Learning & Experimenting, One Fantastic and Powerful Habit for Bloggers

Have you ever felt like you got too comfortable writing blog post after blog post and not getting ahead of the game? I know what you mean, I’ve been there too. It’s comfy to stick with what works, right? 

But here’s the thing: if we want our blogs to grow and thrive and not just survive, we need to shake things up a bit. How? By making learning and experimenting a regular part of our blogging business. We want to keep things exciting for both ourselves and our readers. It’s not just about staying current – it’s about growing, improving, and loving what we do even more.

If you’ve been following our series on habits to boost productivity in your blogging business, you’re already on the path to success. In former blog posts, we’ve explored several key habits that can transform your blogging journey, from planning ahead and taking care of yourself to monotasking and using productivity tools. At the end of this post, you’ll find the links to the other posts in this series.

In this post, we’ll explore how to make learning and experimenting a natural part of your blogging routine. We’ll cover:

• What this habit looks like in action
• Why it’s so important for your blogging success
• How to weave it into your daily life

Whether you’re new to blogging or a seasoned pro, this habit can take your creativity and productivity to new heights. Let’s dive in!

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What Does It Mean to Learn and Experiment Continuously?

A good habit for us bloggers is to be willing to learn about new ideas within our niche and seek knowledge on the topic we blog about so we can pass that on to our readers through our blog posts and products. 

Learning is all about soaking up new information like a sponge. You might read other successful blogs in your niche, take online courses to sharpen your skills, or listen to podcasts about blogging trends. For example, you could spend 20 minutes each morning reading an article from a top blogger like Ryan Robinson or watching a video tutorial on SEO basics from Nina.

But only learning isn’t enough. We also need to experiment. Experimenting is where you roll up your sleeves and try out what you’ve learned. It’s like being a scientist in your own blogging lab. You might test a new headline format for your next five posts, try a different posting schedule for a month, or experiment with a new social media platform.

Remember when you first started your blog? Every post was an experiment. Why not keep that spirit alive? The key is to make it a habit. Could you set aside 15 minutes each day for learning? How about planning one small experiment each week?

By consistently learning and experimenting, you’re not just improving your blog – you’re growing as a blogger. And isn’t that what makes this journey so exciting?

Why Should Bloggers Adopt This Habit?

You might be thinking, “I’m already busy blogging. Why add more to my plate?” I totally feel you, and that’s why it’s a great question! Let’s explore why making continuous learning and experimenting a habit is so valuable for us bloggers.

Stay Ahead in a Fast-Paced Digital World

The internet changes faster than we can hit “publish.” By constantly learning, you’re like a surfer riding the wave of trends instead of getting left behind. For instance, did you know about AI writing tools a year ago? Bloggers who learn about new tools early often have an advantage.

Uncover New Opportunities for Growth

Learning and experimenting can open doors you didn’t even know existed. You might discover a new affiliate program perfect for your niche, an untapped social media platform where your audience hangs out, or a content format that your readers absolutely love. Remember when bloggers first started using Pinterest? Those who experimented with it early saw massive traffic boosts.

Keep Your Content Fresh and Engaging

Have you ever felt like you’re writing the same thing over and over? Learning and experimenting can be your cure for content staleness. It helps you bring new perspectives to familiar topics, try out different content formats (like infographics or videos), and incorporate current events and trends into your posts.

Boost Your Confidence and Creativity

The more you learn and try new things, the more confident you become in your blogging skills. This confidence often sparks creativity. As Jeff Goins says, “Confidence breeds creativity.” Think about it: How do you feel when you master a new blogging skill? Pretty great, right? That feeling can fuel your motivation and inspire you to push your boundaries even further.

By adopting the habit of continuous learning and experimenting, you’re not just improving your blog, but you’re also investing in yourself as a blogger. And isn’t that the best way to ensure long-term success and satisfaction in your blogging journey?

