For the past eight months, I’ve written 10-13 blog posts and articles a week.
No, I’m not crazy or torturing myself. I love writing. I write 3-4 times a week on this site, another 2-3 times a week on From Left to Write, and freelance at various places on the web. I get to do something I enjoy while earning income from it. It’s a win-win.
Recently a friend of mine asked how I was able to write so often. While loving what I do makes it more fun, producing that much content week after week can be very challenging. I’ve learned a few tricks that keep me productive without getting burned out. (That’s not to say there aren’t times I take on too much and get burned out, but that’s another post.)
How to Be a Productive Writer
Write everyday.
You thought I was going to say something magical, didn’t you? Nope. When I started blogging, I hated hearing this advice. I fought it with every fiber of my nonconformist being. Once my youngest started preschool, I sat my butt in my in my comfy wheeled chair four mornings a week and started typing. This is my only uninterrupted time to write so I didn’t want to waste it.
Writing everyday isn’t easy. Some mornings I can’t type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. Other days, I bang randomly on my keyboard. Hoping that inspiration would flow from my fingertips. Whether it’s banging or tapping, eventually the words flow into some cohesive ideas.
I don’t write everyday, but I do write every weekday. Sometimes I pull out my laptop on the weekend late at night if I’m feeling particularly inspired.
I’ve trained myself to write every morning that I feel odd when I don’t sit at my desk with a cup of coffee. Which leads me to the next tip.
Establish a routine
Even though my office is down the hall from my bedroom, I get dressed every day. I make breakfast and a cup of coffee in my favorite mug before walking it to my office. Which, according to our apartment floor plan is the breakfast nook. I wake up my computer and do a brain dump in my calendar.
Then, I write.
This routine trains my brain and my body. I know that when I sit down with my cup of coffee, that it’s time to write. My morning routine may vary depending if the kids have school that day, but sitting down with my cup of coffee is my signal.
I write best in the morning, so I’ve created a positive routine for that time of the day. If you write best in the evenings, maybe you can treat yourself to a small piece of chocolate as you sit down to write. Whatever it is, pick something that makes you feel good. Associate this good feeling with writing.
Start a swipe file
Used in marketing, swipe files are a collection of scripts and sales letters. Writers need a file of article topics and blog ideas. When I have no idea what to write next, I pull up my swipe file. For example, when my friend Abby asked how I managed to juggle blogging and kids, she gave me the idea for this post. I added it to my swipe file.
No matter what my original idea was, I try to make the idea more specific. Instead of “spring makes me happy,” I write down “5 Reasons Spring Makes Me a Better Mom.” Instead of “my favorite books to read,” write about “Why I Love These Beach Reads and You Will Too!” Same ideas, but more refined. Once you starting thinking about your topics in this way, you’ll see ideas everywhere!
My version of a swipe file lives on Evernote, a free note taking app. It lives on my smart phone and I use the web version on my desktop. That means I have access it whenever an article idea pops in my head. I have to capture it right away or it’ll disappear. Because I write for different websites on different types of topics, I keep different swipe files for each site for easy reference.
Create an editorial calendar
What is this mythical editorial calendar? It just means planning out when you want to publish each article. For the sites where I freelance, I have the same deadline every week. I know that every Monday, I need to turn in an article. I write the due date on my calendar or add it to Asana, a free online project manager. (Need a planner? Here’s a list of planners I love.)
For your own blog, decide how often you want to publish. Once, twice, three times, daily? Once you decide on the frequency, pick the specific days you will publish and stick to it.
If you want to get even more specific, allott specific topics to certain days. For example, on Mondays you write about an adventure from your weekend; Wednesdays could be a recipe; Fridays, you share your favorite things. I’ve tried this method but it doesn’t work for me, though I try to publish one food-related post each week.
You can also create monthly themes to guide your topics. Whatever you decide, sit down once a week (or once a month if you’re more organized than me) and plan out your posts for the entire week (month).
