My typical schedule:

1) Work on the days post. Actually this a two day event. I think about what I’m going to write and write it for the following day.

2) Visit and comment on blogs that I visit regularly

3) Visit and comment on new blogs.

4) Check e-mails and stat

5) Visit and comment on more blogs

I try to get all of this in on a typical day. When I’m busy, I usually cut-out #3, #4, and #5

chriss last blog post..How To Clean Your Arse: A Revelation

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Hi Evelyn,

Thank you for your kind words.

Our blogging “life” does evolve, doesn’t it?

When I was posting on the weekends, I did like that my stats (there’s that word again) stayed up, but then I realized I was putting too much pressure on myself, so I stopped. My stats drop on Saturday and Sunday (which at first was discouraging), but the time off serves me well. The time away from my blog actually helps to spark more ideas, and probably helps to prevent burn out, as well.

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Hi Barbara,

So far my blogging activities are checking comments and email, working on blog posts, visiting other blogs and commenting when appropriate.

While new to this world, I just love blogging and would love to do more, but also have a family and other commitments to keep. I hope to figure out a way to fit more blog-time in each day.

Have a great week!

Linda Abbits last blog post..Children Always Welcome Here

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Barbara,

All in, I’d say four-ish hours.

Actually, during this time I wrote one mega post of two parts- Part 1 of which you read

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I’m curious, what stats do you use that give you current stats throughout the day. For example, I use Google Analytics and this only shows the previous day - so why would you check it multiple times (unless researching deeper maybe)?

I think it’s every blogger’s (and entrepreneur’s) motto to never be able to finish everything they have set out to do for the day. It just never happens, does it?

My schedule fluctuates depending on my wife’s work schedule (she’s a wedding planner and also owns a beaded jewelry business).

1. I wake up about 4:30am - 5:30am and check and reply to any comments and emails (also ongoing).

2. I then try not to get distracted by reading too many blogs and get to work on creating my own blog articles. Being that I only post 2 to 3 times per week I try to get them written and finished earlier in the week which then frees up my mornings for posting new information in my community forum.

3. I tinker with my website.

4. Read blogs, visit a forum I frequent, and/or browse on Stumble Upon.

5. If I get to it, I try to go on Yahoo! Answers and answer web hosting and design questions for people - basically just trying to round up some business. Or I might head over to Craigslist and post a few ads.

Like you, I rarely finish everything as there is so much in between each of these numbers which I didn’t want to bore you with (like you, I own a business).

My problem is, I really don’t read all that fast (and comprehend). So to me, reading 6 or 7 blog articles a day plus commenting on them takes up a lot of time for me.

John Hoff - eVentureBizs last blog post..50+ Wordpress Plugins & Hacks Candy Store

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Hi John,

I’ve been “testing” statistical programs for quite some time now. WordPress.com stats and Sitemeter will give you up to date numbers. What I find interesting is that all of them report different numbers, but I do like seeing which posts are getting read, if I’m getting search engine traffic, where my referral traffic is coming from and which search strings are being used to find me. I also test Google Analytis, AWStats, and Webalizer, but use those more for research/learning purposes.

Yahoo Answers is a great way to build your name in blogosphere, and with your helpful personality, I’m guessing your answers are often voted the best.

You’re right. In business, life and blogging, we can never finish all we set out to do in a day. It gives us something to look forward to.

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Hi Barbara

Well I’m sitting here writing this comment instead of getting on with my next blog post. I’ve decided to stop panicking that I’m way overdue with the post - I spent the day baby-sitting the piano tuner and reading and making notes from a book that will give me ideas in the future (i’ve figured I’m in for the long haul - I may as well see thinking ahead as a useful activity).

I have a family commitment that takes me out of Melbourne for 1 to 3 days a week, and while it’s not that much time, it unsettles my workflow. I prefer to write this here rather than on my blog, because the “family commitment” may start reading my blog soon (a scary thought) - especially as I am in the process of getting the internet on for her!

@John Hoff - StatCounter also gives live stats (it’s the one I use most - and look at FAR too often!)

Robins last blog post..Gratitude and Miracles

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Hi Barbara- This is my schedule-

Up at 4:30 to check email and reply to comments.

