For many this is a “duh” statement, but most bloggers remain inside the “box that works” more often than you’d expect. When someone has a profitable blog, it takes a lot of work and things can be stressful.
You want to make sure that nothing goes wrong, and so the days of the blogger are pretty typical—read and/or write any content for the blog, upload the content, respond to comments, analyze your clicks for the day, do a little bit of social sharing, and then do it all over again in the morning.
Well after some thought, I came to the conclusion: Although many professions require this type of schedule, blogging doesn’t have to.
Different Ways to Get Creative in 2013
One of the greatest things about blogging is the fact that you can be creative and have a little bit of freedom. You have to be disciplined to run a profitable blog, but there are ways to improve your blog without sticking to all of your 2012 rules.
A few ways to get creative this year include:
- Travel and work on the go. Speaking from personal experience, I can say that traveling only helped improve my blog. I was able to gain inspiration that I never expected, and changing time zones was a great way for me to connect with my followers who are not living in the US. Traveling helped me to realize how much I love my job, and in a strange way it helped me become even more disciplined. Even if you don’t think traveling is for you, give it a try while you’re working. You might have a different experience.
- Create a new column. Chances are there is something else that you’re passionate about and want to discuss. You don’t want to veer away from the real meaning of your blog, but consider having an editor’s column on Fridays or over the weekend. It can be in its own section, but it’s a great way to give your readers a little something extra. It allows you to be creative and think outside that box, and that’s good for any blog.
- Start incorporating your own photos. No matter what your blog is about, you can likely incorporate your own photos. Put up photos of your business or of your home-life to help demonstrate your point. Readers like to feel connected to the editor, and this is a great way to make it happen (and not many bloggers are doing it).
- Interview others and allow more guest posts. This may not be your focus at first because you want your blog to be your blog, but it’s something to give a try in 2013. It’s easy to get the opinions and viewpoints of others and then you can start the conversation. It allows you to give your take as opposed to always being the author, and you might find it to be fun.
Do you know of a great way bloggers can expand their blogs to something new for the New Year? Let us know your ideas and thoughts in the comments below.
Photo Credit: eatfitfood.com.au
Amanda DiSilvestro is a graduate of Illinois State University. Although she graduated with an English Education degree, she found herself working as a full-time blogger in the SEO/social media department at HigherVisibility, a leading SEO company.
About Amanda DiSilvestro
Staying in your niche, or “box” for too long is not a good idea at all. Branch out into other similar niches and share your opinions and thoughts, and learn at the same time! You will be a better blogger for it and your readers will appreciate the new information.
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Twitter: BergertLaw
says:
Really nice article and wonderful tips. I am a great fan of the idea of incorporating your own photos and pictures into your blog. I think, if done properly, a photo can add a lot of content/context to a blog post, but I hate seeing a post and you know without a doubt that writer simply copied and pasted the first image brought up in their google results.
Twitter: BergertLaw
says:
Really nice article and wonderful tips. I am a great fan of the idea of incorporating your own photos and pictures into your blog. I think, if done properly, a photo can add a lot of content/context to a blog post, but I hate seeing a post and you know without a doubt that writer simply copied and pasted the first image brought up in their google results. Though I don’t implement photos in my work blog for my law office, due to the nature of the site, I do enjoy reading others that due.
Lawyer Stark County OH recently posted..Winter is here to stay!
Twitter: hprasetyono
says:
A creative blogger will never be lack of ideas and innovations. He still commit to become himself but not selfish. He is useful for others and will always support and help others tenderly. He does not merely think about profit but he openly share a lot of value to others. Thank you for sharing this nice posting.
Heru Prasetyono recently posted..Legitimate Online Jobs – Official Website
Twitter: mydiycraftstore
says:
nice blog, the competition in the blogging world must be worst, must be creative and idealistic.
I agree! Remaining in our comfort zones will box us and so is our potentials. And the only way to unleash our full potential is by going out from our comfort zones. Thanks for posting such an awesome post!
Twitter: epicdev_za
says:
I work solely from home and it often drives me insane. Where my blogging is concerned, I notice a huge difference in my content when I take my work on the road, and by on the road I mean “down the road” – to a comfortable coffee shop or simply to the botanical gardens. So I don’t think you need to travel around the world as such to seek creative innovation, a simple change of setting often makes the world of difference.
