Thursday, August 25, 2011

Aspiring Advice: Time Is Of The Blog

 

It seems the number 200 and I have been good friends this week. My stellar members reached that number a couple days ago. And today, I present my 200th post!

Not only that. I've received emails from some of you, asking questions or seeking tips. For a long time I've thrown advice into the blogosphere at random, hoping it would find those who needed to hear it. At last, I get to post some advice by request! So let's get started!

(Don't forget to enter this chance to win a free book!)

Reece Hanzon asked about blog management. How do you make time for your blog?

An active and consistent blog is an excellent (and inexpensive) way to build a web presence, something agents and editors are looking for now (not all, but a fair chunk). With all the stuff out there to occupy our time, how do we manage time for our blogs?

Everyone has different obligations. Some work, stay at home, or go to school, so I ask you--what are you doing that's keeping you from your blog? I used to be a heavy gamer (you'll hate me if we play Halo). I also used to write reviews for a movie site. I spent so much time on it that I have over a thousand friends there! What if I spent that time on my blog? Things would be different!

You can only really master one form of social medium. Facebook is fun. Twitter is okay. But I'm a Blogger. Here's three ways to help manage your blogging time:

1: A consistent blog requires about 2-3 posts a week, minimum. You could do more, or have a new post every day, but that makes it tough for your followers to keep up. It doesn't always have to be about writing, either. Share something about yourself on occasion.

2: Find your niche. If your blog has a purpose, it will be easier to dive in and write your posts. Some bloggers provide advice. Others post author interviews or agent spotlights. I've seen teen writers provide support blogs for other teen writers. Go out and find your niche.

3: Your posts don't have to be long. If time is not on your side, a short, insightful post is fine. That way, you keep your web presence active and your blog consistent (I enjoy a quick read as much as the next guy).

This is not the rule, just my thoughts on the matter. You could write your posts ahead of time, on lunch breaks, long after your kids are in bed or well before they wake up. That's my story this year. When I said sleep is a long lost friend, I wasn't kidding. But that's what I have to do if this blog, and my books, are to go places.

What tips do you have for managing your blog?

I'm David, and we have all the time in the universe!

P.S. A good friend of mine has a hilarious "play-dead" cat that needs to go viral. Check out this video. Thanks!

31 comments:

  1. Hi, David! Thanks for stopping by my blog! This is fantastic post - and congratulations on reaching the 200-followers mark!

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  2. Great advice here Mr. King. I like to check out your blog every day to see the information you pass on to anyone that visits.

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  3. I know exactly what you mean about gaming being a time sink. I was a World of Warcraft player (don't hate me!) for a long time. When I started to think seriously about writing, I had to stop playing. There's no such thing as 'just an hour' on that game!

    Thanks for going international on your comp btw :)

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  4. Congrats for the 200 followers! And great advice! I started blogging at the beginning of the month and I didn't know how many posts I should be making so I've just tried to do one every day (except weekends). Maybe I'll cut down a little so I can get more novel editing done! Thanks!

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  5. Hey, Thanks! This was a really good post. And thanks for the shout-out!

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  6. First off... that cat is so cool. But probably more importantly, so is your advice. I love to find good advice from other authors out there. This is wonderful.

    Also - I posted your contest on my blog today! Whoot-Whoot!

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  7. Good tips! Congrats on the 200 followers! And ur right, it doesn't have to be long. It's imoportant to keep up and stay with it.

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  8. Great advice! And congratulations on hitting the 200 mark!

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  9. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have fun campaigning!

    Also? Best. Party. Hat. EVER!

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  10. Love the video. :) Great blog, I'm a new follower and member of the campaign. Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

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  11. A great post for #200! Very apt, too, I think.

    The video is funny too. The cat looks kind of mad at the end. Whenever my cat has that look on her face, I know I'm facing some serious retribution.

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  12. I can't look at that party hat without thinking of deadmau5 (the dj). 'grats on reaching 200!

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  13. I'm a twitter nerd myself, but I still love my blog!
    Love your blog by the way (yay sci fi!!), and look forward to campaigning with you! ^_^

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  14. Thank you, fellow campaigners, and thank you, awesome cosmonauts! I didn't get a chance to visit your blogs today which I normally would. Had to take care of some things in the real world. I will get back to each and every one of you after the weekend. The MS feels left out.

    Have a most excellent weekend, everyone! :)

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  15. Hey David! Joined the Campaign today.
    It took me a few months to find my blog voice, but I finally settled on the things I really enjoy. As a result, I have an eclectic army of followers, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
    Congratulations on two hundred followers and posts!

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  16. Hi David!
    I'm a fellow campaigner and new follower. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  17. Congrats on the 200 followers. Great Advice, I 'm not sure what I'd give up as a time suck, showers or eating maybe. I could live with just coffee.

    My sister-in-law's cat does that too. It really freaks me out.

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  18. Hello, fellow campaigner. *Waves.*

    So here's a question. If I haven't read much science fiction since Ender's Game, what's the one book you'd hand me to convert me? Riddle me THAT, new friend.

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  19. Love the party hat! Where do I get me one of those?

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  20. Hi David, thanks for stopping by my blog. Love yours BTW. How do I manage my blog? Honestly, I get up really early before all of my kids to do my commenting and my posting. Usually I draft a post before bed for the next day also. It's not easy, but it's something I enjoy.

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  21. Great post - and great cat. How funny! I had to laugh...

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  22. Great post. I only post once a week (since I've been going through school...butter than nothing right?) But now that I'm done, I may have to do more posts. ;)

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  23. Howdy - nice to *meet* a fellow fantasy campaigner. Congrats on the 200th post! And, I must say, I'm completely jealous of your blog background - amazing. :)

    I'll be checking back soon for more fun!

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  24. Spot on advice about blogging techniques:) Also, I like the party hat;)

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  25. KITTEH <3

    Right on with the blogging advice :)

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  26. The dead cat video is hilarious. I miss my cats! They used to sleep that way. Sometimes I had to check on them to make sure they were still breathing.

    I do my blog posts in advance and then schedule them. That way, in case I can't get to them on the day I plan to post, they're ready to go without me.

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  27. You are already on 232! Congratulations!

    Until recently I blogged three to four times a week. It takes a huge commitment of time, not just in the writing of the posts, but in responding to comments and visiting other blogs. I made a decision a couple of weeks ago to go down to one post a week whilst I write my novel. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made. Mind you, I'm still doing a few blogfests, and posted extra today!

    Ellie Garratt

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  28. This is great advice, David; thank you. And congratulations on hitting 200-plus followers! I'm glad Elizabeth Varadan told me about your blog and am a new follower. Have a great weekend!

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  29. Great advice and thank you for your visit to my blog which inspired two additional hours of productive writing for me this week! wooo hooo writers cheering each other on! Go David!

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  30. Great advice, David. Especially about finding a niche and consistency. Both of which you have managed to do beautifully here!

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