Then usual life and clinic commences around 6:00 am until 1-2 pm. I’ll then write a little and then go pick up the kids and mommy world starts again. After bedtime I come back to the computer and write for the following day.

I spend most of my time responding to my comments and writing my posts then I try to visit everyone but I usually run out of time.

Despite this my readership is growing. I think it’s the responding to comments that really helps and once or twice a week I really go for hours and visit a lot of blogs. And I mean hours. I grab something to drink and don’t get up!

(Sitting in the hotel in Hawaii it’s 8:42 pm Guam time but already very early am for everyone else. Tomorrow is going to be a coffee day!)

Dr.Casons last blog post..Can Someone Help with Me with the Bags?

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I’m not sure I’m on a blogging schedule anymore. I used to wake up and answer any emails and blog comment, then visit a few blogs in the morning, yours being one of them, or when I get to work, I check on a few. I write or make a notation of any future posts in my head or on a sheet of paper until the rest comes to me, then I’ll slip it in drafts. When I get home before bed, I start surfing again, commenting and reading other people’s blog. I usually reply to my comments around the 8-8:30ish hour. I need a better schedule than this. I have been reading a lot of blogs this past weekend and leaving comments.

Naturals last blog post..High Priced Domain

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I think I’d forget to check my stats if other people didn’t remind me to!

I do most of my blogging-related stuff M-F. I generally try not to on the weekends, other than responding to comments.

My typical day is to read and comment on other blogs during the day, respond to comments in the evening, write a post in the evening (maybe 2-4 times a week), and check stats whenever.

I’m also usually reading a book or ebook that I can use or discuss on my blog, or writing an ebook of my own.

@ Evelyn, I don’t check my feeds on the weekend, so Monday morning I have a lot to catch up on, and posts are much more likely to be “marked as read” without actually being read. Of course, I’d definitely read all your posts anyway, but consider that posting on the weekend might give you less “bang for the buck” than posting on weekdays.

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This does make interesting reading. I’m not sure I have a blogging routine anymore as I am trying to reduce the time I spend blogging and feeding my social media obsession.

I used to write lots of draft posts (I have too many ideas) and edit about 3 a week up to publishable standard (this is the hard part for me and my perfectionist streak). I would also spend ages visiting other blogs and commenting, then do my diggs and stumbling, check my stats, and reply to emails and comments. Of course this was shoved in between taking care of my son, the house, copywriting work, work emails, my fiction and off-line relationships. Oh, and I was also dabbling in internet marketing and studying that. All this got way too hard and the fun started to go out of it.

Now I’ve decided to refocus my life on what’s truly important to me and that means my son and my fiction and a new business idea I’m investigating. I love blogging but I do it for fun and connection so there’s no need to spend time actively growing it. I have only checked my stats on average once a month since April.

I still read a lot of blogs, but I drop this when necessary. I stumble less, but now I love twitter. I check my emails twice a day and not on the weekend until Sunday night. I reply to comments morning and night, but have cut my posting back to once a week. This will go up to twice now I’ve got my groove back.

Sometimes I think the best thing you can do for yourself and your blog is to interrupt your usual schedule, take a break, re- evaluate and then return with a new perspective. This blogging game can certainly eat into your life, if you let it.

Kelly

Kelly@SHE-POWERs last blog post..SHE-POWER Fiction: The Girl in the Window

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I think my blogging schedule would surprise a lot of people who don’t read my blog or know me.

I do almost all of my writing offline on the weekends. I normally write a week’s worth of posts on the weekends and save them to a thumb drive. I then cut and paste these posts onto my blog every weekday.

During the summer I am limited to about an hour a day online. I always go to my blog before I do anything else online. I approve any comments that are waiting for me, post an entry, and then check my email.

I then read the Blogs to Check that I have on the sidebar and try to comment on them. Sometimes I have time to surf but most of the times I do not.

This routine works good for me. I enjoy blogging so much and spend so much time thinking about and writing posts. It’s surprising that I spend most of this time offline but that’s how it has to be right now.

