Blogging seemed like a smart business move. A way to share your expertise with the world, an opportunity to get people talking about what matters in your industry, an avenue for spreading your brand while sharing useful information. So, you sat down and created the account that would have audiences hanging on your every word.
Then, reality struck. You clicked the "new post" link and up popped an empty page. Staring at you were two fields: one said "title" and the other "body." "Title - well now, that should be easy enough. I just need a couple of words to finish this up," you think. So, you throw in a phrase and stare at the bright white and still empty page. Hmmm . . . what do I have to say about this. Backspace, backspace, backspace. And, you try again. At this point, the pressure is mounting. You're thinking, "I've got to blog or my business will fail and I have nothing to say!"
You're not alone in this panic. Even the most experienced writers face writer's block (or in this case "blogger's block") from time to time, but there are ways to get through those stumbling moments and still create a thriving forum of ideas for your audience.
Read, Read, and Read Some More
Whether its industry journals, favorite blogs, or Twitter feeds, start reading. Once you look beyond your empty page, you'll see that both the online and offline worlds are swarming with ideas and energy, so think of your writer's block as a chance to explore new ideas. Set aside your blog for a moment, and read. Learn about new methodologies and consider how they might apply to your business. Investigate the latest laws and comment on their impact. Find out what others are talking about and agree or disagree. Consider the latest technology movement and what it will mean to your industry.
Ask for Help
You know from networking that people love to share information about themselves. In fact, the rise in popularity of Facebook, Twitter and other social media are simply proof of this. So, give someone else an opportunity to talk. Invite a complimentary guest blogger to your site. For example, if you are a website developer and you have a contact who is an SEO expert, ask him or her to contribute an article. It's additional promotion for their business and it keeps your blog active and effective for those reading.
Engage your Audience
Instead of looking at your blog as simply an article repository, invite your audience to get involved, and turn it into a conversation. Chances are you've never stared blankly at someone with whom you are speaking the way that you are staring at the blank blog post in front of you. See what others have to say: how can you elaborate on this? Listen to their concerns: what advice can you offer? Learn what confuses your readers: how can you help them? The more you get your audience involved, the more effective you can become as a blogger . . . the added benefit is that you always have a topic that needs to be written about so that you can help people out.
Take the Pressure Off
The idea of putting yourself "out there" for the world to hear and comment on can be intimidating: that fear can show itself as writer's block. So, it's important to remind yourself that you're not aiming to make history with your blog. You're simply trying to let people know who you are and what you're thinking about. It's OK if no one reads a particular post. It's OK if someone disagrees, because your goal is conversation anyhow. It's even OK if you make a mistake, because we all do!
As you leave this site and turn back to that empty, white "body" field on your blog, do so with the confidence that you do have ideas to share. If you're stuck on what those are right now, you know how to go and dig up a few for today's post!
