You know the importance of publishing blog posts consistently, and you realize your posts should provide value to your target audience. There’s just one problem: You hate to write.
Or, at the very least, you put off writing because you end up spending hours on each post.
It’s not that you can’t do it. You know all the basics of spelling, grammar, and formatting. You simply don’t enjoy the process of coming up with a topic, outlining your ideas and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be).
The bad news is that if it is your job to maintain your blog, there is going to be a good deal of writing involved.
The good news is there are ways to make it more enjoyable. These ten ideas can help you get down to the business of content creation with less dread. An added bonus is your readers are likely to enjoy these posts as well.
1. Podcasts
Who says all of your posts must be written? If you have an easier time speaking than writing, try your hand at blogging “out loud.” Podcasts can even help you reach a new audience.
While you don’t have to write a script (although you may, if you prefer), you should have a clear topic and create an outline to follow. After you record the podcast, you can even create a transcript for it and post it on your blog along with the audio file.
2. Videos
Video blogs are one option, but you can create many types of videos to share with your blog visitors. You might introduce a new product or provide tips on using a popular item. You could create an animated video, record a webinar, turn a slideshow into a narrated video or record client testimonials.
Interviews, behind-the-scenes captures, and tutorials make great video content as well.
Not a wizard with video editing software. Try out tools like Animoto or Magisto that make it fun and easy to create a video.
3. Visual Content
You might enjoy making one of the numerous types of visual content, and your blog readers are sure to appreciate your efforts, too. Think of the kinds of graphics you frequently see and probably share with your own social networks.
With the right angle, you can create virtually any type of visual content and make it relevant to your audience.
These can be as simple as quotes with background images like the one above (which you can create using PowerPoint), photos or even screenshots, or you can opt for more detailed graphics, such as memes, comics, charts, or infographics.
You can also use tools like Canva or Visme to create awesome infographics and other images. Another tool that you may want to check out is EDIT.org, which has an intuitive interface and lots of nice features.
Oh, btw, if you want to feel at least a little productive while you’re procrastinating, check out our list of quotes about writing, which includes the one above.
4. Presentations
Another type of visual content that is well received (and can be great fun to create) is slideshow presentations. You can create a PowerPoint presentation, upload it to SlideShare and embed it on your blog.
Slideshows are an effective way to repurpose existing content as well. Turn anything from a collection of photo quotes to bullet points from a webinar to segments from an eBook into a captivating presentation.
5. Checklists, Forms or Templates
Chances are good your audience performs certain tasks on a regular basis (or would benefit from doing so). Perhaps you know a more efficient way to do so. Lend a hand by creating and sharing a downloadable template or another type of document that provides value.
Some ideas include checklists, flowcharts, lesson plans, release forms or business letters.
Oh yeah, and by the way, we have a few of those you can download for free if you’re interested: Free Blog Post Templates.
6. Roundup Posts
Certain alternate types of content still include some writing, but you might find them more enjoyable than crafting a full-blown blog post. For instance, you can write a roundup post highlighting a collection of articles with a similar theme.
There are many ways to approach writing a roundup. You can list several of your own significant or relevant posts, or you can curate articles from other sources – or you do a little bit of both.
7. Quizzes or Surveys
Engage your readers with an interactive type of post, such as a personality quiz or a survey that you can use to create future content.
You can use a tool or plugin to create an interactive quiz a la BuzzFeed or simply write a multiple-choice quiz, magazine-style (you know, “if you got mostly As, the Bahamas is your dream vacation location!”).
8. Reviews
The types of reviews you can write for your blog are virtually limitless. Appraise products, evaluate books, critique films or even assess other online content.
You can share your opinion on anything relevant to your niche, even if your view is not a popular one. In fact, a little controversy can increase engagement.
9. Tutorials
This might sound like an unenjoyable task if you don’t like to write, but you probably know several procedures like the back of your hand.
What do you know how to do that your blog visitors may want to learn? Walk through the steps yourself, putting them in writing as you go.
10. Top 10 Lists
Lists such as the one you are reading now can be quite entertaining to read and to write. They are easy to read, skim-friendly and highly shareable.
Bonus: They are also faster to write than typical blog posts are. Plus, you can write them in short spurts without the need to remember where you left off.
The bottom line is you can’t manage a blog without writing some regular posts, but you can inject more fun into your work – and your blog – by mixing up the types of content you create.
Writer, editor and client advocate specializing in reputation management, content marketing, technology and non-profit topics.