Is Content Creation your Favorite part of Blogging? Do you love writing all day, every day?
If you didn't answer “YES!!!” to both of these questions, then you may be thinking that blogging just isn't for you. After all, if the thought of writing all day scares you, like it does many people, you might think that there is no way that you can create a successful blog. Content creation is critical to your success, but if you think that means writing all the time….
Today, I want to Blast that LIE right out of your Brain Forever!!!
Sadly, belief in this lie stops many great people from sharing their ideas with the world.
Let's face it, you don't have to WRITE your blog posts in order to have an amazing blog. Although written posts are a good thing to have, there are tons of people out there running successful blogs, with little or no writing at all.
Your blog is about content. You have to have it in order to be successful. But you don't have to be typing away all the time in order to create really amazing blog content. Today, I want to explore content creation a bit deeper than just writing articles, which I frankly get bored with, and explore new ways to create blog content that doesn't leave your fingers an aching mess.
What is Your Favorite Way to Express Yourself?
Before you dive into content creation for your blog, think about what kind of content you want. Your goal with content creation should be to find a way to express yourself doing something that you enjoy. Otherwise, all you are doing is creating a JOB for yourself, which frankly SUCKS!!!
Instead, find your own expression, and share it with the world. If you can't find a way that is already popular, CREATE your own form of expression, and see how people react to it. Today, I will explore a few forms of content that are already wildly popular in the blogoshere, and some tips that you can use to start creating your own content strategy today.
Pictures Are Still Worth 500 Words
This economic depression sucks. Even pictures aren't worth what they used to be. But, there are loads of photo blogs that express themselves by sharing photos that they have taken.
Even ProBlogger's Darren Rowse runs a digital photography blog, where he teaches how to improve your photography skills, and he is one of the biggest and best bloggers in the business.
IF you love photography, you could share some of your best work, taking pictures and sharing them on your site. Perhaps you write one or two paragraphs describing the picture, which is a lot easier than writing a full article.
You can even share OTHER PEOPLE's photos (with proper permission and credit of course).
Video Blogging Is On the Rise
If you have lots to say, but just can't seem to get it on paper, video blogging is a viable option as well. You can use screen capture software or a video camera, and record yourself saying whatever you want to say. I have recently done a lot of video blogging myself, and you can even check out my video marketing strategy, which is a great way to brand your business.
Here is an example from one of my recent videos on YouTube about networking with influencers in your life…
This is part of an 18 part video blog post serries that I am doing right now on my personal development blog. So far I have 3/18 videos posted. Just started it this week, but the reactions are starting to look good.
Podcasting Your Way to Successful Content Creation
So, maybe you have lots to say, but you are a little camera shy, or don't have a decent camera. Don't worry, I know just how you feel. I know LOADS of camera shy people who still manage to not wear away their fingers by typing articles all day.
Content Creation is still possible for you!
Well, another option is Podcasting. In fact, I recently got into podcasting, and Ms. Ileane has tons of great tips on Podcasting here! I have been following them myself, and she has done an amazing job getting the word out on how to do podcasting effectively.
You can talk your audiences ears off, and share tons of value with simple recordings. Audio is really popular and is an easy form of content creation, that you can master pretty easily. You can even start with loads of free sites and recording software, although you might need to make an investment in a microphone (I got mine for $15, shipping included on Amazon).
Run a Community Blog
There are tons of really great community blogs within the IM niche, all of which have loads of great authors contributing articles, without the blog owner having to do much writing themselves. These are always looking for new authors, and they build loads of content, and a huge following. Even Basic Blog Tips is quickly becoming a community blog with more posts from guests than from Ms. Ileane, and they are generally great posts shared by some really smart marketers. Ileane doesn't have to spend all her time on content creation for this blog. Instead, she can focus on doing other things like guest posting, and networking with other bloggers.
But, guess what?
There aren't that many outside of this niche. You could be the first.
Get out and start putting together a community blog for your niche. There are tons of advantages to allowing guest posts on your blog besides not having to write them all yourself! Find people to start guest posting, and build up a following. Then, you can focus on site promotion rather than content creation, while other people beg you for the chance to share with your community. It's a win-win-win situation.
You win by not having to create content, but still having an awesome blog, the guests win by having a place to submit their articles, in exchange for a backlink or two, and most importantly, the customers win by finding great information time and time again.
Find Your Own Unique Voice
Don't limit your content creation to just writing articles, and don't try to do it all alone. Get out there and find your own voice within the niche. Creating blog posts shouldn't be a trial. It should be fun and enjoyable for both you and your blog following. Network with other people, and take full advantage of the opportunities that you have. You can do whatever you set your mind to doing, and achieve all of your dreams!
How have you created content for your blog besides slapping together articles? Share your ideas and experiences with different content creation tactics in the comments below. Questions are welcome too….:)