Number One: The below picture has nothing to do with this post.
Number Two: I’m not condoning eating wiener dogs like well, a wiener.
Number Three: That’s just funny.
And that’s the end of that.
I hate to say it, but nothing about anything I do is slow. Whether it’s cooking, baking, making a decision, or driving (eek!), I tend to go fast. In fact, I remember constantly being told when I was younger to “double check” my work because teachers didn’t trust that I was finished. Ugh. I hate that. And now I do the exact same thing.
The thing is that I don’t like to waste time doing anything. I am pretty efficient when it comes to my tasks (read: I rush through cleaning because the shower scares me), and have a pretty good system going for myself.
The same is true for blogging. I don’t spend hours upon hours writing posts. In fact, writing posts is the fastest part of blogging for me. The blogging tasks that takes the most time is the after work — the commenting, the replying, the emailing, the updating of my pages (which apparently I have gotten so efficient at it’s like I don’t even do it! read: I don’t. Whoops).
I am always interested in how other people blog. Do they have ideas in mind or just go with the spur of the moment decisions? Do they put pictures in first or words in first? How long does it all take?
For me, the process is always the same.
Plan Ahead
Seriously, planning ahead is like my all time personal motto. I usually sit down once or twice a week when I have a lot of ideas rolling around in my head to write down what I would like to write about. If I don’t write it down, the idea will be eternally lost, which would be really sad and I would have nothing to talk about. I also am pretty busy, so by writing down and having a schedule of some sort, I never feel at a loss or feel scrambled to pump a post out. Usually on weeks that some posts are lackluster, those are weeks that I have not planned out what I am going to write about.
Write in Advance
I actually write a lot of my posts a day or two before they go live. This really helps me to reflect and think about what I want to write about instead of (again) scrambling to meet my own deadline. I feel absolutely fabulous when I am done with the next day’s posts before I go to bed at night. It is the absolute best feelings ever. Obviously some posts are written right before I post them, but for the majority of my posts, they are written in advance.
Be Concise
I am so big on not drawing out huge long posts just because I feel like I have to expand on all of my ideas. Seriously, I don’t want to spend 20 minutes reading one blog post, and I bet you don’t want to either. My posts usually take me anywhere in between 20 and 40 minutes to write (when I am actually writing the entire time and not being distracted by the TV, radio, etc.), and my pictures take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to edit.
Pictures First, Words Second
I used to write my posts before putting my pictures in, and I can honestly say it took me double the time. When it comes to writing recap posts, pictures help me tell the story. It is always easier to remember what happened when there are pictures there to stare me in the face.
Kind of like how this picture reminds me of how sad I was when my Babycakes cupcake was finished. With recipes, I always insert the pictures first as well — this helps me spark a memory, talk about the recipe, or you know… talk to it because it looks so delicious.
Kitchen Table Works Best
Unfortunately, I’m not lucky enough to have my own personal office (::cough:: husband ::cough::), which is totally fine because I get away with having a boatload of unnecessary items sitting on the kitchen table.
ridiculous picture of my kitchen right when we moved in and there was nothing in there!
All I have to do is pull out the, “But I don’t even have an office!” liner, and I am off the hook indefinitely. If I don’t really have a timeline, I can be found on the couch relaxing and writing. However, most of the time I have a long list of blog items I want to accomplish in the time period in which I have free, so I sit at the kitchen table and knock them off. I am so much more productive when I am sitting on a hard surface and not getting sucked into the crazy comfort vortex that is my couch.
Don’t Force It
There are time where I sit down and think.. “uhhh how in the world am I supposed to make my brain think anything about writing a post?”
So I don’t! That’s all.
What is so great about my process is that it works for me. Your routine might be different from mine, and that’s okay because well, I like to be different — sometimes. Maybe. Okay, I lied — I like to do what the cool kids are doing.
So, how do you blog? OR If you don’t have a blog, what is a routine that you have that sets you apart from others?
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post! It’s so true that sometimes there is just NOTHING that I want to say! I am glad I saw that you posted on Twitter-it’s the only way that I can remember to catch up with blogs I have loved and have been too busy to read! Looks like you’re doing well
BAHAHAHA! Was that the pic you were worried about showing people!!?!?! Haha toooooo funny!!! And CUTE! What a sweet lil’ pup!!!
Um you’d be surprised at how many people might be offended by something like that. There are some interesting folks out there.
