Schedule It? Or Do It When The Mood Strikes?

 96 Comments on Schedule It? Or Do It When The Mood Strikes? 0 1224

In a recent post we shared how we blog and from reading the comments we found out bloggers use anything from a pad and pencil to blogging on their phones.

So for new bloggers who wonder if one way (to blog) is better than another, the answer is, “No. It comes down to doing what works best for you”.

Now that we have the “how” question answered, let’s move on to the “When?”.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, I wasn’t sure how I’d squeeze writing time into my already busy schedule (we are self-employed and I work in a home office), but I figured I’d find a way.

And I did.

In between phone calls, administrative work and errands, I’d sneak in blocks of time to learn blogging. The more I learned about blogging, the more time I wanted to invest in it. I became more efficient in my real job which opened up more time for blogging.

I’ll admit. In the beginning I was addicted to blogging. I was also addicted to checking my statistics too often, and tried to analyze information I didn’t understand. I played with coding, crashed my blogs, and changed my theme more times than I can count.

Some might say it was time wasted, but for me it was fun.

Now, four years later, I’ve settled into a pattern of blogging after dinner. once or twice a week when the house is quiet and I am alone with my thoughts.

Although I receive inspiration all day long (for blog posts), my writing time is usually at night.

What say you?

Today’s Assignment

When you do blog?

Do you schedule time for blogging or do you just do it when the mood strikes?

Care to share?

~Barbara

96 thoughts on “Schedule It? Or Do It When The Mood Strikes?”

  1. Hi Barbara .. starting out we need to plan and post every day around our passion or the subject we’ve decided to blog about, get a few followers by commenting back and forth, building that rapport, learn Google Reader and subscribe to a few blogs, and then grow as we see fit ..

    For the first year I posted over 200, but when the 2nd year came and illness to care .. I was down to 75 – but I’d built a following by then .. and by having ‘a different’ blog I’m lucky people enjoy visiting and seeing what’s going on.

    I’m about to write regularly as I can see that’s the logical thing to do .. and as life is becoming more settled. I really need to dictate some of my posts when they come to me – as my brain works faster and has more hours in it .. than my fingers do or computer does?!

    Still it’s a fun supportive place to be .. I hope a few of you will pop over and say hi to a Sunshine Lad – Lenny (11), who has his own blog .. and he’d just love to say hi .. my blog post is a fun one .. looking forward to seeing some kind souls – cheers for now .. Hilary

    1. Hi Hilary,

      You’ve raised a good point. When we start blogging, posting regularly and getting out and commenting and meeting other bloggers is a great way to “get found”. As time passes, or life gets in the way, posting less may mean fewer articles in our archives, but if we’ve established good relationships, our readership should remain constant, or even grow.

      I’ll come by soon and “meet” Lenny. Thank you for the heads up. 🙂

      1. Hi Barbara .. thanks it seems to be true – that momentum is there and continues on – as long as we’re around and active … may be “disorganised” for a while … but there – the April A – Z Challenge enhanced the blogging world … Cheers H

        When you come over to ‘meet’ Lenny .. you may not be able to leave a comment – as I changed a blogger setting .. can you email me or leave a note here with what happens .. thanks very much .. I’ll keep any eye out .. (ie can you comment; what do you need to enter URL, name etc … I don’t think it’ll be automatic anymore … and you may not be able to leave a comment – as you use WP and not Blogger ) … Thanks v much .. you can take this bit out if you want …

        1. Hi Hilary,

          Yes. Sometimes we do become a little disorganized, but in time we get back on track.

          I just left a comment on your blog. I used my Google ID, but do see what you mean about the choices being less.

          I didn’t leave my name or URL, just hit the Google button.

        2. Hi Barbara .. thanks – is it possible to try without using your Google log in etc .. so you’re commenting from without the google boundaries? That’s what I was trying to test .. many thanks – appreciate your help .. cheers H

  2. I am lucky because I am retired so I can blog when I feel like it. My biggest problem is ideas coming to me when I am nowhere near my computer and not always having something to jot the idea down.

