My Typical Blogging Day
Blogging October 3rd, 2008
I think I need an intervention. Since I started blogging last summer, my daily routine has changed dramatically. It’s gotten to be like a second job.
I sometimes joke that I need an assistant to accomplish everything I want to do in a day related to my blog.
Writing for the blog is a walk in the park. It’s the “… other blogging duties as assigned” requirement that takes up a good chunk of my time.
See how you compare.
Herewith is my typical blogging day (don’t worry …. somewhere in here I have a life, but just barely):
5am – 7am:
Review spam comments and release those incorrectly tagged;
Review and respond to comments, about 25 per day;
Update the number of days the plastic bag is still stuck in the tree (see count in sidebar);
Check my stats (total visitors from day before, backtrack interesting places visitors came from);
Check blogs where I’ve been backlinked (based on Technorati and WordPress dashboard links);
Check BlogCatalog discussions and comment if something piques my interest;
Check Humor-Blogs for posts from my fellow humor writers and vote up my favorite ones;
Check Twitter for responses to my Tweets; read other Tweets from my Tweet Peeps;
Drop the maximum Entrecard cards (300) while commenting along the way;
Study effectiveness of having purchased ads on Entrecard sites to see which I should buy again;
Write a new post, mull over a new post or stress about not having a new post;
8am – 5pm: The Day Job
6pm – 8pm:
Review spam comments and release those incorrectly tagged;
Review and respond to comments;
Check Twitter and BlogCatalog again and engage if the mood strikes;
Return to comments left during the day and follow them back to the author’s blog; comment on theirs when the mood strikes; buy an Entrecard ad if they are an EC member and I can afford them;
Enjoy other blogs and comment. I religiously follow 26 blogs daily;
Respond to direct emails from other bloggers;
Write a new post, mull over a new post or stress about not having a new post;
9pm: Watch Family Feud.
10pm: Lights out and hope to literally dream up a blog post.
OK, so that’s four hours a day during the week. You thought this was a part-time job? Hell no!
Weekend duties:
Research and consider new WordPress plug-ins to use;
Read and comment on blogs I didn’t get a chance to visit during the work week;
Explore new ways to market my blog;
Sweat profusely if my host server goes down for Saturday morning maintenance or has a load issue;
Write a new post, mull over a new post or stress about not having a new post;
Check Copyscape to see if anyone stole my content;
Respond to direct emails from a half dozen close blogger friends.
Call or visit friends and family who haven’t abandoned me for being chained to my blog.
—
So there you have it. My blogging life. If I ever manage to take a week’s vacation, is anyone up to the task of filling in for me? There’s nothing in it for you except the satisfaction of helping to keep The Junk Drawer breathing.
Although you’re probably too busy with your own blogs and might wonder, like I do, what you ever did before you started blogging.
Can you remember what you used to do before you gave yourself over to the Blog Monster?
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Stumble it!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Your day sounds a lot like mine. I know my house used to be cleaner before I started blogging….
H.E.Eigler’s last blog post..Psycho Mom? It sure looks that way!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
You do more in a day than I do, and I don’t have that pesky work thing. How do you drop 300 cards in addition to all that? I get tired about 250 and just give up.
Joe’s last blog post..Another Caption This winner
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hi Kathy,
I see it’s taxing but it is working. You have a blog with very good content, loyal readers and looks like your getting lots of traffic. I don’t know what your page rank is but I would guess good. Is it worth it?
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Heh heh heh. I can’t wait to see what Himself says about this one.
We have seven blogs between us.
Before I blogged, I wrote letters. Actual letters, with stamps and everything. And I wrote in a journal with a pen. (Still do that, since my neuroses are too tedious for public consumption.)
Shieldmaiden96’s last blog post..And that’s all I have to say about that…..
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Has something changed or am I loosing it. I like the look.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
1) You must be doing something right. Feedburner clocks you at over 300 subscribers!
2) Move spam checking to a weekend task.
3) Given the number of comments per post, you might want to reconsider responding to EVERYONE, EVERY TIME. You won’t hurt my feelings.
4) Move copyscape to a once-a-month task.
5) Drop Entrecard and Blog Catalog.
Geakz’s last blog post..Sandisk Sansa Leaves Out Some Details
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I don’t do half of that! I think I need some lessons on some of these things. How do you review spam comments? How do you even get them tagged as spam? Still got lots to learn!
Babs – beetle’s last blog post..A double boost award!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Kathy, you’ve helped me see the light! For weeks now, I’ve been wondering why I never seem to have time to blog. How hard can it be, right? I read your post, and now I know… damn hard. The hours you spend blogging are pretty much equivalent to the time I spend writing, and that’s on top of the two or three freelance “careers” I’m trying to manage. Maybe your post didn’t help you feel any better about the time spent, but at least I can rest easy now. There’s no freakin’ way I’d have time to blog like you on top of everything else.
