How to Start a Successful Blog and Avoid Blogger Burnout
By Morgan Murphy, Modsnap Design LLC
Originally Published On: August 17, 2020
Category: Blogging
Most bloggers spend a lot of time worrying about how to start a successful blog. However, even the most successful blog can fail if the writer succumbs to burnout. Your worst writing enemy may be staring at you in the mirror.
Fortunately, you can have it all! Keep reading to discover our guide for creating a successful blog while avoiding burnout entirely.
Set Realistic (and SMART) Goals
One of the key components of a successful blog is regular updates. When your readers know when to expect your next bit of content, they are likelier to stick around.
Unfortunately, some bloggers take on too much and end up quickly burning out. For example, writing a new blog once or twice a week can be pretty realistic, but writing something new every day could quickly kill your motivation if you have many other obligations. That schedule will look different for everyone, but pick a realistic goal, and stick to it.
What do we mean when we say, set SMART goalsNew Window? SMART is a handy acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. When you set out to start a successful blog, first set some goals for yourself. If you go through this acronym, and give yourself realistic goals that you hold yourself accountable to, you’re far more likely to keep the blog going and see it gain attention.
Long story short? Know how far you can push yourself, and don’t push yourself any farther than that. And give it time, blogs don’t become successful overnight, set some realistic short-term and long-term goals for yourself.
Establish a Working Routine
When starting out, most bloggers have to write around their schedule, and that schedule probably includes a regular job. Ironically, though, one of the best ways to avoid blogger burnout is to treat writing like any other job.
To be a successful worker, you eventually fall into a routine. You may start the day doing one thing, change it up in the middle, and switch to a final task by the end of the day.
You can divide blog writing the same way. Maybe you brainstorm topic ideas over coffee in the morning and write a rough draft on your lunch break. Then, you edit the final piece shortly before you go to bed.
Such a routine helps train your mind and body to write, and effectively schedules your blogging in a way that doesn’t burn you out. Every great writer Mediumhas a routineNew Window, and it’s time to discover yours.
And if you are starting a blog to support your existing business, then you should schedule blogging into your daily work routine. Don’t try to take it on outside of your work responsibilities – that’s a common factor in blogging burnout.
Focus On Your Body
Most bloggers focus on their minds. After all, that’s the “money maker” and where all the good ideas come from. However, one of the quickest ways to burn out is ignoring the rest of your body.
If you give up exercise for editing and skip lunch to hammer out another article, your body will quickly begin to fall apart. And this will cause stress and pain that ultimately affects your mind and your creativity.
Be sure to take care of your body each day. This won’t just help you avoid burnout–it will actually reduce stress andNew Window make your writing that much better!
Identify Reader Issues
Starting a blog is often about finding the most efficient way to do things. And here’s a fun fact: you can avoid burnout and drive reader trafficNew Window up with the same simple tip.
Try to focus your writing primarily on reader issues. This means understanding who your audience is and writing about solutions to the problems that they face.
Your readership will grow when audiences see that you are devoted to improving their lives. And staying current on emerging issues means your writing and research will always be fresh, which is one more way to avoid burning out.
Don’t know what problems your readers are facing? Well, you probably know who your competitors are. Go to their sites, see what they are writing about, and which topics get the most comments and shares from readers. Then see if you agree, disagree, or could add to what they are writing about. If you have something to add, make it the basis for your next article.
How to Start a Successful Blog: What Comes Next?
Now you know how to start a successful blog without burning out. But do you know who can take it to the next level?
We specialize in web design, marketing, and so much more. We love getting our clients more readers, likes, and shares. To see how we can transform your blog, contact us today!