Those are such good tips.
I almost always plan ahead. Unless of course I have something that I need to talk about right this second. But thats rare.
I also use the wordpress app on my blackberry all the time. When Im out somewhere, if I have a post idea, I put it in really quickly as a draft. That way I dont have to worry about forgetting.
omg that pic, LOL! How funny! I love finding funny animal pics!
I like to roll with the concept, Quality over Quanity , and I do plan ahead as well, I like to do that!
Miss u!!
I miss you too! But only 2 months until we are going to be united!!!
I plan ahead and write stuff that I like in advance too! It keeps me sane haha. I couldn’t blog without picturs either
I usually write my posts ahead of time. Sometimes I have a great idea and I’ll start a new post, jot down a few things, and then go back to it later. It’s helpful because I always have a couple of posts to choose from when I’m out of ideas.
I definitely write blog posts, or parts of them, ahead of time. It’s necessary now that law school has started. I try and post twice a day and having the time to write two posts a day just doesn’t work!
I am somewhat similar to you. I think of ideas throughout a given day or week and will just jot down the subject or even a catchy title. Then I go back and just write. I literally sit at my computer for about a half hour or so and my thoughts all just come out. There’s a little editing and revising, but I try not to overthink things too much!
My teachers ALWAYS did the same to me! I distinctly remembering finishing a test quickly and one calling me a speed demon. That was in third grade!
PS: I blog almost EXACTLY the same way!!!
That’s because you’re my hero and I try to do everything you do. True story.
I’m the same way that if I don’t write it down or leave myself a message somewhere, I will never be able to remember it! I tell my grad assistants to remind me to write stuff down because I’ll forget!
I try to always have a few ideas to blog about, but I haven’t gotten organized enough to have some done the day before. If I could, I’d prefer to have a really nice schedule and be able to follow it, but it doesn’t always happen. I always write first and then add the pics in. Or add the pics after I write the sentence about it. I might try your idea of putting the pics in first though!
Love this! I like learning how you “do it”…because frankly, you’re fabulous! I usually write stuff right before I post it. I think this will change when I actually have a consistent schedule once my classes start up again. Also, I write and do pictures together- so as I write the topic I’ll insert the picture and then continue to write. Usually my posts are spur of the moment topics that have popped into my head, but whenever I get an idea of something I want to write about I jot it down in my phone or on a saved doc on my laptop!
Oh you’re making me blush…
Great post! As a fairly new blogger I always enjoy reading tips and tricks from bloggers that I admire! I’ve been starting to write post ideas down on my phone the second they come to me, because you are so right, I have lost many a blog idea! And that dog picture is too cute for words!
I usually plan my topics out for the week, but often I end up switching things around anyway! I edit my pictures first, then write & add in pictures as I go!
I definitely don’t always stick to the topics I plan on, but sometimes it helps to have something to fall back on!
I’m still figuring it out! …. But I seriously just learned a lot from this post! I am just going with the flow but SOON figuring out that all of those thoughts I have about blogging and topics are lost into space, I need to write them down!!!!
Yay for learning! I have gone through a lot of ways of writing things down - now I have my handy dandy planner and I use the “sticky notes” feature on my computer.
Gosh, I swear my blog writes itself.
Not sure that could still happen if I had a blogging schedule though (I usually blog everyother day) and blogging every day would require a lot more effort.
I think when you don’t want to blog you can always just show us C-dog pics. That will work for me!!
I have those days too where my blog just kind of happens!
Lol I tried to focus on what you wrote in this post, but I couldn’t get the image of the hot dog out of my head. Don’t do that to those of us who are easily distractible!
My blogging style is pretty similar to yours… Every Sunday, I try to plan out post ideas for the whole week, and then I jot down ideas or things I want to mention in point form. I usually write posts in small chunks when I’m hit with an idea, and then I let them sit for a while before going back and editing them. Writing is definitely the easiest part… It’s keeping up with all the reading/commenting/e-mailing that gets tricky!
I’m with you on letting the pictures guide the writing!
Omg that picture is precious and hysterical!
I’m just like you. I always get yelled at for “rushing through life.” There’s nothing wrong with being efficient, right? I have to write my posts and then sit on them for awhile before publishing. Since I do things so quickly, I often leave out important info or pictures!
OMG LOVE that picture!!!!!!
