What are your productivity hacks? A specific time in the morning? Late nights? We’re all scrambling for ways to produce more content for our blogs.
But what actually helps you to be at your best?
Meaning: how and when are you most efficient? In action: your blogging output is consistent, productive, not time wasting and the finished result (post) is something you’re proud of.
The following strategies help boost your blogging output; these tips may work for some while others find that certain methods (not mentioned below) best suit their needs and schedules. I have by no means mastered any of the following strategies.
Let’s get to it!
5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Blogging Output
My aim with this post, these five simple tips help to increase the amount of quality content you produce daily/weekly/monthly.
Brain Storm Post Ideas (in advance)
- Take time each day to map out blog post ideas.
- Try to come up with creative, original ideas.
- Allow yourself to be inspired by others
- Use mind mapping software/pen and notebook
- Avoid reporting, at least every time out.
Blogging Editorial Calendar:
- I’ll tried an excel spreadsheet but pen and paper seems to work best overall.
- Determine how many posts you plan on writing to your blog this week/month.
- Take the list of ideas (from your brainstorming session) and slot them in.
- Your calendar doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to work.
- Organization is essential, develop a plan and work your plan.
Every Day:
- Take 15-30 minutes daily to lay the ground work for potential posts.
- Try to do the advice mentioned above as many times as possible throughout your day.
- Focus on writing, save the revisions and pictures for later.
- Always keep a pen and notepad with you, ideas will come, get them on paper.
- If you can sneak in more time for writing, do so.
- Build momentum and anticipation by posting to whatever routine you set.
- Give your readers a reason to check your blog regularly.
Restrict Social Media Use:
- This will be hard for some, but don’t fall trap to various blood (time) sucking social media networks.
- I tend to time myself when on Twitter/Facebook/Friendfeed. When time is up, move on.
- Schedule your activity on various site before hand.
- Avoid free styling it and know why you’re using Twitter or Digg.
- The best thing you can do for your blog is to produce unique, remarkable content.
- Nothing new here, what you put in is what you’ll get out.
- Don’t always post content for social media sites, write more for your readers.
- You should be writing more than reading, checking your email, following Twitter discussions and so on.
Involve Readers
- Ask your readers for advice
- Invite guest posts
- Share responses to questions asked on Twitter
- Email readers and post their responses on your blog
- Maybe you could interview a loyal reader
What I’ve mentioned here isn’t some secret formula for success, it’s simply what is required if you want to both boost your blogging output and in return, grow your readership.
It’s hard work, like anything else but once you develop those habits, you’ll get better. Don’t fret, hang in there, you’re capable of getting there.
Related posts
- 3 Essential Aspects to Blogging I recently participated in a 22 word challenge [here] This month completes a year blogging with Wordpress. During this time,...
- 5 Blogging Basics You Can’t Live Without Why do you blog? What do you hope to achieve by taking time out of your busy day to write...
- Do Bloggers Read Enough? How many blogs do you read? Does it matter if you’re a newbie (read more) or experienced (read less) blogger? Maybe you’re struggling to find...
- How To: Become A Blogging Ninja If you wish to achieve Ninja status as a blogger, get ready, hard work is required. The way of the...
- 5 Ways to Get Targeted Traffic to Your Blog There are plenty of ways to get traffic to your blog, but not all traffic is created equal. In order...
{ 1 trackback }
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
To all,
I know it’s been a while since I last updated this blog. While I still grief for the death of Michael Jackson, it’s obviously not the primary reason of my disappearance.
All I can say is that when all my priorities, online and offline, are properly taken care of. I’ll be back just like the old days.
Gone is MJ but Yan will always be here. A couple of changes to TSB are underway too. Meanwhile, thanks for hanging on and many thanks for your patience and understanding.
PS: Awesome article, Mig. Apologize for the late delivery. I owe you one.
Hey Yan,
No worries, glad to hear from you! Thanks for pushing this article live. It’s all good my friend, I’m here to help! :) Thanks as always for the opportunity!
Best,
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Interesting post and some useful tips in here. I am a freelance social media and public relations specialist and a lot of my time is taken up writing posts for different blogs and these tips really help as they are common sense. I especially like the idea of a blog calendar.
Chris Norton´s lastest post..Is the blogosphere about to be regulated?
Hey Chris,
Awesome, glad you found these tips useful. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate… Yeah, making a blog calendar is helpful but keeping it is a whole other story. :)
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Great post, all good advice. Happy to see another post from you. There are definitely more important things to take care of and I hope all is well. I am looking forward to reading more posts in the future once you take care of your top priorities first.
