Comments on: The Distribution of Inspiration — Productive Blogging

By: Wareprise

Wareprise — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:14:59 +0000

Whenever I have lots of ideas to write about, I would create a draft post immediately and stuff it with keywords on what the post is all about.

When a time comes when I can’t think of what to write about, revisiting these drafts definitely helps. With these drafts, it’s all about creating sentences and joining all keywords together to come out with one blog post.

Those inspiration time frame just don’t open all the time and when it does, it’s good to jot down immediately.

By: Neil Kelty

Neil Kelty — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:47:44 +0000

One thing I’ve learned to do is when I first load up the Wordpress page I am sure to change the timestamp right away for a couple of days later. That way I don’t “forget.”

But great advice Mark on resisting that natural urge.

By: Productive Blogging Posts at Productivity501

Productive Blogging Posts at Productivity501 — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:02:16 +0000

[...] The Distribution of Inspiration – Understanding how inspiration is distributed is crucial in maintain a regular posting schedule. Pace yourself and don’t get discouraged when your mind is blank, but plan ahead when you have plenty of ideas. [...]

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:56:40 +0000

I agree, Mark. When the inspiration comes and I produce more posts than what I need, I often feel the urge to post more frequently. But I’ve learned from experience that, just as you said, “the valleys will come”.

In recent months I’ve learned to resist the urge and keep posting with my normal schedule. I’ll save the other posts as my “backup posts”. This way, when the valleys come, I will always have something to post and my blog is regularly updated as a result. In my case, I try to maintain at least a week worth of backup post.

I think the key is finding the right rhythm for us

By: Bill James-Wallace

Bill James-Wallace — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:21:40 +0000

Mark – thanks for replying. good advice. I’ve written a couple of posts that are now out to a week and a fortnight away and, while I’d like to publish them straight away, I’ll hold off and thank myself (and you) in a couple of weeks.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:04:38 +0000

@Bill — If you post 4 to 5 times per day for a month and then drop of to once or twice per week, then yes, I’d say it is a problem. If you have a lot to say that isn’t time sensitive, I would work on getting two posts per week all set to go for the rest of the year. That way you present a consistently updated blog even if you are too busy to post for a week or so.

If you still have time, go back and fill in with other posts or time sensitive stuff as it comes up. Also keep in mind that if your blog is growing, you’ll have more readers next month than this month. You don’t want to work yourself to death this month and be burned out when you have more readers next month. You are better off spreading things out at a reasonable rate to make the most of future readers.

By: Bill James-Wallace

Bill James-Wallace — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:27:12 +0000

By the way, happy 6th wedding anniversary for last Saturday!

By: Bill James-Wallace

Bill James-Wallace — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:24:11 +0000

Great post and something I need to take on board. But here’s a question: I have some spare time at the moment and can post 4 – 5 times a day. Is that ‘wrong’? Should I keep it to one per day and post date the rest? Is posting too many times per day a bad idea?

By: chad doane

chad doane — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:39:22 +0000

I know when I’m blogging that I get to have one day off a week because I’ve asked my friend to write a weekly music post for my blog. Get your friends involved in your blog. You’d be amazed at the amount people who simply want to contribute their thoughts and ideas to a blog but don’t want to deal with the technical aspects of keeping a blog up and running.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:05:59 +0000

@Percy – If you are using Wordpress, you should be able to schedule the post in the future. Look for the “post timestamp” on the right hand side of the page.

By: Percy

Percy — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:14:36 +0000

I’m one of those sporadic bloggers and I think that your post hits the nail right on my head. I’ll check out if I can schedule posts using my blog, but even if I can’t, writing posts in a text file and posting with some sort of consistent frequency should be do-able.

Thanks.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:04:45 +0000

I completly agree. Now, whenever I finish a post earlier and I feel satisified with it, I publish it for the next empty day in the future. Also with the help of six great posts by others, I’ve been able to have one post a day since I started my blog.