Creating new content on your blog undoubtedly takes a lot of your time. Of course, you need to make sure the content is interesting and of quality, and that my friend takes time. It could be easier if you mix it though since content can be anything that gets posted on your site, such as videos, articles, news pieces or photographs. Below, we’ll show you several ways you can save time on your content creation to give you more time to focus on other business tasks.
Create content away from your website
If you have a day job and you’re on the train to work in the morning and have an idea, jot it down or even start to make a plan. If you want to write a new post, for example, start writing it on your phone or on paper and then type it up in the evening when you return home from your day job.
Brainstorm new ideas
Sitting down and trying to come up with ideas for content can often be difficult, so brainstorming many ideas and keeping them to refer to later can save you loads of time. Then, when you need to update your blog with fresh content, simply go to the list you have created and you’ll instantly get new ideas. You’ll spend less time thinking about what to do and more time actually doing it!
Use visual aids
It’s not all about text – in fact, it’s much easier for people to read content that has pictures and colors involved. Rather than spending half an hour writing a couple of hundred extra words, you can put a photograph or two in between some of the paragraphs of your blog post. Not only is this more appealing to visitors, but you’ll save hours and hours over the months. Just don’t forget that very short blog posts aren’t usually as helpful (though not always!), so avoid writing less than 300-400 words of text.
Hire somebody else
If you can’t write very quickly or find that it’s more cost-effective to pay somebody else to write for you than it is to do it yourself, you can find freelancers all over the world who are happy to write at a rate which is comfortable for both of you. This works great if your expertise lies elsewhere and your blog doesn’t rely on you personally creating the content.
If, however, your personality is essential to your blog, then you can still hire people to help with other tasks. For example, you could hire an editor who checks your posts before you publish them. Or an assistant who uploads the post to your blog, formats it correctly, and creates visuals to go with it.
And then there is PLR. I totally agree, though, that, for content to effectively attract the business owners ideal clients, his or her personality and expertise should shine through.
I agree Yvette, PLR is great, as long as you edit it properly to turn it into your own voice. And even if you don’t use the article in its self they give you ideas to explore and expand on.
PLR is a great way to come up with content!
Absolutely!
I love your suggestion to brainstorm. I wrote ahead on my blog and now have blog posts scheduled all the way to summer. But once I was finished & free, I wrote a few books (LOL). So now, I should probably insert blog posts about them into each month, and my mind is drawing a blank, so brainstorming might be in order.
That sounds like a great idea, Jeanine!
Great ideas. I have a notepad with me at all times-in my car, my purse, my nightstand and at my desk at work. Like dental floss, I always keep it around so I can use it when I need it most. Otherwise, I will forget great ideas (or to floss after meals!).
Just don’t end up flossing your ideas!
Some wonderful advice here. Some of these, actually most of these we already do. Need to when the writer is a luddite.
Even Luddites catch up eventually!
These are great ideas. Thank you, Paul, for sharing these!
Sure things, Suzanne – So, I have to ask… are you going to try any of them?
Ideas pop in my head while working so I usually send myself a text message. Even during the night, I wake up and if I don’t jot it down, I will have forgotten it in the morning. I always have a notebook or phone handy.
Texting is a great way to track ideas!
I have been relying on photos from previous vacations to trigger my content text. It has worked well for the last few challenges. I have never been short of a topic. However, it usually not quick. I end up researching the places I have been to make sure what I am saying is correct or at least corroborated. And the pictures get a “tuneup” to look good on the web and not take too long to load.
As you said in the training, “it is called a challenge for a reason”.
Hopefully, it is getting easier, Doug! The more you od something, the easier it becomes.
Almost every post on my first website was created at my 9 to 5 job. This definitely saves time, and gives you something useful to do during lunch and breaks.
I would add, to just write your post without being in editing mode. Then go back and edit it or have someone else edit it.
Supposedly Hemmingway stated, “Write drunk, edit sober.” That is almost like writing without being in edit mode, and the edit later!
Doing this challenge has opened my eyes to different things. I am now consistently jotting things down (notepad at my bedside for example). I also use photos to break up long posts especially but will incorporate just pictures for some to relieve the pressure. Thanks for the tips.
That is awesome, Kemkem! Glad I could help!
I just realized that the comment I wrote yesterday isn’t showing up. Hope nothing went wrong. One thing I remember saying was that I often write posts months ahead & then need to go back and write more because of things that I have added, like books or classes, etc. So I am on that position now and will probably need to brainstorm how to write those new posts. In fact, this post has gotten me started doing that (in my head, at least) & I really appreciate that. Also, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Liebster Award. Here’s the link… https://www.comfortwithhygge.com/thehyggeblog/liebster-award
Thank you for the nomination!
I will look to see what happened to your previous comment!
Thanks again.