Microsoft Will Make You Get More Blogging Done in Less Time

By: | October 30, 2016 | Tags: , , , , |

Microsoft helps #bloggers with #time-managementIs Microsoft the only game in town?

If yes, you should be familiar with it.

Microsoft’s productivity tools will help you save time.

Why waste time on blogging chores when you could be spending that time blogging?

Let Microsoft help you while you help your readers.

Do you know all that Microsoft has to offer and how the company’s tools can help you with your blogging?

This post will explain how bloggers can take advantage of Microsoft’s technology to help them blog more efficiently.

While I admit not all of Microsoft’s components are free, this post will offer free comparable solutions.

Also, bloggers who are already paying for Microsoft’s Office Suite may not be aware of all the technology can help them with to reduce time on their blogging tasks.

This article will explain the choices available to you whether or not you already have a Microsoft account.

The History of Microsoft

Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen built Microsoft, the largest software company in history.

The answer to my opening question is “no”. Microsoft is not the only game in town.

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, was accused of having a monopoly in the computer industry. Having a monopoly in any industry is illegal. As a result of the decision, consumers have more than one choice.

This article explains why Microsoft is a valuable choice for bloggers.

What Microsoft Can Do For Bloggers

Click the 9 box icon in the upper left-hand corner to see your choices.

Microsoft helps #bloggers be more productive

This will bring up a menu.

Microsoft helps #bloggers with their #blogging tasks.

  1. Mail – Many bloggers are inundated with Emails cluttering up their inboxes. Microsoft has an Email service, Outlook.com. The Email has a Clutter Folder which helps organize by prioritizing your Emails. You can make folders organizing your Emails as well.
  2. Calendar – You can use Microsoft to make an editorial calendar to plan your blog posts. Double click on the date and a cursor will appear. You will be able to type your blog post ideas.
  3. People – Your contacts are kept here.
  4. Tasks – Keep your blogging “To Do List” here.
  5. Sway – This is Microsoft’s new presentation program. 
  6. Newsfeed – This is similar to your Facebook news feed. 
  7. OneDrive You can store your blog photos and screenshots in your OneDrive for later use. Do you have drafts of blog posts written in Word documents? Store them in your One Drive. You can store anything in your One Drive even PowerPoint Presentations and Excel Spreadsheets.
  8. Microsoft Word is a popular word processor. Bloggers can pen guest posts and mail them to the host blogger as an attachment to an Email. Many hosts prefer this to Google Docs since they don’t need a Gmail account. Also, Microsoft Word is more “printer friendly” than other tools. For example, you have to download Adobe in order to print in some cases with Google Docs. Also, Word interfaces with Grammarly, a Chrome browser extension that corrects your grammar for you.
  9. Excel Spreadsheets – Bloggers can use spreadsheets for a variety of reasons. I know bloggers who use them to organize their linky party schedules.
  10. PowerPoint helps bloggers. There are many reasons for having slides in your blog posts. For example, visual readers will understand your content better. Also, your bounce rate will improve since visitors will stay on your site longer looking at your slides. Today, many bloggers use SlideShare, but PowerPoint Presentations are still used.
  11. OneNote According to Microsoft, you can easily share documents between your OneNote files and your Evernote data. However, blogger Davida Chazan explains she prefers using OneNote to keeping her blogging notes instead of Evernote. “I never could get the gist of Evernote. I like the Office program OneNote much better.”
  12. Class Notebook is a notebook teachers and students can set up.
  13. Microsoft’s Yammer is a collaboration tool. Bloggers frequently collaborate. They collaborate with other bloggers and virtual assistants, for example.
  14. Microsoft Planner enables you and your team members to collaborate on plans. Many bloggers share a blog, and this tool could help them coordinate.
  15. Microsoft Forms allows teachers to assess students with quizzes. It is still under development and one day may have a more widespread use for bloggers.
  16. Microsoft Edge is a web browser bloggers could use to surf the Internet.
  17. Microsoft Mix is a free add-on bloggers could use with PowerPoint.
  18. These tools will result in increased blog traffic. Microsoft’s acquisition of LinkedIn will result in users of both having access to each other. Therefore, Microsoft users can access LinkedIn’s audience and vice versa.
  19. Microsoft has a browser extension for Google Chrome. Using it will enable you to view, edit, and share Office files.
  20. Microsoft has many Online Applications.
  • Go to http://www.onenote.com/.
  • If you are on your phone, Bottom left click “Get the OneDrive App”.
  • Go to your OneDrive. At the bottom left-hand corner, you will find the word “Install”. Click it.

You can install apps individually or on your phone. These applications can be installed on up to five devices.

You can create digital notebooks you could use to keep your blogging notes in if you have the OneNote application. 
Microsoft helps bloggersWhen the apps are closed, click the nine boxes in the upper left-hand part of the screen, and you will be able to access your applications. (Note: You can see the 9 boxes in Screenshot #1.)

Advantages of Using Microsoft One Drive

Today, there are many forms of storage. Microsoft OneDrive has advantages the other storage tools don’t have.

