I’ve compiled a list of the world’s most chronically boring bloggers.  Some of them are pretty well-known. Of course I would never publish such a list, but I wonder if boring bloggers even realize how dull they have become.

If you sense you’re losing your edge, here are some warning signs that you’re becoming a boring blogger.

1) Your posts are too damn long. Occasionally a very long blog article is absolutely justified by its scintillating content and vision. But 99% of the time a long post only serves the ego of the author, not the need of the readers.  Once you hit 600 words the yellow caution flag should come out. Long blogs = snooze time.

2) Stirring up fake controversy.  Some bloggers huff and puff and write of their indignation about something ridiculous to provide an image that they are being controversial. ZZZZzzzzz.

3) Self-decoration. Do you commonly illustrate your posts with pictures of yourself?  Even MULTIPLE pictures of yourself? I might be taking a leap here but this just could be a sign of self-absorption. I actually saw one blogger recently quote himself in his own blog.  Nap time.

4) Blogging by the clock.  Some have obviously been blogging too long or have too little new to say. I get the impression they write simply because it’s time to write. I realize you can’t hit it out of the park every time but if you are blogging on a schedule that is probably not going to work.  The theme of one recent post I read was “Be proud to be a marketer.” Does that really need to be said? <yawn>

5) Does anybody read those sponsored posts?  Writing a post every month about a company that is paying you to write about them … deadly.  Better than Ambien.

Overall the world has too many blogs.   And we can always un-subscribe.  And I have : )

But if you have a hunch that you’re getting stale and want to re-charge, try this:

  • Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you … figure out what you have to say.
  • Take a break that includes a change of scenery.
  • Attend a conference.
  • Go back to your very first posts. That was fresh by definition, right?  What made your writing special?
  • Do some reading outside of your field. Look for differing styles and subjects you can incorporate into your themes.
  • Stop reading posts by your contemporaries. Just puts you in the echo chamber.

What would you add?  How do you keep your writing fresh?

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