I started blogging several years ago when I first launched jgenowmarketing.com. My goal was simple. To drive traffic to my site and help boost rankings in search.

But something had happened while I was writing all those posts. I found my voice and I realized I had a lot to say on the topic of marketing. And for 2+ years the articles steadily flowed…

And then business picked up. And the articles stopped coming so easily.

I didn’t heed my own advice and I let the creative well run dry. I was busy with clients. Setting aside working “on” my business for working “in” my business. And somehow the months just drifted away.

Despite our good intentions – despite the planning – the reality is that sometimes it just happens.

So what do you do when your blog hits a wall? As Miranda Hill of Smart Blogger recently said, “make peace with the reason for your break” and then focus on making amends and getting your blog up and going again.

So I have made my peace. And to make amends, I’ve reached out to my own blogging community for their tips and insights on how to stay focused, keep your blog up and running, and what to do if you hit that wall.

How to maintain – or get back to – your blog

Larry Boyer: “The 1st thing is to figure out why you aren’t writing. The 2nd is to build tiny habits.”
President, Success Rockets LLC

First, understand what your personal values are. Conflicts are a great way to explore what is really important to you. Is it really the blog article you are avoiding or is it the work instead? Just be honest. Maybe blogging should be more important, but playing solitaire is what is really winning the prioritization game. Why is that? Figure that out and address that need.

 

Second is to build tiny habits.  Just set small goals.  I used to blog 3 times a week on my website (until a series of unfortunate family events happened that took priority). I started by writing a blog for every Monday. Once that became my habit, I increased it to every Monday and Wednesday, and eventually every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Arnie McKinnis: “Set yourself a reminder – every day – to write something.”
Technical Marketing Consultant, amckinnis.com

I’ve got a daily reminder that pops up every weekday morning … each has a different topic. It doesn’t mean I write every day, but it is a reminder. Also, I use OneNote. I might only write two or three paragraphs in a draft. But, if I want to jump start something, I go back there and find an interesting article, and finish it.

Chris Spurvey:  “Find a way to take the stress off and keep the focus on your passion.”
Author of It’s Time to Sell | Sales & Personal Branding Consultant | Vice President with KPMG

I love speaking to entrepreneurs that truly want to turn their passion into a business. The issue that arises when you turn your passion into a business is we begin to apply norms. This typically leads to a negative energy as we begin to focus on how to grow it. We focus our energy on numbers – subscribers, open rates, likes, comments, and so on. This leads to a choking off of the positive energy that should be coming from our passion. Not a good place to be.

 

So, I always suggest setting up some routines that keep the focus on ‘progress’ and not ‘numbers’. For example, every evening before bed focus on small wins that can be celebrated. Also, from the get-go focus on creating systems that allow you to focus on the passion piece. My passion is helping entrepreneurs scale their business so they have time for what matters most. I gain my following through delivering value in my content. Most people do not realize that all I do is record a video. That video then results in multiple content pieces (blog, LinkedIn post, YouTube, etc.). My Virtual Assistant and I follow a system. And the system takes the stress off of the endeavor. I focus on the energy of progress and not the energy of numbers.

John White: “Ramp up your engagement on others’ posts before posting your own.”
Columnist at Inc. Magazine & Huff Post | CMO at Social Marketing Solutions | Director of Social Media at beBee

If you’re just getting back into blogging after a long layoff, prior to posting I recommend taking at least a week or two to ramp up your engagement on other people’s posts by liking, commenting, and sharing. This will help you reintroduce yourself to your network and regain your audience’s attention before you release your blog.

Marietta Gentles Crawford:  “Don’t overlook the value of “small thoughts” and shorter articles.”
Writer and Personal Brand Strategist at Mari Brands for You | Author of “From Nine to Thrive“

As you prepare to get your writing groove back, narrow down the topics you want to write about that are aligned with your business objectives and brand. Once you take this into consideration, break them out into small thoughts. Every article doesn’t have to be long, so don’t overlook the value in writing short pieces that add value.

Obviously, it’s best to not let creating content for your blog slide. But, the good news is that a well-established blog will keep working for you even when you’re not working on it (I have a few older articles that consistently drive traffic to my site). So don’t let writing setbacks keep you from getting back to blogging!

If you’re just getting started with blogging, check out The Small Business Guide to Starting a Blog.

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Jacqui Genow

Brand & Business Strategist

J. Genow Marketing

Jacqui Genow is the founder and principal of J. Genow Marketing. She works with clients in aligning their brand message, building their marketing roadmap, and helping them stay on track to move their business forward. As a Brand and Business Strategist, her focus goes beyond marketing; making the connections between how marketing decisions made today can impact a client’s business in the future. You can find Jacqui on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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