How to Write a Blog Post When You're Not Passionate About the Subject

Let’s face it. Sometimes you have to write a blog post on a topic you’re not all that interested in. 

Maybe your boss told you to write it, or you know the post will appeal to readers, or the work will earn you a decent amount of money. Whatever the reason, writing about topics you don’t love can be necessary and even worthwhile.

 

Because you’re not passionate about the topic, it’s important to make the writing process as painless as possible. Here are some tips for getting it done quickly and painlessly:

• Write on a full stomach. Well, your stomach doesn’t have to be completely full, but make sure you’ve had a substantial meal and perhaps a cup of coffee before starting the post. Food (especially healthy “brain” foods) and caffeine can help improve your concentration. Plus, if you know you get to eat before writing, you might not dread the task as much.

• Make sure you’re in a decent mood. Since the topic at hand doesn’t inspire you, you really need a positive mentality to tackle the work. That means you should try not to write your post at a time when the rest of your life is in disorder. If you have the choice, wait until your car is taken into the shop, you’ve completed an awesome workout, and you’ve cooked food for the week ahead. Then, when you sit down to write, you’ll feel empowered.

• Make sure you understand the assignment. Double-check with your supervisor to verify that you know what you should be writing about. Maybe you misinterpreted his or her wishes, and your manager actually wants you to write about a more interesting subject. Even if your manager does want you to write about the lackluster topic, he or she might have a specific format in mind. Knowing as much information about the assignment as possible can help you complete the task as quickly as possible.

• Do your research. It is a lot easier to write a blog post if you have researched the topic at hand (blogger David Doolin agrees!). The key to creating content is having something to say. Once you’ve made your revelations, your post should come together quite easily. Another benefit of this approach is that you might find some information along the way that actually interests you. Feel free to incorporate this into the blandness!

• Take breaks. Sometimes the best way to get a bothersome task done is to just do it—start it and complete it all in one sitting. But other times the intensity of doing all the work at once is overwhelming. Instead, you can carry out the assignment in stages. Maybe do a half-hour of research, and then respond to some of your emails. Do another half-hour of research, then have a snack. Then write the introductory paragraphs to your post, then stop to do another task, like editing a colleague’s document. If you continue in this fashion, you might actually enjoy yourself. Variety is the spice of life, right?

• Look forward to the future. As you work on your blog post, remind yourself that not every topic you cover will be equally unexciting. Keep a list of topics you’d be passionate about writing, or at least very interested in writing. If you have a supervisor, pitch the ideas and see what he or she thinks. Just like in life, writing alternates between good and bad experiences. The key is making the bad experience as painless as possible through preparation and hope for the future!

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