One of the main things I've seen small business owners try to figure out when they're hoping to grow organic traffic is how to blog consistently.

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's not just important to know how to blog consistently. You need to know WHY YOU SHOULD blog consistently as well.

Why You Should Blog Consistently

It turns out that developing good SEO for your website is a lot more about the content you're creating than anything else.

Sure, making sure your on page SEO is important. And, getting good backlinks is a worthy cause. But, if I had to pick just one thing that would help to show up on top of search engine results it would be writing good blogs…a lot.

And, not like just a one off every few months kind of rhythm. We're talking about AT LEAST once a week.

How do you keep up that pace? Turns out I've got a little bit of experience with this very topic.

My Blogging Crednetials

Back in 2019, I started a blog/podcast/youtube channel (all the things) called Self-Made Web Designer.

The goal was to help people learn how to build web design businesses without having any background in the field. So, I started blogging…a lot. At first it was about 3 small articles every week.

Then I learned that longer blog posts tend to rank higher than shorter ones. So, I started writing at least one 2,000 word plus blog every single week.

I did that non-stop up until 2022 when I decided to take a break.

Fast forward to 2024 and I decided it was time to start writing again. Inspired by Anne Lamot's book “Bird by Bird,” I set a goal of writing 1,000 words a day.

Depending on who you are that might sound like a lot or a little. BUT, I learned quite a few things along the way that has helped me to write so much. It got to the point that I've since increased it to about 1,500 words a day.

But, because of the tips and tricks I learned, it doesn't feel like a big deal at all.

So, I decided it was time to take all of the things I've learned on how to blog consistently and share it with you here.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 1: Don't Edit While You Write

One of the biggest hurdles to get over with blogging every single day is learning how to write without editing yourself as you're writing.

Everyone does it. You type a little bit, and then you go back and read what you typed. Decide it doesn't make sense and then delete everything you just wrote and try again.

Here's the biggest tip on how to blog consistently I can give you. Creating and editing take two different types of brain power.

So, you should keep them separate. Give yourself permission to write a rough draft that's ACTUALLY rough.

Give it some time and come back later to start editing. But, don't do it WHILE you're writing.

Just write.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 2: Aim for Mediocre

If you really want to learn how to blog consistently, you've got to understand that not everything you write is going to be great.

In fact, most of it will be bad. And, that's okay.

Most people don't even get started because they're worried that their content won't live up to other super hero bloggers out there that know how to say all the right words that keep people hooked from the first sentence.

First, none of those people started out that way. They did a lot of bad blogging that lead to a lot of mediocre blogging. Eventually, they started occasionally producing some top notch blogs here and there.

But, there still not hitting a home run every time they get up to bat even now that they have years of experience.

So, don't aim to write the VERY BEST ARTICLE THAT HAS EVER BEEN WRITTEN about said topic. Instead, shoot for medioce.

Just something that's slightly above horrible. Publish before it's perfect! Do that enough and eventually you'll start to write better and better blogs.

But, don't let the fear of imperfection keep you from blogging at all.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 3: Find a Rhythm That Works for You

I hear so many people trying to push their preferred method of getting things done:

• Batching tasks
• Doing a little bit every day
• Putting it on your calendar

The list of ways to complete tasks is endless AND I have tried them all ad nauseam. Here's what I've found. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa.

I've personally found that trying to do a little bit every day is better than trying to do a lot all in just a few days. So, of all the things on my todo list, writing is one that shows up every single day.

And, when I get it done I feel like I've accomplished something.

I mean c'mon! We're taking a blank screen and turning it into something. A tangible thing that someone can consume and learn from.

The point is you don't have to do things the way I do things. Maybe you like to reserve a specific block of time on a specific day every week and just get a blog done. That's great.

Try a lot of different ways out and don't get discouraged if one doesn't work for you the way you thought it would. There's all sorts of different things you can do to try to keep a steady rhythm.

Just find a rhythm that works.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 4: Have a Running List of Topics

One of the biggest lessons I've learned on how to blog consistently is that the main enemy of keeping your blog going is that gap between your last blog and your next.

You were in it. Things were flowing AND you got the blog done. High fives all around. But the next week rolls around and it's time to write something new! Now what?

It takes me much more effort just to pick out a topic I'm going to write about than it does to just start writing.

To help with that I keep a running list of blog topics I'm planning to cover.

That also helps me to be thinking about what I'm going to be writing for on those topics. It's kind of like going to bed with a math problem in your head and waking up having solved it.

Your subconscious just kind of works on the topics even when you're not thinking about it.

How to Come Up With Blog Ideas

Okay, but you might be thinking, “How do I even come up with ideas in the first place?”

Great question. I like to do a little bit of research in Google Keyword Planner. It's a free resource that will tell you how often a phrase is searched for on their search engine.

I talk a lot about keyword research on this big blog all about SEO. But, the basic run down is you start with a general phrase connected to your website's topic.

So, if I was a photographer it would be something like “photography.” Then you get back a list of ideas.

The phrases that you're looking for are ones that have a lot of volume but not a lot of competition.

From there you'll get a barrage of different ideas to start culling through.