Unplug at least one day a week
Writing as much content as I do isn’t easy. I could easily sit at my computer all week, trying to write. But I don’t. Writing is hard work, and we need to allow our brains to relax. I take the weekend off and unplug from social media as much as I can. I read, binge watch House of Cards until the wee hours, nap (much needed after a Netflix hangover), or bake.
Go out and live life so you can something to write about come Monday!
I know you’ve heard all of this before. These are not new tips or ideas. You’ve probably read other articles with similar tips. Why? Because they work! The key is trying them out on a consistent basis and adjust them so they work for you and your life.
There’s no magic pill for writing 13 blog posts and articles a week. Make writing a priority and it will get done.
What tips would you add to this list?
Okay, I'll try it. All good stuff here, Thien-Kim!
Well, only if you want to write a gazillion posts a week like me.
Great ideas, I will try to implement them as I write for my blog! Thanks for sharing.
I love this so much! I can use this for my library life and for blogging.
this is a keeper! Great tips sprinkled with inspiration and a bit of “You can do this!” Just what I needed! Thanks!
Thanks Meg! I'm glad you found it inspirational.
Great tips thank you! I started blogging about 3 months ago mainly as an interest and also I wanted to encourage people to realize that heading towards 60 is not the end of the world. I find the blog is taking over! I also have a notebook that I write ideas down however I do experience writer's block. I then just walk away and try to forget it for a while. Thanks for sharing your ideas I will certainly try them.
Congrats on beginning your blogging journey! I had a physical notebook but never had it on me when I had ideas! I will forever love paper but Evernote kept me consistent.
Awww, I want to give you a big hug too! I was just thinking about how much fun we had at BlogHer last year!
Great ideas! Shared on my Pinterest Blog tips board #typealinkparty
Kim
My recent post New to Blogging Resource Guide
Fantastic ideas! Thank you for sharing! Very inspiring and the kick in the fanny I need to write more 🙂
My recent post Become a Barefoot Beach Family
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Great tips. I have a swipe file… Affectionately known as my blog brain dump. Plus since creating an editorial calendar, I'm so organised although I only post 3-4 times a week. Less intense 🙂
My recent post The Best Gifts For New Mothers
Thanks so much! I have heard these before, but the way you word them makes it SO much easier to understand and implement! 🙂
Very helpful ideas/reminders, thank you. When we were living overseas last year I found it easy to establish a routine: wake up, yoga, pick up food for dinner, came home and write. Not sure why I find it harder to do back home. Need to get back to the daily writing habit again!
Not sure what happened to my comment, but thanks again for the reminders. Nothing like a routine with writing front and center. When I wrote my book it meant that I was at my laptop every week day from 10 am to 2 pm. Period. And I got it done in 5 months!
This article is just what I needed to read. I just started blogging a few months back. I love to write and I’m looking for ways to get more content out there. Not just on my blog but other sites. My struggle lies in motivation. I love to write but there are times where I’m like “ugh do I have to write today”. I have so many ideas written down, but I stare at them all like I have nothing to write about. I’m going to out those tips to use and hopefully it will help me improve on my blog and writing overall. Thanks for writing this article.
Great ideas. Very inspiring.
I need to unplug. That is the worst part for me.
I also use Evernote for my blog planning. Evernote is pretty much my life to be sincere.
Writing that many posts per week is not easy, mainly when they are as qualitative as yours. I am getting better at it, but I will be perfect when I don't have to stay up until too late to get things done.
Awesome post.
My recent post Blog Planning Made Easy With Evernote
Unplugging is the most challenging for me too. I used to stay up late to write, but now I'm just too tired for it to be productive. Though with my kids home for the summer, I probably will work more at night so I have time with them during the day. I'm going to check out your post about Evernote!
Hi there, True tips here. I’ve been writing for some time, but mostly for myself or publications. I’m considering starting a blog for public record, but I can’t quite decide which platform to use. Which do you use and are you happy with it? Whyd you choose that one?
Also, may I ask what sites you freelance for? I would love to pick up more writing work if they hire additional authors in the future. Or perhaps you could suggest where I could seek out more opportunities.
Thank you so much for your advice and in advance should you see fit to reply to my queries. Hope you are well.
