6 Ways You Can Save Time Blogging, Technology You Should Know

By: | November 17, 2015 | Tags: , , , , |

Technology for BloggersAre you short on time?

Are you technologically savvy?

Many of you work outside the home or are home during the day raising small children.

Whatever the case, your expertise is in your blogging niche. The success of your blog shouldn’t have to rest on how knowledgeable you are with technology.

Great news! Tech 189, my guest author, is here to help you expedite your blogging tasks by introducing you to websites, apps, and programs that can help you blog faster.

Tech 189 is so versed in technology, he has devoted his blog Tech189’sRandomBlurbage to helping busy readers with innovative technological solutions to save time. The six apps, programs, and websites that Tech 189 recommends will save you time blogging and increase your productivity.

Useful Apps, Programs and Websites for Bloggers

Tech189 here, giving you a couple of handy tips for you bloggers: here are some apps for your phone/tablet, programs for your computer and websites which I use to help me create great content for my blog.

Google Keep:

Apps for #bloggers #technology

 

Google Keep technologyIf you’re on the go a lot like me, you probably won’t spend all your thinking time of new posts at the computer. For instance, you might have a sudden thought while you’re on the train/bus/plane. Thankfully you brought your phone with you and installed an app called Google Keep.

This is a note taking app made by Google which has a really easy to use interface and comes with handy tags to organize your notes. The best part about it is that you can have reminders and repeating reminders. Also, since it is owned by Google, you’ll never really need to backup your notes as they keep your data very secure and safe!

But I hear you say, “How is this any use for us bloggers?”  Well, it’s cross-platform, which means that if you have an Android phone or an iPhone, you can install this app from your respective app store, and you can use it on your computer! All you need is a Google account!

Here are the links to download the app:

Android: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-your-thoughts/id1029207872

And to view your list of notes on a computer, go to http://keep.google.com.

 

f.lux:
f.lux screenshot

Most of us bloggers have got work to do during the day and we end up writing at night. Now screens are designed to be used during the day around normal sunlight and are very bright as a result. Not only are they bright, but they contain a lot of artificial “blue light” which affects a hormone called melatonin.

This wavelength of light changes when melatonin is activated and means that getting to sleep after blogging is harder, and we may not have such a good night’s sleep as a result. It also affects our circadian rhythms which determine when we automatically get up and other such “built-in human clock” functions.

But no fear, there is a program called f.lux which, when the sun sets, dims your screen and applies a yellowish tint to it which blocks out the wavelengths of blue light. It automatically runs and once you’ve installed it there’s no need to adjust it later. (Unless you are doing some colour-sensitive work such as editing a photo… which you probably shouldn’t be doing at night!)

It is once again cross-platform so you can install it on Windows, Mac and Linux! Just go to http://justgetflux.com.

You can also install this app on your phone, but at the moment it only works with Android without rooting/jailbreaking your phone. Here’s a link to the app: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.lumen. iOS users will just have to use a computer instead, jailbreaking is risky business!

 

Picjumbo

PicJumbo technology for bloggers

Blogs are not the same without pictures. They look boring when they’re just plain text. When you add pictures and a splash of colour, your blog will come to life and you’ll attract more people as a result.

But it’s not always easy to find pictures unless you’re going to take them yourself. If you are a photographer already, great! But most people aren’t or just don’t have the time to get their own pictures.

That’s where this website comes in: it’s a free service where you can download royalty free pictures which will easily spice up your blog post. Just choose the picture you want and press download, no fees!

 

Caesium

Caesium

 

 

 

 

 

 

WordPress is pretty generous with the space it gives you for your pictures and videos for your blog but it is still limited, none the less. As a result people tend to not post pictures and videos which they don’t really feel necessary as they are worried that they will run out of space. This is not something people should do, they shouldn’t limit their creativity!

