For all you beginner bloggers (including myself for this blog)
It’s tough when you’re just starting a blog - when your blog is in its infancy - to stay motivated to keep writing posts. It might feel pretty lonely when you first start your blog - it’s like you are blogging without an audience. Once again it comes back to setting your goals and keeping your incentives in mind.

Write and they will come
Don’t stop writing - keep posting. Try to make it fresh and interesting content - content is king. If you stopped now all that time you have put in was wasted. Keep chugging away. Continue to read and follow the blogging tips of those that are already successful - they too had to start at the beginning. Some blogs grow faster than others - it depends a lot on the amount of time you put into it.

Keep promoting
Even if it doesn’t seem to be working - keep leaving quality comments on related blogs and get the word out about your content. Make this part of your routine - it can be hard to get motivated to do the promoting - add it your daily list of blogging tasks and just do it.

It takes time
Rome wasn’t built in a day - or some other catchy cliché. It takes time and effort to grow a blog - especially if you don’t have a high traffic site to promote through. It may seem like you are getting nowhere - stay with it. The first few months can be difficult - stay motivated and remember your end goals and incentives. If you want it you’ve got to put the work in.

So, don’t give up even if you feel like you are blogging without an audience - I’m there with this new blog, but I’m going to keep writing and keep promoting.

Michael Hargis

Popularity: 96% [?]

A Blogging Tip: Are you trying too hard to come up with good post ideas?

Don’t force it - you just have to relax and the ideas will come. You might think you can just go find a nice quiet place or your favorite reading spot, but that is not always going to work. You’ll get there and all you’ll be thinking about is how you really need to come up with a great idea for a post. Sure this place might work most of the time, but there are some days when you just need to switch it up a bit. Try something different. Forget about the peace and quiet and go to the hustle and bustle. Go to a restaurant, a store, or just a walk down the street. Sit and observe people or find a friend (or stranger) and start up a conversation. Get your mind off writing - or whatever the task is. Fresh air, being around people, or just getting outside can really stimulate the mind and help get the good ideas flowing. Just remember, don’t force it - you will just end up going crazy and writing a bad post (or whatever your project is).

Note: these tips can be used for anything not just blogging and writing…

- Michael Hargis

Popularity: 68% [?]

A Blogging Tip: Having trouble writing those posts? Here is a quick idea…

It seems like every time I sit down and stare at that big blank computer screen I loose all motivation to actually write something. Then procrastination takes over. I start browsing the Internet and tell myself ‘it’s for inspiration.’ I navigate to some of my favorite blogs and start reading their stuff when I should be writing my own. Then I would start to think about how much I really need to write something and how I really want my blog to be successful, but I lack motivation.

I have found a great way around this (for me anyway). I get away from the computer. No, not just to take a break, but to grab my Samsung Blackjack. Yep, that’s right my Blackjack. I open up the notes program and just start typing away - I wrote this post on my Blackjack. Sure typing is a little slower - I’m getting pretty good at it - but for me there just aren’t any distractions when I’m on my Blackjack.

I suggest you get some kind of PDA/Smartphone device with a full QWERTY keyboard - makes it a ton easier to write long posts. My Blackjack only cost me $39.99 (refurb) and then the phone bill stuff which I need a phone anyway, so that doesn’t really count. This may not work for everyone, especially if you are always texting or talking on the phone. Though, if that is the case, you might try using a device that is not also your phone. Give it a try…

- Michael Hargis

Popularity: 75% [?]

A blogging tip: Motivation and writing multiple posts when you are in the mood to write…

If you really enjoy writing then this might not be a problem for you. If you are like me and are a descent writer but some days (or many days - I have plenty of weeks like this) you just really do not want to write about anything, then I have a simple idea that might help you out.

On those rare days that you are really pumped about writing a new post/article, instead of just writing one, write three or four, or even five if you are feeling crazy. Actually just writing two would be great. Then you have at least one backup you can use at anytime. You don’t want to make this a backup quality posts. You want to write something you plan on using. Get the article into the mix when you feel appropriate, but don’t just sit on that same article forever. You’ll forget about it or lose confidence in it. It should be thought of as writing an article or two ahead. Write something that you want to post in the near future, but keep writing new posts and cycle them in when you are ready. Writing ahead will help you on those days when you are sick, sick of writing, or just need to take the day off - it’s all about balance.

- Michael Hargis

Popularity: 70% [?]