You know the scene in French Kiss where, after a lengthy train ride filled with delicious cheese, Meg Ryan’s character realizes that she’s about to pay for all of the yumminess?
image source: http://winebread.blogspot.com/
O.M.G.
I indulged in a rare treat — an ooey, gooey, basted-with-butter and dripping with cheese calzone this weekend…
…and for the last 36 hours, I have been in misery. I don’t eat a lot of dairy (I prefer almond milk and only eat a tiny bit of cheese each week) but I do have some, and it’s never been a problem.
So what gives? I’m hoping it’s just a result of major gluttony (I wish I’d take a picture of the calzone beast, but it was bigger than my face and I ate almost all of it alone!) and a few more meals of clean, whole foods will help.
This was dinner last night:
Ugh — are there any foods that make you sick but you just can’t stay away from?
So, I guess that’s one example of where to come up with post ideas. Blog about what’s really happening!
I love getting an inside look at bloggers’ lives, especially when they’re facing challenges! It makes blogs that I read more relatable, more human and, frankly, more interesting.
But if you’re like me, there just aren’t enough unique things that happen in a day to provide for enough blog content, so I thought I would share some (unlikely?) sources for inspiration and some good rules of thumb for posting.
1. Answer Questions
In 10 Tips for Killer Blog Posts, I advise you to check out Google Trends, Quora and Yahoo Questions. They’re great pools of post ideas, because they’re questions that real people are asking!
Even if you’re not an expert in the topic, I urge you to advance the conversation in some way. Perhaps you can link to the original question, give your response and then ask your readers to weigh in?
It’s also another great way to bring in your multiple reader bases — see my tips on using Blackird Pie to embed tweets in your posts.
If you’d rather solicit questions from your readers, make sure that your contact information is very easy to find and that you point people to it regularly.
2. Show Your Human Side
If every post is “whyyyyyy me” or a bitchfest about how much you hate your job, it’s going to get old. But whenever you feel comfortable, take the conversations that you’re having with friends over wine and chick flicks, and translate them to a post.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy confessional posts — because they remind me that no matter how perfect a blogger looks on his or her website, he or she often has struggles, too.
3. Rip From the Headlines
I’m a Law and Order: SVU fan (duh — see my What to Watch: Hulu post) so yes, it’s a phrase that gives me excited shivers. But I think you can usually find some great conversation starters in the news.
Some great places to find both hard and soft news?
When in doubt, don’t post. There. You have my permission! It’s better to not post than to post something that you know in your heart is garbage.
But we all have days where we sit at the computer and wonder…what the heck should I write about today? So I hope this helps!
About Katy
I’m a sucker for McDonald’s. It’s so gross and bad for you and I’ve really come a long way, but sometimes I just can’t say no. Then a couple hours later, I regret that decision. Whoops!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Orlando City Awards Banquet
It’s been a long (LONG) time since I indulged, but Big Macs used to be my Friday treat at work (the only day I left myself leave the office!). I don’t actually want one now, but there’s something about that special trip that still calls to me…
Sometimes when I eat greasy food, I get sick too. I think my body just isn’t used to it and is like WTF is this?
For a long time, I used to drink diet coke even though it upset my stomach. I finally quit it three months ago and have had considerably less stomach problems.
Lee recently posted..DIY Day and Night
Most cheeses don’t agree with me (I stick with cheese or mozzarella)
Fast food hits me like that too (which, is really not a bad thing).
Dan and I were actually talking last night about blog topics. He was very impressed that I find things to write about twice a day. I don’t think they are always interesting – but I do try to keep them real
I do think it’s funny how something simple in your life can spiral into a really interesting post!
Feel better!
Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs recently posted..Mommy’s Job
This is such an amazing post, thank you!! And just think, if you really enjoyed eating the calzone at the time, maybe it was worth it! Feel better
It was pretty good
Oh you and your clairvoyance. You always know exactly what to post for me! This is something I was just thinking on this morning on my walk to the metro — most of the time posting comes very organically for me based on what I did that day. But sometimes, I don’t really do anything at all! Not too exciting. I like the idea of shooting out questions and posting responses — I always really like it when you do that. And you know how much I love stealing all your ideas.
Gretchen @ Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen! recently posted..Candy Woman (Giveaway!)
A lot of the things you mention in the 10 Tips for Killer Blog Posts webinar really stuck with me when I was watching it last week. I’ve felt like I’ve been stuck in a blogging rut the past several weeks and your webinar helped get me out of that. Thanks!
