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How to Slay Blogging Overwhelm by @marissamonline

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Photo by Eugene Chystiakov from Pexels

by Marissa McDaniel

So, you decided you’re going to start a blog and you are pumped! Blogging seems like a great way to express yourself and maybe you’ll even make a little extra money with your blog. You start your blog, thinking it’s going to be super easy and fun and then it hits you.. Blogging is hard.

You start with the web hosting and before you know it you’re dabbling with web design, branding, actually writing and coming up with blog post ideas, email marketing, affiliate marketing, legal disclosures and your to-do list of blogging tasks is suddenly extending all the way down the street. At this point you’re wondering what you got yourself into. You realize you have no idea what you’re doing and you’re seriously thinking about throwing in the towel.

Believe me, I’ve been there and so have thousands of other bloggers! I’m here to tell you not to throw in the towel just yet. There is hope and there are ways to combat the overwhelming feeling that you can’t seem to shake.

Check out these 4 easy ways you can start slaying the overwhelm today!

 

1. Goal Setting

 

One of the biggest ways to combat blogging overwhelm is to create monthly or even weekly goals. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a massive list of to-do’s but by breaking these to-do’s down into goals with a specific time frame, they can become manageable. Try setting realistic social media goals, writing goals, traffic goals and income goals. This will help you assess exactly what you should focus on, what progress you are making and what areas might need a little extra help.

 

2. Automation

 

Thankfully there are some ways you can automate your blog and social media processes. For starters, you can automate all of your social media posts with a variety of social media scheduling tools like Tailwind, Hootsuite and Buffer. With the help of scheduling tools, you can schedule your social media content for a week or even a full month in the matter of a couple hours. This is a great way to save you tons of time while creating a social media presence and increasing blog traffic.

As for email marketing, you can also create autoresponders and email sequences that will be sent out when someone purchases a product, downloads a freebie or joins your email list. This is a great way to introduce yourself to new email subscribers, to provide an offer and build trust with your audience. Autoresponders are also a great addition to sales funnels if you have any products you are aiming to sell. Once you your email marketing set up, you can create unique sequences, automations and more to create a unique experience for each subscriber.

 

3. Schedule

 

It can be so easy to get wrapped up in creating as many blog posts as possible when first starting out, but this can make the overwhelm even worse! Instead of trying to publish a ton of content, create a content calendar. If you want to publish blog posts twice a week then make it a point to publish a blog post every Tuesday and Thursday. Come up with a schedule for your blog posts and content so you know exactly what you need to be working on and when. This will also help your readers know exactly when to look for new content on your blog and can promote returning visitors.

 

4. Connect With Other Bloggers

 

Other bloggers can be a great resource! They’ve all been through the process and they understand how overwhelming blogging can be. Communicate with other bloggers, ask them how they solved certain problems or handled a certain situation. The blogging community is extremely supportive and is always willing to help out whenever they can. Not only that, but many bloggers are always looking for ways to save time and make life easier so connecting with another blogger might allow you discover a new product or tool that just might change your life.

By setting goals, automating your processes, scheduling content and connecting with other bloggers, there’s no reason you can’t slay the blogging overwhelm! These strategies will also save you time and help you create some clear blogging plans so your blog can grow and thrive.

How do you slay blogging overwhelm? Do you have other suggestions? If, so share them in the comments!

 

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Marissa McDaniel is the founder of Marissa McDaniel Online LLC which is a blog and online business focused on helping women ditch their 9-5’s and create a life of financial freedom. She frequently writes about blogging tips and tools, online money-making opportunities and offers her very own online course to help other bloggers create passive income streams using online courses, sales funnels and affiliate programs.

Marissa resides in the Denver, Colorado area with her boyfriend and two hiking cats. When not spending time on the lake, she’s likely reading a motivational book, eating a snack or working on her next business endeavor.

Top 3 strategies to stay consistent with your blog by @mominbusiness_

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how to stay consistent with your blog

How to stay consistent with your blog 

Blogging consistently is not an easy task. Most people start their blog with tons of illusion, but the lack of consistency kills their lovely child (blog) before even start.

And if you have kids around, this consistency thing can become a real challenge.

It’s really important that you know how to stay consistent with your blog in order to be successful.

There is going to be things every day that will affect the way you have organized your tasks, sometimes life gets in the way, and you need to be flexible enough to absorb those changes and stay consistent with your blog

Whatever you do, don’t quit, adjust!