  • Many bloggers use Dropbox for storage, but Dropbox charges for additional memory.
  • You can save your data on a flash drive, but with Microsoft OneDrive, a flash drive isn’t necessary, so you have one less device to keep track of.
  • Microsoft OneDrive is free with your Microsoft account. You have to pay for other forms of storage like a flash drive or Dropbox storage.
  • You can send what you’ve stored in your OneDrive with other people. Blogger Melinda Mitchell is reviewing my ebook. Since the book hasn’t been uploaded to Amazon yet, she sent me her review directly. I received the review she put in her OneDrive in my email.

Microsoft gives #bloggers storage

  • If you store different files in different locations, you can open them anywhere you have internet access. For example, if I have data at work and at home, I can access the files anywhere.
  • Since your local file is saved in the Cloud, you will never lose your information.
  • Data files made with Microsoft’s tools like Word and Excel are already integrated with Microsoft.
  • You can open PowerPoint in your OneDrive even if PowerPoint isn’t installed.
  • OneDrive syncs to your computer where you can make and save folders.
  • Since OneDrive syncs to your computer, your files are always backed up.

Testimonial

Gary Soderstrom, the Instructional Technician who is in charge of all the computers at my school, recommends using Microsoft and its components. He explained sharing your documents you save in Microsoft’s OneDrive is easy.

According to Soderstrom, OneNote is your personal digital notebook. You can use it to create content, organize your work, and collaborate with others.

Pricing

Many of these components are part of Microsoft Office Suite which is commercially licensed. Pricing for Microsoft Office starts around $120.00.

However, OpenOffice.org, which has many components of Microsoft Office, has no charge. Therefore, you can still get the benefits of Microsoft Office Suite without the price.

For bloggers concerned about the price of Office Suite, it is important to remember that some components are free. For example, Outlook.com is Microsoft’s free Email. The OneNote app is also free.

Microsoft offers #bloggers note-taking tools for #time-management

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft clearly is giving Google some competition. Microsoft may not be the only game in town, but now, thanks to Microsoft, neither is Google.

By using these tools, you will be a more productive blogger. Your increased efficiency will enable you to blog faster.

Although several of these components are set up for classroom teachers, many other parts can be adapted to use by bloggers.

Many of the tools in this post require you buy a site license for Microsoft’s Office Suite. Would you like to pay zero for 89 additional blogging tools?

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

Readers, please share, so other bloggers know about the parts of Microsoft Office Suite that can help them blog more efficiently.

Which components of Microsoft are you currently using? Would you recommend them for other bloggers? Why? What are your experiences? Which blogging tools are your favorites? I look forward to your views in the comments section.

Related Posts:

25 Ways Google Docs Will Make You a Better Blogger

How to Be Found On Google Today, 19 Powerful Tools

6 Ways You Can Save Time Blogging, Technology You Should

19 Free Ways to Fire Up Your Productivity– Evernote

The Most Effective Solution for Blogging Crises

Sources:

The United States vs. Microsoft

Bill Gates Biography

How to Use Google Keep

  1. John Doe

    Office 365 is definitely the most bang for your buck that Microsoft has ever offered

  2. Jeanette Hall

    Used to be a Microsoft Certified Network Engineer. Hated the company back then, still do now as a writer!

    Have found much more superior FREE operating systems from Ubuntu! They offer great packages with their systems that assist even the most novice of bloggers.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jeanette,
      I’m sorry for my delayed response. I recently published a book and I’ve been busy learning how to be a new author and promote my book.
      I never heard of Ubuntu. Are you an affiliate of theirs? Thanks for writing me. I hope all is well.
      Janice

  3. Rena

    I use Microsoft everyday and couldn’t live without it. I also use Google docs. These days it takes a little of everything!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Rena,
      Thanks for writing me. I am sorry for my delay. I am normally not rude. I’ve been promoting my new ebook which has kept me occupied. I also use both Microsoft and Google Docs.
      Janice

  4. Ryan Biddulph

    Hi Janice,

    Keen share 😉 Microsoft has become the silent step child in the online world, in many ways. Like the kid no one talks about LOL. Bloggers obsess over Google and Apple, with all the apps and devices and storage and goodies but MS has a robust sweet of solutions to assist bloggers. Since getting my Chromebook my only options are Word Online and One Drive, because all things are virtual right now for me. No more hard drive stuff 😉 So I use the online MS solutions frequently these days.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Ryan

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Ryan,
      My apologies on the delayed response. Did you know I just published an ebook? I’ve been busy learning how to promote it. Actually, I am trying to make a contact page for the book but don’t know what it entails. I looked at your blog, but the ebook page took me to the Amazon website.
      Thanks for writing about my Microsoft article. I agree, a stepchild of Google is a great description.
      Janice

  5. Melinda

    My BBFFJ, I love you!! Thanks so much for featuring me again!! Wow!
    I love OneDRive! No more losing my stuff due to crashes!! YAY!!
    Your BBFM

