Blogging

What If You Don’t Have Much Time to Blog?

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The question of finding time to blog is sure to come up anytime a group of bloggers — particularly newbie bloggers — gather for a chat.

I couldn’t begin to count the number of times in more than 17 years I’ve wondered how I could find more time to blog. I set out, like most bloggers, with the best of intentions each week. Some weeks, I’m so far ahead of the game that by the time Monday morning rolls around, the week’s four posts are already complete. Other weeks, however, I start off on Monday with Monday’s post still needing a bit of polish and some of the other week’s posts either incomplete or not even begun.

But the problem of making that critical time to create content is not something only hobby bloggers battle. Even professional, business blogs can fall into the same war against the clock.

I recently spotted an article on JDSupra titled, “Blogging for Lawyers: How to Blog When You Don’t Have Time.” Did that title hit home for you?

The article lists eight pieces of advice for law firms to keep their blogs active when time remains scarce.

You can see their list in the link above.

I’m going to talk about two of their suggestions.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that work for me. They may or may not work as well for you. On the other hand, you might have more success with them than I do.

That’s why I like reading about how other bloggers actually blog. It’s an easy way to find new ideas that might help your writing process or eliminate ideas that wouldn’t.

The third item on their list reads, “Maintain a List of Ideas.” I do this routinely, although not necessarily in list form.

Instead, I use an editorial calendar to plan out which post I intend to run on which day. But I will often add a potential blog post title to my calendar that serves as a topic idea. Sometimes, I’ll write a couple of lines or even a paragraph or two: just quick notes so I won’t forget the angle I have in mind for the article. But I might not get around to actually writing that post sometimes for weeks or even a couple of months. When I find myself running low on ideas, I scroll ahead in my calendar for those potential post ideas. Often, I’ll grab one of them and make a post sooner. But laying out the initial idea in advance puts me at an advantage from the start.

The seventh item on their list reads, “Look for Inspiration Anywhere.” I definitely do this!

Whether it’s stories I see at the real job that I think will lend themselves to a post, I make note of it. Sometimes, it’s an interaction with a friend that inspires a post. Once in a while, a goofy customer service experience — even a rare exceptional experience — can prompt a post.

When you blog as long as I have, you learn quickly how to mine for gold in your own experiences. You also learn how to spot news headlines, Facebook or Twitter posts or even Instagram photos that you could turn into a compelling post!

I think there’s a big secret to finding the time to blog.

I gave you my answer to finding blogging time back in 2017.

“You don’t find time to blog; you make time to blog,” I said. That was true then. It remains true to this day.

I can find dozens of things to do rather than sit down and work on a post. Exercising the discipline to write makes me happy and relieves that deadline pressure!

What’s your best advice for making time to blog?

the authorPatrick
Patrick is a Christian with more than 30 years experience in professional writing, producing and marketing. His professional background also includes social media, reporting for broadcast television and the web, directing, videography and photography. He enjoys getting to know people over coffee and spending time with his dog.