This is a guest post by Peter Garety sharing us how we can keep our blog updated with fresh content in case we are struggling from writer’s block. Do make a visit to his Auto Traffic Avalanche blog.
The dreaded condition called writer’s block comes every so often, even to the most experienced of bloggers.
The words just won’t flow no matter how hard you stare at your computer screen with your fingertips posed over the keyboard or hold your pen against the surface of your legal pad. 🙂
The drought of words simply happens every once in a while, and when that drought occurs, the spell could last days, even weeks.
Dealing with prolonged writer’s block is another story for another day, but while you are trying to overcome your writer’s block, what happens to your blog in the meantime?
After all, not updating your blog when you have a host of readers awaiting every new post you make – not to mention revenues that you cannot afford to sacrifice – can be disastrous.
How do you avert this disaster, then, even as you struggle with your inability to write?
Relying on Others
One way to keep the content of your blog fresh even as you deal with an extended bout of writer’s block is to rely on others for your content.
As you may know, one of the most important tasks that every blogger should work on while developing their blog is to establish a relationship with other bloggers in their niche. Ostensibly, the purpose of this task is to get word of your blog out there and to make your presence known so that you can have a steady stream of web traffic flowing to your blog.
Having a good working relationship with other bloggers serves another purpose when writer’s block hits you. If you cannot seem to write your own posts, you can invite other bloggers to create guest posts for you. Most bloggers are gracious with that, especially when their guest posts generate backlinks and traffic to their own blogs as well. However, you should nonetheless be prepared in case the blogger you have invited asks for something else in return.
Aside from guest bloggers, you can also invite your readers to submit original content for your blog. Many of your readers will surely be thrilled to be featured in your blog. If they are budding bloggers as well, this may become a chance for you to lend them a helping hand and provide an opportunity for exposure to these newbie bloggers.
It is a win-win situation.
Still, you should make sure that you set guidelines for your readers to follow with their contributions so that you can safeguard the quality of your blog.
Dealing with Your Writer’s Block
Given that you can always rely on other people to help you out if you need to keep your blog fresh despite having writer’s block, you cannot expect other people to take care of your blog for you forever. In one way or another, you have to deal with that writer’s block of yours.
More often than not, writer’s block crops up when there is a pressing issue that demands your undivided attention. Whatever this problem is, you need to address it as soon as possible because the distraction will affect not just your ability to blog in the long run. Throwing the problem to the backburner and ignoring it as best as you can will not make that problem go away.
If your writer’s block is caused by fatigue or stress, then the best solution is to take a break.
Go on a holiday, get pampered at a spa, do nothing or do whatever it is that you do to get de-stressed. Also, use this time away from your blog to rethink your priorities.
Maybe your writer’s block is caused by the fact that you are tired of blogging. If that is the case, then maybe it is time for you to walk away.
At The End…
Writer’s block happens to all bloggers, even to the best and the most experienced of us. When writer’s block has been going on far too long, it can pose a problem to the life of your blog.
You can keep your blog alive with fresh content by asking other people to provide this content for you. In the meantime, you need to address the issue of your writer’s block and be definite about it.
Do let us know your solutions for writer’s block. What do YOU do when you face writer’s block? Have something to share with us? Just leave your comment below as it might help someone in overcoming writer’s block. I am waiting to read your comments.
Whenever I have writers block, I write a blog post on writers block, or if it is really bad writers block, I regurgitate someone Else’s post on writers block.
I am a new blogger so i’m not sure if i have this writer’s block. I was never a writer so coming up with a blogpost is quite a heavy task for me, but i think i’m getting a bit better now. So let see what other experienced blogger has to say. I would like to know … thank you Sir.
Believe it or not. I am currently suffering from Write’s block. I will try to follow these and see if it helps in keeping the blog active and I hope it will.:)
Thanks for your comment. The one thing I am doing when I am suffering from it is to read forum posts. You can take some of the questions and answers what people ask and answer in forums and turn it into the post. With this strategy, you will achieve two aims – you will get the content for your blog, and you will provide readers what they really are looking for.
Great post. When I have the writers block issue on my blogs or even Im just plain tired, I’ll either do a guest post, bring up an old post that some of the newer readers may not have read yet or take some time to bring up a discussion on a topic I read on another blog, this way I can send some readers toward my favorite blogs at the same time.
Thank you! I am struggling with this as we s[eak. I was on such a roll, then NOTHIN!
Great post!
Mommy D
Nice article, you should try asking your readers for some ideas, it gets them involved and you get more new ideas.
Hi Peter
Great tips for those suffering writer’s block or for those of us who one day might! I love writing and have heaps of ideas at the moment as my blog is fairly new.
I suffer more from techie block as I so am not a techie! Maybe I could write a few posts for some techies and they can sort my site out lol
The question and answer is a good one; also surveys tell you what your visitors are expecting when they land on your blog. Also I’ve noticed recently on a few sites they are actually asking what do we want them to write about.
Patricia Perth Australia
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for your comment. Time to time everybody is suffering from some sort of block, which hold us back from making big online. However, one strong thing that can move anybody forward is passion. When you feel passionate about certain things, you can find the inner strengths to get things done.
With your blog, you, Patricia, are a perfect example of passion. You create posts and do things about the topic, which you know a lot about, therfore you will definitely make it big. It just will take some time.
Best regards,
Peter
Thanks for the encouragement. You seem to know about my blog so must be one of my visitors. Hope to see you back there soon. Leave a comment or question cos I love interacting with my readers 🙂
Patricia perth Australia
i am one lucky blogger who do not suffer from Writer’s block till date….fortunately i always have ideas and that too good one
Hey Peter,
Really great Post. These are awesome tips for those who are suffering from writer’s block.
Thanks for sharing this great Post.
It’s always best to take a break when you’re having writer’s block and reading other unrelated stuff to your chosen topic to make your mind settle outside of the box, there more ideas often come naturally once you take off the pressure you are putting yourself in. Well, that’s what I usually do 🙂