Computer Tasks & Issues for Bloggers
What computer tasks do you do weekly? Monthly?
If you blog full-time, or even a lot of the time, then keeping your computer running well is a priority - or it should be. Doing some basic maintenance can keep your computer healthier, such as running cooler and faster. I’m not a computer genius (not when it comes to techy fix-it stuff) but here are some of the tasks I do on a normal basis for my laptop. I try to get everything done once a week.
- Clean the whole darn computer plus my external fan, mouse, and keyboard
- Empty the cache and recycle bin
- Clear out any useless documents and pictures
- Defragment and clear out disk space - you can do this from your control panel
- Clean up the desktop - i.e get rid of useless icons
- Back up everything!
That’s pretty basic. I don’t do too much extra; although, I know in XP you can do some other extra tasks meant to keep your computer running smoothly.
Protection:
I run my virus scans and software updates daily. I can’t afford to lose anything due to icky spying sites, a virus, or some other issue. I have really good computer security. I use Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security, and I think it’s great. I’ve never had an issue, it runs well, and it’s pretty cost effective. My subscription allows me to place the system on 3 computers.
What are you doing to protect your computer and blogging schedule?
I’ve had some computer issues this week, so this topic has been on my mind. That means, that we’ll be looking at more computer issues this week; such as backup protection (what to do when something goes wrong), cleaning know-how, and how to get your sluggish computer back up to speed so you can get back to blogging fast.
I Heart My Mouse
My old computer mouse sucked. BIG TIME. It was sticky, and cranky, and slowed me down considerably. Guess how long I’d been dealing with my old lame mouse? Almost a year. I don’t really go to the office supply store much, and when I have gone, I put off getting a new mouse. Why? Rational: The old one sucks but it does still work, it just takes a little more encouragement.
Finally on Saturday I’m blogging away and there goes the mouse… stick, won’t grab a link, sticks again. Egad. Something in me broke. I had seriously had it. I turned off the computer, and left for the office supply store.
It took me forever to choose a new mouse, so I lost some work time, then I got it home and almost killed myself trying to open the package. Was it worth it? YES! I just adore my new mouse. My mouse moves, slides along links, and clicks so fast I almost can’t keep up.
Long story short. My blogging experience is faster, I’m happier, and I should have bought the thing a long time ago. Next time I need some little old computer item that will make my workday better, I’m just going to go for it. No more of this messing around nonsense.
Is there some useful blogging or office item you’ve been putting off getting? Why not just go get it today! If it will speed up your blogging time; it’s worth it.
Dumbing down your blog topic
I have this one blog that intermittently drives me nuts. We’ll call this blog, Blog X. Blog X is a semi how-to blog, sort of tip heavy, and it’s a topic I know well. Because it’s a topic I know well, I always want to write advanced ideas about said topic, but I can’t; the readers hate when I do this.
I can tell that my readers hate my advanced slants because when I write a more advanced post, I get no comments - at all. When I keep it simple and super basic, comments come in droves, and readers say things like, “WOW, I never knew this!” or “Awesome ideas; can’t wait to try this!!!”
In my mind, these basic posts are WAY too basic, but it would seem that readers disagree. Since I’m writing the blog for reader use and enjoyment not my own mental health, I dumb down my topics. I keep the info easy to digest, and I don’t write weird slants anymore. It’s all easy all the time. At first it was hard for me to do this. I kept sneaking in harder topics, and readers kept rejecting them. I finally realized, why waste my time? Sticking to easy topics bores me a little, but I found some positives about it too:
- Shorter posts - which is more web reader friendly than long posts.
- It’s now an extremely fast blog - i.e posts take almost no time to write, and that gives me more time elsewhere.
- Readers are happy - can’t beat happy readers.
- It’s been a good exercise in restraint - I’m not the best at ignoring my own wishes when it comes to blogging. I like to blog what I want to blog. Blogging what I’m less interested in, while keeping it interesting, has been a good lesson in blogging.
Now you: Have you ever had to dumb down your blog’s topic, beyond your own comfort level? Or if not; have you ever had to make a blog change that bugs you, but benefits readers and keeps them happy?
UPDATE: Due to reader comment.
