How to blog every day even when you don't want to
I joined Steem on July 1st, 2017, I didn't do my first post until July 22nd. I've mentioned this a few times, I also mentioned how much I hate blogging and how I bad I am at it. That being said, I've managed to blog nearly every day and have created 1,333 posts. That comes out to an average of 1.1 posts/day since I joined. I feel I have managed to create halfway decent posts at 98% of the time and rarely ever shit post.
Have I said I hate blogging and I suck at it?
Ok Marky, what's your secret?
There isn't one. You just need to put in the work.
I do have a few suggestions and ideas though.
The first idea is my favorite, and it is really simple to do. I am always keeping in mind things that would make good blog posts. If an idea comes to mind, I immediately put it in my todo list app Remember the Milk under "Hive Posts". I may never get to the idea, but when I'm struggling to come up with an idea for the day, I know where to look.
I have found coming up with one good idea to write about for the day is the hardest part. Once I have an idea I like, the rest just comes naturally. I don't give it much thought, I just write as if I am talking to someone. I tend to write about a lot of different topics, this is a blessing and a curse.
It's a blessing in that it is easier to find something to write about when you are not pigeon holed into a niche. The curse is it is harder to gain followers when you are not consistently covering what interests them. I'm not here to be famous and I have no illusion I will amass millions of followers or that many people even read what I write. So I tend to write what I know or enjoy and let things go where they may.
Like I said earlier, there is no secret, it's hard work doing anything on a daily basis, much less writing. For some people it comes naturally, some of us actually have to work hard at it. You will likely not see results immediately, I know I didn't. For the longest time I felt everything I wrote went into a blackhole. I tried all sorts of things at first to see what stuck. I think the only thing that worked is I didn't quit.
On July 1st, 2017 I created my account, but I had no idea what to expect or what I was getting into. A took roughly two and a half weeks reading different posts and seeing how some people made a fortune on a daily basis, and some made almost nothing. None of it had anything to do with the quality of the posts. I decided no matter what, I would write every day for a year and see what happens. A year later I was posting every day 98% of the time, and to this day I still do.
Whenever I create a post, I try to keep a few things in mind.
- Respect my readers time and attention, never take advantage of it by wasting it.
- Always try to offer my read value
- Don't sell me, no one wants to read how great you are all the time.
Always keep in mind you are not entitled to an audience, you need to earn it..
If you are new here, hang in there. It isn't easy, but it's most social media is much harder. If you have been here a while, and you are just tired, I can relate. It has become a routine for me, every day I find something to write about and share. Some days it is really difficult and frustrating, and I spend more time thinking about an idea than I do writing about it. Some days, I have tons of ideas and I have to pick one to go with. Either way, a list of overflow ideas is a huge help.
Good to refresh, make sure you stay on track!
@tipu curate
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You are spot on and having some ideas written down for a time you are stuck is smart thinking. I think not knowing what you ae going to write about also makes it interesting as it challenges you to think and sometimes those posts are the better ones.
https://twitter.com/joanstewart1/status/1322831071101227008
Thank you for this wonderful information. Now I can be better at doing.
LoL!
You've been busy, that's true. Don't sell yourself short. Unless you're talking about that time you posted a picture of a garbage can, then purchased your way to the top of trending... LOL! Memories.
There was a reason for that post, a message. It was quite effective.
Agreed. I was just messing with you.
Interesting! I myself took on a task to write every day for my other blog A Daily Dose". But I would say, I failed to put in the passion I had when I first started doing it. It was like a met a wall and I didn't know how to climb it. I was left behind. And so, I stopped writing.
I started that blog before I came to hive. I was not satisfied with what I'm getting so I felt it when you said, "I felt everything I wrote went into a blackhole". No one barely notices them. There were upvotes but I don't know if they were real people. I wanted comments more than upvotes. I wanted to have a good talk about my blog. That's what I longed for the longest time. But things became rough on my side. I had to accomplish tasks outside blogging and writing. And that kept me away from doing what I like. To be honest, it was rough even when hive was starting.
