Are Your Blogging Priorities Straight?
May 23, 2011
Topics: Blog, Blogging Tips
Photo credit: steve9567
I recently read an article by Chris Brogan that was a total and complete slap in the face (Chris Brogan´s writing has that effect on me!).
He makes the point that we are consumed daily by so many details and things-to-do that we often end up feeling nothing got done, just because we don´t set our priorities straight from the beginning and we don´t efficiently organize our time.
I am very, very guilty of this.
I have to admit the first thing I do as soon as I can get to my iPhone is check my emails. Considering that I´m on West Coast time, this means that by 8am my inbox is already brimming with emails from clients, pitches from brands, questions from bloggers, invitations, etc, etc. Some days, I haven´t even hit the shower when I´m already dealing with something or the other.
Of course, this sets my day off in the wrong foot because I start dealing with OTHER PEOPLE´S PRIORITIES before mine. Yes, as Chris Brogan puts it: the email you get is someone else´s need, not yours. In fact, he declares email should be the LAST thing you deal with, only after you´ve dealt with your own priorities.
Those priorities (aside from the family ones–talking only blogging business here) should be things, assignments and projects that grow your blog and move you toward your long-term blogging goals.
Actions That Build Your Blog
- Crafting a pillar post
- Putting together a newsletter
- Creating a weekly spreadsheet of Facebook and/or Twitter updates that enhance the conversation around your brand. You can use tools like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to schedule these updates in advance
- Reading and commenting on a set number of posts from other bloggers in your community
- Dedicate a little time every day to gather your best content and put it together in an ebook format
- Study your analytics and develop a list of blog topics based on your top keywords
- Create, update or maintain your media kit
The takeaway message here is that your time is most wisely spent creating something that adds value to your blog because it is permanent, searchable and shareable. Community building and networking are also important, but when done wisely and effectively.
Develop a system to organize your email inbox like this one shared on 5 Minutes for Mom. It will help unclutter the inbox and set priorities for the emails you should be working on responding only after you’ve done something to grow your blog´s content and traffic.
Share: How do you set priorities for your blog time? What are your biggest time suckers?
Ana L. Flores is the founder and CEO of Latina Bloggers Connect. She also co-founded SpanglishBaby.com, the award-winning community and resource for parents raising bilingual and bicultural children.
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Presley's Pantry
Thank you for this advice. I am going to start implementing these words into my blogging schedule!
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Ana Flores
Glad it was helpful! At least being mindful of where we waste our time is a great start. That´s what I keep telling myself!
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AlvaradoFrazier
How appropriate for a Monday morning, to start fresh and establish priorities with a different mindset.
5 Minutes for Mom offered great folder ideas, I hadn’t thought of using the @ to sort important folders to the top.
Thanks.
AlvaradoFrazier recently posted..Folsom Lockdown-Poems by Melinda Palacio-
Ana Flores
The inbox system described on 5 Minutes for Mom works beautifully! I implemented it as soon as I read it and it has been a sanity saver.
I just really prefer looking at a clean inbox. Now, my @immediateaction folder needs to immediate attention! LOL!
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yvonneinla
Thanks, Ana. I really needed this. I get so consumed with emails and busy work that I sometimes forget that I should be planning out my blog and writing good content.
What is a pillar post?-
Ana Flores
It´s very easy to forget. I am trying really hard and do notice a different in how fulfilled I feel at the end of a day when I have something to show for it.
A pillar post/article is content that can holds up the rest of your blog and contains important information that gives readers actionable content. It can be a How-To, a tutorial, lists, etc.
There´s a good explanation here:
http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/reader-challenge-roundup-pillar-articles/And here: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/02/16/your-first-week-of-blogging-write-compelling-content/
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Tracy
Seems like I’m on the same wavelength as many bloguera friends lately! I have put myself on a schedule. Actually did this a couple months ago, strayed away from it, and am trying to get back to it. Trying to find balance and sort out priorities – this post was a good reminder to stick with it.
I encourage everyone to make a schedule. You don’t necessarily have to stick with it every day – life is unpredictable, especially if you have kids – so you won’t be able to – but laying it out and realizing how much time you WASTE online is a really big moment. If you give yourself 3 hours online, for example, you will automatically take care of business first because you know you don’t have time to waste idly tweeting or hanging out on Facebook.
