Blogging really is harder than it looks, especially blogging consistently. At first, your spirits are high and you have so much to say about your niche. But, like everybody else, over time your ideas for writing blog posts, and improving your blog in general start to drain.
Once your “idea production” starts to slow down, you can’t expect yourself to just be able to sit down in front of your computer and start pumping out these incredible ideas. You will find yourself needing time to prepare for anything you write, and other things you do on your blog.
I want to share with you some steps I take to planning out my blogging schedule. Whether it be writing, designing, general blog maintenance, or even replying to blog comments, there are ways to prepare yourself for anything you need to do on your blog. And the interesting thing is that there are some strategies you can use to do this both offline and online. Pretty nifty, huh?
Offline Strategies
When I mean “offline”, I am talking about away from your computer. No internet, no games, nothing related to computers. It is important to take offline breaks, because too much time at the computer isn’t good for your concentration (believe it or not).
Easing yourself into the blogging mood
Before you even go onto your blog, no matter how eager you may be, I suggest you try to do all of the following for the easiest blogging experience:
- Work in a space you’re comfortable in
- Get rid of distractions
- Get your notepad and pen ready
Wherever you work — your desk, bed, floor, etc., make sure you’re happy there. Keep it organized in a way that will keep you productive and always on the ball. If you like to work in clutter, then work in some. If you’re uncomfortable in your work area, chances are you will be too distracted to really get all of the work you wanted in.
A distraction could be a messy or too clean of a work area, the TV, or even something odd like your brother practicing his guitar in the room next to you (mine is doing that now!). Whatever the distraction is, try to get rid of it.
Going back to having a comfortable workspace — if you have something that is bothering you then you won’t get as much work done as you could have without it. Turn off the TV, get in a comfy position, and punch your brother to make him stop playing his guitar so you can work in a distraction free environment.
While you’re writing a post, an idea for something you want to cover later on in the article, or even an idea for a new article may pop into your head. Hold that thought! Do not lose it. Immediately write it down on your notepad.
You need all of the information you can in blogging, so always be sure to keep something to write on within a foot or two away from you so you don’t have to get up and do it (because honestly, how many of us actually will walk across the room to get something!?).
You will easily find that if you are somewhere where you like to be, then you can get a lot more done.
This is where I do all of my work at. I keep it as neat as possible to ensure maximum productivity. 
Concentration
Now that you are in a blogging kind of mood, you need to make the best of that. I usually find it best to do the things that I really don’t like to do for my blog (like advertising, and SEO) when you’re really hyped up to work on your blog. It usually works out, because you will have that extra little push to do these things you don’t normally enjoy. Once all of that is out of the way, it’s easier to proceed to the regular stuff you do.
But while doing all of these things; writing, promoting, designing, etc., you have to be in a concentrated state of mind. Concentration is hard for some people, but it’s something you cannot hope to blog without. How can you get concentrated?
- Get a drink/snack
- Do a little reading, or even some games
- Play music
I head that when you are trying to focus on something (like taking a test, or even blogging), it is helpful for you to chew gum or eat a snack, or even drink something. Whenever I plan to do a lot of work on my blog, I will either have a couple pieces of gum, or a bottle of water. I would have to say that those things definitely help me stay concentrated and ready to work.
Everyone likes to play games. Maybe play some kind of puzzle game to get your brain working a little bit. Reading is also very effective, and gets your brain working because of the level of thinking you are putting into it.
I will even tell you to maybe do an exercise of some sort. If you follow me on Twitter, you will hear me constantly saying how I come home from working out at the gym and how great I feel. I really work hard because I get a great workout. I come up with some of my best ideas after I workout, and I advise you highly to do some kind of exercise before you work. You probably won’t be able to (especially if you’re older and have more responsibility, unlike a 15 year old), but I cannot stress enough that you try!
Music may prove to be a distraction for you, but often I find it easier to work because I am listening to music. Try to listen to music that could put you in a good mood, and will get you pumped. I listen to artists of different variations. From the Alternative style of “Coldplay”, to the fierce beats of punk rock bands like “Rise Against”, I can really get pumped up for blogging.
Find whatever you need to help you concentrate. Maybe the TV helps you focus better. It’s going to be different for everyone, so try some things I didn’t mention above and see how it works for you.
Online Strategies
Being on your computer, it can get difficult to keep your working routines going because you’re actually doing the work and may get tired of it. It happens, but if following the tricks for getting ready offline don’t help you, maybe some of the tricks for preparing online will help you…in the next part of this post.
In Part II, I am going to go over the ways you can prepare yourself while being online (in front of your computer). I was going to cover all of it at once in this post, but I let the offline strategies get a little lengthy!
