Do you need a blog plan? You think you already know the answer to this one, don’t you? Well, I’m going to buck the trend here a bit and tell you it’s not necessary to run your blog strictly by a plan.

OK, hang on. Let’s back up a bit.

What I really believe is that it’s great to map out a blog plan for yourself to see where you’re going and create some guidelines for yourself.

HOWEVER…. (Yes, it deserves big capital letters).

You shouldn’t feel you have to stick to that regimented plan you just set yourself.

Why you shouldn’t stick to a forced blog plan

The reason is that it will simply stifle your creativity and, worse, as an overwhelmed entrepreneur it will take you twice as long to write anything.

I go into each coaching session with clients – and even into my WordPress dashboard – with a clear idea of what my plan is.

The thing is, sometimes in those coaching sessions I follow what feels right and move toward a better place that fits more perfectly with where the client is now and where they want to be. We don’t all fit into the same box. This same theory applies to my blogging.

Now, if I open my blog plan and it says I need to write a post about how to write sizzling headlines for blog posts, but I have this urge and energy around wanting to deliver a post on whether you really need a blog plan (oh yes, that would be this post alright), then I go with what feels right and write the latter.

What happens when you write from your heart and soul rather than plans?

Do you want to know the difference between me sitting down writing a headline blog post and a blog plan post today? This blog plan post was written in 15 minutes. Tops!

I used the “write without editing” tip from my previous post and tips for my “content creation process” to just let it flow.

Now, if I’d gone with the headline post (which will get written, because it’s in the plan and an important blogging topic), then it would have likely taken me an hour. Maybe even more. Because my heart wasn’t in it.

Worse, I might have decided it was getting too hard and ran away from the whole stressful situation. Which then just starts a spiral of overwhelm, because I can’t get past that one post about headline writing. When we connect unconsciously with something, we need to move in that direction.

The other big aha! I’ve had is that people can often feel the energy in that post too. If it was hard to write and I labour over it, I get a meh! sort of response.

Now, if I bang something out because:

• I’m passionate about it,
• I have plenty to say and
• it’s flowing effortlessly,

I tend to get far more interaction in the form of social media shares, views and comments.

What if you have no inspiration at all? Zilch. Nada.

Through speaking with my mindset coach, one of the things I’ve realised is when I can’t think of something to blog about or it feels hard, it’s because I’m putting pressure on myself to HAVE to blog every single week.

What happens is I freeze, can’t think of anything creative and my blog becomes more and more neglected.

Now, I’ve changed the way I look at this. If I blog when I truly have something I need to get out there, then it takes the pressure off having to blog every single week.

And you know the funny thing? I tend to create more content.

Why is that? Well, as I said, the pressure of having to blog stifles creativity. When the guilt is lifted, the “shining inspiration comes through” (my mindset coach’s words!). I feel more creative and the stories flow.

Sounds silly, doesn’t it? But it’s oh so true. Well, for me anyway.

We often put ourselves down for not living up to certain expectations. My question for you is: who set the expectation you had to blog every week? Or every day? (Oh yes, I was a daily blogger once too).

The quality versus quantity argument

The other part is this need to produce content for contents sake. While I might have once had shame around the fact I don’t produce a business post every single week, the truth is I’ve discovered I’m generating more subscribers than many who blog every day or every week.

So why did I feel shame? Heaven knows!

I’m now proud knowing I can spend that time that others are investing in a blog that isn’t getting them results with my family and working on other areas of my business instead.

Then, when I do blog, I get a nice stream of subscribers, comments and shares. After all, building relationships with people is one of my main goals.

If this scenario is more appealing to you than blogging incessantly for little return, I’d love to work with you.

Do do you need a blog plan then?

So my advice to you is, yes, go forth and create a blog plan, but give yourself permission to also have freedom in your blogging. When it comes down to writing and being in the flow, go with your intuition – that feeling you get when something feels right and feels easy. Be a fearless blogger!

How good are you at sticking to blog plans?

While you may be “blogging in the moment”, ensure you’re still “blogging with intent” by inviting readers to take the next step with you at the end of each post. One step is to build a relationship through a Soulful Sales Funnel. Download the FREE map to start mapping out your client journey.

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