When I started blogging I said to myself, “I’m gonna blog every day! Rain or shine!”
Then the reality of blogging every day settled in around day 4 and I realized I was absolutely unable to blog daily (I was “cooked” as the kiddos say).
Blogging every day was possible. But I had no (and still don’t have) any interest in posting garbage, which is what daily posting would turn into for me.
I want everything I publish to be within at least 90% of the best I am capable of.*
Also, though, I want to have something to say instead of nothing to say. What’s the point of an article that doesn’t say anything? Then there is the increasing frustration of staring into a blank Google doc, not being able to write words during the little precious time you have for writing in the first place!
I know the struggle well, my friends.
So, I would like to now share my tricks for how to get unstuck and to write a lot. Also, I won’t insult you with dumbass things like:
- “Make sure to set a writing routine!”
- “Remove distractions!”
- “Meditate!”
- “Just start writing!”
- “Have you read ON WRITING BY STEPHEN KING AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK BUY NOW BUY NOW!**
I’ll be giving out tips that actually help.
How To Get Unstuck And Start Writing A Lot
1. Refer back to your old articles
This is my #1 tip.
Always, when writing an article I cut two things:
- Fluff
- Good stuff
I like my articles to read tight, fast, neat, and focused.
To do that I cut fluff, obviously.*** I also cut good stuff that doesn’t serve the purpose of the article. It hurts, it takes discipline, but it’s for the greater good. Kill your darlings, etc.
If you do the same thing in your writing as I do (you do), you are sitting on a goldmine of content from your old posts.
That tangent you restrained yourself from taking? It’s your next article.
That section you wanted to expand but didn’t? Another article.
A dozen articles are lying dormant in your old articles.
2. Write A Mega-Post
Most bloggers write a bunch of articles covering a narrow theme from different angles. I’m no different and you probably aren’t either.
When you are truly at the end of the road for a theme then it is time to write the mega-post.
The mega-post covers all the articles you already wrote, typically in list form.
Let’s say you wrote 33 articles on the superiority of minivans, your mega post will be called: “33 REASONS YOU SHOULD DRIVE A MINIVAN.”
Each of the 33 reasons would essentially be a summary of one of your minivan articles, you can also link back to the fuller, original article to give your reader more context. This is a great way to build your blog’s “web network.” (I wouldn’t link back to all 33 articles, though, that would be too much).
The mega-post is essentially your “capstone project” for the theme/subject; and these types of mega-posts often become the most visited blog posts.
Once you wrap up the mega post, it’s time to move onto your next theme.
3. Back To The Book
A laughably easy way to get unstuck in blog writing is to read a book in your blog field and then write an article for each chapter.
Or literally take quotes from a book, expound upon them. You can even call your article “10 Quotes From Rich Dad Poor Dad That Changed The Way I Think!”
No need to hide your source, you don’t need to make it look like you are a “thought leader.” (Cringe). Take a popular book, put your spin on it to fit your niche.
Do the same thing with podcasts.
Easy win(s).
4. Hit Up Quora Or Reddit
These are two of my favorite platforms to get me unstuck.
Reddit will have an active community around the subject you are blogging about, once you go there and read through the posts you will have enough content for a year.
Same with Quora: people are asking questions there because they cannot find satisfactory answers from googling or asking ChatGPT.
5. Take Inspiration From Your Favorite Bloggers
We all have our favorite bloggers.
Sadly, most of them probably aren’t really active anymore…
Anyway, that doesn’t mean we can’t take inspiration from back when they were in their primes. Go back to the blog that made you want to be a blogger.
What did they write? What articles really hit you in the gut? What can you expand upon?
For example, you take my point number 4 (Quora or Reddit) and flip that into your own original article: “How To Find Blogging Ideas From Reddit Communities.”
CONCLUSION: IT’S NOT “WRITER’S BLOCK” GETTING YOU STUCK; IT IS LACK OF CONTENT IDEAS
Yes, the real issue is getting ideas for more content that doesn’t suck.
Nobody wants to put up a bad article on their blog. Or an article that doesn’t say anything.
Us writers would rather publish nothing than publish a bad article…even though there is a strong argument for publishing your bad articles (an article for another time).
So, quick review:
- Refer back to old articles
- Mega-Post
- Back to the book
- Quora or Reddit
- Be inspired by your favorite bloggers
- Repeat
There you go! Now write that article, friends!
*I aim for at least 90% of my best because taking something to 100% isn’t worth the extra long hours it would take to get there. It becomes counterproductive. I can either have 10 posts around 90%-95% of my best. Or one post that is 100%. Even then, the 100% post might not be what the readers are looking for, it could still bomb.
**On Writing by Stephen King is actually good, but it’s more autobiography than a writing manual; I’ve found more value from writing manuals with boring titles. For example, I just finished The Copywriter’s Handbook, 4th Edition and got massive value from it; yes, large sections are mind numbingly boring; but do you want to be a successful writer or be entertained?
***Fluff isn’t bad, it’s an integral part of the writing process–like a bodybuilder who bulks to the point of obesity to build strength, fluff helps build a strong article. But also like a bodybuilder, a disciplined cut is needed to get to the final, impressive physique.