Today marks the beginning of my 9th blog challenge to complete one post for every day of the month. I’ve completed 8 of these challenges previously.
Here are 5 secrets that help me through each time:
1. Refuse to give up.
I often get a day or two (or even three) behind. I don’t give up. I just catch back up as soon as I can and I keep going.
At the same time, I’m pretty relaxed about it. I want to complete each challenge and so far I’ve made it but I recognize that even if I were to hit only 10 or 15 or 20 posts, that’s still success because it’s that many more than I had before the challenge.
2. Be okay with short posts.
Do you have that urge to write an epic novel every time you sit down to blog? Squash it. You’ll get more people reading through to the end and commenting on a short post than a very long one.
Yes, there are exceptions for those amazing posts that are long. But in general, readers like brevity.
3. Shoot for great content, not perfection.
To blog every day, without spending the entire day on my blog, I run into two challenges: coming up with ideas very quickly of what to blog about and writing a perfect blog post.
What is great content? Whatever my readers say it is. So I listen to you. I read your comments here on my blog. I connect with you on the social networks and watch what you’re asking and looking for information about.
What about perfection? I’m just shooting for really good. Excellent even. But I’m not going to freak out over a little typo that slips by occasionally.
4. Think bigger picture.
How can I leverage my time in the challenge and get more out of the content I’m creating? By knowing my bigger plan.
Do I want to write a book or an ebook? Then I’ll use my blog posts to create content for those.
5. Use every trick I’ve got.
This means using strategies like these: 10 Ways to Blog Better, Faster.
Your turn!
What works for you in blogging often and participating in blog challenges? Are you blogging along in the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month?
round 3 of the blog challenge for me.
i.ll never give up and i also preschedule some posts … makes it much easier for me to stay on track.
Writing ahead is a very smart strategy — makes it so much easier to post consistenly. :)
Hi Michelle,
Your posts are always very unique and informating.It is good that you shared the reason of coming 8 time blog challenge champion, these reasons give motivation to many bloggers.
Thanks, Pete. Blog challenges are a great way to get motivated.
Hi Michelle,
I come more often on your posts because I always gain good knowledge from your posts.I also try for success again and again and never give up.This article encourages me to think for bigger picture.
Glad this was encouraging for you, thanks for stopping by.
I always tell myself I am going to get a jump on things and write posts in advance. So far it has never happened. :)
I usually start the challenge having issues thinking of what to write about. Then once I start focusing on it the ideas flood in. The first time I did a blog challenge I made the mistake of not jotting those ideas down, then of course I could never remember them when it came time to sit down and blog.
So now I have a note pad or a zoho planner list or (this time) a Google Document that I add ideas to as they come to me. I also have Evernote on my phone so I can stick the ideas in there if they pop up while I am out and about.
Then when it is time to do a new post I have a list of ideas ready to inspire me. :)
Good strategies! Always capture those ideas. I hate it when I have a great idea, and then forget it before I can write it down. Having that list though makes it SO much easier when it’s time to write.
I haven’t tried zoho planners, or Google doc for capturing ideas, but Evernote is very cool. :)
My blog is about working from home, so it helps if I visit WAHM and Work Place Like Home daily to see what all the work at homers are buzzing about. That has given me ideas for blog posts more times than I can count!
I got my post up today, so day one is a wrap. Hopefully I can keep it up :) Thanks for being so inspiring!
One down! Just take it one post at a time. :)
Visiting popular blogs can inspire so many ideas — love that tip, Anna, thanks!
Wowzers!! I am not surprised Michelle, your energy speaks of someone with incredible focused intentions. I completed the first challenge and I am confident I will complete the second. Thanks for the opportunity. Just like any goal the simple formula: focused intention+ believe+inspired action=success.
Success to everyone on the challenge. Yes, you can!
Great formula, Adalia. Too many people miss that last step. Focused intention and belief are super important, but inspired action is what makes it work!
A good point on writing short entries — I’m one of those people who feels like everything has to be an epic ode to something!
I used to be, Shayla, so I speak from experience! ;) My first blog challenge helped break me of that. Although I still often hit 1,000+ words and have to go back and edit, edit, edit or break posts up into a series.
Hi Michelle,
I just signed up! Sorry I missed your first “Challenge” last year, and I’m looking forward to all the practice this one will bring. I benefit so much from all the useful tips and inspiration on your blog, and I expect to find more of the same throughout this challenge.
Awesome! Just wandered over and commented on your post — you shared a great tip. :)
The Challenge is a blast, it runs every 3 months.
This is my 5th challenge ;) I actually had the first 5 posts scheduled a week ago, but boy did that change. Several things have happened this week and well it caused a shift within that I am not working on without. Those posts have just been rescheduled. :)
I do have a tendency to fly by the seat of my pants during the challenges but I do start out with a plan. LOL I have a small group of blogs that I make an effort to comment on and I’ve committed to commenting on at least 2 other blogs (new bloggers to the UBC) and I also have scheduled in about 30 minutes a day to share blogs as well. I think that is ample enough to time :) Really going to use my Buffer app this month HAHA
Because my focus has changed and my direction has shifted, this month’s challenge is going to be so much more fun for me. You said in the CWC call today that one has to shift your attitude and be excited about helping your readers instead of dreading finding what to write about next. You could not have said that at a better time, my friend! You hit the nail right on the head!
I need to make this time the time I finally setup Buffer app and use it. :)
That’s a great plan, because the interacting and commenting/sharing is such a great way to connect and get to know the other bloggers. Smart of you to plan in time for that.
Glad that was helpful for you, that’s really been key for me in figuring out how to blog so frequently without burning out. Gotta make it NOT about me.
Michelle, I’ve been in a few blog challenges and most I’ve finished but many I tend to slack off toward the end. I am getting better at blogging each day though and wasn’t even going to participate in this one but you persuaded me. :)
I love scheduling blog posts – I try to write all my posts in one sitting and then schedule them. This way I get to take time interacting with readers and finding blogs to comment on. (I say I try, doesn’t always work that way)
Yay! Glad to have you onboard, Sara. And I get that feeling — I think a lot of us run into that the last week or so. Hopefully we can throw in a few surprises to keep us all motivated this time around. ;)
Scheduling is brilliant. it really does make it easier and frees us up to respond to commenters and network. :)
OK, Miss Michelle,
I just signed up for this month! What am I thinking??? I’m thinking that I need to write and publish publicly every day this month to increase my visibility and to also help those who seek my guidance when dealing with change.
I am very excited at the opportunity and happy to be on my 3rd? blog challenge with you and all these wonderful game-changers.
Dream On!
PeggyLee
Woohoo! Glad to have you joining us again, Peggy Lee. :)