Great job though! Yours is one of my stops in my half-hour of blog reading rounds each morning.
Bill Womack – Words for Writers’s last blog post..No way. No how. No blank check.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I do most of those things, but I’m lucky if I drop 300 Entrecards any more than a few times a month. I wish I had more time to read other blogs — I just keep discovering more and more great ones.
As for what I did before? I think my televiewing has taken the hardest hit, which is not a bad thing. I know I don’t read as much, which IS a bad thing.
But I love my 2d job. I can’t imagine (and I’m sure you can’t either) what I’d do without it.
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I’m a Carnivore so you don’t have to be
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Wow. That’s a lot to keep up with. But that’s what popularity does to one’s blog.
Sometimes I get the satisfaction of receiving two comments. So yeah, I’m pretty busy too…
Honestly, when I tried to promote my blog (just actively joining forums) I felt like it took up a ton of my time. That’s where my laziness kicked in and I decided that if someone stumbles across my blog, great. But, let’s face it I don’t have the most stimulating content. It’s mostly fluff. Oh, but I did find my stuff on Boxxet under 30 Rock.
I’m not “into” blogging as much as I used to be. But a few weeks ago I gave myself a little break from it, and i just got a lot more “real” things done. Mostly boring stuff like organizing and cleaning. But sometimes you don’t realize how much time blogging takes until you stop doing it for a couple days.
I think to be really good at it, it takes a ton of time and you have to commit yourself to not only work on your own blog, but be actively involved in the blogging community. You really do a great job with both, Kathy. Keep it up!
Stephanie C.’s last blog post..tina writes a book & others benefit
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Holy crap Kathy… that’s kerazzy. I blog DURING the 8 – 5 workday.
Kidding.
Okay. I admit it. Not kidding… ahem, some days.
Maureen’s last blog post..Four Dozen
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
That’s similar to mine except my day job in the middle is caring for my 4 yr old. I have yet to figure out how anyone drops 300 cards a day? I’m lucky to do 50. I also have a hard time keeping up with all the communities. I think it’s easy to spend time spinning your wheels.
DJ’s last blog post..Halloween Is Coming!
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Wow. My day seems pathetic compared to yours.
A normal weekday:
6:30 am – I get woken up by my mom.
6:45 am – I actually get up and start getting ready.
7:20 am – I go to the bus stop.
around 8:00 am – At school, in homeroom.
per 1 – math class
per 2/3 – gym class
per 4 – english
per 5 – lunch!!!
per 6 – social studies
per 7 – reading
per 8 – science
per 9 – band on M,W,F.
around 3:20 pm HOME!!!!!!
3:40 pm – Homework time
somewhere around here I have a snack
5:30 pm – dinner. ((Tuesday: 6:30 – 7:30 pm: math tutor. Thursday: 6:00 – 6:30 pm: clarinet lesson.))
After all this, I watch TV and I’m on my laptop.
9:40 pm – Bedtime. ((S,M,T,W,Th))
On Fridays and Saturdays – Whenever I’m tired.
Well, it does seem kinda busy now that I’ve typed it all out, but it’s still nothing compared to your schedule!
Oh, and somewhere in there, I remember to check your blog, and a few others.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
pretty much the same..now I have a laptop with wifi..I have breakfast aty the diner in the morning and surf blogs..it’s getting out of hand…:)
robert bourne’s last blog post..The Middle Years New Beginning
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
um, even God needed a day to rest.. take a minute to breathe, sweetie.
Fancy’s last blog post..Seriously
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Kathy, we have to talk. It’s a blog, not a life! I still find time to go to the gym, take my wife out, and operate my side biz. Just say no to the computer! Do it for Dave!
Chris (Casey)’s last blog post..A Weed Whacker, 2 Groundhogs, and a Mouse
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Wow. I’m tired just reading that!
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
It’s absolutely amazing that our blogs take on such needy lives, OUR lives to be exact! True labor of love.
chatblanc’s last blog post..Oops, my bad!
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
You are very organized, not to mention an early riser :p
melai’s last blog post..Suggest an exciting things to do on weekends without spending so much money and win my …hug.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I am beyond impressed…I am jealous. I wish I had that kind of organization. (From the family with eight to 10 blogs, The Wife, The Sister and me).
unfinishedperson’s last blog post..In God’s Crosshairs: Ask yourself one question, “Do I feel lucky?” Well do ya punk?
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I know what you mean. I’ve had to give up a few catnaps and I’m not happy about that!
