Are you finding it harder and harder to pump out quality content? You know you can write quality content and make things happen. But you have let a bug grab hold of you and you cannot shake it loose. Today we will shake that bug loose.
You’re probably wondering what kind of bug I’m talking about. Well, before I tell you, I must confess and I shall not lie. I have this bug and if I don’t do something soon it will suck the life right out of me.
Okay, here it is “I have the blogging time wasters bug.” I feel so much better, since I laid my burden down.
What is the time wasters bug?
The time wasters bug is a bug that draws you away from writing and producing quality content.
Time wasters bug:
- Checking email constantly.
- Constantly checking for tweets and re-tweets.
- Constantly changing something on your site.
- Trying every Word Press plug-in that some one recommends and late deleting that plug-in
- Constantly checking to see who’s saying what on Facebook.
- Constantly checking your blog statistics.
- Checking out every social media and social book marking site
- Trying to be everywhere on the net at all times
These are just a few of the time waster bugs that will suck away your quality content.
How can you shake the time wasters bug?
- Make a schedule and don’t let anything or anyone throw you off schedule.
- Write for a certain amount of time without any distractions.
- Close all tab windows on your computer. (don’t minimize, close)
- Check email 3 times a day and instead of 50 million times a day.
- Check your blog stats weekly and not every 5 minutes.
- Designate a time you will check in on Twitter, Facebook and other social sites. Set a time limit on how long you socialize.
- Be where you can be and do what you can do and nothing more.
Guess what? Keeping up with your blogging duties and being everywhere at all times will soon catch up with you.
You will find yourself not posting on the days and times you have scheduled because you are too tired and stressed from trying to cram everything into a 24 hour day.
How many of you want to keep the time wasters bug hanging on you like an albatross around your neck? Not I!
Today, I have shaken the time wasters bug loose and am starting over again another.
How about you? What will you change/not change in order to continue writing and producing quality content?
About Evelyn Parham
Hello Evelyn!
Great advice, I agree most of the things that you said above and I learn some things that need to consider first in writing quality content. We are in the same attitude and like you, I will start over again and I hope I will make it better.
Lindsay Money recently posted..Repo Cars
Being a home based entrepreneur is really hard. There are a lot of distractions and working online alone has a lot of temptations. However, if you plan your schedule ahead and follow that schedule, then surely you can avoid this distractions and meet your daily goals.
Evelyn, I so agree that these things are time wasters…but I have to admit..when I see stats change when I post more and comment more I get entranced. Then when the stats change and I lose followers I am heartbroken. I am consumed with the constant attention I need to give to my “media”..and then still look facebook fans??? aaarghhhhh
Laurie recently posted..Leprechaun Bites for St Pattys Day
Great post. Changing something on my blog is the big time waster for me ;)
But then IF I had not looked at Twitter again today I would have missed this site…I too time-manage only one look at my website http://www.meltemiart.com FB & T once per day that’s it. Then I get on and paint.
I have had to put myself on a schedule as well. It has helped me to manage my time better and be more productive.
Social Media has its benefits for business but it can also distract employees to do work especially if they start conversations with others. We must always remind ourselves of the priorities we have and finish work before doing extra activities that don’t involve business.
Virtual Character recently posted..Using Avatars in the Enterprise
hi Great tips for a newbie.it is must to write a good content for a blogger
DailyTechPost recently posted..9 Best Open Source eCommerce CMS
A schedule, Evelyn!
I’ll try.
I’ve thought about it.
I’ve even checked how other bloggers do it.
I can see a need for it.
I’ve written it today.
It’s where I can see it, all the time.
Now all I need to do is…
stick to it!
Thanks for your help in kicking me into touch there!
Linda recently posted..Looking For Something This Works Every Time…
It’s funny how so many of the same mistakes are made by us green bloggers when starting that to us the ripe bloggers seem psychic. Today’s productivity will be owed to you.
Thanks
Hi Evelyn, it is very difficult to come up with quality content all the time. I follow 2 principles in order to create quality content: 1. Follow the industry news and leaders closely and 2. Constantly setup new test environments and analyse tests after a certain amount of time to create unique posts with test results.
Well done, Evelyn. :-) When I started blogging, checking in on stats is an every-day-job. Glad to get that habit tuned down and spending more time on more productive tasks such as researching, networking & writing. Many non-bloggers may not aware that we do need a disciplined schedule after all. :)
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Ching Ya recently posted..How to Allow Photo-Tagging by Fans on Your Facebook Page
I am guilty of several of those “time wasters.” Quality content is important to provide for your audience. I know that I’d definitely quit reading a blog if they no longer produce high quality content consistently.
Mandy June recently posted..Dont Skimp on These Expenses When Buying a Home
Great post Evelyn. Time wasing is soemeihing I work hard to avoid. I’m constantly trying to make the most of my time.
