Spend Your Blogging Time Efficiently: Learning from the Pros
When I started this blog, I had a pretty comical breakdown of the activities I was doing that I considered to be “blogging”. Now that I feel a little more knowledgeable about what it takes to build and grow a blog, I’d like to take a trip down memory lane with this breakdown of activities of beginning bloggers by amount of time spent on each category:
Some people will idle in this beginner stage for months (hint: me!) and others may move on quickly as eager learners who want to maximize their time spent blogging. I can’t say I’m an advanced blogger yet. I’ve been trying to be a more efficient blogger (not happening, I’m writing this at 3:34 am) as well as take on some of the other activities that come with blogging which aren’t writing posts, but are just as essential. It’s not an exhaustive list, but if you want to follow in the footsteps of some of the personal finance blogging greats, take a look at the activities of the advanced personal finance blogger here:
Some of these ideas can have huge returns for a blog, like joining a network. You get access to a wide variety of bloggers who want to help each other out and you get access to a lot of information you may otherwise never heard of. The advanced blogs are all about providing value to readers and being available (to readers, advertisers, etc). Bloggers are a relatively new breed in our world and that’s exciting! We get to set the rules, we get to decide what’s important and we can recognize that done right, blogs, new media and online properties have the ability to provide exponential income growth. So if you are a new blogger like me, don’t worry. Don’t play yourself down too much. Everyone started exactly where you did. I bet even J.D. Roth when he started his blog at one point was like, “Wait, how do I make an RSS Feed?”
Just keep writing. Take a look at the advanced activities above and start doing a few of them every day. Crystal has some good posts on her blogging business as well, here and here (she and her husband both quit their day jobs to blog full-time, and this post was partly inspired by these insightful posts). And remember:
“Ask for help. Not because you’re weak. But because you want to stay strong.” -Les Brown
Here’s where American Debt Project is on all this:
- I just hit the under 200,000 Alexa ranking mark with the Yakezie challenge!
- More importantly, you guys are leaving me some awesome comments which lets me know I’m doing something right.
- Discovering other great blogs that I like to comment on like Minting Nickels, Your Finances Simplified, Punch Debt in the Face and Add Vodka.
- American Debt Project was also featured on another Yakezie Carnival, this time at Little House in the Valley.
- Bought my ticket and flight for FinCon12 and plan to work on my blog a lot before September so that it moves from the Beginner to Advanced category. Yeah!
I gotta know: Did you like my pretty infographics? Are you a beginning blogger, advanced blogger or somewhere in between? And if you don’t blog, was this interesting at all?
Nice breakdown of the new vs advanced blogger lol. I’m still somewhere in the middle myself. Congrats on getting below 200k
Great post. You’re probably spot on with your estimations of how bloggers spend their time. Lord knows I don’t do enough commenting on other posts. Keep doing what you’re doing and maybe I’ll be hearing you speak at FinCon13!!!
Haha!
Crap! Okay I am a total n00b still. I didn’t mean to publish my comment yet.
I was just contemplating my place as a PF blogger. I am still not sure where I stand but I know I am nowhere near advanced. But I think that’s not really an aspiration I have.
I have to say that is pretty accurate. I am advancing so I can see the transition between the 2. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction and congrats for going under 200k.
Thank you SO much for the linky love!
I have to admit, I actually am not entirely sure how to work SEO despite my having read about it, and OMGDONTSHOOTME – I don’t know what FTP is. I need to do my homework, stat.
I feel like I jumped to the second list on some things without knowing the first part – haha!
Great post. Book marking it to remind me of what to research!
I am still laughing about those new/old blogger breakdowns…you can up my percentage for counting down until FINCON to like 10%, hahaha. Thanks for the mention of my posts. Keep up ones like this and you will be one of the old hats at this in no time.
You nailed it! Made me laugh as I recognized some of my actions in the past, present and … future.
I loved this post! I don’t know that I could break my time down into percentages, but I’m probably somewhere in the middle. Though I spend probably 15% of my time googling stuff I don’t understand so I don’t look like a total idiot. =P
Great breakdown. I think I’m also somewhere in the middle. I am with you on how to set up an RSS feed in the beginning? Since then I feel like I’ve come a long way (although still have a long way to go) and it can be a fun process too. Looks like you’re doing great!
Hey if you can’t figure something out, and can’t find it at the Yakezie forum, then you pay somebody smarter to do it for you.
At least that’s what I do!
Great post!
I’m still so new that I don’t even know what I show be trying to learn at this point. I’m sure that there is far too much of the first in what I do versus the second, but I am trying to learn, help out others as best I can, and work on writing useful and interesting content…
Evan- thanks! The advanced guide is like an ideal guideline…is anyone 100% productive all the time without taking NZT?
Ninja- Thank you! Your blog is so awesome and it inspired to do more graphics. Not that I can match your stick figures! I’ll start preparing my FinCon13 speech now.
Niki-I’d say we both secretly want to food/lifestyle bloggers. That’s where you’re definitely advanced! We’ll have to work on that next
.
Jai- I think we’ll see you at under 200 next week!
I don’t how you have such an awesome blog without doing FTP Daisy, but even better!
I do like the pretty infographic, was that your first attempt? I would definitely consider creation of an infographic as an advanced PF blogger activity…maybe 5%? Congrats on the sub 200k Alexa and keep up the great posts!
Glad I made Crystal and Aloysa laugh. Andrea, I’m always impressed by how consistently you post. That definitely moves you into advanced.
Thanks World of Finance and Dr. Dean! I try to work hard but I admit it comes in spurts
.
CultofMoney- just keep leaving great comments and it will lead to even more interesting content for you!
