So you’ve started a blog and are super motivated to do ALL THE THINGS. But after a while – whether that’s a couple of weeks, a couple of months or years – you feel that initial creativity dwindling. We’ve all been there – I certainly have. How to stay creative with your blog is something a lot of us have to learn as we go along and change up as we see fit.
Creativity can definitely come in waves and so many things can impact it. Things going on in your personal life, being too busy, change, finances – the list is endless. Blogging is a creative outlet – like painting, poetry or making music. And whilst it’s also a business for some people, I think all bloggers need a creative flare to keep their blogs fresh and exciting.
Can you imagine how boring everyone’s blog’s would be if they didn’t?
You’ve seen these incredible Instagram accounts with so much creativity behind them. These people often upload multiple times a week (sometimes every day) so those creative juices need to keep flowing in order to continually produce creative content for their, sometimes hundreds of, thousand of followers.
And the same goes for blogging. Whether you blog as a hobby or as a job, you want people to read your blog (and don’t say you don’t, cos you’re lying). If all product reviews went like;
“Today I am reviewing this palette. First of all, I like the packaging. Secondly, I like the colours”.
Blogging would be a dead in a hot second because nobody would be reading them. It’s the creativity of the bloggers within that has this industry BOOMING right now even when we’re writing about popular blog ideas. And there’s always room to get even more creative, try new things and try and take this industry by surprise. It’s only going to grow baby.
So if you struggle with the creativity of blogging, don’t sweat it, I got your back. We’ve all been there. Here are some simple tips for how to stay creative with your blog!
How to stay creative with your blog:
Follow and interact with other creators
So speaking of other influencers, following and interacting with all the creators you love and who’s content you read is a sure fire way of helping you stay creative. With so much creativity flowing everywhere you look, it’s impossible not to be inspired.
Blogging should be a social thing – whatever your intentions are for starting a blog in the first place. And I believe that you get out what you put in. So you absolutely cannot isolate yourself and not interact with people because hey, guess what? They won’t interact with you either.
Related read: How To Get More Comments On Your Blog Posts
Stay organzied
There’s nothing that kills my creativity more than being un-organized and not knowing what I’m doing or where anything is. So something that might seem a little irrelevant to creativity but something that really does have an impact is your organizational skills.
When we’re blogging and have an idea (or a partial idea) all we want to do is get it DONE and out of our heads. Without skirting around all the disorganization before we can do that. Don’t leave things until the last minute. Keep your photos and files in order. Keep a blogging journal / diary / calendar. Organization is COOL.
Related read: 7 Office Organization Tips For Bloggers
Take inspiration from others that offer it
And by this I don’t mean just straight up copy them. There’s plenty of bloggers out there who provide help and inspiration for others, so if you’re lacking in creativity, seek out those sort of posts and take from them what you need. They’ve been created for a reason. You can find a heap of them on Pinterest.
I also have a few posts with various blog post ideas that you’re welcome to use if you need some help on how to get creative with your blog:
- Blog Post Ideas For Bloggers Who Blog About Blogging
- 25 Bookish Blog Post Ideas
- Christmas Blog Post Ideas
- 25 Autumn Blog Post Ideas
- 25 Spring and Summer Blog Post Ideas
Think outside the box
Nobody wants to read carbon copies of the same content over and over again. Different is GOOD. Different will get you noticed, different will help you stand out and get more views. Thinking outside the box is a great way for how to get creative with your blog and find inspiration on a more permanent basis.
How can you approach a topic that’s been done before but in a fresh and unique way? How can you review a product differently to anyone else? What can you write about that you’ve not seen anyone write about before? Don’t set yourself a narrow view of what sort of content you should be producing.
Related read: How To Write A Great Blog Post People Will Read
Note down ALL blog post ideas – even if they’re crap
This is something I’ve always done and it’s always given me something to fall back on if I find my creativity is on the floor. On your phone notes, in a notebook or the back of a napkin – just write your ideas down! Even if they’re absolutely crap and you question yourself for even coming up which such rubbish.
Keeping all your ideas together in one place (see my point on staying organized) can definitely help you stay creative with your blog because not only do you have ideas to fall back on when you’re lacking that inspiration, ideas also spark new ideas.
Stay creative by expanding outwards from your blog
Yes your blog might be the main platform for everything – the center of it all, so to speak, but who says it has to stop there? If you want to keep that creativity flowing, there’s nothing stopping you branching OUT from your blog, introducing a new platform or medium and continuing your creativity there.
How about a newsletter where you can offer your subscribers a little bit extra than what they usually see on your blog? Creating freebies related to something you’re particularly good at, like Pinterest, SEO or design? Don’t limit yourself to just blog posts – there’s a whole internet out there.