Ellen recently posted..How to Find Blogs to Read
Ellen,
You have no idea how much that means to me. THANK YOU! And let me know if you ever need another kick in the right direction
I hear you about the pizza, sister. I am continually astounded by how food choices affect my energy levels and overall well-being–must moreso than when I was in my 20s (sad I know). The good news is when they come back to bite ya enough times, that pain-inducing food does become less appealing. Half the time now I can just look at stuff, do the fast-forward in my head to the fallout, and then go for option B. So these days of pain will be worth something eventually, I think!
hillary recently posted..15 August 11: My Perfect Day
Both times I’ve had eggplant and sauce my stomach has been killing me! I sure hope it’s not the eggplant…I love it so much.
Great suggestions on post ideas, today I don’t feel like writing so I’m catching up on my favortie blogs
Patty @A Day in My NYC recently posted..Reset
Oof- milk rips my stomache up. Hope you start feeling better, I hate feeling miserable!
These are great tips too! Thanks
Brittany @ A Spoonful of Peanut Butter recently posted..Senile Old Bat
Great post! I am definitely a victim to blogger’s block pretty often.
janetha @ meals & moves recently posted..crankster.
Because I have the most sensitive stomach known to woman, quite a lot makes my stomach upset, which is generally good at keeping me away from the unhealthy stuff…but sometimes after a long night out, there’s nothing like McD’s to wash a hangover away. (Until I feel sick for the next two days from it.)
Theodora recently posted..That Post-PR Glow
Good subject Katy!
Oh. Love how you describe that calzone!
Yes1 Yes! The train scene w/Meg is great …. love it! She keeps eating and eating. Then realizes that she goofed. HA!!
Most all cheese (might be the salt or rennet) give me massive migraines. I gotta be very careful. From time to time my brain (??) craves a buttery thick grilled cheese sandwich. On rye is awesome. Nothing like it. So good w/coleslaw and unsalted chips. I try and use as much unsalted products as possible. Cheese has freaky amounts of sodium. Ugh. Tastes sooooo good though.
Dark chocolate definitely gives me giant headaches. I do eat a little though. Best to have fruit after these huge no-no’s. Fruits can help your tummy digest these foods better.
Mostly I get terribly ill from meat. I will not eat it. A bit of chicken is okay. If I even smell corned beef, I will become deathly sick. Has never agreed with my tummy.
Jessica is right ….. McDonald’s is crappy. Not good for us. The salads are so-so. Fries without salt are really delicious.
Love your posts Katy!!
dark chocolate gives you headaches? you poor, poor thing!
You know, I didn’t really consider that even though I do have cheese, I have really high quality cheese at home — and given the amount that was in this calzone, I doubt the restaurant was using anything high quality at all!
Right now I’ve got 3 very good posts that I want to write but I don’t have the time or motivation. They’re all pretty personal posts and will take some effort and after getting promoted in my job, I’m swamped for 8 hours a day. I don’t even have time to screw around at work (except to write this comment). Lately on Twitter and on my FB page I’ve been regurgitating old posts because I just don’t have time to write.
I think I need to write another fun Top 5 post… http://www.yourinnerskinny.ca/top-5-things-not-to-do-gym/
Thanks for these ideas though. I’ll steal a few of them next time I drink wine and watch chick flicks with the girls.
Scott (YourInnerSkinny) recently posted..Beach Volleyball IS for the Dogs (SPCA Fundraiser)
I SO hear you on the lack of time…having my editorial calendar and also carving out an hour or two on Sundays has made a huge difference.
Anytime you want to chick flick it up, let me know…we should set up a virtual movie club!
That’s happening to me right now!! This weekend I had chicken wings and beer, which is almost never on my menu (not that they’re bad indulgences, it’s just that my body isn’t used to them now!) and I can’t…. GO.
I hope we both feel better soon.
Also, SVU is the best show on television. BF left for a 5 month camping/trail working job last summer and I watched every single episode. Now it’s like a comfort show for me
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs recently posted..My Rules for Smoothies
I gave serious thought to naming a future daughter Mariska but a) Lucas vetoed b) I thought it might be a little too obvious how devoted I am to SVU.
Dan and I were actually talking last night about blog topics. They’re all pretty personal posts and will take some effort and after getting promoted in my job, I’m swamped for 8 hours a day.
Dionne Franks recently posted..Many Cures
I hear you about the pizza, sister. Not too exciting. I will not eat it. So good w/coleslaw and unsalted chips.
Beverley Mccullough recently posted..Many Mops