Some days you just feel so enthusiastic and excited about writing an article on a topic. But other days, you feel like you’re drained out of ideas.
No worries! That’s how life goes. Admit the fact that you can’t expect everyday to be the same, with great ideas just flowing from your fingertips to the keyboard. You’ll get stuck. But we’ve got ways to help.
Here are some practical tips that can be incredibly helpful for both beginning writers and those more experienced writers to produce more content when running out of ideas. Because it happens to all of us.
1. Brainstorm the content ideas all at once
It is harder to come up with new content ideas each day. So brainstorm the content ideas once a week or a month and schedule it accordingly. Designate a day to sit down and plan content for the entire week or month.
The biggest advantage of scheduling content ideas is it helps you to be very consistent in publishing content.
- Use your most creative time: For most of us, the most creative time is the beginning of the day. Whatever it is for you, make sure to brainstorm your content ideas on your most creative time.
- Editorial calendar: There are a lot of ways to prepare an editorial calendar. You can either use Google Calendar or if you are on WordPress use the editorial calendar plugin. Here at Mariposa, we use an editorial calendar template in Google Sheets.
2. Get inspired from your old work
When you’re discouraged, remember one thing- no one can motivate you but yourself.
None of the “stop procrastination” articles or quotes on the internet can help you feel inspired unless you feel like you should start working.
However, if you really want to be motivated, go through the best content you’ve written previously. It can give you great ideas or even just a little motivation to start writing.
Here are a few reasons why going through your best content can make you feel motivated.
- Thought process: It gives you insights about your own thought process while writing those previous articles. This can definitely be helpful for creating more content even while you’re running out of ideas.
- Removes anxiety: It helps you get rid of the “can’t do it anymore” mentality. If you did it in past, obviously you can do it again.
3. Switch off distractions
Writing is a creative process. Working on a creative task with a lot of distractions can be hard.signout
While writing, make sure you switch off every distraction that could potentially destroy your overall work flow. Once you’re in the flow of writing, it is better to avoid pausing between sentences to do something else, which can take your focus away.
Here are a few practical tips to write more content without distraction.
- Limit your online hours: This can be hard to do. But if you a person who checks your Facebook newsfeed and emails regularly, being offline while writing will definitely make you more productive.
- Change the workplace: If you find it harder to write from where you’re used to working, try changing your workplace. Take your laptop and try working in a café or somewhere else where you’ll have absolute no distractions.
4. Write first, edit later
The best way to produce more content is to speed up your writing. You can always do the editing once you’ve finished writing.
The problem with making every sentence perfect at first try is that it will hinder your creative flow and eventually let you run out of ideas.
Here are a couple of tips that will help you write first and edit later.
- Never hit the backspace: This is actually advice from Daniel Scocco that can help you produce more content without worrying about obstructing the creative flow of writing. In the first phase, you simply write content without caring if it makes sense or if it’s grammatically correct. Edit the content later. These two separate phases of writing will help you produce more content without compromising the quality.
- Remove when in doubt: In the editing phase, you may find some words that are harder to reword. Instead of struggling to reword, you can always try to cut it out. Alternatively, try making 2 sentences rather than just one, to get everything you want across.
5. Act now!
You can find a lot of reasons to procrastinate your writing. On the contrary, there is only one way to move on with your writing; act immediately. Write, now.
Be disciplined if you’re feeling less productive.
- Make a habit: To-do lists may be hard to follow but following habits can be easier. So make writing a habit and stick to it. Add writing to your morning routine or try it just before you go to bed. Make it part of your day rather than trying to fit it into your day.
- Be disciplined: Procrastination can create a huge problem in both your personal life as well as your professional life. Be disciplined and stick to your plans, especially if writing is one of them.
Remember the words of Jim Rohn.
“There are two types of pain you will go through in life, the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tonnes.”
Recent Posts
Where SEO Meets Design: Best Practices For Optimizing Conversions
October 20, 2017 . .
Do You Have Lackluster Branding?
October 20, 2017 . .
Long Tail Keywords Vs. Branded Keywords
June 7, 2017 . .
4 Things to Do Tonight for a More Productive Day Tomorrow
May 15, 2017 . .
4 Signs You Need to Bring in a Marketing Agency
May 15, 2017 . .
Business Etiquette That Will Set You Apart from the Rest
May 11, 2017 . .