When Is the Best Time to Learn and Experiment?

You might be wondering, “With my busy schedule, when am I supposed to fit in all this learning and experimenting?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let’s explore some perfect moments to weave this productivity-boosting habit into your blogging routine.

Make It a Daily Ritual

Start small. Could you dedicate just 15 minutes each day to learning something new? Maybe it’s reading an industry blog post with your morning coffee, listening to a blogging podcast during your commute, or watching a quick tutorial video before bed. James Clear, the habit expert, suggests that consistency is key. Even a small daily habit can lead to big results over time.

Capitalize on Your Peak Productivity Hours

We all have times when we feel most alert and creative. When’s yours? For some, it’s early morning; for others, late at night. Use this time to dive deep into a new blogging strategy, brainstorm experiment ideas for your blog, or analyze the results of your recent experiments. And learning and experimenting doesn’t always mean extra work. It can be part of your existing blogging tasks.

Seize Unexpected Moments

Life is full of little pockets of time we often overlook. Why not use them for quick learning bursts? For example, while waiting for an appointment, you could read a blog post. When cooking dinner, listen to a blogging podcast. Taking a walk? Use that time to brainstorm ideas for your next experiment. These moments add up, turning “wasted” time into productive learning opportunities.

Schedule Regular Experiment Time

Set aside a specific time each week or month to try something new on your blog. It could be testing a new headline format every Monday, trying a different social media strategy each month, or experimenting with a new content type quarterly. By scheduling it, you’re making a commitment to your growth as a blogger.

The best time to learn and experiment is whenever you can make it happen consistently. What small change could you make today to start this habit? 

Who Can Benefit from This Habit?

You might be thinking, “Is this continuous learning and experimenting thing really for me?” The short answer is: Absolutely! Let’s break down how this habit can energize different types of bloggers.

Newbie Bloggers: Just starting out? This habit is perfect for you. You’re building your blogging foundation, everything is new, so you’re naturally in learning mode, and experimenting helps you find your unique voice. For example, you could experiment with different blog post formats to see which ones your audience loves most.

Established Bloggers: Been at it for a while? This habit keeps your blog fresh and growing. You can learn new strategies to break through plateaus, experiment with new income streams, and stay ahead of changes in your niche. Maybe you could try learning about and experimenting with email marketing to boost your subscriber list. The sky is the limit, as they say.

Niche Bloggers: Focused on a specific topic? Continuous learning is crucial. It helps you stay up-to-date with the latest in your field, experiment with new ways to present complex information and learn from experts in related niches for fresh perspectives. For instance, if you’re a food blogger, why not learn food photography techniques to make your recipes pop?

Multi-Topic Bloggers: Covering various subjects on multiple blogs? This habit helps you maintain expertise across different areas, experiment with connecting diverse topics if possible, and learn how to balance and organize varied content. You might experiment with theme weeks or content clusters to bring cohesion to your diverse topics.

Part-Time Bloggers: Blogging alongside a day job? This habit can maximize your limited time. You can learn productivity hacks specific to part-time bloggers, experiment with time-saving tools and techniques, and stay motivated by constantly evolving your skills.

No matter where you are in your blogging journey, there’s always room to grow. The habit of continuous learning and experimenting isn’t just for some bloggers; it’s for all of us. It’s what separates good bloggers from great ones.

How to Grow the Habit of Continuous Learning and Experimenting

Ready to boost your blogging journey? Let’s dive into how you can make continuous learning and experimenting a natural part of your routine. Don’t worry, we’ll take it step by step!

1. Start Small and Build Momentum: Remember, habits stick when they’re easy to start. Try setting a daily 10-minute “learning alarm” on your phone, keeping a “Blog Experiment” notebook to jot down ideas, or subscribing to one new blog in your niche each week. For example, if you’re looking into building out your website, you could start by reading one article from Diane’s website, WP Basics Guide, every morning with your coffee. Small steps lead to big changes!
   