Here’s a comment I got on this post:
“As someone who is, or was, a fan I’m insulted. I’m so sorry you have to “dumb” down your posts before presenting them to us idiots. I apologize if that sounds harsh but isn’t that what you’re saying? Your readers obviously aren’t so advanced and now you have to talk down to us because we’re not interested in bringing ourselves up to your level?
I liked this blog in the beginning. It offered helpful tips and stuff I could really use. I appreciate the tips on traffic and social networking. Now the posts are complaints lately. I don’t want to subscribe to a whiny blog. I hope you continue to offer tips on how to be a good blogger and stop with the whining about clients and dumb readers otherwise I don’t have much incentive to return.”
This reader was right; this post was harsh. Dumbing down is not exactly what I mean, just more a feeling, and it sounds really rude - sorry about that if you were offended. Actually, Deb left a comment on this post that noted that tips of all levels are best, to cover all reader knowledge, which is a much nicer way to put it, and also a more correct way to put it.
Adjusting your blog to suit all levels; or one particular level is a blogging issue though. Especially if your reader base knows more or less about the topic than you do. I think it is an issue that comes up. I’ve talked to plenty of bloggers who do have to adjust their content in ways they didn’t think they’d have to.
That said, I don’t want to delete this post, because one, it’s not about this blog but a client blog, which is what we cover here along with networks; but I’m sorry if it offended anyone sometimes I write while I think, instead of after.
A Few Blogging Tips from Darren Rowse
Deb’s Note: In December 2006 I interviewed Darren Rowse while auditionin for a job with About.com. I did get the job and worked as About.com’s Guide to Weblogs for a year in 2007. I’m reprinting some of my greatest hits here. I also conducted interviews with John Chow, the Go Fug Yourself ladies, NBT’s own Gayla McCord and Jeremy Wright. Expect to see those profiles here in the upcoming months. This interview was from the first time I spoke with Darren - now he’s someone I’m happy and proud to call friend. He’s just as helpful and gracious now as he was a couple of years ago.
If you’re interested in blogging professionally, you’re sure to have come across Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger Blog Tips. ProBlogger offers useful tips, an eye pleasing template and writing that won’t send you to the dictionary every five minutes. The tips are practical and you’ll always click away from your daily reading with information you can use. Who is Darren Rowse and how did he come to be a professional blogger?
Darren began blogging professionally since 2002 on the advice of a friend. While he maintains about 20 blogs, it’s ProBlogger Blog Tips that has captured the attention of many aspiring professional bloggers. Behold the wisdom that is Darren Rowse.
Darren Rowse on The Appeal of Blogs: Probably the first thing that captured my attention with blogs wasthe ability that they gave the average person to have a voice and be listened to on a global scale on their topic of interest.Secondly - they are so easy to set up and maintain. As someone with very little technical ability the idea of being able to set up a website in just a few minutes (I was using Blogger when I first started) was very appealing.
Lastly (and there could be many more) - the conversation that I saw happening on the first blogs that I cameacross was very attractive. Here were people all around the world talking about my interests,
sharing ideas, giving each other feedback and building community - I just had to be a part of it.
Darren Rowse on Mistakes Made by Aspiring Pro Bloggers:
Giving up too quickly. I see many bloggers start blogs with dollar signs in their eyes, thinking that they’ll be earning big dollars very quickly, only to find that it takes many months (or years) to get a blog running to it’s potential.
Darren Rowse on How to Become a Full Time Professional Blogger:
In short.
- Pick a topic that you enjoy and have knowledge in
- Set up your blog
- Start writing
- Interact with others writing on the same topic
- Interact with those readers who find your blog
- Find a revenue stream that fits with your niche
- Gradually put more time into blogging and less time into your other work as the income slowly grows from your blogs
- Keep writing
- Keep optimizing your income streams
- Consider starting other blogs
- Repeat all of the above
Darren Rowse’s Advice to Those Just Starting Out as Professional Bloggers:
Start out with a topic that you enjoy. Blogs take a long time to build up to a point where you’ll earn a good income from them and as a result you’ll need to be able to see yourself writing on that topic
for the long term.
Darren Rowse on the Future of Blogging: I think we’ll continue to see the collision of many different mediums into one. Video, Audio, Static Images, Blogging, Social Networking, Bookmarking etc will continue to merge and evolve.
As you can see, Darren’s advice is still valuable today. It’s a formula that has worked for him for several years.
What makes you a good blogger?
