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Creating content you love is the heart of your blog, the thing that keeps people coming back time and time again and the reason you created your blog in the first place. But creative inspiration isn’t constant and it certainly isn’t linear and there will be times where you can’t write new content for a bunch of reasons. It’d be impossible for us to be creative 24/7. But that doesn’t mean blog growth has to stop! Here’s how to grow your blog even when you’re not creating new content.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Blogging isn’t all about the content creation. A heck of a lot goes on behind the scenes of a blog which arguably is the most common misconception that “non-bloggers” have about our industry. They only see the final product – the perfectly posed and edited Insta shot or the immaculately crafted blog post but blogging is a wormhole of behind the scenes activities which help bring those end results into fruition.
Related: What I Wish Non-Bloggers Knew About Blogging
Want to know how to grow your blog without producing new content? Here are some tips!
Brainstorm new ideas
If you’re not in the place (or the mood) to actually write new content, brainstorming new ideas for future content is a great way to keep yourself productive and moving forward. Think about the time of year you’re in, can you do any topical posts around that? What’s going on in the world right now? Do you have a opinion on that you can turn into an opinion piece? Have you just tried some amazing new skincare that you can review?
Related:
- 25 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers
- Spring Themed Blog Post Ideas
- Christmas Blog Post Ideas
- How To Think of Blog Post Ideas
Update your socials
Another main aspect of blogging is social media and making sure all your social platforms are up to scratch and the best they can possibly be is a great way to help you stay on top of the more ‘mundane’ side of blogging when you can’t actively create new content. Are you keeping it consistent across all your platforms? Is your email address noticeable in your profiles so brands can reach you? Have you responded to your tweets or Instagram comments?
Reply to blog comments
It’s very easy to let blog comments get on top of us to the point where it seems like such an impossible and daunting task that we just leave it and hope nobody notices. Now the comment police aren’t going to come and get you if you don’t reply to your blog comments but it’s always nice to take the time to thank those who are taking their own time to comment on your work.
Related: How To Get More Comments On Your Blog Posts
Grow your blog by scheduling your social content
Arguably the most boring and painstaking aspect of blogging but it really does have an impact on blog views and how to grow your blog so it’s worth just sucking it up and getting it done. I use Buffer to schedule my own blog tweets, Tailwind for Pins and if you have a Facebook page for your blog, you can simply schedule a post for the future instead of posting it now. If you’re not actively creating new content right now, scheduling your old posts in a new exciting way might gain you new viewers who weren’t around when that post actually went live and keeps things interesting.
Recommended: Viral Pinterest Templates
Take photos / create graphics
If you’re not feeling writing new content right now, then maybe now would be a good time to up your photography or graphics game.Take photos in bulk – flay lays, product photos, photos of you – and get them edited and stored away ready to add to your new content when it’s created. You never know, taking photos might also give you some inspiration on what to write about. You could also hop on Canva and start creating some cute graphics for your posts too.
Make a plan
When I’m not feeling the writing part, something I always find myself leaning towards is goal setting and making plans. I’m a very goal oriented person and I like always moving forward and progressing and an important thing to remember is that just because you’re not actively creating new content, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not moving forward. Having a break to really figure out what you and your blog are all about, what topics you’re really passionate about and refining your skills in other areas, might just be the thing that helps you progress further.
So sit down and think about what you want from blogging and your blog. How you feel about it right now and how you’d like to feel about it. Where would you like to be in a years time? 5 years? Even 10, if we’re getting brave? What do you want to improve? What new skills do you want to learn? And most importantly, what steps are you going to take to achieve these things? A huge ‘behind the scenes’ element of blogging we can work on, is ourselves. So use this time wisely!
Brilliant advice, Jenny! Clear and insightful tips, especially when writing posts is only a small part of blogging. Thanks for sharing such great advice! 😀
Thank you 😌 It certainly is, there’s SO much to think about!
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Great post Jenny. 🙂
I’ve been focusing a lot more on my goals recently and am excited for the start of 2019.
I hope you’re having fun this holiday season, Dax. x
Thank you 😌 Best of luck to you in 2019!