Hehe, I like your pretty infographics. Especially “I am the first one to talk about money honestly, ever!” Seriously true.
Congrats on making it to stage 2, and thanks so much for the shout out!
EVER!! I really thought I was like the Magellan of money blogging. Then I found the WiseBread Top PF Blogs list and I was like, hmm, what do you know, top 100, huh? Wait, there’s 700 personal finance blogs out there?? What!
Your blog rocks, Lindy! Thank you!
Hey Money Infant, it WAS my first attempt! But I have some practice making lots of presentations at work
. Infographics are definitely advanced blogging, but that doesn’t make me an advanced blogger, just like eating some broccoli with a double bacon cheeseburger wouldn’t make the burger any healthier! Getting there, getting there…
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This is so right on! I am pretty sure I recognize myself in the newbie section, but with my sights clearly set on the advanced! Good stuff!
Goodness knows where I am on the spectrum. I’m not even certain I know what SEO is, other than something that the spammers on my micro-blog are constantly trying to sell me.
I do like your little infographics. I thought they were eye catching and amusing (though a little fuzzy- could be my eyes though).
Good cents saving- your blog is too nice to be a beginner!
Erin- I’m no SEO expert either. I’m working on building up my blog with real content before I exploit it
. Kidding! But I think SEO is easier once you have a wealth of information on your site. Also, click on the graphics to see the enlarged version so that they are less fuzzy!
You make me laugh.
I don’t know where my percentages fall. Probably somewhere in the middle. Not too new anymore but certainly not anywhere near advanced.
You did do something I’m working on learning–creating an infographic! Great job!
Great breakdown. I would have to say I am somewhere in the middle between the two, but just not sure how far.
I’m new and finding it easier to write posts, so now I’m thinking of buying my domain (right now I have “just another wordpress”) – that bugs me – I like the designs of some other sites, so I may spend the money to update my look, but I’m still figuring it out. I’m focused on my posts to start! I’ll refer back to your post later – thanks!
I love the infographics! And you are so much further along than I ever was at this point. (Or maybe even now, hmm…)
Rachel – get your domain, it will be worth it! I usually wait for Bluehost to do a sale ($3.95/month hosting) and you’re golden!
Thanks Jackie and Jana- you guys are too kind! I have to be careful, I’ve been known to get a big head with all this flattery
For me, it was google analytics and not adsense (the pennies were too depressing). In fact, analytics still stags me frequently. While content is the obvious category that needs the most attention, the development part of the equation is often the easiest to fall behind in.
Congrats on breaking 200,000!
I think I don’t use Analytics to its full potential. I know there is a ton of custom reporting you can do, I just don’t want to bother. I figure until I’m at 10,000 pageviews a month, I don’t need to worry about it!
I am not sure where I am in the blogging arena. I have a lot to learn and I am happy when I make any progress.
Oh I hear that. Today was a big deal because I finally put in SexyBookmarks. Now to just get rid of that ugly Digg button…
Great post! The images of how PF bloggers made me laugh… it’s so true. I think I’m in the transition between the two (man I really need to start using Yakezie. I keep saying that).
I like your blog; I think you’ve done awesome work here. Congrats on your accomplishments!
Nice graphics-fu. And free Clamydhia testing? That’s funny right there!
Haha nice graphics! Describes me pretty well, too!
I’m definitely in the new blogger camp, but Alexa is dropping fast (will be under 300,000 in a day or two)and will be hopefully putting up some of the more advanced content in the near future.
Still need to get a bit more active with Yakezie though. I know that will put me over the top.
Spot on! I guess I’m somewhere in-between the two… Although I am looking forward to Fincon12!
I guess I’m an advanced blogger. I literally laughed out loud at the 3% counting down to FinCon12. True Story.
I’m looking forward to FinCon12 too, hoping you guys help me figure out those secret weapons when I get there!
I am firmly in the beginner stage, except I would do anything to be looking at a $3.56 in my Adsense account as opposed to the $0.01 I look at 20 times a day now.
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I liked the infographics. I think a lot of people have incorrect assumptions when they start blogging. Then you gradually start to learn what it really takes to succeed. I’m still at the beginner stage. My blog is super new, but I’m starting to figure out how the whole thing works. Hopefully I can learn a lot more from great bloggers like yourself.
Definitely, it’s funny how we know so much of our lives activities are a process, yet I sort of expected to immediately “come into my own” when it comes to blogging. It takes some maturity to figure it all out and find your voice too. And thanks for the compliment
Your blog is well on its way to advanced.
Just found this but it’s hilarious! So true! I’m still somewhere in the middle I think.
Haha, I like your first picture. That was me for the first month and a half of blogging. I still think I have some growing up to do
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Very nice… Fortunately I have a day gig that doesn’t allow me to stare at stats all day… I do spent a lot of time commenting and writing though, trying to keep my posts relatively short but to the point.
And I do like your infographics (I like short infographics – not a big fan of onces that make me scroll down for 20 minutes)!
Ha, I love this!
Hmm, tricky. I’ve been blogging for a few years but took quite a while to find my feet.
I’m at the stage where I feel nearly ready to take the next step – self-host, really figure out my blogging identity, perhaps a new name and rebrand.
However, at the same time, building up another website and community is the focus of my day job, which kind of sucks up most of my energy in that area right now.
[...] at how similar some of the first posts of different blogs look (my own included). When blogging is brand new, it’s so fun and so unknown. You jump in with enthusiasm and hope you will figure it out as [...]
Hahahha I can totally remember when I first started blogging in the PF world back in 2010. I was like I wanna be like Debt Ninja and J$. Now it’s so awesome to be part of this community and contribute my thoughts. I’m glad that we all help each other out, and joining Yakezie was the best part of my experience so far!