Matthew Needham recently posted..Wednesday Wisdom- Including the only SEO Guide you’ll ever need
Awesome article, Evelyn. I’ve SO had to learn all of this the hard way! I’ve really been buckling down lately though. If I want time off (which I DO) and if I want to create products (which I DO) then I need to work smart (which I AM!)
Jean Saruaer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Hi Evelyn,
I must confess I’ve been guilty of this. It is easy to check your communication outlets such as: email, skype and twitter often.
I’ve found its best to check Twitter in the morning and evening. Plus keeping Skype to a minimum.
Tim Ferris uses from his book states he checks his email twice a day.
Hi James,
I do what you suggest with Twitter. I know it may be mean, but lately I’ve been invisible on Skype. I also do not show myself on Facbook. Why? There have been times, when I was working on something and I went over to FB to share and article with Fans/Friends and people want to chat at the times that I’m working. So I cut off chat on FB. I know, I’m bad! (lol)
I can’t imagine checking my email only twice a day, maybe I’ll work my way up to that.
Thanks for sharing!
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Do Raw Vegans Need Supplements
Evelyn, you’re dead on. I find it so hard to break away from watching the social web, but when I do for 2 or 3 hours, I get a ton of great, creative work done. Gotta be more faithful about this.
Hi Brandon,
I know what you mean.
Yep, I’m with you with being faithful. If I am faithful, then in due season I will reap a good harvest. Wow, thanks for reminding me of that! :)
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..10 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Site
Great post. I know I just don’t find the time to blog as much as I’d like and when I do. I tend to tweak or change my theme more than write.
benwaynet recently posted..The best USENET Provider
Hey Ben,
Thank you!
I can totally relate!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..10 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Site
I am definitely guilty of everything you said on that list. HA HA. I am working on trying to limit my time doing certain things but you have to admit, it is very addicting.
However, I seem to find a lot of time to write at night, when everything has died down a bit.
I will work on trying to keep a schedule, but I won’t promise anything. My life is pretty hectic.
Thanks
Wayne Howard recently posted..How I Achieved Blogging Success In 30 Days
Hey Wayne,
I know it can be addicting. I can easily get lost on Twitter and other places. When I take a look at the clock, I wonder where the time went.
Things will sometimes come up and it can get a bit challenging to stay on schedule. But having a schedule is a great start.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Do Raw Vegans Need Supplements
I really like to makes to do lists. The best feeling in the world is crossing out something on that list. It is so easy to get distracted but I have found that if I have a list I am less likely to put off tasks.
Trevor B. Reed recently posted..WP Themes Review of Thesis 18
Hi Trevor,
I like to do lists too. It seems like I get more accomplished when I write lists.
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..10 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Site
Sometimes it’s amazing how something as common sense as the advice above can allude me. Thanks for the great thoughts, and for the reminder that putting out great content should be #1 on my list, not repeatedly checking my email over and over and over and over.
Rebecca recently posted..Social Media- It’s Ok To Be Scared
Hi Rebecca,
I hear you! :)
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..10 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Site
Hey Evelyn,
Great post. Changing something on my blog is the big time waster for me, but now i’ve stopped doing all that.. :) !!
Thanks for this great Post.
Keep up the good work.. !!
~Dev
Devesh recently posted..How to Get 10 High-Quality Links In 30 Minutes Or Less
Great tips. I started off really well when I started blogging a few months ago with writing regular posts. It is so easy to get distracted. Especially once you get to know other bloggers and have lots of sites you want to go comment on.
Tips I need to note are: times I check my stats and also closing all other tabs while I am writing.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..Lavender Health-Embracing An Organic Lifestyle
I agree that it is a better practice to close all other tabs so you can concentrate, but I am so scatterbrained that if I close many tabs I will forget what else I need to do. Maybe the combination of concentration and organization would serve better.
Trevor B. Reed recently posted..WP Themes Review of Thesis 18
Hi Patricia,
Thanks!
I agree with you when it comes to getting to know other bloggers, trying to visit their sites and comment.
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Do Raw Vegans Need Supplements
Smart advice Evelyn.
It is amazing how much work you can really get done if you can learn to turn off all the distractions so you can focus.
I always write my blog posts in Microsoft Word with all my other windows closed. Sometimes I can get into a zone where I can crank out several good ones back to back. Then I save them to publish later. I find that this allows me to avoid distractions.
I am past the stage of being a constant stat checker. In fact I only check my earnings once in a while. I know they are going to be there.
Kathy recently posted..Does That Blogger Know That You Like Them
Hi KB,
Thanks!
Those are good practices. I write my articles in Word too. You just gave me an idea and I appreciate you sharing.
Thanks and take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Do Raw Vegans Need Supplements