Blogging Made Less Weird: My Writing Process

Let me confess something right out of the gate: I am not the most organized person. My idea of planning used to look like scribbles on sticky notes, forgotten drafts, and a vague hope that “the mood” would strike.

Spoiler: the mood rarely struck.

So, I made an outline. Not a fancy one. Not the kind with color-coded blocks or mysterious acronyms. Just a simple checklist that makes writing a blog post way less painful and way more doable.

I use this outline for every article I write whether it’s for my blog or a client. It keeps me moving, helps me avoid spiraling into YouTube rabbit holes, and gives my posts a structure that actually works.

If you’re writing and staring at a blank screen like it just offended you, this outline might save your brain a few gray hairs.

✍️ Step 1: The Weird Little Brain Dump

Before anything else, I open a new doc and just dump all my thoughts. No editing. No second-guessing. Just whatever’s floating around my head about the topic.

It usually looks like this:

• “People always struggle with XYZ, maybe start there?”
• “Remember that time I tried XYZ and it flopped?”
• “Ooooh maybe a list would work here.”

This part is messy on purpose. It gives me a place to unload the chaos before I try to make it readable.

🎯 Step 2: Pick the One Thing You’re Actually Trying to Say

Here’s where I rein myself in.

What’s the main point of the post? Not five points. Not seventeen. Just one.

For example, when I wrote The Strange Joys of Blogging for No Audience, my goal wasn’t to give a pep talk, a strategy, and a detailed workflow. It was just this: sometimes writing for no one still matters.

That’s it.

Nailing this down early stops me from writing the blog version of a run-on sentence.

🪤 Step 3: The “Hook, Line, and Sink My Attention” Intro

I write intros last.

(Yeah, I know this is step 3. This is just where I start thinking about it.)

The goal of the intro? Get someone to read the next line. That’s it. Not to summarize the whole post. Not to impress anyone. Just to make the reader keep going.

Think weird confession. Funny thought. Odd little moment. Like how I opened this post about blogging easy with AI by saying I basically use AI like a digital intern.

You don’t need fireworks, you need curiosity.

🧱 Step 4: Stack the Middle Like a Lego Tower

Now it’s time for the good stuff: the middle. This is where I break everything into chunks. I usually go with 3 to 6 main sections.

Each section:

• Has a little headline (helps with skimming)
• Focuses on one idea only
• Gets to the point fast (no throat-clearing!)

This structure is what helps the reader, and me, stay on track. It also makes the whole thing feel more readable. If you’re wondering how to write posts that pay, check out this list of high-paying writing niches, where I used this same Lego-style breakdown.

💥 Step 5: The “Okay So What?” Ending

Endings are not conclusions.

Don’t wrap things up with a bow and drift off into the blog version of elevator music. Instead, I try to end with either:

• A nudge (“Try this and let me know if it works.”)
• A feeling (“You’re not alone if you’re figuring this out.”)
• A resource (Like when I shared my actual freelance blogging schedule here.)

It doesn’t have to be life-changing. Just helpful. Real. Maybe even slightly funny.

🧹 Step 6: Polish Like a Gremlin with a Deadline

Once the bones are in place, I read it out loud. If I trip over a sentence, I fix it. If I yawn, I delete it. If I repeat a word five times in one paragraph (I totally do it all the time), I swap a few out.

Then I:

• Add links (like to free tools I use all the time)
• Check formatting (headings, spacing, bullet points)
• Make sure the vibe is still me

I don’t aim for perfection. Just readable and not boring.

Want to Try It? Here’s the Full Outline

1. Brain dump
2. Pick your main point
3. Sketch an intro idea
4. Build out 3–6 clear sections
5. End with something that sticks
6. Edit like someone’s watching

That’s it. No magic. No mystical “flow state.” Just a way to stop overthinking and start typing.

You can even try this outline for your own freelance blogging journey, or build a portfolio that doesn’t feel like homework.

Oh, and if you’re thinking about turning your blog into something that actually pays the bills? I got you: Can You Really Make Money Freelance Blogging?

Happy outlining 📝