Blogging doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. I’ve compiled 7 must-have tech tools and tips for making blogging easier. They tackle every aspect of blogging, from inspiration though to publication, and they could transform your blog writing instantly!
1. Pocket
For many people, finding inspiration is the hardest aspect of blogging. Online resources, like whitepapers, eBooks and other blogs, are ideal for triggering a wave of inspiration – but they can be hard to keep track of. Instead of flitting between hundreds of bookmarks, Pocket is a browser plugin that compiles your resources into a handy dashboard. As well as saving your resources in one place, Pocket allows you to access websites without an internet connection – and it’s available for a host of mobile devices.
2. Dragon Dictation
We aren’t all super-fast typers, and putting virtual pen to virtual paper can be the most time-consuming aspect of writing a blog post. If you’re looking to get your ideas down without developing RSI, it’s worth trying Dragon Dictation. This market-leading dictation software package offers intuitive speech transcription, allowing you to sit-back, relax, and compose your next post without lifting a finger. Dragon Dictation is also available for iPhone and iPad – making it perfect for blog writing on the go.
3. OmmWriter
If you’d prefer to stick to typing, the next of our tips for making blogging easier is perfect for you. OmmWriter aims to make writing an enjoyable and productive experience. It’s a text processor that combines gorgeous backgrounds and soothing audio tracks with keystroke sounds, and a wonderfully minimal interface. Perfect for clearing your mind, and focusing on the task at hand!
4. RescueTime
RescueTime allows you to monitor your online activity, and rate your own productivity. Specific websites and desktop applications can easily be assigned a ‘productivity value’, with beneficial activities like blog writing allocated a high-productivity value, and distracting activates like Youtube or social media assigned a lower value. Your daily productivity is then analyzed, and a score allocated. RescueTime allows you to track your productivity over days, weeks and months, and recognize the areas where you waste most time – making it one of the best tips for making blogging easier in the long-term.
5. Focus Booster
If you’re guilty of spending endless hours on blog posts without achieving any progress, the next of our tips for making blogging easier is ideal. Focus Booster structures your blog writing according to the Pomodero principle of productivity, allocating 25-minute intervals of writing, interspersed with 5-minute breaks. This handy app allows you to increase the efficiency of your writing, preventing you from wasting time when your productivity flags.
6. CoffeeCup
All the best blogging ideas start in coffee shops – and tips for making blogging easier are no exception. Want to improve the layout and design of your blog, but aren’t familiar with HTML and CSS? No worries! CoffeeCup allows you to edit virtually any visual aspect of your blog. If you’re looking to reinvent your site with a fresh new theme; convert your site to become fully-mobile responsive; or even add a ton of extra functionality to your blog, like contact forms and surveys, CoffeeCup has you covered.
7. Hootsuite
Once you’ve written and published your posts, you need to make sure that they’re promoted across your social media networks at the optimal times. Instead of waiting by your PC day and night for the best times to post, try Hootsuite. Hootsuite is a social media dashboard that allows you to automate your Shares, Tweets and Posts. It also comes with a range of extra functionality and tips to make blogging easier – from trending Hashtags to comprehensive blog traffic analysis.
QUESTION: Which tech tools do you use for easier blogging? Let me know in the comments!
