How To Stay Consistent With Your Online Content?
Art For Art's Sake: Vol 2 Part 5
When it comes to anything in life, especially creating online content like this essay, one of the most repeated advice is "Stay Consistent."
But how does one do that? Let me share with you how I have stayed consistent with writing and publishing my online content for 1 year and 10 months now and beyond.
Find Your Process And Rhythm
Every writer will have a different way of going about their writing. Which is why it is important to find your own recipe for writing.
Research different writers' different processes, learn from writing teachers, experiment with what you find and figure out what's working for you. Don't blindly copy someone else's routine and then stress when you fail to maintain it. Find your own routine - based on your lifestyle, requirements, and personality.
You don't need to write every day, at the break of dawn, and publish every day. Find what works for you. Writing 4 days a week and publishing 2 essays per week is perfect for me.
Don't Overbook Yourself
In the name of productivity, we forget reality. You can't be at the top of your game all day, every day, for as long as you want. So don't fill your day with work and responsibilities all day long.
You are a human being, not a human doing. It's okay to relax. It's okay to write 2 hours a day and then be done. Doing more does not equal better results, more fun, or more money and recognition.
You want to stay in the game for a long time. If you overbook yourself, you'll burn out and trash.
Don't Fear Taking Breaks
I used to get anxious thinking about taking a break. What if my readers leave me if I don't publish regularly? I thought.
Then it hit me.
One of my favourite novelists, Amor Towles, publishes a book about every three-to-four years. And the moment I know his book is out, my wallet also comes out. Amor Towles doesn't need to publish his stories daily, monthly or even yearly to keep me hooked. I love his writing so much that no matter when he publishes it, I am getting myself a copy immediately.
The readers who love your work will stick around for you. Even if you disappear, they'll remember you and google to see what you're up to and whether some new content is up.
But my ego wasn't satisfied with that answer. So I did a little experiment.
After posting online content consistently five days a week for the first six months of my online writing journey, I took a month off (after informing my readers).
During that month, I checked my stats on Medium every day. Do you know what I found? None of the readers following me left me because I wasn't posting anymore. Instead, I increased my followers count by 3-5 new readers every day. Plus, two of my articles even got viral.
Don't fear taking breaks. The ones who love your work will always have you on their radar.
