Content Mastery Guide

Editor and Ghostwriter

Bringing your abandoned articles back to life

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A reader recently told me: "Linda, I read your articles and I get so inspired to write, but then I always get stuck. For example, I started writing a Top 10 list awhile back, but I couldn't think of more than four points so I stopped. I saved it somewhere but I can't remember what I called it so I couldn't even find it if I wanted to."

When it comes to your abandoned, half-written articles and blog posts, you've got two choices:

1. Mine them for gold.

When you look at the article draft with today's eyes and perspective, you bring a fresh energy to the table – you can make new possible connections or call on your most recent conversations with clients and colleagues.

Personally, I rarely (if ever) start and finish an article in one sitting. So adjust your definition of a successful article writing session and see what you can build today out of your abandoned articles from yesterday.

2. Trash them for fertilizer.

This is one of those times where it's okay to have a little bit of clutter in your life. Feeling guilt or pressure to finish something we started can block our creative flow and can even drain our energy from other projects we're working on.

I'm not saying you have to go in and purge all of your files, but let go of them in your mind and be willing to start fresh with a new blank page. Trust that the best ideas will always come back to you.

Writing prompt: If your article writing efforts are being haunted by the ghosts of article ideas past, take action now to either try again or start fresh.

Write from the headlines: This doesn’t feel like global warming

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While experts say that this cold snap doesn't disprove the theory of global warming, all I keep hearing about is how frosty everyone is feeling. So here are some January article topics inspired by the weather:

  • Life coaches: Top 5 ways to make your own sunshine
  • Parenting coaches: How to keep your kids active in the winter months
  • Business coaches: Are your clients hibernating? Make the best of it!
  • Relationship coaches: 10 ways to heat up your relationship
  • Career coaches: Top 5 winter jobs

Writing prompt: What issues might be coming up for your target audience in this cold weather? Or are there some unique New Year themes you could explore?

[Update December 29, 2012 – The original article is no longer available, but I did find this similar story about the cold snap in January 2012.]

True colours, and other gratitude-free November article topics

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When one of my clients told me he was glad we weren't writing an article about gratitude for his November newsletter, I wondered if any other coaches were getting tired of the topic.

Of course there's nothing wrong with aligning your articles with traditional holiday themes, that's a great article marketing strategy! You might even branch out into some non-traditional or lesser-known holidays.

But if you're looking to cultivate your creativity in your article marketing efforts, here are some other November topic ideas you can adapt to your own target market:

  • Career coaches: How to go away without going crazy: 5 things you must do before and after a vacation
  • Life coaches: The leaves are showing their true colours – how can you show yours?
  • Parenting coaches: How to keep your kids active in colder weather
  • Business coaches: It's never too early for next year's business plan!
  • Spiritual coaches: How to see the goodness in every person around your holiday table

Writing prompt: Use these article titles to spark an idea that will interest your particular readers.