How to Write Daily Content (Even When You Feel Like Crap)
4 tips that will make publishing content as smooth as silk
I've been writing daily content since 2020.
Most people think I'm some kind of superhuman content machine. But here's the truth: Some days, I feel like absolute garbage.
My back hurts. Or I had a crappy night of sleep. Or my brain feels like it's been through a blender.
But I still write.
Why? Because that’s the business I’m in.
I’ve been working online for 10+ years and I know that consistency beats motivation every single time. That’s why I've developed a system that works even when inspiration decides to take a vacation.
Here are the four ways I manage to write even on the days when my creative well feels bone dry:
1. Do this for 10 minutes
This is my secret weapon when my brain refuses to cooperate.
Some days, I’m inspired. But when I’m not, all I do is open my iPad and set timer for 10 minutes, and just... write.
The trick is to lower your standards to zero. Write about how much writing sucks. Write about your coffee going cold. Write about anything. The act of writing itself breaks through the mental barrier.
99% of what you'll write will be crap. But I usually find one or two ideas I can expand on.
That's the starting point.
2. Swipe like an artist
Anything you write about comes from somewhere.
Either it’s your experiences, the content you consumed, or something else.
I constantly stumble accross interesting content. So what I do I save interesting content in my read-it-later app. Every morning, I spend 30 minutes reading through my collection. It's like filling up your creative tank before the day begins.
But here's the key: Don't just consume – transform. Take what resonates and add your unique perspective.
Your experiences. Your failures. Your successes.
This isn't about copying. It's about finding inspiration and making it your own.
3. Browse these forgotten files on the cloud
Great writers read. A damn lot.
I don’t consider myself a great writer. (I have to say that to not sound like bragging b*stard.) But I’m reading a lot.
For most of my adult life, I’d read, highlight, and forget about the books I’ve read.
Today, I sync all my Kindle highlights to Obsidian (my note-taking system). I also take time to distill my highlights and link my notes together. When I'm feeling particularly uninspired, I dive into my highlights from books I've read.
It's like having a conversation with your past self – the one who found these ideas important enough to highlight.
Again, the secret is in the transformation:
- Take the highlight
- Add your perspective
- Connect it to your audience's problems
- Create a piece out of it using specific templates and content structures
4. Use AI (the non-stupid way)
I was skeptical about AI writing tools at first. Called it "CrapGPT" in my early days.
But I've learned to use AI strategically. Not to write for me, but to help me understand my audience better.
I use AI to:
- Research common problems in my niche
- Generate different angles on topics
- Brainstorm content ideas
The key is to use AI as a springboard for your own ideas, not a replacement for your voice.
I’ve created a free cheat sheet where you can get some of my market research prompts to find content ideas your audience wants to read about.
→ Click here to get it for free
The real secret to daily content
Here's what nobody tells you about daily content creation: It's not about being inspired every day.
It's about having systems in place for the days when you're not.
These four methods aren't just random tips – they're lifelines for those days when your creative well runs dry. They've helped me maintain my daily writing habit even through:
Health issues
Zero motivation
Shit hitting the fan
The goal isn't perfection. It's consistency.
Save these somewhere accessible. Print them out. Stick them on your wall. Because I promise you – there will be days when you need them.
Now, go write something. Even if it's terrible. Especially if it's terrible.
Great read, Matt! Curious...what do you use for your Read Later app?
So well put. I could hardly choose just one part to quote in my restack!