Lux’s last blog post..It’s Friday, Folks!
October 4th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Blogging IS a full time job. I took a break, shut down all of mine, and am just coming back.
Lolita’s last blog post..Foreplay Begins Before The Clothes Come Off
October 4th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Oh my goodness, Kathy! You should get paid for this…maybe you can be some sort of blog consultant? Seriously. You’ve got some extreme willpower, woman.
Athena’s last blog post..Secrets from a disgruntled waitress
October 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Your dedication (or is that obsession?) is to be commended. When I first started blogging just over a month ago I said it was going to be something to do “in my spare time.” I THOUGHT I had a lot of spare time – now I’m finding I don’t have enough!
Cheers!
Robin’s last blog post..Promises, Promises
October 4th, 2008 at 6:10 am
I only drop around 10 a day…maybe I’ll try for 300 today…I did it once a few months ago.
I think this is a premiere blog and so original! Content is King…….and this one has it.
But we’ll have to fix this Family Feud thing of yours
Alan’s last blog post..Celine and her ….13 Siblings
October 4th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Funny you mention this. I was just wondering what I used to do in the mornings while the kids sleep (I am very much a morning person).
I *think* I used to read a book on the couch. It seems like a life time ago, so I’m not positive. But I know I got up early and had my coffee while I did something.
Now it is like a part time job. Up, turn on the computer, start the coffee and launch into the routine. Then stress out two hours into it because I have to get the kids up for school.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:42 am
H.E. Eigler — Same here. I let a lot more go now and usually work myself up into a cleaning frenzy only when I know I’m getting company. Like anything, it’s amazing how much time we can spend on something, whether it’s cleaning or blogging, if you let yourself.
Joe — I wish I didn’t have that pesky work thing. I manage to drop 300 in about one hour if I’m commenting on some of them. Less if I’m not. I have 100 of them in my favorites and do those first. The rest are in my Inbox. The 100 in my Favorites are there because I really like them and they stand the greatest chance of getting subscribed to. People can go in and out of Favorites over time, because I’m taking the time to get a feel for their writing. The 200 Inbox ones are at risk for drive-bys, unless they drop on me frequently. Then they move closer to becoming a Favorite and thus, one I’m more likely to buy a spot on. That is the method to my EC madness.
Data Entry Services — First, yes, it is worth it. You point out one aspect of my blog that I think makes me unique among the millions out there. I have VERY loyal readers. Traffic? Professional bloggers would laugh at my traffic. I get only 500 unique visitors per day, about half coming from Entrecard. You can see that without EC, things would be fairly pathetic. BUT, I have a high subscriber count and a healthy amount of commenters. What this tells me is that once I earn a reader, I keep a reader. To me, this is far more rewarding than having thousands of drive-by visitors a day. I’m going for quality visitors, not quantity. And that makes this a better blog for me, and a better one for my visitors.
Shieldmaiden96 — I cannot imagine the work required for seven blogs. I toy with the idea of creating another blog, one for Food That Looks Like Stuff and for the new What’s That? Wednesday series. But managing one is work enough. I don’t have the strength or time for dual blogs. I tip my hat to you both. I used to write letters, too. I love to put pen to paper and the reaction from recipients is amazing in this age of email, isn’t it?
Geakz:
1. Yeah, Kathy very happy!
2. No can do. I like to respond to comments in the order they were rec’d. If they’re released later, my response to them is out of order Yes, I’m anal like that.
3. You’re kidding, right? Comments are my lifeblood.
4. I’ll take that under advisement.
5. Can’t drop EC, but I wouldn’t die without BlogCatalog.
Babs beetle — Get yourself the Akismet plug-in for WordPress. It’s excellent. Once activated, go to your Dashboard, click Comments, then click Akismet spam. Check the box next to all legitimate comments, then click De-spam Marked Comments.
Bill Womack Words for Writers — Thanks for putting me in your daily rounds! Let’s put it this way, if I had children, or if I worked a 60 hour a week job, or if freelanced on the side, I would never have time for this. I can do it now because I have no other serious commitments on my time. That’s not to say something won’t happen down the road that will bring me to a screeching halt. For now, I can get away with it.
JD at I Do Things — Dropping the max 300 cards is definitely time-consuming. The payoff is when I see new EC members in my comments. It suggests that if I increase my visibility, over time those folks will eventually see enough my site and hopefully be drawn in. My job is to make a drive-by dropper stay for one minute. Without the mass exposure from EC, I wouldn’t get that chance. I have four books I started months ago that haven’t been cracked open again since. I’m not proud of that. If I ever do write my book, my guess is bloggers won’t buy it because they don’t have time for books anymore!