Great tips!! 😀 I LOVE using Asana…(I might OVER-use it) My problem is I think I focus too much on the post as a whole (visuals and all) instead of just focusing on the writing first. I think drafting out a full post and then adding images might help me write more productivity.
My photos definitely help me write some of my posts. I try not to obsess over the photos I usually click the "auto adjust" button on PicMonkey and call it done!
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Just found your site and this post via Pinterest and I'm so glad i came over. Really encouraging article with great tips. Thank you!
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I really enjoyed your article on writing every day. I made myself a promise to write a blog every weekday beginning in January and learned a few of these lessons along the way but this article was a good reminder and encouragement. Thanks!
Great tips. As a journalist, it's never the writing that's the hard part, it's coming up with topics. And time! Can never have too much of either.
Thanks for submitting this to the Blogging + Business Collective for July. All submissions get pinned to Pinterest. Have a great Sunday!
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Thanks for sharing these simple yet inspiring ideas. I have been working on my swipe file, but I really need to focus on creating the habit of writing EVERY day. I appreciate the inspiration.
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This blog post really opened my mind to new ideas! Thank you for your help, I can always use inspiration with my blog posts.
My recent post Beautifully flawed.
Great advice, thanks so much!
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Hi 🙂
So this is a seriously awesome and helpful post which I why I decided to share it on my blog.
I hope that’s ok with you and I’m sorry for not asking you beforehand! If you want me to remove the link just tell me and I’ll do so immediately!
Cora, thank you for sharing the link! I really appreciate it.
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Thank you for keeping it real!!!! Very one point with this post! Write on Sister! = )
The swipe file idea sounds sort of like a tickle file my friend keeps. I don’t have one, but I think it may be time. These are wonderful ideas and have given me a little nudge in the right direction! Pinned it too so I can revisit the ideas!
Great reminders! I would add to schedule time at the end of the year to plan for the next year. By doing this, it will help focus on the big picture and help you answer the question, “what does my readers want ?” Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for writing this! It was just what I needed read! I’m definitely gonna use these tips for to revamp my blogging routine. 🙂
You have a great blog! And this was a very helpful entry! Thank you! 🙂
http://www.theoccupiedoptimist.blogspot.com
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These are great tips. I have been resistant to the write everyday advice. I need to stop fighting it. I like what you say about developing a routine that you associated with a positive feeling. I need to do that too.
Stopping by from the Blogalicious FB group.
thanks for this wendy!
just what I needed to read at this time in my life Thien-Kim! thank you for being so inspirational and encouraging.
Thanks for the tips! I am a huge writing procrastinator and would LOVE to build up a blog post arsenal so there is not such a time crunch to get writing! Social media is such a time suck for me!
Tori
http://www.themamanurse.com
Love these tips, thanks!
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I need to start with the first one.. I was writing a new post almost everyother day and now its been a month since Ive found inspiration. I am not pushing myself to that point.
LOVE your blog! I almost died of laughter after reading the title. Your perspective is so fresh and different from other blogs I’ve read out there. I’m starting a blog soon and just need some practical tips to get me started. Will definitely be coming back to learn more blogging tips thanks!
I am in the process of creating my blog. I want to thank you so much for this post. I will try your advice!!
I love this post as well, I’ve got my blog going and a good routine/rhythm going to getting 3 blog posts up a week (on a good week) now and I can imagine adding in more. I hope to become a freelance writer as well, and have been writing a memoir of my own, and now I know that I COULD juggle all that writing. Thanks for the tips here, I have a feeling they will become very valuable to me!
You can totally do it! Good luck.
I have just started this journey and with $38 in my bank account, I NEED TO GET STARTED! Lol. I have probably 50-80 prompts laid out, 8 drafts started, and have been working hard on creating products. I think for me I have spent way more time researching than actiallly writing, so I love the idea of adding that to my morning routine. I did learn the hard way that copy and pasting from Evernote ends up a hot mess in the back dashboard though…. lol. Do you just write your morning writings in a draft post? Or how do you avoid the horrendous copy/paste problems from Word and Evernote that WordPress creates? I would love to make my morning routine efficient so any tips as to where you write them for quick Blog Post use would be so helpful!! Thank you so much for this post.
