Blogging on the Fly for Busy Coaches
This is a guest blog post written by Terry Sidhu. Want to contribute? Check out the 2016 publishing calendar.
Looking back to what doesn’t seem such a long time ago, I climbed down from the corporate ladder in order to seek out my own fulfillment. I remember the range of emotions I had felt when I decided to quit working towards a prepackaged executive lifestyle and embark on an unrestricted journey of discovery. I also remember the massive weight being lifted off my shoulders as I threw caution to the wind and ventured into unchartered territory.
Almost instantly, I gained back what I would consider the most valuable asset: time. After leaving my corporate job, I had time to enjoy my life. I had time to build, and in some cases break, relationships and most importantly, I had time to share. I started blogging almost four years ago and as my passion poured out and my coaching business grew, my biggest asset began to shrink.
I’m a relationship and life coach and although my audience enjoys reading my lengthy posts about my personal experiences, my growing business means I don’t always have the time available to write them. As a coach, it’s important that my social media presence and blog content cater to the needs of my audience, so I had to figure out a way to submit quality content on a regular basis without spreading myself too thin.
When time doesn’t permit, adjust your style
It was unrealistic for me to think that I could invest the same amount of time and energy into my blog, especially as I had to schedule writing posts in between my day job and clients. Back when I had initially started blogging, I’d casually write alongside my muse whenever she came to visit, however long it took. As I got busier, I realized I could not wait for inspiration and creativity to come to me as time often didn't permit, so I had to adapt my writing style in order to generate content more quickly. Short on time, but still passionate about delivering good content, I adopted a writing style inspired by my most senior advisor, my grandad.
There’s a specific moment that comes to mind when I think about my grandad. I was visiting England after being absent from my hometown for two years. Towards the end of my trip is usually when I’d do my rounds visiting family and friends to say my farewells. The last stop was always grandad's house, because he always insisted on offering me a final blessing before I left. Per tradition, he wanted to be the last to wish me a safe flight and “all the success in the world.” It was always a bittersweet moment for me, as you can imagine, I’d be rushed for time trying to make my flight and sensing this urgency, he’d say, “I know you must leave soon, and who knows when I’ll see you again, so listen carefully,” and in a space of ten minutes, he’d manage to impart wisdom that left a lasting impression.
When time is of the essence, I think back to those short, enlightening conversations in order construct my blog post quickly, yet mindfully. I write as if I am in his shoes; if I only had ten minutes left to make a point, I’d focus on the details that mattered to get my message across. Writing this way forces me to arrive at the heart of my message more quickly, eliminating details of lesser significance.
Use multimedia to add depth when you're short on time
When I’m rushed to write a post, I’ll often set the tone by adding media that carries a similar message. Many of my posts are often associated with an image, piece of art or some other form of media. Music is such a great motivational tool that engages emotion and helps give more depth to what is being said, so I often add music to my blog posts for this reason. For example, “Stand By Your Dreams” is a short motivational piece I wrote to encourage readers to hold onto their aspirations. Although the content lacks the personal detail that my other posts have, I added music to give it a little more depth and appeal.
Powerful quotes are another great way to enhance the message in concise blog posts, as they draw readers in. Finding inspiration from images, quotes or music is a great way to help you begin writing a post or keep you focused on a certain topic, especially if you’re new to blogging. It’s also a great way to revive your blog if you’ve neglected it. What’s more, using existing media can help readers understand you better as you develop your own writing skills (just be sure to credit/reference them!).
It turns out that my time limitations have sertved me well. As I have adapted my writing style, I have learned that my audience prefers concise practical advice that inspires, so a lack of time could actually work in your favour. And these approaches can help hold your message together when time is of the essence; helping you write from the heart and still connect to your audience.
Happy blogging!
About Terry Sidhu
Terry Sidhu is a relationship, life and family coach with an advanced level diploma in psychology, based out of Vancouver, BC. You can connect with Terry through Noomii, his Website, Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
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