I’ll have to try uploading all of my pictures first - it might help my slowness issue. For some reason, Wordpress hates me. Lately it has taken roughly 2 hours per blog post if I have more than 3 or 4 pictures because the upload takes so long. I’ve started building my posts in google docs instead, and then c + p’ing to my Wordpress. So annoying!
During the school year I jot down ideas as they come, because a post it is always within reach! But I have been LAZY this summer, and haven’t been on a regular blogging schedule at all. It is pretty pathetic. I’m reading The Daily 5 right now, and am at the part where they discuss “work on writing” and how important it is for kids to write every day. I need to take that to heart in my own life, as my blog won’t grow and get better if I don’t actually write!
If you have a PC, the greatest thing you can ever do if download Windows Live Writer. It is the best tool known to mankind in the blogworld.
I have a Mac
I told the hubs our next big purchase will be a PC so I can blog easier 
I am new to blogging but have found that writing out stuff ahead of time definitely helps. I always seem to come up with these great ideas when I am working out but if I don’t write them down as soon as possible…it won’t happen.
I have several journals that keep ideas I want to blog about at some point. I like to blog at least one to two days in advance too. I also have several quick and easy posts in my cue in case something pops up and I don’t have time to write a post.
I try to keep a loose schedule as well. I know I want 4 specific types of posts each week but don’t hold myself to specific days. I have recipe posts written for weeks in advance so I all I have to do is choose which to publish each week.
I need to be better at sitting to focus. I get distracted by the internet. I have started blogging while unplugged and then uploading.
“Write in Advance
I actually write a lot of my posts a day or two before they go live. This really helps me to reflect and think about what I want to write about instead of (again) scrambling to meet my own deadline.”
100% AGREED!!!!!!!
And also, the longer i blog, the harder i try to be CONCISE. Shorter posts, quicker posts for both me and my readers, and more pics, less words.
Sometimes not always possible and i fall short and get wordy or put too many pics in, but i also believe it’s hard to have too many pics as long as it’s say under about 25 or so
Great post!
The kitchen table is my office too. And we have basically the same process. Although I can’t do photos before words. That would get to me.
I pegged you as a “words first” girl anyways!
No - that picture’s not funny… it’s H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!!
I totally have to plan ahead, or I’ll forget what I want to write about!! I love having my posts written ahead of time, but that doesn’t always happen. I haven’t tried putting pictures in first, but perhaps I’ll see if that works for me. Thanks for the insight! (And don’t worry. I don’t even have a kitchen table…)
The floor works just as well.
I think your my other twin Chelsey! I do EvERYTHING fast too, which can lead to a lot of clumsiness… My husband always teases me for spilling everything and for my legs full of bruises that look like a 5 yr old child’s. I usually respond with - you have to be doing something for an accident to happen
I also blog very similar to you with laying out my photos first.
haha I bump into everything too. My legs look like I’ve been out playing with my friends like a 5 year old too.
WHen I blog I start at the top and work my way down. Title, words, picture when needed, more words. I have to start at the beginning and work until the end. Then I go back and make corrections as necessary. Like if I started writing about one thing and ended on another, I may go back and change the title so it makes sense. I like spur of the moment writing because that’s when I write things that I’m really thinking about. And if I feel like I’m trying to force it, I don’t write it. People can tell when you force it.
I love this post!
I’m pretty similar to you in the way that I blog, with one exception: I carry a pad of paper with me at all times and write down blog ideas whenever inspiration strikes. That way, I (almost) never forget an idea AND I have a list waiting for me when I’m ready to write.
And there truly is nothing better than going to sleep knowing everything’s been scheduled for the next day.
I have a planner I do that with!
LOVE this post! I am always wondering how other bloggers blog! I usually write and add pictures at the same time, but there are definitely just type all of my thoughts out and get the writing done and go back to insert my pics!
P.S. Your blogging process obviously works because your blog is awesome!
That sentence should say, “…but there are definitely TIMES THAT I just type…”
Clearly, I’m not typing my complete thoughts tonight!
I usually think about my blog throughout the day as I’m taking pictures. My posts are usually just based off of what I got pictures of that day. I start writing, and the pics guide what I write, so it usually all goes in in the order you see it in.
I also have the notebook for topics, although I have a lot of topics that I haven’t touched yet, because most of my posts end up being “what I ate today” kind of posts.
That used to be my process but then I got tired of carrying my camera around all the time - haha!
