Anyone who has to produce content on a deadline knows the pain of the blinking cursor. Blink. Blink. (Maddening.) Since blogs live or die by consistent content, the pressure can be on when you are running dry creatively and your last post is aging in dog years. Fortunately, there are some crash landing strategies that can help you move past the blinking cursor and make your deadline until you get to a place where you feel more inspired.
For the record, bloggers aren't the only once who have "crash landing" content production strategies. Script writers for televisions shows have been doing this for years with strategies like "the dream episode"; "add a kid" (remember Olivia on the Cosby Show or Chrissy on Growing Pains or Andy on Family Ties?); "a very special episode" (being socially conscious and talking about teen pregnancy, anorexia; terrorism) ; or the blatant ripoff of an idea where you can't be sued (like Dicken's ghosts of Christmas, Jekyl/Hyde or any I Love Lucy episode). Keep in mind, that "crash landing" strategies are just that...for emergency only. If you don't have a healthy dose of real, engaging content, your blog will "jump the shark" like most of these television shows did.
So, here are ten...(use with care):
1. Guest blog. Have a blogger outside of your organization write a "guest post." With a guest post, you can push the boundaries of the type of content you generally produce without looking schizophrenic.
2. Book/Website/Product review. Talking about something you've recently read--either online or in hardback--can provide you with content as long as the book/website/product is relevant to your content stream.
3. Random non-specific rant that won't actually get you into trouble. There are somethings that everyone hates...like when the toilet paper is put on the roll the wrong way or when a clerk is snotty at a retail store or when your spouse won't share french fries. Tapping into shared annoyance can generate discussion and remain pretty harmless if you keep your topic broad and you don't name names.
4. Opinion poll. You can ask your readers a question and invite them to engage. Note that this one can fall flat if you don't have readers who comment.
5. How To Post. Explaining how to do something can be incredibly useful. This can be practical like "how to build a Noah's ark set that will survive 5 days of VBS" or more personal like "how to comfort someone who is grieving." It can even be funny, like "how not to" do something. Make sure your "how to" isn't limited to an "insider" audience.
6. Giveaway. Giving away a CD, DVD, book, product or other relevant item to people who comment can generate real interest. Some bloggers use the site random.org to enter the number of comments, then produce a random selection.
7. Create a recurring theme. Many bloggers pick a day of the week where they follow the same format. Jon Acuff of StuffChristiansLike.net does this effectively with his "Serious Wednesday" posts. Recurring features on other blogs include: SkyWatch Friday (a photograph), Muffin Tin Monday, Sunday McLinky Addition or Frugal Friday. Creating one day a week where you produce a certain type of content can really help take the pressure off because it gives you a framework in which to develop an idea.
8. Back in the day post. If you are writing for an organization, pulling photos from the past and writing about them can create interesting content and help tell your story with context.
9. Shine the spotlight on someone else. Use your post to bring attention to others. Honoring unsung heroes in your community, profiling worthy causes, celebrating your mentors or even sharing what other organizations you admire are doing can create interest when you are having a slow week.
10. Top ten list. Creating a top ten list on just about anything can save you from the blinking cursor. Tell me if it works. After all, that's what I just did.