Hey Ryan,
Is that directed toward me or Yan? :) nonetheless, Thanks for your kind words. I’m also looking forward to Yan’s return.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
I find that I am most productive in the morning. That’s when I can think the best. Other that that your article has been a great read. Will definitely drop by again.
Buat Duit Online´s lastest post..Using Twitter to buat duit online
Buat Duit,
Thanks… I went to visit your site. what’s your name? Thanks again for your kind words. I liked your Twitter post but share with us more about yourself. People like to know there’s a real person behind the scenes. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
For me, i like to do at midnight, because i have the time for it. thanks for the article.
Hey, midnight… when I was in college I discovered that my best writing tended to happen around midnight or later. Thanks for the comment, it’s important to find those times that work best for you, not what works for whatever high profile blogger you enjoy reading; that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from their suggestions/input or routines.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Thanks for these good suggestions. Time management is very important.
Staying fresh is also vital. I find that I can spend too long on the net blogging and surfing and I end up feeling very stale. So I try and drag myself away from the PC if I can and go for a walk. Whenever I do this I always feel much more energized and inspired. A change is as good as a rest, as they say.
Matt Hayden´s lastest post..Advanced operators for keyword selection
Matt,
Excellent tip, you’re right on! I’m the same way… I like how you described it as “stale.” Activity is a must for us all, studies show that we are sharper mentally after exercise. Don’t overlook Matt’s advice. Thanks for sharing,
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
welcome back yan, its very good tips, let me see, if i can do as habits.
Gone is MJ but Yan will always be here. A couple of changes to TSB are underway too. Meanwhile, thanks for hanging on and many thanks for your patience and understanding.
Garden shed,
Okay, anything else you wanted to add? :)
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Yan we miss you over at blogengage let it be known without you the site is sad and depressing! I hope to see you active again soon! I just made blog comments on my blog Do Follow so I was going and moderating all the poor quality links and I found you. So I decided to come see what you’re up to and here I am.
Take care
Brian
bbrian017´s lastest post..CSR for Smaller Business – Getting Organised
Very good tips, could not agree more, yes you need to avoid wasting time in social sites because they are never ending.
fas´s lastest post..Creating a Special Niche Business
Fas,
These social media sites are draining, more distracting as they keep us away from producing fresh content for our sites. If you’re gonna build a presence on a particular social media site, know what you’re there and be sure to make the most of it.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
i have been out of the loop as well! I had guest blogs when I took a two week trip to Croatia and I am finding a hard time getting back into any of my writing! But, I shall try and Boost my blogging! Thanks!!
Julie – Inspired to Write´s lastest post..Inspiration to Write is to Help Others Find Love
Julie,
No worries, nice to see you! Thanks for visiting and commenting. :) All the best, be sure to let us know how everything comes along.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Another idea: hang around with creative people. Not only do they help you with originality by blindsiding you with perspectives you didn’t consider, but also with creativity, either indirectly inspiring you to keep producing or directly collaborating with you on a project.
UM,
I couldn’t agree more. There are times when collaboration and team work simply pushes everyone involved to new heights. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
I’m so guilty of free styling on social media sites from time to time. Thanks for a great post. I know it will help my blogging.
jlbraaten´s lastest post..New Website ROI Tips: Online Goal Setting
jlbraaten
Hey man, it’s fine because we’re all guilty of this mistake. But the point is to start making the necessary changes that bring the most significant improvements toward our blogging output. The aim, we want to be better, productive bloggers. :) Glad it helps!
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Thanks for the great tips! I don’t really have problems updating my blog every day, but these tips will certainly help.
Thanks!
——————————–
http://Arted4life.com
Evoltage,
Well done, please free feel to share more! :) Many of us struggle to maintain production… thanks for commenting, appreciate everyone’s comments.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Great post, all good advice. Happy to see another post from you side. There are definitely more important things to take care of and I hope all is well. I am looking forward to reading more posts in future.
Its nice to hear from you again! It is good to take a break every now and then.
I need to do more planning for my blog posts. I get “stuck” every now and then and find it hard to generate new posts. Its a great idea to make an outline or a map so that I will at least know where I’m going.
Hey Carla,
Thanks, not sure if you’re referring to me or Yan? Nonetheless, I’ll take it! Yes, practice mapping out potential posts, write out ideas and so forth. The sooner you put it on paper, the better. Unless of course, you have quick and easy access to your computer.
-Mig
Here is the best way to increase output:
1. have a friend who doesn’t live with but does live nearby take all your food.
