I know Project Blogger is over, although the voting is not (don't forget to vote).....and yes that is shameless self promotion (as Jay would put it). But I promised some people that I would post about this subject because it was one of the most useful coaching sessions I had with Paul. (take a look at his original article - What To Do When the Well Runs Dry)
We've all been there; we sit in front of our computer screens twiddling our thumbs and have no idea what to write about. Our minds are blank and we don't know what to do. Even Active Rain's own TLW has gone through this.
So what to do?
Paul compares this process to pump priming - as much as I like the analogy, we'll have to ask him to define
that one because I am a city girl and have never even seen one of those - ok, ok maybe once. The concept is that you need to prime the pump several times before any water comes out, or better yet, put water into the pump to prime it, so here's how:
- occasionally take time off blogging - AFK (away from keyboard)
- read other blogs
- see the world with blog colored glasses (I loved that one) - you know the time you are doing something and a little bell goes off inside your head and you think "I can blog about that!" - the most trivial subjects usually make the best posts.
- blogging is a craft - you need to practice to get better - sit down and start writing and it will come to you.
- Posting schedule - I know this may seem weird, but setting a schedule on what types of posts to write may really help you:
- Monday it may be Real Estate related, Tuesday community related, Friday about real estate news - (having a schedule stimulates thinking - you don't need to stick to it, but the guidelines may help you with research and it also helps to mix up the subjects)
- set aside a designated time to blog - just as you go to the gym or do routine tasks - you can even write posts ahead of time and time stamp them (Active Rain does not have this feature yet.....HINT HINT)
- Read news, Inman, Google (I personally get a kick out of Perez Hilton....would that be considered news?)
- Paul even mentioned that Active Rain acts like a pump because of all the comments and involvement. You have to admit that by reading other blogs and comments you may feel inspired (don't forget to give credit to the inspiration!).
- And lastly - a list of blogs about writer's block with some great ideas! (I don't even know why most of these are member's only...go figure)
- Jason Price's Writer's Block Contest #2: Favorite Hang Outs (A Localism Post)
- Sarah Cooper's Writer's Block? Noooooo!! and No Writer's Block Allowed Here!
- Barry Hurd's Writing Tips: I’ve got Writer’s Block, Now What?
- Ann Cummings' OK, I Admit It - I Need HELP!!!
- Justin Smith's Blogging Ideas — How to Start a Local Real Estate Blog #7
- Colleen Kullikowski's Active Rain Fruit Challenge
- Rich Jacobson's "Have You ever Lost Your Voice?"
***NOTE: If all else fails.....write about having WRITER'S BLOCK!! ***
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