My 4 Favourite Blog Tools

I still consider myself a “newbie” in this blogging world ~ but I do so love it and what it has taught me over the past year. I wanted to share with you my most often used blog tools…2 of which are not “techie” at all!

1. A notebook by my computer.

notebook

When I first started blogging and using tutorials for everything, I found myself writing notes on scrap pieces of paper…and then looking all over for them when I needed the information again! Now I just write it down in the notebook. If I ever need to reference something I found in the past, it’s all in the same place. It’s also a sort of “diary” of my blogging journey.

notebook page

2. A calendar of blog post ideas. I’m sure there is some fancy, schmancy computer calendar planning program out there, but this time I chose to go old school. I learned this trick when I was doing the 31 Days series last month. Here’s how I do it:

  • I have a separate calendar for each of my blogs. (I also do a blog for the camp we live/work at. You can find it here.)
  • I write down all the ideas for posts I have. When I actually write the post and publish it, I cross it off the calendar.

calendars

I admit that it felt a little strange at first to be writing posts a week in advance. However, once I got in the groove, it worked pretty neat. That might not work for you, and I don’t think it will always be the norm for me, either… But, it’s fun for a while!

3. Windows Live Writer. Oh, I love this (free, downloadable) program so much! In fact, I’m using it right now. It allows you to write all your posts off line. Inserting pictures, watermarking them, and linking up are a breeze. I can’t recommend this enough.

4. Tutorials written by other bloggers. Fellow bloggers have become my blog teachers. I discovered some “how to” series that have been incredibly helpful. Here are a few of them:

My Repurposed Life ~ Gail had a series called “Blog Tips for Beginners”. I studied and studied it. I recommend typing that into her search engine. You’ll see that she continues on with the series at a later date, as well. She was the one who walked me through (virtually, that is) the whole Live Writer thing.

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia ~ Kristen has a section called “Blog Tips” that have also been very helpful for me.

Funky Junk ~ Donna’s tutorial on becoming a “comment friendly blog” was so easy to follow. I just did what she told me to do…step by step. It worked like a charm.

Hopefully that is of help to some of you. If you’re new to this blogging thing, don’t give up! My favourite tip is “google” every question you have. It’s amazing how much you learn that way.

Trust me…I’m so not computer savvy. If I can do this, so can you!Smile

Linking to: At Home with K

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3 Comments

  1. Hi Ritajoy

    I am going to go to every blog that you have listed so I can be a better blogger thanks for the advise too! xoxo sherri

  2. I have been using Live Writer for a while and love it, I'll have to start writing blogs ahead of time plus writing them down on a calander…great idea! I'm also going to buy a notebook tomorrow:) I've used the scrap of paper too…doesn't work!
    Thanks for posting this it really is goiing to be a great help.

    Rondell

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