If you're planning to attend all or part of the the Virtual Blog Writing Day on August 23, then I recommend you hit the ground running so you can easily tap into your creativity and achieve the goals you set for the day. As I've been planning how to facilitate the Virtual Blog Writing Day, I've come up with seven tips to help you prepare and be as productive as possible during the time you commit to your blog wrting.
1. Back to basics: what's your primary message?
When you look at at the last 10 posts on your blog, are they on message? Do they reflect what you want readers and your prospective clients to know about you and your business? If it's looking a little disjointed and confusing, answer these questions:
- What problems do you solve for your ideal client?
- What's your BIG WHY? (Why are you doing what you do?)
- What is your specific expertise?
- What are the benefits of working with you?
2. Who is your audience?
Write down a couple of sentences describing your idea reader or client. What are their pain points? What are their hot button issues?
3. What's your writing goal for Virtual Blog Writing Day? What do you want to accomplish today?
- How many posts completed and queued?
- How many drafts?
- Write a series going deep on a topic?
- Create content for a book?
4. Make a list of content ideas. Write down at least 10 ideas for blog posts.
- 5 ideas for every category on your blog
- Burning questions your clients and prospects have about your business
- What's new in your industry
- How-to tutorials
- What are people in your industry talking about or asking about on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Quora?
- What do you want to know from your readers (poll)?
5. Find images you can use in your posts.
Once you have a list of at least 10 post ideas, find images to illustrate the ideas. Use royalty free images, Flickr, or Pinterest to find fun photos. Be sure to give proper attribution.
6. What's your call to action?
Every blog post needs a strong call to action. What do you want your reader to do after they read your article? Comment, subscribe, register, call, buy?
7. Whatever your goal is, commit to it.
Use a tool like Focus Booster to time yourself. Shut down your email and social networking sites. Whether your goal is to write one blog post or 10 blog posts, that's up to you.
The intention I hold for you is that you make the time and create the content you want so you successfully meet your goal. That alone will serve to keep you motivated to continue your blogging and reap the rewards of more traffic, more subscribers, more opportunities and more visibility!
More information about the Virtual Blog Writing Day is here.
RECOMMENDED READING FOR PRODUCTIVE BLOGGING
How to Shave 20 Minutes Off Your Next Blog Post
How to Write Multiple Blog Posts at One Time
A Simple Plan for Writing One Piece of Powerful Online Content Per Week
I have used a program called FREEDOM (http://macfreedom.com/about) but hadn't heard of FOCUS BOOSTER which has a more visually appealing interface and some xtra features! Thanks AGAIN Denise for such USEFUL, PRACTICAL info! So rare these days, and SOOOO appreciated! :)
Rainbow Blessings!
Stephanie Rainbow Bell, The Shame Buster
http://Facebook.com/StephanieRainbowBell
Posted by: Stephanie Rainbow Bell | Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Certainly a great post and answering the question which you mention about yourself and why you are writing the content for your blog that's been really helpful conveying the message which you want to deliver. Also planning before publishing the blog post also plays very important role.
Posted by: Ayaz | Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 11:12 PM
My bogs have been confined to subjects that I have intimately been involved with, and have some expertise. More than anything, it is hard for me to capitalize on by achieving my goal of developing a readership.
Posted by: Neil Friedman | Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 08:31 AM
It's good to read very important point for virtual blogging day. With this article you have suggest 'Focus Booster' I like a lot coz without any goal, there is no point to write. I never really thought about it that way, but I guess that is why I never really got good opportunities.
Posted by: larissavictorian | Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 12:50 AM
Good post, useful tips.
Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: John | Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 04:25 AM