8 Steps on How to Write a Blog Post the Lazy Guy Way
“You’re a good writer.”
It’s something I struggle with. Not the compliment, the writing. Writer’s block is inevitable. I struggle to get words out of my mind and onto the page. Yet somehow, write posts that connect with my audience.
Here are 8 steps on how to write a blog post, the Lazy Guy way.
1. Start with an idea
Then make it more specific.
Ask, do I feel passionate about it? It should come from the heart. Not from the wallet.
This helps you sway your audience.
(inspired by Malik, 2016)
2. Do something else
Here’s my favourite part.
- Pick a repetitive 30-minute task you do each morning. Make sure it requires little brainpower. Examples include: working out, meditation, going for a walk, or housework. Mine is the bus ride to work.
- Give yourself this brief at the start of your routine: I want to come up with some questions, challenges, and solutions for the idea I just picked.
- Forget about it. Don’t give the blog post another thought. Enjoy the routine activity.
- Write it down. After 30-minutes, your rough plan will be complete. Quickly add it to a template in the next step.
Forgetting about your blog post helps your subconscious plan it.
(inspired by Wilson, 1995)
3. Prep your page with a template
Nicolas Cole never starts with a blank page.
He organises it into four sections:
- Title
- Introduction
- Main points
- Conclusion.
Then he fills it in.
Jonathan Milligan has four favourite templates:
- The How-to Post. Step-by-step instructional guides (like this post).
- The Story Post Template. Create intrigue with a story.
- The Product Review Post Template. Assess a product or service you use.
- The Listicle. Offer resources and tips via a list.
This’ll help you quickly get in the flow, write faster and publish more often.
(inspired by Cole, 2021; Milligan, 2023)
4. Create a shitty first draft
Successful authors never produce great pieces in one go.
Their first drafts are rubbish. Yours will be too. The trick is to let it all go. Adopt a playful attitude, get messy and put it on paper.
It’s supposed to be trash.
Get inspired by your imagination. Fill it with your emotions. Let your experiences direct you. Write this draft without rules, inhibitions, or restrictions.
You’ll clean it up later.
… the first draft is the down draft — you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft — you fix it up … And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth to see if it’s loose, cramped, decayed, or even, God help us, healthy (Lamott, 1995, p. 96).
This releases the stress of getting it right on your first attempt.
(inspired by Lamott, 1995)
5. Make it shine
Here’s the secret sauce.
Edit the content and structure, and focus on its style and presentation. Shape it into a piece that’s relevant, logical, clear, and pleasant. Make it reach its full potential.
This helps your audience enjoy your writing.
(inspired by Raja, n.d.)
6. Press publish
Perfectionists aim to appear, feel, and be perfect.
They fear failure, procrastinate, focus only on results, are overly critical, and set unrealistic standards. One or all of these can prevent you from publishing a blog post.
Pressing publish puts your writing out there. Others can now see it, read it, benefit from it and judge it. And that’s a great thing.
Your audience can’t give you feedback on your writing if you don’t publish it.
(inspired by Scott, 2023)
7. Listen to feedback
I work part-time as a counsellor.
Despite popular opinion, therapists can’t read minds. We need feedback to serve our clients well. The same is true for bloggers.
Feedback helps us know what’s working and what isn’t.
Please contact me with your comments, feedback, questions, and suggestions. I want to hear from you — even if it’s to say you hate my content.
I promise I won’t hide in the toilet and cry about it.
8. Repeat the process
Use the feedback to write what people want more of.
But don’t stop there. Keep writing about what you originally wanted to as well. People are searching online for credible sources of information in particular categories. Become one by being there for them, day in and day out.
I can do this by increasing my output from every week to every single day.
(inspired by Cole, 2020).
Your turn
Writer’s block is inevitable.
That blinking cursor loves to mock us. I’ve shared how I tackle it. Now it’s your turn.
Send me the link to your blog — I’d love to read it.
References
Cole, N. (2021, October 5.) 1 simple exercise to defeat writer’s block forever [YouTube]. link
Cole, N. (2020). The art and business of online writing: How to beat the game of capturing and keeping attention. DiFf. link
Lamott, A. (1995). Bird by bird: Some instructions on writing and life. Knopf Doubleday. link
Malik, O. (2016, March 26). How to write a good blog post. link
Milligan, J. (2023, April 27). How to write a blog post: The ultimate guide. Blogging Your Passion. link
Raja, S. (n.d.). Editing mastery: How to edit writing to perfection. Shani Raja. link
Scott, E. (2023, February 27). Perfectionism: 10 signs of perfectionist traits. verywellmind link
Wilson, P. (1997). Calm at work: Breeze through your day feeling calm, relaxed and in control. Penguin. link