Stephanie C — Don’t say that about your blog! Everyone has an audience. But, yes, it requires a lot of work to find it. I admire you for taking a break. I know for a fact the only way I’ll take a break is if I get a cold or flu that knocks me out. It’s a decision I’ve made and can live with. But, yeah, it would show me how much time I’m putting into this if I stopped for a while. Thanks for your loyalty!
Maureen — I used to try to perform blogging tasks on my lunch hour. But it’s been a hellish last few months at work and I can’t clear my head enough in that hour to make any sense responding to comments. It’s actually been a good thing for me to have that break from it during the day.
DJ — That’s one thing I’ll never understand, how parents find time for blogging at all. I suspect it’s because you’re already so good at time-management. It’s easy to spin when you have the time. You’re probably managing better than me because you have to target your efforts more carefully. I’m all over the place.
Regan — You are indeed busy, just in a different way. When I was your age, I was a slouch. You go girl! We’re so happy you find time for our blogs, too!
robert bourne — The day I got my laptop and wifi was the day things changed for me. They changed again when I joined EC. God help me if I find another network that helps drive traffic here. I may have to actually hire that assistant!
Fancy — I know, I know. For the record, Sunday is the day I do the least with my blog. I love relaxing with the paper, taking a much-needed nap, or just lounging around with the hubs. He works Tues-Sat, so I’m alone one day on the weekend and can devote blog time on Saturday without guilt.
Chris Casey — So maybe I really do need that intervention? I agree, the blog is not a life, but it is a passion. And passions are healthy for the soul, wouldn’t you agree? It might relieve you to know that Dave is behind me 100%. As a musician who got very close to getting a record deal in his 20’s, he remembers what it felt like to be on the brink of success. He sees that happening for me, still pushes me to write that book and loves what this blog is doing for me. Don’t worry, we’re headed out today for some fun at the Easton Garlic Festival. We plan on stinking for a week.
April — Well, remember that some of those things only take a few minutes to do! It sounds worse when it’s all written out.
chatblanc — You hit the nail on the head. It is a labor of love. Otherwise, who in their right mind would do it?
melai — I started being an early riser in my 30s. I like to have two hours of blog duties under my belt before work.
unfinishedperson — Again, I don’t know how you guys do it. I’m impressed with you!
Lux — Ah, the catnap! One thing I do miss is my Saturday nap. I’m getting less and less of those, which means I’m in bed by 9:00 on the weekend. Bums me out and makes me feel old.
Lolita — Congratulations on taking a break. It’s been suggested to me that I do this from time to time (other bloggers have done it and said it’s refreshing and rejuvenating). But still, it’s only going to happen if I come down with something.
Athena — Well, I do have an ad running on the blog. BlogHer has been pretty good to me. When I read that some people are happy to get $10 via AdSense a month, I feel pretty good about what I’m getting. I’m not rolling in it, but I’m doing well and hope to do better in the future.
Robin — Yes, I’ll freely admit it’s an obsession. That’s what I thought, too, in the beginning. But then things grew and grew and here I am. I wish you great success with your blog!
Alan — You gotta drop more, my friend. You have a terrific blog and I think things would really take off if you dropped the max. Do it on the weekends when you presumably have more time. I’m positive it’ll be worth it. Thank you for the compliment. I don’t know what I’m going to do if they move Family Feud from the 9PM time slot. I’m terrified of that day, and I know it will come.
cardiogirl — Yeah, it’s hard to remember what I did before. Actually, I do know. I answered work emails (that ceased, thank God!) and read online newspapers and other sites, and maybe played some Bespelled (cool word game), while sipping coffee and puttering around a bit. You have a rockin’ blog, girl. I’m glad you do what you do now because your stuff is so engaging to read. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing it with us.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:54 am
You are amazing.
I am like some of the others an am just blown away by your schedule. I can see why you need an assistant.
I’m hoping you get some kind of physical exercise in there.
Beamer
Beamer’s last blog post..A small Brown vase
October 4th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Thank you for this post! I feel like the time I spend on my blog is my dirty little secret! Speaking of dirty, my house though it has never been spotless, used to be cleaner!
Toni’s last blog post..May I help you please
October 4th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hi Kathy,nice to be here again.I have just gotten back from my National Day holiday to Hainan Island.I was just about to ask how are you recently, but I think there is no need for that. I can see you are living your life abundantly! By the way, no matter how much do you enjoy blogging, do take care of yourself.
Big fan!
