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Right-Brain Writing: How Creativity Rocks Your Blog

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Does it feel like your blog content is getting a little stale?  It happens sometimes; a writer runs out of ideas, and then even the most casual reader thinks he's seen it before.

If you think you're in a rut, shake things up and try something new--right-brain writing!

Many bloggers tend to stick with one blog format, either because they have to or because it's easier to follow.  But sticking too close to a pattern turns your blog into something familiar, and as we've often heard, familiarity breeds contempt.

On the other hand, a creative spin on a standard format stirs your readers and gives your writing a boost as well:

• Fired-up Imagination:  When you get away from the tried-and-true, you start brainstorming.  You come up with new and different ideas, and you're once again excited to write.

• Excited Readers:  Excitement is contagious.  When you're excited about writing your blog, visitors will be just as excited to read it.

• A New Take on an Old Story:  You might be writing about a common topic, but it doesn't have to be a common blog.  If you find a fresh spin on you blog content, your blog is more interesting and less cookie-cutter.

So tap into the power of your right brain!  Even if you have to work in a specific format, you can still find ways to do something different that makes your blog stand out.  Here are a few ideas to spice up your blog - or jump-start your brain to come up with your own ideas.

Take Another Point of View
There's more than one side to every story.  Finding that other side makes your blog sound new.

Suppose you're writing a how-to article about solving problems.  You could go with the usual list of 5-10 ideas, but readers tend to remember a story of what someone else did.  Turn that how-to list into a firsthand account of how you solved a problem, or write a case study or testimonial of how someone else did it.

A how-to list is valuable, but after seeing thousands of them already, readers will be very interested in a real-life account that provides the same advice.

Ask Readers to Join In
Sometimes, blog content feels like a one-way conversation.  You write what you know, and readers read it.  End of story.  You have no idea if they took your advice or even if they remember what you said.  But when readers respond to your blog, you know for sure.

Your blog already allows readers to comment, but what you really want is feedback beyond, "Well-written" or "Great blog."  Active engagement takes the interaction to another level.  In your next post, ask readers to:

• Answer a survey

• Share their experiences with a particular topic

• Write a guest blog

• Enter a contest

Or go in reverse order - post a blog featuring some of your favorite comments and insights from past blogs.  Once you bring your readers into the content, their interest goes way up.

Think Outside the Text Box
Sure, text is easy to read, but it might not always keep readers interested.  Creative bloggers know that, and add other ways to get their message across.  

• Photos catch the eye and are worth a thousand words (or so we've heard).  

• Videos bring your ideas to life;  show videos of people putting you ideas into practice, or show where your ideas came from in the first place.

• Audio files are music to the ears; hear someone talk about your ideas, or post songs that represent your ideas.

• Add interactive surveys so readers can participate at that moment instead of putting it off and ultimately forgetting about it.  

Blog content comes in many forms.  The more forms you use, the more engaged and entertained your readers will be.

If your blog is feeling a little lifeless, give it an energy boost.  Add a few new bells and whistles, tap into your creative side, and turn your blog into a multisensory experience!