Related read: How To Take Your Blog To the Next Level
[…] 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 […]
I’ve always thought bloggers are amazing, and that they don’t deserve the nonsense they get about just being ‘walking billboards’. Nah, they’re so much more impressive than any ad campaign. The way excellent bloggers can create a whole unique, individual post and accompanying photos and turn a standard product review or suggestion into the most engaging post ever is something we should all be applauding. I definitely lack creativity with blogging but it is something I really want to work on this year!
Wow, what a great comment – I totally agree!
So many great ideas to get the juices flowing!
Rosie
It’s so important to take time to focus on new ideas and being creative or you do run out of creative ideas! x
You absolutely do, especially if you refuse to think outside the box a little bit!
Cont’d. – requirements of learning Word Press. For example, blog editing seems difficult to understand.
Good ideas presented. I think creativity as a blogger is somewhat limited by the technical
Thanks to this! I just started creating a blog and I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time now. I know nothing is too late as long as I’ve already started it. 🙂
Best of luck on your blogging journey!
Thank you so much!
Very useful tools and great encouragement, thank you.
God I worry about this so much sometimes especially with food. Coming up with new recipe ideas is hard sometimes and I never want to do something too similar to stuff I already have (obviously) but I think having themes like my seasonal recipes last year and vitamin ones this year helps me with that. And that makes it easier to plan them. I always write down all of my ideas too and sometimes I look back and find something great that I just never got around to posting which is always a nice surprise. Great post x
Sophie
Those series you do are definitely creative though because I’ve never seen anyone else do them! 🙂 x
I sometimes struggle with making my blog creative or unique – I think trying new photography styles helps x
Definitely helps x
I love this. Weirdly enough I kind of don’t think of my blog as a creative outlet – so often it’s just trying to meet a deadline – but this has really made me stop and think about it in this way and you’re completely right. There are some great tips and advice here – thanks!
That’s interesting that you don’t think of your blog that way!
It’s weird now I’m thinking about it 😂 guess I categorise my writing as my creative activities and the blog as… well, the blog, haha.
Loving all of these tips! It’s easy to get into a slump with blogging and I find when I have a lot going on, my creativity goes out of the window, especially when it comes to photography! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Oh same! Photography is always last on my priorities!
These are so helpful, thank you 🙂
I started a new blog with my husband where we write up the walks we go on. It’s really just for us, but it has helped spark my creativity again so I can build up my posts on my main blog and get back to posting again 🙂
Sammy | Self-Care Sloth
Awh that’s so lovely to hear!
I’ve noticed that I’ve found a creative streak with my photography, especially Instagram and it is pushing me to do more with my blog!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Yayyy that’s fab!
ughhh yes I definitely feel my creativity sliding away when I have personal things going on, and once that starts sometimes its hard to get the creative juices flowing again! I definitely agree that inspiration can be gained from those around you, as long as you take that idea and make it your own!
It’s definitely hard when life gets in the way!
Hey, this blog is useful! Can you please tell me how you link your blog to your wordpress account? I’m struggling with it.
I’m not sure what you mean – if your blog is created through WordPress then it’s already linked to your account?
SInce I’ve found my way with my photography again I have been enjoying it so much more. I find that if my photos aren’t right or I can’t get the edit right that it really triggers how I feel about everything overall xx
You’re not the first person to say that about photography!
These are all such great ideas! Sometimes I feel myself losing my blogging creativity sometimes. It helps sometimes to take a step back, take a break, and just not think about desperately coming up with ideas. Though when I do come up with something, like you, I jot it down, even if it turns out to be nothing or just doesn’t work. Because sometimes those ideas I thought were silly actually turn out to work! It also helps if you’re passionate about the blog idea and are not forcing yourself to write the post. I usually stop if that’s the case and focus on another idea 🙂
Emily | http://www.thatweirdgirllife.com
Totally agree 😌 Anything forced is going to show!
Organisation is so important. I note and list all sorts and it’s great to come back to.
As always so many fab tips here.
https://littlemissmelanie.com/
Thank you x
I LOVE the Get shit done print – it is SO cool!
Erin || MakeErinOver
Wish it was mine!
I really like these tips. I think most bloggers go through dry spells but I’ve found that for me, having short term goals helps a lot to stay motivated.
Oh yes goals keep me hella motivated too!
Thank you so much for sharing these tips. I just started with my blogs and I really needed something like this.
Glad they helped!
Thank you so much for sharing your great tips!
You’re welcome !
[…] via How To Stay Creative With Your Blog — Jenny in Neverland […]
Love this post – I’ve hit a major block of late so will be using these tips to get back on track.
Emma | HarmonyBlaze.co.uk
Hope they help!
I run out of my blogging mojo a lot! Thanks for sharing x
Hope this helps!
