Thursday, May 16, 2013

3 Tips For Battling Blogger’s Block by Susan Stilwell


Susan Stilwell
We’ve all been there, staring at a blank screen and wondering what on earth to blog about. We want create content that keeps our faithful readers interested, but also engages new readers. How can we push past those mental blocks and keep our writing fresh and relevant? 

Pay Attention To Headlines
Look at what’s happening in the world today. From serious world events to celebrity weddings to neighborhood news, topics are trending and people are talking. Find a topic that intrigues you, then do some research. You don’t have to be an expert; you just need to have an opinion that’s rooted in facts. Study and ponder, then offer your two-cents worth on a timely subject.

Write about Popular Culture
Do you have a favorite television program? Did you watch a recent (or classic) movie? Have you tried the latest Starbucks offering? Write about it! Share something insightful or funny or quirky about your experience. Popular culture connects us and gives us an opportunity to share a biblical truth our readers. One of my most popular posts was about a spiritual insight I gained while watching the television program, “The Voice.”

Don’t Be Afraid To Change It Up 
You may have a schedule that your readers expect, but it’s okay to deviate from time to time. Interview a fellow blogger or invite them to guest post. Play around with your favorite photo editor and try your hand at a creative image. Share a special memory or a particular struggle, being careful with sensitive details. Personal stories can be refreshing and offer a powerful connection to your readers.

Don’t forget to take a few extra minutes for SEO, especially if you’re writing about current events or popular culture. Those descriptive headings, tags and labels make your post more visible to search engines, which will help direct readers to your site. 


Dora here. What about you? Anybody else staring at a blank blogger screen?
How difficult is it for you to come up with fresh, engaging content?

About Susan Stilwell
Susan Stilwell is a freelance writer, motivational speaker and Bible study leader who loves discovering God at work the ordinary, day-to-day stuff of life. Passionate about God’s Word, she’s a prolific devotional writer and a popular guest blogger. She and her husband Steve enjoy their empty nest in the beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia. You can connect with Susan on Twitter at @susanrstilwell and on her website, www.susanstilwell.com

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We Just Celebrated Our 1,000th Post!

We celebrated our 1000th post here at Seriously Write last week. Your hostesses are always looking for guests and topic ideas and would appreciate if you took a moment out of your busy day to respond to a quick survey. Your responses will be compiled and will assist us in finding guest posters and topics to encourage and equip you on your writing journey. Here's the link to the survey. Feel free to pass it along to your friends. :-)