Writer’s Block For Musicians, And 5 Blog Topics That’ll Defeat It

When it comes to blogging as a musician, there are a lot of different thoughts out there.

Some think it's a waste of time. Others think it's obligatory. Still others know that it's something they should be doing, but aren't.

There isn't necessarily a right or a wrong answer here, but if you aren't already aware that blogging can provide you with new opportunities in your music career, you're missing out.

With blogging, you have the chance to engage your fans, increase your exposure, develop new relationships, get your content ranking in search, and more.

If you just don't know what to blog about, or you're having trouble getting started, that's what this guide is for. Let's defeat your writer's block once and for all. By the way, if you haven't yet got a music site, you can learn how to create one here.

1. Music Reviews

The reason I encourage musicians to write music reviews is because it's a great way to relate to others.

People are passionate about music. They download it, buy it, listen to it, go to shows, and generally follow the artists they love.

If you like a certain artist, and you mention them on your blog, and someone else likes the same artist, you've just won a new friend. As result, they may even take interest in what you're doing.

Just so you know, you can frame music reviews in a variety of different ways. You can review singles or albums. You can deconstruct individual songs. You can run a musical analysis of one of your favorite tracks. You can write a list post (i.e. my top 10 favorite classic rock songs).

Music reviews can also be a great way to get discovered in search. Don't expect to rank high if you're writing about something everyone else has already covered though.

2. The Local Music Scene

Blogging about the local music scene gives you a chance to become an influencer in your scene. People are going to start looking to you to find out where they should go and who they should see.

People that build communities and connect people always have a huge amount of influence. That's the great thing about being a musician; you aren't just a performer. You're also a social curator (and by that I don't mean social media)!

People want something to do, and if they had fun getting around the people they were with last time, what are the chances they're going to do it again? This is the type of atmosphere you get to facilitate every time you put on a show!

Additionally, you can blog about anything local; businesses, restaurants, interesting people, and more. Just be sure to talk about things in a positive light, and get permission if you're leery about what you're planning to say.

3. Your Hobbies & Other Interests

You may have heard of the Vegan Black Metal Chef, who has a massive following on YouTube.

At first glance, cooking has nothing to do with music, but the concept is so out there that you feel compelled to check it out.

So who said you can't blog about things other than music? Yes, it's nice to have a focus, but sometimes sharing about your hobbies or other interests just makes you appear more human and relatable to your fan base.

If you're a musician, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that your primary passion is music. People already know that. What people want to know is who you are, what you're interested in, what you like, and so on.

4. Recent Career Developments

Of course, we've all read boring this-is-my-update type posts before. That's not what I'm suggesting you create.

The key point to remember is that your fans want to know what you're up to. They're eager to learn about your next show, next single, next album, next appearance, and so forth.

So it all comes down to how you frame it. If you're only interested in yourself, that will come across. If you're making an earnest attempt to connect with the people who are following you, that will come across also.

Career developments are meant to be exciting. Make sure your enthusiasm comes across, because what you give will often be mirrored back to you.

5. Your Live Shows & Tours

Just about every musician has a story to tell, especially relating to a particular performance or tour.

There was one time I was asked to fill in for an open mic host on a Thursday night. When I showed up to substitute for my friend, it was pretty apparent that he forgot to tell anyone that the stage would still be open that night.

To add insult to injury, it was game night. I live in Canada, so playoff hockey is kind of a big deal (especially when the local team is involved). I actually had to play before, in between and after periods!

Oh well, it was a paid gig and I got to play most of the night, so I'm not complaining.

Does that jog any memories for you? Does that give you an idea of the types of stories you can share on your blog?

Final Thoughts

My final piece of advice would be to get started and stay started. Keep your blogging efforts simple, and don't burden yourself with the task unnecessarily. It's supposed to be fun!

We all have limitations as far as time is concerned. However, once you make blogging a habit, you will find that the words will start to flow more easily. Do it at a consistent time on a daily or weekly basis if at all possible, and you will soon reinforce the practice in your life.

Writer's block has a way of showing up when you're in a rut. How can you break out of a rut? By trying or experiencing something different!

I would suggest reading books, listening to podcasts, going for walks, meditating and doodling. These things have a way of triggering inspiration.

Of course, make sure to capture your ideas as soon as they come to you. If you carry your phone with you everywhere, you're all set. It can't hurt to have pen and paper nearby either though.