Thanks for the tips! I am just beginning and have a lot to learn. https://takealeap.blog
These are some great ideas Jenny. When I’m brainstorming ideas, I always create a draft post in WordPress with some notes, some of them do get binned but a lot turn into posts. At the moment I’ve been responding to blog comments and creating graphics in Canva.
Sounds like a good idea 😌
I try to always brainstorm and jot down ideas or I forget them. It’s so useful to go back to the list regularly x
Definitely! Even if you don’t want to use an idea immediately 😌
These are great things to do! 😄 When I’m not writing a blog post I’m normally reading other blogger’s posts & replying to comments. I also plan what my next posts are going to be.
Sounds good to me!
I feel like I’m always planning something. I try to schedule my tweets when I’m lacking motivation to do other things. I’m forever behind at replying to comments 🤦♀️ it’s a constant goal to get back to them and I’m forever failing at it x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Once you get there, it’ll be easier to stay there but it can be such a daunting task I agree!
Thanks for the tips. I need to try and reply to my comments xx
Would definitely recommend x
I’ve been working on comments and Pinterest lately and I really feel it’s naki g a difference.
That’s great 😌
Such an interesting and helpful post!! Thank you x
You’re welcome 😌
This is such a helpful post.
I always have a stash of ideas listed down for when the dreaded bloggers block strikes
http://littlemissmelanie.com
Always a smart idea!
If I’m not creating content I’m normally taking photo’s for Instagram! Scheduling tweets are so time consuming but they definitely help with stats.
Samantha | https://believeinamiracle.co.uk
They really do – it’s a shame it’s such a boring task haha!
Good reminders, especially as we head into a busy holiday season and the new year.
Definitely 😌
All of these a great tips. I’m not sure if I will ever get better at graphics.
Neither will I – I’m pretty rubbish at them!
Thanks for the suggestions! I am new to blogging so these will definitely be helpful especially when hitting those times where the kids are sick, I’m sick or just in a bit of a rut.
Absolutely! Life always gets in the way in one way shape or form!
Great advice! I find it is so important to take a break from creating content if you need to (I’m actually doing that now, took a week off because of stress and things going on) but you’re so right, there’s so much more to blogging than just writing content. Even though I’m not writing blog posts at the moment I make sure I’m still active on social media’s and brainstorming for future ideas is great!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Definitely important! Worst thing you can do is force yourself to write posts when you don’t really want to 😌
This is such a useful list of suggestions. I’ve been very underwhelmed by my Instagram & blog right now and come to the New Year I want to switch up a few things, so your suggestions are great. Thanks so much for sharing them! 🙂
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip
Awh I’m sorry to hear that but I hope you find some inspiration!
this is basically me these past 2 months.Ive been hardly active at all, just writing to stay consistent and not truly putting my heart into blogging, and these are exactly all the things I did while I was semi-absent!love this post!
Thank you 😌
Scheduling tweets is the bane of my life, but it works!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Same girl 😂😂
I was so excited when I saw you tweet this out earlier, and you did not disappoint! I love brainstorming & jotting down post ideas, even if I’m not in a position to start writing them up. Taking flatlays & editing them is also another element that I really enjoy. I’ve been so bad with scheduling tweets recently, but this was a great reminder to do so! Thank you for all of these fabulous tips x
twinklexthoughts.blogspot.com
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it 😌
Hi! I have not blogged in over a year. I never thought to schedule an old post like “mind has been blown”. Thank you!
Absolutely!
Great post Jenny! I reply to comments during my blogging breaks but I rarely do anything else. I hope I can do better next year! 😅
Taiwo xx
Hope this has inspired you! 😌
This is a very useful post, I’m definitely one to make plans when I’m not feeling too productive and Pinterest is good too! x
Pinterest is always fun 😌
AHHH. I definitely needed this! I’ve definitely neglected my blog recently and feel as if I’ve lost my touch… maybe this will help spice things up again! Thanks for sharing!
☼ cabin twenty-four
I hope so! I just commented on your latest post and have fallen in love with your blog actually!
