Blog Writing: How to find the time...

We asked about your questions concerning better blog writing, and even though comments on this blog have been sparse, we got a ton of responses over on LinkedIn, a social networking site that many professionals participate on.

The number one question was, "How do I find the time to write on my blog?" Is 'finding time' an issue for you when it comes to writing?

For me, you can never "find" time because there's only so much of it - and never enough. You can, however, schedule time. Since I know that this blog needs updating 2-3 times a week,  I know that every other day I must post.

If I schedule 20-30 minutes first thing in the morning, it gets done. It's not difficult but it can be tricky. For example, if I open email first, it doesn't get done. The trick is to post on your blog first, before you get captured by any other task.

I don't think time is really the issue. It's seeing results. You don't have to "find the time" for something that's important for business. You certainly find time to deposit checks into your bank account, so why would you wait to post "when you have time?"

I think the issue is not seeing the potential payoffs from blog writing because they are long term and subtle.

All those people on LinkedIn who responded they were challenged to find the time to post on their blogs were hanging out on a social networking site and had time to answer our question about blog writing challenges.

Participating on LinkedIn is perceived as a valuable way to spend time because they get results - immediate contact with other professionals who - perhaps - will bring them business in some way at some time in the future. That immediate contact makes people feel good and feel like it's worthwhile.

Often business blogs don't have large numbers of readers who comment, so blog authors struggle - there's no immediate response, no immediate gratification. Hence, low motivation to keep posting frequently.

But the payoffs from frequent business blog writing are enormous if you stick with it. Keep this in mind: Those blog authors who post regularly on their business blog with relevant, valuable information for their targeted niche readers will see results in terms of more clients, more sales, and better online findability.

Comments

[Carole DeJarnatt]

My problem is not the time, it is having something of good content to share with my readers. I want to share quality information or my subscribers will not increase and what would be the purpose of writing a blog with no one reading it. As you wrote it takes time to build the readership and I believe that is done by giving your readers a reason to return or subscribe.

I am also on LinkedIn and have a problem with having the time to invest in growing that network. There I try to help in ways through answering questions but it takes alot of time and it may go weeks before I am able to commit an hour or two.

Anyway, thanks for your post. It is a good one.

[Carole DeJarnatt]

My problem is not the time, it is having something of good content to share with my readers. I want to share quality information or my subscribers will not increase and what would be the purpose of writing a blog with no one reading it. As you wrote it takes time to build the readership and I believe that is done by giving your readers a reason to return or subscribe.

I am also on LinkedIn and have a problem with having the time to invest in growing that network. There I try to help in ways through answering questions but it takes alot of time and it may go weeks before I am able to commit an hour or two.

Anyway, thanks for your post. It is a good one.

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

Just ran across this post on Business Blog Consulting about finding time to blog:

http://www.businessblogconsulting.com/2008/04/time-management-for-bloggers

[Troy Duncan]

I have developed a daily schedule which includes a specific time to write a blog post. I try to have multiple blog posts already written prior to the release date. This helps to augment slow posting periods.

[Jeanne May]

I'm finding it easier to write on my blog the more I do it -- when I first began, I know I truly struggled with actually sitting down and getting it done. It's getting started that I had a problem with. And for me, getting into a habit of writing each day was imperative. And now I actually look forward to getting to that time of the day where I do my blogging.

Jeanne

[Rita Carey]

I love to write and I find that I don't allow myself to do something I love to do until I do the things that I feel I have to do. I guess I can see that I need to put the blog writing on my "have to" list.
Early in the morning is the best time for me, but I fall into the email trap too often.
I believe in the power of well-written consistent blog posts and have less faith in the social networking except as a good resource for information.

[Bea]

I remember one time you mentioned that you tried blogging every day on one blog and your visitors shot up. I blogged every day last week about the Turkish Festival in North Carolina and immediately saw a 100% increase in unique visitors and 150% increase in page views. I was amazed! Don't you know that finding time to blog ranks at the top of my "to-do" list!

[Danny Rocks]

When I was in college, my music theory professor always said, "In system, there is comfort."

I committed to posting every day on my blog. I schedule the time to research and write each post. I am still building up a reserve of material to post on those days when "the unexpected" interferes with my writing schedule.

There is no question that a) maintaining a regular schedule has improved my own writing and b) my readers have come to expect a daily post. They repay me by digging deeper into my website and contacting me engage my services.

Yes, it is frustrating when you do not receive immediate "feedback" in the form of comments on your posts. I am human, after all! But, I am quite content to continue my daily posting schedule knowing that clients will discover the value that I offer them.

It is a matter of time, regularity and relevancy.

[Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad]

Danny, Bea, Troy, Jeanne, Rita, Carole, and Denise: you guys are great! You are the ones who will have success blogging because you're out their doing your blog outreach leaving comments and participating! Thanks so much for adding to the conversation. It means a lot to me. Thanks so much. I'll be seeing you over on your own blogs very soon to check you out!

No question, the more you post, the more they DO come!

Blog on...

[Ms. Liz]

One of the things that triggers comments is making comments on your blog about other related posts.

Make your comments a little controversial or strike up a good debate. People love commenting on debateable topics.

These type of posts can be quick and easy and they build interest.

Also, I like to keep as many posts in reserve as possible. It may take a day or two to build them up but you'll be really glad you have them on a day you're behind schedule and need to make a post.