    I often write my blogs during the day in order to post them early the next morning and frequently I start writing when an idea comes to me. Most of my blogs are composed of pretty random thoughts although food plays a big part and I always post a recipe.

    1. Hi Jo,

      Yes. You are lucky to be retired. 🙂

      What I found works for me when I’m away from the computer and I come up with an idea is to use the recorder on my cell phone.

      I’ve seen some of your recipes. They look and sound yummy.

  3. Hi Barbara, I tend to blog less often now than I did at the beginning of my blog, but I do write when I get the urge rather than having a set time or pattern. Probably not the best way, but I need to do it when I can, not when I ‘have’ to or I find there is very little in my head to write about!

    Enjoy the journey.

    Mandy

    1. Hi Mandy,

      That’s true. When we feel forced to write something, ideas can elude us, but if we’re writing when inspiration strikes, we’re more apt to publish something of value.

  4. I blog in the evening after work. I don’t watch television so I find that I have plenty of time. I will post at least once a week but have no set schedule. Sometimes family members will want me to post something. They will send me the text and photographs and I will format it. I make them the author.

    If any family and friends have blogs I make sure I follow them and make comments to give them encouragement.

    1. Hi Rick,

      It sounds like your schedule works very well for you. I like your idea of sharing articles written by family members. It not only helps having more than one person contributing, but I’ll bet they feel honored to have their “works” on your blog.

  5. Schedule! Although sometimes when the mood/inspiration strikes, I just sit down and write something, even if just a rough draft.

    1. Hi Vered,

      I hear you. Sometimes inspiration strikes and if we don’t write it down (even as a draft or just a title). we’re apt to forget. Good point!

  6. Hi! I write my blog, when the evening becomes peaceful. Lay in the bed of their favorite kids. Turn the TV on for background. And then I can describe my thoughts that I had had throughout the day.

    1. Hi Fireplace Mantels,

      I know what you’re saying. At the end of the day when we’re able to relax is a great time to gather our thoughts and put them down on paper/our blog.

  7. For me, I always write when I feel like it but my goals are probably different than others. I don’t write to make an income, I write for inspiration and to give others advice.

    1. Hi Henway.

      I agree. Depending on why we’re blogging can determine how often we post, as well as when we blog/write. Not having the pressure to post can result in more well thought out articles.

  8. Hi Barbara,

    I don’t visit blogs regularly anymore. I have them come to me in Google Reader instead. I think a lot of people do this nowadays as well. Other people will check the actual site daily, but I feel that I don’t necessarily need to post daily.

    I only schedule my Teaching Tip Tuesday posts weekly during the school year. The rest of the time, I aim to have at least 3 posts up per week.

    I think this works and it gives me time to do all the other things I do in life as well. Blogging is just a small part, but it is a part I love so I keep it up at what amounts to an irregular schedule now, but one that will at least deliver three new posts a week.

    Of course, I prewrite posts. I try not to put up two entries in one day, but I will often write two. Having posts ready to go also helps keep up the momentum of posting and gives you days off from writing.

    That’s what works for me!

    1. Hi Chase,

      I know what you’re saying. If we have a “series” like your Tuesday Teaching Tips, it’s important we remain consistent.

      You hit the nail on the head with your idea of pre-writing posts. That’s a great way to have something to publish when inspiration eludes us. Or, like you said, to have time off from writing.

  9. I practice both ways, Barbara. Sometimes I sit down and do freestyle writing in the morning even when I’m not feeling inspired. It’s interesting what you end up writing when you forget about yourself. Other times, I feel inspired and I can’t wait to put pen to paper.

    I don’t check my Reader as often as I used to when it comes to blogging. More often than not, the posts I end up reading were shared on Facebook or Twitter. As for having a schedule for blogging, I don’t have one. I find it easier to schedule freestyle writing when I’m not inspired, than I do to read when I’m not in the mood.

    1. Hi Davina,

      I’ve heard of freestyle or morning writing, but have never tried it. Sounds like a fascinating exercise.

      I know what you’re saying about how your blogging style or schedule has changed. I’m guessing that’s pretty common for seasoned bloggers. We put more on our plates and run out of time.