Love you
Handbag for life’s last blog post..Roberto Cavalli winter floral Silk Bracelet Clutch
October 4th, 2008 at 9:13 am
The truth is that if I did all that you do I probably wouldn’t find blogging fun anymore. You have so many more visitors than I do. However you work so much harder for each visitor than I do. I use entrecard but I mostly buy on sites of people I follow each day. I can’t even be bothered to figure out what is working best and what isn’t. BTW I am with DOM when he says I think tweets should be called Twits. Just makes more sense to me if its twitter.
When I work my theater job on Broadway I can’t stand to see how everyone is so hooked to their cell phones, texting and tweeting the minute intermission starts. I love the Internet and blogging and reading YOUR blog for sure amongst the others. But I think we are way too hooked like a drug to being connected all the time.
LOVE your blog Kathy!
Lauren’s last blog post..What IS A V J J?
October 4th, 2008 at 9:14 am
You need a better spam blocker!
windyridge’s last blog post..Palin is Useless
October 4th, 2008 at 9:34 am
hi im from the philippines!
i had fun reading this article, i experienced migraine and hypertension perhaps because of these things as soon as i got addicted to blogging. nice to know im not alone.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Wow, Kathy, you are amazing! I still have so much to learn. I *still* don’t understand EntreCard as much as I should. I stil need to learn more about advertising as well. So much to learn, so little time
So nice to know you and tweet with you, too
Bella
Bella Casa’s last blog post..White Dollar Tree Pumpkins…Oh How I Love Thee!!!
October 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
[...] @ The Junk Drawer tells us she think she needs an intervention as she begins to share what her typical blogging day is, and I thought I needed an intervention! (But seriously, the way Kathy responds to every single [...]
October 4th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wow… I’m lucky to have a handful of readers at my blog so I applaud you for everything you do to promote your blog. As I am normally in REM sleep from 5 to 7 am I think it would be a complete change of pace for me to get up and dedicate that time to my blog. Of course my day job requires a 50 to 60 hour work week which doesn’t leave much time for blogging or much time for a real life either…
October 4th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
[...] @ The Junk Drawer tells us she think she needs an intervention as she begins to share what her typical blogging day is, and I thought I needed an intervention! (But seriously, the way Kathy responds to every single [...]
October 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I’m so jealous. Your commute is only one hour?
October 4th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
watching family feud is the most important part of the blogging process.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I don’t have your discipline, but I follow a similar routine. I tend to check things when I have a break between meetings at work (I hope my employer doesn’t find this). But I spend about three hours every evening on blog stuff.
By the way, peeps is the sound a baby chicken makes. I didn’t know you kept chickens!
October 4th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Done that. Thanks Kathy. It nobbled me as spam ha ha!
Babs – beetle’s last blog post..Only Mo would do it!
October 4th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Beamer — I have to tell you, I took a nice long break today. Writing this article made me more conscious of the hours I spend. At least for today, I cut back. I’m ashamed to say how little exercise I get. Always on my mind. Maybe I need a personal trainer more than a blogging assistant?
Toni — Well, stick around. I admit a lot of stuff here. You’re in good company. I used to vacuum twice a week. Now, it’s only if I can’t see the carpet anymore.
Handbag for life — Welcome back! And thanks for your advice. I really monitored my online activities today.
Lauren — I get so much joy out of blogging. You’re right, though. It is time-consuming and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it so much. I’m not positive that my EC system works, but it feels right to me. I’m sure others know how to get more out of it than me. Texting and phoning really is like a drug. Would you believe I don’t have a personal cell phone? At least that monster hasn’t gotten me!
windyridge — I hope you never got caught in my spam filter. I love Akismet. I think only a half dozen a week get caught in it by mistake.
Lester — My problem is what I like to call “blogging spread.” Comes from sitting all day.
Bella Casa — Good to see you here and on Twitter. I really don’t know how to work EC to its fullest, but the system works well enough for me to grab new readers. And I’ve found some great new blogs that way.
Singular Girl — The only reason I get so much done is because of that two hour block in the morning when things are quiet and the stress of the day hasn’t hit me yet. I’m sorry about your job. I had one like that years ago. Really messed me up. Hope you can get something else. Life’s too short!
Daniel — You’ll be more jealous when I tell you it’s only 15 minutes.
Julius Bloop — Ah! Now you know my real secret!
Lee — The hours fly by, don’t they? Sometimes I wish I had a part-time job, but there’s no way that’d work, especially now. PEEP!
Babs beetle — I don’t know why all of a sudden you got thrown into my spam jail. Not good! But, don’t worry. Now you know I always check it to parole people. I’ll get back to your email in the morning.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Wow, you are Super Blogger! I don’t know how you get all that done in just two hours before work! Your computer must be super fast or something. You are amazing! I don’t get much done before work, just check email mostly. If I’m lucky, I’ll get something posted or make a few drops before I start work. I usually spend two – three hours in the evening. Before blogging, I spent time on pogo.com playing games and selling on eBay and watching TV. Now I really have to struggle to work in any of that.
