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Scheduled content refers to a post that you write but do not immediately publish. Different blogging systems do it in a different way; the main thing you'll need to do is choose the date and time when the post should be released to your readers, and then schedule it (or just publish it).I'm still new to scheduled content.
I went for more than 3 years without scheduled content in Injader. I got used to writing a post and releasing it as soon as I finished it. This worked fine for me because I can get very impatient, and I want feedback on my post now! But it doesn't usually work that way even if a post is published immediately, due to timezone differences and the fact that some people might not actually read the post for a day or two.Earlier this year I added scheduled content to my list of things to work on for Injader, but I didn't get around to it. Then I was asked by Snoskred at the Aussie Bloggers Forum if it was possible to schedule a post:
Does Injader have a post in the future feature? I made a post for the 3rd of June and it seemed to post it right away. Not that I necessarily use this as much as I used to, but I think this is one feature a lot of people currently using Wordpress would want from a new blog system.
Source: Post in the future?
This gave me a nudge and I added the feature to the next release. Once the new version was complete, I upgraded my sites and gave it a trial run. It worked well.
It wasn't until a week or two later that I started to use scheduled content properly. I've never looked back. Here are a few reasons why.
You can prepare for dry spells
When you're in the right mood, you can write loads of posts. But I wouldn't recommend posting them all at once. Schedule them and space them out by a day or two. That way, you'll have lots of posts ready to go. If you get more ideas before the last post is published, you can always add posts to the end of the queue. Then if you hit a dry spell, you've got some content to tide you over.The blog/life balance becomes easier
With a bit of careful planning, you can have nights away from the computer. Sometimes we get tired or just can't face going on the computer, but with a blog, you might feel bad if you don't update it. Also, we always have other commitments, such as going out of the house (no, really!).Writing a few posts in advance relieves the feeling that you have to be on the computer every single day. I was rather pleased when I was out for dinner with my wife and the in-laws and a post automatically published itself without me needing to be there.
You can establish a regular posting time
Even if you manage to write every day, or every couple of days, immediately publishing a post can lead to a rather inconsistent approach when it comes to the time of your post.I have recently settled on a 7:00pm (AEST) schedule for new posts, and I usually release new content every other day. This means it's fairly easy for readers to work out when a new post will be coming up (timezone permitting, of course).
You can have a cooling off period
Some people write a long and frustrated post and hit "Publish" before they've really thought of the consequences. Once your post is out there, it's very difficult to take it back.Scheduling a post means you may decide to tone it down a bit before it goes out to your target audience - very handy!
What do you think?
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Tags: scheduling, future dated content, bulk writing, dry spells
Posted by Ben on July 08, 2008 19:00 / Edited: July 07, 2008 19:45
Comments
Interesting point there Jim. I was actually thinking of doing something similar, but sometimes I do go for one extra day without posting anything. Posting every other day means you'll hit every possible weekday once you've blogged for two weeks, and if my last post was on a Friday, the next one would be on a Sunday. I usually skip Sundays so in that case my next post would be on a Monday. Without writing every day it's hard to find a schedule that is balanced for both the blogger and the readers. Oh well, at least the tools are there for us to decide when to publish our posts! ;)
When I was doing the thought of the day, I would sometimes write a month ahead and then I could take some serious time off to create other content.
I still always use scheduling even if I am just setting the post an hour in advance because that way I can double check to make sure the formatting is the way I want it, and correct any errors in the post before it goes live. ;)
It is easily one of the best features you can have on a blog. ;)
I work from home for roughly six months of the year. The other months I lecture at a local college during the week. When I am lecturing I write my articles for the next week during the weekend. I would be lost if I could not schedule stuff beforehand.
I have often found that from the time I publish to the time the article appears on the blog, I have gone back to make changes. This little extra bit of 'thinking time' is very handy.
I think the scheduled content feature was a brilliant addition to Injader, Ben. Even if all bloggers are always very organized and motivated, there are such things as family emergencies or vacations away from the internet or even just 'dry spells' every now and then, and the ability to have a post (or several) ready to go has kept many a blogger from burnout!
I've become a huge fan of scheduled content since Blogger got it out of the bug stage. I use it often for the WordGrrls blog. Very few times for the personal blog but for the daily posts to WordGrrls being able to have posts not only ready ahead but able to post themselves when I tell them to... it's just about perfect. ;)
Snoskred, I call your name and you come and comment - cool! :)
Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves scheduled content. Thinking about it, I was late to the party, but better late than never eh? :)
I am using Blogger for my blog, usually I compose 7 days worth of blog post's in one hit. It takes am about 2 hour's to do that, the scheduled post's are just a great time saver, i love it!
Sounds like a good idea! I'll try it when I launch my blog this week. Right now, I am typing in word and saving up (so I have a few posts ahead of schedule)
-for your rating is 5 high or low?-
Scheduled Content was by far my most favourite feature of wordpress when I switched from blogger (back then blogger didn't offer it at all).
I'm a bit like you in that once I write something, I like to publish it immediately. Particularly on my personal blog. So I tend to use it mostly to keep content ticking over when I'm going to be away.
I would really LOVE to get ahead a bit on Lightening's Blogworld (where the timing doesn't matter so much) to ease the pressure when life gets busy. Problem is finding the time and inspiration to "get ahead". :)
Still, I do think it's a VERY useful feature and it's fantastic that you've added it to Injader.
I do believe I pre-emptively answered your question in my post about scheduled posting a few months ago (http://twurl.nl/urmzoj). Sorry about posting the link, it's more for you... I'm not trying to promote my blog on your site.
One of the greatest benefits for me is, as you said, the ability it provides you to have a life outside blogging. And more to the point right now, to find a real job!
On my recent trip to New York, I was able to have a bit of a conversation going with my visitors even though I wasn't near a computer all weekend! Brilliant!
Tom, Anita - welcome. Anita, 5 is high. I'll get that clarified.
Lightening, fragileheart - sounds like we share the same views. :)
Ben, I too use blogger as you know, and being able to post ahead and schedule those is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I am the guardian of three Grandchildren, one of which is a teenager and two right on the edge of teen. With so much going on in their lives I sometimes cannot get to the computer. Scheduled posting has helped me a ton.
I've tried scheduled content a few times, but eventually stopped it. I find that 2-3 posts per week seem to bring me the most traffic so far but may try something differently soon.
I try and write a daily entry to my blog, at a specific time . I've actually now got a widget that gives readers the "time to the next daily post" .
Now that puts pressure on you, because you're committed to posting at a specific time - but on balance for me it works, because the deadline forces me to come up with items every day . If I didn't give myself that artificial "ultimatum" I probably would take days to compile a post ! The downside is that you can get so obsessed about meeting the deadline that quality can go out the window .