When people talk to me about blogging, usually the ends of their mouths curl into that grimace-y face you make when you find out your pet or your child just puked on the floor. Let that be known forevermore as the I-suck-at-blogging face.

Lots of the reasons behind the I-suck-at-blogging face have to do with feeling like you have nothing to say. Like it’s all been said before, so why bother, and you’re so busy anyway…you’ll just do it tomorrow. Only tomorrow never comes, because you totally avoid blogging like you avoid trying on bikinis for fun and cooking in 100+ degree heat with no air conditioning because you just had to try that new brownie recipe.

The thing is — and I know you might not believe this, but trust me — your peeps want to hear from you. They legitimately want to hear what you have to say.

Only you say you have nothing to write about. Nadda to say. Zero drips in the great big blogging bucket of inspiration.

No worries! First, bookmark this post. You’ll need it.

What follows are my top five things to say when you don’t know what to say.

Each one is reusable like those eco-friendly dish towels you just bought. (Even though you still keep a secret stash of paper towels. I won’t tell.)

Thing to say #1: I’ve been busy with…

Peeps who avoid blogging have typically been super busy and feel overwhelmed with where to begin blogging. No problem! Provide a single image of or paragraph about each thing that’s been keeping you busy. Just throw it all out there and invite your peeps to tell you what’s been keeping them busy. This invites comments and chatter, acknowledges that you are not The Queen of Everything Business Who Has It All Together, and allows your imperfect humanity to shine. We humans dig imperfection. Particularly in others. ; )

Thing to say #2: I’ve really been enjoying…

If you’ve recently discovered that you love baking gluten-free, dairy-free goodies, but would love help finding more great cookbooks or resources, why not ask for help on your blog instead of via social media? This way, again, you’re allowing your peeps to connect with your non-business-owner side and get to know you as a person. Same goes for help finding a decent summer camp, a sitter, a vacation spot, or a new restaurant in town — we humans also love to help!

Thing to say #3: I’ve got to tell you about…

Tell your peeps what’s new and what’s shakin’ in your business. For example, if you’ve created a limited edition product, don’t just describe the product! Tell me why you’re now making limited edition pumpkin smooshcakes in the middle of July. Sell me on buying some smooshcakes, sure, but tell me why you’re making them. Share a smooshcake recipe, tell me about how you made smooshcakes with your grandma, or give me a lesson about the origin of the word “smooshcake.”

The more personal you make your offer, the easier time your clients will have trying it out. This applies to new portrait products, new recipes, new restaurant menu items, new books, or new classes. Tell the story of how the product came to be and why you’re offering it, and your blog will be ever so much more interesting! Also, you’ll sell more smooshcakes.

Thing to say #4: I shouldn’t tell you this, but…

Psst! Notice how all these things to say are open-ended? Not an accident, my friend!

Starting ANY blog post with “I shouldn’t tell you this, but…” is the equivalent of your best friend leaning in to hear a story over a glass of wine. You’ve got your audience’s attention, now tell them something nifty. Maybe you want to share a pet peeve and how you’ve designed your business to work around that pesky thing other people do. Maybe you just want to let loose about how much you love the Real Housewives of fill-in-the-blank. Maybe you want to share your favorite charity and why you secretly love it more than all the other, similar charities. Maybe you want to show your peeps a picture of your not-perfect kids in your not-perfect yard, and then invite them to show you their not-perfect bits. The sky’s the limit, but the secret-sharing vibe is sure to garner attention.

Thing to say #5: Thank you.

Thank you never gets old, and can be readjusted to be funny (“Thank you, unfortunate placement of _______”); serious (“Thank you, Mom, for ________”); outrageous (“Thank you, Bravo TV, for _________”); or sentimental (“Thank you, camera, for _________”). The point is not just to say thank you, full stop — but to say thank you and then show us who you are because of what you’ve chosen to call out with gratitude.

Thank you, coaches past and present, for helping me create a business that allows for middle-of-the-day Moonrise Kingdom movie-going. (See how I’m thanking my business coaches, yes, but I’m also showing you what I value? Freedom in the middle of the afternoon, and a story well-told.)

My gratitude reveals a great deal about me, just as your gratitude reveals a great deal about you. Please, allow your readers to experience it.

As always, if you dig this post, please share it on the Facebooks — and if you double dog dig it, lemme know which of these suggestions I can look forward to seeing on your blog!