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”’s last blog post..The Joys of Home Ownership–17 Improvements
October 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Wow Kathy! I just wanted to say a quick Thank You for doing all that and for creating this blog! I stumbled across here just recently and I’m so glad I found the Junk Drawer!
October 4th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Wow…I’m glad I’m not alone–is it possible to stage an intervention for thousands of people, d’ya think?
PurrPrints’s last blog post..$15 PurrPrints store credit giveaway and new awards
October 4th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
That’s a lot of stuff. I didn’t do half that stuff for spazoidspace.blogspot.com.
I just write there for fun now, as my new (and infinitely more useful) site is up at http://www.truthofwater.com and most of my time is spent for that.
By the way, thanks for the promo ideas.
Mike’s last blog post..Truth of Water Promotional Video
October 4th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Well, I am just a neophyte in the blogging world, I don’t even post every day. But I do read my regulars every day.
My day:
Up at 6:40am, leave for work at 7:45. Get to work (if lucky and the traffic gods are smiling) at 8:30. Work to 5 spending aprox 1.5 hours off and on during the day reading my e-mail and favorite blogs. (yes, I freely admit it!) 45 mins. to drive to the barn, and hour to feed 8 starving horses (according to them, they are starving, according to me, they need Jenny Craig). home to cook dinner by 8. On the web checking mail and blogs and occasionally updating one of my own by 9 (I have 2, one normal, one horsey). Usually in bed by 11 unless find something really good on line or get caught up in a heated discussion.
Weekend,m less work and travel time, more horse and blog time.
I bow to the Blog Queen!
Shadowsrider’s last blog post..Blogtations: just good wholesome fun!
October 5th, 2008 at 3:51 am
You could drop some of those activities, or move them to once weekly jobs and not see any difference in your blogging… except you’ll find something else to fill that time with!
sensitive skin care’s last blog post..Sensitive Skin Care, the Basics
October 5th, 2008 at 8:21 am
I certainly don’t spend as much time blogging as you do, but I have seen how reading blogs regularly has affected me. Just yesterday I overheard 2 people talking about living in Ireland, and I swear the thought that immediately popped into my head was “I’m glad JD did that so I don’t have to.”
Susan’s last blog post..I Never Win Anything
October 5th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Wow. 5 a.m. eh?
Imagine trying to blog with an 18 month old son constantly tugging at you.
If I didn’t make money from my blog, I would say the heck with it. (Though I do like writing.)
October 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I think you have to be honest with yourself about what your goals are. Ask yourself: why do you blog? why is it important to you to grow your audience? what is your return of investment both in time and money? what are your benchmarks and what does it mean to reach them?
Blogging can be anything from a simple artistic release to a profession, depending on why you do it. Make sure the sacrifices you make in terms of personal time are in line with your purpose for blogging.
Jeff’s last blog post..Perms through the ages: A hair-raising experience
October 5th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
It’s easy to let it take over your life, isn’t it? I find myself spending more and more time on my blog and less and less time on my “real” job, which has left me staying up way too late, sleep deprived – not good for the “real” job. I’m trying to work out a schedule now, one that’s reasonable for the blogging. It’s easy to get sidetracked, though, when you’re on the Internet. So much to see, so much to read…
Lisa’s last blog post..Halloween Crafts, Costumes, and Party Decorations to Die For
October 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Oh, wow! I can relate.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Karen — One thing that helped make dropping 300 EC cards easier was using the Firefox EC toolbar. I recommend it if you don’t have it. Get it here: http://entrecard.com/page/ec_toolbar I have been known to get up earlier than 5AM some mornings, which is nice because it frees up my evening for other highly productive activities, such as watching America’s Next Top Model.
kat — Welcome aboard. Glad to have you!
PurrPrints — When we have a blogger get-together, first order of business will be a therapy session for the addicts. No laptops allowed.
Mike — I wonder now if someone had told me what I’d be doing a year later, whether I would have started blogging at all. It kind of crept up on me, all this work. Then again, it’s a choice I’ve made all along, so I have only myself to blame.
Shadowsrider — Funny about your horses needing Jenny Craig. I bet you can’t believe all they can eat in a day! Your day sounds busy and difficult. I don’t know how you do more than one blog. That concept seems insane to me. More power to you!
sensitive skin care — You’re right. Writing this actually made me more conscious of how much time I’m putting into it. Let’s see if I can take longer breaks throughout the week. I think it’ll do me good.