This was such a great and useful post Jenny. Sometimes it’s difficult to not only stay motivated, but also to be creative (especially when one doesn’t consider themselves as particularly creative). Yet it is amazing what we can create if we just take time to think and let those creative juices flow! xxx
I agree – I think motivation and creativity very much go hand in hand too!
I understand the struggle with trying to stay creative with writing for the blog – I used to write so many book reviews but I don’t anymore – need to get back into it!
thanks for these tips!
-Lena
http://www.lenasnotebook.co.uk
Hope you get back to it soon!
This is such a fab post Jen, I love the idea of thinking outside the box of how to make a blog post in a way that others haven’t! It’s something I’ve been thinking about recently with my content as I don’t want to fall into the trap of always making “how to” posts. Fab read anyway more love. Victoria x
Thanks Victoria! How To posts are great but it’s fun to try and think up a different way to approach them!
Thank you so much for putting together this post, I found it extremely helpful! I’ve noticed that I often find myself in a creativity slump when I’m dissatisfied with my photos. Photography has been one of my biggest passions for as long as I can remember, so whenever I’m not happy with the outcome, it really gets me down. I find that jotting down blog post ideas, reading other blogs, and interacting with fellow bloggers often helps!
Dominika | Into the Bloom
I totally understand that. Your photos are amazing btw!
Great tips, Jenny!
Thank you 🙂
Great suggestions! I have a small notebook in my purse where I write down all ideas that pop into my mind. It’s small enough I can easily slip it into a coat pocket when I don’t take my purse – making sure that I never go anywhere without it
That’s a great idea 🙂 x
[…] via How To Stay Creative With Your Blog — Jenny in Neverland […]
My blog has gone down many routes in the years I’ve been writing, and it all depends on where my life is going. As a student, it was all about student life and advice. Now I’m travelling as an ESL teacher, so I’m writing a lot about that, because I know I’ll want to look back on it!
Sounds like your creativity follows you wherever you go!
Thank you for this awesome post! Right now I’m in the honeymoon phase of blogging (lol), so the ideas are still flowing. I have a giant google doc where I jot down every idea no matter how stupid it is (I can always adjust or build upon ideas later). But that doesn’t mean I haven’t also pinned a ton of “25 blog post ideas,” type posts. I’ll keep all these suggestions in mind as well going forward. Great post!
Haha the honeymoon period! Enjoy it! But you definitely sound like you’re on the right track – that big ol’ spreadsheet is going to come in really handy!
Keeping a list of even the smallest ideas can be very helpful indeed; the list germinates and next thing you know it has flowered!
It sure can! 🙂 One idea can lead to another!
What a great post. Staying creative is such an important thing because as you mention the blogging looses its soul when the creativity die.
Personally I like reading other blog posts, look at art and get outside. Especially getting out of my apartment helps my creativity. Even if it’s just for a walk down the same old streets.
Thanks for sharing
I agree, getting outside and in nature or fresh air can really help. Stepping away from blogging entirely can really get those creative juices flowing!
I’ve definitely struggled with coming up with ideas for my blog recently having stopped blogging altogether for a few months, going to check out your blog post ideas lists in a minute. x
Hope it helps! Lovely to see you back though! <3
These are some fab tips Jenny!! Writing down alllll ideas, even the crappy ones, is actually so so helpful for me, because when I look back, I can decide how I’d like to change that idea to improve it, or chuck it out altogether. Organisation is SO key & I love being the opposite of my Ravenclaw tendencies in that regard :’)
Absolutely! Just cos you’ve written an idea down, doesn’t mean you have to use it!
Great tips saved to Pinterest so I can re read when I need some Inspro.
Thank you!
Incredible tips as always, lovely! I tend to have the ideas but never the know-how to put them to use. I’m definitely going to work on my creativity for sure!
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
Oh yes I’ve been there too! That’s where you can really go to town on your creativity!
Thank you for this post! I always love coming to your blog. I’m a big fan of the writing everything down…Even the bad ideas that was a hard habit for me to get into but once I did it helped for the days that I did not know what to write about!
Awh thank you!
Such a useful post, Jenny! I normally hit a creative block every few months and run out of ideas, I usually take a break for a few days and it usually helps but I’ll definitely keep these tips in mind next time.
Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk
Taking a break helps massively! I think I’m due a creative slump soon haha!
I’m struggling to think of any ideas besides book/film reviews so this is super helpful- thank you!!!
You’re welcome!
Yes to noting down any and all ideas! This has saved me so many times we’re I’ve jotted down something and months later felt inspired by that little note and have started working on content! Great post! x
Yasssss! Thank you 🙂 <3
It’s true, the more we blog, the more we lose motivation if we don’t develop it and follow these trips.
