Do you try really hard to keep up with your blog posts but find yourself hurried and frustrated? Rushing to post just to post is not the best idea. When you stick anything up on your blog just to check it off your to-do list, you run the risk of posting articles with little value to the reader and boring them to tears. 
How do you manage to write blogs packed full of useful information while spending less time doing it? Below are a few tricks of the trade.
1. Use pictures to tell a story. Images in blog posts work to draw readers in and keep them reading. Graphs, charts, and photos are effective ways to back up key points you’re trying to make. Or, let the images tell the story for you, and post a photo story.
2. Interview key influencers in Q&A format. Find someone you feel would be of interest to your readers, and ask him or her for an interview. Send the person a list of questions, have the person answer by a set deadline, edit the copy, write an intro, and violà! You have a post readers will want to read and one you didn’t have to write.
3. Request guest bloggers to write for your blog. Guest bloggers provide a fresh perspective and help expand your readership base.
4. Use video. Whether you want to post a how-to video from YouTube or write a quick how-to blog and use video clips as examples, incorporating video into your posts will save you a ton of writing time.
5. Write a short reaction piece. Is there an article relating to your industry that you have a strong opinion about? Sit down and write a short reaction article—it shouldn’t take you long. These short and sweet editorial posts not only show readers you are current with industry news, but they also showcase your personality.
6. Create an editorial calendar for your blog on a monthly or quarterly basis. Taking time to plan post topics—including scheduling guest bloggers and interviews—will save you a ton of time on a weekly basis.
7. Batch your writing time. Setting aside a few hours a week to write posts will keep you from rushing to find topics to write about and writing at the last minute. Find a time that works for you, and, each week, make sure you use that time to write blogs.
What do you do to maximize your blogging time? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks for the great tips. I already feel more inspired to do some writing for my blog.
Michelle-This is a very good post-thanks for sharing! I really like the idea about using photos. I just started adding images to my posts, but haven’t really thought about using them to tell the story-love the image that you used above! #7, batching time, is critical! One other blogging goal that I incorporated this year is to write more posts that are shorter. I’ve been splitting my posts in 2 or 3 and posting on a consistent day (in my case on Wednesdays), and trying to keep readers engaged by continuing the conversation from 1 week to the next. By writing shorter posts, I’m also able to write 2 or 3 posts in one sitting which gives me time to pursue #3, guest blogging.
Blase, Glad you enjoyed the post. What you’re doing–dividing up the posts and keeping readers engaged from one week to the next–is a great idea. On my own blog, I don’t do a week to week thing, but I do write blog posts that are in a series, then link them up. I may try what you are doing.
Regarding shorter posts–I think the post should be as long or as short as the topic allows. Often when bloggers cut longer posts into 2 I feel that I’m left hanging. This happens when the post doesn’t offer some meat, some sort of real knowledge, something I can take away from it. Then again, shorter can be better. Best to say what you need to and be done with it than rambling or repeating yourself.
I keep a file of ideas for posts. I can reach into the file for ideas as necessary. I tend to batch write so I will write a few posts at one sitting. Then I schedule them in WordPress to post on the days I want them to appear.
Rob
Rob, I like your idea of keeping a file of ideal posts. I’m going to start doing that. Thanks for the tip.
Michelle:
You are most welcome. I also keep a file of ideas that I can post as a discussion in different LinkedIn groups as well.
Rob