This post is one-stop in the month-long Blogger Babes blog tour which began here. To read this post in-context, we recommend starting at the beginning–then hop along with us for the full journey.
It was really great getting to know the BlogginMamas crew much better during their #BlogNewbie twitter chat earlier this month. I truly wished I had this kind of access to professional mom bloggers a decade ago when I first blogging. I remember your questions so vividly as if it were yesterday! That’s why this blog tour is so important to me. I’m eager to tell new (and experienced) female bloggers that there are resources to help you get started. For example, networking organizations such as Bloggin Mamas. Hence, the reason I’m so proud they decided to partner with us to make our educational resources available to you!
I’m also quite elated that we share similar 2015 Blogging Goals: Sharing Blogging Tips. Here are two I didn’t see displayed, so I hope you find them helpful:
Keep an Idea Jar or File
Either a literal one on your desktop, or a file folder on your computer. An app such as Evernote is very effective for capturing ideas and saving them for the future.
I personally use Google docs on my computer and on my phone to jot the ideas and Pocket to bookmark and tag research articles. As you read other blog posts and social media updates, you’ll probably find ideas coming to you. Take a minute to clip them and then when it comes time to sit down and write, you’ll have dozens of ideas to choose from.
I literally work from these Google-doc-idea-notes and craft my entire post before I publish on WordPress.
Keep a Keyword File
Similar to the Idea Jar, keep a Keyword File or Excel spreadsheet. Research keywords that are evergreen for your niche and create a numbered list and a file for them. Evergreen keywords will never go out of date and can be repurposed again and again. Basing your post on one keyword can really help you focus and streamline each post.
When you find yourself struggling for ideas, either pick a keyword from your File at random, or if you like to work under some pressure and excitement, roll at least three dice, add up the total and go write your post about the keyword that comes up at that number along your list.
Want to take your blog to the next level?
The above tips are an excerpt from our debut “21 Fast and Simple Tips to Write Blog Posts Faster” Guide, one of seven documents in our comprehensive Blogger Monthly Tutorials launching on May 1st. Each tutorial eKit comes with a tutorial, 21 tips sheet, worksheet, calendar, worksheets, all our recommended tools and much more!
Click here to sign up for the Early Bird special release of $5 per month!
Win Two-Hours of Blog Coaching with Heidi and Ponn ($298 value)
We’re crowdsourcing the name of our Monthly Training tutorials. So, we need your help!
Grand Prize: Two-Hours of Blog Coaching by Blogger Babes Co-Founders (Value $298)
- Two one-hour blog coaching sessions, one with Heidi and one with Ponn. Coaching will be conducted separately on the phone (domestic), Skype, or our recorded webinar room (international).
How to Enter:
- Make one comment below for each monthly subscription title you create. Make sure you use your primary email, so it’s easy for us to reach you if you win!
Rules:
- Any age, any country. Minors with guardian’s permission.
- Unlimited number of entries across any/all guest blog posts from now until Monday, April 20, 2015.
- Deadline date: Monday, April 20, 2015 11:59 pm Pacific Time. [After all, we need time to design the covers. ;-) ]
- Winner selection: Heidi and I will select one winner and announce it Tuesday, April 21, 2015.
You can even champion your title by letting us know on Twitter @TheBloggerBabes or Facebook @TheBloggerBabes.
[Note: these actions do not serve as contest entries. Official entries must be made on this blogpost…but, we’d love to connect with you nonetheless.]Next Steps:
- Check out our draft sales page now, take some time, and share your proposed title below in the comments area on or before April 20th 11:59 pm Pacific time. While you’re there, sign up for our Early Bird release special!
- Follow the rest of my tour to meet new bloggers, “spy” on other creative title entries, and learn along with me. Here’s our blog tour schedule.
Can’t wait to read your replies!
Ponn Sabra is a best-selling author and homeschool mom of three tween and teen daughters, also bestselling authors and probloggers [http://PonnSabra.com]. The Managing Partner of Blogger Babes, Ponn rarely has writer’s block because she keeps her Idea File and Keyword File handy at the top of her Google-docs list. Do you have your ideas filed someplace reachable to kill “writer’s block” once it stricks?
Thanks so much for being a great host Heather! I truly hope we bring some BlogginMamas on over to Blogger Babes!
I know this is just the beginning of our blossoming partnership. :-)
[…] a new blog is often exciting, yet overwhelming. You may have numerous idea and keyword files due to all your research, yet you may feel stuck in the process of actually publishing your blog […]
I’ve just figured out that an ideas folder is indispensable!
xo
styleontheside.com
That’s SO awesome Caroline! Ideas float in the air often, it’s making sure you capture them and put them to work that’s key! :-)
Sometimes I just dictate ideas into my phone.
Thanks for hosting the tour!
You’re welcome Marya!
Great ideas!! I think of great ideas all the time and its never when its convenient lol!!!