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Note from Kevin: Today’s guest post comes courtesy of Julie Petersen. Need help writing engaging content? Julie has some great tips and tools…

What?s the last truly great article you read?

Did you share it with anyone on social media? Did you tell your friends and family about it or quote it later in your day? Did you save it so you could read it again?

If any of these things are true, I bet I can tell you two facts about the article. First, I can say with confidence that it was well written. The author took their time to compose their thoughts in a way that drew you in and engaged you on an intellectual level. Second, it was visually appealing. You saw a picture, video, slideshow, or something else that got your attention.

These things don?t just happen.

It takes time to craft engaging content that audiences love. And if you?re pressed for time or new to writing, it can be a challenge to produce quality articles over and over again.

The following tools and tips will help make the process a little more seamless. Use them to improve both your writing and your visual content so your readers will love your work.

Writing Tools

Hemingway Editor

Write like Hemingway!

Hemingway Editor is an awesome website that can improve the readability and clarity of your writing. You just copy and paste your article into Hemingway Editor?s platform, and the site will highlight any sentences that are hard to read.

It also points out passive voice and adverbs so you can modify them as you wish.

Tweak Your Biz Title Generator

Tweak Your Biz?s online Title Generator comes up with a huge list of possible headlines for your blog posts. All you have to do is type in your topic, and specify whether the topic is a noun or a verb. Tweak Your Biz does the rest.

Choose the headline that grabs your attention the fastest. It?s sure to have the same effect on your readers.

Ninja Essays

Ninja Essays is a tremendous resource for writers.

For a small fee, Ninja Essays can write your articles for you. If you need help with editing and proofreading, they have services for those as well.

They?ll even help with formatting!

PlagTracker

PlagTracker will ensure that your articles are free of plagiarism.

The website will scan your article, find any instances of plagiarism, and replace them with original content.

Rest easy knowing you will always have truly unique content for your readers to enjoy.

Word Counter

Longer content is viewed more and shared more across social media. Longer posts also offer more opportunities for backlinks and embedding SEO keywords.

For these reasons, it?s important to have a minimum standard for the length of your posts. Aim for at least 400 words per post.

Essay Mama?s Word Counting tool will make this step in the process very easy.

Visual Content Creation Tools

Canva

Considered to be one of the easiest design websites for anyone to use, Canva uses a ?drag and drop? tool to make stunning graphics for your website or blog posts.

Kevin J. Duncan uses Canva to create many of the graphics you see here on Be A Better Blogger!

Pixabay

Choose from a selection of over 490,000 free photos and illustrations.

Pixabay makes it easy to find what you?re looking for with their search tool.?You can further filter your results based on orientation, theme, or prevalent color.

It’s pretty nifty.

PiktoChart

PiktoChart lets you easily create infographics for your website.

You start by selecting a template, and then you add charts, video, pictures, and data. With built in social media options, you can easily share the infographic across your web pages.

You can also choose to download and print it, or embed it into a website.

WeVideo

Unlike most visual content creation websites, WeVideo lets you make videos for your page.

The site has advanced options for people who are a bit more tech-savvy, as well as basic designs for those of us who are lacking in artistic abilities.

WeVideo is free for 5-minute videos and up to 2 GB of cloud storage. After that, plans start at $11/year.

GIFMaker

GIFMaker is a free site that lets you make animated GIFs, slideshows, and video animation. It?s one of the only content creation websites that doesn?t require you to sign up.

The tools listed above will make content creation process much easier and effective. However, you need to know how to use them appropriately to get the desired effect.

10 Writing Tips to Make Your Content Engaging and Viral

#1. Use Keywords

When you write your article or blog post, it has to compete with thousands of similar articles in order to receive decent placement in Google?s search results.

One way to help your article rise to the top of the list is to incorporate keywords that will draw readers to your page. Use keywords in your bio or the ?About Us? section of your social media profile. Also, include them in the title of your article and anywhere else that is appropriate.

Just be sure that the writing sounds natural.

#2. Always Respond to Comments

This should go without saying. But you?d be shocked to learn how many businesses and individuals neglect to respond to questions or comments on their social media profiles.

This is absolutely crazy because you have an interested customer right there in front of you asking for you to talk to them. This is even true if you receive a negative comment. Engage the person in conversation. Take advantage of this great opportunity.

