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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Blogging on a Busy Schedule

The argument some people have about not blogging is basically the same argument made for not writing: I just don't have the time. Bullsh*t. Everyone has the time to write or blog, it's just a matter of actually setting aside that time to do so. You can devote a few hours a week easily to blogging and get a lot done, depending on the kind of blog you're running and what sort of content you want to use. Whether you want to post daily, a few times a week, or once a week, you have the time and all it takes is setting it aside for the express purpose of blogging.

One important thing you should do before blogging, and something I didn't do, unfortunately, is consider what you want to blog about. Take a moment to lay out what topics you want to cover, consider developing a handful of "features," and then get started. You can learn everything else as you go.

But you should ask yourself first and foremost: is this what I want to do? If you really don't want to blog, then don't. There's no reason you should have to do it, just as there's no reason that you have to write. You write because you want to and like it, not because it's a demand on your person. The same is true of blogging: you do it because you want to. Don't treat blogging as an obligation, but as something fun. If you can't do that, then it will show. Blogging is, in some ways, an art, and to force yourself to perform in something you really aren't interested in is not a great way to develop that art. But, if this is what you want to do, then don't use pointless arguments to get out of doing it. Do you have 10 minutes to spare? If you do, then you can blog. If you don't, find a way to create those ten minutes.

Understandably, blogging can take up a lot of time, particularly if you want an exceptionally active blog. Thankfully the blogging community is incredibly supportive and it's not hard to find people willing to offer free advice or to give you a helping hand. But you're not going to get anywhere at all by saying you don't have the time or the resources, whether you're an independent bookstore like I discussed here or just someone wanting to blog about whatever; everyone has time, just some of us want to use it for other things. But there are always a few minutes here, or a few minutes there. How you use them is up to you. Here are some situations and options:
  • On the Road
    • Bring a tape or digital recorder and writer your content verbally while in your car. You can transcribe it in a matter of minutes when you get home, or ask a friend or significant other to do it.
  • Public Transportation
    • Bring a laptop or a pad of paper. No reason why you can't write on the bus or the train. And it takes only a matter of minutes to type something up that's already been written.
  • Work Two Jobs
    • Use your breaks at work or find a few minutes elsewhere to spend each day blogging.
  • No Internet
    • Use a public library.
See? It's not that hard to find the time. This applies equally as well to writing in general, but I'm using it here to illustrate a point. There's no such thing as not having the time when it comes to writing or blogging. Usually that is an argument used to prevent oneself from acknowledging that he or she doesn't want to do it. But if you do want to do it, well, what's stopping you? Takes no more than ten minutes to set up a blog with free hosting. You could be started in no time!

What do you all think about this? Any thoughts on blogging on a busy schedule? Advice? Feel free to leave a comment.

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6 comments:

  1. I spotted this line in the middle of your excellent post:

    "Work Two Jobs
    Use your breaks at work or find a few minutes elsewhere to spend each day blogging."

    While this is true, if you're doing this, it means you aren't writing :)

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  2. Oh, I know, but this is about what you can do for blogging rather than writing. if you don't write anyway, then using your breaks for blogging works just as well.

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  3. *Smiles* This is me :P And yes, life is about priorities. I use to have more time to write, blog ... and it was about everyday stuff that was me. I had a few followers and more family/friends.

    More recently, I've taken them down because I've moved on with different priorites. Honestly, because of my work postion - responsbilities - accountabilites that I love, I don't have time @ work like I did in the past when working the help desk. Life changes including making more time for loved ones, healthy living including exercising, eating right, getting enough sleep. etc.

    I've added "Blooging" to my Calendar and it would never fail... How about a movie? Let's hang out with friends/family or check out festivals within the city as it is good to be socialable. Anyhow, I could be blogging now instead of commenting :) Then again, I would not be able catch up with everyone too ...

    Small of short ... yes, we can make time. I agree with you. It should also be noted that individuals who don't have the time, may be those busy people completeing other priorities in their world and we are fortunate to have wonderful Bloggers like you on the world wide web.

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  4. I think there's a difference between not having time and simply putting certain things as a priority over other things. I wouldn't expect someone to not spend time with family if family is more important than blogging or writing. Priorities should always play into the mix, but if you want to do something and it's that important to you, you can't really use the "I don't have time" excuse.

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  5. I blog on a busy schedule and the only reason I've been able to keep it going for almost two years now is that I don't stress about it. I like to post every day, but sometimes I don't think I have anything to say. Or, if a conversation has a good comment thread going, I'll leave it as the top post for another 12 hours.

    Of course, I'm not trying to make money on this thing. I'm just trying to connect to people.

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  6. I'm more or less just writing stuff I enjoy. If I make a little money doing it, cool, but more or less I like the conversations started by comments and the like. I need to write more controversial stuff so I can have debates, though :P.

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