Keeping the momentum going in the Blogging series
Have you ever found yourself looking at your blog, wondering what the heck to write next?
You may think you’ve explored every corner of your subject, leaving no stone unturned. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Many bloggers face this challenge, especially after the initial excitement wears off, usually between 6 and 12 months into their blogging journey. That feeling of “saying it all” can be discouraging, but it’s far from the end of the road.
The Myth of Exhausted Issues:
Feeling like you’ve covered every topic under the sun is a common misconception among bloggers. Rather than viewing your blog archives as a comprehensive checklist, I encourage you to view them as a gold mine of untapped potential. Your past posts aren’t just remnants of your blogging journey. they are a stepping stone to deeper, richer content. Here’s why:
- Depth over width: Topics, especially in dynamic fields like blogging, are never “done”. Just as you grow and evolve, so do your subjects and position. What was relevant a year ago may have new implications today, and your understanding of certain concepts has likely deepened. This development is a perfect opportunity to revisit old topics with fresh eyes and new ideas.
- New readers, new perspectives: Your audience is constantly changing, with new readers discovering your blog every day. These new followers have not traveled to your records. to them, your older content is brand new. Revisiting past topics can introduce your younger audience to valuable information they’ve missed, while also giving you a chance to update and improve on your previous views.
As a result of these two factors, you should view your old post archives not only as a collection of your past thoughts but as a springboard for new ones.
I regularly scan old posts for ideas for future ones. I’m especially looking for posts that I either disagree with (due to a change in perspective) or posts that I think I could go deeper with. Sometimes I go back to my old posts to show the evolution of thought, but in many cases I just write them as standalone new content.
I often talk about how blogging is conversational in the way it lends itself to interactions between bloggers and readers (as well as between bloggers). Here are 3 simple ways to make your blog posts more conversational.
Strategies for making the most of your records:
Turning your files into a source of inspiration can transform the way you approach content creation. Here are some practical strategies to get you started:
- Check your files: Dive into your past posts and identify which topics could be updated, expanded upon, or even challenged. Look for posts that once sparked lively discussions or those that continue to garner attention. These are perfect candidates to watch.
- Disagree with your former self: As you evolve, so do your views and strategies. If you find posts that no longer align with your current views, write a rebuttal. This not only shows your growth, but also encourages readers to join the evolving conversation.
- Deep dives into complex topics: Some topics cannot be fully covered in a single post. Identify previous topics that could benefit from a more detailed exploration. Breaking down complex ideas across multiple posts or series can provide tremendous value to your readers.
- Introduction of new forms: Revisiting a topic doesn’t mean you have to stick to the same format. If your original post was text-heavy, consider creating an infographic, video, or podcast episode to explore the topic from a different perspective.
- Encourage reader participation: Invite your audience to suggest topics they’d like to see revisited or expanded on. Not only does this give you instant insight into what your readers find valuable, it also fosters a sense of community and engagement.
Here’s more about looking after and updating your records.
Feeling like you’ve covered every possible topic in your post is a sign that it’s time to review your files, not a sign to give up. By viewing your previous content as a foundation for growth and development, you can continue to create engaging, relevant and valuable posts for your audience. Remember, the key to keeping your blogging momentum going isn’t always finding something new to say, but finding new ways to say it.
When you treat your archives as a living part of your blog that can be revisited over time, you take the conversation into a new realm – talking to yourself. While “talking to yourself” might sound a little weird (my mom always said it was the first sign of insanity), I think it’s actually one of the first signs of a mature blogger taking their blog to a new level refining his thoughts on a subject. Through this refining process real wisdom and know-how emerges.
Without reexamining your previous thoughts or ideas, you run the risk of becoming stagnant and limiting your own growth in your chosen field.
Action Plan:
Get started today by taking a leisurely stroll through your blog archives. What hidden gems can you find? How can your past self inspire your future content? Let your journey of rediscovery fuel your next great post.
- What do you see there that is outdated?
- Which old posts do you disagree with?
- Where could you go deeper?
- What older posts might your younger readers have never seen?
If you are still struggling, one of my favorite techniques in business to organize my thoughts, help me review, plan and organize my business and think creatively and generate lots of ideas is to use mind mapping – listen to this podcast episode hear how I do it.
