Getting Into The Blogging Groove And The Pitfalls Of Habit

Did you know it takes around 21 days to create a habit? 

Your brain sends messages down the same path until you do a task or action without thinking.  A repeated message creates a groove to run along to make delivery easier.  If you have any bad habits, you’ll know how difficult it is to bounce out of that groove.

Once you start blogging regularly, it becomes a habit almost.  I’ll warn you now; you will get the shakes and feel out of sorts after the end of 30 days if you miss publishing a post.

So, here is post 2 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge.  I’ll be honest, I joined up without actually thinking about the logistics too much!

A Blogging Challenge To Far?

I know I need to get back into my blogging groove, I know the benefits and rewards of doing it.  But, what I forget to mention my last post was the pitfalls of taking on such a task.

The temptation when taking part in such a challenge is to post for the sake of posting.  You need to get those post numbers up after all!

Don’t do it!  It’s a big mistake.

Think about why you started a blog in the first place.  Ultimately, it’s to communicate your thoughts, ideas and passion to your readers – to create some sort of connection and relationship. 

Blogging helps to humanise your business.  It provides a way for you to share your knowledge and show you do know what you’re talking about after all.  It helps you to help others by sharing tips and advice. 

And yes, it helps you to highlight your products and services without the heavy sell. 

Of course, you need to be found online first.  Blogging regularly helps with that task too.

The thing is, when you start just posting for the hell of it you can lose sight of your main aim.  Chasing numbers, the race to 30 posts – it’s easy to forget that this is all about your readers.

What value are you offering? 

If you were not taking part in a blogging challenge would you actually publish that post?

No?

So don’t publish it now.

That said, I DO hope you join me in this blogging challenge.  Use the opportunity to read other peoples blogs and be inspired.  Use it to create a routine – or habit if you prefer – of producing useful content daily.

5 Tips To Avoid The Pitfalls Of Habit

1. Plan your content.  It doesn’t need to be set in stone, draft out the topics you want to cover over the next month.
2. Organise your time.  Set aside some time daily to write (or do a video, edit images or produce audio – blogging doesn’t have to be written content)
3. If it works better for you, block out a few hours and produce content in batches 4 or 5 posts at a time and save them as draft or schedule to post.
4. Don’t hog the limelight if it’s not needed!  You can republish other peoples content with permission and credit if it is suitable for your blog.  Accept a guest post or ask your staff to write too.
5. Think about your readers, what do they want to know?  Use this opportunity to answer common questions or demonstrate how your products and services work. 

Are you getting into your blogging groove?  Do you have concerns about publishing 30 posts in 30 days?

Image credit – Dogo