If you fail to respond, someone who might have been interested in your product or service might move onto another company or website where they won?t feel ignored.

#3. Tell A Story

Stories connect us to one another. If you can find a way to tell a story within your article, people will be more engaged and interested in what you have to say.

Tell a truthful, personal, and relevant story. This might be on your ?About Me? page or within a blog post about how your business grew from the ground up.

Allow your readers to cheer for you and see themselves within your story.

#4. Be Unique

Unique content will be re-blogged, liked, and shared. Content that has been spun and spun across the web will not.

Find a way to make your article stand out from the rest.

If you?re writing about the best type of dog for each person, for example, maybe focus on the best type of dog for each person based on their eating habits or their sleep schedule. It?s more interesting than basing the decision on their work schedule or space in their home.

#5. Use Pictures and Video

People are visual by nature. We are far more likely to read articles with images to keep us engaged.

People are also more likely to purchase from a business that has great images on their website. It?s not always fair or logical, but it?s true. Use this to your advantage. Incorporate images into all of your posts.

#6. Take Advantage of Social Media

Do some research to learn which social media platforms your potential customers use on a daily basis, and put serious effort into sharing your posts on those pages.

If you find out that you have a lot of potential readers on Twitter and Instagram, for instance, then only posting to Facebook won?t be very effective.

There are many wonderful social media tools that can help push your content to your audience. Take advantage of these tools to make the most of your writing.

#7. Be Trustworthy

When someone reads your article, they will be anxious and apprehensive about the content unless they feel that they can trust you or relate to you in some way.

People trust academic technical experts the most. But directly after the experts, they trust people who seem most like them. They are generally less trusting of CEOs.

If you happen to be the CEO, don?t let this stop you from writing. Just focus on how you are like the reader instead of focusing on your title.

#8. Eliminate Distractions

Keep your article simple and without a lot of fancy distractions.

Do not offer multiple calls to action at the end of the article. When people feel overwhelmed with their choices, they frequently opt to remove themselves from the situation entirely. Provide your readers with very limited options for a next step.

One way to do this is to have an email list that readers can join. You could also ask that they like your Facebook page or subscribe to your blog. Do not ask for all of these things at once.

#9. Give Advice, Not A Pitch

People are smart. They can see a marketing pitch coming from across a football field. If your article seems ?salesy? you will lose your audience before they ever reach your call to action.

If you want to recommend your product or service to them, do so in a way that feels like you are genuinely offering your expert advice. You don?t need to come right out and pitch your company. They?re already reading your article on your website.

Just advise the reader on how you can help them without coming across as aggressive.

#10. Spend Some Time On Your Headline

The headline is the only thing standing between you and your readers. Without an attention-grabbing headline, your potential readers will skip your article and completely miss out on the content.

Constructing a great title isn?t hard. It just takes a little time and thought. Focus on using ?emotional? words that will cause people to react. Some emotional words are ?fear,? ?protect,? ?comfortable,? and ?shocking.?

You can also use tools like Portent?s Headline Generator to build a great headline.

Over to You

There you have it!

Hopefully these tools and tips will improve the quality of your work. Be sure to bookmark this article away as an easy reference until it becomes a habit.

Over time, you?ll get used to turning to them for help with creating slideshows, editing your writing, and making graphs.

Note from Kevin: Today’s guest post is from Wichly Cazeau. Want to resurrect your blog so you can turn it into a business? Wichly is here to help…

It seems that everyone and their neighbor has a blog, but – sadly – very few people know how?to turn it into a business.

Not all blogs are created equally and there are a variety of?things and practices you can put into place that will thoroughly resurrect your?blog and turn it into a moneymaking masterpiece.

So whether you blog as a hobby,?to strengthen your SEO standing with Google, or as a voice for your company, it?s?time to start analyzing your website, layout and content and rejuvenate them with?these fresh changes so you can start tearing the industry up with a storm.

Let’s dive in…

Recognizing Your Mistakes

One of the very first things you need to do in order to turn your blog into a business?is to recognize your mistakes; recognize why your blog hasn?t become a business?already and recognize what hasn?t worked for you previously.

The blogging industry?is incredibly fast, and you may quickly notice that one of your biggest mistakes may?have been that you didn?t keep up with the rapid pace or, more importantly, you dismissed the constant changes that are required for your success.

