We all go through writers block. Sometimes we’re sitting tapping the keys on our keyboard but nothing is coming to mind. The well is running low and you’ve “run out of things to blog about”.. but is that really true? Maybe you’re just not looking in the right places.
There are some ways to prepare yourself in advance so the well doesn’t run dry. And there are things we can do to keep ourselves motivated for those times we are feeling a little less in the mood to blog for your fashion business.
- Monthly brainstorms – This may seem abhorrent and like a huge task, but it’s super helpful in the long run. Take a couple hours before the beginning of each month and think about what’s going on culturally for that particular time. What is going through consumer’s mindset. For example in October your consumer may be planning a Halloween party, thinking about Fall shopping, boot season, fall fashion layers, the upcoming holidays, and nostalgia for everything autumn. Then chart out when it would be best to publish each piece so you know what you’re writing about each week. Best part – when the next year comes around, you’ll have a shell to begin from and tweak.
- Ask your audience – Seems like a no-brainer but sometimes we forget our largest resource. Our audience! It is who we are writing the blog posts for, after all. Why not put out a poll or question to your audience via your preferred social channels to ask what they want more of, or less of.
- Read other blogs – Really. Subscribe to as many as possible, whether it’s via email, Twitter, or a reader app like Pulse or Flipboard. It helps to have resources at your fingertips. Read them, and read them daily. They’ll help you feel on top of your game, and give you new ideas on a more frequent basis.
- Write about what you are passionate about – May seem silly, but when you’re passionate about your topic, it will shine through. Your voice will carry further, and your audience will engage more. No one wants to read a blog post that is lame and boring, written by someone who just pumps out blog posts like a chore. They want their writer to be excited to write to them. So, write about the topics that you care about. You’ll be happier, and so will your audience.
- Get outside – Step away from your computer. Your tablet. Your smartphone (or try to). Sometimes a change of scenery is all that’s needed to get the juices flowing again. I find that some of my best ideas come to me when I’m working out in the morning. And the second you have that idea – write that down! Asap! Because we all know, five minutes later, we’ll be kicking ourselves for having lost it.
- Change up the format – Sometimes, it helps to think of your blog post as not a blog post. Change up the format. Do an interview instead. Find an expert in your field, someone you admire, or even an employee in your company to give a new perspective for your blog. Fresh formats can lead to fresh content and fresh eyes on your blog too.
- Curate – And when you’re really stuck. And have no time. Curate content from those you admire. Take a piece of their content, attribute it back to them (of course), and give your perspective on what they said. It also shows it’s not all about you and your brand, all the time.
And my ultimate tip for getting fresh ideas… Sleep on it. Sometimes it’s best to close the laptop, step away, and come back the next morning with a fresh head (and some coffee).