Have These Offline Preparation Strategies Helped?
Do you think the tips I went over are going to impact your whole blogging routine? What are your strategies for preparing yourself for blogging offline? As always, share your thoughts in the comments section!
Stay tuned for Part II within the next few days!
Photo by Kailash Gyawali
18 Discussions
I always blog while listening to music. Eliminating distractions can be hard to get rid of, however. Reading is an important part of blogging, but what many neglect is the power of reading PRINTED materials, i.e. things that have been edited heavily and published with authority. Reading blogs for research is helpful, but nothing is a better teacher than books when it comes to writing.
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I have kind of learned to live with distractions when I write, but none of them are ever something I can’t control myself. Like the TV for example. Music used to bother me when I wrote, but that’s because I was listening to the wrong kind of music Now that I have a little playlist, I write very efficiently.
I’m actually not a huge reader, but I will ready something every once in a while. Never have I done it for improving my blogging though. Will have to look into that.
I think music does help, but at the same time I think it really depends a lot on what sort of music you’re listening to. I find calm music helps my thought process… no Slipknot or that nonsense for when I’m trying to concentrate (or any other time, but thats not the point
) 
One thing I have discovered though… if you listen to new music (music you haven’t heard before) then this seems to work a lot better for me than songs I do know as I’m not singing along to the lyrics or tapping to the beat. Just not as distracting.
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Hello! Some great tips in this article! One thing I would add is “WHEN” you blog can be important too. We all have times of the day when we are at our best, for me it is the morning. I get a good night’s sleep, get up in the morning and eat, then I have a double shot of expresso. I’ll then sit down and begin looking over some ideas for posts and before long I am writing like a mad man! I stay that way for two or three hours sometimes. I wonder what times are good for others and what gets them going?
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Personally I write most my posts in the evening when I’m home from school, usually just after a meal when I have a nice hot cup of tea
I always seem to think of ideas for posts while I’m in bed falling to sleep though, so I’ve got a notebook on my bedside table ready for those lightbulb-above-head moments 
Simon | Teenius’s last blog post..Five Reasons Why Wordpress Rocks
Good point Keith. For me, I can write right after I get out of the shower. But the only thing is I have school in the morning, and have no time to write. However, I still do have that willingness to do whatever after school, ESPECIALLY after I come home from the gym.
I often find that once I start writing, I can’t stop until I’ve finished the article… I guess you just get into some sort of rhythm. It’s just the preparation work that can be daunting, and I think you’ve illustrated the points to combat this brilliantly… nice post
Simon | Teenius’s last blog post..Five Reasons Why Wordpress Rocks
Usually I will get up and stretch a little because I don’t like sitting down and writing an article straight through.
Great tips man and I think they can relate to many other things further to just blogging. Most of these “techniques” (call them what you wish) can be used for many things; studying for instance.
Keeping a clean work-bench + being concentrated are pretty much two of the biggest “weaknesses” for me. Just doesn’t happen unless I go out of my way to fix it
Personally, listening to music while working doesn’t work for me ~ I find myself thinking about the song’s lyrics than concentrating on my actual piece. Then again, almost everyone I know can’t even perform a simple task without a rhythm!
Also, nice work-bench man! We should dedicate a post, where everyone can upload a picture of their “blogging-place”? I reckon, that would be pretty fun
That would be cool. Similar to that Twitter post where everyone posted their Twitter URL’s.
I prefer to write at late night usually 1 am because its the most peaceful time for me .
1am?! Aren’t you tired by then?
Simon | Teenius’s last blog post..Five Reasons Why Wordpress Rocks
That’s really interesting, I’ve never heard of someone writing at that time. But I do agree, as late as that is, it is pretty peaceful.
These are some great tips, I also choose to blog when I want to relax. My writing just flows better because i’m not trying it just flows out and I enjoy what I’m doing.
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Exactly the same thing happens with me. Once I start writing, I get “in the zone” so to speak and end up writing the whole article in one go. For me it’s getting the discipline to actually sit down and think about nothing else apart from what to write that I struggle with. I always get distracted thus wasting time and losing my flow before I’ve even started
Simon | Teenius’s last blog post..Five Reasons Why Wordpress Rocks
Whenever I get into the “zone”, I get crazy with my articles. Like this one for example, I looked around my house for like 10 minutes to find a camera to take a picture of my desk. I can really get into things, but as long as I enjoy it then it’s okay.
It’s harder to blog when you’re stressed out. I think people should just see that blogging isn’t just for money, but it’s something you like to do. If they see it like that, I think it will be much easier for them to blog.
The comfy workspace is my challenge for a while. Right now my office and bedroom are the same room….sometimes a little too comfy. lol
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