I've spent the last 29 months writing blog posts on an iPad.
You're about to hear a routine that took me 500+ hours of trial-and-error to develop.
Here's my magic recipe:
Brainstorming 🧠
Brainstorming is a huge part of my writing routine.
No one cares if you write insanely well if you're writing about the history of paper-clip manufacturing.
On paper, this post's topic is a bad one from a logical view. I've been wanting to write this post for a while though, so I'll let it slide.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT is insanely useful for coming up with ideas.
Before the first time I used it, I thought it would give me stupidly generic answers.
Woah. I was completely wrong.
After describing my newsletter to ChatGPT, it gave me some awesome ideas (some of which I had already written about in the past).
I also just upgraded to ChatGPT Pro. The ideas I'm getting are saving me hours of banging my head on my table.
Concepts
ChatGPT isn't always enough. In fact, it's rarely enough.
I also want some form of human element in my ideas. That's where Concepts comes in.
Concepts is an "unlimited canvas" note-taking app. There's no end to any of your thoughts.
I use it to draw mind maps. These help me branch out and find exciting ideas I wanna write about.
I've used Concepts for years (check my post history if you don't believe me) and I use it to come up with ideas for literally everything.
Concepts has been kind enough to offer a free 30-day trial for their premium plan (don't worry—they have an awesome free plan too). And no, you don't have to enter your credit card info.
In short, ChatGPT + Concepts = insanely productive brainstorming session 🧠
Writing ✍️
Writing is obviously a big part of my writing routine.
A lot of people like to make writing super fancy. I hate that.
I like being simple. Makes things 10x easier.
Apple Music
Whenever I write, I like listening to specific songs on repeat.
I always listen to these songs when I write and hearing them puts me in a creative mindset.
Bear
At the moment, Bear is the app I use to write all of my posts. It's where I'm writing right now.
Bear is a freemium markdown notes app. It's a pretty intuitive app with all the features I care about:
it's intuitive
it's organized
In the past, I've used apps like Notion and Drafts. I don't have a big preference—Bear is just the one I've used for a while.
Posting 💻
Posting is probably the most satisfying part of the routine.
You spends hours doing research, scratching your head, and writing out random words. And after all of this work, it comes down to one button click.
Substack
To post on Substack (the newsletter platform I use), I just copy-and-paste from Bear.
I do have to tweak a few things though:
I add a cool image I can use as the post image
I add in images throughout the post
I edit any weird formatting from Bear
And then boom. The post is published.
Medium
I just copy my Substack post and paste it into Medium (what I use to share my content).
Once I fix up basic formatting, boom (again). The post is published (again).
Consistency 💪
Writing is one part of my writing routine. Routine is the other part.
When you're first starting a blog, consistency and discipline is EVERYTHING. Otherwise, you'll quit after a few weeks (I know from experience).
Todoist
Todoist is my to-do list app of choice.
I use it to remind me to get some writing done throughout the week.
Otherwise, I'll end up spending my Saturday morning writing about iPads (like I'm doing right now).
Streaks
Streaks is my habit-tracking app.
I use it to track all of my habits, including a "content creation" habit.
Accessories ✨
The iPad isn't enough for writing a blog. Here are the other tools I use:
Apple Pencil
I use my Apple Pencil with Concepts.
Something about sketching out mind maps with a pencil makes me 10x more creative.
Magic Keyboard
Given that I write so much, I need a keyboard for my iPad.
The Magic Keyboard isn't the cheapest thing, but it's a solid keyboard. I probably use it an hour a day on average.
AirPods
I use my AirPods to listen to music. I love them.
Final Thoughts
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant"—Robert Louis Stevenson
Thanks for reading!
Adi