You may have read lots of blogging tips online that tell you to be consistent when you blog.
It is important to be consistent in your blogging if you plan to be noticed, because people respond to patterns. If you intend to just blog for fun whenever inspiration hits then you can quite easily disregard this tip 🙂
It is noteworthy that consistency does not mean daily. You can be consistently posting weekly, or twice or three times a week. The key here is to ensure there is at least some semblence of regular activity on your blog, and some sort of pattern which people can identify with, and watch out for.
People do respond to patterns so if you regularly run a post on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, people may realize this pattern and start looking out for your posts then. If time is a problem, blog weekly or learn to schedule posts. Most blog platforms allow you to schedule posts these days so you can store up a draft depository on a weekend or when inspiration hits, and then just schedule them to be posted during the week or when you run out of ideas…. as happens to the best of us 🙂
What about weekends then?
Weekends are a bit of a touch and go. Some people like to post on weekends because that’s when they have the time to sit down and blog. Others prefer to take the time off because they’ve spent the whole week at work and the last thing they want is to sit in front of their computer on a weekend! Much depends on how you feel and what makes you happy – its your blog! 🙂
I usually have a post to run every day. When I’m feeling inspired, maybe two a day. When I’m busy and time is a factor, I make sure I have at least one ready to go … I think some of you would be upset if I didn’t LOL! 😉 Most of my posts are scheduled so no, I don’t sit here at my computer at 8.30am everyday to hit publish on my blog posts 😀 The wonders of post scheduling are many! I didn’t start out this way however. I built up to it over the years – after almost 5 years, you start getting the hang of things 😉
I also have posts on weekends, as some of you may have noticed.
But I’ve decided to cut back. Yes ladies, you read this right. Unless I’m truly inspired, Saturdays will be an off day for me from the blog 🙂 Its a conscious decision I made just recently because I realised that I was being half hearted about my Saturday posts; and I never like being half-hearted about anything. All or nothing! 😀
So no, I don’t think blogging consistently means you have to blog every day but a consistent schedule is definitely preferred. You could always build up the momentum – start small with maybe 1-2 posts a week and then work your way up. Work within your comfort zone and you’ll soon find the rhythm and consistency that works for you 🙂
Did you think you had to blog everyday to be consistent? Do you have some sort of schedule you like to keep to or do you blog sporadically whenever the inspiration hits, or when you can find time to? If you are a blog reader, do you prefer reading a blog that updates daily or a few times a day or is that too much info? 😀
Paris B
Simple Blogging Tips are some simple tips I have for fellow bloggers, based on my own experiences. I’m no ‘guru’ but I hope they will help you. You may read up on previous Simple Blogging Tips here.
Jess says
November 24, 2011 at 8:45 amYes, I do agree that in order to be recognized, a consistent post schedule is very important. Writing in advance whenever there is time and whenever inspiration hits, and scheduling those posts, is probably the best way to keep up the consistency.
However, I don’t like blogs that update daily, as most of them lack in depth actually. High five for ‘all or nothing’!
I could probably also post up very quick blog entries too just for the sake of it, but I rather prefer doing one ‘proper’ post than 5 ‘quickies’. Sadly, my working schedule has gone crazy lately, thus haven’t been able to put up a regular posting schedule yet… But I gotta work it out!
Paris B says
November 26, 2011 at 4:34 pmOops! I blog daily 😛 but I know what you mean about being sloppy and overwhelmed. I gett hat way sometimes too so I’ve stopped following some blogs that update very often. I think sometimes they lose the personal touch 🙂
Aimee says
November 24, 2011 at 8:54 amI do have a lot of trouble blogging consistently which means it’s hard for me to build up readership! I really want good content also, so unless I have a good video to put out or good content I won’t post.. it’s a hard balance to strike.
