Does Your Blog Need Some Viagra?

Have you ever sat down at your computer with the intention of writing your next masterpiece of blogging wisdom only to come up blank? Couldn’t perform? Cracked under the pressure? Don’t sweat it…everyone has and you are not alone.

I am writing this article to give you a bit of blogging “viagra” so the next time you can’t get it done, maybe you can reference my list to help you through it.

First off, everyone, and I mean everyone struggles with this but everyone handles it differently. Recognize the fact that this doesn’t make you a bad blogger and it doesn’t signal the end of your blogging career. It’s a common malady from the A-Listers like JohnCow all the way to the D-listers like us who are just starting out.

Some will advise that if you suffer from writers block that you should take a break, go on vacation or simply get away from the keyboard for a few days but that can come with a price. You may come back refreshed and ready to write only to find that your readers may have abandoned you. Blogging success requires some degree of momentum to build your readership, and a vacation may blow off some of the steam you acquired before leaving.

Don’t fret though as we will give you some ideas maybe that can help you over the rough patch. Blogging Viagra…for when you can’t seem to get it done.

• Write a list. Bloggers everywhere LOVE lists. Lists provide an endless supply of material and they are easy to write. You can do Top 10 Plugins, Top20 Reasons, Top 5 Wordpress themes, Top 10 ways to Make Money you name it and it can be made into a list. Easy stuff and perfect for a bound up writer needing some juice.

• Review Something. Write a Blog, Product or Site Review. Review your favorite blog or review a book or product that you think your readers might enjoy. I know since I took up blogging regularly that I rarely find the time to read a printed book so this could also give you a bit of relaxation time as well. It couldn’t be easier unless I wrote it for you.

• Write a Summary of the posts that you read this week on other blogs, at least the good ones. Daily Blog Tips is a master at this and often writes a summation of other blogs that they read this week.

• Link Love posts. Write a post showing some link love to some your favorite bloggers. Maybe a list of your favorites and not so favorites with a link to the blog or site that you want your readers to see. Bloggers don’t do enough of these as they are too afraid that someone else’s blog might be better than their own. They’re afraid the readers won’t return or some other little sissy excuse they might have. Show some link love…it will be returned eventually. I know if you link to me that I will return the favor. I am only sporting a PR2 right now but PR5 predicted. (hint hint)

• Rewrite your About Page. Sure it might not be “can’t put it down” kind of material but surprisingly a lot of readers check out your about page and it can give you some credibility. If you write a post about it after completing it then so much the better, a two for one special. I know I need to rewrite mine, it’s awful.

• Goals List. Ok a Goals list might fall under the “list” category but your goals shouldn’t be the same as a Top 10 Plugins type post. What are you trying to accomplish both personally and professionally? How are you going to get there? A chance for you to bare your soul to your readers or admit that you are simply trying to fleece them out of their money. Your choice and depends on the kind of blog you have….I won’t name names but you’ve read them.

• Progress Report. If you do have clearly defined goals, how are you doing on them? Are you a Make Money Online blog, then you already know everyone loves reading income reports. Shoe’s famous Adsense check keeps people going back to his blog daily, despite the fact that he doesn’t share an ounce of how he does it. Consider your own Progress report….even if your goal isn’t to Make Money with your blog.

• Rant Post. Everyone loves controversy….write a post dogging your neighbor, your fellow blogger, a website, your job whatever strikes your fancy. Just remember that karma is a bitch so be careful who you put in your sights because it could come back to bite you. That said…bloggers love drama so fire it up.

• Picture Post. What’s that old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words? Funny pictures are even better and they make great linkbait. Icanhascheezburger is a master at funny pictures and people everywhere use his/her pictures. Funny pictures are all over the net, find some of your favorites and post em up.

• Guest Poster. A lot of bloggers collaborate with their peers and allow guest bloggers on their blog. Obviously you would want someone with a writing style similar to the theme of your blog and make sure the material is appropriate but I would highly encourage guest posting. I haven’t done this yet on my own blog but I am open to it. Your guest blogger gets exposure and a back link and you get a free post.

That’s it. My little blue pill for your blog has nothing left to offer. If you can’t find post material out of this list then you might actually need to take a few days off and see what happens when you come back. It’s probably that the world won’t end, the blog will still be there and you will be refreshed and ready to tear it up.

These are my ideas….what are yours?