I just prepared a very nice printable with 18 pieces of wisdom that will help you keep your motivation up at every moment!

wisdom for the mommy blogger

My top 3 strategies to stay consistent with your blog

I want to share with you the 3 most important tips I use to stay consistent with my blog.

1 Keep Yourself Accountable

Share your goals with your blogging partners.

Once you share your goals, you’ll automatically feel more committed to get it done.

You want to be trustworthy, so you keep your word and get everything done on time.

You can also share your goals with your couple or even with your readers.

Exposing yourself will help you do whatever you can to deliver what you promised.

2 Get Rid of Distractions

You need to be aware that there are online and offline distractions.

What is the difference?

Washing the dishes, do the laundry, cooking, cleaning the house, buy some groceries, etc, are offline distractions.

And of course, checking your social media account every second, email notifications, 50+ WhatsApp groups, etc, are online distractions.

Offline distractions are a real problem when you work from home, to avoid these kinds of distractions, you need to imagine that you’re at the office.

During office hours you can’t wash the dishes or go to the supermarket.

To combat online distractions you can try the Pomodoro Technique.

This method uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. This will help you improve your concentration.

3 The Realistic Publishing Schedule

There is no such thing as “the right publishing schedule”. You should stick to the schedule that works for you.

In my case, posting on a daily basis is impossible, so I try to post every 15 days or once a month.

You can start slow, posting once a month and then move to twice a month once your writing becomes more fluent.

Just go with the publishing schedule that works for you and avoid committing to an unrealistic schedule that will drive you to quit your blog.

Next steps

You can start applying these 3 strategies, but I really recommend you to create your own ones. Nobody knows you better than yourself. I’m sure that you are aware of what you need to do to stay consistent with your blog.

So, move into action and get it done!

 

I wish you happiness, love and the courage to live your life according to your priorities ♥

Vanessa Cast

Let She Owns It Promote YOU! Bloggers Wanted. Open Call For Featured Contributors.

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by Melissa Stewart

We are looking for a few amazing women (and men) to share their inspiration and expertise with the She Owns It community. Featured contributors will be selected based on their level of expertise in their particular fields. Featured contributors must be able to commit to partnering with She Owns It from January through June 2018 and writing a minimum of 6 posts.

-> APPLY HERE! <-

Here are some subjects we are interested in:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Small Business
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Social Media
  • Product Development
  • Success
  • Inspiration
  • Graphic Design
  • Branding
  • Online Strategies – Website and Email
  • Legal
  • Accounting
  • Human Resources
  • Operations and Business Strategy
  • Customer Service Programs
  • Startups
  • Entrepreneur Success Stories & Inspiration
  • Creative Entrepreneurs
  • Better Blogging
  • Recipes & Tips for Healthy Living
  • Crowdfunding
  • Venture Capital
  • Web Design
  • Dressing for Success
  • Podcasting

…or tell us your expertise & we can create a category just for you!

Here’s how it works:

Featured Contributors will commit to six months with She Owns It.  Each Featured Contributor will provide six unique posts during their six month commitment.  They can be written articles or video posts.

Our Featured Contributors will receive:

  •     Listing under Featured Contributors on the She Owns It site
  •     Bios and pictures on every post submitted.
  •     Exposure through our social media networks on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

  •     A woman entrepreneur that has seen success in business.
  •     A woman who is an expert in her industry or field.
  •     A woman who has excelled in a specific area of business.
  •     A woman who is committed to helping other women.
  •     OPEN to men with the same qualifications!

If  this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.

Have questions? Reach out to Melissa Stewart, at melissa (at) sheownsit (dot) com

-> APPLY HERE! <-

Application DEADLINE is December 31st.

Small Business Owner? Here’s How You’ll Benefit from Blogging by @TheLadyinRead

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Small Business Owner? Here's How You'll Benefit from Blogging >> entrepreneurship, small business ownership, blogging tips, working at home, blogging for business

by Meghan Bliss | Featured Contributor 

Blogging. Just another buzzword, or legitimate way to promote your small business? Because it’s so easy to start a blog, the Internet is saturated with advice. Some of it is legitimate, and some? Not so much.

But wait. Don’t discount the value of blogs quite yet.

