The Bloggers Tool Belt
When it comes to blogging, every blogger will have their own list of “must have tools” they just couldn’t blog without.
For me, those tools are:
1. Coffee - lots of it!
2. BlogDesk and Qumana - Both are blog editors. As you may already know, I have several blogs. Some on Wordpress and some on Blogger. I use BlogDesk for my Wordpress blogs and Qumana for Blogger blogs. Lots of people have asked me HOW I keep up with so many blogs — Well, this is how!
3. Firefox Spell Check - I think we all need to use spell check - especially when it’s available for free!
4. Amazon Plugin for Wordpress - This tool is especially handy when I’m writing a review or comment about a product I’ve used, book I’m reading or even a CD that I’ve recently listened to. Most people don’t realize that if you have something to say about a product, especially if it’s good, there’s potential for marketing that product through Amazon.
5. Google Reader - I’m currently subscribed to over 200 blogs. There’s no way I could read posts as often as I do on my favorite blogs without having them all in one place. In fact, it’s often the first place I go in the mornings to enjoy my first cup of java.
6. Feedburner - My personal choice for RSS feeds. It’s quick and so user friendly that I can’t see wasting my time trying to figure anything else out.
7. Paint Shop Pro - I do all my photo editing with Paint Shop Pro.
8. Technorati - I use Technorati to monitor hot topics and tags so I can easily map out my blogging agenda. Keeping up with the traffic trends is key in keeping your traffic flowing.
Question for MomGadget Readers:
What Blogging Tools do you consider a must have for your day-to-day blogging?
Tags: technorati, firefox, blogdesk, qumana, coffee, amazon, wordpress, feedburner, Google, Paint Shop, blogging tools
What do you think of Quamana? Have you used it with WordPress? Blog Desk looks great - but it’s not for the Mac.
I’ll be honest — I’ve not used the new Qumana with Wordpress just yet. It’s on my to do list for those things that I want to test drive. Just haven’t found some ‘play’ time just yet.
I do love it for Blogger though
And I do know some that swear by it for Wordpress. In the end, I’ll likely end up using both.
Both offer some unique features that I like at varying times.
Wow, that’s alot of tools at your fingertips, Gayla! ;D All I have is my laptop and my brain, and the occassional ice tea that I would be slipping in my spare time.
The Google Reader recommendation is much appreciated.
I’ve found that as I’ve started to follow more and more blogs (definitely addictive), I needed a way to keep them organised.
I’ll give Google Reader a try.
I love this list! I use most of them too, but will be checking out a couple of them to see how they work. I’d say my favorite tool is the Google Reader…. Now that I figured it out, I really thinks it’s a wonderful tool!
Bev
Gayla, let me know when you’ve had a chance to try it. I have a client that used Qumana, but he reported that it was writing some odd code into certain posts in WordPress 2.1. And, I’ve seen it have a problem with tags.
Dawud ~ I’ll be sure to report back. I did have some issues at first try with the spacing in posts. There was a triple spaced gap between paragraphs at least. I’m sure there are a few bugs that will have to be worked out. Hopefully it will be 100% soon.
Nice feedback. Thanks. I’ve used ecto, but find it’s a bit too cumbersome to setup for clients. Personally, I guess I’m fond of WP’s editor.
I love the technorati tip. I have definitely been underusing that site! Thanks!
I use Googlereader, Blogdesk and the Amazon plugin. I also love freedback.com. I can get questions or feedback sent right to my email.
For recent trends in what people are searching for all of the sudden check out the GOOGLE TRENDS that has been out a few months.
Like the use of Technorati for popular tags at the moment. That’s about the only great thing about that website now I think.
Boris
I prefer Google toolbar’s spell check to Firefox’s — no need to look up the correct spelling, it’s all right there.
Bloglines has been my “main” reader for over a year, but I’ve been using Google’s, too, as a sideblog.
Thanks for sharing these particularly the Amazon one - I’ve used aLinks in the past - which automatically links keywords to Amazon products but I’m going to give this one a try instead.
And lol I check bloglines with my morning cuppa to keep up on what’s happening
I wear my Original Mommy Tool Belt while blogging as it allows me to have all of my most needed infant care items right on my hip while chatting away with friends.
check it out!
http://www.originalmommytoolbelt.com