Five Ways to Be a More Efficient Blogger

By guest contributor PJ Feinstein. Photography by Jessica Swift.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a full-time blogger, having all day to plan, write, and edit your blog posts? Most of us, however, fit blogging in among our other responsibilities—attending classes, going to work, being a mommy, and so on. Here are five ways to become a more efficient blogger, when you have a limited amount of time each day:

1) Carve out some quiet time on a Saturday or Sunday, then write as many posts as possible during that time. If writing a week’s worth of posts in a couple of hours seems like an impossible goal, aim for completing just two or three. While you’re at it, outline the week’s remaining posts, so you have less work later on. This will put you ahead of your blog, rather than trying to keep up with it.

2) Keep an ongoing list of post ideas in a small notebook or on your phone. When you’re in a creative slump and can’t think of a topic for the day, refer to your list so you don’t waste time brainstorming. How many times have you fallen down an internet rabbit hole looking for ideas, and still not come up with anything?

3) Start in the middle of your blog post. If you’re struggling to write the perfect intro, jump ahead to the middle. Inspiration will often hit when you’re a little bit distracted.

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Five Free Classes!

By Jenny Batt. Photography by Baubau Haus.

Welcome to November! We are looking forward to some exciting new classes on the Alt Channel this month. We have the amazing Erin Loechner, of Design for Mankind, hosting TWO resource parties. If you were lucky enough to attend her party at Alt last January, you won't be disappointed with these! We have a two separate classes for two different levels of bloggers, because at each level your skills and needs are different; we want to celebrate that.

We also have a new class called Ask an Accountant, with the amazing Helena Swyter of Sweeter CPA. She will answer all those lingering questions you have about the business side of blogging. She can help you get your ducks in a row before the end of the year.

Ask a Lawyer was such a popular class, we have split it into two sessions for November: Contracts, and Setting up a Business. Each class will cover the basics, and let you ask lawyer Steve Urquhart all the questions you may have concerning those tricky subjects.

It's time to start thinking about business cards. Many of the ones that show up to Alt are showstoppers, and if you want yours to be one too, take Laurie Smithwick's class, How to Win at Business Cards. It will give you great inspiration, and help you be on top of your game at Alt this year.

Bringing growth to your blog

By Victoria Hudgins. Photography by Dearest Someday.

The road to building a successful blog is a long and enjoyable one - if you begin correctly. I found this great article, written by Ez, on the foundational basis of building a blog that is able to capture and maintain good traffic.

There are definitely things you can do to maximize your blog's growth potential:

GET A CUSTOM DOMAIN NAME / URL

If you don't already own/use a custom domain name/URL, drop everything. Do not pass Go...do not collect $200 dollars... until you have secured one.

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Create the Best Graphic Logo

By guest contributor Tori Bowman.

Creating the perfect logo for your blog is a huge task. Here are a few tips to help you get the look, the content, and the feel of your blog - all in one neatly packaged graphic logo.

1) Keep it simple
Use basic shapes to create your logo. Ask yourself if you've gotten the graphic down to its most simple and still recognizable form. Don't stop until you have!

2) Draw it by hand
Steer clear of the computer during the brainstorming process. A pencil and sketchpad will be more helpful than a mouse or tablet. And if it fits with the look of your blog, you might even want to keep that hand drawn look. It will give your logo a little personality.

3) Letter it by hand
Adding some handwriting to your blog, in one form or another, is a great way to make your readers feel closer to you. Using your own handwriting for the title of your blog can easily turn a bland looking title into a work of art.

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To Plan Or Not To Plan

By guest contributor Monica Lee.

The balance between planning out an editorial calendar and being flexible is a tight line to walk for most of us. Luckily, we have Kelly Beall to share with us how doing both has led her to be a better and more efficient blogger.