I read another blog post earlier this year or late last year about closing unnecessary tabs so you can focus – that has also helped me.
The biggest thing for me has been starting the day off right. I’m not a morning person so this is HELL for about 20 minutes – but once I get going, I’m glad I did. Wake up on time – make the bed, start laundry or tidy the house, eat a healthy balanced breakfast, take a shower and get dressed. Even though I don’t work outside the home, having this routine and taking myself and what I do seriously makes the whole day go better. If you stay in the unmade bed in pajamas eating junk food, nothing good will come of it and your whole day will fall into that sort of lazy pattern.
I’m still learning too!
Thanks, Ana!
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Ana Flores
No working in pajamas! Prohibido!
I really have a hard time setting up a schedule. Every time I do, something happens that messes it all up.
I continue to try and at least having priorities has helped me to refocus when needed. Email is my biggest, hugest time-sucker and aso where my business happens. So, it´s a tough one.The article you mention about keeping only one tab open was also written by Chris Brogan and titled Why Aren´t You as Successful as You Want To Be: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/notsuccessful/
It was another needed slap in the face!!
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Aurelia Flores
Anna, Great post and wonderful overview of the topic. I, too, get caught up in others’ priorities and neglect my own. Thanks for the reminder, as well as practical direction and advice!
Aurelia Flores recently posted..Precious Knowledge- How Do We Encourage Students to Learn-
Ana Flores
Thank you for stopping by, Aurelia! So easy to get caught up in other’s priorities,….so easy…
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Unknown Mami
These are all great ideas. I will be implementing some for sure.
I write at night, read a set number of posts a day from my reader, and respond to a set number of emails a day. I used to drive myself crazy trying to read and comment as much as possible and also empty my email folders. Now, I don’t. I prioritize which emails need my immediate attention, the rest I get to when time allows. As far as reading and commenting goes, when my scheduled time is up, it’s up and I mark everything in my reader as read and start again the next day. Do I miss some great posts? Sure, but I’m enjoying what I do read more and find myself more inspired.
Unknown Mami recently posted..Guess what Women are Funny!-
Ana Flores
I truly admire you for being able to keep up with a system that works for you. I need to get better at scheduling the time and sticking to it. In that sense, I’m my worse enemy.
How much time do you allow yourself for reading and commenting? Do you also schedule your social media time (Facebook, Twitter, etc..)
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Renee
Great post! Gave me a lot to think about while I’m working on building my blog. Posts like this are exactly why I subscribe to latina bloggers connect! Thanks!
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Ana Flores
Glad it’s helping and THANKS for subscribing!! We have many new things coming up that will provide more help and guidance to new and established bloggers. Please be sure to share your blog with us when it launches!
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sweetlife
I really need to focus on my schedule. I’m also taking the plunge to attend school full time. I have been slowly taking part time classes, but am getting that “let’s get this over feeling,” and pushing myself to full time status. We shall see. thanks for the great advice, as always!
sweetlife
sweetlife recently posted..Sweet Life featured on Tiki Tiki-
Ana Flores
Congrats on taking the plunge. I agree it’s sometimes better to approach things with an all or nothing attitude. The more you put into it, the more you will value it. I also feel that the busier I am, the more I focus because there’s no time to waste.
Good luck!!
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Patty
I’ve kept this post as “new” in my Google Reader for weeks! I love what you said about dealing with email. It’s a pain and the truth of the matter is I want to spend more time writing and reading blogs. That’s why I’ve turned down some invites for events that do not 100% fit with my blog purpose. Great article!
Patty recently posted..Sundays in My City- On the way to NKOTBSB-
Ana Flores
Thanks, Patty!
Turning down the events is very difficult, especially when you first start receiving the invites and getting on the lists, but I feel that once you´ve put yourself out there you can be more selective.
I have had to definitely become more selective and also let them know that if I go, it doesn´t necessarily mean I will blog about it. And that´s fine.
Glad the email system worked for you! It´s working out for me beautifully (when I remember to check everything I´ve filed away! LOL!)
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