Starting your own blog, when done wisely, can be one of the most effective ways to boost your small business. Here are a few reasons why:

#1 – It positions you as an expert in your field

Successful bloggers are successful because they know what they’re talking about. They’re persistent, of course, but they have valuable information to offer their readers, who keep coming back for more. Whether you work in finance, graphic design, the wedding industry, or anything in between, you have information to offer about your field. Blogging consistently is a great way to position yourself as an expert in your field and gain trust with your potential customers.

#2 – It connects you with colleagues and potential customers

Speaking of gaining trust… Blogging gives you an opportunity to connect with more people ever. It can add new depth to your networking efforts by putting you in touch with others in your field, as well as people who need what you offer. The only downside? You can’t just publish a post and call it a day. You’ll also need to use social media to promote your post (while continuing to share others’ work, too). With plenty of scheduling programs available, promoting your blog or business via social media is simpler than ever. (Here’s how I schedule mine to free up extra writing time.)

#3 – It helps you build your email list

To boost your sales, build your email list. People who are genuinely interested in your ideas, products, or services will be more than happy to subscribe to your email list. An email list gives you a direct connection to the people who are most interested in what you offer. So when you’re running a promotion, selling a new product, or looking for new clients, you can start with your list and be sure you’re speaking right to the people who want to hear from you.

#4 – It’s a great way to get eyes on your products or services

Even if you don’t plan to monetize your blog (i.e. through affiliate marketing, advertising, sponsored posts, or anything similar), a single post can still bring more eyes to your website — and ultimately your products. If you design wedding invitations, for example, you could write a post about the top ten wedding destinations in the South. When you share that post on all of your social media platforms, interested brides will click on it. That will take them straight your website, where they’ll see the design services you provide. Though not everyone will buy, you will get more eyes on your services. And maybe a few happy customers.

#5 – It keeps your creative juices flowing

If you’re feeling stuck in your business for any reason, blogging could be the creative refresher you need to get out of your rut. Not only will it boost your exposure and potentially increase your sales, it could also force you to think outside the box about what you do. Consistently writing about your industry will require a little bit of continuing education, especially if you run out of article ideas. In addition to writing about your business or industry, reading about it is a great way to stay inspired and refreshed, too.

As if that wasn’t enough, blogging also gives you more content to share, which can really increase your exposure on the Internet. Of course, sharing quality content is key. The more quality content you have to contribute, the more your colleagues and potential customers will take you seriously.

The best part is that starting a blog isn’t difficult at all. I use Bluehost for all three of mine, and I couldn’t be happier. Trust me, if I can do it, you can, too. In fact, when done correctly, all it takes is a couple of hours and you’re good to go. Then you can have fun with it, sit back, and watch your reach expand more than ever.

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Meghan BlissMeghan Bliss is the owner and head writer at TheLadyinRead.com, a blog for women who read, write, and want to be read.

After almost four years in finance, Meghan quit her job to write full time. She spends her days blogging, writing novels, and trying to stay off of Pinterest. She also copyedits books, newsletters, manuals, and basically anything else you throw at her — including subtitles and restaurant menus. Her first novel will be released this year.

When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading, clumsily practicing the ukulele, or watching old sitcoms and superhero movies with her husband, cat, and baby-to-be.

And, as always, trying to find the perfect shade of red lipstick.

Connect with Meghan here: Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Linkedin

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10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone) by @adamsconsulting

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10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone)

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

I can remember the day I wrote my first blog post. It was in July 2009. My hands were sweaty as I tried hard (unsuccessfully) to sound witty in my writing. I’ve learned a lot since that day, and I continue to learn more about blogging every day.

Nowadays, I approach blogging from a different perspective. After writing thousands of posts, I am more comfortable in my own blogging skin. If you are a new blogger without much of an audience, it might be frustrating to read peppy posts from veteran bloggers who have already overcome many of the common blogging struggles.

I want you to know that wherever you are on your blogging journey, your blogging struggles are real. You are not alone. I usually write about the sunny side of blogging, but there are plenty of blogging struggles as well. Here is my list of top blogging struggles. I listed them as questions since I think most bloggers ask themselves these questions at some point along their journey.

1. Am I a good enough writer to blog? Are my writing skills up to par?

Don’t let these questions stop you. Self-doubt occasionally creeps into every blogger’s mind. Keep going. If you aren’t a good writer now, you’ll improve. If you are already a good writer, you’ll become great.