Chase Marchs last blog post..My Top 5 All-time Favourite TV Shows

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After reading all this comment i think i should seriously think about time management and work on my blogging schedule.

right now am not following any particular routine. i check my stats when ever i feel like or read feeds i have subscribed. post only 4 new article (thats Max number) but 1 thing that i do without failing is checking Blogging without Blog and 7pProduction every day.
Sunil Pathaks last blog post..Pleas Help Me My Friends Are My Only Subscribers

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My typical day consists of checking my stats… And on occasion, I find time to write an article and comment on other blogs.

One thing I do try to do, however… Is to write articles ahead of time. I do not post every day. The goal of my blog, at this time, is three posts a week.

Bamboo Forests last blog post..Be Embarrassed about Nothing

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I’m not sure I have a typical day. because I have my family and my paid work to tend to. But I do try to read and comment daily, even if that means not posting daily.

I don’t spend any time to speak of on social media because I still don’t get it!

My posting has dropped off lately, partly because of my new job, and partly because I’ve been working on putting together a new self-hosted blog, and that has been challenging - and time-consuming!

I have no doubt that I could happily spend all day working on blogging if I had the time!

Ann at One Bag Nations last blog post..Wear Your Clothes!

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Hi Robin,

Time away can upset our (blog) work flow. Learning to adjust our schedules becomes the key - which is not always that easy to do.

Hi MizFit,

Welcome to the BWAB community!

I don’t envy you at all, but I’m sure potty training takes priority. Good luck!

Hi Dr. Cason,

It’s great to see your comment as I know you’ve in Hawaii for a few days. I pray you find an answer for Jake’s health condition.

Hi Catherine,

I do know you have a lot on your plate right now (with your plans for emigrating), but it sounds like you’ve been able to adjust your schedule to accommodate the changes.

Hi Natural,

I’m sure not having access to the internet threw a money wrench into your schedule too. That’s always a frustrating event.

Hi Karl,

That’s awfully sweet of your wife to edit your posts for you. Do you think we’ll see her guest posting on your blog?

Hi Hunter,

I’m guessing reading books that you’re going to review takes up a chunk of your time. Plus, writing ebooks isn’t an easy feat either.

BTW: I’m slowing making my way through your fascinating book about Japan. It’s a great read.

Hi Al,

I hear you. I, too, like some sort of “routine”.

I know what you and Hunter are saying about hitting the “mark as read” button, I do that a lot to the big name blogs I subscribe to. I just scan the titles.

RE: Twitter/Plurk/Friendfeed, personally, I do not have time for them, although I’ve read they are great ways to get more traffic.

Hi Kelly,

For you bloggers who have young children, I can imagine it’s difficult to have much of a routine.

I agree, life itself and those around us, should be our top priority. With blogging being an (additive) hobby, finding balance becomes most important. Putting undue pressure on ourselves sets us up for burnout.

Hi Sara,

You have the right idea; blog when the urge strikes, and enjoy life in the process.

Hi Chase,

From reading your blog, I know you’re at the library (for one hour a day), for blogging purposes. With a time frame of 5 hours a week, you’ve found a great way to be efficient by utilizing your time to the max.

Hi Mark,

As an artist, it sounds like you’re constantly being inspired. Your blog posts reflect that.

Hi Sunil,

Thank you for your kind words.

Keep in mind, although some bloggers prefer a blogging schedule, others do fine without one. If what you’re doing is working for you, keep doing it.

Hi John,

Double check where your code is entered. Mine is in my main index template php file. I’ll come by later and visit, and then you can see if your numbers change.

Hi Bamboo,

Writing posts ahead of time is a great idea. I’ve done some of that in the past, but often the time element prevents it.

Hi Hyrcan,

I actually enjoy blog posts that display photos with a caption or brief summary. It’s a great way to share favorite pictures. Many use that technique for their “Wordless Wednesdays”.

Hi Ann,

Congratulations again on your new job.

Anytime we start making major changes, like switching over to a self hosted blog or changing our themes, it becomes time consuming (and a learning lesson). Just hang in there, I have no doubt you’ll do just fine.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Lance,

For new bloggers it’s often a question of what’s the most important. If you read about blogging (which I did a lot of), it can be overwhelming. That’s when you need to step back and ask, “what works for me?”. There’s no way we can do it all and still live a productive and happy life.

And yes, as the months go by, you’ll see your blogging patterns changing.

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@ Barbara - Sitemeter says to put the code in my sidebar template?

