How Much Time Does It Take To Blog?

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How Much Time Does It Take To Blog?

I get asked that question a lot. Friends and other bloggers ask because they’re curious about how much time I spend blogging. Clients and prospects ask because they’re nervous about the time commitment.

I usually reply with a question of my own, “Are you talking about the time I’m thinking about blogging and the content I want to produce, or just the time it physically takes to type stuff out?”

Typing up a blog post takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. It rarely takes longer than that, although occasionally it does when I’m hunting around for a great image. Ultimately, it’s not the writing (and editing) time that’s significant – it’s the thinking time.

Blogging successfully means adopting a new mindset.

That’s really the challenge. When you get neck-deep into blogging you realize that the physical act of writing is nothing more than getting pre-written blog posts out of your head. They’re pre-written because you’ve been thinking about them already, sometimes for days or even weeks.

The Blogger Mindset has a few elements:

You become much more observant. Bloggers are observant people. They have to be. They need something to put into their blog tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. The Blogger Mindset means that you’re always looking around for something interesting to spur on a post. It might be a funny anecdote, an experience you’re having in life, or a song you’re listening to that triggers an idea. You’re always asking, “How can I turn that into a blog post?”
You become more focused. Bloggers need to focus. Whether it’s on one idea for a blog post or on the news in their industry / subject of choice, the Blogger Mindset means more focus. It is easy to get distracted when you start tracking hundreds of blogs and feeds, but successful bloggers know the importance of focus and they’re mastering it daily.
You become more of a salesperson. Bloggers need to be salespeople. Why? Because you’re selling your blog and its content. You’re selling it as important, meaningful, entertaining, worthwhile…and the more you blog and get into the Blogger Mindset the more you want to grow your audience and community. The result of that is becoming a better salesperson. In blog terms, selling means writing great headlines & copy and networking online.
You become more social. Blogging isn’t a one-way form of communication. There’s plenty of interaction involved. You want people commenting on your blog. As a result of blogging and developing the Blogger Mindset you’ll find yourself being more open and accessible, wanting to socialize and interact with people all the time. This is key component of blogging and part of why it takes commitment and time.
You become more strategic. Bloggers are strategic in a number of ways. As your blog gains popularity you’ll start looking for ways of leveraging that opportunity. Heck, opportunities will just come to you, but you have to be in the Blogger Mindset to recognize them and pounce on them. The Blogger Mindset means being strategic about what you post, how, when, why…you’re no longer just writing whatever comes to you, whenever you want.
It also means being strategic in terms of planning the development of your blog and using it as a springboard to other things. Your blog becomes part and parcel of everything you do. It’s strategically placed at the core of all other activities, things you’re doing, and how you think.

So, how much time does it take to blog?

How many hours are you awake in the day?

Welcome to the Blogger Mindset.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it!

March 8, 2007 Posted in Blogging by Ben Yoskovitz

http://middlezonemusings.com Robert Hruzek

Ben, you whacked the nail on the head with this one – good job! In fact, I might just keep this list around for your next “what I learned in 2007″ contest. These are the things we bloggers are learning how to do better, every single day.

And you know what? It’s not only incredibly rewarding, but incredibly fun and fulfiling, too! Now there’s a few good “why do I blog” reasons!
http://middlezonemusings.com Robert Hruzek

Ben, you whacked the nail on the head with this one – good job! In fact, I might just keep this list around for your next “what I learned in 2007″ contest. These are the things we bloggers are learning how to do better, every single day.

And you know what? It's not only incredibly rewarding, but incredibly fun and fulfiling, too! Now there's a few good “why do I blog” reasons!
http://www.thesandiegobeat.com Carole

This is so true, Ben! More and more often, I find myself pulling off the road to take a picture of something that I know I’ll want to write about.
Someone asked me recently how in the world I could find something to write about EVERY DAY! I find that the harder task is picking one from all of the things that I’d like to write about each day. There are just too many to get through.
In addition to carrying a digital camera, I’m now carrying a digital tape recorder to catch all of the new ideas that spring out everywhere I go.
I guess I’ve caught the Blogger mindset.
http://www.thesandiegobeat.com Carole

This is so true, Ben! More and more often, I find myself pulling off the road to take a picture of something that I know I'll want to write about.
Someone asked me recently how in the world I could find something to write about EVERY DAY! I find that the harder task is picking one from all of the things that I'd like to write about each day. There are just too many to get through.
In addition to carrying a digital camera, I'm now carrying a digital tape recorder to catch all of the new ideas that spring out everywhere I go.
I guess I've caught the Blogger mindset.
http://www.balancedlifecenter.com Nneka

Digital recorder, must get one! Thanks for the tip Carole.

