12 Tips for Writing More Blog Posts

I write six to seven posts each week on four different websites, which might seem amazing. But I used to struggle to write just two posts every week (seven is still a struggle, which is a good thing). Here are a few things I've done that have helped me be more efficient (but still authentic) with my blogging:

1. Dragon Dictation - I wrote this post in ten minutes (two minutes dictating and eight minutes editing the post in WordPress).
2. Theme Calendar - I have a theme calendar in my head that looks like this:
• Monday - Strategy article at JohnHaydon.com, Video on Headway Videos.com
• Tuesday - Tactical article at NonprofitFacebookGuy.com
• Wednesday - Social fundraising article at Razoo, How-to article at JohnHaydon.com
• Thursday - Tactical article at NonprofitFacebookGuy.com
• Friday - Personal / thought piece at JohnHaydon.com
3. Mind-mapping - This approach allows me to bounce freely between unrelated ideas, but anchor them together in a way that's extremely organized. I wrote this post in twenty minutes using the MindMeister iPad app while I sat in a doctor's waiting room.
4. Reuse emails - Many times I'll be answering a question for someone in an email and realize that other people probably have the same question. Copy, paste, delete the guilty parties.
5. Reuse comments - Many times I'll find myself leaving a thoughtful comment on a post and realize that I could blow it up into a blog post.
6. Write in batches - Writing requires creative muscle which, once warmed up, can be used for creative tasks beyond the one you planned for. Take advantage of an engine that's warmed up.
7. Put up blinders - Often, I write posts in fullscreen mode which hides distractions in the dashboard.
8. Use a tomato - It's so hard for me to focus sometimes, that I think my ADD has ADD. However, I've learned to be productive by focusing in short 20-minute bursts using the Pomodoro technique.
9. Read lots of blogs - I read 20+ blogs every day. The blogs I read are informative and inspiring, and often lead to me firing up a mind-map or post soon after.
10. Read lots of books - The difference between a blog and a book is that a blog is a collection of someone's insights, whereas a book is the whole mind. A blog tells me what someone is thinking that day, but a book tells me why they think the way they do.
11. Go for walks - It may sound crazy, but the rhythm of walking brings out new ideas and inspiration, which I can dictate into my Dragon iPhone app.
12. Write titles first - Blogging is easier when you learn to think in titles. Ask yourself, "Would I click on that title?" If yes, all you need is three paragraphs to go with that title.

The last thing I'll say about all this is that I've kept at it, every single day for over three years. I have no special talents, just skills I've acquired with hard work. So if you're amazed at how much I blog each week, don't be. If I can do it, so can you.

What helps you write blog posts?

 

Comments

[mathfour]

03:29 PM on 08/13/2011

And because commenting, forum activity and email responding is so vital in running a site, I'm trying to use Dragon for those too.

I forget to fire it up, but from now on, I'm going to make a point to.

(GOSH - and here I am TYPING this with my fingers. *sheesh*)

[Cheryl Pickett]

11:34 AM on 08/12/2011

One thing I would mention is to make sure to read through the comments on other people's blogs too. When there are hundreds, you can skim through, but most are in the manageable range. Sometimes the best extra tips and idea sparks can be found that way.

[John Haydon]

05:01 PM on 08/12/2011

Great idea, Cheryl! I've found myself commenting to Google Plus thread recently, only to copy / paste it into a WordPress post for future use.

[johnlepp]

09:02 AM on 08/12/2011

The only thing i would add is around writing with passion and not self censoring yourself - so many blog posts are so - boorrinnggg - write like you mean it - if you feel a little bit scared and worried you might get someone angry - then you are probably on to something... like my pal Tom Ahern says "Write drunk. Edit sober." Go for it.

[John Haydon]

05:02 PM on 08/12/2011

Being passionate is a huge time-saver too!

[FrankDickinson]

09:44 PM on 08/11/2011

Love this John - especially the Theme Calendar and writing in fullscreen (didn't know WEP could do that). I am easily distracted - like a good deal of bloggers I think - and anything i can do to keep myself on track is a great asset.

I also get a ton of ideas from reading a bunch of blogs. Just never know what something you are reading may bring up for you.

Great stuff my friend!

[John Haydon]

05:04 PM on 08/12/2011

Thanks, bud.

[Karla Porter]

04:55 PM on 08/11/2011

Nice, a little bit of a different twist than you usually see in these types of blogger tips posts..

[John Haydon]

09:38 PM on 08/11/2011

Thanks, Karla - What would you add here (assuming you blog)?

[pr0gressivist]

11:55 AM on 08/13/2011

I would add to have an RSS feed to an ideas source. Usually you find that one or more sites have topics posted which inspire you (either the posters have it all wrong, and you know better, or the posters are on the right track, and here's why). For some of my blogs I use news sources, for others I use papers published in the peer-reviewed journals as inspiration. Of course, some comes from my real-life experiences, too!