This is a guest post by Corey Freeman, an entrepreneur who lives in the USA. She co-founded the media network Kiwidia, which contains several blogs including BloggerBear.com.
Anybody who knows me knows that I’m always working, and that I have (or seem to have) a ridiculous amount of free time. Where do I find the time to develop huge projects such as Kiwidia when so many students my age have no time for blogging? The answer is simple – I know how to make and manage time.
How do you generate more time? Well, it’s actually easier than you think. The act of “blogging” comes down to about two things – finding ideas and doing promotion. The average blog post might take only 10 minutes to write, but coming up with an idea can take hours. The same goes for promotion. It takes seconds to stumble a blog post, but to
stumble many blog posts and get others to help out makes the process longer.
Let me tell you something – these tasks can be made simple and easy. There are a handful of secret techniques that you can use to get more things done, and move at a lightening fast speed, just like me and the members of Kiwidia. Before I share them, however, there is one main idea you should keep in mind - having a goal.
You have to know what you want to get done on that particular day. Also, you should be honest with yourself as to what you can accomplish. Trying to build a blogging empire in five hours is probably not too realistic. Getting three new posts written is more manageable. Knowing what you want to get done will make your blogging go much faster.
Now onto the tips. Here are five blogging tips that will give you more free time to building a successful blog.
Automate!
Use plugins and post templates to automate tasks you normally have to do by hand. When it comes to managing advertisements, we use OIOPublisher, which makes changing ads quick and easy. When it comes to stumbling, use the stumbleupon toolbar. When you want to make a new post, use post templates if you find youself writing in the same
manner all the time. Always try to find a way to make a simple task even simpler, or better, self sustaining.
Think More, Do Less
I spend the majority of my “brainstorming” time away from the computers. When you get a blog post idea, jot it down and move on. Come back to it when you have the time to write. I’ve been known to text myself ideas, or file them away mentally for later when I’m on the go.
In addition, you should think through all of the steps you need to get a specific goal done before you actually begin working. When developing a new theme, I consider everything I need to do to get it accomplished, then go through the steps one-by-one. Concentrating will make you much more productive, and free up your time.
Do One Thing at a Time
I’ve been known to write guest posts while designing a theme and researching for blog posts. This is not a good idea if you want to get to bed before 2am. Learning how to focus and finish a single task will give your projects higher quality, and will make you fly through tasks.
Next time you sit down to do a post, focus just on finishing the post, then worry about formatting, followed by promotion, etc. Set a goal, follow through, move on.
Set Priorities
Before I set off for band camp, I had a ton of things to do for Kiwidia. Setting up blogs and emails was a major priority. Searching through stock vectors wasn’t. Neither was making sure the ad spots had 6 banners and not 4. Knowing which tasks need to be down right now, and which ones can be saved for later will make your time more useful.
Do Simple Things and Continue
you don’t want your to-do list to grow out of control. If it will only take you a minute to upgrade a plugin, do it now. If you have to move a widget, move it now and get on with your major tasks. Don’t let little things wait and build up until they become major things.
Hopefully these tips will help you guys to develop a lightening work ethic. They are tried and true methods and they really do help. What kinds of things do you to do make your blogging time more valuable?
I always write down what I need to do on a list for tomorrow’s work, anyway I like the part where you say “think more, do less” I once read a book title “The Lazy Man’s Way To Riches” it say almost the same meaning of what you said…
The Bad Blogger’s last blog post..How To Hook-In Every New Commentator Who Is Ever Likely To Become One Of Your Potential Reader Or Even Customer !
Hi Corey, I though were were living in Australia all along.
Nevertheless, this is a great blog post for time management. I learnt quite a few bits from Simon on time management (when he was writing for Thebloggingpark, and at the same time managed to start up Teenius, as well as carry on with is offline tasks). I usually think I do not enough time. I am wrong; everyone has 24 hours in a day, it all boils down to time management.
Very inspiring post
Richael | Domain Marvelous’s last blog post..Domain Registration Length – Does it Matter?
Australia? I didn’t know I looked/sounded australian. Is it because I have problogger level skills? Totally joking.
I’m glad you found the post inspiring. It’s amazing how much people fool themselves into thinking they have no time for anything.
Corey Freeman’s last blog post..How to Remain Calm, Cool, and Confident
I’m terrible at managing my time. It sucks. In fact I’m procrastinating right now to read this blog post. So, is reading a post about time management when I need to be better at managing my time really a form of procrastination? Maybe. Thanks for the info, Corey.
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz’s last blog post..How to Network as a Young Entrepreneur: Online
Seriously, you don’t have to worry about reading Teenius. Do it as much as you like… read the same article twice if you really want to!
