When I work with business clients in the writing lab, I often tell them to pay attention to the questions they get asked all the time. The answers to those questions make perfect blog posts.
I’ve noticed that I’ve been explaining my process of writing, publishing and sharing my blog posts quite a bit lately. So, it seems appropriate to blog about it. It’ll save me from explaining the same thing over and over again. I’m also hoping that other bloggers will share their formulas as well.
My formula for writing, publishing and sharing blog posts:
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I have a regular blogging schedule.
I typically write my blog posts in the evening because that’s when I have the most time. During the day, I’m meeting with and writing for clients. At night, I’m more relaxed and can crank out posts pretty easily. Blogging at the same time each week helps keep me consistent. I usually take weekends off from blogging, unless I’m really inspired.
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I schedule my posts to publish in the 5am hour the next morning.
Chances are, my blog post is ready to go some time after 9pm. I could hit the publish button then and be done with it, but I like to consider when my readers will most likely read it. I find early in the morning works best because many people scan email on their smart phones when they wake up or right when they sit down at their desk for work. If people get my posts via email, I have it scheduled to go out between 7am and 9am. If I post after this time, the email won’t go out until the next day, and the post may not be timely anymore. If they’re reading posts via an RSS reader, it’s ready to go when they wake up.
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I amplify the post on social media at specific times during the day.
If you want to reach people who aren’t already subscribing via RSS or email, you need to share your post on social media. I have my post automatically publish to my personal Facebook page using NetworkedBlogs, so it’ll go out in the morning when people are scanning. I like to manually share my posts on my Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and StumbleUpon because it allows me to say something about each post, in the language that’s most appropriate to the social media channel (read: what you say on Facebook doesn’t always translate the same on Twitter and vice versa). I try to do this before 9:30am. If I can’t share before then, I wait for lunchtime, another good time for social media scanning. Depending on the post, I might wait until the evening between 6pm and 8pm to share. That’s when my mom followers are usually winding down.
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I comment on other blogs.
I skipped this step in my early days of blogging. Who has the time to scour the internet for blogs to comment on, right? Well, I have a number of blogs I’ve found through various sources that I read regularly. I comment on their blogs, and they comment on mine. This helps me gain readers and find new bloggers to read. I also add my posts to Wordless Wednesday “linkies” and participate in the SITS community, where a different blog is featured every day. The featured blogger is then showered with comments. I’ve found some wonderful blogs and blog readers this way. The secret is the support, people.
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When in doubt, I schedule it out.
I sometimes schedule posts to share automatically on social media using tools like NetworkedBlogs, Hootsuite or using the new Facebook page scheduling feature. I’d rather have a less personal message go out from a third party than not share at all. And, sometimes, I like to take a vacation. Or, I’m just stuck in meetings. Yes, I do have a life outside of blogging.
So, what is your formula for writing, publishing and sharing blog posts?
Photo Credit: sheepfur via Flickr
Great post and very helpful! I will share it immediately with my Social Media class.
I agree with you, evening and nighttime is the best moment for me too to write, but I wasn’t aware on how the schedule for publishing the post or tweeting about it was important too.
Thank you!
Thanks, Linda. I would love to hear their thoughts and experiences. I’ve come to this through a lot of trial and error. It’s what works for me, but I’m always open to hear what works for others and try new things!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: OMG
I too am a night writer. But I’m not quite that organized so I don’t have a schedule for my blog posts. I just write what I want as i comes into my heart and my brain!! And as far as other types of social media; I’m afraid if jumped on twitter and facebook too, I’d be in trouble 🙂
Have a nice weekend Jennifer…
jen recently posted..wordless wednesday- how time flies
Haha. It definitely takes some discipline, which eventually turns into habit. You have a nice weekend yourself!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Windows on Wildlife: Big Spiders and Potluck Dinners for Ants
I have a similar routine. It’s nice to know someone else does similar things. 🙂
Geek Girl recently posted..Change Your World
Neat. It is kinda validating, isn’t it?
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Blogging for Good (please vote for another jennifer!)
I had to come back to this post because this is something that I struggle with. For me, I need to find a social networking schedule that works. It’s so easy to get sucked into social networking once you start that I simply lose track of time. Something for me to work on. Thanks for sharing your “formula”.
Michelle recently posted..Self Portrait Photography – Final Results
It’s so easy to get sucked into social networking. I have to work on it as well. That’s why I try to stick to a formula.
anotherjennifer recently posted..The case for proof reading
Awesome post… I actually had to go get a piece of paper and write this stuff down! lol Looking forward to trying some of it out! Thanks!!! Got yourself a new subscriber! 😉 Feel free to come on over and check my blog out, as well… 🙂
Kim recently posted..Bathroom Reading Material and a Contest…
Awesome, Kim. Let me know if it works out for you. I will definitely check out your blog. Thanks for stopping by!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Pawing it Forward
Great post! I follow a pretty similar routine but it’s so nice to see what other bloggers do!!
It is! I love to compare notes with other bloggers.
I can only write in the mornings at this time. I’m too tired and brain dead at night. I write my weekly post on Sunday morning and post it by noon. I’d like to consult with you sometime on how to better use social media. Maybe we can connect again at the next Chamber meeting.
Julie recently posted..I don’t think we’ve met before, I’m…
Hi Julie. Finding the schedule that works for you is key. We can connect at the next event or just shoot me an email!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Blogging for Good (please vote for another jennifer!)
Great tips!! I need to promote during specific times of the day.
Erin@MommyontheSpot recently posted..What Do You Think Thursdays with Skinny Scoop: The List Producer’s Top Apps for BlogHer12
I’ve been testing the timing out. With this post, in particular, I shared both in the morning and later in the day. Morning did best!
Hope to see you at BlogHer!
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Nice info – I found you from LinkedIn group. I found publishing early a.m. to work best too. I sometimes struggle with finding time to make comments. I’ve tried eliminating some of the social networks too like Stumble for a while. Thoughts? Thanks for sharing.
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Good information on the timing of posts. I’ve been experimenting with this for a few days now and find it makes a great deal of difference in the traffic I’ve been recieving with certain posts. The subjects of the posts being relevant to the timing as well I’ve found.
The subject of the post can definitely make a difference on timing, as does the audience of the blog. Testing is key!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: The Thank You Project
Great post, I need to be more organised when it comes to posting, I tend to write and post straight away and not think about it, however I think I should start! Thank you x
Chelsea Williams recently posted..Why Don’t You Take This Disease Seriously?!
I definitely find it helps to plan ahead. Timing is everthing!
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