My "Foolproof" blogging method to get over writer's block
By Candace Huntly
Is writer’s block holding you back from launching a successful business blog? If it is, you definitely aren’t alone. One of the ways to get over writer’s block is to create a blogging process.
This is the 6-step process I use to write pretty much every blog I write. The key is to take something and make it your own. Everyone does things a bit differently, but try using this method as a jumping off point.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC
One of the biggest barriers to blog writing is knowing what to write about in the first place. So many people sit down to write their blog without a plan. Does this sound at all familiar? You sit down to write a blog and then all of a sudden an hour has gone by and you are sitting in front of a blank screen. You may have watched some really funny videos about goats in pyjamas on YouTube, but that won’t necessarily help you with your blog.
The best way to fix this problem is to create an editorial calendar that lays out your topics, the dates they will go live, and the person responsible for writing them (if you are working with a team). Not only will this hold you and your team accountable, it will also eliminate the issue of not knowing what to write about. All you need to do is sit in front of your computer, check your editorial calendar, and move on to step 2!
STEP 2: RESEARCH
At this stage I like to get all of my thoughts out. I always start with my own knowledge and opinions and type those out in point form (don’t worry about organizing things at this stage!). Then I do some research and find out what other people are saying about the topic and take note of any relevant stats. If you are taking notes from third party sources (stats or otherwise), it’s important to make sure you note the source so you can appropriately credit people or organizations if you use their information. This step is also a great way for you to see how your opinion differs from competitors to help you stand out even more.
STEP 3: CREATE AN OUTLINE
Once you have gathered all of your information and thoughts, you can then organize them. Notice how I haven’t even started to actually “write” my blog yet? At this stage, I like to look at my information from step 2 to see what type of blog I should write (if the topic doesn’t already dictate). Does it work well as a listicle? Should it be more of a lengthy discussion broken down by subheadings? Whatever you decide, organize all of your point form notes under the appropriate headings and in an order that makes sense.
STEP 4: “FILL IN THE BLANKS”
Step 4 is about connecting the dots between all of your bullet points. Here is where you actually form complete thoughts and create value for your readers that is both easy to read and interesting. It’s also where you ensure you use a tone and language that makes sense for your brand.
STEP 5: WRITE THE INTRO
After you have written the body of your blog, write the introduction. I like to do this after writing the rest of the blog because I often take my blog in a different direction than I initially think it will go. This also allows me to introduce the main points and properly introduce the value that the rest of the blog offers.
Step 6: Finalize the title
You have likely heard that you should always write the title last. It’s OK to start with a title, but you should step back after writing your blog to make sure that it makes sense and that it is descriptive of what you have in your blog. Your title is the ultimate draw for readers who are deciding whether or not they want to even read your blog. So make it good, but don’t make it click bait. There is nothing more frustrating than a blog title that promises something and delivers something completely different.
There are many different challenges associated with blog writing, but writer’s block doesn’t have to be one of them. If you are having trouble with your blog writing or you aren’t sure how to tie it into your overall marketing strategy, set up a FREE 20-minute consultation and we’ll help set you on the right track!