Susan — It’s funny how we have “bloggy thoughts” throughout the day. Lots of times I do as you do, and remember something I read about in a blog. If I tell someone about it, it feels funny saying “One of my blogger friends….” There are still people who don’t know a thing about blogs and wonder what I’m talking about.
PaulsHealthBlog — I can’t imagine blogging with children tugging at me. I know I would never do it. I’m constantly amazed at all the parents who do! Stunned, really.
Jeff — Thanks. I know this is a familiar conversation. It is all about balance, but it’s also about how driven I am to do this. My ROI has always been the feeling I get knowing that people enjoy Junk Drawer. Each time I try to slow down, I realize how much I want to do it. It’s like my fuel. But, yes, it’s worth taking a look at the sacrifices and making adjustments accordingly. I know you told me if I pulled back I wouldn’t lose any readers. Do you promise?
Lisa — Absolutely. It’s the truth. It can take over your life, and as Jeff said, at what cost? I suppose we all need to evaluate what we’re getting out of our blogs and decide for ourselves if we can tolerate what we might be missing as a result. This weekend has been somewhat of a wake-up call for me. Maybe I writing this post was the intervention I really needed?
Sherry Martschink — I knew I wasn’t alone.
October 5th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hey Kath- I’ve been struggling with this- the time spent away from kids & other stuff. So I timed myself: how long did it take to visit one commenter and comment back. About 3 minutes. Times 60 commenters for my last post. That’s 3 hours. I CAN NOT do that. for no money. As women, we feel so guilty for not reciprocating but we have to ask ourselves: are we sacrificing our real lives to appease people we will never even meet? and if the number of people actually commenting is only 10-20% of total visits, does it even matter that much? I don’t have the answers- I just feel ya, sister.
Happy Hour Sue’s last blog post..The Jerk Goes to Target
October 5th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Quote:
Update the number of days the plastic bag is still stuck in the tree (see count in sidebar);
I would like to see it updated every hour….and on the hour….and a live camera 24/7
—————-
I like Blog Catalog…the discussions look like fun
Alan’s last blog post..Do Gay men and Women see her turning the same way ?
October 5th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
That is a lot to do. I know I try to drop 300 but rarely do. I try to hit at least 250 a night if I start on time. I’m trying to set up some type of schedule so that I can get 300 a day. The dropping is like a addiction. I really don’t feel right if I haven’t dropped at least 200 cards.
I do have my favorite blogs that I drop on first and then I hit everyone else. I don’t think I keep the kind of day you have. I would probably be going crazy after day two.
ImitationAngel’s last blog post..Green Is My Favorite Color
October 5th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
omg…you sound like you’re doing what I used to do. Then I took a break and came back fresh.
I decided to get back to what got me started in the first place so now I never promote my blog, other than posting a link on twitter once in a while.
I drop by BlogCatalog & Twitter to chat and have fun, that’s it. I truly believe entrecard is a huge waste of time … and now only have it on my photoblog and the only time I “drop” is if I’m on a blog and happen to see the widget.
Basically I feel like I’m back to basics. I do a post then visit the people who comment on my blog … hopefully I can get to all of them and if I can’t I’m hoping they understand.
That’s it! It works for me because I found all that other stuff was becoming like a job, like you say. Now it’s like it was when I first started. The only difference is when I started I was obsessed with my stats, now I never look at them.
DrowseyMonkey’s last blog post..Awards & Memes
October 6th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Happy Hour Sue — I hear ya. Responding to every comment and/or visiting commenters’ blogs and commenting back takes more than half my daily blogging time. I couldn’t do it if I had kids because that would take precedence. I do it because it helps grow my blog and develop a community, which has always been important to me. I guess you could look at that as the payment I receive. But, yeah, it’s sort of insane the time we spend. Balance is key, and I think I learned that this weekend when I took more time away from my laptop. This was a good article for me to write. Very therapeutic.
Alan — Don’t laugh. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get a live bag cam set up. But I’d have to find a secure location that faces the tree to set up the camera and PC. So far, no luck.
ImitationAngel — I’m all about numbers. I feel “off” if I don’t reach the 300 max drop in a day. I know some people think it’s a waste of time, but it hasn’t been for me. I’ve found some great new blogs and it does bring me quality traffic (over time).
DrowseyMonkey — Yes, but, you ARE promoting your blog. Especially through BlogCatalog. You may see it as only fun, but I’m sure you get more visitors that way. I always wonder how you have time to pop up in every other BlogCatalog discussion and you are a Master Twitterer! I think, “God, I could never do what Drowsey does.” I think you and I spend a good deal of time with blogging activities, just focused in different ways. I think you are an example of someone who does really well writing and having fun, and the visitors just come. That’s the way to do it! I tip my hat to you.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:03 am
thanks for sharing your routine. i do wonder sometimes how other bloggers allocate their time. i don’t quite have a solid routine yet, so i’m rather inefficient. :O
kouji | capiz’s last blog post..haiku poem: poverty (freeplay)
October 6th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Good grief! I am exhausted just having read that! You’re awesome!
