Build A Success Blog In 2 Hours
written by Alex Shalman
This post was guest blogged by Alex Shalman, who put together the Happiness Project with 34 A-list bloggers, and writes about practical personal development, communication, and relationships.
Some people wonder how my small blog has been able to break the 1000 RSS mark and get thousands of people visiting, commenting, and taking part in the community in the month of February. Some realize that quality counts, but taking 20 posts per month, to 50 per month, and now keeping up with a 1 a day posting schedule has something to do with it.
The Secret to Writing Prolifically
So what’s my secret to writing so much? Using the principles I outlined in Life Design Experiment, I was effectively able to create an environment and morning routine which allowed me to write from 6am-8am every morning. Everyday for a month I would wake up at 6am, hop onto my computer, and write without any interruptions until 8am.
It would take me anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to write a post. That’s 1-4 posts each and every day in the month of February. In this way I was able to write more posts that day than most people, and before most people got to work. The rest of my day could effectively be distraction free, as I was able to concentrate on work, school, or the relationships in my life, without the guilt of thinking “I should be writing!”
Do Not Let ANYTHING Stop You
Just to show you how much of a stickler I was to this rule, I even kept this system up in the beginning of the month during my trip to Panama. Sure I could have said I’ll start after the trip, but that wouldn’t have forged my ability to do everything I say I am going to do. The first morning of the trip the plane was lifting off at 6am, but I still wrote. Another morning we were coming back very late from the huge Carnival, and had to pull over on the side of the road to sleep - we were way too far away from our apartment. I woke up in the back of the car at 6am, in a strange country I’ve never been in before, got out, sat on a rock, and wrote articles in my moleskin.
The point is, my 6am-8am writing habit was a rule that was set in stone and nothing short of a natural disaster was going to stop me. There is of course a bonus to using this system, and since I have your attention already, I’ll use this opportunity to let you in on the bonus.
The Bonus
I told myself I would only do this for the month of February, just to see how I feel about it, and re-evaluate at the end of the month. Well the month is over, the re-evaluation is complete, and I’m definitely happy with the progress. Now I know that I can take on any new habit, try it out, and keep it if I like.
On top of the writing habit, I added an exercise habit that I do right afterwards. Any idea how great doing cardio every single day is for your body, your focus, creativity, longevity, vitality and happiness? It’s the full package. We are a series of habits, so it’s time to replace the bad ones with good ones!
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Replacing Old, bad habits with good ones is the greatest thing in the world.
Ever try to stop biting your nails?? it’s impossible until I decided that every time i catch myself biting my nails, I have to do 5 pushups. It sucked to begin with because I had to do about a bazillion pushups the first week. But then, I stopped biting my nails and now I’m in the habit of doing lots of pushups.
Now I have a manly chest
HeHe totally true, I did that once in the past
Didn’t work for so long though 
I like this idea, I am going to give it a shot.
I have been excercising 6 days a week since the new year and that is a really great habit I am glad I picked up. Thanks for the tips Alex.
Awesome, thanks for getting this up John
It is not written by John. LOL
Alex (the guy you replied to) is the person who wrote this. He was thanking John for publishing his guest post.
it is funny how people just comment lol … thanks matthew for clearing it up for him
I think a writing schedule is crucial. Getting up early in the morning is the best time to write. It puts you on a routine, and it puts your mind and your thought process on that same routine. I love getting up in the morning and writing. That way, the rest of the day I can focus on other things (like family, work, etc.). The only way to succeed at blogging is to put yourself on such a schedule and never deviate from it. From that comes the consistency and quality in posting that attracts loyal readers.
This routine is what separates the real bloggers from the wannabes!
This was one of the first guest posts I actually enjoyed. Writing everyday can really be a pain… not to mention when you have writers block and just can’t think of anything useful. The last thing I want it to post just for the sake of posting. I try and always have useful content for my readers.
Thanks Zac, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I really can’t remember the last time I’ve had writers block… Maybe I’ll write about that here.
Its not the first I enjoyed a lot. But yeah, very nice article. Great Work.
The thing that I do is keep a list. My head is always brimming with ideas for posts. Whenever I think of something, I just write it down and add it to my list. Thus, when I sit down to write, I have my list in front of me. I pick something, and I write about it. I think that’s a good system to have.
thanks for sharing, great post. I think it is writing without been disturbed can create great posts.
I am a creature of routine and I do the same thing every morning wake up same time, eat same breakfast, take the same route to work. But yet when it comes to writing I cannot designate a time to do it. I have to write when it comes to me not when I have scheduled it. I wish I could perform a task like this, but I don’t feel creativity can be scheduled.
Hehe! Nice post. I like it. I think it’s a good idea to change the bad habits with some new better one. But my problem is, that I’m a guy who hasn’t any vitality at the morning. My highend time is in the afternoon
Creadiv, that’s why I think that, whenever something comes to mind, jot it down on paper. Write down some notes that remind you of what you thought of. That’s what I do at work. Then, when you have the time to write, whether it’s later on or in the morning or at night, you pull those notes out, and you write your post by expanding on the notes.