  11. Hi,

    A lot of bloggers blog whenever they’re in the mood, but if they won’t be in the mood for a few days – the visitors and readers will start to go away and loose their interest in your blog/website. We must keep an equilibrum between what we like to do and what we have to do. Also, following a schedule is something extremely good and helpful.

    Best wishes,

    George

    1. Hi George,

      You’ve raised a good point, especially for bloggers who are new. It’s one thing to draw people into our blogs but if we’re posting so erratically it’s confusing our readers, they may stop reading. For those who have dozens or hundreds of articles in their archives, not having a new post up may inspire a visitor to check out one of the older ones.

  12. Hi B
    No schedule.
    I think of an idea, open a Word document, add to it when I have time, edit as needed and then move it over to my development blog, which is on my PC (local install using XAMPP).

    In the development blog I can see how it looks, add graphics and video etc.

    Once I’m happy I cut and paste to my online blog, upload graphics and hit that big PUBLSH button.
    Oh the joy of hitting that big P button. LOL

    Absolutely no schedule.

    1. Hi K,

      It sounds like you’ve found a system that works well for you. I think that’s a big part of it. And even though you don’t have a schedule, you “know” when it’s time to hit “PUBLISH”.

  13. I keep a pad and pen with me everywhere I go. Lots of times I have several great ideas that can be pieced together forming a giant workable idea. As I go through my day, and in twilight I see things that pop out at me and if I didn’t write them down, I would be screwed! 🙂

    1. Hi Trudy,

      I hear you. It’s like our best ideas pop up at the most unexpected times. Having a pad and pen handy is a great way to capture those ideas and then expand on them later.

  14. My blogging journey has not been so far very good.I blog when I feel I should write a post and I use mostly windows live writer in my desktop and some time pen and paper

    1. Hi Torry,

      What I found is blogging takes practice, and patience. I think if we keep at it long enough, we end up finding a rhythm that works for us and soon it becomes second nature.

  15. I have bosons at work constantly harassing me about “schedule” all week. The last thing I need to do in my down-time is add yet ANOTHER schedule.

    Hence, I blog if…or when, I feel like it.

    And it doesn’t seem to affect traffic any.

  16. Hi Barb! I’m a scheduler – but I seem to be blogging a lot. They are drafts, when something hits me, or I read something I want to blog about, I do a rough draft right then and there. When it’s time for me to schedule a month’s worth – or two – I’ll go to the drafts and polish them up, add videos or whatever. I also have a blogging notebook with clips of articles from mags or newspapers, or something I wrote out when I wasn’t near a computer. It’s loaded! Guessin’ I’ll be around awhile! 🙂
    Hope you are enjoying summer! We went from 60’s to 90’s seemingly overnite!
    hugs
    suZen

    1. Hi Suzen,

      Wow. It does sound like you’ve got lots to blog about. And…with you switching to a new niche, I’ll bet your ideas for blog posts are unlimited. Happy Blogging! 🙂

  17. Hi Barb,

    I usually blog in the weekend and it’s very difficult for me to find a set schedule for blogging since i’ve to split time with my family.

    1. Hi Andrew,

      I think finding/making time to blog is one of the hardest things about blogging. It’s an additional hobby which needs time too, but we certainly don’t want to steal time away from our family and friends.

  18. As for me, I try to do some routine blogging activity like deleting spam posts or looking for some information regularly but if we talk about responding to people’s comments or writing posts, I prefer doing it at night (or late in the evening) when the whole family has gone to bed and nobody is running near me asking for a bedtime tale.
    But sometimes when I feel sad or out of mood, I can visit my favorite blogs and read, post or comment there. It helps to relax.

    1. Hi Anna,

      It sounds like your blogging schedule is similar to mine. 🙂 I agree. Blogging and all of the activities that go along with it can be relaxing. And like you said, if we don’t feel like writing, we can always go visit fellow bloggers.

  19. Blogging was an obsession, then a passion, and now a piece of love time. I publish when I have something that feels hot about getting out. If I’m not excited about it, why would a reader be? So I go for content rather than frequency.

