Before I started blogging I used to read interviews with creative ‘types’ with interest and wonder how they came up with new ideas constantly. The most often spoken line has to be ‘I find inspiration all around me,‘ and it often left me thinking, but ‘Where?’
Three years down the line and thousands of posts later, I truly understand what they mean and find ideas for blog posts, colour, style and living in everything I do. However as every blogger knows sometimes it just doesn’t happen and you’re sat staring at the computer screen with a deadline approaching and nothing springing to mind. Here are my tips for breaking through bloggers block and keeping your content as strong as ever.
1. First and foremost, get away from your desk. Blogging is addictive and it’s easy to plug away in front of the screen but I find my biggest inspiration comes when I’m out and actually living my life. I wander the shops for fashion trends, flick through magazines for design tips and broader themes like current styles and colour palettes.
An inspirational Office space, taken from my post ‘Naked Ambition‘
2. Read other blogs. This is a tricky one and can be a huge timewaster. Not a tip for when you’re on a deadline as it’s easy to get lost blog-hopping. This is like an online version of tip 1, as the things you see online may inspire you. Spot a ‘What I Wore’ style floral jacket? Round them up from the high street. Is there a holiday (like Mother’s Day) coming up that you forgot and can blog about? Read something that got you fired up? Talk about it. Reading on blogs you wouldn’t normally is often an eye opener and gets you thinking too.
The Florence Finds Manchester Afternoon Tea
3. Meet other bloggers. Arrange a tweet up of local bloggers or people you converse with on twitter. Think about if you can collaborate or guest post for each other. Meeting other people who are as passionate about their ideas as you are is bound to be inspiring – just look at Michelle and I!
4. Plan ahead. I tend to find I’ll think of tons of things to write about at once, so write them down before you forget. You might find when you come back to the list that you don’t want to write about it any more or it’s not right for some reason, but the type and style of posts might transfer to a different subject and you can use the idea as a starting point.
What to Wear posts, all taken on my recent holiday in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
5. Work in bulk. Sometimes you might have an occasion that gives you lots of creative opportunities or a period of free time. Make the most of them. For example, on holiday I naturally pay more attention to what I’m wearing and might take photos of my outfits every day then store them up to use in weeks to come. If you’re planning a party, think about photographing each dish and spreading them out, or if you’re going to a networking event, how about covering it in sections for multiple posts? Just make sure there’s enough variety and different themes so it doesn’t get repetitive.
I’d love to hear how you stay inspired, whether you’re a non-blogger planning a home renovation project or a small business owner with creative muscle to flex. What inspires you and how do you keep your ideas fresh?
Love,
Rebecca
xo
Other blog posts in the ‘Blogging Laid Bare‘ series:
I forgot to mention yesterday I also love your blogging tips! It’s really hard to find quality information on the internet as there’s so much out there so it’s great when it comes from a reliable source
x
Thanks Laura!
This is really helpful, thanks Rebecca!
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