Keeping a blog fresh with regular posts can be a challenge. At some point or another, we all feel we have simply run out of stuff to write about. Some people call this “Writer’s Block” and there are as many ways to overcome this horrible condition as there are writers. Today, I’d like to share one surefire way that always works for me.
When I don’t have an idea for a new post, I take a break from writing, turn on my RSS reader and go out there reading other people’s blogs. As always, I take the time to leave comments on almost every post I read. Most comments are short – either a compliment to the writer, or a reference to some point in their post. Some are not.
As I type out my comments, if I find that a comment takes me more than a few sentences to express… I turn it into a post! On one of my own blogs of course.
I take care to address the original post, with a solid link back, of course.
I am always polite and respectful.
I take care to evolve my own reply into a post – not copy someone else’s post in my own words.
I go back to that blog and mention that I have a reply for that post in my own post. Alternatively, I post a quick comment on that blog explaining my view, noting that I plan on going into more details in a post on my blog.
It’s a win-win situation with several advantages:
- I get to express an idea in a more elaborate way by the form of a dialogue.
- I interact with another blogger on a more profound level and I acknowledge their contribution to online discourse in something deeper than a comment.
- I get exposure to my own post and blog (be careful – whatever you do, you don’t want to create a sleazy traffic bait).
- I get to keep my quality content on my blog (rather than writing a post-long comment on someone else’s page).
- I get myself a brand new spiffy post – which is what I was after to begin with!
Twitter: AlisonMSmith
says:
I’ve done the same thing many times. Never really thought of it as a topic spinning technique, just didn’t want to bog down someone else’s site with a post-length comment.
.-= Alison Moore Smith´s last blog post ..Guest Blogging =-.
Twitter: AlisonMSmith
says:
P.S. I just noticed that you have a ComLuv box and Twitter field on your comments, but they are way down below your sidebar calendar, while this entry box is by your U Comment/I Follow graphic. And there’s nothing in between but blank space.
.-= Alison Moore Smith´s last blog post ..Best Toys: 60 Educational Family Games =-.
Hmmm thanks for letting me know! It looks fine on Chrome here, I’ll check on other browsers. Which do you use?
Ok, I see it now. Looks like whenever the post column (including the comments is too short, those bits get pushed down – like they really want to be at the bottom of the page. The joys of CSS, eh?
Time to go CSS bug hunting – or maybe just finally change my template.
hi Anne,
“Keeping a blog fresh with regular posts can be a challenge. At some point or another, we all feel we have simply run out of stuff to write about.”
Amen!
I like your idea for new posts (my middle name could be “Writers Block”). There are plenty of ideas out there if one just looks, and reading other blogs is a great source, as long as one comes up with a fresh take or something else unique, and isn’t simply regurgitating the same stuff.
By the way, I use Firefox and see the same rather large blank area below this box that Alison mentioned.
Steve
.-= Steve´s last blog post ..Trade Show Outboarding =-.
Twitter: FamousBloggers
says:
Very nice post Anne,
I believe that there is ones of ideas to write about, it’s jumping into our minds everyday, the thing is we can not catch these ideas some how!
Let me tel you how I never run of ideas and always find something to write about, simply I open a few word documents on all the time, I note what ever idea comes into my mind, I start writing uncompleted posts all over my laptop lol, and when I need a new post I go to these files and continue writing one of those posts and make it ready to be published, so basically I am saving a lot of time by following this way!
And also I am able to write and publish a new post for everyday on my blog!
Happy bogging.
.-= Hesham @ FamousBloggers´s last blog post ..100 Posts for Famous Bloggers, a Surprise for Guest Blogging Community and upcoming Fantastic Contest =-.
Hesham, those are great tips. I also have a draft post which holds nothing but my post ideas. It helps when you have the time to write and need reminders of previous ideas.
I love your win-win situation.
We must care our readers..
Reply their comment in good manners..
Twitter: freemanlegacy
says:
This is an excellent way to find blog topics. I myself am going through a period of time waste & crunch as well as writer’s block. So your post is quite timely for me.
.-= Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur´s last blog post ..Rested, Renewed, and Blogging from a Remote Base Camp (Temporarily) =-.
Twitter: websiteweekend
says:
I do this myself!
In fact, I often copy my comments to my posterous blog as a private post for later use. I’m building out my whole “Saturday Morning Surfing” series like this.
Disqus is another good place to raid for ideas. I have over 400 comments there now.
And sometimes, I just don’t feel anything at all, so I write one of my “No blog post today” posts. Which always grab a few comments. Go figure.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog post ..No blog post today. Two releases this week. =-.
I agree mate this is a challenge and we have to put lot of effort to keep it fresh.
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
I use my comments as well as others all the time.
Use someone elses comment, credit them and the original blog and you get kudos all the way around…not to mention backlinks from everywhere.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog post ..$100 – 10 Winners – Comment Contest! ‘Till Months End… =-.
Hi Anne
I’m not struggling for ideas at the moment. I’ve got a good few things that I want to write posts about.
Most of them are swimming around in my head.
Plus… I’m not writing that many posts.
Once I run out of ideas, I’ll think of this post.
.-= Keith Davis´s last blog post ..A helping hand… =-.
Twitter: selurus
says:
yeah, surfing through the blogosphere does spark my imagination too. I generally just collect the ideas to create a post later.
.-= Selurus´s last blog post ..Plant a seed – Create Buzz =-.
Twitter: Obselryrors
says:
Hey
Really glad to get into this forum
It’s what I am looking for.
Hope to know more member here.