Firstly, that picture is hysterical!
On blogging, I unfortunately can never seem to get ahead of myself and get to the point where I’m writing posts days or even, a day in advance which annoys me b/c I like to plan things out and have more of a cushion but my regular work schedule just doesn’t allow me the time I need for that. Like you, I add pictures first usually to help tell the story when I’m writing. I also find when I’m at a desk or table writing I’m way more efficient than if I’m on the couch or in bed.
I definitely plan ahead- sometimes the juices are really flowing and I just write the post even if I am ahead of schedule. I actually have 2 that are waiting to go live so I’m covered for any lack of time/creativity! Like you I also jot down ideas as and when they come to me- it gives me content to work with in future otherwise they are quickly forgotten!
Great tips, Chelsey! Especially not forcing it - I’d much rather read great quality posts than random ones I can tell the blogger didn’t reaaaally wanna write.
As a new blogger, these pointers are especially useful! Love the one liner that gets you off the hook! As a long time lurker, yours is one of the sites I have been (stalking) visiting longest and look forward to commenting more. Thanks for the great tips
I’m glad you came out of the dark lurking corner!
Thanks Jen!
I like this post, Chelsey! I should plan ahead. They only time I really do that is when I know I won’t be able to post in the morning…I’ll be traveling, for instance. Make me feel good to know that it will post for me at the time I’ve set. Some days I know what I’m going to write about. Other days, I have to look at my pictures and see what I have and work from there. I usually start writing and add photos as I go. Hmmm…maybe adding all of the pictures at once would help, that is the time consuming part. It’s making me think about a lot of options. Thanks for the gentle shove!!
Such a great post full of some very useful tips. How cute is that tenny tiny dog!
Words always come first for me, but I might try pictures first for the next few posts! I try to note down any post ideas that I have so I don’t forget, and iif the posts are not time specific, I have been known to write them up to about 2 weeks in advance - life posts about what is actually going on just seem to get in the way!
I usually do words, pic, words, pic, words, pic..and so on - but I think I might just have to try your way - it sounds much more efficient! hahaha
I try to plan on out blog posts, last year I felt I was really good about it! But lately with life getting really busy I don’t plan as well. Some post I do plan out, but other times it is just what I felt like that morning on discussing haha
xoxo
~Lori
Baha I love the picture.
In the past few months I started writing the night before And I love it BC then I font feel rushed in the morning to get my post up! I use windows live writer which makes life so much easier!
HAHA that dog photo!!! I swear that photo is just stuck in my mind now!
I’m actually really BAD at writing posts! It takes me AGES cos I get distracted so easily and read blogs instead haha! I blame YOU and your awesome posts for that distraction
I totally hear you on the ‘if you don’t have anything to write, then don’t!’ I did this the past few days. I just didn’t feel like I had anything I wanted to share, so I let it be. But then there are times when I have too much to say - that’s when I should start planning ahead like you and have them all uploaded and ready to go for days ahead!!
lol…thanks for that pic! I understand now!
I’m super bad for just waiting till naptime to sit down and see what comes out of the fingertips. I really should make a ….list …or something
I love this post! I love reading about how other people blog. I spend my downtme at work going through my google Reader and reading posts. I star the ones that I want to go back to later that night and comment on, or if I have a break I do it during my workday. Sometimes I start my posts a week before I post them, sometimes I don’t. It really just depends on what I’m writing about. Recipes take me about 20 minutes whereas when I wrote my break up post it took me almost 2 hours to figure out the words. When I’m home in the evenings I RARELY read blogs. I publish my post and then spend time with my family/friends. As of now I just don’t have 5 hours a night to spend to reading blogs, updating pages, and writing posts. So when I’m at work, it’s other bloggers’ time, but when I’m home I just focus on my blog
LOL at that first picture. That’s a bit disturbing actually…
I often write my posts in advance too. And thanks to your idea (I think?) I’ve started keeping a sticky note with post ideas on my desktop. It makes it so much easier to remember everything I want to write about!
This is a really helpful post! I also love learning about other bloggers’ methods. My past two posts actually have been organized photos first, words second, and that really works for me! Sometimes the hardest part for me is getting started, just writing, so having a visual layout/storyboard gets the words flowing! I’m glad you find that useful, too!
HAHHAHAHAH dying at that picture! And thank you for all the tips! I am a new blogger and definitely need them
!
Love your blog!!!