    If the subscriber number were going down, I’d reconsider frequency, but they have steadily increased. The readership is very much up and down due to my erratic posting.

    Thankfully, the numbers are indicators for me, not drivers.

    1. Hi Amy,

      I like how you put that, “a piece of love”. That’s true. When we blog because we enjoy writing and/or sharing, it shows in our words.

      Congrats on your increasing numbers. 🙂

  20. I have the same issues that you once had with checking my statistics too often, analyzing information I don’t understand, and crashing my blogs. In the end, I’m learning that it’s all about focusing on content and the rest will fall into place. I’ve limited my checking of analytics to once a month.

    1. Hi Alice,

      Aren’t you glad you’re past that stat checking phase? That can be maddening.

      I agree. When we do focus on our content and why we’re blogging, the rest begins to fall into place.

  21. Wow great tips! I am aspiring blogger.I want to blog but I don’t know when and how to start. I really enjoy reading personal blog. It’s very inspiring…. thanks for sharing all your experiences.

    1. Hi Kevin,

      I never thought of that; how Google may treat a blog as “automated” if posts are published on a set schedule. I’ll have to check into that.

  23. OK this little trick has always served me well: evaluate what comes up in the day (distractions etc.) If it takes less than 2 minutes to deal with do it right then. If it is going to take longer and can wait, write it down to do later when your main tasks are done for the day. I always end up with a revolving list, but everything gets doen and I never miss a major deadline!

    1. Hi Trudy,

      Thank you for your time saving tip. I like the idea of taking care of those “little things” right away and then prioritizing those which can be done later.

  24. I’m going to go ahead and say that “do it when the mood strikes” can sometimes pave the way for troublesome procrastination ahead. Of course we always need to take advantage of those random bursts of inspiration, but just waiting for them with no regular schedule can contribute to a snowballing feeling of writer’s block that we’ve all felt from time to time.

    1. Hi Greg,

      Good point. If we continue to wait for the mood to strike and it never does, there goes the blog.

      Having some sort of schedule (and focus) for our blogs can help to keep us on track.

  25. I’m a fairly new blogger (8 months) and have done a little bit of everything. I’ve settled into a rhythm finally and it feels right. I’ll write a draft then expand on it when I can dedicate time. I love quotes and photography therefore I always have those to share in-between posts that require more time to prepare.

    This is my first comment here by the way! I’ll be stopping by more often 😀

    1. Thank you for stopping by and commenting Sylvia,

      That’s a fabulous idea to use quotes and/or photos when time is limited. Not only does it give you more time for the posts which need more time to prepare, but it gives your readers new content to check out.

      P.S. I just checked out your “airplane” post.

  26. Blogging is one of the important platform we use to express our thoughts before world. Here we are open for comments from other which gives a fair idea of our thought. But maintaining our blog is never easy, all the time we are not free and thoughts comes any time so whenever we think any thing just note it down and in free tine post it.

    1. Hi Jonathan,

      That’s true. Blogging is not easy. It takes time and dedication. Jotting down the ideas as they happen is a great way to gather ideas for future posts.

  27. Hi Barbara, blogging is one of the most helpful options one can definitely possess when maybe in free time or maybe regularly!! Also, it is my passion to write blogs & inculcate information to the world!! Also, maintaining the rhythm of blogs is as difficult as maintaining body health!! I do it just the way I can maybe anytime permissible to me!! Thanks!! I loved your article!!! 🙂

  28. I write all the time – my cell phone has a memo voice recorder so when i am out walking if the idea strikes – I leave a note.

    My blogging is about sharing my writing and putting my ideas out. I schedule the posts and writing time to fit into my busy day.

    Now I am going to write a new blog WISE EARS to offer my professional listening services so I will be working about 30 hours a week – listening to individuals, companies, new readers, deciders, and planners….this will change my schedule.

    I only read and comment on others blog posts 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Because my other passion is reading…and I read about 3 books a week – well that takes time too 🙂

    Contrary to most advice, I read my emails first thing in the morning for about 1 hour…delete with a heavy hand and organize them as to how they will fit into my day. This rather ignites my thinking and calms me down but does not distract me during other activities such as meditation and exercise.