Paris B says
November 26, 2011 at 4:35 pmI think at the initial stage to build readership it’s important to be regular so people take notice. But then we all have lives as well so it’s a delicate balance to strike 🙂
Mari says
November 24, 2011 at 9:35 amI blog mostly out of fun, since I can’t make it a regular job – I’m sure I must have ADD or something. 😛 I’ve got terrible focus issues… and am always on the move. But I’m a dataholic and I’d rather read others’ blogs than write my own. I like your blog because there is always something new when I do check on it – which is also a bit erratic, I must confess – but now I’m checking it on a daily basis. 🙂
I also prefer in-depth reviews than the shallow, “Hey girls, check MAC’s new collection! See you later!”, and stuff like that. But it’s true that it can be a little frustrating if the blog gets seldom updated.
Paris B says
November 26, 2011 at 4:38 pmTeehee thanks for checking in 😉 I love reading blogs from exotic places and I would deem yours exotic so do come back to blogging. I don’t know of many other brazilian blogs!
Mari says
November 27, 2011 at 5:25 amAhaha, than you’re in a pinch! But I’ll try to keep blogging. Quoting another author, “I write by fits”. Who knows, I might be having one soon! 😀
xin says
November 24, 2011 at 9:49 ami am trying to consistently do a post of mon, wed, fri (and sometimes sat if i have news) 😀
to be honest it’s not exactly easy for me to maintain 3 or 4 posts a week right now due to my blooming hobbies. LOL but i WANT to, so a bit of struggling with hobbies right now.
Paris B says
November 26, 2011 at 4:39 pmHaha you and your hobbies! Work, life, hobbies and your blog. You have a full plate there!
rinnah says
November 24, 2011 at 9:52 amI for one definitely can’t put out content on a daily basis. The best I can hope for would be a weekly update. And I have QC issues with myself – if the post ain’t perfect, I ain’t putting it up. 😛
That being said, I would rather read quality content over quantity so those blogs that post a few times a day usually fall off my interest radar rapidly.
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:21 pmSometimes, I find that a post quickly written off the cuff draws the most attention than the more thought out ones 🙂 Try it and see 😉 But I do tend to lose interest quite quickly in blogs that post too much too often. I can’t keep my attention long enough to find out what its all about!
Sue says
November 24, 2011 at 9:59 amI don’t have a fix day of posting but I am trying to make it a habit to post on a weekly basis =D
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:21 pmGood on you! 😀
nicoles mirror says
November 24, 2011 at 10:15 amThank you for the tips!!! I sometimes wonder how can you post every single day. hahaha
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:21 pmYou’re welcome and I guess I just like “talking” 😉 But its not hard once you get the hang of it
nicoles mirror says
November 24, 2011 at 10:17 amoh oh!!! would love to see more post on blogging tips!!!! XD this is nice!!! XD
LeGeeque says
November 24, 2011 at 10:30 amI think, ultimately it all boils down to the main purpose of one wanting to blog. If it’s a channel (almost typed chanel, dear god, I’m going batty) for one to have a verbal diarrhoea, it can’t be happening everyday, right?
In your case, I’m glad you’re upfront about it and I’m glad you’re scaling down because you recognise the need to early enough without getting burnt out and shutting this blog down altogether. Like any good manager will say to ensure the best talents are retained: Take a break if you need to, come back when you’re ready and let’s start all over again 😛
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:23 pmI read it as Chanel so you’re not the only one going batty! 😀 But I know what you mean and making that decision to take Saturdays off has been good for me. It eases off the pressure to find something to talk about on a day which doesn’t get much traffic anyway so I’d rather focus my energies on something else 😀
Stephanie/Yukaeshi says
November 24, 2011 at 11:24 amI do believe in a consistent blogging pattern 🙂 Personally I am planning to update my beauty blog at least twice a week minimum since I most likely will run out of blogging ideas/things to review if I cranked out one review a day. I haven’t gotten that far yet 😛 As for personal blog, well, whenever inspiration strikes because it is a personal blog after all 😉
I prefer reading blogs that update at least once a day or have a consistent pattern. More than one post a day can seem a little overwhelming especially if I hadn’t had proper access to the internet and need to play catch up 🙁
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:25 pmWell beauty blogging isn’t just about reviews 🙂 There are loads to write about from many different aspects of beauty but I think you’ll work it out as you go 🙂 Updates twice a week is good. It leaves room to grow 🙂
Cas says
November 24, 2011 at 11:46 amSame here, I believe in a consistent blogging pattern. I usually blog Monday, Wed and Friday – three post per week and I dont blog on weekends coz I have better things to do. Everyday might be too much for a personal blog but if it’s a beauty blog like yours then everyday is not a bad thing since there are tons of beauty products to review, lol
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:27 pmYes I must agree with you about personal blogs. Mine is all but dead as I use it for a rant platform more than anything else and I try not to rant too much hehe… A niche blog does have more subject matter usually and sometimes, as how some more prolific bloggers have shown, once a day isn’t enough!