I like that, I just might try this myself. Although I am able to post everyday. Some days I have posts lined up already. When this happens I dont write as much as I should.
my blog is general, so its hard to me to get writer block
These are words to live by. Make it routine, its gets easier every day.
Following that routine is still difficult buddy. Atleast for me. I am a super lazy git.
It’s like exercise. It might seem hard to do in the beginning. But if you get yourself on a routine whereby every day you get up in the morning and go running or lift weights, it just gets easier and easier each time. Then you get to the point where you don’t feel right if you don’t exercise. It’s the same thing with writing posts.
Exactly, it’s the same with excercising if they don’t plan to do it at a certain time everyday, they probably won’t do it and ultimately quit the program.
Putting the two together, “excercising” your blog writing and then excercising yourself, would make for a healthy blog and healthy you. Get it all over with early in the morning.
~Terry
This is true! I’ve read over and over again that posting daily is the secret to blog success… It is also very good to post early in the morning because that way people who go on the internet all day can have a chance you read your post.
http://www.TalkPrice.net
I was a huge victim of doing the complete opposite awhile back. I would basically say I’d do something BUT never got around to doing it. The only true way to actually getting around to doing something is to force yourself too. Nice post
I like the routine method you have, I just wish I could get into something like that!
It really is easy. It’s all about developing a habit. I think research shows that if you do something 21 times in a row, you will have developed a habit. Then, from that point on, if you don’t undertake that habit, you will feel weird. So I think the best method here is to put yourself on a schedule of writing blog posts whereby you get up every morning at a certain time or take a break every day at the same time and do it. Do that for three weeks without deviating, and you will see how much easier it is after those three weeks.
Does anyone know how JC’s “secret” blog project is going? the one that he was launching without leveraging name (brand) recognition etc, to show anyone can build a successful blog from nothing?
it’s good to see that we are all human and all suffer from the same pitfalls. this shows that anyone can set their mind to something and achieve it.
Great post alex, thanks to john for sharing this
oh…….
my bad habits…..
i really often stop writing because empty stock of cigarettes…
my fool…..
It’s great that you were able to plan your writing schedule and stick to it. I think that’s what causes many people to slack off with their blogs. They don’t set a time to write everyday and they’ll be distracted by other things.
Some start many blogs and can’t keep up with the amount of time several blogs require. Try and focus on one blog and set daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. Then make your plan to reach those goals.
~Terry
If most people cut out tv they could have the same 2 hour block every day that you found between 6-8. Or you could do what I do and write while I watch tv. Talk about multi-tasking
Awesome article Alex! It really helps to get into a daily routine like you’ve got. I try to commit to writing one new post each day, but don’t have a specific time period set like you do because my schedule varies from day to day. I like your strategy of setting a specific time period 6 - 8 am and then having the rest of the day to do whatever you want. Setting a chunk of time before work / breakfast / school gives you time to do whatever you want throughout the rest of the day and makes things much easier especially if you’ve had a tough day at work. Committing to a good habit each day is what helps people reach success in any area of life. Thanks again for sharing this article and keep up the great work Alex
this is a very nice article, a good habit of being a successful bloggers!
this is one of the most stupidest posts ever. I am surprised John Chow let you guest post such ridiculous life-story.
Thank you for your feedback. For a moment there I was getting worried, because all the feedback was positive, and people were relating. The reason I was getting worried is that John always taught me that you aren’t really successful unless you’re pissing SOMEONE off. Thanks for being the one my friend.
You are welcome. Glad I could be of service.
Remember - great men are never praised in their own time.
I have subscribed to your blog Shalman
Lovely Article keep it up
May we see many of these in the coming days and not just ads 
it is good
Good Idea. I always feel lazy to write. I think I will need to schedule myself to write only at a certain time of the day and everyday. THanks for the article.
Excellent article and great schedule to keep up with. Yes, we are definitely a series of habits and blogging every day is a great habit.
It takes lots of discipline to achieve success in anything that you want to do. I guess that many bloggers are not successful mainly because they put too much focus on the making money part and neglect about the frequency of posting and the quality of their blog.
still need more to learn…
Take your time.
This is possibly the best post I’ve read today. Keep up the good work and don’t let us down
-Mike
very well written post Alex
Excellent idea, morning time is the best time.
Alex, I don’t think you have to always piss someone off. This post isn’t one that should do that. Other posts on other topics (like reviews, observations about ad networks, tax stuff, etc.) are the ones that should tick people off.
I’ll keep that in mind Robert
Posting every day on your blog is key to success. Most of the time people visiting a blog because they want to read new stuff, information. If your blog has a gap of a few days, then most likely people will visit your blog less often. People like active blogs! Though on the other hand posting every day without doing any promotion will help you also not a lot…
6am thats an early start. do you find it easier to write in the morning or in the evening?
With two children I find that the mornngs are definitely out. With getting ready for school and work, etc., After 9 PM is the only time I really have to peacefully write.. I guess I’m fortunate though, my brain doesn’t really work well early in the AM anyway.