Top Ten Tuesdays: What Makes Blogging Easier

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish 🙂

Admittedly, I never attempt to envisage blogging in any easy light. Yes, it’s enjoyable, and yes it’s rewarding, but inasmuch as I believe in the philosophy that there is no such thing as free lunch, the perks of blogging come not without a price. Fortunately, there are various tools and strategies that aid in our timeless pursuit of knowledge, and with regards, here I am to present my own! I do hope this helps, in any way, in case you’re not familiar with some of them.

And in case you live in the Philippines like I do, where vicious storms are brewing, remember to stay safe! Have a great day, everyone 🙂

BLOGGING STRATEGIES

 

1. Scheduling Future Posts

I don’t think I’m incumbent enough to actually pre-write my posts weeks or days in advanced, because I have an obsessive compulsive desideratum to have all my posts published immediately, and heaven only knows why. However, I do like scheduling future posts, as this gives me a fixed idea on what I’m next supposed to be writing about. Sometimes it’s disparaging and conceivably unnecessary, especially if you’re indecisive or tend to change your mind, though I’m neither of the two, and it works in my favor to organize myself in this way.

2. Building A Blog Roll

I know a lot of bloggers are apprehensive of this idea, because of the potential to hurt other people excluded from such a list, intentionally or otherwise. However, I do put a disclaimer at the very beginning, to clarify misconceptions regarding the fact that I’m not restricting myself to the Blog Roll. However, I do have an extensive list, and it’s admittedly a hassle to put together, but of course, it makes it a whole lot easier for me to visit and promote the blogs I love, as well as find links to the pages I use for my recaps. In that way, it is well worth the effort.

3. Making Early Drafts

Regardless of my mother’s assertions, I am not a huge fan of procrastination. In fact, I enjoy being able to draft many of my posts, before carrying them over to WordPress. I’m very meticulous when it comes to perfecting my posts, so I try as much as possible not to publish anything below par.

4. Making An Index of Posts

I find this quite an effective way of giving readers easy access to earlier posts, since I don’t find myself believing that many of them (of you) are willing to endlessly scroll through my homepage. Creating a page that serves as an index of sorts promotes much of the content on my blog, and gives readers an opportunity to view content they may have missed, and not wanting to.

TOOLS AND EXTERNALITIES

5. Bloglovin’

Before I decided to make use of Bloglovin’, I had a hard time subscribing to other blogs, and gaining followers for my own. I had to enter my email address and decipher text– which, as it is, is a security measure I try hard, and fail, not to disapprove of. Likewise, I believed many others didn’t believe in the convenience of an email newsletter, so discovering the amenity that is Bloglovin’ may well have been the most contemplative and well-informed choice I have decided to make thus far. It makes it so much the easier for me to receive feeds from other blogs and mark them, as well as give access to others who want to reach out to mine.

6. Twitter

I usually advertise my posts on Twitter, and most providentially, note a significant influx of views whenever I do. Furthermore, I enjoy being able to talk to other bloggers who have something to say, bookish or otherwise, and my conversations with them have so far been engaging. I enjoy, more than anything else, being able to make friends, and Twitter takes the cake when it comes to granting me that source of joy and satisfaction.

7. Microsoft One Note

I only found out about this tool when I stopped by to read Asti’s post regarding it, and so far, it’s proved quite commodious. It’s user-friendly and saves automatically, so I never have to worry about losing content. It’s a great way to keep track of ARC review deadlines, discussion posts for Weekly Recaps, new ideas for discussion and debate posts, books on the TBR pile, et cetera. Moreover, people can build their own calendars to schedule posts and various other whatsits, although I choose not to make use of this because I am capable of manual appointing.

8. Microsoft Powerpoint

I use this occasionally to create images for memes, banners for pictures, and just about anything else I need coordinated with my color scheme. I’m well aware of the fact that it’s a pretty low tech strategy, but I find it straightforward and no pushover so I’m not complaining.

9. Picmonkey

Let me just admit it– I am foreign to Photoshop. Lame, shameful, I know. People have been telling me that Photoshop is pretty elementary, but I never seem to have the patience for exploring it, so I stick to the things I do know, Picmonkey being one of them. There are certain drawbacks to this however– for instance, the overlays are limited, and you’re only allowed to resize the images proportionately. However, the designs look pretty to me, and it’s easy to maneuver. As such, I have no need for creating intricate decorations, so in the meantime this proves more than efficient.

10. Gmail

Now I know I just indirectly dissed Gmail’s functionality in terms of feeds, although I do find this practical when it comes to reaching out to authors, and publishers, and aiding in all sorts of professional exchange. The new layout also helps sorts my inbox into promotions, primary emails, and social content, which I find helpful when I’m searching my mail. I don’t think anyone would survive without an account, really. And if ever they do they deserve to be lauded.

So what do you think? If you have any opinions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to comment and tell me!