If you’ve ever found yourself in a blogging slump, you know that writing blog posts can be like pulling teeth.
When I’m feeling less than inspired to sit down and write, I find other ways to be a productive blogger.
In this post, I’m sharing 17 ways to be productive when you don’t feel like blogging.
1. Redesign Your Blog
You don’t have to be a web designer to give your blog a new look. There is an abundance of WordPress themes available to help you freshen things up.
If you don’t want a complete redesign, you can change up your logo, colors, or graphics.
Themes
For WordPress themes, I recommend my feminine WordPress themes for bloggers. My themes allow you to change your layout, colors, and fonts all within the theme customizer.
Logo
If you’re interested in changing your logo, DesignBundles has a large selection of premade logos that you can edit with your blog name. They have free logo sets available too, so make sure you check those out.
2. Update Your About Page
I’ll be the first to admit that my about page could use some updating.
Take a few minutes to update your photos and text. If you don’t already have a call-to-action, make sure your include one on your about page.
Your call-to-action can be an opt-in to your newsletter, free email course, etc.
3. Update Other Important Pages
If you have a portfolio, shop page, sales page, etc. make sure everything is fresh and up to date.
You can do this by changing up your images, or updating your copy.
Additionally, make sure your blog has a privacy policy and terms and conditions page. I recommend The Contract Shop for attorney-approved templates.
4. Make Sure Your Old Blog Posts Are SEO Friendly
I go over how to ensure your content is SEO friendly in my post, SEO for Beginners.
You can get a headstart on SEO by installing the Yoast SEO for WordPress plugin.
5. Fix Broken Links
A broken link happens when a link is pointing to a page that is no longer there. This page could have been deleted or moved to a new location.
Because broken links can negatively impact the user experience on your blog, use an online broken link checker to find and update broken links.
6. Keep Everything Updated
For the health of your blog, it’s essential that you keep your theme and plugins updated.
Updates are created to enhance the functionality of WordPress and your plugins, as well as to patch any security holes within your installation.
Along with keeping things updated, you should:
- Change your password monthly and use multi-factor authentification
- Make sure you’re using a security plugin
- Backup your blog regularly
You can learn more about protecting your blog by reading How to Protect Your WordPress Blog from Hackers.
7. Update Your Bio’s on Social Media
Ensure that your social media profile bios reflect the most recent version of your blog and try to keep them consistent across every platform.
You can also include a link to your opt-in instead of directing people to your blog’s homepage.
8. Make New Pinterest Images
We all know that Pinterest likes fresh content. However, did you know that you don’t have to constantly crank out new blog posts in order to have fresh content?
Every time you pin a completely new image to Pinterest, it’s considered new content.
Take some time to create new Pinterest-friendly images for your old blog posts and upload them to Pinterest.
9. Clean Up Your Browser Bookmarks
I know I’m not the only one with tons of bookmarks in my browser. Once in awhile I like to go through my bookmarks and delete the ones I no longer need.
10. Interlink Your Old Blog Posts
Interlinking is when you place relevant links to your published blog posts within the post you’re working on.
I love interlinking because it’s a great way to put eyes on your other content. It’s also an excellent way to keep readers on your blog.
11. Bookkeeping
Make sure you’re keeping track of your blogging income and expenses. You can use software like FreshBooks, Quickbooks, or Godaddy Bookkeeping.
12. Clean Up Your Inbox
Many bloggers struggle with keeping their inbox clean. Block out time to read and respond to emails, organize your inbox, and unsubscribe from emails you no longer want to receive.
Use Unroll.me to easily unsubscribe from newsletters.
13. Update the Information in Your Old Blog Posts
Did you write a “how-to” that’s now outdated? Or maybe there’s more you can add to your post to make it more helpful to your readers?
Updating or adding more information to your old blog posts is one of the best ways to refresh your content.
14. Jot Down Blog Post Ideas
You may not be in the mood to write blog posts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make sure you have plenty of fresh content ideas once you’re ready to write again.
You can write down ideas for how-to posts, checklist posts, problem and solution posts, round-up posts and more.
15. Clean Up Your Computer Folders
If your computer desktop is covered in folders, documents, photos, and more, it’s time to get rid of what you no longer need.
Take some time to create a folder system that works best for you and your business.
16. Clean Up Your Workspace
If your workspace is cluttered or covered in paperwork, coffee cups, books, and other stuff—clean it up.
A clean workspace is a happy and productive workspace.
17. Take a Blogging Course
Are there aspects of blogging that you want to know more about? Take a blogging course to further expand your knowledge.
Some of my favorite blogging courses are:
1. Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing – everything you need to know about affiliate marketing.
2. The Secret Sauce to Skyrocketing Your Blog Traffic – learn how to increase your traffic.
3. Making Sense of Sponsored Posts – teaches you how to make money with sponsored posts.
When you don’t feel like blogging, it can feel like you’ll never write again. But time will pass, and eventually, you’ll feel inspired to get back to blogging.
In the meantime, complete the activities from this list if you want to stay productive when you don’t feel like blogging.