Comments on: The Foolproof Plan For Blogging When You Have Nothing to Say http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/ Building Intimate Business Relationships Fri, 18 May 2012 16:59:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » How Many Posts Should You Write a Week? http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-3159 Ryan Stephens Marketing » How Many Posts Should You Write a Week? Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:11:26 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-3159 [...] I don’t think you should blog if you don’t have something important to say. And it’s hard to have something worthy of sharing some days. There’s already a large echo [...] [...] I don’t think you should blog if you don’t have something important to say. And it’s hard to have something worthy of sharing some days. There’s already a large echo [...]

]]> By: admin http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-2039 admin Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:32:48 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-2039 @Sean – I think that’s a great approach. Unfortunately, I rarely find the time to accumulate much backlog, and if I do it only takes one uber busy week to dwindle that down. Short, interesting, different, risky, etc. are great. Everything doesn’t have to be flagship – for 99% of bloggers that’s relatively impossible anyway. It’s fun to take risks and try new things, but hopefully with some substance (something to say) behind that. @Sean – I think that’s a great approach. Unfortunately, I rarely find the time to accumulate much backlog, and if I do it only takes one uber busy week to dwindle that down. Short, interesting, different, risky, etc. are great. Everything doesn’t have to be flagship – for 99% of bloggers that’s relatively impossible anyway. It’s fun to take risks and try new things, but hopefully with some substance (something to say) behind that.

]]> By: admin http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-2038 admin Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:32:30 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-2038 @Dan – Two great questions. And I don’t mind at all if you’re pushy. It means you’re eager to learn! Question #1.) I think getting “back in the mood to write” is different for everyone. I think you need to do what works best for you. For some that entails “zoning out,” listening to music, reading other blogs, going for a run, etc. If I HAD to get something out and was having trouble finding inspiration or wasn’t in the mood I would do a combination of about three things: 1.) I keep a notebook full of post ideas. I’d thumb through it and find a couple that looked promising. 2.) I’d read some posts in my reader and re-visit a few I’d favorited in delicious and try to connect ideas/thoughts/concepts from them with one of the ideas in my notebook to hopefully come up with a unique post that would add value to my readers. 3.) Finally, if that didn’t work – I’d hope that I have a few posts that would suffice in draft form that I felt comfortable posting or could make a few edits/additions and publish. Question #2:) That’s tough to say because technically you probably just know that you lost readers, but not who they are. The vast majority of your readers/subscribers are lurkers you’ll never connect with (unfortunately that’s reality.) The best way to get readers back is just to keep doing your best to provide value, and to syndicate and spread your best pieces across various platforms, both traditional and social in nature. Maybe they’re not coming back to your blog, but if they see a great piece you wrote somewhere else, they’ll give you another chance. @Dan – Two great questions. And I don’t mind at all if you’re pushy. It means you’re eager to learn!

Question #1.) I think getting “back in the mood to write” is different for everyone. I think you need to do what works best for you. For some that entails “zoning out,” listening to music, reading other blogs, going for a run, etc.

If I HAD to get something out and was having trouble finding inspiration or wasn’t in the mood I would do a combination of about three things:

1.) I keep a notebook full of post ideas. I’d thumb through it and find a couple that looked promising.
2.) I’d read some posts in my reader and re-visit a few I’d favorited in delicious and try to connect ideas/thoughts/concepts from them with one of the ideas in my notebook to hopefully come up with a unique post that would add value to my readers.
3.) Finally, if that didn’t work – I’d hope that I have a few posts that would suffice in draft form that I felt comfortable posting or could make a few edits/additions and publish.

Question #2:) That’s tough to say because technically you probably just know that you lost readers, but not who they are. The vast majority of your readers/subscribers are lurkers you’ll never connect with (unfortunately that’s reality.)

The best way to get readers back is just to keep doing your best to provide value, and to syndicate and spread your best pieces across various platforms, both traditional and social in nature.