2. How often should I post? Once a day, once a week, twice a month?

I suggest writing as much as you can without sacrificing the quality of each post or sacrificing the important things in your life. There is no right or wrong. Just decide what your blogging frequency will be. Your audience will expect you to stick to whatever schedule you set.

3. What is my niche?

Think about what you’re passionate about, and what you’re good at doing. What are your strengths and your areas of expertise? Choose a niche that you can write about for a long time without getting tired of it.

4. Do I have the time it takes to build a successful blog?

Building a successful blog takes time and effort. Take it one day at a time or else it can be overwhelming in the beginning. This post might help: How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule

5. Am I just wasting my time? I hardly have any comments on my blog.

We live in an instant gratification society. We want everything now. I always joke that there are three things that teach us patience: kids, social media and blogging. Adapt a success mindset and make a commitment to never give up. These are just blogging struggles, not blog killers. This feeling will pass.

6. Should I try to monetize my blog? Will that turn my readers off? How should I do it?

Get it out of your head that it’s wrong to monetizing your blog. Just remember 2 things. Monetization is tied to traffic (so you kinda need to build your traffic first). And, don’t sacrifice your reader’s experience on your blog with annoying ads. Monetize your blog in a tasteful way. This post might help: 9 Ways to Monetize Your Blog Without Being Cheesy

7. Why don’t I have more traffic? I’ve been blogging consistently for a while.

Of all these blogging struggles, this one is heartbreaking because it just plain sucks. I highly suggest you read Why I Quit Blogging (and What to Do If You’re Struggling) by Jon Morrow. I found an aha-moment in that post. It explains that you will find more blogging success if you focus on making connections first. Connections come first, then readers. Most bloggers think the connections come as a result of the blogging, but it’s the other way around. This concept might blow your mind (it did mine).

8. What if I can’t think of enough topics to blog about?

This is the most annoying of all blogging struggles. The good news is, it’s easy to overcome. If you are like me, your mind is constantly going and going. Carry a notebook around (or use the notes app on your phone) to record all your ideas as they pop into your head. This takes a little discipline at first, but then it will become a habit. Once you start doing this, you’ll never run out of blogging ideas again!

9. There’s so much talk about blog images lately. How do I know which images are okay to use and which ones aren’t?

Of all these blogging struggles, this is one to really pay attention to. It’s not appropriate to use any ‘ol image on your blog. You can read more about that on Oh Snap, Can I (Legally) Use That Photo? by Peg Fitzpatrick. Lately, I’ve been using Canva to create my blog images (like the image at the top of this post). It’s super easy to use. I also recommend reading 53+ Free Image Sources for Your Blog and Social Media Posts on Buffer.

10. What if I fail? What if I can’t get through these blogging struggles? Will I even make it passed the one-year threshold?

The fear of failure can be paralyzing. Most bloggers quit 6 – 12 months after starting. Building a blog is like starting a business. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Keep moving forward, and you’ll overcome these and more blogging struggles. Adapt an entrepreneurial mindset. Most of all, have fun with it! My blogging journey has been one of the best adventures of my life.

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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

25 Things All Super Successful Bloggers Have in Common by @adamsconsulting

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characteristics-of-successful-influential-bloggers

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

These days, it seems like almost everyone is a blogger. According to Google, “74,652,825 sites out there are depending on good ol’ WordPress. That’s one site per person in Turkey.” If you read a ton of blogs every day like I do, you’ve noticed that some bloggers stand out from the crowd. They have more mojo than the average blogger. They seem to have the magic touch when it comes to attracting readers and attention.

What do super successful bloggers do that is different from everyone else? I can’t claim to know for sure what the answer is; however, based on what I’ve observed from all the successful bloggers I know, there seems to be a trend. There do seem to be some things that are common amongst successful, influential bloggers.

After thinking about it more today, I decided to compile a list of 25 common traits shared by successful bloggers. When I finished the list, I was surprised at how many of these things also mirror successful entrepreneurs. Perhaps it’s all the same mindset and same approach to life. I hope you enjoy this list.

25 Things All Super Successful
Bloggers Have in Common

1. They are laser-focused on their blogging goals. They don’t allow themselves to get distracted.

2. They are visionaries and have a clear picture of where they want their blog to be in five years.

3. They love to write, and they are dammmn good at it.

4. They know how to do social media right, and they have mastered the art of social media self-promotion without being lame.