peach_ says
November 24, 2011 at 11:48 amI’ve always been in awe of you posting daily. Hope one day I can be quick enough to have pre-scheduled posts ready to go! I like your all or nothing theory and think it’s good you now have an off-day. I don’t mind if a blog doesn’t post daily and ones that post multiple times often overwhelm me.
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:29 pmYou’ll work out what works best Peach but you’re doing a great job as it is! I can’t imagine you posting a new nail colour every day. That’d be awful for your nails!
Hanny says
November 24, 2011 at 11:49 amI blog 2-3 times a week, or almost every day if I’m inspired. Due to my budget, I hardly have anything to review, so I’ll have to make do with FOTDs where I play with makeup heehee
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:30 pmAh there are lots of blogs who do fotds so nothing wrong with that 😀 Blogging about beauty isn’t all about reviewing products. Sometimes it is, but there are many aspects to beauty that one can dwell on without doing a product review 🙂
lyn says
November 24, 2011 at 12:26 pmMy posts used to be really irregular but I now have it down to a proper system. I schedule them on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and have just added a series called Weekend Babbles to talk about nonsense 😉 Although I am absolutely amazed by some folks who churn out more than 5 a day, it gets overwhelming and repetitive.
Kudos to you for taking a “day off”! I think we can handle it if we don’t get our MWS fix for one day :-p
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:32 pmLOL thanks for allowing the day off 😛 And its great to see you’ve gotten a strategy down pat. Its nice to see new posts from blogs I read pop up regularly, even if I may not comment on every single one 🙂
espenine says
November 24, 2011 at 4:35 pmOk, granting you Saturday leave but no more than that please! 😛 Your blog is one of my main source of online must-reads as it allows me to keep updated on the beauty stuff in Asia where I only return to few times a year.
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:34 pmLOL!! Ok Espenine! I will try not to take more days off 😀 Thanks for reading and for the support!
Swati says
November 24, 2011 at 5:58 pmyes, consistent is not equal to daily and taking a break is actual preferable when you are blogging seriously coz some days I rub by my posts half-heatedly and most often, when I am very much inclined to blog, I schedule my posts for the subsequent days!!!! but, yup, going off on weekends is probably a good idea too…even I have to think about such things but right now, I do try to post every day 🙂
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 2:38 pmPosting everyday takes a lot of effort as I can testify. Kudos to you and all the best!
Jyoan says
November 27, 2011 at 4:23 pmI definitely would like to see myself blogging daily, just once a day, otherwise I may feel irritated. However, as work and real life remains of priority, I can only do that much no matter how inspired I am.
haha, due to my work, my pattern actually becomes blogging on school holidays! A bit of a strange pattern, and it leaves big voids in between.
Sometimes when I read bloggers who only do weekly, my neck gets pulled soooo long waiting, because I like to read them. LOL.
Paris B says
November 30, 2011 at 3:34 pmI know what you mean about bloggers who don’t blog often enough. I know everyone has a life too but its nice to have something to read more often than once a week 😀