Maybe you didn?t?stick to a consistent publishing schedule, missed deadlines or overlooked important?emails and opportunities? Recognizing what you should, could or would have done?differently provides you?with the opportunity to learn from your mistakes.

As soon as you are able to?recognize the business and blogging mistakes and make appropriate changes, the?rest will typically follow suite. Even if you think your blogging strategy has been?foolproof, you?ll find something.

Just take a look.

Design For Success

Providing fresh, creative and entertaining content is certainly key to resurrecting?your blog and turning it into a business, but the importance of design and layout?should never be overlooked either.?Your blog has to be user friendly with precise?navigation, accurate links, and a layout that isn?t overwhelming.

Many blog owners?often think that plastering their content with ads will turn it into a business, but it?often does the absolute opposite as your layout will no longer appeal to your?audience and will encourage them to abandon the site.

Fortunately, you can reverse?the negative effects your current blog theme may have taken on your analytics?by spending a couple of dollars for a unique blog theme that promotes a crisp and?clean layout.

Additionally, Internet usage?via mobile devices has significantly increased over the years and is continuing to do?so,?so?your blog design must be responsive. This means your design will?automatically adjust to whatever device that it is being viewed on, whether it?s a?desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.

By ignoring mobile users, you are limiting the people?that can view your website; you?re limiting your success.

Build a Team

Building a team doesn?t necessarily mean that you have to hire some employees, nor?does it mean that you have to break the bank to pursue this business endeavor.

With so many incredible freelance websites out there, you can hire professionals for?every need, as you need it. Work-for-hire contractors can be used for everything from?your web design, to content, marketing, search engine optimization and so much?more.

It is important to recognize that you are never going to be able to thoroughly?handle all aspects of your business on your own. You are also probably better at?some things than others and, for the components of your blog in which you?aren?t?an expert, hiring freelancers so you can reap the benefits of their expertise often pays off in the long run.

Your team may consist of one or two work-for-hire freelancers or 50 full-time employees, but everyone needs help eventually.

Listen To Your Audience

Your blog should have some sort of analytics provided, and if not, it is certainly time?to set?them up. Your analytics are the only proof you have that is going to tell you?exactly what is working for you, what isn?t, and who your audience is.

Many people?overlook their blog?s statistics, and this is one of the biggest mistakes bloggers?can?make. Learn how to read?your analytics and make necessary changes to provide your audience with what?they want.

For example, if you have been providing content specifically for women?aged 35-40 but find that your audience equally consists of both sexes, you may want?to adjust your tone to cater to all.

Age, location, topics, pages and time of peak traffic?are a few of the statistics you should be consistently following.

So, ?give the people?what they want?.

Ads and Affiliates

Generating revenue is likely your main goal when turning your blog into a business, but in order to do so you need to have reliable traffic and content that is?relevant to your niche or an advertiser?s product/service.

You can easily add many?text-ads onto your website with a simple widget such as Google’s AdSense, and they?will automatically scan your website for keywords and display relevant ads.

However, these methods often don?t generate a large amount of income and you?need to be careful with how you place them on your website, since web design is so?important (as mentioned previously). There are also many other blog advertising?options that can have a better payout. Affiliate programs are one that gives you?commission anytime a click-through from the ad placed on your site results in a sale.

While there is thousands of affiliate programs, be sure to only choose those that are?suitable for your content and that offer a higher percentage of sales.

You can also?sell ad space to other companies; many of which will pay good money in comparison?to the other two options mentioned. However, for all options, you do need a high?amount of traffic to see any significant amount of money coming in.

Furthering Your Profit

Income can certainly be generated outside of ads and affiliate programs as well,?depending on the niche of your business.

You can start by offering premium content?for audience members that pay for an upgraded membership, or even sell?merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and notebooks with your blog?s logo on it.

Merchandising your brand will also help with creating brand recognition and?promotions. You may also want to start using your blog as a platform to sell your?expertise.

Coaching is one of the largest growing industries in the world, and?depending on the niche of your blog you can get a coaching certificate and start?helping others improve the areas of their life that you have expertise. Alternatively,?you can?start providing coaching on a creative skill you possess. Not only is this a monetary?opportunity, but it is an incredibly rewarding job that can quickly provide many?additional opportunities such as webinars, online courses, workshops etc.