2. Tell them that you can’t eat until you write a 300 word entry.
3. Once you start associating blogging with eating, you’ll enjoy it. Even when your food has been returned to you home (After the training is complete)
I tried this on a dog once and now his blog has 980 subscribers.
Erica,
Well done, bravo! Thanks for sharing… this is accountability at its finest! :) Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Thanks everyone for the input and thoughts thus far! Cheers!
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
A very heavy post! You shouldn’t read the post if you are not really serious about blogging :) Great stuff
Michael Aulia´s lastest post..Don’t be a Darren Rowse, Don’t be a John Chow
Hey Michael,
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it… this requires serious, hard consistent work! Appreciate your visit and comment. cheers!
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Great tips. An editorial calendar helps greatly. You have to have something tangible in front of you, whether it’s a spreadsheet taped on the wall near your computer or a white board like the one yon may buy at Staples of Office Depot. It’s amazing how one can solidifying their organization and agenda by having those tasks articulated in some public form.
Rick
Thanks, you’re right! It certainly helps me remain focus and productive… it helps if it’s in front of me. That goes for a lot of things, from tasks, to errands, to assignments and so on.
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Excellent tips miguel, it helps me to describe my blog easy to my users.
Rob,
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
thanks for share miquel.
i use wordpress to as my blog cms
you have a nice tips
do you have another wordpress tutorial???
nita
http://pentassoft.com
nita´s lastest post..W32.Virut Removal Tool
Hey Nita,
No worries, more is coming! :) What else would ya like to see us address? Cheers! Thanks for your kind words.
-Mig
It’s been awhile since I see any post on this blog. Keep up the good work.
Ridiculous blogger´s lastest post..The most popular memorial
Rb,
You bet! :) Thanks for your comments and participation! :) Cheers!
-Mig
Thanks for the post. Only 5 easy ways to boost my blogging output? Thats all? I am shocked. I didnt know that it is so easy. I hope it really works and I need it very urgent :-)
Maria,
There’s always more one could offer. This is kind of a nutshell approach… it’s helpful to condense that material so we can all get a handle on the basics. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Very usefull ideas.
I normally work on Blog ideas on the way to work (in the train). But sometimes it’s hard to keep the momentum, and produce usefull posts.
Anyhow … I normally shedule after the Twitter activity … and market the blog-post on Twitter. Not a big succes on my danish blog yet, but the english blogs are working ok.
Steen Seo Öhman´s lastest post..Nyt site? – har du husket Google?
Steen,
I understand, there are those days when ideas just don’t flow or come when we want them. I like your approach, schedule time for social media activity. Freelancing it can be dangerous because it can kill ones output!
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
I find i get lots of ideas by reading other blogs i see on recommended twitter. i double dip– i post a comment and then expand my comment for my own blog, and then in the blog i reference the original blog that inspired me as well. everybody wins. — jl
Justin,
There’s nothing wrong with that… interacting with quality content is a must. A lot of us do this… Thanks for sharing! :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
Good tips to improve the blogs I just following you..
wow, these is very useful tips. Thank for sharing. I will try it.
so if i confuse about post that i would like to write, just make a mind map first, rite??
pendi´s lastest post..FIRST KISS
Another good way is to hire a virtual assistant to do some of your writing so it will give you time to do other things on your blog
Donny,
That’s a option but your readers lose out on your unique voice found in the content you write. Connect with other bloggers in your niche and after building some relationships with those bloggers, ask some to guest post!
Also, writing remarkable, unique content for your blog is one of the best things you can do for your blog, especially starting out. Everything else should be second, at least I think. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
I especially find the part about taking reader questions (submitted via email or in the comments) as well as asking readers for what they want is a great way to come up with new topics.
Mikael
p.s. Still glad I’m not using Twitter/Facebook etc. :)
Mikael @ Retire Rich´s lastest post..Retirement Investing – Don’t Trust Advisors’ Advice
Mikael,
Another thing, it allows your readers to feel like they’re an active member of your blog’s community. :)
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
A single post in my blog usually takes me days to finish, like for example.. the revisions and all before hitting that Submit button
Developerholic´s lastest post..PenomaBlue Theme Wordpress
Developerholic,
That’s okay… everyone works at a different pace. At the end of the day, you want to publish something you feel is your best! Don’t update your blog for the sake of simply updating it. :) Thanks again, to everyone for their comments and suggestions!
-Mig
Miguel Wickert´s lastest post..What is Remarkable Blog Content?
i feel at ease now to make a weekly post due to my daily routine as a jounralist, and i am trying to be committed to doing both. everyday though i bookmark other bloggers’ articles and going through various social media.