Thank you for this post. I am going to start a blog in a few days, and have been looking for tips and advice. I will be back to read some of your other posts, but right now just looking for ideas on how to get started. -jeralyn
I didn’t know about Asana and now I am loving it!
It is so easy to organize posting dates that it makes my life much easier!
Thanks you for sharing 🙂
Miriam | http://www.theopiblog.com
I love that you write so much. I keep making a schedule, but then I alter it, depending on my inspiration. –Like now, I am feeling the need to write an eBook (which I am thinking will turn into an ecourse), and this will require that I focus specifically on that for the next week. Also, I have decided that I needed to create another music video for our band–it’s been about a year and a half since I have put one together and I had to get back to THAT project.
–I guess my question is how do you organize and keep track of all the pieces of ideas in all the stages? (I have just started using Trello, but I have sooooo many different parts of projects started–blog posts, YouTube videos, podcasts, music videos, graphics, cold-calling lists, etc.–that I lose track of the parts sometimes, since there is so much coming at me each week. (Even if I am excited about working on a project, raw footage needs to be shot continuously, which sometimes makes me lose focus on those brilliant ideas in between.) I saw you mention Asana; is that you secret weapon? 🙂
Any advice you could give would be truly helpful… Thanks in advance.
I definitely noticed I write better in the mornings, and reading this has encouraged me even more to set (and stick to!) a morning routine. Thanks!
Thanks for the tips. I have a swipe file on my phone and I usually draft any blog post ideas in WordPress. But something I do struggle with is a blogging routine and scheduling.
Thanks for this post! It’s inspiring. I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed just trying to get going. This helps. I am definitely going to start posting on specific days. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that before!
I find it easier to think in the morning when posting too, but often times my schedule doesn’t allow it. By the end of the night I am exhausted and my brain is kind of like mud…
I don’t use a particular app (tho it would make life easier for me), but I use the notes on my phone and google drive on the computer. Now I need to push myself to write more posts more often again (I used to but faded out for quite a while.) Writer’s block got me years ago and then I just took too long of a break.
Keep up the great work and hopefully I will buckle down and keep up with you 🙂
Fantastic post. While some of it may be the same things we hear often, as she said, it works. We won’t truly listen to these tips until we are ready to accept them and incorporate them into our daily routines!
It’s just what I have been looking for. Thank You for these tips, will definitely try to incorporate all the points in my daily routine.
This post is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing your tips. It has certainly given me a lot to think about and also it has helped motivate me.
This post is really helpful. I’m in my final year of undergrad and really need to start making money from it but school stress really is getting me down. Also, any idea how to find blogs I can freelance for?
Great ideas. I have tried some of these before, but not consistently. I’ve started a dump file on my phone for random ideas but don’t use it as often as I should. Thanks for the pointers.
A swipe file is a great idea! I do a brain dump on Trello, but since the ideas are not refined, as yours are, I often go back to look at it and wonder what it means. Not so effective!
Cute, sweet kitty by the way!
Thank you for sharing. It’s true that I have heard all this before but I still LOVE coming across these reminder posts! I tend to fall off the the wagon schedule and these help remind me to get back on track! Well put together, too!
Thanks for the advice. I definitely need to start writing more for my blog, so this is great!
Great tips. Love the swipe file idea. I’m going to use that!
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This really inspired me. I will try to write more often.
Such great tips. Really help me to write every day. It’s true that when we dress well, the motivation to write will come.
I get caught up in making the pics and social media post that I get overwhelmed at writing. Thanks for the tips. Think I’m just going to start writing and worry about the “looks and promotion” of the piece later
This is a great article. Very simple but provides great value and tips for readers.
Wow – I just noticed this post was published in 2015. I’m here in 2021 and still found it so completely relevant & helpful! The hardest part of blogging for me has been overcoming consistent writer’s block. I’m going to try to write at least a little bit everyday & hopefully this can help make the process seem less overwhelming! Thank you for these tips 🙂