Get your?certificate, create a sales page on your website, and you can be booking your very?first clients in minutes.

You may also want to consider adding an eCommerce store?to your blog that sells items that you frequently discuss. Instead of advertising the?products of someone else?s online store on your blog, you could direct your?audience right to yours.

You can also generate income with sponsorships since?advertising on blogs is often a more affordable option for many companies;?as?such, they are looking for businesses just like yours to pay and provide product to.

You will need a decent amount of traffic, but with excellent content and the previous?tips taken into consideration, you are well on your way. All you have to do is create a?media kit (or hire a freelancer to) and start distributing it to PR agencies and brands?that will want to have access to your audience.

With any one of these options or a?combination of some, you can certainly be furthering your revenue with your blog.

Be Genuine with your Approach

One of the biggest mistakes many blog owners make is that they are blogging for all?the wrong reasons, and when you aren?t genuine within your approach it shows?within your content.?More importantly, it will reflect in the lack of loyal viewers that?come to read your blog.

While everyone wants to generate some revenue from their?blog and efforts, doing it solely for the money aspect isn?t going to bring you the?success you?re looking for. So, forget about what other people are thinking and truly?invest your heart and soul into your blog and the rest will follow.

Be genuine,?authentic and different.

If the writing isn?t your strong point, resort back to the?previously mentioned tip and hire some freelance writers to handle the content for?you so you can focus your expertise on other elements.

Your Turn

As you can see, your blog can easily be turned into a profitable business with some?simple adjustments, fresh content and marketing tactics.

Toss some ideas around?and see what works for your new business endeavor, and just because something?may not be working right now doesn?t mean that it is a write off.

Sometimes, you?just need to sit back and analyze your blog, content and analytics to see how you can?implement new ideas and opportunity into your business.

Creative Commons Image via azadam.

Almost all writers and marketers struggle to think of creative, captivating titles for their publications.

But the payoff? The payoff is huge. That?s why David Ogilvy, the father of advertising, spent weeks perfecting the headlines of his most famous ads.

If you don’t pay much attention to the process of developing catchy headlines, you shouldn’t be surprised when your content is met with high bounce rates.

A catchy title will increase the appeal of your post and compel your visitors to take the time to read it. Without it, the post you worked so hard to create will be handicapped – it’ll be doomed to fail from the outset.

The good news is once you come up with an idea, properly constructing a catchy title is fairly easy. Here are 7 hacks to help you:

#1. Your Readers Matter. Have a Conversation With Them. Ask a question!

Smart bloggers and content writers do their best to involve readers in the content they write. They address them and make them feel like they?re talking directly to them. This approach makes readers feel appreciated, but it also enables them to connect with the writer.

Have you ever thought about implementing this strategy in your headline?

For example, you can start with a question: ?Are You Planning Your Next Vacation? These Tips Will Help You Prepare!?

The question needs to be direct, and it would be great if the reader answers with a ?yes.? That?s certainly a way to get their attention.

You can also make the question in the title a bit provocative. For example:??You Support Pro-Choice? These Facts Will Make You Look at Abortion from Another Point of View!?

This type of formulation will probably get a reader frustrated since you?re trying to change their opinion about something. However, you?ll provoke them to read what you have to say, and you?ll probably get lots of comments. You should offer a top-quality post based on facts if you want this headline to be successful.

Don?t try to be too clever when asking a question in the headline; make it as direct and clear as possible. Of course, you need to leave an impression that you?re about to teach them something they don?t already know. That?s the only way of getting the reader interested in finding out more.

Don?t ask a question like, ?What?s Your Favorite Childhood Story?? However, do formulate the same idea into something like ?Looking for the Best Stories for Children? Check Out This List of Favorites!?

#2. Adjectives are cool. Use them!

If you use an editing tool such as Hemingway App, you probably get suggestions to reduce the number of adjectives. This is done for the sake of clarity and readability. It?s good advice, but don?t abide by it when writing headlines.

With headlines, adjectives are almost necessary. You need an intriguing, strange adjective that will add a bit of excitement in the title. Use words like chilling, heartbreaking, invigorating, exhilarating, effortless, or any other unusual adjective you can think of.

