Image credit
I could be wrong, but the general perception is that bloggers are “techier” than the average person, yes? After all, bloggers work on a computer and are connected to the Internet more. There may be some truth to this idea, but I cannot count the number of bloggers I know who could use some tips when it comes to tech – tips that could contribute to becoming a better blogger.
Truth be told, these tips may be perceived as no brainers by some people, but I am willing to bet that there is a good number of bloggers that will find these tech tips useful.
Stay on top of your emails using apps/addons
Let’s start with one of the main things that bloggers have to deal with: email.
I don’t know about you, but I have resigned myself to the fact that every morning, I have to face my overflowing Inboxes. I say Inboxes because I use several email addresses for different purposes. If I am not careful, I will certainly spend all my working hours just checking, reading, and replying to emails.
This is where apps and addons come in very handy.
First, I suggest finding an email client that works well for you and fits your workflow. I personally use Mailplane (for Mac) as I find the interface intuitive, and it allows me to handle all my email accounts using different tabs.
Second, I suggest using addons that will make your email processes more efficient. I highly recommend Boomerang (for Gmail), as it does the “remember to follow up” step for you. If you deal with people who tend to NOT reply to emails and need following up a lot, Boomerang will give one less headache by bumping the email at a prescribed time.
Have the right accessories
This week has been rather irritating for me due to hardware failing left and right. One thing I have learned: make sure you have the right tools from the get go and that you also make sure you keep them in good shape.
Sometimes, these things fall into the “small stuff” category, but even small stuff can get to you and ruin an entire day. For example, if you are working on a project that requires some printing – even if this happens only occasionally – it is a good idea to always make sure you have enough ink and toner. Having to run to a printing shop or to buy supplies in the middle of a busy day can totally ruin your work targets, as you may already very well know.
Pomodoro
I used to laugh at this, to be honest. All I could think of was pasta, which I like a lot, by the way. But when I did try the Pomodoro Technique, I realized that it does help focus and get things done. There are other techniques/methods to help people make the most of their time, but this is one simple technique that you can easily follow – and you see the results immediately!
Use apps to optimize your content consumption
One of the things that bloggers need to do on a regular basis is to read. How else can we stay on top of things? News, reports, opinions, reviews, fiction – whatever it is that catches your fancy, you have to read, read, and read some more.
But how do you manage all the sources of reading material that’s available online these days? The answer lies in apps such as Zite and Flipboard. Then there are sites which aggregate news related to specific sectors. If you’re interested in SEO, marketing, and similar topics, Inbound is a good site to follow.
Technology is awesome – we all know that, but we also need to be able to simplify and reduce the clutter and noise in order not to drown. Follow these simple tech tips, and you’ll find your day more streamlined.