October 6th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I’d certainly be happy to do a guest post for you one day, if you were needing one. You and I do have a similar amusement at life’s quirky minutia.
Jenn’s last blog post..Button Pushing at the Pump
October 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I will be your assitent for $100 per month
October 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Oh my GOSH!!!! I thought blogging from my iPhone was a challenge!!! If you can do all that, then I must step it up!!!
KFJ’s last blog post..Carwash
October 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
kouji — Don’t worry, you’ll find a system you can live with.
Corrina — Awesome or stupid. One of the two.
Jenn — We do share similar sensibilities for humor. I may just take you up on it. I like this idea of calling out for guest posts to take a break. It worked wonders for me when my sister, ann of the cellphone bag, gave me a post.
brooke — I can’t afford you.
KFJ — Noooo! Save yourself!!!!
October 7th, 2008 at 10:03 am
This is why you have such a fantastic blog girl.
HUGSSSS
Lori’s last blog post..All about fat
October 7th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Maybe you should consider becoming a stay-at-home blogger?
I have been following your blog for quite a while now and you never fail to entertain me!
Nichole’s last blog post..Addicted America
October 8th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I love this post! Your routine is very close to mine, except I have a glass of wine or a Jack & Coke accompany me on my evening blogging activities. And yes, I do remember what I did before the Blogging Monster got me: sleep.
Vivienne’s last blog post..Dying to Vote
October 8th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Sadly lack of money has forced me to join the work force. Extended hours and 3 jobs has limited my life to nothing. I can’t even find time to blog…sad…
survivor’s last blog post..How to Poop At Work
October 8th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Lori! — I don’t know. It may not be so fantastic anymore. I’m taking more time away from it. At least this week. I needed the break.
Nicole — I’d love to be a stay-at-home blogger. Of course, then I’d have to live with a stay-at-home salary. Thanks for the compliment!
Vivienne — Ah! So that’s the secret?! I still sleep as little as I did before, but I do miss my weekend naps. The monster ate those.
survivor — Shame. I’m sorry to hear that. But you do have yourself an interesting blog there. One of a kind!
October 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I will lower it to a low low price of 19.99 per month
October 8th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hi Kathy ~ my day is similar to yours & I work FT also, but I also have 2 blogs and 3 online businesses. I find it impossible to drop 300 ECs especially for one blog, much less 3. I’m going to bookmark this to come back & read more of the comments here. I’ve read some of the recommended efforts aren’t a good ROI and will be cutting back on some of my social networking sites. You’re obviously doing something right to have that money followers & subscribers! I’ve visited you many times before via EC
Cindi @ Moomettesgram’s Musings’s last blog post..Olive Kids ~ Personalized Clocks ~ A Review
October 10th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
brooke — You drive a hard bargain.
Cindi — Good grief, how do you do it? The things I’m most inclined to drop are the social networking sites, as you said. I’m not sure they pull in as many potential readers as EC does, so I focus on that. I’m slowly moving away from BlogCatalog and I didn’t Twitter at all today. As a result, I feel more in control and that’ll be better for my writing. Thank you for always visiting! I do appreciate it.
October 11th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Wow, that is definitely a lot work and didn’t realize how much time in my day I put into my own blog. I definitely spend most of it either writing or doing research for my posts. Also, I definitely check my stats wayyy to much throughout the day – what can I say, it’s a guilty pleasure:)
Matt Savage’s last blog post..The Dilemmas of Male Virgins
October 13th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Matt Savage — I hate to admit it, but I spend more time on non-writing duties than I do writing. How did that happen?? But since writing this post, it’s made me at least slow down a little with all that extra stuff. I am somewhat of a stat addict, mostly interested in where people come in from. But you’re right, it’s a very guilty pleasure! I can’t stop!
October 13th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
my jewelry business has become my second job, and I seem to be spending more time online than at my work table. Go figure!
storybeader’s last blog post..turning your passion into profit
October 15th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I find that when I make a list of the things that I need to get done on a daily basis, I get much more done. I Between taking college classes and taking care of a very busy toddler, I’m pretty busy. Making a to-do list in order of importance really helps me focus.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
storybeader — Another victim of the Blog Monster!
Business Support Classes — I live by lists, too. If I didn’t write things down (or email myself notes), I couldn’t survive. Gets worse as I get older, sadly.