G is for Google Reader and why did I wait so long? I have no freaking clue.
I’ve separated blogs that I follow into categories and I know right away when there are new posts, instead of trying to find their tweets or their links. Talk about a time saver.
Seriously? I go through and comment on about double the blogs I used to in the same amount of time.
I used to think that I could only read with Google Reader, and I comment on blogs too. Then I learned that by pressing the v key – the blog would open up so I could comment.
Pretty incredible and convenient. Now I don’t miss any posts.
And this is where the important part comes in. I might end up falling away from your blog if you don’t have an RSS feed button. I could drag the link over and I will. But if your RSS button works – it saves people a lot of time.
Read this enlightening post by Rachael Harrie that explains it all.
How do you keep up with your blog reading and commenting? Any other tricks I’ve missed?
I need to figure out how to do this. I’m getting overwhelmed with the blogs I want to read, and I know I’m missing stuff.
I use the Google reader too. Although I didn’t know you could put them into categories… Hmmm, will have to check out that link.
Thx!
I group the agent blogs, industry blogs, writing tips, author blogs, and then I have three different groups of blogger friends. It has really helped!
oh my god! I just started using Google reader a couple of months ago and it’s so much easier. But I didn’t know that about the v key! Awesome! Thanks!
I haven’t tried using it yet, will definitely give it a go. need all the help I can get.
cheer,
mood
Moody Writing
I love Google Reader. Of course, I follow so many blogs that it’s pretty overwhelming sometimes, but at least it’s all in one place!
I LOVE Google Reader! But i didn’t know yo ucould group the blogs into categories, either… That will save me a LOT of time! Thanks!
That was a super helpful post from Rachael. I need to carve out some time in my spring cleaning plan to organize my Google Reader a little better. it’s out of control at the moment.
Wow, I’m going to have to check out the Google Reader. I just read whatever’s in my dashboard at the time I read blogs. If your post isn’t there then, I’ll miss out on it.
Great advice, Laura. Thanks. 😀
I don’t even go near googlereader anymore. Especially during the A-Z when I’m joining new blogs left and right. I gonna have some major housekeeping to do in May but oh well. This is what I do- First, I visit and comment most on blogs of people who do the same for me. So the first place I look is my comment section. I try to visit everyone at least once a week if not more often who has left a comment on my blog in the last five days. Then I have my ‘favorites’- usually found in the ‘peeps’ section of my blog- people who I imprinted on from the beginning of my blogging days, like YOU my sweet!;) Then I do the ‘big wiggers’ that I enjoy most, like Elana Johnson, Lisa&Laura, and Shannon Messenger and then agent blogs last if their posts appeal to me.
Yes – thank goodness for Google Reader! So much easier to keep track. I used to use the Blogger Reader, but it crashed a lot, and didn’t seem to have the most up-to-date stuff.
Thanks for the info! I do need some better strategies as I’m starting to get overwhelmed.
I’ll have to check Google Reader out–it takes me a long time to go through all of the blogs I’m reading. (Though I imagine some of it will slow down after the A-Z challenge and it will be a little easier.)
I did add a subscribe to RSS feed to my blog; I’m still figuring out how all this stuff works, so thanks for the tip!
Wow. I’m going to have to check this out. I’m always so overwhelmed when I open up my google reader. It’s wonderful that it saves you time!
My blog reading is a constant work in progress. First I used Google Reader all the time; now, it’s a repository of all the cool blogs I’ve visited and may stop back again someday.
Lately, I’ve been visiting commenters blogs and others that I’m addicted to. Even more recently, I put my favorite NICE bloggers on a blog roll, to more easily keep up with them.
But I agree you MUST be accessible – that includes RSS and having a Followers button I can easily find as well as email! Also Twitter! I find some of the best blog posts there.
I don’t use Google reader. I have all the blogs I follow on my sidebar in a blogroll, and I have them sorted as most recently updated. That way I know when each person posted (20 minutes ago, four hours ago, a day ago, etc.) and if I missed anything.
