We work with a lot of creative entrepreneurs who see the value in blogging, but not every creative likes to write. These “I-hate-writing” creatives can get pretty conflicted about this truth about themselves, and it’s not unusual for us to be working with a creative client who will matter-of-factly, but clearly uninspired about it, say “well… I guess I need a blog,” because they do recognize how blog content can help shape and share their expertise, which in turn boosts their business and bottom line.
Kathleen here. I believe blogging is one of the most powerful tools for not only shaping your life but also exploring your expertise, and connecting with your tribe. I would not have been able to quit my day job (and convince Tara to quit hers) if it hadn’t been for what started as a little blog about my life. So yeah, I’m pretty passionate about blogging. However, if you don’t like to write, you’re going to muster up all sort of low vibrating emotions such as guilt and anxiety over the self-imposed feelings that you should be blogging – especially when you see all of your peers hitting publish like it’s no big deal on the daily. Nothing kills creativity like bad vibes. And bad vibes are never good for business.
DON’T BLOG IF YOU DON’T LIKE TO WRITE
There are alternatives to blogging when it comes to generating content that helps you find your focus, narrow in on your niche, and cultivate community. Look at other online platforms you can rock like Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or LinkedIn, just to name a few. Where are you already hanging out? For example, if you already have 1,000 Facebook friends but feel like you need a formal blog to share your content you are missing out on a huge opportunity to connect where you already are.
TRY MICROBLOGGING
With a newborn baby I haven’t had as much time to post to my personal blog as I used to. So instead of just posting an image to my Instagram. I’ll actually write a couple sentences to share what I’m up to or what’s on my mind. I’ll even ask questions and engage my Instagram followers for conversation in the same way I do on my blog. This is an example of microblogging. It’s a super low-pressure way of connecting with your tribe in a very little amount of time. You could even use Tumblr or Pinterest as a microblog by writing more meaningful captions on inspiration you’re collecting rather than leaving it blank.
REDEFINE WHAT BLOGGING LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU
One of the reasons you might be hesitant to blog is because you’ve put external expectations on what blogging looks like. For example, you might think a blog has to be super wordy and published every day. But you don’t necessarily have to be a prolific writer to have a blog. You could just post photo-essays that share behind-the-scenes glimpses of what you’re working on once a month. Or you could record an iPhone video blog (also known as vlog) once a week – (I love how Gabrielle Berstein does this). Or maybe hosting a podcast is more your style – your blog can simply share the show notes that redirect your reader to your podcast. There are so many opportunities for what blogging can look like for you – don’t limit yourself with what other people are doing.
“I DO WANT TO WRITE, I’M JUST TOO BUSY / UNINSPIRED / TIRED / ETC.”
I hear this a lot with my one-on-one creative coaching clients. Writers who really do want to blog but have about a million excuses why they shouldn’t. If you’re making an excuse you either A) really don’t want to blog or B) you’re not being professional. And both of those things are okay, just recognize them for what they are and move on. My advice here to you would still be to just not write and stop beating yourself up about it. Spend your energy making something else. But if you’re a glutton for punishment how about you just force yourself to write for 10 minutes a day every day for a week? Block off time on your calendar, set alarms on your phone, shut down your email and close all distractions – start writing and hit publish.
You might also like these Braid posts:
• GAAAHHH! Don’t Make Me Write
• My So-Called Social Media
• Capture, Shape, and Share with Instagram