Theasurus is an online tool that will help you find the right words.

#3. Get Many Ideas and Choose the Best One

You have greater chances of coming up with awesome headlines if you generate plenty of ideas. In this case quantity really matters.

There are different techniques that get your mind into a creative mode, but brainstorming is still the most efficient one. If you?re working on a blog post, you can cover the idea-generation process on your own. Use a plain piece of paper to note down all ideas you get. If things get messy when you start writing, you should follow the signs and start using an online brainstorming tool.

Bubble.us and MindMeister enable you to brainstorm and create inspiring digital mind maps online. Although creativity is a messy process, a little visual order can only benefit you. When you?re writing on paper, you can?t connect all the ideas when you?re finished. An online mind map enables you to find connections between the different ideas you get, so you?ll end up with a more creative headline.

If you?re trying to think of a headline for a really important post you?re about to publish, you should try team brainstorming. A few heads are always smarter than one, right? With GroupMap and Stormboard, you can collaborate with your team in a constructive online environment.

Here is a technique you can use in team brainstorming: one member of the group starts with a pitch. It can be anything related to the topic. Then, every other person tries to refine that suggestion, add a different angle, or offer another option that might be better.

#4. Rely on Online Tools

Thanks to the Internet, there is almost no obstacle you cannot surpass. For example, let?s say you haven?t started writing a post because you?re having trouble thinking of a twist on the topic you have in mind. Tweak Your Biz Title Generator is a great tool to use in such situation.

Using this generator, you’ll?receive?suggestions on the topic headline. You?ll get several alternatives categorized in lists, how-to titles, best, love, questions, business, secrets, and other groups. You?ll surely find something suitable in this huge selection of potential titles.

Portent?s Content Idea Generator is another tool that helps you get a catchy headline for your posts. Each suggestion comes with explanations. For example, when you search using the subject ?headline?, you will get something like, ?The Simplest Ways to Make the Best of Headlines.? Some of the suggestions will be ridiculous, but they will at least serve as a guiding point for the creation of your own title.

Australian Writings is another type of service that can help you come up with a catchy headline. We are not talking about automated software this time; you?ll get to collaborate with a real writer.

This service delivers custom-tailored results. You provide your detailed instructions and explain what exactly you need. Then, the company pairs you with a writer who has relevant experience and expertise, so you can collaborate with him or her through a direct messaging system.

You can use this opportunity to ask for several title suggestions.

#5. Prove That Your Content Is Useful!

People waste a lot of time doing useless things on the Internet, but some of them still want to learn something that will improve the quality of their lives. This is the type of audience that will read your posts and comment on them.

The best way to target real readers is to offer something useful. Needless to say, you need a headline that proves they will learn something from your text. How-to titles always work!

Everyone has needs, problems, and goals to achieve. If you tell your readers how to solve some issues and how to achieve their goals, they will certainly want to read what you have to say.

A how-to headline is rather simple to construct; you only need to express the final benefit or result of the content you offer. Here is an example:

?How to Write Catchy Headlines in 6 Simple Steps.?

This construction makes a potential reader believe that he or she will develop an important skill by reading?your article. You can make the title even better if you indicate a more useful final effect. For example: ?How to Attract More Readers by Writing Catchy Headlines.?

#6. Add a Number!

Numbers give precision to a title. For example, ?10 Books to Read in This Lifetime? sounds much more inviting than ?Books to Read in a Lifetime.?

When you offer a numbered list of suggestions or tips, the reader will have realistic expectations. The second version of the title seems too broad, so one might assume you are offering a list that?s too long and impossible to accomplish.

Are you wondering which numbers you should use in the title? There is no rule on this, but remember to stay realistic. You can?t expect someone to read 129 tips on writing catchy headlines.

#7. Pay Attention to Search Engine Optimization

SEO and online content go together like milk and cookies. If you don?t make your text attractive for Google, it won?t reach the audience you target.

The process of search engine optimization starts with the title. When you?re using Google to find the content you need, you first locate titles that fit your keyword search. That?s exactly why you should insert the right words and phrases in your headline.

Some keywords make the title sound strange, which is why it would be best to use a general phrase and leave the longer, more specific ones for the body of the post.

Optimization is not only important for search engines; it?s also helps you attract readers who are looking for the exact things you offer.

