For many writers and aspiring authors, managing one blog can prove difficult. Yet, if you are a creative person, you easily could find yourself thinking about starting a second blog. Or you might already have two, but you feel like you need a third to handle best a topic that can’t find a home on your other two sites. That begs the question: How the heck do you manage multiple blog sites?
It is possible to manage several blog sites, but it isn’t easy. I’ve had as many as five blogs at a time, and I still have four. I don’t highly recommend this strategy for a two primary reasons: Writing for more than one blog:
- is time-consuming.
- can dilute your brand.
- makes it harder to succeed at with all of your sites.
That said, it can be done. I’m living proof.
So how do you manage multiple blogs? Here are five tips to help you write often and consistently.
1. Pick topics about which you feel passionate.
Create your blogs because they feel on purpose—fulfill your mission or calling. You must feel passionate, inspired and excited about your topics, or you won’t update the sites regularly. You’ll lose interest, and you’ll feel burned out quickly.
Have a schedule for each site, such as Tuesday and Thursday for one blog and Monday and Wednesday for another. Then stick to this schedule, so you don’t forget to write posts on you site or leave your readers thinking you deserted your site.
2. Write on a schedule, and stick to it.
Have a schedule for each site, such as Tuesday and Thursday for one blog and Monday and Wednesday for another. Then stick to this schedule, so you don’t forget to write posts on you site or leave your readers thinking you deserted your site.
3. Schedule posts in advance.
I prefer to write posts a day or two before they publish, but this isn’t always possible. In fact, it can be easier to write your posts in batches, such as for a week, two weeks, or the entire month. Then use the schedule feature on WordPress so they auto-publish. This strategy allows you to set aside a few days per month for blogging and frees you up to do other things the rest of the time.
4. Create a blog plan.
Create a monthly or yearly blog plan. The plan prevents you from ever wracking your brain for a blog topic. When you wonder what to write, you waste time and energy—and you’ll feel burned out fast! You can end up burned out with one blog site; when you have multiple sites, it’s all the more important to avoid burnout. Plus, with more than one blog, you want to maximize your time and effort. When you sit down to write your posts, you want to do so quickly and effectively.
5. Use Scrivener.
With more than one blog to manage, Scrivener can help you keep your posts organized. You can have your plan in Scrivener, or even posts with titles ready to write and filed by month and year.
Plus, you can write your posts using MultiMarkdown language. Then compile (export) out of Scrivener using its MultiMarkdown —> Web Page (.html) feature, which saves a ton of formatting time. You will end up with a file that opens in your web browser. Just copy and past the formatted post into your blog site. No formatting necessary!
If you choose to have several unrelated blogs, consider creating one blog site that serves as the umbrella over all you do. Brand yourself there, and use the site to direct visitors to the variety of blog options you offer.
Photo copyright: Ditty_about_summer |shutterstock.com
Freda Farmer says
Thank you for some very cogent tips. If anyone knows how to do this, it is you! Just doing two is taxing for me. I am going to try Scrivener, and your suggestions will help tremendously!
Nader says
I never understood how people could manage multiple sites, but this has helped a lot!
Thank you!!
Nina Amir says
You are welcome, Nader.
Bhuboy Villanueva says
This is what i am looking, I have multiple blogs and was thinking of dropping my other sites and just focus on two, but i love my other blogs too. I will try your advice first then decide what should I do next.