I love this! There’s so many helpful tips here. I especially love the idea of taking pictures when you’re out of inspiration. As a book blogger, that can be super helpful because while looking for books to take pictures of, one of the books may remind me of something and inspire me to write about it! 🙂
Absolutely! And you’ll have loads of pretty photos for Instagram 😌
I need to start scheduling tweets again x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Absolutely – it’s so boring but it works.
Great post! I’m at the point where I’m needing to fill those moments where I’m not content building – this was the perfect post for me tonight!
Thank you! So glad you’ve found it helpful 😌
I felt a lot of my November posts were a bit meh! So I challenged myselft to Blogmas! Daily Christmas history posts . . . it definitely is a challenge but it’s given me renewed energy for my blog! 🙂
That’s amazing that you’ve found the energy and love for it again! 😌
I think it’s called stubborness! Haha!
These are such great tips!
Thank you 😌
Now that I have a break from school I can’t wait to put more posts together, and this is a great idea.
Have fun! 😌
This list is a great reminder of the other things you need to do as a blogger. I often forget to update my NetGalley bio … the shame …
Oh no! I don’t use NetGalley anymore tbh, I don’t even know what my bio is!
There’s a great list of tips here Jenny. I need to reply to blog comments more often, it’s something that is easily forgotten. I am definitely going to set a plan for my blog in 2019.
Eve | http://www.evemorganinteriors.com
It definitely is, it’s a huge task though so it’s understandable that it can get too much sometimes!
These are all great suggestions! I should defo spend more time replying to blog comments! and update my social media, or even engage more with people i follow!
It definitely wouldn’t hurt to do so 😌 Interaction is never a bad thing!
These are great suggestions Jenny! There is always so much that goes on behind the scenes when you are a blogger. I’m looking forward to sitting down with a notebook soon to brainstorm and plan some ideas for 2019. Sometimes it is good to have a break from content creating and take some time out to feel inspired again. Fab post as always! <3 xxx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Absolutely! I don’t really have much scheduled for the rest of this year so I’m looking forward to that break and focusing on 2019 😚 xxx
Great ideas! I update my bookstagram begrudgingly, but I definitely enjoy planning and taking more photos when I’m in a blogging slump. And I go and read other people’s blogs, to see if that sparks an idea 🙂
Reading other blogs can really really help I agree! 😌
Love these idea’s babe, you always have the best advice, I really think some people are going to find this post so helpful! 💜✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
Thank you 😌
A big yes to all of these, such brilliant tips! I definitely have times where writing a blog post is the last thing I want to do so I try to do other little bits behind the scenes – just making sure I’m on top of scheduling tweets, replying to comments etc. It makes me feel productive and I’m still technically working on my blog but just doing the things that can sometimes get forgotten about. Such a helpful post 🙂 xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Exactly! Thank you 😌
Wonderful tops and ideas as always!
Thank you 😌
Love this Jenny! I think it’s so easy to get caught up on the content creation hamster wheel that taking time out to focus on areas like this get lost. I’m looking forward to a break later this month and to finally install and customise a new theme I bought back in October (!). Blogmin is a chore but sometimes it’s just what you need to get re-enthused and spark off new ideas. Thank you for sharing your tips 🙂 xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Totally agree! I don’t have any of my own posts up again until the last few day of the year so I’m totally focused on next year and doing all the “boring” stuff too! It’s so important 😌 And taking a break is equally important!
Thank you for sharing this! I always appreciate veteran bloggers sharing their wisdom and helping us newbies out.
Thank you 😌 You’re very welcome, always happy to help where I can.
These are such good tips, thanks for sharing lovely! I’m always forgetting to take photographs and often have a mad dash trying to get some photographs together for a post! Thank you for reminding people that it’s also okay not to post 365 days out of the year, breaks are so so important sometimes. x
They really are and pushing yourself until you crack just isn’t worth it 😌
Great post- there’s always so much to be doing!
There definitely is! It’s never ending!
Such great tips and advice, certainly ones I’m going to implement on mine x
Thank you 😌 Glad you found them useful!