5. They become an expert in their niche and increase their influence.

6. They project positivity. They have a genuine interest in contributing to the blogging community in a positive way.

7. They take their blogging seriously. They are committed. They become master planners and always make time for their writing.

8. They surround themselves with positive, high energy people. Like @MelissaOnline tweeted, “Your mind is multimillion-dollar property. Screen your tenants very carefully.”

9. They develop a rock solid reputation and build on it every day.

10. They have the necessary blogging tools they need: Laptop, fast Internet connection, blogging apps, etc.

11. They are genuinely likeable people. If they aren’t that way naturally, they learn how to become more likeable.

12. They have a good attitude. They think like a champion.

13. They are persistent and work hard. They are always able to keep moving forward regardless of obstacles, adversity and difficulties that might be standing in their way.

14. They are trustworthy. Their readers depend on them for factual information.

15. They give credit where credit is due.

16. They are friendly and engaging with their readers.

17. They are detail-oriented. They check each post to be sure the formatting, grammar and other details are correct before publishing.

18. They are patient. They understand that it takes time to earn respect as a blogger, and they are in it for the long haul.

19. They are thick-skinned. They can take criticism without falling apart and questioning themselves.

20. They know how to network. They understand the importance of relationship building and its effect on their success as a blogger.

21. They are good listeners and respect the opinions of others (i.e. in comments on their posts).

22. They never stop learning. The blogosphere is a moving target. They don’t get too comfortable. Instead, they stay on the edge of what’s happening each day.

23. They are skilled money managers. This is required in order to give the proper time and attention to their blogging, especially in the beginning.

24. They aren’t trying to get paid for each hour they work. Instead, they think like an entrepreneur. They look at the big picture of what they are creating long term. They are adaptive and open to change.

25. They read a lot and write a lot. Stephen King, one of the bestselling authors of all time, gave advice to aspiring writers at Yale in 2003. He said in order to be a great author (blogger), you have to read a lot and write a lot. There are no shortcuts.

Please let me know in the comments below if you think of anything else that needs to be added to this list. I’m even more inspired to blog now. Thank you for reading my post!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

10 Tips for Writing Blog Posts Faster without Sacrificing Quality by @adamsconsulting

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10 Tips for Writing Blog Posts Faster without Sacrificing Quality

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

Some bloggers take 30 minutes to write a high quality blog post. Other bloggers take several hours on multiple days to write the same blog post. If you are a busy professional with big blogging goals, and if you’re taking more than one hour to write your blog posts, this article is for you.

I consulted my friend and colleague @CarlaYoung as I wrote this post. She is freelance writer who is famous for writing high quality blog posts in 30 minutes.

First, I’d like to tell you a blogging secret. Any blogger who tells you he or she wrote a high quality blog post in 30 minutes has done some pre-blogging work.

They’ve chosen their topic ahead of time, they’ve mulled over what they want to say, and they know exactly where to go to get great images (or they’ve already chosen the images). I do these things before I sit down to write every post.

If you don’t do this pre-blogging work, it will be difficult to shave time off your writing. If you don’t do these things before you start, you can’t compare yourself to someone who is writing their posts in 30 minutes. It’s not comparing apples to apples.

Let’s say you’ve done your pre-blogging work, and you’re ready to write. There are some simple things you can do that will help you write faster without sacrificing quality.

1. Let go of being a perfectionist

Perfectionism combined with blogging can be crippling. Like my friend Carla Young wrote in her post How to Power Your Way Through the Writing Process, you’ve got to know when to call it done. It’s fun to play with words, but eventually you need to move on.

2. Get rid of all distractions

It can take me two or three times as long to finish a post if I have distractions in the room. Clear all distractions so you can power focus and just get it done!

3. Once you start typing, don’t stop until you’re finished

Don’t stop writing to look up facts or do research. Don’t edit as you write. Get into the writing flow and keep going.

Like Carla Young told me, “Don’t get caught up trying to find the perfect wording. The best way to write quickly is to get it all out in whatever messy format you need and edit later.“

4. Write a lot – the more you write, the faster you’ll produce each post

In the article How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule, I wrote that blogging is like exercise. The hardest part is starting.

When you use your blogging muscles often, they’ll become leaner, sharper and more flexible. You’ll start pumping out three posts in the time it used to take you to write one.

5. Do a quick post plan

Another useful tip from my friend @CarlaYoung is to do a quick post plan. She starts with a jazzy headline, decides what she wants to discuss in the post and then brainstorms three to five key points. This is basically creating an outline. Then just fill in the details.

