Today I hope to inspire you with 7 ideas for kickstarting a blog post, and in doing so, reveal my top secret for “getting it done”.
Can you believe it’s almost September? How’s your summer been? Or winter … depending on where you live? I follow lots of people on Instagram that are from Australia, and they’re so excited about spring’s arrival … posting images of gorgeous pink tree blossoms … such an amazing world, isn’t it?
But for me … I’m looking straight into the face of autumn, and it’s my favourite time of year. I’m dreaming of colourful leaves, scented candles, and crispy apples.
I had an amazing summer … so full; family, lake time, bonfires, gardening. But through it all, I managed to keep my blog pretty much on track. In July, I published 11 posts, and so far in August it will be 12 posts … a bit below average, but not much. I also posted to Instagram every day … well, I may have missed one or two, but some days I posted up to three images.
And why do I do this? Because I love it. And I want to inspire you to love it.
So coming this fall, I’m starting a series on blogging …with the cheesy title of “Blogging Bits and Bytes (with Barb)”. I’m working on the first “course” and it should be ready by the end of September.
**UPDATE** First e-mail will be sent September 29th 2015
I use WordPress to write a blog post, but if you use a different platform … no matter … this is not a technical course, but rather me showing you how I do it, and you taking it from there. Oh, and did I mention? Its free. But if you want to be kept up-to-date on all the happenings, you can subscribe to receive all information as it becomes available. Subscribe here.
7 Ideas for Kick-Starting a Blog Post
- Do something! Bake, cook, craft, travel, read, garden, paint, draw … you get the idea.
- Learn by reading. Go to the library, a used book store, or buy a book.
- Share your process … people love to know … “how’d she do that?”
- Leaf through a magazine … but with intention. Vow to come away with one idea, then make it your own. If the magazine isn’t yours, simply pull out your phone and take a photo of the page.
- Read blogs for inspiration … get the spark and run with it. Make it your own … of course your “take” will always be different.
- As you’re doing research, think about what you would call your post … that one little thing solidifies an idea, and makes it seem like you’ve already started. Write it down.
- Watch for challenges on Instagram or weekly link-ups from other blogs and participate!
So what do you think my #1 secret for “getting it done” is?
Well, it’s # 6 “think of a title and write it down” … writing it down makes it real. I’ll be talking about why this is so important, as well as how this ties in with not only getting a blog post written, but also on promoting it … because you need to promote your blog posts! It takes a lot of work to put a post together, and you have to let the world know about it!
I hope I’ve inspired you with my 7 ideas, and I encourage you to join me in my new series coming late September. Let me help you write a great blog post!
If you’re not interested in the blogging bits … you can always just subscribe to my newsletter (see sidebar).
This is just what I need. Looking forward to getting back to blogging…it’s been a long, hot summer and my blog has been so neglected. Thanks!
Oh, I’m thrilled to hear that Carol! I look forward to helping you get back in the groove!
Well this is timely! I’ve been struggling with whether or not to continue blogging. This may just be the inspiration I am looking for! Thanks Barb.
Carol, I’d hate to see you quit blogging … you have so much to offer. I’m happy and hopeful that you’ll join me here!
So looking forward to your blog series Barb. I’ve been paying for a WordPress site for almost a year and still haven’t launched a thing. Not sure where or how to start so I’m really looking forward to your classes! ?
Oh, you can do it, Bev! I hope I can inspire you!
Wonderful inspiration Barb. Your tips are fabulous. Always love coming to visit.
Thank you Diana!
I don’t have an active blog at the moment but i am sending your post to my daughter who is just starting out and I may join you too . I can’t believe it is September next week either but like you , I look forward to Fall here in Canada.
Thank you, Lynn!
I am looking forward to this Barb! Even though I haven’t had much luck getting a blog going, I think I can handle Stellar stories. I think it’s like training wheels for blogging :0)
So happy to hear you are going to join me, Beth! Isn’t Steller Stories a.ma.zing!!!!
This is just what I needed Barb, since I moved house it’s been really hard for me to get back into my blog. Looking forward to your series :) Thank you !
Thank you Caz! I’m thrilled to have you!
This should be good! I’ve procrastinated about moving to WordPress for a year now. Tempted to just pay someone to do it for me. Seems like you did that, I may need their name.
Looking forward to it Roxi! I did pay someone and I’ve never regretted it!
Barb,
You always have this perfect timing. I am working with Squarespace which I love because it is all in one place. i just need to kickstart me into finishing. I even have topics in mind. I guess it just goes back to Confidence and doing.
Thanks for being Barb and for the beautiful words and pictures.
Ann
Hi Ann, I’m so excited to have you join me in this series …
Sounds very timely Barb…yet once again I was posting by the skin of my teeth last night for today…LOL.
Things just get busy, life, and all that. I’m always up for learning more about blogging, sounds like a lot of fun.
Jen
So excited to have you Jen!
Hello Barb
Your blog and photos are lovely. So glad I found you through your beautiful images on Instagram. I’ve been blogging for almost 3 years and it is a struggle sometimes to be consistent and to come up with topics that might be of interest to others. Thank you for your blog kickstart ideas. I particularly like idea number 3 – share your process and will use it as a blog post idea for this weekend as I am starting a new project. Thank you very much. Looking forward to your email and updates :)
How wonderful to have you join me! I hope we can all inspire each other!
I look forward to following along. This summer has been a chore for me to pull together posts and my photography has been rather uninspired. It has also been a crazy, if it can go wrong it will kind of summer. Your Instagram posts have been inspiring.
Nicki, I’m so happy to have you! Thank you for your kind comments!
Thank you, Barb! I just happened to come over here, after receiving your newsletter (my first “copy”!) and am really enjoying all your news and ideas here. I guess we all have a hard time staying the course. Maybe summer is always more difficult. I’ve been blogging for so long and some days it just seems I have said all I have to say! But, of course, there is always more to be said, and seen, and shown. So thanks for this!
Yes, blogging takes quite a bit of commitment, but I believe it is worth it!
I am so glad to have found your Instagram feed — and now your blog — through the Instaguide course. Your work is beautiful and very well done! I have long considered a blog, but never committed. It seems I am forever trying to narrow down the ever increasing options of the whole social media scene… wonderful, but a bit overwhelming. Maybe your tips and inspiration will be just the push I need. Thanks!
I’m thrilled to have you Jana, and I hope I can help!
A great post. Sometimes we need motivation to do better.
I’ve signed up for your blogging course after reading about it on Jen’s blog The Light Laughed. Thanks for offering this from a gal in Ontario.
Hello Judith! I’m so pleased to “meet” you and look forward to taking this blogging journey with you! I hope I can inspire you in some small way!
I just came over from Jen’s blog and have signed up for your course. It sounds like a great way to get re-inspired about blogging and to step it up a notch. I also read your 5 photography background tips – great post!
Thank you so much Lorrie! I’m thrilled that you want to join and I hope I can inspire you in some small way!
Hello from another Canadian. I found my way here from The Light Laughed and I’ve signed up for your tips and inspiration. We all need to get refreshed from time to time. Enjoy the weekend.
Thank you Linda! yes, I believe we can inspire one another! so happy you decided to join the course. I hope I can inspire you! I think we can all inspire each other!