Blog Productivity = Blog Growth (8 ways I work smarter)

Blog productivity means I get more done, stay more consistent and actually grow my reach. This all translates to more brand awareness and opportunities to actually make an impact with my content.

In other words, it’s important.

Blogging productivity is about awareness, intention and the ability to stay focused for a sustained amount of time.

And this post shares how I do that.

So let’s do this!

Table of Contents Show

Blog Productivity (meaning + benefits)

Blog productivity refers to how efficiently you run your blog. It’s the ability to focus on and prioritize the things that actually move the needle (not the time-wasters).

This includes things like your posting consistency, blog management, content strategy and where you put your attention.

Like I said in the beginning, running your blog efficiently is important. But why?

Here are some specific benefits I notice:

• Experience faster blog growth

• Get a boost in personal confidence

• Improve clarity around your brand voice and vision

• Become more disciplined

• Have a sense of control with your results

• Get more done (in less time)

• Reach your blog goals quicker

• Spot bottlenecks and fix them

How to Be A More Productive Blogger (my 8 moves)

1. Keep Your Writing Tabs Open

As I write this sentence, I have a meeting starting in about two minutes.

But I’m jotting down these thoughts quickly (I can edit and finesse later).

One of the biggest “secrets” to my consistency with blogging is writing in micro doses throughout the day.

I do this by simply keeping my writing tab(s) open in my browser window.

Easy.

I use Google Docs for outlining and drafting new articles before transferring them to my website and publishing.

So while it may feel cumbersome to perpetually have a G-Doc or two open (cluttering up your browser organization), it’s also an awesome way to boost blog productivity.

Because your writing and blogging affairs will always be top of mind — staring at you, front and center.

2. Use A Blogging Workflow

Workflows work.

They help address motivation droughts, bottlenecks and more.

They’re essentially a repeatable system or process you can follow for your tasks.

A blogging workflow is a system that ensures you consistently turn ideas into research, outlines and published posts.

Here’s what my basic workflow looks like as a personal blogger:

1. Keyword selection

1. I usually write on topics and keywords that follow what I’m actively working on in my own life (my blog basically tracks my life)

2. Content planning

1. I always outline my posts before writing (typing in my main sections, adding some main points, etc.)

3. Writing

1. As I talked about in the tip above, I always keep my blog draft open and do all my writing in a Google Doc

4. Editing

1. After brain dumping and getting everything out, I give things a first-time read and initial round of editing

2. I then like to step away and come back later with fresh eyes, rereading things once more – but with objectivity

So how about you, what’s your blog workflow look like? Is it helping your productivity?

3. Schedule the “Right” Times for Blogging

As mentioned, a lot of my writing happens incrementally throughout the day (since my writing tab is always open).

But still, I’ve noticed certain times of the day are way better than others (because creativity ebbs and flows).

So here’s my advice:

Figure out when you’re most in the writing mood, and schedule your blogging during this time.

Leveraging your mood can be a nice way to boost blog productivity.

Although, keep in mind that relying solely on mood can be equally unsustainable (because you know, discipline is what gets you to finish lines).

For me, I’m more creative in the mornings and evenings. So I always plan an hour or two of writing after waking up.

But this plan is very casual.

My morning’s are generally a blend of coffee, writing, research and YouTube.

And I love it — I’m relaxed, but also inspired and productive, as I oscillate between stuff.

So try creating a personal time management outline by first isolating your ideal, “right” time for writing and research (and other related things).

Then schedule this time into your calendar and avoid anything else.

4. Automate, Delegate or Delete

The 80/20 rule (the Pareto Principle) states that roughly 80% of our results come from just 20% of our actions.

This is liberating as much as it is concerning.

Because there’s a good chance you’re wasting time on something somewhere.

So, what are your blog time-wasters? What things give you disproportionate returns for the amount of time spent on them?

How about your high-value actions? What things have the biggest impact on your blogging success?

Once you isolate your time-wasters, you can decide what to do with them. In my view, we have three options:

Automate or delegate (if you can) — otherwise delete.

It can be hard to figure out which blogging actions are just taking up space and which are actually contributing to your growth.

But a good first step is to simply become aware of this bottleneck and do some periodic self reflection and workflow auditing.

(of course, reading the data can also help)

5. Define Your Bottlenecks

Bottlenecks (such as spending too much energy on time-wasters) will never go away completely.

So they require our constant attention.

A bottleneck is something that disrupts your workflow, growth or ability to blog at your best.

Some examples include:

• Distractions like social media

• The ability to focus

• Time constraints

• Skill or knowledge issues

Each bottleneck will have its own solution or workaround.

For example, if social media distraction is a problem, the simplest solution is probably deleting some apps from your phone.

So spend some time observing your workflow and blogging process — what potential bottlenecks stand out?

Addressing them can be a great way to improve your blogging productivity.

6. Set Realistic Expectations

Having goals for your blog is a smart move. But it’s important to make them realistic.

Because nothing crushes motivation and productivity more than looking up at a big mountain and feeling overwhelmed, wondering how you’re supposed to get to the top.

So here’s how I keep things in clearer view:

• Big goals are great, but break them down into smaller checkpoints

• Have realistic timelines (think in years, not months)

• Cater to your individual preferences and lifestyle

• Don’t be afraid to pivot or change things up (after all, life is pretty dynamic)

7. Create A Content Calendar

Calendars build consistency and accountability.

Also, they can be a way to measure your productivity.

That is, if you commit to publishing 3 new blogs every week, and you hit that mini goal, then you can use that as a key benchmark for measuring your week’s productivity.

Just be sure to create a content calendar that you can realistically stick to (based on your lifestyle and goals).

And remember, don’t feel bad if you miss a few posts here and there.

Taking a few days off (or even a few weeks) won’t ruin you.

Again, think in years — not in months.

8. Perspective Shift

Sometimes, productivity is a matter of perspective.

So getting some fresh insight is a great way to reset yourself, your motivation and mindset.

Here are some quick ways I like to shift my perspectives on my own blogging productivity:

• Gamify your blog writing

• Make it a challenge (for example, publishing 1 new blog everyday for a year)

• Reframe your writing goals as personal projects

• Zoom out and remember how far you’ve come (or how early you still are)

• Practice growth mindset thinking

• Step away (and then come back with fresh eyes and objectivity)

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