6. Be an organized blogger

You will be surprised at how much faster you can write your blog posts when you’re an organized blogger. I described this as the pre-blogging work in the beginning of this article.

To get organized, keep a folder on your desktop with your blogging ideas, topics and images/credits that you want to use someday.

Also keep handy any login info that you’ll need, sites that contain facts and research info, and any blogging tidbits that cross your mind daily (it will all be useful at the right time).

Then, when it’s time to write, you won’t dilly-dally with trying to get prepared. You’ll be ready to power write.

7. Use blogging tools designed to help you write faster

There are tons of blogging tools designed to help you get the job done. The best part is, most of them are free. You can check out an outstanding list at 39 Blogging Tools to Help You Work Faster, Write Better, and Land More Readers.

8. Completely finish your blog post in one sitting

I’ve read stories about people who write their post, then they set it aside for a day or two, then they go back to it. What is all that about? If you are only blogging once a month, I suppose that’s feasible. My advice is to sit down, write your post and get it done!

9. If you’re rushed, push out a nicely written 300-word post

Not every post has to be long and thought-provoking. I love short and sweet 300-word posts too. I can write those in 15 minutes.

It’s only four paragraphs – an introductory paragraph, two paragraphs for the body, and a conclusion paragraph. Add some compelling images, and you’re done! #boom

10. Most importantly – set a time limit for yourself

This is something @CarlaYoung and I both agree on. If you’re just leisurely writing with no time limit, one post can take all Saturday afternoon. Instead, set a timer and get focused.

According to Carla, by setting a time limit, “you ensure that you don’t get stuck in the perfection loop that has you fussing with details people aren’t going to notice anyway.“

I hope these tips help you reclaim some of the time you spend blogging without changing your publishing frequency. If you have some additional tips, please share them with us!

Photo credit: Pixabay / wilofcom

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule by @adamsconsulting

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How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule

by Diana Adams  | Featured Contributor 

Blogging is one of my favorite things to do. I especially love guest blogging since it gives me the opportunity to play at someone else’s house and make new friends. As of today, I’ve written 4,117 blog posts. My goal is 5,000. In 2015, I will add 400 new posts to the blogosphere, which is a lighter schedule than I’ve had in previous years.

If you like to keep up the pace with your blogging too, you’ve probably developed a system for staying on track. Today I thought I might share my technique for creating and keeping a consistent blogging schedule. It’s not high tech, but it works for me.

Before you create your blogging schedule, consider this.

One of the secrets to successful blogging is consistency. Blogging is like exercise – the hardest part is starting. Once you’ve gotten some momentum, it’s not hard to keep it up. If you stop blogging, it’s hard to get going again, just like with exercise. For this reason, I recommend making consistency a priority.

If you are committed to maintaining an aggressive blogging schedule, it’s also important to set a time limit for each post. You can learn more about this by following @CarlaYoung. She is a proficient blogger and freelance copywriter who has mastered this skill.

Get a planner that inspires you (online or analog, whichever works).

Don’t skip this step. Documenting these things only in your brain will not yield the best results.

I like to keep track of my blogging schedule in my Star Wars Moleskin planner. I carry it with me everywhere, and it keeps me inspired. I like the act of using a pen to check-off each daily blogging goal. I prefer this over any online/app/digital system I’ve tried.

This is what my blogging planner looks like:

star-wars-blogging-planner

Work the Numbers.

How many posts would you like to publish in 2015? 25? 100? 400? Whatever the number is, divide it by 12 to see how many posts you would have to write each month to reach that goal. Is that number reasonable? Does it inspire you? Does it push you, but not break you? Are you excited to start working towards that goal? Most importantly…

Can you blog that much without sacrificing the quality of each post?

I recommend sitting down with a paper, pen and calculator. Start playing with the numbers. Work them into a weekly/monthly goal that you can feel good about. Now it’s time to start actually scheduling.

Create your weekly blogging schedule one night each week.

Now that you know how many posts you plan to write each week, you have a place to start. Write that number down. Maybe it’s 1 per week, maybe it’s 3 per week, maybe it’s more.

Choose one day a week (for me it’s Sunday) and plan the following week’s blogging schedule. Be sure to account for the number of posts you’re planning to write each week.

I write 8 posts per week (this is my 7th one). In my planner, I have documented which days I’m going to write. I schedule time for it just like any other activity, and I limit the amount of time I spend on each post.

