I know full well that keeping up with a blog can feel like a chore, even for a writer – but especially when you didn’t get into this business game to be writing and posting all the time. You start with the best intentions, full of ideas and enthusiasm, but a few months (or weeks!) down the line, things get busy and the blog takes a back seat. But blog consistency is one of the most important ways to maximise all of the brilliant magic a blog can work for you. Google loves it when you’re keeping consistent on your blog, and so do your readers.
Here’s why keeping consistent is so important, along with some tips for making the job a bit easier to achieve…
Why Consistency Matters
Imagine your favourite TV programme – mine is currently The Traitors. I tune in every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because I know there’ll be a new episode, and I need my fix of Queen Claudia. But if they started missing days, or suddenly putting it out at random times, I would be so annoyed – particularly if I didn’t have it set up to record. That’s how your audience feels if your blog schedule is all over the place.
Here’s why it’s so important in a nutshell:
1 – It builds trust and anticipation. Your readers (or potential clients) will start to rely on your blog as a source of information, inspiration, or entertainment – or all three. If they know when they can expect new posts, they’ll keep coming back.
2 – It’s magic for your SEO. Regularly updated blogs tend to rank higher on search engines, and so does your website as a result. Google loves fresh content, and so do your readers.
3 – It reinforces your brand. Sticking to your content pillars – the main themes or topics your blog focuses on – helps establish your authority in your niche. It makes your brand more memorable and credible, and gives people what they’re looking for when they’re researching you.
Why It’s Hard to Stay Consistent (and What to Do About It)
Keeping consistent is easier said than done, I know. Between client work, admin, and everything else we’re supposed to do when we run a business, blogging can end up at the bottom of the list. If this is you though, don’t worry – your blog is not doomed! Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
– Be realistic. Consistency doesn’t mean posting every week if that’s not realistic for you. Start with a schedule you can stick to – whether that’s once a month, twice a month, or whatever works for your capacity.
– Plan ahead. This is at least half the battle with a blog. If you’re winging it every month, you’re setting yourself up for stress and inconsistency. Create a blog plan, even if it’s just for the next quarter. Map out ideas based on your regular content pillars, so you’re not scrambling for ideas at the last minute – because when you know what you’re going to write about, it makes the whole prospect feel easier.
– Make writing a habit. Set a regular time for writing and treat it like an appointment. Whether it’s a Monday morning slot or a quiet Friday afternoon, consistency is as much about routine as it is about content.
– Write in bulk. Set aside a day or half-day to write multiple blog posts – when you’re in the zone, it’s easier to keep the words flowing. Then schedule them to go live over the next few months, and you’ll have the foundations of some social media and email marketing themes as well.
Still Know You’ll Struggle?
If you know you’ll still find it difficult to keep to a regular blog schedule, give some of these a try:
– Start small: commit to shorter posts if the thought of a 1000-word tract overwhelms you. A 500 word post is just as valid, and that’s all Google needs to categorise it as a post in search engine results.
– Repurpose content: don’t feel like every post needs to be brand new. Go back to your social media posts, old blog content, or even use some client FAQs as the foundation for your next one.
– Outsource: If writing isn’t your strong suit or you’re genuinely too swamped, outsourcing is always an option to keep your blog ticking over (that’s why I’m in business, after all!). And don’t forget the wonders of AI, which is a godsend…just make sure it sounds like you before you publish.
– Reward yourself: finished a post? Celebrate with your favourite treat. Positive reinforcement really works wonders.
– Done is Better than Perfect: If you’re someone who feels the finished article is never quite right, then make this your new mantra. Give yourself permission to put it out anyway, using this philosophy – because it’s far better going out as it is, than not going out at all.
Blogging is a long game, and I promise you the results will come if you stick with it. I’ve got all sorts of stories about how blogs have worked their magic, and it’s exponential as well – once a post is out there and working for you, it won’t stop. It will keep contributing to your brownie points with Google, and forging those connections with the people who come to read it.
So what are you waiting for? Make a commitment that works for you, and then grab a cuppa, open your laptop, and start planning your next post. Your blog doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be consistently you.
So many of my Writing Club members are in the same boat, and find it a big help to have some support with getting those regular posts out there. There’s an online Writing Room each month – time for you to write, with me on hand to answer any questions and give you some new ideas – and there’s also access to my full library of writing resources, checklists and downloads. All for just £19 per month! Find out more here: RLC Words Writing Club