Caesium is a small program which can compress your photos. Compression makes the photo files much smaller but decreases the quality slightly. I do this currently with all the photos I upload to my blog.

Photos can be very large at up to about 5MB per files which, if you upload often, will quickly eat up your storage. This is an easy operation and can decrease the files to something like 800KB. It saves space and also speeds up loading times on your website.

Here’s a link to the website: http://caesium.sourceforge.net.

 

postimg.org

Although you could compress your files, you could also host them somewhere else. One such image hosting service is postimg.org which gives lots of space for free! This service is very useful because you don’t need to worry about running out of space or compressing your files.

You can upload in different categories and if you click on codes for each photo it will give you a direct link to the uploaded photo which you can then embed into your blog post.

 

500px

This last website isn’t really a tool as such but a place to promote your photography if you are blogging about photography like I am.

500px is a photography sharing site where you can view professional work from professional photographers but also promote your work. You can sort by categories and get inspiration from other photographers. Others can like or favourite your work and also follow if they particularly like your pictures.

500px blogger technology

If you’re interested, why not visit my profile on 500px? Here is a link: http://500px.com/tech189.

 

What other useful apps and websites do you know? Why not share in the comments!

Thank you for reading my guest post, come check out my blog if you want more technology/photography related posts: http://tech189.wordpress.com.

tech189

Me again: We really appreciate Tech 189 coming today to let us know about these useful apps and programs. I know I learned a great deal from reading his reviews of these apps, programs, and websites. When I read about f.luxe, it sounded to me like they actually thought of bloggers when they invented it!

Readers, please give Tech 189 some blog love. Go visit his site Tech189’sRandomBlurbage where you can get even more tech solutions.

Before you go, please share this article, so other busy bloggers discover these apps, websites, and programs that can help them expedite their blogging.

Are you currently using any of the tools Tech 189 recommended? What is your experience? He asked if you know of any other sites, programs, or apps that could help bloggers blog faster. Do you? I look forward to your views.

Click here to get your own downloadable PDF of my free blogging tools list.

Related Posts:

30 Tools You Need to Create a Successful Blog

7 Effective Ways to Avoid Drowning in Emails

How to Blog and Easily Find Time to Sleep

3 Shrewd Ways to Easily Triple Your Productivity

 

  1. Charles Roger

    Hi Janice,
    Thank you’ for more tools; you bring great guest to Mostly Blogging.
    c

  2. Corinne Rodrigues

    I hadn’t heard of a single one of these, Tech 189. Thank you to you and Janice for making life easier for us.

    • Janice Wald

      Awww…. thanks Corinne! What a nice thing to say!
      I had only heard of Picjumbo which I’ve had good experiences with. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  3. John Doe

    Great post and easy to understand. And I think that was the key he made it very simple to follow his steps. Thank you tech 189 for a Nother great guest post.

  4. John Doe

    Great post and easy to understand. Thank you tech 189 for another great guest post.

  5. Elle Knowles

    I’m always one for saving time Janice and Tech189, wherever I’m able too. These tips look great especially the note taking one.
    Another thing I do to save time is to blog from my phone on my WordPress app. It’s pretty easy once you get used to it and every time I use it I figure out a little bit more about it. The majority of my blogging lately has been done from my phone while my husband drives. I’ve even learned to add pictures. Try it – you’ll like it! ~Elle

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Elle,
      Thanks for writing. I have a few questions.
      1. What kind of a phone do you have? I still have a 5S. I fear my screen is too small to do any effective blogging.
      2. I use Evernote, which I love. I wonder how this notetaking app contrasts. Tech, do you know?
      Thanks for the visit Elle. Great to see you.
      Janice

      • tech189

        If you’re going to do blogging on the go, I recommend using a tablet rather than a phone. I prefer to write my posts on Google Keep and then post using the WordPress app! Personally, I use Google Keep because it is free and Evernote is paid 🙁

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Tech,
          I use the free version of Evernote. What is the advantage with the premium version? Thanks,
          Janice

          • tech189

            Basically you can store more notes, store bigger pictures/videos and look at notes offline on mobile.