I only recommend scheduling for a week at a time is because you probably won’t know the specifics of that week until the week before. For example, on one week, you might be able to write three posts on Tuesday night, but on the following week, you might have dinner plans on Tuesday night.

By making your specific schedule for the following week on Sunday (or whatever day), you will be able to fit your blogging into your existing schedule with more flexibility and ease. This is key for keeping your schedule intact and reaching your blogging goals.

If you have an extra busy week when you can’t schedule any blogging, you’ll know you have to double up the following week in order to make your goal. Or, maybe you work a few extra posts into your plan (which is what I do). That way, if something unexpected comes up, you can still meet your goal.

Add in a few advanced strategies.

Once you get good at this, you might even start adding a few advanced strategies into the mix. A few of these include blogging in batches, scheduling posts and creating a handy list of your main SEO keywords.

Another advanced strategy is to train your brain to spot blogging topics all day as you go about your daily routine. Write down those ideas immediately. Have you ever noticed that some people never run out of interesting things to blog about? It’s because they’ve mastered this technique. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never run out of post ideas.

I would like to point out that this is nothing more than the system I use. You have to find what works best for you. I’m only sharing my system so you have another point of view and another example for how to create and keep a blogging schedule.

What’s the method to your madness?

You might have a method to the madness that works better for you. It’s all about creating blog writing accountability (accountability to yourself). I hope you’ll share your tips about this in the comment section below. I’m always looking for ways to tweak my system to make it more efficient, effective and inspiring. Thank you for reading my post and happy blogging!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

3 Reasons I Love Writing for SheOwnsIt.com by @adamsconsulting

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sheownsit-christmas-tree-snowman-ornament

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

As I’m sitting here next to my Christmas tree, sipping on a Gingerbread Latte, I’m reminded of all the things I’m grateful for in my life. I’m so blessed in so many ways. One of the things I’m grateful for is the opportunity to be a writer here at SheOwnsIt.com.

I thought I’d list the top 3 reasons why I love writing for this blog.

1. It makes me feel good inside.

Yes, it’s a selfish reason, but hear me out. Writing can be a little lonely sometimes. It’s just you, your computer and the blog you’re writing for (whether it’s your own blog or someone else’s blog).

I’ve written over 4,100 blog posts on lots of different blogs, and I do it all just for fun. There are some blogs that are definitely cozier than others. This is a cozy blog.

It feels good to write for SheOwnsIt.com. It’s a place where I know I can share my thoughts and ideas about being an entrepreneur without any pressure or stress.

I’ve also noticed that writing about business has affected my business. I’m passionate about being an entrepreneur, and writing about that has given me an extra pep-in-my-step. I’m more confident in my daily interactions.

It turns out, science confirms that there is a link between passionate writing and real life events, even from a health perspective. You can read more about that at Science Shows Something Surprising about People Who Love to Write.

2. It’s empowering to be part of such a supportive, encouraging group of businesswomen.

When Melissa Stewart invited me to be a writer at SheOwnsIt.com, I had no idea it was like being invited to join the cool girls’ club.

There is something very rewarding about connecting with like-minded women who understand the challenges of growing a business and integrating it into daily life in order to create a happy, prosperous lifestyle.

I have made countless connections with other businesswomen as a result of writing here. These are supportive, empowering women who prefer collaboration over competition.

To me, those relationships are priceless.

3. SheOwnsIt.com has a very loyal following, and each post is heavily promoted and shared.

If you look closely at the post titles, you’ll see that each one has the Twitter username of the author in the title of the post itself. Because of that, each time my post is shared on Twitter, the tweet shows up in my notifications.

SheOwnsIt.com has a strong, loyal following that is committed to sharing new content as it’s published. As a result, there is more social engagement and more blog post comments than I was expecting.

As a writer, there is nothing more rewarding than getting positive feedback on your work. As a seasoned writer, there is nothing more rewarding than getting any feedback (positive or negative) on your work. I get it all on SheOwnsIt.com, and I smile throughout the journey. It’s truly a pleasure.

I’ve been a writer here for six months, and I’m looking forward to the future. As I continue writing posts here, and learning from all the other contributors, I’m confident 2015 is going to be the best year ever!

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!

