August 7th, 2006

9+2 Tips on How to Waste Your Blogging Workday

Ever spend 8 hours blogging, but generating less than a third of what you wanted to write in that period of time? If you have, then you’ll surely appreciate Easton’s 9 tips on wasting your blogging time at BusinessBlogWire (yeah, you read that right).

Here’s the gist of his thoughts:

  1. Use blog search tools ineffectively.
  2. Read too much.
  3. Think too much
  4. Publish throw-away posts.
  5. Use a slow computer.
  6. Check unimportant things too often.
  7. Worry too much.
  8. Try to do too much.

I’ve been guilty of all the above, but I like to think I’ve dumped most of these bad habits. Also, I think using too many blog search tools is almost as bad (time-wise) as using them ineffectively (Tip No.1). Evul Blummy!

Easton originally wanted 11 in the list, but didn’t want to fall in the trap of Tip No. 9 above, so let me try to add the last couple to the list:

  1. Use a stinky internet connection (think dial-up or slow wireless hotspots). Trust me, taking tens of seconds to load a full page wastes a big chunk of your time… and hits on your sanity. A poor internet connection that constantly disconnects or with high latency is equally bad, if not worse.
  2. Comment too much. Returning comments on your own blogs is uber-important, that’s for sure. But when there are more comments than you can count, or if you can’t add to the conversation, forging on with your own comment is suicidal (both time-wise and reputation-wise). The same goes for commenting on other blogs.

P.S.: Hehe, Easton… like Copyblogger explained on writing ultra-specific headlines, it’s important that the “pledge” in the title, i.e. 10 tips, is fulfilled. Publishing only 9 tips might get you one of my “misleading post title” rants. :)

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Posted by ZMAng

2 Comments

Filed under Guides, Pro-Blogging, Writing

2 Comments

  • 1
    Easton Ellsworth
    August 8th, 2006 at 5:45 am

    Thanks, ZMang! I actually ended my post that way to prove my point about the importance of time management. That frustration people feel at only getting nine tips is meant to motivate them to stop being nine-tippers themselves – not in their posts but in their lives.

    Thanks for finishing my post for me, though – you deserve a link :) !

    I’m totally with ya on those two tips you’ve added. My Web connection likes to slow down or shut off at the worst times, so I can empathize perfectly with #10. And as far as commenting goes, I think it’s important to be succinct, but I’m also a huge believer in the power of a thoughtful, appreciative comment. It’s how I’ve made many of my blogging friends.

  • 2
    ZMAng
    August 8th, 2006 at 2:47 pm

    Thanks for the clarification and link. I’ve to admit I didn’t really “get” what you tried to do with the 9 tips until you explained it here.

    I’m also a firm supporter of good comments, so I used to break rule 12 very often… until I realised how much time it was taking out of my blogging schedule. I still try my best though… I hope.

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