I must say; the competition in the blogging world continues to get more and more fierce. You must keep an audience wanting to read. Even if it requires you doing something you don’t normally do. Thanks for the post!
Twitter: codrutturcanu
says:
This year I’m planning to guest post and blog comment like never before. We have to get past ourselves, or nothing else will work.
I heard about some guys posting daily (one submitted one post a day and YouTube video to his insurance blog for 100 days straight; another blogged for 5 weeks, submitting 2 posts a day – and increased his traffic by 400%) — now, that’s what gets me excited about guest posting.
Did you guys read similar stories? I’d love to know…
Codrut recently posted..Starting a Blog in 2013? 16 Ideas To Get On the Right Track (InfoGraphic)
Twitter: toughestblogger
says:
I’m not sure if I’m gonna do that but yeah I’m thinking about it. Blogging is something that makes me do so many things that I’m usually not willing to do. This might be the same. Thanks for your words.
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Twitter: Ajayudayagiri
says:
Guest posting is the best considered way to get out to comfort zone in 2013. And putting up our business photos attracts them to know more about us and thus they will become a fan of us following each of our update.
Ajay recently posted..Upgrade Samsung Galaxy Ace With CyanogenMod 7.2 S3 Firmware
I am about to start a new blog out there and willing to write about new iPhone apps. I have not yet planned how the things will work and how it will benefit, but I think it is time to take the things seriously for myself. I want the users of my blogs not to read only but to get something beneficial for them as well. I think it can work, if done effectively.
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Twitter: sorensjogren
says:
I would add:
- write more guest posts / start writing guest posts
I have found writing content for others a way of blogging outside my comfort zone: a new audience, another angle on your own topic.
Soren Sjogren recently posted..Lead from the front: the single leadership trait that characterizes a great combat leader
Its always beneficial to step outside your normal routine and try something different, especially when it comes to writing. In covering the same topics over and over again, your brain can get in a rut, using the same words, phrases, examples… by branching out and trying something new or from a new perspective, you can really expand your writing, plus its always fun to write about new things as a way to refresh yourself.
Twitter: prabhatrayal
says:
hello amanda,
as google is rolling out new updates. its becoming more an more tougher to get good traffic. we have to change our planes accordingly. interviewing others is becoming a trend. and yes allowing guest post helps in many ways. thanks for sharing this article.
prabhat recently posted..HTC M7 Specifications and Features: The New Smartphone from HTC
Hey Amanda! Nice article you have here! This is a great post thanks for sharing with us! You just helped me with something special. I am starting a new blog and this post will really help on that! Thank you :)
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There are so many bloggers on the internet these days. Everyone is writing content and now the uniqueness of the content has reduced. This year, every blogger should introduce a new way of blogging and going out of the way for doing it. A twist in the regular way of blogging can prove good for the blog.
One of the most indispensable features of a highly successful blog is a highly interactive and very engaging forum section for members and guests alike. If anything, a lively and animated forum section will attract daily visitors and increase traffic exponentially.
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Twitter: slbphoenix
says:
Hi, I’ve been thinking of putting in a column or two on my blog. Good advise. I do use some of my own photos, and I like doing that. Thanks. Sally
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Twitter: AandLHeat
says:
I completely agree with your tip of traveling and working on the go. In between everyday life and running my heating & cooling business, I like to blog for fun. Every blogger experiences their share of writers block. I often walk to my local park and sit by the lake or on a park bench and just tap it out on my laptop. Inspiration always seems to find me.
Twitter: The_ESman
says:
When ever I get stuck I get out my copy of “Fascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation” by
Sally Hogshead.
It break human interest down into 7 fasination triggers: Lust, Mystique, Alarm, Prestige, Power, Vice and Trust. Highly recommend, has help me out too many time to count.
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Twitter: jonnalarajkumar
says:
It can make a person lazy if he is consistently doing the same thing over and over again. There must be some new trends in Blogging that can be exciting and innovative.
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Twitter: hprasetyono
says:
A blogger must be creative. The creativity will make any blog different from others. People tends to find new stuff and valueable thing. With blogs everything can be possible and creativeness is unlimited. We never get bored to read new ideas. Thank you for sharing this nice topic.
Heru Prasetyono recently posted..DBROSEWRITER.com
Twitter: it_freelancing
says:
Hey Amanda,
Certainly nice tips, I think Interviewing other bloggers in your niche certainly attract more relevant visitors plus makes you an trustworthy blog where good and informative article published.
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