If I have to attribute one main key to my blogging success it would have to be consistency. I am one of the most consistent bloggers in the world. Over the past five years, I have maintained an average of two blog posts per day and there has never been a single day where there was no new blog post. It is this level of consistency that has allowed my blog to make that income that it makes.
I place an extremely high importance on making sure I have new blog posts for my readers to read everyday. This includes during vacation time. Just because I go on vacation does not mean my blog goes on vacation as well. I treat my blog like a real business and as such it never takes a vacation and is always open. The worst thing you can do is put your blog in “vacation mode.” That just screams amateur blogger.
I am vacationing in California with my family right now but as you can see, new blog posts are going up everyday. The posting frequency has not changed. Here’s how you can keep your blog going when you go on vacation.
Use The WordPress Timestamp
If you know you’re not going to be able to blog for an extended period of time, then you should pre-write a bunch of blog posts and drip feed them live with the WordPress timestamp. If you’ve been wondering why my blog posts always seem to go live 12 hours apart from each other, it’s because they’ve been timestamped to do so.
To use the timestamp, just click the Edit link next to “Publish immediately” in your blog post edit screen. From there you’ll be able to set the time you want the post to go live.
I rarely write my blog posts live. I like to do concentrated periods where I would write a few days worth of posts and then timestamp them. I got into this habit because I do travel a lot. By getting into the habit of timestamping posts, it means I don’t have to change my routine that much when going on vacation. It can be very difficult to think up a week worth of blog posts when you’ve never done it before so start getting into the habit of writing an extra post or two and timestamping them. Then you won’t have to make a huge shift when vacation time comes.
Turn The Blog Over To Guest Bloggers
Guest bloggers can help fill the posting void while you’re on vacation. However, depending on the niche your blog is in, you may not want to completely turn your blog over. Because this blog bears my name, readers expect most of the blog posts to come from me. While I did timestamp a few guest posts during this California trip, I mixed them in with my own timestamped posts.
Blog While On Vacation
Thanks to the wonderful power of technology and Internet that is available from pretty much anywhere, you can now blog while you’re on vacation! While some may question blogging while on vacation, there are many advantages to doing it. For one, you get to share the experience with your readership. This helps build the blog relationship with the readers and lets them share in the fun you’re having.
The second reason to blog while on vacation is taxes. Because I’m blogging about my California adventure, pretty much the entire cost of the trip can be written off as a business expense. Now please see your tax advisor before attempting to write off your vacation. Every situation is different. For example, just because Alpine Electronics can write off a Lamborghini to advertising expense doesn’t mean we can do the same!
Like most things, the key is preparation. Start getting into the habit of timestamping posts and forming relationships with other bloggers who might be able to guest blog for you. Look into technologies, like the Virgin MiFi, that will allows you to blog no matter where you are. The more prepared you are, the better off your blog will be.
We’re On Vacation, The Blog Is Not
Sally and I cruising San Diego harbor. Sally kept asking if the boat can go underwater. She was wondering if it was like the Nemo ride in Disneyland.