Beyond the Blank Page: Weekly Business Articles
It’s been a year since I made a commitment to write and publish one article each week. If you follow me at all or are subscribed to my newsletter, you know that I release new content every Thursday at 8 am CET on my business blog and LinkedIn.
When I set this goal a year ago, my commitment was to stick with it for two years and see what is going to happen and observe the results. Initially, my goal was to increase visibility for both myself and the business topics I'm passionate about sharing my experiences with.
As an introvert, I had to step out of my comfort zone. I had to decide which medium to use to publish my content and thoughts. Since I’m not too comfortable in front of cameras or microphones, I opted for writing. Writing (and reading) is something I have enjoyed since childhood and is helping me to structure my thoughts effectively. I knew that in order to maintain consistency, I needed to choose a medium that felt natural and easy to use for me.
The Writing Process
So, how did I approach this commitment? I typically plan content for two or three months in advance, to ensure I have a clear roadmap of topics to explore.
Initially, I was a little nervous if I would find enough topics to sustain weekly articles, but it turned out not to be an issue. As I write, new ideas often come up that lead to additional article topics. I also realized that I don’t have to squeeze all the knowledge into one article but can split it up in a series of articles (see my 8-part exit series).
Once I have my content plan, I schedule dedicated time for this to write an article in one time block. Often, I write early in the morning when the house is still quiet. Like today, I use an early Sunday morning after walking the dog.
Additionally, I make sure I have a backlog of 4-6 articles ready to go before they are due for publication. This way I don’t get stressed during busy periods or travel times.
I've developed a writing template that follows a problem-solving structure and my content comes from real-world experience and case studies. I also do some research and verification on the specific topic. Once an article is finished, I let it “sit” for a few days before making final edits. Then it gets scheduled on my blog and – in a short form – on Linkedin.
Lessons Learned
While I initially felt nervous and uncomfortable about publishing content, it has since become routine, and I now enjoy the process.
I’ve written 50 articles since June 2023 and it has become a must-do and non-negotiable block in my calendar each month.
Looking back at my past, whenever I have truly and fully committed to something, I have become resourceful and followed through. This leaves the door open to consider what else I want to commit to in the future that may not be the most obvious path.
Results and Impact
Consistently writing articles has led to some other learnings.
My writing has become more efficient, and I've learned (and am still learning) to focus on just one topic only per article rather than trying to cover too much ground and overwhelming readers. If you look at my very first article, I’m sure, you will see a difference. I also learn a lot by researching a topic, breaking it down into consumable pieces.
Even though I’m not a native English-speaker, I am every day fully emerged since it’s the table language in my household. It comes much easier to me than writing in German. Only sometimes, I miss some very specific German words.
It connects me with people. Sometimes it’s former colleagues and contacts, I haven’t talked to in years and an article opens up a new conversation. Writing in English also connects me to a broader, international network.
While the audience and reach is still small, I can see it growing. Learning about SEO, website metrics along the way, was a new topic I had to grow into.
I sometimes get feedback from colleagues and contacts who don’t subscribe or engage with the online content, but when we talk, they tell me that they read the articles and find them interesting and useful. This feedback makes me happy and also answers the question of wether it’s worth it. If I can inspire or support just a few people to come up with new thoughts and ideas for their business, I know I’m making a difference with my insights.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Commitment aside, there are times when I struggle to sit down and write. It’s not so much a writer’s block as it is procrastination and doing everything else.
To overcome this, I force myself to sit down and write for just 5 minutes. I use the Focuskeeper app which is timed to 25 minutes of focused work. And 5 minutes turns into 25 minutes, and then until I get it done. For me, the key is to just start DOING instead of spending too much time thinking about the what and how.
Also, writing on a monthly rather than weekly basis, helps me not feeling stressed about it.
I have also learned that it is important to have a backup plan if I have to rely on others to contribute content to articles. If things don't come back in time, there has to be a plan B.
It’s still hard for me to show too much from my personnel side. One reason is of course the confidentiality of topics I am working on but also breaking through my comfort zone again.
Future Plans and Goals
With the second year ahead, I plan to continue covering topics related to my business experience.
Upcoming articles will cover future management, business health check series, my favorite reads and more.
I want to build a community around entrepreneurial topics, especially for sole decision makers and business owners (link to article). Please join me and share your own thoughts and experiences. My goal is to build a community around entrepreneurial topics, fostering exchange and discussion among sole decision-makers and business owners.
The Power of Consistency and Lessons Learned
- Consistency pays off: small, incremental efforts compound over time.
- Grow and learn as you do something instead overthinking
- Meaningful connections and conversations can come from small things
- Sign up for the newsletter to stay in touch
And so, dear reader, please know that every step you take brings you closer to realizing your potential.