Totally agree 🙂
I so needed this right now! Especially when you’re writing in a niche, like I do ( book reviews), you feel trapped on the same ride
Oh yes! That’s how I felt when I was a book blogger and why I started talking about lifestyle instead. Although there’s a ton of creative bookish ideas you can use! (I actually have a blog post full of them!)
Such a fun and upbeat post! Blogging should be fun! You offer great ideas and you present them in a creative way! 🙂 As with everything else in life, it is nice to have ‘room to grow’, and you have certainly shown that here for bloggers.
Awh thank you very much 🙂
These are all such great ideas on how to stay creative with your blog! Sometimes I struggle with what content to share next so I will try to implement these tips next time I feel that way!
-Charity http://www.morningsonmacedonia.com
Hope they help you!
I for sure lack creativity often, these are helpful tips. | Lanalikes.com
Hope they help!
I found myself nodding away as you listed out each point. Taking inspiration from other bloggers is such a good tip (but not copying them, obviously). Sometimes you read something and get an idea for a new post, or perhaps a different angle on an old chestnut. And interacting with other bloggers is key too, you never know where it might lead – from a comment on a post to a brand reaching out for a collab, as has happened to me before now! Great tips Jenny xxx
Yes exactly! I’ve had a few blog post ideas from people’s comments on my posts before! xx
Love this, so.many great tips, and l shall be having a look at your suggestions! I am less organised than ld like. I have loads of idea but often dont k ow which one to pick!
I use Evernote, and l keep all my ideas there and then when l sit down to write l pull out one of those. Ideally though, l like to plan in advance ….but dont always manage it!
And re orher content, u absolutely agree, l have a youtube channel too and I think that gives people a variety of ways to enjoy my content. Plus I can repurpose a vlog script for a blog and vice versa.
Thanks for a great, inspiring and motivational read!
That’s a really good point about repurposing a YT video for a blog post. Think that can be applied to a lot of platforms – like repurposing the meaning behind one of your old Instagram captions for examples!
A really great post! I always like to stay organised as I find that helps my creativity- although sometimes I worry that my ideas might not be very successful! Thank you for such an encouraging post x
Such a useful post! I always get burntout and hit a creative block so will be trying these things next time that happens!
Hope they help!
You always have great advice about blogging. What I found out in my almost 2 years of blogging is that you dont have to have a specific niche to make an intresting blog. I blog about things I like and are possionat about and I belive that is whay people read my posts.
Oh you absolutely don’t. Niche or no niche, it doesn’t really matter when it comes to creativity!
Thanks for writing this. While most of it I’ve heard before, it’s nice to get a refresher course. I’ve already bookmarked this for when I’m stuck. Another piece of advice I’d like to offer is if you’re stuck for an idea think about things you love. Whether it’s a TV show, a movie, your favorite book and blog about that. It may be something that’s popular or not but if you put your own spin on it, there’s bound to be SOMEONE out there who will read it and enjoy it.
Good point. I sometimes get blog post ideas from something someone has said on my favourite TV show or in a film!
Thank you Jenny! These are great advice! Great post
Thank you!
I tend to go in spurts in this area – sometimes I have a list of great ideas and other time I am running dry. I try to just ‘trust in the process’ and know that inspiration will come
I think a lot of people go through those spurts!
Great post. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
I found this post super helpful! I really need to get round to creating a freebie for subscribers x
Yesss you should!
Great tips! I agree that Pinterest is so motivating, and I also love reading other people’s blogs for inspiration.
One thing I always make sure to do is step back if I need to, and that break really helps reignite my creativity.
Yes, yes, yes. Sometimes taking yourself away from blogging entirely is the best thing you can do for your creativity.
Great post! I love your blogging advice series, it’s really useful for newbies like me 😊
Alice | https://www.aliceandthebaba.com/
So glad you find it helpful!
Excellent post! I think being organised is a lot to do with staying creative. An organised mind means there is more room to think about what to do next. I also love all the ideas and prompts out there from other bloggers, and plan to use them to my advantage more in the future (while also crediting them, of course)!
I totally agree with an organized mind meaning there’s more room for creativity to flow!
definitely bookmarking this for when I’m stuck in a rut! x
Hope it helps!
Really useful post for both those starting out (Me!) and established bloggers.
Thank you!
Good post Jenny. Like everyone, my creativity ebbs and flows. Fortunately it’s been on a high lately and I have rebranded my site, so I’m very happy with that.
Congrats with the re-brand!
Good post Jenny. Like everyone, my creativity ebbs and flows. Fortunately it’s been on a high lately and I have rebranded my site, so I’m very happy with that.
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips! I find that even just scrolling through my feed and reading everyone’s posts sparks my creativity and motivation for blogging. 😌
Oh same! Everyone is so inspiring!