the craft. writing regularly for a blog or newsletter.

In my blogging years, I felt like I reached a plateau. I had been blogging for some time and eventually, my readership just stopped growing. When I was trying to strategize on how to increase growth, one of the things I realized was that I needed to be blogging more. It wasn’t enough to be writing once a month and assuming that would grow my readership. So I committed to posting three times a week and the results were extremely positive.

When I think about that time now, it makes me nauseous. I can’t imagine being able to put that much time into blogging currently, but it was what I needed at the time in order to get over that hump. When I was consistent, I noticed an increase in followers, more engagement, and more views on my posts.

It was great! But it was not easy because that type of consistency takes a lot of work. For you it may not be posting multiple times a week on a blog. It may be staying consistent with a monthly newsletter. But there are some tried and true things that have helped me stay consistent with creating this type of content. This week, I want to share a few leading into our next PTW Masterclass with Michael Jones that will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18th!

Keeping a running list of topics.

I may not always be at my computer screen, but I do my best to keep a running list of topics as they come to mind. You know as a writer, things tend to fly in and out of your head at random times. And I can tell you now you will not remember later, so write it down as soon as you can. Through Google Docs and the white board in my office, I try to collect ideas so that when I’m not particularly inspired by a specific subject, I can pull from that list.

Batching

The running list of ideas helps with the idea of batching which is essentially preparing multiple blog posts or newsletters at once. If I can block out a few hours to write, I may be able to complete 1-3 posts or newsletters in one sitting. This really helps to account for managing your life around your writing. For instance, the vacation you want to take. When your work is done already, all you have to do is set it and forget it! Just schedule the post and put up your out of office!

Mining for Topics

I like to dabble in the internet streets to see what people may be interested in discussing specifically when it comes to my newsletters around writing. I also just have a lot of experiences I like to share about that I didn’t have anyone to tell me starting out. But my own knowledge will only take me so far so I like to explore questions I’ve seen asked or do research about things I may have wondered about. Or when it comes to my personal newsletter, sometimes I even mine my journals to find themes or topics. Nothing like being able to essentially borrow from your own work.

Developing a writing schedule.

This remains super important. You have to carve out time to write. Currently, Fridays tend to be a writing day for me. Thankfully, I’m off from the full-time gig so I can take full advantage of the morning when my brain is super fresh. I know that I’ll at least have the #ptwpowerhour at 12pm ET. And then I often stay at my laptop afterwards until about 2 or 3pm. Whatever the time is for you, protect it and be disciplined about it. Remember that running list? You may not always be inspired when you sit down, but revisiting that list may spark something in you!

I’m sure Michael will have a lot of other great tips and tools for writing daily! But I just wanted to share some of my process. It is not easy to constantly generate ideas and to write pieces worth reading. But you can do it! I promise! And if you’re looking for a little help, be sure to register for this month’s live class. If you can’t make it, of course, the recording will be up on our video page the following week.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Britni Danielle is opening her inbox for pitches for Shondaland. Author interviews (no reviews), Entertainment profiles/interviews, Culture articles/essays about TV/Film/Music/Visual and Performing Art (no reviews), women doing amazing things in art. October and November. Rates start at $400 and depend on reporting. britni@shondaland.com. *be sure to read Shondaland for examples.

Krys Malcolm Belc is looking for memoir submissions for Split Lip Magazine.

Fiyah LIterary Magazine is accepting submissions for their Palestine Special Issue.

Rosa Cartagena is the new Senior Editor at Bitch Media and wants you to say hello! You can pitch your story ideas to rosa@b-word.org.

The New York Times is hiring a Climate Newsletter Writer and Reporter.

Essence Girls United is a vertical for Gen Z and they’re looking for contributors!

HBO Max is hiring an Associate Creative Director, Copy.

Have a pitch for Black History Month for Cosmopolitan UK?

The Whiting Foundation is hiring a Program Assistant.

Smithsonian Mag is hiring an Assistant Digital Editor. (DC Based, 45-51K).