          • Janice Wald

            Thanks! Your article was a hit! It generated a lot of interest
            Janice

  6. smiling notes

    I knew about pixabay which also allows you to use their images free of cost…now I know another site thanks to you. Since I’m someone who posts photos frequently on my blog, these are some really great tips! Bookmarking this post 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      HI Shamira,
      Thanks for writing. I have used Pixabay and was pleased with it. So glad you liked Tech 189’s article and found it valuable.
      Janice

  7. Patti

    I think I’ve found a great place to sit down and have a cup of coffee. Great website. I appreciate the tools list Tech 189 beautiful photos too.

    • tech189

      This is a great website, come over to my site for more if you enjoyed it!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Patti!
      Thank you so much for the kind words! I agree that Tech 189 did a great job. He put together all these screenshots and logos for us. He wrote an engaging article as well.
      Janice

  8. Melindal

    Janice, you’ve done yourself proud with another great guest. I always need more time! Tech savvy, no- but while there’s life there’s hope!
    Tech 189- love your name Random Blurbage!! Thanx so much for the help.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Melinda,
      Thanks for the visit and the very kind words about Tech 189. I had never heard of the word “blurbage” before I met Tech. With your knack for vocabulary I am not surprised that you have. Will you still have time to blog once you are a student?
      Janice

    • tech189

      Thanks for the comment, I’m sure you’ll be tech-savvy one day! I like the name too, burblage doesn’t really exist as a real word, I invented it to mean a kind of mumble or rambling!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Debby,
      Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for writing. Thank you also for promoting the article on social media. Hootsuite didn’t work for me today, so I really appreciate it.
      By the way, Wayne showed me where “auto fill” is. Others are reporting when they check it, all their info is there when they comment. Just wanted to let you know.
      Janice

  9. Janice Wald

    Tech 189 did a great job for us by writing an engaging, informative article that’s easy to understand. He went to a great deal of trouble preparing all these screenshots and logos.
    Tech, we really appreciate it!
    Janice

    • tech189

      I put a lot of effort into making it look good, glad you appreciate that!

      • Janice Wald

        It looks wonderful! You should be proud of your efforts.
        As you can see, there is great interest in your article with a good amount of social shares.
        Janice

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  12. Debbie

    I need to check Google Keep. I didn’t know about it.
    I love Evernote so much that I use it for pretty much everything, but it’s always good to know what’s out there.
    Thanks a lot for sharing!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Debbie,
      Thanks for your comments on my guest author’s post. I am with you. I am obsessed with Evernote and even blogged about it once. Yet, as you said, it’s good to know what’s out there and to stay open-minded. I saw you around the blogosphere today. A linky perhaps? Thanks for your visit and your comments.
      Janice

  13. Kathleen

    f.lux sounds very interesting I need to check that out. Lots of other interesting helps here, it is going to keep me busy checking out. So good to be able to learn from others.
    Thanks Janice and tech189
    Kathleen
    Fridays Blog Booster Party #33

  14. Mary Hill

    Hi, you provide so many great resources. Thanks for sharing these. Now to find time to investigate using them. I used Evernote to save the url for later.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Mary,
      Great to see you! Thanks for writing!
      I am so glad you liked Tech’s article and the tools he suggested. Thanks for bookmarking for future reference and for the visit today.
      Janice

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  17. Wendy

    Wow, I’ve never heard of any of these tools! They sound like great options. Thank you for entering this informative post in #ThePinterestGame! Good luck and we hope to see you back next week! ~~ Wendy, co-host

    • Wendy

      Oh, my — just realized I came to this article through a pin on Pinterest, not the Pinterest Game! 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Wendy,
      Thanks for the visit and the comments. I love the Pinterest game and enter it each week.
      Janice

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