Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

Bly’s Theory of Blogging

September 24th, 2007 by Bob Bly

I am obsessed with not wasting time and being as productive as I can.

After all, my income is directly linked to my ability to produce quality work at a rapid rate.

This November will mark the 3-year anniversary of the launch of this blog, and the experience has led me to Bly’s Theory of Blogging and Personal Productivity, which states:

“Personal productivity is inversely proportional to time spent blogging.”

Is blogging fun? Yes.

Intellectually stimulating? Can be.

Useful? Opinions vary.

But the more time you spend blogging, the less work you get done.

This leads me to Bly’s Rule of Blogging Time, which states:

“Anyone who blogs more than 10 minutes a day — or more than an hour a week — is spending way too much time reading and writing on blogs.”

What’s your reaction to my Theory and Rule of blogging?

Can one spend too much time — or conversely, too little time — in the blogosphere?

How many hours a week do YOU spend blogging — both writing your own blog, responding to comments on your blog, and participating in discussions on other people’s blogs?

And really, you do it for fun, perhaps for research, or to establish yourself as a thought leader …

But you don’t think blogging is the new Marketing Miracle that’s going to Change the Face of Business As We Know It, right?

Share

This entry was posted on Monday, September 24th, 2007 at 10:31 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

78 responses about “Bly’s Theory of Blogging”

  1. Gamermk said:

    Spending only 1 hour blogging in a week seems like it would lead to very low quality posts.

  2. bill perry said:

    I agree with Gamermk. I would be inclined to think that each blogger’s differing personalities and abilities would dictate an optimal blogging time for themselves.

    I’ve been studying NLP lately and I think that Metaprograms might have something to do with it.

    I’m not sure though, I’m still learning. But of course, who isn’t???

  3. Bob Bly said:

    Gamermk: If you work 50 hours a week and blog 1 hour a week, you are already spending 2% of your time blogging. This seems excessive to me. How much time do YOU spend blogging a week?

  4. Mike Braun said:

    So the first two responders are saying that you need to spend time studying blogs in order to have the ability to create a good one? I guess I didn’t realize that blogging was such an art form, or science. People do take this too seriously.

  5. Bob Bly said:

    Mike: My point exactly. You don’t need to study blogs to create a good blog. You don’t need a blog consultant or coach or ghostwriter. Blogging isn’t an art form or a science. And people who pretend otherwise, in my opinion, DO take it too seriously — way, way too seriously.

  6. Jennifer said:

    I think it depends why you’re blogging–and where you are in your career. For someone like Bob, who I’m sure has plenty of traffic and name recognition already, he probably isn’t looking to build a following or establish himself through blogging, and his time is probably better spent on other things. For someone like me–just getting started, trying to get more traffic and establish myself in my industry–I need to put a little more time into my posts so I can “prove” myself, in a sense. It’s not a miracle marketing technique, but I’ve found it to be helpful and much more fun than cold-calling.

  7. Robert Rosenthal said:

    I spend around two hours a week on Freaking Marketing. I do about 80% of my blog-related work during the off hours. As a stress reliever, it’s almost as good as my elliptical machine.

  8. Tom Messner said:

    Bly should probably be spelt Bligh as you now seem to
    be rationing your blog as if it were grog.
    But you make your case very strongly and this will be my last visit ever to this blog. No more wasting time, back to work, chop chop.

  9. Dianna Huff said:

    I don’t spend enough time blogging because I am swamped with paying work. I find it hard to find time to write posts — even one or two posts a week.

    Why do I blog — that is, keep a blog and respond to other people’s blogs? Because it drives traffic to my site and newsletter subscriptions. Because other experts and journalists find me and interview me for their articles / websites / newsletters.

    Because most of the time, it’s fun.

    I just don’t like the anxiety I feel when I know I have to produce a post and don’t have the time to do so.

