Today I’m celebrating and sharing 15 tips on how I not only survived, but thrived, during National Blog Posting Month!
Woo Hoo! Happy Happy Dance over here … I did it! I posted every single day in November.
High Fives all around. Time to party!
I wish I could say I had been organized and prepared, with tons of content squirrelled away, ready to go … but I cannot.
I did not even know I was going to participate until November 1st when I saw Xanthe Berkeley’s post on Instagram … in fact, I’d never even heard of National Blog Posting Month. Then I saw that Kim Klassen was also participating, and it sounded like a great challenge, so I jumped right in with my first post NaBloPoMo Otherwise Known as Madness. It seems like ages ago … .
So how did I do it? First of all I was determined … then …
15 Tips on Surviving National Blog Posting Month
- Commit. Set your intention. Be positive … see it as an exercise that will strengthen your blogging muscle.
- Give yourself permission on really hard days to simply post a photo and say “Hi … how are you? I’m so happy you’re here reading my blog, thank you!”
- Use prompts. I used one prompt from the BlogHer prompt pool. My post What I Did This Morning (and most mornings) and What Does Goatsbeard Have to Do With It (take that Google) was a result … a bit silly and goofy, but I got it done (and had a little fun.)
- Rely on your strengths. My strength is photography. I have no problem taking a photo a day. Once I have a photo, the rest will follow.
- Dig into the photo archives and bring content out of the dark that may never have made it otherwise. Don’t worry that it may be old content. I shared a mushroom and wild rice soup recipe I’d been meaning to post for months and months.
- Start first thing in the morning (or when you feel the most productive). You may not finish it, but by the time you go back to it later in the day it won’t be so daunting.
- Write at the same time every day.
- Set a time limit. This eliminates agonizing – get it done already. Ignore SEO. SEO drove me crazy this month. I’ll explain later … hey! another post idea!
- Write about what you love. Write down everything you can think of – throw it on the page – editing comes later.
- Get that title figured out.
- Edit photos in down time.
- Try to work ahead by at least one day (I’ve already admitted I did not do this).
- Write a heartfelt post, reveal some inner thoughts, share your vulnerabilities.
- Just start. Follow leads. Search online. Join memes. Instagram is endless inspiration.
- On an extremely busy or hectic day, put in a “place holder” … a paragraph with just enough info, explain your dilemma, then go back later (maybe even a day later) and elaborate. At least you have a blog post holder for that day. I would not recommend doing this too often … once maybe when you are desperate (which I was one Sunday … we were visiting family and I didn’t want to lose one precious moment).
So there you have it! How I survived and thrived whilst posting every day for 30 days. Will I do it again? I am not sure :)
DAY 30 #NABLOPOMO WOOT!
Caz says
Congrats Barb ! I did enjoy reading your posts every day !
Barb says
Thank you Caz!
Maureen says
Enjoyed each and everyone of your posts.
Barb says
Thanks so much Maureen!
Mary says
I’ve loved your daily content…seeing posts you might not have deemed “worthy” in another month was inspiring and still made me smile. and I agree 100%+ that photos and (short) stories are the key!
Barb says
Thank you so much Mary!
Ann Davis says
Barb
I have been enjoying your 30 days of blogging and loved reading about your favorite lens. Your photos are always an amazing inspiration.
Thank you
Ann Davis
Barb says
Thank you so much Ann!
Dorry says
Thanks Barb. It’s been a fun ride watching your daily posts out the window as life rushes by. I do think I have learned a lot from what you have shared – persistence being one of the lessons! Your gorgeous photos have been so very much enjoyed. Cheers.
Barb says
Thank you so much Dorry! Yes … I think persistence pretty much sums it up!
Bev says
Thank you so much Barb for sharing your corner of the world during the challenge along with your beautiful images and inspiration. It was a great experience and I learned so much along the way. Congratulations and job well done!
Barb says
Thank you Beverly … and many congratulations to you as well!
Gingham Red says
Congratulations on a great month of blogging every day! I enjoyed reading all your posts and as usual your photos were gorgeous. Looking forward to your blog posts leading up to Christmas to see what you have in store. Thank you!
Donna Hopkins says
Barb, As usual, I’m a bit late to your party, but my what fun I’m having catching up with you! First of all, congratulations on having your art featured in such fine magazines! I appreciate your generosity, your creativity, your honesty, and your kindness. I’m so happy you did a blog post a day for a whole month – and now I have new ideas and inspiration, too! Thank you!