I have a confession to make, one that might surprise you considering all the content you’ve read on my blog. I’m dyslexic. Yes, you read that right! So, how did I end up setting up my own blog, becoming the solo author for all the articles, with zero prior experience? Let me share what’s been currently working for me in case you need some encouragement and tips too.
Dyslexia Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Blog
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Dyslexia is often misunderstood. Many people think it’s just about mixing up letters or having poor spelling. Or that we are somehow less intelligent that others. Not true.
It affects how we process language, making reading and writing challenging. But it doesn’t mean we can’t communicate our ideas effectively. In fact, I’m proof that dyslexia needn’t be a barrier to starting a blog. Let’s dive into how I manage to keep my blog up and running, and maybe you’ll find some tips that can help you too.
Breaking Up Writing Time: Small Bites Make It Manageable
One of the biggest challenges for dyslexic bloggers is the sheer amount of time needed to write. Words aren’t exactly our best friends, so sitting down to write an entire post in one go can be daunting. Here’s how I break it down:
1. Short Bursts of Writing: Instead of trying to write a whole article in one sitting, I break it down into smaller, manageable chunks. I set a timer for 20-30 minutes and focus solely on writing during that period. Then, I take a break. This helps prevent burnout and keeps my mind fresh. If I’m particularly struggling I” reach for my trusty [ad] favorite 4 color pen that I always keep stocked up on and physically jot down ideas in different colors on paper just so that the words and the ideas stop sort of mingling in my mind (dyslexics I know you know EXACTLY what I mean here – non-dyslexics just go with it trust us it’s a thing LOL). [ad] Click link below to purchase on the Amazon website:
2. Use Voice-to-Text Tools: Sometimes, speaking my thoughts is easier than typing them. Voice-to-text tools are a lifesaver for this. I use them to get my ideas down quickly without worrying about spelling or grammar initially. Or I even sometimes just record myself a little voice note and send it to myself in text messages so it’s right there whenever I need it.
Editing: The Vital Step You Can’t Skip
Editing is crucial for any writer, but especially for those of us with dyslexia. Our brains can play tricks on us, making it hard to spot errors. Here’s what works for me:
1. Take a Break Before Editing: After writing a draft, I leave it for at least a day before coming back to edit. This distance helps me see mistakes more clearly and approach the text with fresh eyes.
2. Read Aloud: Reading my content aloud helps catch errors that I might miss when reading silently. It also helps me ensure that the text flows naturally and makes sense.
Visual Design Elements: A Welcome Brain Reset
Incorporating visual design elements into my blog is not only fun but also a necessary break for my brain. Here’s how I do it:
1. Designing Pinterest Pins: I love creating Pinterest pins for my posts. It’s a creative break from writing and helps promote my blog. I use Canva to design eye-catching pins that reflect the content of my articles.
2. Incorporate Images: Adding images to my blog posts breaks up the text and makes it more engaging for readers. It also gives me a breather from words, allowing my brain to reset.
Editing on a Budget
Let’s face it, hiring a professional editor can be expensive. If you can’t afford one, don’t worry! AI tools like ChatGPT can help.
1. AI for Proofreading: Instead of asking AI to write articles (which can be quite obvious), I use it to proofread and suggest improvements. It’s not perfect, but it catches many errors that I might miss.
2. AI for Spelling: I am a native Brit living in the US and whilst we share a common language the little nuances, spelling, meaning of words and phrases are sometimes pretty different. There are times when I will run an article through an AI app and ask it to Americanize it and suggest adjustments per the culture. It actually does a pretty good job at that (according to my American husband).
3. Ask for Feedback: If you have friends or family who can proofread for you, that’s even better. They can provide a fresh perspective and catch mistakes that both you and AI might overlook.
Avoiding AI for Generating Articles
AI is most definitely not the way to go for my particular manifestation of dyslexia. It’s actually pretty much the worst thing I could possibly imagine having to do each time I wanted to produce content! The very thought of trying to edit words I haven’t written seems nigh on impossible to me and a one way ticket to an emotional breakdown.
The only way I could describe it for people who don’t have dyslexia would be if they were to walk into a room that they’ve never been in and everyone in it is speaking a different language and you’ve no idea what to say, how you got there or where to look and then the room keeps being rearranged before your eyes and then finally the room is on fire and, well, you get the terrifying picture? AI may work well for others, it’s definitely not something I could use in this capacity. Great for images though (see below when I asked it to show an image reflecting that description – pretty accurate!)
Organization: Finding What Works for You
Organization looks different for everyone, especially those of us with dyslexia. Traditional content planners might not work, but here’s what does for me:
1. Quick Drafts in WordPress: I use the ‘Quick Drafts’ function in WordPress to jot down my ideas. It’s simple and right there on the dashboard, so I don’t have to switch between multiple applications.
2. Draft Form: Instead of a huge spreadsheet, I keep my content ideas directly in the draft form on WordPress. This method is also great for ADHD bloggers who might struggle to keep up with their fast-paced ideas.