Hey Haris,
Join the club, as we’re all attempting to make room in our lives for our passions, tasks, jobs, family and so on, and bookmarking is an important aspect to my blogging and internet use. I don’t know where I’d be without a service like Delicious! :) Thanks for the comments everyone.
-Mig
The most important is to get a good idea for upcoming post. I normally relax myself at the evening and try to think of my future posts’ topic. Then i’ll start collecting resource at night( some of my posts took me more than 3 days just for collecting resources). :)
Hey Dicky,
Awesome, reminds me of research paper. We all have different styles and approaches to our writing and work. I’m sure all your hard work is paying off! Cheers,
-Mig
Some nice interesting points above. I don’t use social media to much as I’ve seen many users spend more than enough time consumed at trying to promote their posts and site. My time on the net is very limited and I have to spend every second wisely otherwise I can not attend to all that is required of me at that time.
Hey George,
Understandable, you’re likely producing lots more than others. Folks have become consumed by social media, many for simply personal reasons while others attempt to leverage it for business. I like your approach! Make most of the time, opportunity and format given to you. Cheers!
-Mig
How many blogs do you manage? Your advice is good, but problematical for those with mini empires.
However keeping away from time leeching activities is sound, no matter how many empires you have.
I thought I might provide a unique idea, but I think you got it all covered.
I’m going to have trouble with #4 as I am an addicted social media freak! :-P
Yes the list is full of knowledge for blogger like me.
Because I am learners throughout my life.
Miguel,
Well I got your message in your Simplyblog about this post, great seeing you back in the posting arena. ^^ Seems like you’ve been busy offline as well. Great to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
For me, I apply the brain storming idea, time to time. Also, a simple editorial calender gives me an idea how shall I plan ahead for my blog.
You’re right, I believe through hard work, we’ll get there some how. ^^ Informative ideas, as always!
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Awesome! Awesome! Thanks for these great reminders and tips. I’m going to post a link to this post on my blog, http://godlygraffiti.blogspot.com!
Thanks for another great writeup, Miguel. You commented on my Problogger post about mentors a while back, and I can tell you’ve learned from some great people.
I really like what you have going on here, and I love the tip about timing yourself on Twitter:) It’s very easy to feel like you’re working when you’re wasting time. (I’m traffic building on twitter!).
I know a lot of writers who spend all of their time reading books about how to write and never write a word themselves. Good habits start early. So do bad ones.
Take care, friend.
Josh
Hey Josh,
okay, that’s right, I remember! Appreciate your feedback. I’ll come check out your site. Cheers!
-Mig
A blogging output is consistent, productive, not time wasting and the finished result .
Hi Yan, great post! I also took a bit of a hiatus from blogging; finding a new job, getting good at the job, finding an apartment, and moving into the new apartment just took priority over blogging. It’s pretty time consuming. But I’m back, and I’m glad to see that you are as well!
These are 5 excellent habits that could work for so many creative outlets. Thanks for the summaries.
On your home page I see you’re using H2 for post titles and H1 for the logo and its keywords, which is OK.
That’s not OK when it comes to single post pages. If the ones that edited the theme, considered that for a single post page, the logo is more relevant to the content than the post’s title, well, I doubt their judgment.
My SEO opinion when it comes to Simple Balance has been expressed mostly through the form the theme was released in.
Using H3 and H4 inside the article as subheading, that’s a good thing.
Hi
Firs time visitor to the site. I really enjoyed this post and struggle with this issue from time to time.
I always keep a pen and notepad with me as you suggest and I often get hit with an idea for content out of no where when just going about my daily routine and business.
A persoanl tip I have is to set aside two hours for specific blogging tasks and draw a list of things you HAVE to get done in that 2 hours. That has really helped me focuc my activities.
This was a nice post. i would like to appreciate the fact that you shared these tips with us. Thank you, and keep it up.
Yeah thank you.. I like the idea of taking notes like Alex said. In case i forgot some I just looked at it and bingo. Listing down things to do to be more productive.
Miguel, how much time do you limit yourself to with Facebook, etc a day?
Curious to see how much time that ends up being for you.
chris
I am most productive at night. this is the time that the ideas flow through my head.
you hv mentioned that linking to a site that haven’t been cached for a time is “waste of time”. My question is: When this site is cached, did I do not get the “benefits” of it?
Can you give us some advise, how to you work with facebook, twitter etc.
thx for the post
Great suggestions! I personally like the blog calender and tend to jot down headlines and a date for publishing. I try hard to make my articles interesting and useful for my readers. And yes I do limit time on social bookmarking site as they will suck your time away quickly.
Thanks again for your insights.