All photos: Sincerely Media
Blogging can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging. Especially when it comes to staying productive and motivated to blog long-term. After nearly 10 years of blogging regularly, I've gone through countless blogging phases. There have been periods of despair, stagnation, small successes, and periods of relative balance. But one of the biggest challenges of blogging is staying productive and motivated.
It's easy to start a brand-new blog with a sense of purpose and enthusiasm. However, it can be difficult to maintain the same level of productivity as time passes. The good news is that over time, you'll develop a few techniques to help you maintain your creativity. Today I want to share with you a few proven tips and tricks that help me stay productive and motivated as a blogger. Even in the face of obstacles and setbacks, these tips will help you make the most of your blogging journey
- #1. Find a Simple Routine That Works for You
Starting your day with a well-crafted routine can make a world of difference. The life of a blogger doesn't necessarily follow a regular pattern. Sometimes we like to stay up late at night to get the most out of the spontaneous boost of nighttime creativity. As a result, your routine may not look as effortless as those we are used to seeing in lifestyle videos.
The key to staying productive and motivated in long-term blogging is to find a routine that works best for your lifestyle as a blogger. This could include things like writing at the same time every day, planning social media posts ahead of time, or researching material for new content. If you don't know where to start, try to experiment with different routines. In the end, you'll find the one that suits your blogging flow best.
I like to incorporate small rituals as I start my day. The major element in my blogging routine is a great cup of coffee. Buy coffee beans online Australia helps to ensure a fresh, high-quality kick-start to the morning. Another thing I like to do is test beauty products or gadgets I've been sent for a tryout. These may be nail polishes, skin care products, or clothing. I like to go through the items, try them on and note my thoughts.
- #2. Set Clear Goals and Track Your Progress
After years of blogging, you may develop a feeling of idleness. It doesn't mean your blog actually stopped growing. Setting clear goals and tracking your progress are two important things that will keep you productive and motivated in long-term blogging. For instance, set a goal of writing a certain number of blog posts per week and track your productivity each trimester/season. Over a few months, you'll be able to see how far you've come and what you still need to do to achieve your goals.
Don't forget to keep tracking your blogging stats. This habit will help you to analyze your audience, improve your content, and measure your success. Online tools like Google Analytics will help you understand how many people visit your blog, where they come from, and what pages are most popular.
Other tools you can use are Jetpack, Ahrefs, and SEMrush. The last one is my personal favorite! These platforms can provide detailed information about your website's performance and also allow you to track your progress against your competitors.
- #3. Take Regular Blogging Breaks and Practice Self-Care
Long-term blogging can be incredibly demanding. The constant race for inspiration can mentally exhaust even the most productive and innovative human being. That's why it's so important to take blogging breaks. I'm talking about long-term vacations and little pauses. They are equally important. And don't worry about abandoning your blog while you are taking time to recharge your energy. There are several important things you can do with your blog, while you are taking a break to keep your blog updated.
Short-term breaks can be used to practice self-care. Taking a walk in a park, meditating, or spending time with pets and loved ones. When you take time for yourself, you'll be better equipped to tackle the demands of blogging. I love crocheting and doing gymnastics while taking my short-of-screen breaks. Physical activities are a great way to distract the busy mind.
- #4. Keep Learning, Experimenting, and Trying New Approaches
Even after a decade of long-term blogging, there are numerous strategies you can incorporate into your work. As Leo da Vinci once said: "Learning never exhausts the mind". Blogging is an ever-changing landscape, and staying current on the latest trends, tools, and best practices can help keep you motivated and productive. For instance, new technology like the best chatbot plugin for wordpress, a site commonly used to host blogs, means you can easily answer FAQ's when you aren't personally available. It's also important to experiment with different formats, styles, and topics to find what works best for you and your audience.
I like to search for inspiration and ideas on various online resources, including competitors. Microblogging is also a great inspirational source that allows you to keep up with trends. Sometimes you may find ideas for your blog in places you wouldn't have thought of! Just keep experimenting, learning, and trying new blogging approaches.
- #5. Prioritize Blogging Tasks and Minimize Distractions
I constantly get distracted while working on my new blog posts. Little noises, social media, and even my cat – are only a few things that distract me daily. My multi-tasking nature doesn't help me either. A very specific mindset is mandatory for productive blogging.
If you find yourself easily distracted, try minimizing distractions by turning off notifications and organizing your home office to be more comfortable. To keep your workflow smooth and well-aligned, prioritize your blogging tasks, focusing on the most important ones first. Break your tasks down into smaller sections. Smaller tasks are easier to manage, and you'll stay motivated to solve them.
Final Thoughts...
Long-term blogging requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication. It can be easy to lose motivation and productivity along the way. But, thankfully, there are always strategies you can implement to improve the situation. By setting specific, measurable goals, prioritizing your tasks, and establishing a routine that works for your lifestyle, you can stay motivated and productive in your blogging journey.
Lots of love,
Liz