7 Ways for Bloggers to Overcome Writer’s Block

“I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about”
-Oscar Wilde

I have an annoying affliction that rears its ugly head from time to time. It’s called blogger burnout. In fact, it literally took me five minutes to write that first sentence. I blame it on three things:

a) Information overload. I literally have 100 things I could write about right now, but nope. Nothing. Cannot form sentences.
b) Blogging every day. Trying to keep blog posts new, exciting, relevant to everyone and engaging is a big job. And sometimes it leads to analysis paralysis.
c) Forgetting that life inspires writing. Not making the connection between the experiences and challenges I face every day and topics for the blog. Big mistake.

But stick around, because in an effort to fix this nasty problem, I’m gonna hit it head on by talking about it. I’m making lemonade.

• Use what you are experiencing as fuel for your blog posts
• Keep something close by all day, every day to record your ideas
• Always leave your “association” switch turned on
• Tap into your network for topic ideas
• Write about a topic you want to learn more about
• Create an editorial calendar
• Minimize distractions but know the value of them 

FAQ: How can I overcome blogger’s writer’s block and keep my content fresh and engaging?

1. Use what you are experiencing as fuel for your blog posts.

My little problem is actually the basis for my first bit of advice. Write what you know. The fact is, most people who write content for the Web aren’t just bloggers, they’re professionals of some sort with talent in some field.

Every working person (and even the unemployed!) faces challenges every week. If you’re a blogger, use those problems as ideas for your posts. If you’re experiencing it, chances are someone else is, too, and will find value in it.

Oftentimes, ideas will come at the oddest of times — which brings me to my next tip:

2. Keep something close by all day, every day to record your ideas.

This is where I’m extremely guilty. How many of us have (grudgingly) dreamt about work and had a great idea come from it, but nothing to record it at hand? Or, who has experienced an epiphany while driving and nothing near you to document it?

A simple notepad or audio recording device within reach is essential to putting those great ideas down the moment you have them, before they are lost. This is great writing juice for a later date, and helps put the kibosh on writer’s block before it even happens.

3. Always leave your “association” switch turned on.

Some of us turn our brains off when we leave work. Some of us turn our brains off when we’re at work. And as a writer or blogger, our brains should never really be far from associating what’s happening now to our next great topic.

This is why it’s important to leave our “association” switch turned on and always think about how something we’re experiencing can tie into something we can write about. And how do we remember those things? If you guessed, “Writing it down or recording it as we think it,” you get an “A” for not drifting off. Which means I’m doing my job — Yaay!

4. Tap into your network for topic ideas.

If personal experience isn’t helping you tackle that writer’s block, tap into your network. I mean this both digitally and offline. Take Twitter, for example. I bet you could look at your feed at any given time of day and find a handful of worthy ideas to blog about.

I say this with slight trepidation because if you’re like me, you become overwhelmed with the volume of information. And it can sometimes seem like everyone in your community is saying the same thing.

So, what often happens is a resistance to writing about it altogether for fear of regurgitated information. Here’s a tip: Try collecting a handful of resources on the topic, read through them, and find a new perspective on it that someone hasn’t shared.

Tangent warning: Today, Susan and I were talking about perspective and opinion in blogging. She reaffirmed to me that having an opinion doesn’t mean being right. But it’s an important aspect of blogging. I thought I’d turn to Dictionary.com for a reminder of what “opinion” means:

o•pin•ion [uh-pin-yuhn]–noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

Now, back to tapping into your network. Even if you’re self-employed with a staff of one, you have colleagues. These are people you turn to for insight on business, who have specific skill sets. Look to these people when you’re in a pickle. (Don’t you love old-timey expressions?)

I’ve written countless blog posts by simply asking BCI employees here, “What should I write about?” People on the front lines of a profession are the greatest source of knowledge. They have stories to tell, and it’s our jobs as bloggers to tell those stories.

5. Write about a topic you want to learn more about.

If using other people’s ideas isn’t working for you, pick a topic that you’ve always wanted to know more about and educate yourself on it. One of the coolest things about being a writer or blogger is that you get to learn a lot about things. In fact, I have boatloads of knowledge on various topics that are approximately 1,000 words deep floating around in my brain.