“How many hours are you awake in the day?”

That is so true. I find I have to stop myself from making every little thing a blog post. Every step I take seems to have the potential. The trick for me is sifting through all the ideas to come up with just one for the evening.

In Spirit,
Nneka
http://www.balancedlifecenter.com Nneka

Digital recorder, must get one! Thanks for the tip Carole.

“How many hours are you awake in the day?”

That is so true. I find I have to stop myself from making every little thing a blog post. Every step I take seems to have the potential. The trick for me is sifting through all the ideas to come up with just one for the evening.

In Spirit,
Nneka
http://www.nayezpaspeur.ca/blog Philippe Martin

To complete, Cory Doctorow write that great post few years ago:
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/javascript/2002/01/01/cory.html
http://www.nayezpaspeur.ca/blog Philippe Martin

To complete, Cory Doctorow write that great post few years ago:
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/javascript/2002…
http://www.BusinessBlogWire.com Easton Ellsworth

Really? Only takes me 3 hours each day to do everything.

J/K – Really true, it takes your whole day if you really want to excel.
http://www.BusinessBlogWire.com Easton Ellsworth

Really? Only takes me 3 hours each day to do everything.

J/K – Really true, it takes your whole day if you really want to excel.
http://www.smalldogsparadise.com Renée

I’m the odd one here…it takes me foreveeeeeer to write just one post!
http://www.smalldogsparadise.com Renée

I'm the odd one here…it takes me foreveeeeeer to write just one post!
http://nurtur.co.uk/naked Naked Jonny

An observant, focused, social and strategic saleperson. Now there is a successful individual in any area of life. Nice one Ben.

Being new to the whole blogging game I find resisting the urge to write a new blog every 5 minutes is always a challenge.
I’m sure this will change when the novelty wears off…hopefully.
http://nurtur.co.uk/naked Naked Jonny

An observant, focused, social and strategic saleperson. Now there is a successful individual in any area of life. Nice one Ben.

Being new to the whole blogging game I find resisting the urge to write a new blog every 5 minutes is always a challenge.
I'm sure this will change when the novelty wears off…hopefully.
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http://nurtur.co.uk/naked Naked Jonny

“Blogging successfully means adopting a new mindset”

After reading your blog, it inspired me to write “How to be successful” which again focusses on the mindset of an individual.

Cheers Ben
http://nurtur.co.uk/naked Naked Jonny

“Blogging successfully means adopting a new mindset”

After reading your blog, it inspired me to write “How to be successful” which again focusses on the mindset of an individual.

Cheers Ben
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http://www.matthewsherborne.com Matthew Sherborne

Great stuff here!

There are so many distractions and never enough time. Focusing will ensure that things get things done quickly. Now I just need to take those words and use them… Damn A.D.D
http://www.matthewsherborne.com Matthew Sherborne

Great stuff here!

There are so many distractions and never enough time. Focusing will ensure that things get things done quickly. Now I just need to take those words and use them… Damn A.D.D
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http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com Chris Brown

Hi Ben:
Thanks for your post. I especially like point 6 about strategy. Staying on topic and staying focused is key in blogging. Sometimes I think I have too wide a focus and should break it down into several blogs… but hey, then where would I get several hours to keep them all up, right?

How important do you think it is to blog everyday? More than once a day?

Thanks!
Chris
brandandmarket.blogspot.com
http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com Chris Brown

Hi Ben:
Thanks for your post. I especially like point 6 about strategy. Staying on topic and staying focused is key in blogging. Sometimes I think I have too wide a focus and should break it down into several blogs… but hey, then where would I get several hours to keep them all up, right?

How important do you think it is to blog everyday? More than once a day?