19-Step Easy Strategy to Content Planning with Dyslexia
I’m still relatively new to blogging, just a couple of months in, but I’ve developed a strategy that works for me. Here’s exactly how I plan my content in detail:
1. Open Up WordPress Dashboard: Start by logging into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Utilize ‘Quick Drafts’: Use the ‘Quick Drafts’ function to start documenting your idea.
3. Catchy Title or Note to Grab My Attention: In the ‘title’ box for your draft write a basic catchy title or a note to yourself. For example, “Hey Mona, this one would be good to write at Christmas time.”
4. Jot Down Ideas: In the content box, jot down your ideas in bullet form. For a blog post about growing potatoes, my bullet points might be: Why grow potatoes, Equipment needed, Pests and concerns, Where to get seed potatoes, How to prep, Planting, Harvesting, Affiliate link ideas (potato sacks, soil, garden tools, etc.).
5. Save Draft: Press ‘Save Draft’ to store it in the draft section of your WordPress posts. Do not forget this step – the autosave function on WordPress is amazing but not without its occasional failures. You’re going to want to make sure you have your ideas stored safely.
6. Take a Break: Leave the draft for a while. Reset and come back to it another time.
7. Create Pinterest Pins: While taking a break, create some Pinterest pins for the blog post to inspire you, and save them (don’t pin them yet). I physically step away from what feels like a work zone or office space when I do this part of the process and I’ll make a hot drink, curl up in a blanket, stick on some background TV show or music that makes me feel warm and cozy and just play about on Canva with my [ad] iPad Pro and [ad] Apple Pencil Pro – the best tools in the business and I swear by them. [ad] Click links below to purchase on the Amazon website:
8. Return to Drafts: When you’re ready, go back to your WordPress dashboard, press on ‘Posts’, then ‘All Posts’, and select the ‘Drafts’ filter to see all your ideas.
9. Write Organically and Avoid the AI Nightmare: I prefer to write organically and continue to edit as you go over using AI. Whilst the average person might be able to take what AI generates and edit it as a whole that is actually a pretty daunting task for most of us who live with dyslexia. I can’t think of anything I would rather try to do less than read a whole 2000+ word article that I haven’t written and then try and go into it and edit it or add my thoughts etc (refer back to aforementioned room on fire metaphor!)
10. Distraction-Free Writing: Use the ‘Distraction-Free’ option in WordPress to focus solely on typing without any added distractions. It is such a golden-tool for people like me, noise free, no widgets flashing or distracting prompts you just type like it’s a Word document. If you take nothing else from this blog post try this it’s changed EVERYTHING for me!
11. Format AFTER Writing: After writing the entire body of your article, format it into headings, lists, etc. Doing it all at once can be overwhelming.
12. Add Images: Add relevant images. My Pinterest pins often work well in the articles because they accurately reflect the topic.
13. Affiliate Disclosures and Links: Make sure any required affiliate disclosures are in place and add your links according to each program’s guidelines. I have mine saved in a block template so I don’t have to worry about the wording each time.
14. Proofreading: If possible, have someone proofread for you. But if not, don’t worry too much. Remember, dyslexia doesn’t make you less intelligent.
15. Keep Saving Often: Every time you work on the article, remember to press save. Your most current draft will be safely stored.
16. Rename Drafts: Rename your blog post drafts to reflect the stage they’re at. For example, ‘Raw Idea for Potato Article’, ‘Mostly Written Potato Article’, etc. This helps you see at a glance where you’re up to.
17. Publish When Ready: When you’re happy with the article, press publish. Don’t stress about a few spelling mistakes. Focus on getting the affiliate links right.
18. Upload Pinterest Pins: Immediately go to Pinterest and upload your pins, making sure to add appropriate affiliate disclaimers and link to your blog.
19. Revisit and Re-Edit: A day or so later, read the published article again to catch any mistakes that slipped through.
Keeping it Simple and Manageable at the Start
By following all these steps, I keep my content calendar entirely within my WordPress dashboard and utilize the brainstorming/basic draft/create pins/final draft/publish/upload pins/revisit and re-edit model. This method helps keep blogging simple and manageable despite my dyslexia.
I watch the videos and see other creators advising to record them on a digital content calendar or a spreadsheet with different tabs etc, but that just isn’t going to work for me right now while I’m still learning. But I’m sure I’ll get there in the end, and so will you. It may take us a little more time, and our content overview might look different, but if it works for us, that’s all that matters.
Creating Your Own Coping Strategies
As a dyslexic person or someone who struggles with writing and spelling in general, or if English isn’t your first language, you’ve likely already created your own coping strategies to get by in areas of life that seem to come so much easier to others. This is no different. You got this.
Blogging with dyslexia might seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it’s entirely possible. I hope my journey and tips help you find your own path to successful blogging. Remember, dyslexia is just a part of who we are, and it doesn’t define our capabilities. Keep pushing forward, and happy blogging!
Supporting Each Other
Thanks for reading! If you have any tips or tricks you use to manage the fun quirks that come with dyslexia while running a business, let us know. And as always, we invite you to share your blog and website links with us. Let’s support each other!