9 Ways to Monetize Your Blog without Being Cheesy by @adamsconsulting

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how-to-sell-online-advertising

by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor

I’m a firm believer that it’s important to have multiple streams of income. If you have a blog that you’re updating consistently, I’d like to humbly suggest that you start making money from it (the non-cheesy way). You don’t have to junk up your site with a bunch of pop-up ads to make a nice income stream.

I’ve earned tens of thousands of dollars from selling online advertising. If you’ve done this too, you know it takes a lot of time and effort. IMHO, it is time well spent.

Making money from your blog requires some basic sales skills. Successful entrepreneurs know that being able to sell is the most important skill when it comes to making money.

I’m not shy about the fact that I love sales. It doesn’t have to be slimy or cheesy. It’s just about connecting with the right people and providing what they want. You can be good at sales even if you’re an introvert. Read more at Introverts Can Be Great Entrepreneurs.

There are two things you’ll need before starting. First, you need a blog that is updated frequently and consistently. That blog needs to have some traffic. You don’t need a ton of traffic, but you need an audience. Secondly, you’ll need established social media accounts that are also updated frequently and consistently.

Here we go…

1. Sponsored Posts

I’ve written dozens of these. If it’s a product or service that you like, it won’t be cheesy. When bloggers go overboard trying to sell a product, it makes us all wanna gag. Avoid doing that. Using SEO to optimize the heck out of your sponsored posts is the easiest way to keep those advertisers coming back.

Be sure to note in the post that you received money. I recommend reading The FTC Clarifies Their Rules for Bloggers.

2. Sponsored Tweets

As an add-on to your advertisers who purchase sponsored posts (or as a standalone product), you can sell sponsored tweets. Depending on how many followers you have, you can determine the price.

Add some statistics from Twitter analytics to show potential advertisers the value of your tweets. My friend @AnnTran_ is good at this. Her sponsored tweets are popular, and they get retweeted constantly.

Again, be sure to note that they’re sponsored tweets (see the FTC article linked above).

3. Site Skins

Site skins cover the entire background of your site. They are usually sold for 2 weeks or 30 days. You can see an example below.

Anywhere the reader clicks on that ad, it goes to the advertiser’s website. If it’s designed well, it’s not cheesy. Just be sure the product or service is in your niche so it resonates with your readers.

how-to-sell-blog-advertising

4. Affiliate Accounts

I like the Amazon Associates affiliate program. Even if the person who clicks on your link purchases a different product than the one you’re advertising, you still get the commission.

You can always use your site skin space for yourself. Advertise some niche products from Amazon and include your affiliate link. See what it’s like to be an advertiser on your own site and measure the results by looking at your affiliate account on Amazon. Obviously, you can also promote affiliate products in the text of your blog posts, your tweets, etc.

5. Advertise Your Other Products/Services

Until selling advertising becomes second nature to you, you might consider using your ad space to promote your other products and services.

You might have an Etsy store. Depending on your skills, you might promote yourself as a writer, reviewer, translator, designer, app developer, coder, virtual assistant, etc. This is a fantastic way to earn extra cash.

6. Social Media Marketing

I still meet people who are social media newbies. If you’re a social media addict like me, there is a value associated with your knowledge.

You can offer to help brands with their social media campaigns. You can use your own social media prowess to promote just about anything. There are many ways you can use your social media knowledge to get results. Be creative!

7. Display Ads

Notice I didn’t call them banner ads. Banner ads have gotten a bad reputation. It’s true that readers rarely click on them anymore (unless the ad is reeeeeally good). However, I think advertisers lose an opportunity by thinking the only value in these ads is the CTR.

Display ads still provide exposure. Even if people aren’t clicking, they still see them (unless they use an ad blocker). I’ve sold hundreds of banner ads, and I still see their value. Companies like BuySellAds make it easy.

8. AdSense

AdSense is an oldie but a goodie. There’s not a lot to say about AdSense except that it will pay for your gas each month.

9. Corporate Gigs

Once you get rocking with all this, you’ll gain a lot of exposure. Companies may reach out to you for help with various things. This has happened to me many times. For example, next week IBM is flying me to NYC to participate in a social media event. I’m excited to meet a lot of new people there. You never know where that kind of networking will lead!

Just be sure to check your social media correspondence every day, make sure your email address is easy to find, and professionally respond to all requests. To explore this topic more, read another article I wrote about it at The Complete Guide For Selling Advertising On Your Blog.

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diana adamsDiana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.

She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.

Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!