Google Analytics can be?your best friend. Use it to identify your top-performing pages.

The analytics will help you realize what your target reader is looking for at your site, so you?ll have a better idea of the titles that work. WordStream, Ubersuggest and AdWords Keyword Planner are some of the best tools to help you infuse the right keywords in your headlines.

Now You?re Ready to Start Crafting Better Headlines!

The 7 tips provided above are really simple. That?s exactly why they work!

Your title needs to maintain an authoritative tone and give the impression that you know what you?re talking about. Readers want to get tricks, tips, rules, lists, and hints. When you manage to create such a useful post and pair it with a catchy headline, you can rest assured that the bounce rates will be low.

Are you ready to write catchy headlines? Let me know in a comment below!

Creative Commons Image via Kevin Lim.

If there was an award for most scatterbrained person on earth, I would surely be a top candidate.

It seems there is no end to the relentless assault of thoughts that jump from neuron to neuron in my brain. These tiny demons have long plagued my head and have made it a challenge to work with me since my childhood years.

Now that I’m an adult, not much has changed other than I’ve entered the workforce. So how does someone with the attention span of a guppy become a functioning citizen of society?

I learned to embrace it.

Those of us with chaotic minds are more creative and perceptive than our non-chaotic counterparts. In short, when managed properly, a chaotic mind is a beautiful thing.

There are downsides, of course.

Having a bustling mind can drop your emotional IQ and make you prone to stress. Plus, when your brain is constantly on overdrive, it’s very difficult to have structure. Ideas and inspiration come and go whenever they please. It’s on us to catch them when they appear and not let go.

As a writer, one of my biggest problems is coming up with relevant ideas. My head is full of stories of dragons, elementals, and a winged heroes, but those are hardly usable in everyday writing. I also tend to bounce around from being completely lost to being hyper focused.

Sound familiar?

If so, I want to share 10 methods I employ to help me focus, stay organized, get inspired, and keep my brain moving at full force.

#1. Free Writing

To begin the process of inspiration, incorporate about 5-10 minutes of free writing. This is writing about whatever you want. Just let the words flow through your fingers and onto the computer screen. This will kick start the creative juices. It’s a great warm-up exercise, whether you’re a professional blogger or a student getting ready to write a paper or academic essay.

Don?t worry about grammar or spelling. Just have some fun with it. Be creative.

Write in a serious tone or a funny one. I find myself writings words in a Shakespearean manner on occasion. Do whatever sparks your creativity.

#2. Puzzles

Try your hand at challenges and problem solving.

Learning about something we don?t know much about is great way to think of new ideas. The subject could be about almost anything. The only issue with this is we have to be interested in the topic otherwise boredom sets in fast. On the flip side, this is where that hyperfocus can be utilized. In college, I could research a topic within a couple hours if it was a topic that fascinated me.

Another way to challenge the brain is through playing games. I have an unhealthy addiction to Luminosity and FitBrains. Playing games will not only makes our noggins tick, but it helps to get our minds off writing. This helps prevent us from burning out.

Be judicious with these two methods. They are awesome, but they can also be time consuming. Learn to manage your time wisely to make sure you are still being productive.

Once you kick around a few ideas, the next road block will be focus. This may very well be your biggest downfall because distractions can come from everywhere and everything.

Even having a simple conversation with someone can steer us off course. We will notice something about their hair, clothes, accessories, and then our minds are gone.

#3. White Noise

Using white noise is a great method for staying on track. Its soothing effect can help you relax and slow down your brain.

My favorite white noise is rain, but it has to come from mother nature – ambient rain music in the background just doesn’t work for me. If I was Ororo Munroe I could make it rain all the time. I’d cause massive floods and the townsfolk would probably hunt me down.

We don’t want that.

If you’re like me and you need your rain to be the real deal, fans are a great white-noise alternative while you wait for the skies to open outside.

#4. Disorganization

I will confute what the professionals say about keeping your desk organized and clear of distractions. For me, having a clean desk is more frustrating.

A somewhat cluttered work space helps focus my thoughts. At home, my computer desk has random trinkets and novelty items on it. When my mind rebels, I?ll play with one of them. Try putting a couple of toys at your desk and see if they can be beneficial to you.