    Another fun post…and 2 nights a week, now I am truly impressed 🙂

    1. Thank you Patricia,

      From reading your comment, it sounds like having a set schedule works best for you, especially with your busy schedule and with you starting a new blog/business.

      I like your idea for Wise Ears. Your knowledge holds value many will be able to benefit from. I wish you well on your new endeavor. 🙂

  29. Hi Barbara,

    Oh, you brought me back to my early blogging days. Like you, I fiddled around a lot with my blog and even learned HTML, the better to design! Then CSS came around and I didn’t want to learn yet another language, so WYSIWYG became my new best friend.

    I used to blog once a day if things were slow, and several times a day if I had a lot going on in my head. Now, however, it’s an “as I can get to it,” which is code for “I’m in polite denial that I just can’t hack it lately.” But I miss it terribly.

    Delena

    1. Hi Delena,

      It sounds like you needed a break from all you’ve been doing. Posting several times a day can get to be overwhelming, but as you know, blogs will wait for us. Enjoy your hiatus. 🙂

  30. Barbara,
    For me, it’s very much a little bit of scheduling and a little bit of “when the inspiration hits”… My best pieces have come early in the morning when I am the only one up. I think it’s the serenity.
    Great post.
    Darrem

    1. Thank you Darren,

      I agree. Serenity can give us inspiration. And I think once we find that “sweet spot” in our days we’re more apt see our muse show up.

  31. Normally I do blogging when my mood strikes or when I got some unique and exciting ideas, then my curiosity for share those ideas with others force e to do blogging.

  32. This is a nice post and its my first visit to your blog.I use to publish post each day some times in evening or morning.But the problem i use to face is when i am out of post or busy with some thing else i don’t post for a day or two.which i am afraid that i may loose visitors/readers.

    1. Hi The Shadow,

      Welcome. I know some bloggers feel a need to post every day, but from what I’ve heard other bloggers say is “too many posts from a fellow blogger can be overwhelming”. I say, relax and enjoy the journey. 🙂 As long as you’re providing value to your readers, they’ll stick around.

  33. Thanks Barbara,

    I agree with you – scheduling is very important to provide some consistence that our readers expect. Although it is VERY hard to do sometimes 🙁

    1. You’re welcome Jason,

      I know. Consistency is important, but so is our real life. Finding a good balance can be difficult. That’s where having a back up of pre-written posts which we can post-date works wonders.

  34. Hi Barbara,
    I tend to do most of my writing early in the morning. I actually find that my mind is fresh at that time and the writing flows better. It’s harder for me to focus on blogging after a long day of work.

    I do think about my blog topics in the evenings though and I’ll often gather up some of the materials, such as images that I want to use for a post in the evening and then do the writing in the morning. So, I may create a folder on my desktop and label it for my planned post. Then I’ll put some images, photos, infographics and stuff into that folder so that all that stuff is easily accessible when I write in the morning. That makes my actual post much easier to put together when I write it.

    1. Hi Richard,

      I like your idea of gathering as much information as possible ahead of time. Like you said, that way when you write your post, it’s all there. I don’t know about you, but I can spend quite some time finding images or links, and for me that can be a process which interferes with the writing process itself.

  35. Wow, you did great with the scheduling thing, Barbara. I could not even manage my own time. When I have bad mood then I choose not to write a blog.

    1. Thank you Andrew,

      Time management can be difficult, but I’ve found is if I REALLY want to do something, I will make the time to do it.

      I know what you mean about moods – being in a bad mood could easily, negatively affect our posts.

  36. I try to schedule my blogging hours, but it doesn’t work very well for me. So, whenever i feel like writing I just start to write.

    1. Hi Mia,

      Scheduling doesn’t work for everyone. I think it’s best if we find what works for us and go with that. Trying to force a system of writing “on schedule” could affect our joy of writing.

  37. Well for me, I didn’t schedule it nor do it when the mood strikes. I do it every now and then because it is my work but sometimes I don’t want to do it because I want to go outside rather than facing my computer all day.

