So you’ve read the previous blog post What is your blog frequency? What is your blog frequency? and you’ve decided to attempt the 8 blog post trail run. To keep the whole process simple, try and think of a subject that you can break down into multiple parts. For example, if you know about three changes that you expect to happen in your industry, rather than write about all three in one blog post, you can break it down over three total blog posts. Not only are you able to expand on your ideas on the subject, but you cut down the time needed to come up with and write additional posts.

Most blog posting services will allow you to post date blog posts. This is a great tool that helps you to post regularly. Let’s say that you write three blog posts at once, you can post the first one on Tuesday, post date the second one to the following Tuesday and the third would be posted two Tuesdays from the first. Three weeks of blog posts in one fell swoop.

Now you’re first three blog posts are complete and you have nearly two weeks to come up with another idea for a blog post. See if you can come up with ideas from news stories you read, books you are enjoying, or from conversations with colleagues. The world has many opportunities to plant the seeds of an idea in your mind.

Remember to keep your posts between 200 and 500 words in length. Longer posts are okay occasionally but you don’t want to make a habit out of posting 1,500 word blog posts. People have a short attention span online and want to get their information quickly and succinctly.

The key thing to remember when you are creating your blog posts is that you are doing these for your customers and not simply for search engines. Ultimately higher search engine rankings do not necessarily lead to increased sales. However, well thought out and well planned blog posts can build a sense of connection with your customers, and potential customers, which can lead to increased sales over time.

Once you’ve completed your 8 blog trial run, take the opportunity to review your performance, tweak your approach, and hopefully find that you can be a regular contributor to the exchange of ideas online.