Yesterday I posted Blogging through your mid-life crisis - a post in which I noted that thinking positive is one way to get out of a slump/mid-life crisis.
In appreciation of that, this week’s get to know you question is: What are three things that make you a good (or great) blogger?
I think that many people tend to focus on negatives. When it comes to other bloggers we like, we notice the positives right away, but when it comes to our own blogging style or blogs, it seems at times, that we focus on our negatives more often than the positives. So today, let’s focus on the positives. Of course, I’ll go first…
1. I never run out of ideas: Seriously. I’ve got something like 8+ blogs, and I never run out of ideas for posts; not even on my tricky topic blogs. My mind is always spinning, always full of slants; and for that I am pretty thankful.
2. I’m approachable: I blog like I talk, I’m social, I’m casual, and I’m usually pretty nice (unless you make me mad). Being approachable is a good blogger trait, I think, because you draw more comments, make lots of blogger pals, and find new gigs easily.
3. I don’t fib: I don’t post that I like something if I don’t, I won’t post that I did something if I didn’t, and I don’t try to embellish issues. I want my readers to trust me and my opinions. I sometimes run across blogs that seemed unreal or somehow phony, or I’ll read something that the blogger later contradicts and it drives me crazy. I’m of the mind-set that this is me blogging, take it or leave it. Yeah, I won’t smack talk about people by name, but that’s less of a lie, and more of a take the high-road issue. I just don’t think it’s necessary to lie or exaggerate in order to blog well, so I don’t.
Now you; it’s time to think positive. What are three things that make you a good blogger?
Use Social Networking to Bring Traffic to Your Network Blog
Many busy network bloggers avoid some of the social networking communities because they feel all the time spent socializing and networking takes away from other things. It’s why I didn’t get involved with FaceBook and MySpace and why I was reluctant to try Twitter.
I use these networks more now to help promote radio segments for BlogTalkRadio than I did as a blogger. I have to tell you, they work. Yes they take up more time, but not much. I’m noticing great traffic through Twitter, our BTR Yahoo Group and yes, even MySpace and FaceBook. For me, I spend at least an hour a day at social networks - but that’s what I’m paid to do. As a blogger you don’t need to spend near as much time, though it’s in your best interest to stop by at least once or twice a week.
Here are a few ways you can promote your blog using social networks:
- Twitter: Send out a tweet to your follows with links to your blog.
- Facebook - Every now and then when you have an especially big post, send it out as an “event” on Facebook and invite your friends to take part.
- MySpace - Update your MySpace blog with links to your regular blog posts. Add fellow bloggers as frinds.
These are just three simple things that together take minutes at a time. The more social networking sites you take part in, the better your chances of driving more traffic to your blog. My only issue is that I’m afraid of being too spammy which is why I try to balance out the promotion with fun and conversation.
Try adding social networking to your blogging schedule, all you need is an extra 15 to 30 minutes a week - if that. Make sure you have plenty of friends to follow and vice versa. Then come back and tell me if you noticed a difference in traffic. I’ll bet the answer is yes.
Blogging through your mid-life crisis
Some might say I’m too young to have a mid-life crisis. In fact I was told that earlier today by a pal. Still, doesn’t it seem like lame stuff happens in waves?
I’ve been blogging poorly for two weeks now; something that I don’t normally do. At least, not since I started blogging years ago. If a bunch of life issues come crashing in on you, and you’re a blogger, it’s hard, at least for me, not to transfer that negative energy to my blogs. You can’t really do that. It’s not cool for your readers.
I used to have a job out in the real world; you know, the kind of job where you actually go into an office, see co-workers, hang out with clients, and so on. Now it’s just my computer and I, hanging in my home office. If I get down, there’s no one to distract me. It’s easier to dwell on what’s happening in my life.
That said I’ve been considering my options over the last two weeks. What can you do when life seems to be interfering with your blogging gigs?
What you can do:
Take a break: You can sort of take a break, or at least blog less. I tend to over blog at all my gigs (except one). By over blog, I mean, my client wants four posts a week, but I’ll do triple that to increase traffic. The last two weeks, I’ve been blogging the minimum. This is an ok short term solution.
Take a total break: I know a couple of bloggers who have had something icky happen and they ask their clients for some time of. I don’t consider this an option for me, but if you have a super big problem, it’s probably better to take the time off and regroup.
