{Keep Calm and Blog On}

Can you believe it’s already Friday?? It feels like this week just flew by! I had an absolutely wonderful week, I really am starting to feel as if my hard work is paying off in my job sector. The most common phrase this week for me is “good karma.” I’ve caught myself saying it to everyone from friends on gchat to complete strangers. I truly believe what goes around comes around, which brings us to today’s topic.

I’ve received tweets and emails from readers who are interested in starting a blog or already have a blog but are stuck in creating content. Trust me, running a blog is a full time job you do on the side. To get an idea of my views on blogging, I’ll start from the beginning. In mid-May 2011, I was at home for a month before I went back to DC to start an internship. I love to write but most of my writing was on very serious topics and I wanted a lighter, more creative outlet. I imagined what I would call my blog if I created one and dug into “my personal brand” (my inner marketing nerd loves personal branding). Suddenly, “DC Girl in Pearls” popped into my head and it was a done deal. I opened my WordPress account right then and “DC Girl in Pearls” was born!

I also struggled with creating content because I didn’t go into blogging with a clear vision or any kind of plan. I knew I needed this outlet for myself and I needed it ASAP. So I went for it! If you look at my very first posts, you’ll notice the topics are sort of random and I didn’t post regularly or on a schedule. I look back now and cringe! After a month or so, I realized I had developed a serious love affair with blogging and I needed to get organized or my baby would fall apart. Yes, I refer to my blog as my baby. I developed this strategy for creating content:

1. “What is your blog’s brand?” Brainstorm

When I decided to “get serious,” I pulled out my trusty legal pad and started brainstorming about what I like, what I love and what I want to write/read. Remember, as awesome as it is to have readers (especially when they are as sweet as all of you!!), your blog should primarily be for yourself. On my list, I put monograms and cocktails: {Monogram Monday} and {Thirsty Thursday} came from that brainstorm! I also have a penchant for alliterations so it worked out beautifully. Once you have a list of at least 10 topics, you are already in good shape and on your way to creating the content you want! This list is a constant “work in progress” and I am continuously adding to it as ideas come to me.

2. Inspiration Is Everywhere

When you first start a blog, coming up with creative content and even finding your voice can be intimidating. However, you are in luck because creative content is all over! You just need to tap into your imagination. Remember the list you made about your blog’s brand and things you love? Draw from that list and write for yourself. Content can be found in the least likely places for me: an overheard conversation on the bus, someone’s fantastic outfit you see in the grocery store, a fun quote you find on Pinterest…the possibilities are endless. Is this a topic you would enjoy reading about? Then go for it! The inspiration for Wednesday’s post {The Tortoise & The Navy} came from this painting I saw at Sterling & Burke Ltd in Georgetown on Fashion’s Night Out.

It’s not the best picture but the main colors are navy & brown. My stream of conscious when I saw this painting: Wow, what a beautiful painting…I love how classic this is…Navy…Brown…I do love my tortoise shell accessories…NAVY & TORTOISE SHELL!!

And voila, a post was inspired!

3. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

Step 3 and Step 4 can be flip flopped according to your personal preferences. At the start of every month, I create a mini calendar in a Word doc with dates and the topic I want to write about on that day. Sometimes, I just have a general idea of what I would like to talk about and other posts I am very inspired to write so I have more detailed notes on that date. Here is my calendar for this week’s posts:

It’s nothing fancy but it works for me to keep everything organized and double check to make sure all my posts are fresh. If you are really suffering from writer’s block (been there, done that, still get it), focus on aspects of the current season or even go onto sites such as Pinterest for inspiration.

3. Just Write

Blogging requires several drafts before I hit “Schedule.” Once I settle on a topic, I sit down and write up a storm on a Word doc. I take a mini break to just walk away from it and then come back to the post with a fresh perspective. I edit it, delete some lines and add some others. I might rearrange the order or sometimes (rarely) I keep it as is. Sometimes, I will be out and about in DC without my laptop and inspiration hits me…so I type as many notes as I can on my iPhone or scribble on a Post It to add to a post later. After several drafts when I am completely happy with my post, I hit done.

I find writing blog posts to be therapeutic and relaxing so writing is usually a Saturday or Sunday morning, afternoon activity. I’ll set up shop at my dining table, my couch, a local Starbucks or bookstore. I like to switch up writing areas to keep my brain from getting into a lull so find where you work best and hunker down! I will put on my Pandora and even play an old episode of Will & Grace or Sex & the City as background noise, pop in my head phones and go to work. It’s not work if you are doing what you love and I love my blog!!

Also, this is the system that works for me but I had to experiment with several systems before I found one that really works for me. So to quote Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!!”

I am really glad I was asked to do this post and it could not have come at a more perfect time. My blog will turn 1 year and 4 months tomorrow and as I edit this on Thursday morning, I am 240 page views away from hitting the big 50,000 Overall Page Views!!! I love my blog and my lovely readers and I am so so so excited to hit this milestone.

The most important takeaway from this post is that no matter how bad your writer’s block is and how frustrated you feel, it’s important to push through so…