At the moment I’m galloping through the A to Z alphabet so that I have time to pause and read what everyone else has written! Arghhhh!
I just do it through multiple tabs in Google Chrome and using the blogger dashboard.
I use blogger dashboard as well, plus I have a few on my side bar.
I am so going to have to use google reader. Anything to make life easier online is something I’m all about. Thanks for the link.
Thanks for the awesome tips, Laura. I’ve been so inefficient with reading and commenting on blogs I’d begun to despair. I’ll have to try some techie solutions!
I’m honest about the time I can invest in it and I tend to only comment or visit the blogs with catchy titles or a topic of interest for me. I also try (key word) to comment on those who’ve commented over at my place.
~ Wendy
I tried Google Reader but it seemed overwhelming at the time. Now I just have all my regular blogs bookmarked. It’s not very tech savvy, but it works for me right now. Although, your post reminds me that I always meant to go back to Google Reader and give it another try, I just haven’t gotten around to it.
I did have a favorites/bookmarks but, I still had to click on and off of them. With Google reader I can scroll down through and and just read the ones I read and with the ones I comment on, I still press v, read and comment, close and keep scrolling. For me, it’s been more efficient than a blogroll or bookmarking. I’m glad to see I wasn’t the last one to start using it!
Apart form the A-Z, I always use Google Reader to scan the blogs I subscribe to. With so much to read, it’s the only way.
Your blog come into my email through the RSS. All my favorites do 🙂 It’s such a great feature.
I’ve been using Blogger dashboard. I’ve added an RSS feed and various ways to connect to my blog when readers have asked for it. Otherwise, I have no idea what they are or what they are for! Hopefully, I’ll figure things out as I go along.
Yeah. I loves me some Google Reader. I use on it on my phone too — especially when I’m in line waiting for stuff.
I also use categories like you Laura so I can keep up with my peeps!
And totally agree, all blogs need a RSS feed and not that kind that only gives you an excerpt. Put the whole post in RSS. People will still visit and comment on your blog.
These are great tips for using Google Reader. Thanks for sharing them!
oh, I’ve totally used G-Reader since the beginning. But now you guys are showing me all sorts of tricks I never knew about… V, eh? ;p Thanks, Laura~ <3
I love Google Reader! I have the blogs I follow in folders too and it’s much more manageable. I dont’ know how people read blogs without Google Reader’s assistance.
Hmmm, I’ve yet to get into google reader. Something to look into.
Holy Troll Dolls…we can comment from Google Reader? GAH! I did not know this! Thanks so much Laura–you rawk!
Have a great weekend!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Thanks, Laura. I’m on my way to Google reader. I got a Droid phone to figure out, so by the end of today I’ll be a tech wizard.
Thanks everyone! Once I realized how easy it was to comment from G. Reader that’s when I decided to use it. It has made a huge difference!
I have the RSS link – even a special link just for Google Reader. I have more subscribers to my RSS than I do Followers in my Blogger gadget.
By the way, thanks for the ‘v’ tip. I always clicked the Blog title to launch to the real post. ‘v’ is much faster (and I used it to get here!)
Thanks for sharing; I need to do this! Happy Friday~
Okay, I kinda sorta admit that I have no clue about Google reader. Yikes. Do I have an RSS feed button? I hope I do… Eep.
yes, google reader is fantastic.
Tho I don’t completely get Rss feed – I’ve read Rachel’s post and am still challenged …
Google Reader is definitely a lifesaver, and especially when you know all the tips and tricks 😉
Great post Laura, and thanks so much for the shout-out for my RSS post 🙂
Hugs,
Rach
Google Reader is a real time-saver. I discovered it about 6 months ago and have never looked back. The only drawback is that if you have access to a protected post on a blog (there’s only one blog I follow that has protected posts), it doesn’t alert to those posts. A small price to pay; I just check that one manually.