John Hoff - eVentureBizs last blog post..A Glimmer Of Hope For Those With Bad Credit

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Schedule? Hmmm… don’t have one yet and THAT is driving me crazy! I’m usually a super-organized person, but life has dealt me a new hand and I haven’t learned how to play it yet

I love blogging, but don’t have an idea for my next post (which is overdue — boo hoo). The weekend was spent at a Coaching Workshop and now I’m proofreading for a friend this week who’s on holidays. I miss my blog and all of yours too… I’ll be back…

One thing that I like to do is revist the blogs where I have commented and read the reply.

Davinas last blog post..The Beauty Path

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Hi Davina,

It’s tough to put ourselves on a schedule when we’re not certain how much time we want to devote to blogging. What I found finally worked for me was growing my blog slow. That gave me time to adjust to the changes. I also tweaked my other work and home life schedules so I can get done what’s important to me.

YES, I noticed your avatar is working. What a beauty!

I’m glad I could help.

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it!

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1. First thing in the morning, drink espresso, check for and respond to comments that arrived over night
2. Go to work, and during my breaks (well, you know..for the most part during my breaks) write my next day’s post, read blogs I can access from work, write reponses and save to notepad (because I can’t post at work)
3. Upon arriving home, drink an iced espresso, respond to any comments that arrived during the day, copy and paste my comments to other blogs, and post the next day’s blog. Read and comment on the blogs I wasn’t able to access from work.
4. After all the household chores are done, drink espresso and eat dark chocolate, settle in for an hour or so, to work on technical blogging strategies with the Urbane Lion, and help him wordsmith his blog postings (Urbane Lion’s Den coming soon!), because he’s a Frenchman writing in English and by his own admission needs a little polishing.

I could dedicate a whole day to blogging, but my 9-5, well paid, benefits included, steady paycheque job seems to get in the way. Now if I could only win that lottery.

Urban Panthers last blog post..Santagati and the Great Canadian Beaver

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Barbara,

It really depends from day to day, ‘cos I am a SAHM with 3 litlte kids. Typically, I TRY to get one blog post written before 10am but it doesn’t always happen that way.

I check my Google Reader once every other day or two. I am checking my stats less and less frequently. Sometimes I think I get overwhelmed with the other aspects of blogging and wish I could focus on the writing only, but I do enjoy the community and I do realize that if I didn’t stick my nose out there and participate, there would be no community for me to enjoy, so I just keep plugging at it when I can!

I’d love to have more time to just write though!

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I’m in the process of totally reworking my daily activities/schedule so I can’t say what they will be at the time.

I can say it has been lots of reading other blogs, commenting, stumbling, digging, emails and a lot of time spent on my one post per week.

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Barbara -

I do all of the tasks that you’ve listed but I don’t have a set time or certain sequence. When I write, I tend to spend entire day or two writing. I normally write long posts - 1500-2000 words. Once I finish writing and publish the article, I go around the blogosphere and make comments on the blogs that I like. Lately, social networking is also taking a great deal of time. It’s a juggernaut act of balancing your life and love for the blogging.

Shilpan

Shilpan | successsoul.coms last blog post..7 Habits to Master the Art of Winning against the Odds

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Hey Barbara, thanks for your reply. I think I would have to agree with the “burn out” thing. I sure wouldn’t want to end up in hospital for exhaustion, due to an exerting life as a blogger! Gotta work out a balance somehow.

Evelyn

Evelyn Lims last blog post..Think Simple Now and Grow Rich

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Nice to kind of pick the brain of another blogger. I have become more organized, trying to write posts the same three days each week, the same way (I write with pen and paper, then type up word doc, then add to blog page). I try to stay on top of comments and visiting other blogs, as you mention, but often get bogged down with the all the networking. As for weekends…it is a wonderful day when I ignore my laptop for most of it.

peace,
Mike
livelife365

Mike Fosters last blog post..This Spud’s For You

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Hi Vered,

It sounds like you have your schedule well organized. Decreasing to two posts a week would free up more time, and I know with you having a family, that’s important.

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Hi Ricardo,

I don’t mind if you take up half the page

It sounds like your schedule is similar to mine. We can only do so much in a day, and some things fall off.

It’s easy to become a stataholic, isn’t it. I try real hard not to waste too much time on those.

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