    1. Hi Jane,

      You’ve raised a good point. If we blog for our job, we may not necessarily want to do it, but “have” to do it. That can easily take the fun out of writing. 🙁

  38. Hi Barbara…….Nice Post…….Thank you for sharing it with me. I have decided about blogging but I am in search for proper blogging schedule. After reading your post I come to know that blogging require silent zone(able to think more properly). I hope you write more on blogging schedule so I can start my blogging dream.

    1. Thank you Cheap Scrubs,

      I think it helps to be able to find quiet time for blogging, however others may be more inspired (to write) by noise, music or chaos. I’d say, find what works for you and start by looking at your schedule and seeing if you have “holes” of free time in which you can pursue your blogging journey.

  39. I think you have to have the urge to write. Maybe call it a “creative streak” to put the words in order. I needed to write a blog post about cucumbers and skincare for one of my accounts and I just wasn’t “feeling it”…..then one Saturday morning it all came together for me in my head and I quickly sat down and wrote a good article. The client loved it….and it is getting good SEO love. I think you have to be “in the moment” for good writing to occur.

    1. Hi Jan,

      That’s a good point. When we’re “in the moment” and “feeling it”. our writing comes easier. I can imagine when clients are counting on you to provide them with specific posts, it could be more difficult to find the inspiration “on a schedule”.

  40. One advantage of sending out the past as live immediately is that you don’t over think it. With my blog then I find myself editing and re-editing a post if it is scheduled – the post will be of a higher quality when it goes out but will have lost some of it’s energy and immediacy.

    So I say, don’t schedule – just do it!

    1. Hi Carmen,

      I know EXACTLY what you’re saying. If I continue to edit and re-edit posts, I’ve often found myself NOT publishing the article. Like you said, if we’re not careful, our posts can lose their energy.

  41. Scheduling is a thing of the past for me 🙁 I used to do that durign the first year of blogging where I wanted to post one post every other day. Right now, I post one post every five or six days and scheduling is done ONLY when I am on a week long (or longer) vacation.

    1. Hi Ajith,

      You’re right. When we want to publish more often, having a schedule is beneficial. I’m guessing now that you’re a seasoned blogger on a more flexible schedule, your readers show up no matter when you post. 🙂

  42. How sad am I? . I choose to do everything to schedule maybe it’s just because I need discipline to get stuff done. I actually use a stopwatch (clock) on my PC with an alarm to let me know when things should be completed. I find it has made me much more productive and I don’t sit thinking at the end of day what did I get done today.

    1. Hi Damien,

      That’s not sad at all. By the sounds of it, you’re being extremely productive and probably don’t let yourself become distracted easily, either. I see that as a great way to knock big chunks off of a “to do” list.

  43. Great question Barbara!

    When do we blog?

    I so agree with you that when we are new to blogging we try everything, even coding and themes. I don’t think it is a waste of time at all. Think of the time we used to waste watching TV. 2 or 3 hours could slip by in a second.

    I’d say I have blogging moments. Some days every day. Some days a couple of weeks.

    I was suprised to find that reposting favorite posts is fun too. Some recurrent ideas such as facebook, Twitter, comments and stats seem to touch a lot of people.

    Julie

    1. Thank you Julie,

      You’re right. What we try in the beginning of our blogging journey can be viewed as lessons and not necessarily wasting time.

      “Blogging moments.” I like that. 🙂 And I like your idea of re-posting favorite posts, too. It’s a great time saver plus gets old posts to the forefront.

  44. Hi Barbara,

    Personally i feel as though blogging is a skill, which takes great throught and creativity. Especially if you want to make it a successful article which people will comment and share their views and opinions on.
    So i think that the best time to write a blog is when you have been inspired by someone or maybe something.

    Michael

    1. Hi Tara,

      I’m sure you have your hands full during the day with five little ones. Blogging in the evening when the house is quiet not only gives us some alone time, but can spark our creativity as well.

  46. Pingback: Blogging Schedule: Once or Thrice? « Natasha McNeely's Guide to The Beyond

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