But worry not. This time, I know it will be different. I've got friends I made and I even created communities. And I will be looking forward to this journey! 😉
Would be looking towards what you have in stock brother. I know how it feels when not having people to engage in your contents but I got to understand that actively engaging in others bring them back to you.
I created a community, though not totally me, but with collaboration with some friends. We hope it brings up more engagement into the community.
Yeah, I would like to see for myself too!
I have a way of making my photos that I take every day make up my mind what to write about.
Every day is different in nature and in life if one goes out to look for it.
But you are right, as it takes work.
Respect also plays a major role as people are not stupid and they will quickly turn away if they feel that a person's posts are useless.
But in saying all of this, you have done very well.
I don't post every day, but do try to provide value to the reader when I do. Been doing it for a while, but it is demotivating when the post gets little attention or votes after putting the effort into it. I'll just keep plugging along until I feel the juice is no longer worth the squeeze.
Look at the trend line. I just happen to know that your $ value per post is going up. It seems glacial, but it's pointed in the right direction.
I spend a lot more time making comments than I do writing. The engagement helps people to come look at my stuff. If they like it, they comment and vote.
I try to do the same as time allows. I actually enjoy reading and commenting on other posts more than writing my own posts.
I find it hard to post on weekends but agree with your points here
Awesome article.
My guess is that it's not too difficult to come up with ideas for new articles. After 12 years of education:
These are aspects of our everyday life so they might be useful ideas for new articles.
What's your opinion about that?
I concur, with that, and that it's hard work, and with just about everything you said. Nice post.
It's simple but not easy :)
I'm usually good for 3 per week. I know, I know. But it's a pace I seem to be able to sustain fairly well.
The really important thing for me to remember is "Get in line and stay in line"
https://twitter.com/Bhattg18/status/1322888000099987457
I agree! It’s sometimes a tough ordeal to transfer thoughts into written words. There are times when there’s no inspiration or motivation at all, most especially when you hit writers block or a slowdown in creativity. But if we just focus more on quality posts over quantity, I think that would add more value to the Hive community and be a more fulfilling endeavor in the long run.
Sincerely, this blogpost was for me. As I’m beginning to relax. Thank you Marky. I will keep to the tip you gave.
Blogging everday is not an easy task especially as a newbie. I have managed to retain consistency in blogging every single day for the past 2-3 months. As you said, most times it could be difficult to know what to publish and sometimes there would be an overflow of ideas but yet one would still have the problem of which topic to publish out of them.
I am able to get my consistency by sharing my thoughts in my publications. Actively engaging with others and partaking in challenges. Still things feel tough at times but I only continue on the thoughts that my efforts will show forth. I look forward in blogging everday still the end of December. 😊
I agree that posting every day disciplines a person. I have lost a little motivation with the downward spiral of action here, but, I realize that is when I need to be picking it up and trying to motivate others.
I need to make a list.
If you believe in Hive, now is the time to contribute. Those that do are earning more than ever in terms of Hive.
I actually do, in many ways, not only posting. I do post and am a believer in Hive, with COVID, the hours of work have been upped, but, I am still in the game... and btw... I want to thank you for your support.
This has been really helpful. I'm just new here and most of the time I don't know what to write about, and before this I had no experience in writing anything other than related to study materials. I have been finding it hard to come up with ideas and usually takes hours. Although I don't like flooding and only try to do 1 post every day but sometimes I can't even do that. Thank you do much for your suggestions.
Its not an easy journey when you see no engagement in your post, I had that feeling when I started with steem and because I needed to find my purpose or what to write about I took a break but when I returned I found hive and I'm happy with the set of people I have met so far. I came back with an open mind to make more friends not just to have many followers but to have them as friends that's my goal, I may not have all the reward for my post but I'm working for a better time in hive
꺼져~!
Excelent