She Writes B&W Blogger Ball

I only recently came across the term 'blog hop'. Am I the only one who hadn't heard of this before? In essence, it's an online event where a group of bloggers drop in on each other's blogs and leave comments. It's a way to create new connections, boost the number of visitors to your site and generally have a bit of a party.

Today I signed up to take part in my first blog hop for members of the She Writes Books and Writing group. I always enjoy finding new interesting blogs and forging fresh alliances so I'd like to welcome all my fellow She Writes blog hoppers to my blog. I hope you enjoy reading my posts. I'll be dropping in on as many of you as I can. I've even created a blog button (scroll down the right hand column to find it) for any of you who are collecting them.

My blogging tip is to keep a plan of future blog posts so you can look ahead to what you're going to be writing and collect necessary links, articles, images etc that you might need. You don't have to stick to it rigidly but having a record of what you are going to write and what you have written can be a useful tool for planning ahead. I often write posts in advance when I know I'm not going to be available. I can note down important dates (Christmas, birthdays of family and historical figures) that are likely to be the basis for a post. It's also helpful to look back and see what I've written a year ago.

If you'd like to have a look at all the blogs taking part in our blog hop, you can find the list here.

Comments

  1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who had never heard of a blog hop, lol!

    Thanks for the blogging tip!

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  2. Planning ahead and scheduling posts can really make life easier when you are busy! Have fun with your first Blog Hop.

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  3. Hey Fi!
    Love the button. It came out so well.
    And your blog is so lovely!

    I will definately be following you.

    Thanks for the tag back!
    ~CM

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  4. You know, for some reason, I never thought of keeping a blog plan. What an excellent idea! Thank you for the tip! It's nice to meet you ~ I'm from She Writes

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  5. Hello! I'm a fairly new blogger, but having a folder of posts is what works for me too. I'm also a great word recycler, so you never know when a nearly-new description might come in handy in another context...

    Found you on the SheWrites intro ball.

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  6. I hadn't heard of a blog hop either, but I'm certainly glad to have the chance to participate. I'm enjoying your blog; especially your '7 Ways' articles.

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  7. I'm feeling much better after reading your blog and Brenda's comment. I don't have a clue what I am doing, but I keep trying. Glad to know that I am blog hopping.

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  8. Hi, stopping by via the hop. I'll have a look at your genealogy blog. I may have come across it before as the name is familiar! There is also a book blogger hop at Crazy for books.

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  9. Hi Fi! I also just recently learned about blog hops. I'm new to blogging and it feels like learning a new language at times. It's great to meet you and I'm looking forward to reading your blog. Great tip!

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  10. I started doing blog hops about a year ago, but I was just doing random hops and not focusing on ones that related to my blog and writing stuff. It was so cool to find one here dedicated to writers.
    Thanks for being here.

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  11. A fine stop on the way! Thanks Fi.

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  12. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Fiona, and taking the time to comment.

    Your blogging tip is one that I haven't followed much, but I should. ;) One would think that after blogging for over four years, I would have a list of future posts. I really should.

    Thanks again for stopping by my blog. It's lovely to "meet" you!

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  13. Thank you to everyone for leaving a comment. I may have to look out for other writing related blog hops in the future. This is fun.

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  14. Hello, fellow SheWriter. I'm glad I'm not the only one who never heard of blog hopping. I am enjoying it, however. Thanks for the tip! And might I add, I love your "7's articles".

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  15. Hi, Fi! Great tip! So glad the blog hop gave us this chance to meet. Looking forward to visiting your blog often :)

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  16. Wow, we all seem to be a bunch of blog hopping newbies. The only hops I have seen before were overwhelming in the number of participants and not very relevant to my blog tastes. I am excited to have a list of fellow writers, readers, and bloggers to follow.

    I can't wait to read more and I love your button!

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  17. Great blogging tip, Fiona. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Scheduled posts is something I should do more often, thanks for sharing your tips.

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  19. Hopping by...your tip is a good one, and I try to do that as much as possible. But I post every day as it is so it's hard to compile things in advance. But I do have some stuff saved up for the future.

    And I'm new to blogging so this whole blog hop thing is new to me too ;)

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  20. Wonderful blog Fi, I'll be back for sure! I'm used to these being called Blog Trains from when I was really into digital scrapbooking...

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  21. Hey Fiona,

    I happen to be on my own blog hop. I just heard of this today too. I do like the tip...I try but my procrastination tendencies are a constant battle.

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  22. I like to blog and I like to hop - what fun! Thanks for spreading the word. :)

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  23. I found you through the Bloggers Ball. Great tip. I always write my blogs ahead of time. It's just easier to gather links (like you said) and just organize my thoughts. I post my blogs first thing in the morning, and well, I don't always think clearly at that time. I'm afraid of what my posts would look like if I actually wrote them on the spot.

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  24. Thanks for this heads'up. and I loved your '7 ways' links!

    Hope you visit me too!

    Meryl Jaffe
    www.departingthetext.blogspot.com

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  25. Hello,Fi. Thanks for visiting Shiva's Arms. I'm new to blog hopping, too, and I'm having a great time! Cheers.

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  26. Hi Fi,

    Found you via Crazed Fan Weekend Hop as well as the Blogger Ball Hop.

    Great tip. I started out that way, but as I got further along I deviated from it. In fact, last night as I went through organizing my folders on my laptop, I discovered a post that I wrote and never posted.

    I'd be interested in hearing you weigh in.

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  27. Fi - Noticed you stopped by my blog this weekend...we always seem to enjoy each other's writing. Planning ahead would be good for me to do. I have a very long list of saved, half-started posts, waiting for edits and completion - a plan would obviously help :~)

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  28. Hi there,

    I'm a SheWriter - I just got in on the ball, so I'm a little behind. But it's so great to meet you!

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  29. Just noticed my invite to the dance, that's what i get for keeping my eyes on the keyboard and one arm around my new grandbaby. I'm taking advantage of the prepared posts idea. The time and brain cells that will save will be amazing. Not to mention I'll be able to cuddle Jett more.

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