Thanks!
Chris
brandandmarket.blogspot.com
http://www.samwarnaars.com Sam Warnaars

I think the mindset makes you a better person. I totally agree with you. I started blogging while I was interning on the other side of the world in a culture which was different from my own. It got me places a normal intern wouldn’t think about. It pays off to be curious. And well.. I don’t consider thinking about blogging as taking time
http://www.samwarnaars.com Sam Warnaars

I think the mindset makes you a better person. I totally agree with you. I started blogging while I was interning on the other side of the world in a culture which was different from my own. It got me places a normal intern wouldn't think about. It pays off to be curious. And well.. I don't consider thinking about blogging as taking time
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http://www.technospot.net/blogs Ashish Mohta

I guess it will depend how much time u spend.A new blogger might have to spend more to learn and professional blogger needs to think more.It has to be balanced one.
I spend around 3 hrs of making a post and rest of free time to read.I love to generate ideas
http://www.technospot.net/blogs Ashish Mohta

I guess it will depend how much time u spend.A new blogger might have to spend more to learn and professional blogger needs to think more.It has to be balanced one.
I spend around 3 hrs of making a post and rest of free time to read.I love to generate ideas
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http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com Robyn McMaster

Hi Ben, it takes me longer than I’d like at this point to write a blog.

One thing I’d add to your list is that blogging has kept me much more current in my field. I investigate new research and ideas and must admit without this, I would soon be a dinosaur
http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com Robyn McMaster

Hi Ben, it takes me longer than I'd like at this point to write a blog.

One thing I'd add to your list is that blogging has kept me much more current in my field. I investigate new research and ideas and must admit without this, I would soon be a dinosaur
http://spcbrass.blogspot.com Shawn C

Excellent post and really good observations about bloggers and the blogging mindset.
http://spcbrass.blogspot.com Shawn C

Excellent post and really good observations about bloggers and the blogging mindset.
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http://www.instigatorblog.com Ben Yoskovitz

Thanks for all the comments folks – glad you enjoyed the post. I may just have to develop The Blogger Mindset further…hhhmmm…
http://www.techtraction.com Bret

Another nice post. Thanks.

“How much time do I spend blogging?”

Well, still being fairly new my time is all over the place right now but I am trying to settle into a daily routine of reading other blogs, commenting, and then writing for my own. I’m still struggling with the focus of my blog and while I try to write daily, I only “publish” twice a week — for now.
http://www.instigatorblog.com Ben Yoskovitz

Chris – your comment got caught in spam – just replying to it now – I tend to post daily, but I don’t think it’s essential. I do think it helps to post a few times per week – not just for your audience/community but also for yourself – to stay in the groove and maintain the Blogger Mindset.
http://www.instigatorblog.com Ben Yoskovitz

Thanks for all the comments folks – glad you enjoyed the post. I may just have to develop The Blogger Mindset further…hhhmmm…
http://www.techtraction.com Bret

Another nice post. Thanks.

“How much time do I spend blogging?”

Well, still being fairly new my time is all over the place right now but I am trying to settle into a daily routine of reading other blogs, commenting, and then writing for my own. I'm still struggling with the focus of my blog and while I try to write daily, I only “publish” twice a week — for now.
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http://www.instigatorblog.com Ben Yoskovitz

Chris – your comment got caught in spam – just replying to it now – I tend to post daily, but I don't think it's essential. I do think it helps to post a few times per week – not just for your audience/community but also for yourself – to stay in the groove and maintain the Blogger Mindset.
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http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/blog/ Marios Alexandrou

When people tell me they don’t have the time to blog I respond with a question about how much time they spend watching TV. I then suggest they cut that in half and spend that time reading something. That’s what I do and often a blog post pours out almost instantly after reading a magazine article or a few pages of a book.
http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/blog/ Marios Alexandrou

When people tell me they don't have the time to blog I respond with a question about how much time they spend watching TV. I then suggest they cut that in half and spend that time reading something. That's what I do and often a blog post pours out almost instantly after reading a magazine article or a few pages of a book.
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http://www.reichcomm.typepad.com David Reich

I’ve been blogging only 6 weeks, but I’m learning there is a Blogger Mindset. If you do it right, it helps you think and focus, as you note.

Good post.
http://www.reichcomm.typepad.com David Reich

I've been blogging only 6 weeks, but I'm learning there is a Blogger Mindset. If you do it right, it helps you think and focus, as you note.

Good post.

About Ben Yoskovitz

I recently joined GoInstant as VP Product. GoInstant changes how we use the web, making it shareable like never before.

I'm also a Founding Partner at Year One Labs, an early stage accelerator in Montreal. Previously I founded Standout Jobs (and sold it). I'm a hands-on startup guy, helping companies grow successfully from the idea forward. You can reach me at byosko at gmail dot com.

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