Overcoming the Challenges of Writing A Blog (and why you need to do it)

I've talked before about the benefits of writing a blog.

And, today, I am taking steps to listen to myself!

Yes, I know all the reasons to write regular blog posts -- and I do believe in them.  Actually, when I was doing a good job of publishing monthly and pushing the content out through email and social media, I saw increases in my website traffic -- and more importantly -- increases in my business.

So why did I stop?  Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

I bet my list is very similar to yours:

• I don't have any great content ideas that I think could be interesting or helpful to others
• I just have a hard time writing
• I don't have time (or so I think)
• I let distractions and procrastination get in my way (if you only knew how long it took me to write the little bit up to this point!)

It's been 17 months since I last published a post to my blog!!  That's right -- almost a year and a half!

But, I wasn't TOTALLY delinquent. At the "7-month delinquent" point, I completed about half a post, but never got back to finish it. (Note to self: see if that content is still useful.) Along the way, I did add new ideas to my tickler list.

And, every time I advise someone on the need to blog as part of their marketing strategy and suggest tactics to maximize the content, I have guilt pangs that I'm "talking the talk, but not walking the walk." Worse yet, I'm hoping they aren't checking me out -- which is SO easy to do.

Compounding the problem for me is that I'm an extreme Introvert. On the Myers Briggs scale, I am as close to the end of the scale as you can get. Introverts like spending time alone and interact one-on-one or in small groups.  So, while writing is a solitary discipline, the thought that this piece of content is going to be available to many people is a bit daunting to me. I have to fight my nature. I know a number of people that are posting regulary -- even weekly and daily! I can't fathom doing that!  I know some of them don't seem to have any trouble doing it, and others are investing more time and energy -- but they don't seem to experience the hurdles I feel.

So lets start with...

Why You Need to Overcome the Challenges of Blogging

There are SO MANY good reasons to get a regular blogging practice in place:

• Build a relationship with your clients and followers
• Build trust in your knowledge and skills
• Stay in front of your clients and prospects
• Provide valuable insights about your field
• Keep learning (you inevitably need to do some research when providing useful content)
• Generate interest and educate your audience
• Improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and provide more organic traffic to your website
• Build brand awareness and your business

Those are just a few of the reasons for you to blog -- I'm sure you can come up with more.

Overcoming the Challenges of Blogging

There is nothing new that hasn't been written about

Yes, this may be true, but your particular slant may be very different.  It is also important to remember who your primary audience is. Yes, it is nice to fantasize that the whole world will find and appreciate your masterpiece (and it may happen), but think about your current customers, prospects, the people you actually interact with every day. They may only be introduced to a topic because you present it to them. If you are using my "3-legged stool" approach to deliver your content (website post, email list, social media), AND you are writing thoughtful, engaging and useful content, these people WILL read it, will engage and will help you grow.

I don't have any content ideas

This is where a little research and discipline come in. First, if you are like me, mulling this in your head is likely to get you nowhere.  I don't know why, but trying to think of a topic "out of thin air" just doesn't work.  Now, go take a shower, or jump in bed, or drive to a meeting and "POOF", the ideas show up. The trick is to capture them right away, because they disappear as fast as they appear.

I use a free tool called Workflowy that has really helped me capture all kinds of ideas and "to do" items quickly and easily, on all my devices. Maybe you can try it, or come up with some plan to capture these ideas as you get them.

And then, remember that you have the list and review it when it's time to write again. (Why do I forget I have that list?!?!?)

A couple other ideas:

• Set up some Google Alerts to monitor for ideas.
• Visit your competitors' websites to see what they are writing about. Can you expand on it or discuss a different point of view? Just don't plagiarize!
• Do some general Google searches for topics.
• Are you frequently asked the same questions?  Write about the answers!
• Are things changing in your industry?  Write about them!
• Is there news in your business? Have you added new skills or products? New staff?

I'm not a writer

I can relate to that.  Practice makes perfect... well, maybe not perfect, but it helps. Find a writer friend (or hire a writer) to edit your content. Study and question the edits - you will be amazed how much you can learn. Or, have someone write the piece for you.

I don't have time

It's called prioritization, right?! If you believe blogging is important and can help you grow your business, you just have to find the time.

Learn Some of the Basics of Technical SEO

If you are writing yourself, it will be helpful to learn some of the basics of technical or on-page SEO (that is, how your page is structured for search engines). If your page is structured correctly, it will improve your ranking in Google and your visibility in organic search. 

Can You Help Me Out So I Can Better Help You?

I'm committed to "getting back in the saddle" and providing regular content. Would you mind leaving a comment about what you would be interested in hearing more about? Anything digital is game.

I hope this helps you see how blogging can be useful to you and your business.  If you've been reluctant to start, I encourage you to tip your toe in the pond!