Well hello there, and welcome to a new ‘Blogging Tips’ series! It’s a little corner of my website dedicated to helping bloggers (both new and not-so-new!) in growing their own little corners of the internet into the best damn corner it can be.
I get emails from so many of you looking for help and advice, and while I am no blogging expert, five years of blogging trial-and-error does teach a gall a few things, and I feel like it’s high time I share a little more of those wisdoms with you.
This month I myself have been struggling with my blog. I have so many new ideas for content, but have been struggling to get them together in a cohesive structure, and onto the pages of my website. My freelance work has been so busy which hasn’t helped things, and I’ve been finding it harder than ever to stick to my schedule of three new pieces of content per week.
So if you have eve found yourself in a blogging-rut, or your in one right now, then here are the 5 things that I always do to kick the feeling:
1: Keep a list of ideas
My first trick is ridiculously simple, yet oh-so effective. I use the notes feature on my iPhone for a multitude of things, one of them being an ongoing list off possible blog post topics and general content ideas. If you looked at my list yourself it probably wouldn’t make much sense, it’s all half-finished ideas jotted down in no particular order, but it’s not the organisation that makes this little memo so important, it’s the ideas that are within. Inspiration can strike anytime, anywhere, so make sure you’re jotting down any blogging ideas that come to you so you can go back and review them at a later date. You’d be surprised how often we can forget even our greatest of lightbulb moments, so save yourself the hassle of remembering and write them down.
2: Analyse Your Content
Self-analysis is one of the KEY components to a blog’s growth, and so many bloggers overlook this. If you’re feeling like you’ve hit a blogging wall, then take some time to analyse your website, your content, and your audience. An easy way of doing this is to go over your past few months of posts, heck even a year’s worth if you’ve got the time. Which posts stood out to you? Which resonated the most with your readers? Were there any that fell flat? Which did YOU enjoy writing the most? Look at your content and ask yourself those questions, and it will no doubt lead to some inspiration for new ideas and ways of moving forward. It’s not about being critical of your own work, but it’s about being honest with yourself about what does and doesn’t work for you as a blogger.
2: Change it up
A sure fire way to fall into a blogging rut is by keeping everything the same for too long. When it comes to my website, I need to feel inspired as much as my readers do, which is why I’m constantly shaking things up. It might something I’m doing behind the scenes that my readers wont see, but I’m always analysing my content and looking for ways to improve and grow. Whether it’s as small as updating my shop page, or as big as moving into a whole new topic, like travel or fitness, I like to keep you guys interested. As humans we grow and evolve constantly, and as bloggers we aim to take our readers on this journey with us. So don’t be afraid to take a step outside your comfort zone with your blog. Trying something new is without a doubt the best way to get those creative juices flowing, and you’ll be out of that rut in no time.
Shot on an Olympus Pen E-PL7 with a 75mm lens
(Read why I think it’s the ultimate blogging camera here)
3: Get inspired
When that dreaded bloggers-block hits, I always look to the things that inspire me daily to help refresh my outlook. I catch up on my favourite blogs and Youtube channels, I read fashion magazines, I scroll endlessly through Pinterest and Tumblr, and before long I’m jotting down new ideas for posts, videos and other types of content. I must note that I am in no way promoting copying anyone else’s hard work (as this is both unethical, illegal and just plain boring) but taking inspiration from things you’re inspired by and re-working them into your own unique creation is something we all do naturally. Be inspired by the hundreds upon hundreds of amazing bloggers out there, but never and focus on re-creating a particular creators website/personal style/writing as this will never yield the results you want. Do you, boo.
4: Ask your readers
So simple, it barely needs explaining, but the first thing you should do if you find yourself in a blogging rut is to ask your readers what they want to see. Its THAT easy. Whether its a simple update on one of your social media channels, or a more in-depth post on your blog itself, reaching out to your audience and asking them what they want is a very clever way to not only find new ideas for content, but also to remind your readers that you care about them and their opinions. A good blog is nothing without it’s readership, and your audience are clever, style-savvy men and women, and will no doubt have some very good feedback about what they want to see.
5: Take a break
At the end of the day, blogging should be enjoyable, and I strongly believe that you can sense if the author is excited about what he or she is doing simply by reading the first few lines of a post. If you find yourself posting about something just for a paycheck or because they’ve been gifted, don’t. Don’t force yourself to churn out content you’re not truly excited about, you’ll end up damaging your credibility, and risk loosing your readers. If you’re finding your love for blogging is waining, then take a break to refresh your passion. Whether is an afternoon off, a full day, a whole week, or even a little longer than that, take some time out to follow the instructions above, and I promise that you’ll be back in love with your own little digital space in no time at all.
I hope you guys enjoyed these little bits of advice, they have truly helped me out time and time again, and I only hope they can do the same for you. If you have any of you own tips then please do leave them in the comments below (I’d love to hear them) and stay tuned for more posts and videos in this new blogger tips series, coming to you very soon!
Happy Blogging,
Love,
Ciara loved this post very helpful, can’t wait for the next in the seriesβΊοΈ I know that your doing an instagram workshop with arnotts on sunday(sadly I cant go), I’d love to hear about all your tip and tricks. Your instagram allows looks so good!
Author
Hi Paul, thanks so much for reading, I’m so glad you liked it! Registration for my Insta-Workshop actually has not closed yet, they’ve decided to release more tickets due to the high demand (yay!) so you can still register for a ticket here: http://whatson.arnotts.ie/uncategorized/instagram-workshop/ xx
I absolutely love your blog Ciara!! I am about to start a journalism course and am thinkin of taking up blogging, to not only help with my studies but also just for enjoyment, and you are a massive inspo! I love your writing style and down to earth attitude, and I am always checking to see if you have uploaded a new youtube video. Thanks for the read! π
Author
Awh thank you so much for the kind words lovely, I’m so happy to hear that I might have helped you on your path in any way. You might find this post here interestingm it’s what I studied in college, and my career path into the industry: https://ciaraodoherty.com/the-career-diaries-my-collegecareer-path-so-far/ Hope it helps! xx
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