Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Blogging Tips - The Creative Blogger

Some people ask me how it is that I come up with so many different ideas to write about on my blog. They also ask me how it is that I can write so much. Some bloggers have such a hard time finding things to write about that they decide to just abandon their blogs altogether. Before you give up you need to know that there are certain ways that a blogger can tap into their creativity and turn themselves into super productive bloggers.

Blogging is a creative process and like so many other creative endeavors sometimes it's now "how hard you work" but "how smart" you work. By learning how to trigger your creativity you will be able to come up with more ideas in a much shorter period of time, and write articles at a much faster rate.

Make The Most Out Of Bursts Of Creativity

When you get into a creative mood and you feel that ideas are coming to you easily then this is the time to write down all of your thoughts. Make a list of all the ideas you have for your blog and topics you think would be interesting to write about. Using these highly creative moments will help save you time and energy on those non creative days, when coming up with a single idea hardly seems possible.

Keep Up To Date On Current Events

Look through books, magazines, newspapers, and watch the daily world news, there are always many interesting things going on in the world. Choose an interesting topic or current event that will match your blogging style and discuss it on your blog.

Start a Blog Series

Create a Series for your blog. Some bloggers have Motivational Monday, Wacky Wednesday, or Freaky Friday blog posts. If you have something fantastic to write about try dividing it into four or more articles and post one a week in a weekly series. Creating a repetitive series can add value to your blog and at the same time take off the pressure of having to be continuously creative in your posting.

Give It Your Best

Find the time of day that you are your highest level of creativity and are most likely to be productive. For some it's early in the morning, others late at night, but everyone has a specific time of day that they are at their best. Find your perfect time of day for writing and use it to your benefit.

Think Like a Great Writer and Be Prepared

Always carry a writing pad or notebook and a pen with you. I've come up with some of my best ideas while in the coffee shop, doctor's office, or out to lunch. Sometimes you get your most creative ideas when your focused on something other than writing or blogging. I once wrote a poem on a napkin in a restaurant and it was later published (twice). If you are a blogger then you're also a writer, so think like a writer and be prepared!

Writing The Old Fashioned Way

Try writing your blog post articles by hand. 90% of everything I write is written by hand in my writer's notebook somewhere away from the computer. It's easier to be creative when writing by hand in a comfortable setting then when sitting at the computer. Now I realize that this seems like an unnecessary extra step but if I were to try to come up with an article while sitting at the computer it would be next to impossible and take much longer since I'm at my least creative when working on the computer. After I'm finished my article I copy on to the computer, edit it, spell check it, and finally publish it.

Find Out What Works

Read other blogs! This is a must for bloggers because by reading other blogs you can learn what topics work and what ones don't. Get an idea of what other people find interesting. Write content that will entertain, interest, or enlighten your readers. If you provide valuable information readers are likely to return to see what you will write next.

Still stumped?

Try these ideas to tap into your creativity:

1) Spend time outdoors, nature and creativity go hand in hand, a walk in the park might be just what you need to unleash your inner creativity.

2) Listen to inspiring music. Different types of music inspire different types of people, so whether you listen to classical, rap, or dance music, use it to get you into a creative mood.

3) Use the Clustering Technique that writer's and artists use to tap into the creative part of their brain to become instantly creative. If you are not familiar with Clustering I will be writing an article which will explain this technique in detail very soon in my Tips For Bloggers Series.


Copyrighted - Author Christy Zutautas - You must have permission of author to reprint any written materials.

8 comments:

Danielle said...

A trick that I use is the cool add on for Firefox, Scribefire. If I stumble upon something that interests me I create a note in Scribefire and since I like to keep my computer "neat" if pushes me to write a post. It also works great for storing links and serves as my first draft which I also tweak in blogger before publishing.

I also participate in some weekly memes as you know, and have created the Random lyrics game, Monday's Movement and News from the Inbox. I can't image ceasing to blog, I'm having way too much fun and growing in my writing skills.

You highlight some excellent ideas here.
Be well and enjoy the day.

Christy said...

Thank you Danielle,

You have some great ideas for writing too! I think I forgot to mention memes. They are always good to post as well.

Hope you're having a great day,

Christy:)

Stephanie Enders said...

Hi Christy,

Wow--you write by hand on your rough draft?---hard core. It's obviously working as your blog is very successful.

Will you exchange links?
I will add you today to www.crackingthesleepcode.com

Thanks

Stephanie

Christy said...

Hi Stephanie,

Yeah it helps me to write better that way, and thank you.

I just added your link under the Helpful and Healing Blogs category. Very interesting blog, and helpful too!

Have a great day:)

Markk said...

Looks like I'm a latecomer here. Just to give my two cents...I use a small program called Copywriter to jot down thoughts that come to mind. It's like like NotePad for text documents but it has extra features like word count, fonts, etc. Very handy to use when drafting a paid post article. You know when you're reaching 100 or 200 words. I take notes of everything using Copywriter and store the files in appropriate folders for later retrieval or reference. Oh yes, my best writing time is very late at night. And you got an excellent post here.

P/s: I thought your blog has something higher than a PR3 before.

Princess Haiku said...

I keep lists and journals of random thoughts or ideas. Then when the inclination to blog comes over me I have a starting place. I also like doing the random meme.

Christy said...

Hi Mark,

Sorry I missed your comment, thanks for the info., that sounds really good.

Nope, I've always been PR3, and with the google crackdown I'm lucky to even be that! :) Take Care.

Christy said...

Hi Princess,

It's a really good idea to keep a journal of ideas, so on the not so creative days you've got back up! :) Hope you're having a Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Things Happen To Those Who Subscribe!

Add Your Link And Get Noticed With Every Post!