Maybe they’re not coming back to your blog, but if they see a great piece you wrote somewhere else, they’ll give you another chance.

]]> By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » 11 Essential Blog Posts for March 2009 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 Ryan Stephens Marketing » 11 Essential Blog Posts for March 2009 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:34:27 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1810 [...] Blog Topics to Get You Unstuck - Chris Brogan I don’t write unless the inspiration strikes and I feel I have something to say, but some people adhere to strict schedules where they publish a certain amount each week. Either [...] [...] Blog Topics to Get You Unstuck – Chris Brogan I don’t write unless the inspiration strikes and I feel I have something to say, but some people adhere to strict schedules where they publish a certain amount each week. Either [...]

]]> By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » How Stoicism Helps Cultivate Relationships http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1772 Ryan Stephens Marketing » How Stoicism Helps Cultivate Relationships Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:10:56 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1772 [...] This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 9:06 pm and is filed under inspirational, relationship marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. « The Foolproof Plan For Blogging When You Have Nothing to Say [...] [...] This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 9:06 pm and is filed under inspirational, relationship marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. « The Foolproof Plan For Blogging When You Have Nothing to Say [...]

]]> By: Ricardo Bueno http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1757 Ricardo Bueno Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:57:04 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1757 Early on I wrote at least 3-4 blog posts a week. Lately, I've written maybe 2-3 a week and some weeks, none at all. Where do I stand on this question? I think that if you don't have something to say, sometimes it's best not to say it. Sure you run the risk of losing readership especially if you're not posting consistently but then why not welcome a guest writer or look for filler posts (run a poll, share a video, etc.). I've never welcomed a Guest Reader on Ribeezie(dot)com but maybe I should or should have. Anyway, I think it's best to deliver stellar content than to publish something that's less than average. If your going to feel uncomfortable publishing it, maybe it's worth not publishing? These are just my initial thoughts... Early on I wrote at least 3-4 blog posts a week. Lately, I’ve written maybe 2-3 a week and some weeks, none at all.

Where do I stand on this question? I think that if you don’t have something to say, sometimes it’s best not to say it. Sure you run the risk of losing readership especially if you’re not posting consistently but then why not welcome a guest writer or look for filler posts (run a poll, share a video, etc.). I’ve never welcomed a Guest Reader on Ribeezie(dot)com but maybe I should or should have.

Anyway, I think it’s best to deliver stellar content than to publish something that’s less than average. If your going to feel uncomfortable publishing it, maybe it’s worth not publishing?

These are just my initial thoughts…

]]> By: Carlos Miceli http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1756 Carlos Miceli Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:50:17 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1756 Great post Ryan. I think that one should try to have some sort of schedule when it comes to blogging, but one shouldn't force it. You're absolutely right, posting things like "I don't know what to write today" are discouraging. I have to say though, that good bloggers, with defined topics, should never run out of things to say. Great post Ryan. I think that one should try to have some sort of schedule when it comes to blogging, but one shouldn’t force it. You’re absolutely right, posting things like “I don’t know what to write today” are discouraging.

I have to say though, that good bloggers, with defined topics, should never run out of things to say.

]]> By: Sam http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 Sam Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:15:48 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1753 I agree with the others, this is a great topic, and I too have been thinking about this lately. Personally, I don't have a strict blogging schedule. One of the things that makes my blog different is that I really try to write from the heart. Inspiration comes in many forms, and sometimes when you least expect it (i.e. just like Elisa said, in the car or the shower). I've found that my best posts are the ones that are totally unplanned and unscripted. So, I try to at least get a draft or some notes down when an idea comes to me. That said, like you, I feel a commitment to my readers to provide the best content I can. Sometimes, I will write out a draft, let it sit, and then come back to it and re-evaluate. If I don't think my readers will get something out of the content I've written, chances are I won't post it. Like you said, it doesn't have to be perfect, but it should be worthwhile. Although our readers can't see our faces when we're writing, they're smart people, and they'll know if we've written just for the sake of having something to post. Another fantastic discussion courtesy of Ryan Stephens! I agree with the others, this is a great topic, and I too have been thinking about this lately. Personally, I don’t have a strict blogging schedule. One of the things that makes my blog different is that I really try to write from the heart. Inspiration comes in many forms, and sometimes when you least expect it (i.e. just like Elisa said, in the car or the shower). I’ve found that my best posts are the ones that are totally unplanned and unscripted. So, I try to at least get a draft or some notes down when an idea comes to me.