Think positive: Easier said than done, I know, but you can try. Everyone has lame stuff that happens, but everyone also has good stuff that occurs as well. Make a list of good things going on, in spite of the bad - slap it up on the wall. Stare at it.
Get out: I spend a lot of time in my home office. Yeah I leave, but not as much as I should. As a blogger, it always seems like you could be posting somewhere. Forget about that extra post you could do, and head out to lunch with a pal; go to the park, go inline skating, do something that doesn’t involve your laptop.
Exercise: The one good thing about my mini mid-life crisis is that I’ve pumped up my exercise routine. Seriously, I’ve been exercising two hours a day - no joke. My brain wouldn’t concentrate on blogging these last two weeks, and since I’m not just going to sit around, I’ve been working out more. It’s helped a lot. Being active will make you feel better and really reduce stress.
Prioritize: Paid gigs first. Personal gigs second. Your personal blogs might suffer some, but they don’t put food on the table. If you only feel like you can work a little, drop the least important stuff first. Another option is to drop the most stressful gig you have. If something has to give, it may as well be a gig you’re not as fond of.
Wait it out: Every crisis has an end point. Really. Do all the above and sit tight. Things will get better. I was feeling pretty down two weeks ago, but it’s all sort of swirling away at this point. If you can’t get it together after a few weeks, if life issues are really affecting your work, you should perhaps speak with a counselor. Don’t wait it out forever or lose work over life; you’ll only feel more down.
Have you ever felt like a bad blogger due to life issues? What do you do to work through it?
How Network Bloggers Can Benefit from Conferences
Did you know there are many conferences you can attend to network and learn? SOBcon, BlogWorld Expo, BlogHer and SXSW are just a few. There are conferences popping up every month, it seems, to connect the Web 2.0 generation. This is a very good thing.
Here are a few ways you can benefit from attending conferences:
- Network - Spend time talking and sharing ideas with other like-minded people. I came back from last year’s conference with a pocket full of business cards as well as an army of new friends. These friends and I have traded guest blog posts, interviews, and ideas.
- Learn - There are classes for all levels of bloggers. Learn everything from adding fun and creative elements to your blog to social networking to traffic building to monetization.
- Discover - At BWE last year I learned about some great tools to help me take my blogging to a new level. I discovered Twitter, Windows Live Writer, Red Lasso and BlogTalkRadio.
One network blogger told me she wanted to go to SXSW but felt it was for “hardcore” bloggers and not for bloggers for hire. Conferences are especially great for freelance bloggers because you learn the tips and techniques needed to succeed: How to bring in traffic, how to build community, business and blogging - these are all areas beneficial to network bloggers.
Granted they’re expensive, but they’re also a tax write off. See if there are any blogging or social networking coferences in your area. Attending locally means you’ll only have to pay the cost of admission. The reason I enjoy conferences such as these is because I get to talk blogging and social networking with people who get it.
I’ll be attending and speaking at BlogWorld Expo this year. How about you?
Catch Me on BlogTalkRadio Tomorrow
Many of you have been asking questions either here or via email regarding BlogTalkRadio. If you’d like to learn more about what it is I do at BTR and how it works, do listen in to BTR Insider tomorrow, July 10th at 4:00 pm EST.
Various hosts will be calling in to give their tips for putting on a great show. If you’re looking to take your blog to the next level will radio, you’ll want to listen in.
Also if you can’t make the live broadcast, you can catch the stream or download on demand immediately after.
Here’s the link again for BTR Insider.
Do You Have A Dream Paid Blog Topic?
If you could choose a paid dream blog topic, which blog topic would that be?
I’m lucky; I’m paid to blog about most of my favorite topics already. However, I also wouldn’t mind blogging about single parenting, because it’s something I think about every day. I don’t however, have the time to start a single mama blog on my own. I’d have to find a paid single mama blogging gig.
I actually applied for a single mama blog gig not too long ago; but the potential client didn’t think I was single enough. He said I wouldn’t work because I wasn’t divorced single, just single. I said, but I was never married, how could I be divorced? I’m still a single mama. He said, being a divorced single parent is different, because it’s legal, women relate to that better than never married singles.
HUH? I swear, some people.
Anyways… no big, because I can’t help people like this anyhow. Still, single parenting would be my dream topic of choice in a paid gig.
What about you? What do you wish you were paid to blog about?