Having something to play with not only helps your brain slow down, but it helps you focus. Instead thinking about pie, Marvel comics, or the texture of my socks, I’ll think about one of the random items on my desk. This helps me keep my random thoughts to a minimum.

Obviously, this strategy may not work for everyone, so if having a clean desk makes you happy it?s definitely best to keep it that way.

#5. Active Thinking

Doing something with your hands is a good pacifier. Drawing while thinking of ideas is one technique. Various studies have indicated that doodling can improve memory and focus. Having that visual helps us to focus on an idea and remember new ones.

The idea is known as embodied cognition. Simply put, the way we process thoughts is affected by our bodies.

Whenever I hit a mental block or I’m having trouble thinking of ideas, I will whip out my sketch pad and begin to create a picture. I also have a rubix cube that I can play with when I?m not feeling artistic. These are great at helping me think of new ideas.

#6. Walking

This is another good method to get the blood flowing. A short walk outside will help spark creativity by pulling inspiration from your surroundings. Walking outside and enjoying nature helps to spark new ideas.

Next time you?re sitting at a computer or staring at an empty piece of paper, get up and move around.

In addition to helping you master your chaotic mind, it will improve your cardiovascular system.

#7. Talking to Yourself

It’s okay to admit it. We all talk to ourselves on occasion. Did you know this is another oddity we can use to our advantage? Talking out loud to myself makes me slow down.

Whenever I think to myself, my thoughts go by as fast as the speed of light. I know the same can be said for many of you. Trying to slow down the racing thoughts seems like we’re trying to catch the wind with our bare hands.

However, speaking out loud, though still fast and sometimes undecipherable, helps our minds slow down and actually think about what we?re saying.

#8. Colors and Sticky Notes

My computer has decorative edges made of sticky notes. These serve two purposes:

One, the various colors help me think of new ideas. I use multi-colored sticky notes rather than the plain yellow ones. I found I overlooked most of what I had written down if I only used one color.

And two, since my ideas come at random, they let me quickly jot down notes so I can remember the idea later.

After I use the ideas on the sticky notes, I discard them to make room for more madness. From the outside looking in, this may seem like a clutter nightmare, but it works for organized my disorganized thoughts.

#9. Hydration and Nourishment

The human brain relies on glucose for its main energy source. If you’re an avid writer you need your brain to function at 100%.

When blood glucose plummets from the lack of food, that?s when you get dizzy or angry. Nobody wants to deal with an angry writer.

I’m not saying pump yourself full of processed sugar. Foods high in simple sugars may give you a temporary boost, but you will soon be lagging and may be worse off than before.

I used to eat doughnuts or a muffins everyday for breakfast. Soon after eating, I?d be hungry again and lose all my ability to focus. I made the switch to fruit and oatmeal and it has made a tremendous difference. Try opting to eat healthier and see how it affects your brain power.

Also, don?t neglect the H2O. When cells become dehydrated it starts a chain reaction that has a negative effect on the body.

Problems such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea are all problems associated with dehydration. A good practice is to have have at least 20 oz. of water when you wake up. Make sure to drink an adequate amount of water during the day as well.

#10. Ten?Minute Meditation

This is a nice little trick I learned from Andy Puddicombe on TEDTalks. Doing nothing for 10 minutes is beneficial for my relaxation and my focus. I sit outside and stare into space.

I literally do nothing – I don?t listen to music or play on my phone. I let all my thoughts come and go as they please and I don?t get focused on one particular subject.

Meditating before bed is also a good practice. Unless I?m super tired, it takes me a good hour to fall asleep. My significant other is the type than can fall asleep in 10 minutes, and I cannot fathom how he does it.

As he is trying to sleep, I try to spark up a conversation. Sadly he has gotten really good at tuning me out, which leaves me alone with my thoughts. When this happens, I do a short meditation to try to help calm my thoughts.

This method is a recent one, so it remains to be seen how well it will help me tame my brain. But, if nothing else, it is a good way to de-stress and prepare myself for the next day.

Now It?s Your Turn

If you’re like me and the traditional methods of focusing don?t work for you, try some of these tips.

Don’t fight what is in your nature. So what if you have a chaotic mind? You just need to approach it from a different angle.

Do you struggle with focus? What methods have helped you? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below!

Creative Commons Image via Allan Ajifo.