Matt BrennanChances are the writing routine for your small business blog is something like this:
Your workout is complete. You’ve made your coffee and stayed current on your news for the morning. Before you head off to vacuum the front room as another stellar act of procrastination, it’s time to channel your focus and write that post for your small business blog.
I know what you are thinking. It’s time-consuming. I don’t have any good ideas. There are so many other aspects of the business that need my attention. But you know what? That post, that single post, is a great opportunity to reach somebody new with a story that can draw them in. It can bring them closer to your business, and be the interaction that places you at the front of their mind.
Blogging and writing for the web are great ways to keep people engaged with your business. It can be a great way to meet and retain new customers.
So with that in mind, here are five ways to stay efficient writing for your small business blog:
Write in the off times – Maybe your work calendar stays pretty busy. Maybe you are wall to wall with meetings and other duties involved in running your business. But I’d be willing to bet that you have an occasional unanticipated 10-minute window that pops up here and there. Carry a notebook with you, or use an application like Evernote. Either way, if you’ve got an idea waiting to get out, begin the process of writing for your small business blog wherever you are at the moment. That way when you do have the window to sit in front of the computer, it will flow more easily.
Keep an idea log – Whatever method you choose for taking notes on the go can double as an idea log. It is good to keep a running log of 5-10 post ideas going at any given time. That way, when you are in a pinch for a blog post, you won’t spend an excessive amount of time figuring out what to write about. The fact is ideas happen all hours of the day, while doing any number of activities. An idea log will make you more efficient at keeping track of random ideas that pop up.
Vary your environment and your routine – Are you stuck in a dull routine that’s crippling your creativity? You may need to vary things up a bit to achieve the most out of your writing. When being blocked is slowing you down, pack up the laptop and head to the neighborhood coffee shop. Do anything you can to not write from your regular location. Change the music you listen to. Varying your environment may just be the catalyst you need to move things along. You’ll be surprised how much a change in scenery can jumpstart your creativity, and keep you writing great material for your small business blog.
Stop self-editing – There’s a time for editing and there is a time for writing. From the idea process through the first draft, it is all about the writing process. It is the easiest thing in the world to stop writing at some juncture in this stage. Don’t do it. Work yourself through a draft even if the “self-editor” within is telling you that it is a stupid idea. Get a draft down. From that point, you can edit. An idea can be bent, transformed and shaped into the ideal small business blog post.
Control your digital habits – The best of us are distracted – not just some of the time, all of the time. All of your favorite social media platforms, your email, your texting – they all have one thing in common. DING! The notifications. You can turn these off. You can close the Facebook tab on your Internet browser. With some self-control, and discipline you can check them at set times of the day. Believe me, no matter how important you are, your world won’t collapse. This can do amazing things for your ability to stay focused and write for your small business blog.
Keep The Big Picture In Mind
What are you blogging for? What blogging goals do you have, and how does it fit into your marketing plan? Simply keeping the big picture in mind can give you a renewed focus on the detail of your small business blog.
You want to sell more X. It stands to reason that you could do a blog series on X to stir up some interest. Simply having this sense of purpose every time you stare at a blank screen and a cursor can make things operate more smoothly.
Set Aside The Time Or Hire It Out
Setting aside 1-2 hours a week might be all it takes to drum up some small business blog posts. Doing this on a consistent enough basis can be the most difficult part of small business blogging.
It’s kind of like working out. The results are slow, and it takes consistent output and effort. But if you want to see the results bad enough reconsider what time you set the alarm clock for, or rearrange your schedule.
Unlike working out, however you do have another option. You can hire a blog writer to do it for you (try hiring someone to do your pushups, and see what kind of results you get). A professional blog writer will be able to help you write in a way that makes the most out of your traffic and builds an audience. It can be a key component in helping your small business blog become successful.
If that’s not what you’re after, hiring a copy editor might help.
Are there other things that you’ve done to increase your blogging efficiency? What are some of your writing habits or techniques to make sure that you get everything done that you need to? I would love to hear more in the comment section!
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