Creating content is the most difficult thing for a blogger, but that’s because we’re trying to eat the entire elephant in one bite! This is my step-by-step process for writing a blog post.
I’m big into brainstorming, I like to just let the ideas flow out of my head, onto my notebook. I found that a simple column method has worked best for me and I’ve included pictures of my own notebook in this post.
I know the notebook seems rudimentary but everything else I’ve tried didn’t work. So now, I write the blog idea, the section it belongs in and then there is a column to check off once I have edited the final draft and once I have edited the picture that goes with the blog. Whenever a blog idea strikes, I write it in this notebook and I decide in which section it will belong.
1. Write your blog entries in Word and save to your hard drive. If you have them on your hard drive and your website disappears or your server crashes you still have all your blog posts and pictures. You could be back up in no time. I never recommend writing your blog posts directly on your platform, because of worst-case scenarios.
2. Set a timer (I usually do an hour), don’t look at social media and don’t look at your phone. Put it face down on silent. Go. I’ll wait.
3. Save immediately and often. I picked up this habit from my journalism days. As SOON as you start a new post, hit that save button, give the post a name and a home and then CONTINUE TO SAVE throughout your writing process. You should be saving at least once every minute. That seems like a lot…until you’ve lost an hour worth of work.
4. Keep your notebook handy. I have a notebook that is specifically for my website. Not only does it have my blog ideas in it, it has reminders, to-do lists and little post-it’s to remind me of my to-do lists. If you’re writing a blog and you want to remember to include a thought, write it down in your notebook and then come back to it when you’re ready for that piece. Sometimes I use my notebook to flesh out an idea before I start to type, like an outline. I don’t spend too much time on this because it is time consuming and will actually keep me from writing a post, but if I need to get into the groove, sometimes writing on paper can really put me into the mentality of writing a post.
5. Change the color of your font if you would like to insert a link or a picture. Sort of like a ‘note to self.’
6. Save often.
7. Don’t look back, just keep writing. Do not edit. Even if you know you hate a sentence DO NOT EDIT. Editing before you’re finished and while the piece is still hot, is a guaranteed way of never finishing a single piece of work. You’ll constantly be chasing perfection in every single word, rather than finishing something. Just write. Write until the piece is finished, and then…
8. Don’t look at it for 5-7 days. Let it cool off! A good blog is like a roasted chicken, it needs to rest. Once you’ve forgotten what you said, go back and look at it with fresh eyes. THEN you can edit! And you can go in and plug in those links and pics that you set up in step 4.
9. Save often.
10. Upload your blog to your website, make sure all links work, all pictures are in their correct place and all metadata is correct.
11. Post that blog girl! Shout it out to the world. Blast it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, your subscribers…anyone who will listen.
12. Tell yourself you did a good job, because you did. xo
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