a blog is ‘easy’ – you pick a theme, add some custom design assets, install it on your domain and you’re done. Right? Sure, except that now you have to actually write and publish something on it. We’ll talk about how to figure out what your niche is, where to look for ideas, different types of blog posts you can write, how to write the first draft, if you need an editorial calendar to keep consistent, and what to do if you get writer’s block. More info, resources, and links at http://bit.ly/lamikiwcpdx Video of this talk: http://wordpress.tv/2012/09/06/laura-kimball-how-to-blog-once-a-day/
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How to Blog Every Day
- 1. How to Blog Every Day WordCamp Portland 2012 Laura Kimball http://lamiki.com @lamiki
- 2. Tweet me: @lamiki Hashtag: #wcpdx Slides, links & more available at: http://bit.ly/lamikiwcpdx Questions at the end
- 3. Hey girl, I know you don’t blog a lot. But if you did, I’d read it every day.
- 4. The Hero’s Journey Write Publish Edit Find an Format image
- 6. Two ways to blog Write Write according when to a plan inspired You are here
- 7. Content calendars to keep you sane Excel spreadsheet ◦ Include columns for topic, day, keywords, category, tags, status of post, etc. ◦ Best for business blog Digital calendar ◦ Create an event for the topic ◦ Great for single-author blogs Desk calendar ◦ Write topic of post on a sticky notes and stick it on the date to schedule ◦ Easy to reschedule posts, just stick it on another day ◦ Best for single-author blogs
- 8. When inspiration strikes, be ready Write down by hand ◦ Journal ◦ Sticky notes ◦ White board ◦ 750words.com ◦ Whatever is within reach Use a note-taking app ◦ Make sure it syncs notes with all of your devices (phone, computer, tablet, etc.) ◦ Favorite tool: Evernote
- 9. Always be on the lookout for ideas Write ideas down No ideas are wasted If an idea consumes you, start writing
- 10. Formats 1. Standard 2. Epic 3. Response 4. Single Paragraph 5. Photos 6. Link Roundup
- 11. How to keep it going Have a blog buddy Vary your posts (content and format) It will get easier Build your writing muscles
- 12. The dark side of blogging daily Don’t like Uninspired the topic Writer’s block
- 13. You can beat writer’s block Don’t like If you just Uninspired? the topic? can’t write… Choose a new one Give yourself 1 day from your content Get inspired off calendar Go for a walk, But post something watch a video, read Move today’s idea small, like what something, hop on to another day you’re doing Twitter, talk it out instead of blogging with a friend
- 14. Why are you doing this anyway? If you’re going to do anything for 30 days, you need to remember why you’re doing it.
- 15. How to Blog Every Day Give yourself time to write Look for ideas everywhere Have a plan When inspired, write Don’t bore yourself or your audience (Mix up your content and your format) Have a blogging buddy Beat writer’s block Remember why you’re blogging
- 16. Thank you! Slides, links & more: http://bit.ly/lamikiwcpdx Laura Kimball http://lamiki.com @lamiki
Editor's Notes
- You just do it Set aside time every day and you writeTakes an average of 4 hours to write, edit, format, and publishBut really there’s more to it: where do you get ideas? What kinds of posts do you write about? How do you keep from boring your readers and (honestly) boring yourself?
- Everywhere!Conversations with friends, reading articles online, driving, that quiet time when you walk to the bathroom. In the shower
- There are two ways to go about coming up with what you want to write about: 1) planning via a well thought out content calendar, and 2) letting inspiration come to you and letting the writing happen.If you’re going to blog every day, you’re going to need both. To plan, jot down ideas in a content calendar I use a combination of these two. Actually, I always start out with a content calendar and then I usually write about whatever inspires me. Some people need to plan it out and outline their posts thoroughly before they even start writing. What works for me is to plan out a lot of posts, but then be open to writing about whatever I want to write about. It keeps things fresh, topical, and honestly, it keeps me interested in it too. If you’re blogging for business, you’re going to need to be a lot more strategic and plan things out.
- Once you have your content, you’ll realize that what you have to say will fit into one of these categoriesAlways be on the lookout for ideasNo ideas are wastedAlways write them downIf an idea consumes you, start writingInspiration is everywhereDon’t censor yourself as you brainstormRemember that great idea you had in the shower that you couldn’t write down because you were in the shower and you swore to yourself you’d remember it? Yeah, I don’t remember what it was either… I get inspired on the bus A LOT. So I just pop open Evernote on my phone and my thumbs start typing away. Other times I’m working and in the middle of a big project and BOOM! It hits! I can’t stop what I’m doing so I reach for a post-it note. Done. It’s out of my head and in a form that I’ll pick up later.Then there are those times when I start making a note and it turns into an epic blog post on 16 pink post-it notes… when you have an idea, write it down.
- Inspiration is everywhereDon’t censor yourself as you brainstormRemember that great idea you had in the shower that you couldn’t write down because you were in the shower and you swore to yourself you’d remember it? Yeah, I don’t remember what it was either… I get inspired on the bus A LOT. So I just pop open Evernote on my phone and my thumbs start typing away. Other times I’m working and in the middle of a big project and BOOM! It hits! I can’t stop what I’m doing so I reach for a post-it note. Done. It’s out of my head and in a form that I’ll pick up later.Then there are those times when I start making a note and it turns into an epic blog post on 16 pink post-it notes… when you have an idea, write it down.
- Once you have your content, you’ll realize that what you have to say will fit into one of these categories(explain what they are)Standard500-750 wordsEpic1000+ words that you have to writeResponseTo another blog post, an article, video, etc.Single ParagraphDo I really need to explain this one?PhotosJust instagram that amazing thing that happened today with a short caption (but it better be an amazing photo otherwise that’s cheating)Link RoundupTell us what you’ve been reading and link to other bloggers (but for the love of all things link-worthy, please tell us why you are recommending we read it)
- How do you make sure that you keep going keep things interesting? Don’t bore your readers and, let’s face it, bore yourself?
- Now you know how to do it, but the most important question is why are you going to blog for 30 days straight? Best to answer this before you commit to doing it and everyone’s answer will be different.I did this because I wanted to write more and blogging was the right format.Keep your goals short, it will keep you focused, sane, and help you reach day 30.
- And celebrate Day 30 and look back to reflect on what you learned (bonus: that makes a GREAT Day 30 post!)