Corey, this is an awesome post.
Time is the biggest factor I will be facing soon as my holidays are ending.
I will surely keep these tips in mind, really good ones.
Farrhad A’s last blog post..One Easy Way To Stand Out In Internet Marketing Today
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Farrhad. Time management is extremely important when it comes to balancing homework with online stuff.
Corey Freeman | Blogger Bear’s last blog post..5 Foolproof Ways to Monetize your Blog
The last one! 5 minute tasks, do them now!
And I also love to do offline things away from the computer, brainstorming is something to do with pen and paper, not with your computer..
Great guest post!
Stefan,
http://StudySuccessful.com
Stefan | StudySuccessful.com’s last blog post..Procrastination: The Convential Theory
I definitely find myself doing little things as they approach. It keeps them from piling up. Ask Matt – he has a lot of small “to-do’s” on his list now, haha.
Corey Freeman | Blogger Bear’s last blog post..5 Foolproof Ways to Monetize your Blog
Great post. Managing time is such a big most for bloggers. I have found that poor time management can really make me lose money. Like they say, “time is money”.
Jake | Web Journey’s last blog post..Logo’s Are More Important Than You Think ( Plus: A Free Logo)
Definitely. If you don’t take the time to maintain your blog, people will stop coming. Then your traffic goes down and traffic is where the money comes from! Time seriously is money.
Corey Freeman | Blogger Bear’s last blog post..5 Foolproof Ways to Monetize your Blog
All the above are good points.
Yes you need time away from your computer in order to get the most of things. The problem is if you are in your office or bedroom on your computer it is very hard to get inspiration.
Again prioitise is important and look for ways to be more productive.
James King’s last blog post..Winner of the June Top Commentator
The computer doesn’t necessarily block your inspiration. You can find tons of sources of ideas online and from your own blog. I just find that I’m more productive when I’m sitting in class not paying attention, haha.
Corey Freeman | Blogger Bear’s last blog post..5 Foolproof Ways to Monetize your Blog
I think this post will most fit me the best. I think this is the most important post I must follow. I must agree that this post helps me to have a schedule for my self. Thanks a lot corey
Harish | Blogging Kid’s last blog post..This Blog Finally Is For Sale
Another thing you could do is automate some of the “boring” tasks of blogging (link building and so on). I suck at managing time so usually need to get someone that’s better at it to do those things (through outsourcing).
I’d also recommend taking a break and going for a walk if the ideas aren’t coming, fresh air is wonderful for creativity.
Jason’s last blog post..What Happened At Mumbai ‘09?
Great post Corey…
Time management is essential for enjoying the process of blogging. Otherwise you feel overwhelmed and unsuccessful. Thanks for the great tips and good luck on the new venture.
p.s. corey – is outstanding writer gone for good?
Seth W’s last blog post..How to Write a Blog/Article Quickly
Welcome Corey @ Teenius
You’ve placed such useful techniques to follow up. I am highlighting on the second one Think More, Do Less as this is the most important phase of blogging in my point of view. It’s what make your final product good, and final product is the post so it’s important to take care about the quality of the blog.
Thanks Teenius 4 sharing this guestblog
Hicham’s last blog post..I hate everything about You!
That was a nice read.. I must say Corey is a great writer !
Enk.’s last blog post..Interview with Kovshenin (Web Developer)
Your technique are awesome man you have solved many problems of young blogger ’s .
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Hey Simon,
I work for an SEO company, so I really had to learn to manage my own time online and in life effectively. There are so many factors that come in to play with websites, from design to development, and marketing to content and upgrades. It’s an endless list of what needs to be done, what should be done and what can be done.
I agree, you just have to prioritize. I try and think of it like this: I like to be overwhelmed. If I have more on my plate than I can physically do, this ensures that I get the important stuff done, get the fires put out before moving on to less important things. Then I don’t waste time dallying with small projects that delay the overall result.
I think you have to apply that to personal web and life use as well. You have to “pay yourself first”, and treat your own web work like a job. Hold yourself responsible for what has to be done, what needs to be fixed. Don’t waste valuable time when you could be being productive.
Anyway, that’s kind of a long comment, so I’ll stop here. I think you’re doing an AWESOME job on your site and posts!
- Aubrey from Classesandcareers.com
Automate and Outsource are the two best ways.
So many little jobs can be outsourced or you can have scripts created which speed them up like checking how many visitors you’ve had etc.
It is hard for me to blog because my dad usually has to help me and then review it before i send it out. He is usually too busy so that makes it hard. My brother sometimes helps but he is always doing his own blog