Another great source is Chat GPT! I love asking it to brainstorm some topics and then building a list from there. Bottom line you've got a ton of options when it comes to coming up with ideas.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 5: Don't Worry About Repeating Yourself

Something I hear consistently from people wanting to learn how to blog consistently is that they're afraid they're going to start repeating themselves.

Like, there's only so much to say about a single topic, right?

Well, there's probably a lot. You just don't realize how much you know in relation to everyone else out there.

So, let's say on a scale of 1 to 10 of everything there is to know about a specific topic and you'd put yourself at like a 6 or 7.

You'd think that you need to bring down how your talking about that topic to like a 3 or 4 so everyone can understand. But, you'd be wrong.

You need to bring it down to like a 1 or 2.

It's okay to go basic, basic. In fact, that's going to reach most people, anyways.

Say It Again, Just Slightly Different

But, let's say you're right and you will run out of things to say. Just say it again. You'd be surprised how much people don't mind hearing something over and over.

Have you ever listened to the Dave Ramsey podcast? He's been doing it for forever. Even before it was a podcast it was a radio show.

But, here's the thing, he's basically saying the same thing over and over. People call in and tell him their financial troubles and he gives them the same advice he's been giving everyone for the last few decades.

Over and over. But, it's one of the most popular podcasts out there.

People don't get bored with it. And, people won't get bored with what you have to say. Plus, it's highly unlikely that everyone will read every single article you write from top to bottom.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 6: Let AI Help

I personally don't use AI to write out my blogs fully. I like writing and see it as a craft I'm trying to develop. BUT, I do use it to help.

If I'm having trouble getting started, I'll ask it how they'd intro a topic. If I need help with a general outline, I'll poke it for some ideas.

Almost always it will give me ideas that then lead to the ideas I actually use. But, that time between when I couldn't think of anything and when I started running with a topic gets cut down SIGNIFFICIANTLY with AI.

And, listen, I'm not opposed to having AI write your blog for you. I know people that do it and there are some great tools out there.

I'm just unfamiliar with the best approach. And, as much as people say that Google has a way of telling what was created by AI and what wasn't, I'm just not buying it.

At the very least, a secret weapon on how to blog consistently is to use AI to get ideas going and help you when you get stuck.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 7: Write How You Talk

The best thing to do when you're writing a blog is just write like you would talk. So, think of it like sitting down with a friend at a coffee shop and they're asking you questions about the topic you're blogging about.

What would you say to them? How would you say it? That's what you need to do in your articles and how to blog consistently.

Often the objection I get from this tip is something like, “But, I don't talk so good.” 🥴 But, hear me out.

First, I think it's kind of important to differentiate yourself from AI. Even if you're having AI write your articles. You need to go back through and put some of yourself IN THAT ARTICLE.

What better way to differentiate your writing from a robot's with your unique tone and even your mistakes.

AI can do a lot of things. But, it can't steal you or your story. So, don't be afraid to put some of yourself in what you're writing.

The Best Reading Level to Write To

People Like to Read anywhere from a 3rd to 6th grade level. So, if you're worried you won't sound smart enough, then you're actually in a really good place!

There's actually a really great resource called The Hemingway App that helps you write concisely and will tell you when your verbiage is getting too complicated.

By the way, the phrase “your verbiage is getting too complicated” was graded at a 7th grade level. 🤷🏼‍♂️

The point is you don't have to have a masters degree to start blogging about something. People just want to hear your perspective.

How to Blog Consistently Tip 8: Overcoming Writers Block

Ahh, the biggest hurdle for how to blog consistently, the dreaded writers block. There's good news though. There are so many ways to overcome it. Here's a few that have helped me.

FIRST: Just staying consistent. I know that seems like circular logic. How do you blog consistently when you're faced with writers block? Well, you blog consistently. 😂

But, here's the funny thing that happens when you start turning your blogging into a routine, it just becomes a part of you.

It'll start to feel the same as waking up and instantly brushing your teeth. It's just something you do.

It takes a bit of time to get some momentum but that's okay. It'll get easier as time goes on.

SECOND: If you start writing about anything it will prime the pump to help you write about something specific.

Sometimes I'll even just start copying other people's text verbatim when I'm trying to get the juices flowing. It's the “objects in motion tend to stay in motion” idea JUST for writing.

THIRD: Take a nap. When I really can't think of anything it's typically a sign that I'm just really tired. So, pause from it and come back later.

You'll have some other things that work for you as well. Someone I follow said she hates starting with a blank screen so she always starts her blogs by writing “something something something” over and over again until she's ready to start.

Final Thoughts on How to Blog Consistently

There is no perfect advice on how to blog consistently. The truth is it's messy. It takes time. You'll do good for a while and then start to fade.

And, that's all okay. The point is you wake up and you try again. Don't let fear or shame hold you back from just sitting down and writing something.

They don't have to be 3,000 word articles. They don't even have to be 1,000 word articles.

Sure, there is all sorts of advice about how “your blog should be minimum of 2,000 words” and there's some truth to that. BUT, think of it like going to the gym.

You don't do your very first session after being away for years and push yourself to the max. That's a surefire way of getting injured or at the very least being too soar to come back again for a few weeks.

Take it slow. Then gradually ramp up how much you're doing.

Over time you'll get into a rhythm and you'll be telling people how to blog consistently 😉