Content creation will make you insane if you let it.
So many people have been talking about content creation lately. But do they ever talk about the daily grind of what happens when you have to churn out content on a daily basis? Mostly, content creation is glorified as something easy and simple that anyone can do. How much work goes into the creation of content, though? Like so many things in life, the answer is: it depends.
Who’s Your Audience?
Your audience is made up of at least two parts: those who actually visit your webiste and read your posts, and the little bots that roam around Google visiting your site. Having new content on a consistent basis helps your site rank higher so that both the people and the bots are satisfied. Of course, your human audience should come first. You don’t want your words to sound like they’re written for bots!
The Problem is Consistency
Coming up with one or two or even ten blog posts isn’t the problem. The problem is sustaining your content creation for months and maybe years. Will you ever get tired of writing? What if no one reads your writing, or you don’t just don’t feel like blogging any more? Will you be able to continue writing even if you don’t want to? If you’re feeling stuck, you might like this article: Content Creation: How to Make Your Writing More Fun! And, once you’ve read that and followed it, you could also share that blog post four (or more) different ways.
Content Creation: Be a Tortoise, Rather Than a Hare
Creating content for your readers puts you in the camp with the tortoises, not the hares. That is, you need to have steady progress and keep at it. Someone told me something a long time ago, and it stuck: Apply the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair for success. So sit down and write something–anything–even if it’s bad. Write one sentence. Then write another one. See where it takes you.
Wrangle Those Words
Keep at it, even if you don’t feel like it. Because sometimes you’ll change your mind as you start writing. It’s like going to the gym. Put on your gym shoes and get yourself there and fake it if you have to. One thing that helps me write more is to read my words out loud. Try it and let me know how it goes! And don’t go insane in the process.
Hi Carol,
Another helpful post. I’m always thankful to have found you on Twitter since you are an inspiration to improving my content creation.
I keep wrangling those words and read that it’s even helpful for our memory to read aloud. I actually got two generic blog posts written one day this week for use when I don’t have one ready. I was inspired and just did it. That’s a good feeling.
Still using some of the headlines I have in waiting and tossing some I decide just won’t cut it. I also realized I need to become more attentive to my social media posts, mostly Twitter and Instagram, so I’ve tried to be more thoughtful there too.
Regards,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I’m thankful to have found you, too! I love seeing your images, especially all the flowers and photography ideas.
Reading aloud sparks something from our childhood, I think. Do you remember having adults read to you when you were a kid? Those were the days! But we can also read out loud to ourselves.
And that’s wonderful that you got two blog posts written this week! I’ll have to go take a look.
It’s so fun to have headlines waiting, ready to be made into articles.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Patricia! I do appreciate it.
Carol
This is so true. Being intentional and focused even when you don’t feel like it is my biggest challenge this week.
Hi Bridget,
That one rings true for me, too. Sometimes I really don’t want to sit down and write. The weather is nice and sitting in front of the t.v. or going for a walk seem so much more fun than writing. Especially like right now when we’ve had fog and rain for so many months. Staying inside and writing is the last thing I want to do.
Thanks for stopping by! You’re always an inspiration to me, and I really appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Carol