That said, like you, I feel a commitment to my readers to provide the best content I can. Sometimes, I will write out a draft, let it sit, and then come back to it and re-evaluate. If I don’t think my readers will get something out of the content I’ve written, chances are I won’t post it. Like you said, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be worthwhile. Although our readers can’t see our faces when we’re writing, they’re smart people, and they’ll know if we’ve written just for the sake of having something to post.

Another fantastic discussion courtesy of Ryan Stephens!

]]> By: Elisa http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1752 Elisa Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:37:49 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1752 I agree with this so much. I have blogs that I had been following in my reader that I finally stopped because every time they updated it was a silly and ill-thought post that I could tell was being posted merely for the sake of posting it. The first time I hit publish on a post of mine that was of a similar process I felt like a fraud. I know my blog is not always about thinking the most deep thoughts (like me, it flows back and forth from deep philosophical thoughts and analyses of Kate Spade wallets!) but I like to think that the people who come to visit it at least enjoy the writing and depth more than the frequency of posts. As for the drafts and whatnot, I have a good 10-15 "saved as drafts" in my docs folder. Thoughts that crept into my mind (usually while driving or shampooing my hair!) I know some people write all their posts for the week on the weekend. Some while spaced out in front of the mind eraser (TV,) some while outside at an uber-chic trendy coffee shop, some from the comforts of an office chair in their home office. That seems like an interesting idea to me...that way it never ends up being Friday and you say "Shoot, all I've blogged about this week is my #BlogCrush on Ryan Stephens." :P I agree with this so much. I have blogs that I had been following in my reader that I finally stopped because every time they updated it was a silly and ill-thought post that I could tell was being posted merely for the sake of posting it.

The first time I hit publish on a post of mine that was of a similar process I felt like a fraud. I know my blog is not always about thinking the most deep thoughts (like me, it flows back and forth from deep philosophical thoughts and analyses of Kate Spade wallets!) but I like to think that the people who come to visit it at least enjoy the writing and depth more than the frequency of posts.

As for the drafts and whatnot, I have a good 10-15 “saved as drafts” in my docs folder. Thoughts that crept into my mind (usually while driving or shampooing my hair!) I know some people write all their posts for the week on the weekend. Some while spaced out in front of the mind eraser (TV,) some while outside at an uber-chic trendy coffee shop, some from the comforts of an office chair in their home office. That seems like an interesting idea to me…that way it never ends up being Friday and you say “Shoot, all I’ve blogged about this week is my #BlogCrush on Ryan Stephens.” :P

]]> By: Dan Miranda http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1750 Dan Miranda Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:02:37 +0000 http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/the-foolproof-plan-for-blogging-when-you-have-nothing-to-say/#comment-1750 Ryan - Thanks for answering the questions. Much appreciated. I don't have the time to carry a journal/notebook/etc. but often find that I am not lacking ideas, just lacking motivation to write them. Stuart - Yes, I agree with you in the fact that when you hold back on a post idea, you never know what it could have been. This is not suggesting to post every idea you've ever had, merely pointing out that having a blog is requires you to be bold. Ryan – Thanks for answering the questions. Much appreciated.

I don’t have the time to carry a journal/notebook/etc. but often find that I am not lacking ideas, just lacking motivation to write them.

Stuart – Yes, I agree with you in the fact that when you hold back on a post idea, you never know what it could have been. This is not suggesting to post every idea you’ve ever had, merely pointing out that having a blog is requires you to be bold.

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