    • Janice Wald

      Hi BBFFM,
      Thanks for providing the quote that helped me with my post. By the way, have you ever looked yourself up on Twitter? People have mentioned PurpleSlobinRecovery in Tweets. You should get an account and post your links with the hashtag #humor. Other people have tweeted nice things about you.
      BBFFJ

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Conscious of the Heart.
      I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Thank you for writing to let me know you found it valuable.
      Janice

  6. Barbara Radisavljevic

    I mostly use the free alternatives to Microsoft now. It seems to me that the less I have to do with Microsoft outside of the operating system, the better.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Barbara,
      I see your Niume headline. So many of us are writing about it now!
      I mentioned some of the free alternatives to Microsoft. What word processor do you use? Thanks for writing. I’m sorry for my delayed response.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jean,
      So glad you found the post useful. Thanks for writing to tell me.
      Janice

  7. Amrita Basu (Misra)

    I like OneDrive it’s very useful .I use most of these tools but the outlook account I keep forgetting about. Very useful pos

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Amrita,
      I was at your site tonight! I use Microsoft’s products more at work. Sometimes I use Word if a blogger wants an attachment sent that way. Thanks for your comments on my article.
      Janice

  8. Leanne

    I’ve always used the Microsoft suite – I love it for word processing and spreadsheets. I’ve had Outlook for my email forever, but have slowly but surely moved over to Gmail. Our son sync’d the two together for me so now I can check and file (love folders) my email on both. There are so many wonderful apps available now – so I’ll have to check this one out.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Leanne,
      Thanks for sharing the idea. I love learning new tech things. I guess that makes me a tech geek, but I am proud of it! Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  9. Lisa/Syncopated Mama

    My computer keeps wanting to update to this – I’m feeling better about it!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Lisa,
      Great to hear from you. Thanks for commenting on my Microsoft article.
      Janice

  10. Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle

    I have used and loved the office suite for years, six months ago I thought I was doing the right thing and bought Office 2016. Trouble is I have to save everything in word 1997 – 2003 or nobody can open my files and I can’t open anyone else’s file until I put the doc. back to a program that is nearly 20 years old.

    Then Microsoft Windows forced an upgrade to Windows 10 on my laptop, This ruined my laptop and I had to buy a new one.

    So it is a love-hate relationship with Microsoft with lots of good things like you mention in your post.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Kathleen,
      From what I hear, many people have love/hate relationships with Microsoft– that is a great way to put it. I’ve heard many complaints about Windows 10 for example, yet I love it.
      Thanks for writing to share your experiences.
      Janice

  11. Patrice M Foster

    Janice, Thank you for another informative blog post. I am so glad I found you. One drive is use at times. Microsoft has so many features that I was not aware such as calendar and keeping my mail in order. Love Microsoft word, which is use daily.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Patrice,
      I also like Microsoft Word since it has some advantages Google docs does not have. I responded to your email today. I definitely have ideas I look forward to sharing with you.
      Janice

  12. Leslie

    The only Microsoft thing I use is Word–and I prefer WordPerfect to be honest! I had not even heard of most of the other features you mention, or if I had I did not know what they were for. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Leslie,
      I just came from your site. Since I saw you in your pantsuite, and you have a voting post on election day, I can only assume you were disappointed in the results. I am so sorry.
      Thanks for writing to tell me about your opinion about Microsoft.
      Janice

  13. Reuven

    Super post, Janice. We’ve been using the Microsoft Office suite for years and we’ve never explored all of its features. Your detailed list has certainly got us thinking it’s time to check all of them out and start using them to better manage our time to get more writing done for our blog. Thanks again for sharing such terrific tips.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Reuven,
      Glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks for writing to let me know. Please let me know if the link I emailed you works fine. Thanks!
      Janice

  14. Sachin Alam

    This is a great post! I really appreciate this.

    Btw what are your thoughts about Google Suite?

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Sachin,
      Thank you for reaching out to ask me what I think of Google Suite. I blogged about 19 Google tools.
      Here is my opinion about them:
      https://www.mostlyblogging.com/google-tools/

      As far as Google suite, I use and recommend free tools. Google’s free tools, as I explain in the article, work just fine for me. Do you have a different opinion?
      Janice

  15. Excel Course

    I learned something new today. Thank you every much! Well, after reading your post I start believing that Excel is a simple and powerful visual tool. I start loving it.

    Thanks for sharing with us.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I’m glad you enjoyed my Microsoft tools article. Rather an old article now. Where did you find it? I always wonder. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  16. Harpreet Kumar

    Honestly, I visited 1st time on you blog and got something new to learn about Microsoft visual tool. Thanks for this golden piece of content.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Harpreet,
      Thank you for the kind words about my Microsoft article. You said this is your first time on my blog. Nice to meet you. May I ask where you found my article? It’s rather old now. I always wonder. I’m glad I could share something new about Microsoft for you.
      Janice

  17. WhatsApp Business 2018

    I like Nice For Microsoft Will Make You Get More Blogging Done in Less Time.
    Thanks for admin

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