Previously, I wrote about how to get rid of blogger block.
For the blogger attempting to keep a regular posting schedule, coming up with original content can be a daunting task.
However, this is Part 1 of a three part series where I am going to share my tips for being, or becoming, the best blogger you can be.
I am going to tell you right now, Part 1 and Part 2 are going to have contradictory points. However, they both contain good advice. More on this later.
Regardless, the first step toward becoming a great blogger is writing while you’re inspired.
Here is my contradiction. Because in Part 2, I’m going to tell you to keep a buffer of articles. Yet, a buffer does not prevent you from writing when you’re inspired.
For instance. I’m writing to you right now, after finishing a 10 mile bicycle ride without showering or cleaning up in any way, because the ideas are in my head right now, and if I wait they will evanesce (disappear).
What does writing while you’re inspired mean?
The ideas are bursting inside me right now and getting them out is critical, before my muse begins to wane. Had I waited to write this article until after showering and getting comfortable the content would not have been as good. Granted, judging by the level of content present on my blog, you don’t want to guess how bad it could have been had I waited.
Never the less, the best advice for me personally is to write when the ideas are fresh. Strike while the iron is hot if you will.
In doing so you are creating content at the peak of your ability. Perhaps when you’re flying across the keyboard bursting with excitement, or your speedy pen is scratching holes in the paper, you are not at your peak editing ability. We don’t care about editing at this point.
What do we care about? Getting your ideas written down, even if the formatting, grammar, and spelling are all atrocious.
You cannot meld steel after it has cooled. Such a hard material can only be formed when red hot out of the fire.
Write when the ideas just came out of the fire, while you are inspired and everything is flowing. Do not wait. Just following this tip will help in all your writings; however, I’ve got two more coming up, so stay tuned.
No you can read Part 2
I’ve got one more step for you: Read articles in their “print” view.
Most content management systems (CMS’s), blog software, and most webpages have Print page options. The print page is generally a separate CSS document removing nearly everything from the page, except the content.
Usually the page is unrestricted in width, so those with larger monitors gain the benefit of no text restricted via the webpage’s design.
Flash ads, and most banners do not appear on Print pages.
Page numbers, and “next page” buttons do not exist on the Print page. The article is presented as a long page with all content in one place.
This is a new practice I’ve adopted to make my reading an uninterrupted process. No ads in my face, no clicking next page buttons, just long pages of sweet content.
If no print link is visible on the page, simply use File > Print Preview (ALT > f > v – FireFox keyboard shortcut).
Try it with the next page you’re on.
Tuesday, I shared the iGoogle customization update, and today we get Google Reader updated with searching.
This is a great week! Enjoy the new functionality. I know I will.
Now you can have even more customization control of your all-important iGoogle page.
Just click the arrow on the right of any tab, select “Edit This Tab” and you can change how the columns are setup.
Enjoy! I know I will