Fact: You need a blog to promote your network marketing business (if you think you don’t, read this). But coming up with 2 or 3 blog topics a week isn’t easy, and the monotony of generating that much content can quickly lead to blogger’s block.

You do not have to give in to blogger’s block! Here are 12 tried-and-true ways to break down the barriers of productivity and infuse life into your direct selling blog.

First let’s set the scene…

1. Clear Away Distractions

Most network marketers are always in a constant state of multi-tasking. It comes with the territory! But blog writing should be on your short list of very focused activities. When you sit down to write, get rid of your distractions without hesitation or apology. Turn on the factors that nurture a productive environment for your creativity (e.g. calming music) and turn off everything that doesn’t (e.g. your phone).

2. Change of Venue

There is no right or wrong place to write. If your current space isn’t working, try something new. After all, Benjamin Franklin wrote in the bathtub, Marcel Proust wrote in his bed, Ernest Hemingway wrote anywhere standing up, and Toni Morrison checked into a motel room. If you tend to procrastinate at home, go somewhere public. If the coffee shop isn’t working, try the public library. Or your favorite armchair. Or your front porch. Mix it up and see what works for you.

3. Become a Creature of Habit

Prepare your mind for focused blogging by creating a habitual writing ritual. Go for a run, take a shower, grab a cup of coffee, and then sit down to write. It only 21 days to make a habit, so you can train your brain to become a concentrated blogging machine in just 3 weeks!

Now choose your topics…

4. Stay Inspired

The more you read, the more you will write! Be an avid reader of the blogs, journals, books, news articles, and current events in your industry. Don’t be afraid to blogsdrop. Blogsdropping is like eavesdropping, only with other network marketer’s blogs. This isn’t the same as copying an idea. See what’s trending in the blogosphere and insert your own fresh perspective. Use your blog to weigh in on the buzz so you can become a relevant player in the industry. Make sure to link back to another blogger’s post if you’re writing a direct response.

6. Review Your History

Take a look at which blog posts got the most attention and interactions with your readers. Make a list of what topics gathered the most interest, and brainstorm how you can expand on them. Read the comments (and respond to them, of course) to find out what your readers want to know more about or areas they need additional training.

7. Q&A

Constantly ask your readers and social media followers to send you questions and save them throughout the month. Then choose the questions that allow you to really dig into your niche topic, and do a Q&A blog post once a month.

8. Find Your Inner Seinfeld

Your readers will find the little details of your network marketing journey just as interesting (or more) as the full story of your success. Think about the appeal of Seinfeld – despite what everyone claims, it was far from “a show about nothing.” It was a show that broke down the unwritten rules of social interaction, analyzed those norms, and extracted humor from them. In a similar way, you can:

• Present a seemingly normal interaction you encountered as a network marketer: picking up a coffee-to-go before a meeting
• Break down your observations: people in line awkwardly staring at their phones, watching videos on their phones, and paying with an app on their phones
• Relate it to your business: a modern MLM business MUST be mobile, with mobile-friendly websites, apps, and product videos

Time to write…

9. Set a Deadline

Nothing kills productivity like an endless stream of open-ended tasks! Assign a clear deadline for every blog post, social media post, email, and sales call. Keep a detailed schedule of your tasks to help you stay on top of the workload, and reassess your schedule frequently to ensure your time is being spent wisely.

10. Up the Ante

Give yourself an irresistible reason to meet your deadline. Call the babysitter, reserve movie or theater tickets, make a restaurant reservation, or plan a night on the town with your friends. And then sit down and make the magic happen before you can enjoy your evening of fun. When the stakes are high, you’ll be more likely to meet your goal.

11. Write It When You Feel It

When inspiration comes to you, write it down! Don’t let your brilliant idea get lost because you think you will remember it at a more convenient time. A catchy headline, a compelling idea, a 3-step process… don’t let the idea slip away!

12. Set Your Writing Free

One of our favorite ways to beat blogger’s block is to set aside 20 minutes every day to freewrite. Freewriting is a technique where you write whatever comes to mind in whatever form it comes to mind, regardless of spelling or grammar. This allows your mind to break through those blocks and barriers that are holding you back. It is especially effective if you already have a clear topic to work with. Write down whatever thoughts and feelings rush through your mind, even if your instinct is to say, “that’s not a good idea.” Then you can filter through your ideas, create an outline, and fill in the blanks.

Do you have any other tips to kill blogger’s block? Share them in the comments below!