   
2. Make Learning Fun and Accessible: Learning doesn’t have to feel like homework. Find ways that work for you. If you’re a visual learner, try video tutorials. Love to listen? Dive into podcasts during your commute. Prefer reading? Ebooks might be your thing. Why not experiment with different learning styles? You might surprise yourself!
   
   
3. Turn Experiments into Adventures: Approach your blog experiments with a sense of curiosity and play. Ask yourself, “What if I tried this new headline format?” or “How would my readers react to a video post?” There’s no failure in experimenting – only learning opportunities.
   
   
4. Track Your Progress and Celebrate Wins: Seeing your growth can be incredibly motivating. Try keeping a learning journal, using a habit tracking app, or sharing your experiments and learnings with a blogging buddy. Did you try a new SEO technique and see your traffic increase? That’s worth celebrating!
   
   
5. Make It a Community Effort: Learning and experimenting is more fun with friends. Join a blogging mastermind group, participate in online blogging forums, or attend virtual or in-person blogging conferences. You could even start a “Blog Experiment Club” where you and other bloggers try new things together each month. How much fun would that be, right?
   

Keep in mind that cultivating this habit is about progress, not perfection. Which of these ideas resonates most with you? Why not choose one and start today? 

Overcoming Common Hurdles

Let’s face it, forming new habits isn’t always smooth sailing. But don’t worry! We’re going to tackle the most common challenges you might face when trying to make continuous learning and experimenting a part of your blogging routine.

Dealing with Time Constraints 

“I’m already so busy, where will I find the time?” Sound familiar? Try using the time-blocking technique by scheduling specific learning times in your calendar. You can also combine activities, like listening to a blogging podcast while doing chores or exercising. Remember, even 10 minutes a day adds up to over an hour a week!

Managing Information Overload

With so much to learn, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Put your blinders on and try to focus on one topic at a time. This week, it might be SEO; next week, social media strategy. Use the “learn, implement, reflect” cycle: Learn something new, try it out, and then think about how it went. You can also create a “learning playlist” by curating resources on topics you want to explore, just like you’d create a music playlist.

Bouncing Back from Unsuccessful Experiments

Not every experiment will be a home run, and that’s okay! Try reframing “failures” as data: What did you learn from the experiment? Share your experiences with your readers – they might appreciate your honesty about what didn’t work. Use the “pivot” approach: If something didn’t work, how can you adjust it? For example, if a new post format didn’t resonate with your audience, could you tweak it or try it on a different platform?

Staying Motivated

Sometimes, the initial excitement wears off. To keep your motivation high, set small, achievable goals and celebrate each milestone in your learning journey. Find an accountability partner and team up with another blogger to share your progress. Remind yourself of the “why”: Why do you wanna keep learning and experimenting? How will this habit improve your blog and your life?

As you can imagine, every successful blogger faced these hurdles at some point. The key is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

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My Final Thoughts

The key to success isn’t about knowing everything or getting it perfect right away. It’s about being curious, staying open to new ideas, and being willing to try things out. Every blog post you write, every new technique you try, and every lesson you learn is a step forward on your blogging journey.

I love learning and experimenting, from new tools to new topics and new ways to be more productive. I have made it a habit to keep it up, because it’s what made me who I am today and what shaped my blogging business. 

So, here’s my challenge to you: What’s one small step you can take today to start your continuous learning and experimenting habit? Maybe it’s setting aside 10 minutes to read a blog post, or jotting down an idea for a new experiment. Whatever it is, take that step. Your future self – and your blog – will thank you for it.

And remember, the most successful bloggers aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most – they’re the ones who never stop learning and trying new things. Are you ready to join their ranks?

“Habits to Boost Productivity” Blog Post Series

If you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, be sure to check out the other articles in our “Habits to Boost Productivity” series. I’ve got plenty more tips and strategies to help you become your most productive blogging self.

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