Take advantage of the fact that it’s your duty to learn and report. I’ve written several blog posts and articles simply because I wanted to learn more about the topic.

6. Create an editorial calendar.

Yes, writing and organization can go hand-in-hand. Sometimes brainstorming ideas ahead of time can be a huge help. Imagine sitting down to your computer, looking at the date on the calendar and seeing your topic already laid out for you. Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re married to it. Use it as a guideline and it can work like magic.

7. Minimize distractions but know the value of them.

When you’re experiencing writer’s block, you’re even more susceptible to be distracted by things like pretty colors. Sure, you’ve heard it all before: “Stop looking at your Twitter feed,” they say. “Don’t leave your Web browser open.” “Put that kitty away.” Yes, it’s true. People prone to ADD can be distracted easily. And writer’s block fuels ADD.

Remember, most writers and bloggers are “creatives” at some level, so approaching a writing task the same way an accountant would approach crunching numbers, well it just doesn’t work that way.

If you’re a writer working in a corporate environment, sometimes getting up and walking away from your desk is one of the most valuable distractions you can experience. I can’t tell you how many Aha! moments I’ve had in the bathroom. TMI?

And if you’re writing from the comfort of your own home, well first, I’m having very strong feelings of resentment, but remember — you can also apply the same principles. Just because you conduct business from your couch (OK, envy escalating rapidly), doesn’t mean you couldn’t benefit from a change of scenery.

So. Now that I’ve pretty much shown writer’s block who’s boss, I want to know, what do you do to overcome it?

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FAQ: How can I overcome blogger’s writer’s block and keep my content fresh and engaging?

Writer’s block can be a formidable hurdle for bloggers who maintain fresh and engaging content. Content creation can be frustrating at times; I understand the angst faced by content creators like you. This article offers invaluable tips and insights for overcoming writer’s blocks and maintaining engaging and original content creation.

Understanding the Block

Writer’s block often stems from a lack of inspiration or motivation. To combat this, it is essential to immerse yourself in your niche continually. Follow relevant news trends, and research your audience’s needs and interests. This background knowledge can be a wellspring of inspiration.

The Power of Planning

An invaluable tip is to create a content calendar. Having a well-structured plan with scheduled topics and deadlines can be a game-changer. This approach reduces anxiety and enhances productivity, allowing you to focus on the creative aspect of writing.

Embrace Creative Breaks

Staring at a blank screen won’t help overcome writer’s block. It’s crucial to step away and engage in activities that stimulate your creativity. Whether taking a walk, reading a book, or simply practicing mindfulness, these breaks can reignite your creative spark.

Variety is Key

Explore various writing styles or formats – infographics or videos can be particularly effective ways of making an impressionful statement. Diversity keeps your content fresh and caters to different learning preferences within your audience.

Engage Your Audience

Ask your readers for their input and suggestions. Running polls, surveys or hosting Q&A sessions can provide fresh perspectives and content ideas. Engaging with your audience boosts their involvement and makes your content more relevant.

Step-by-step Procedure to Overcome Blogger’s Writer’s Block

1. Understand the root of your writer’s block: Lack of inspiration, motivation, or other factors.
2. Immerse yourself in your niche by following news trends and researching your audience’s needs.
3. Create a content calendar to plan your topics and deadlines.
4. Take creative breaks when you feel stuck to stimulate your creativity.
5. Experiment with different content formats to keep things interesting.
6. Seek input and suggestions from your audience through polls, surveys, and Q&A sessions.

Overcoming a blogger’s writer’s block and keeping your content fresh and engaging requires a multi-faceted approach. By immersing yourself in your niche, planning your content, taking creative breaks, diversifying your content formats, and engaging your audience, you can overcome this obstacle and maintain a thriving blog. Writer’s block can be an insurmountable obstacle for even experienced bloggers. Writer’s block doesn’t need to be seen as an impediment to creativity  —  instead, it provides an opportunity for growth that your audience will appreciate.

This article was updated on November 22, 2023.

Jessica Lee is the founder and chief creative for bizbuzzcontent Inc., a marketing boutique that focuses on digital content strategy and professional writing services for businesses.

See Jessica's author page for links to connect on social media.