  10. Bob Bly said:

    DH, RR: I agree that blogging can be fun and a nice break from the fast pace of client projects. But I know a few people who blog an hour a DAY. That’s insane, unless you are wealthy and retired. Tom: I am blogging at the same rate I have always blogged. I haven’t cut back. I’m just — like many of us — a fast blogger who doesn’t agonize over blogging the way I agonize over the copy for a client’s direct mail piece.

  11. Craig Hysell said:

    As a writer I believe in blogging as practice in selling my thoughts and ideas- as a kind of “marketing tool” like Jennifer stated. When I’m stuck on a client’s piece; sometimes I blog. When I’m struggling for ideas; sometimes I blog. When I’m longing for some kind of information, inspiriation, resuscitation, sometimes I blog.

    I don’t do YouTube or MySpace and I don’t watch much television. But I do read. A lot. Blogging is just another informative/networking tool… and can be a quality one at that when used properly. (Where else do you get to go into Bob Bly’s or other top copywriter’s heads regularly? What is detrimental to our work about that?)

    As a copywriter aren’t you getting work done if you’re drawing information and response from people? Doesn’t this blog and many others do that? Look at your list of blog links Bob, there are quite a bit there. Why are they there?

    I guess we might ask ourselves if any of us has drawn clients or bettered our work because of blogging? Is blogging on par with picking over industry newsletters and reading the latest copywriting books offering success?

  12. Dianna Huff said:

    Chris,

    Blogging makes me see things from a different perspective — both because I encounter new ideas and because I look at the world through a “is this a blog post?” perspective.

    I also don’t only read marketing blogs. My favorite blog right now is the Fake Steve Jobs blog. I read it when I need a break and a good laugh.

  13. Michael Roach said:

    Maybe someday I’ll find time to blog… It’s certainly not a priority right now.

  14. Fern said:

    Ad Age reported this year that 35 million workers — or one in four people in the US labor force — spend an average of 3.5 hours, or 9%, of each work day reading blogs. I think that maybe that’s too much of a “much-needed break.”

    I read 4 blogs — two for fun (including http://www.dooce.com and Stanley Bing’s blog) and two for work (including this one). But I’m on them less than 10 minutes.

    The other work blog I read (and respond to) has actually brought some work my way – so being involved with blogs can be and should be part of your marketing mix. For those with a name like Bob’s or Bing’s, they can have their blog. For someone like me, reading and posting — especially and obviously posting — is enough.

  15. Terrance Charles said:

    I personally spend atleast 30 minutes a day on my blog, and on other blogs if they catch my attention like this one did. I don’t think there is a limit to the amount of time spent. If it’s productive and it’s making you money, or getting you signups and subscribers etc, it’s worth it.

    It also depends on readership too, if you have a big subscriber base for your blog, you have to keep it updated more than if you had a smaller group because more readers will be able to see it and respond, so you can move on to next content. If your readership isn’t as big, then you can spend less time and give them a chance to check it out.

    It’s fun, profitable, and it gives you authority in your niche. Is it the future of business, I think it will have a BIG part to do with it, but I don’t think it’s going to be responsible for all business.

    Terrance Charles
    http://www.terrancecharles.com/blog

  16. Bob Bly said:

    TC: Here’s the problem with your approach: how many sign-ups do you get per week from your blog? What do those sign-ups cost vs. other methods. Example (made up): If your time is worth $200 an hour, and you blog 3 hours a week, it costs you $600 per week. If your blogging generates 10 new sign-ups weekly, you are paying $60 per new name. That compares very unfavorably with coregistration, pay per click, and other list-building methods that can bring you new names for between $1 to $2 per name, right? It’s not time/cost-effective. To quote Fred Gleeck: “Measurement eliminates argument.” Most bloggers — most online marketers — don’t measure enough.

  17. Sheri Cyprus said:

    This post is a little late for this section, but I’m catching up on Bob’s blogs. I realize I ruin my productivity when I spend too much time reading blogs and checking email during my billable hours, so I’m trying to schedule time all at once to do that. It’s been tough, but I’m learning! 🙂 I just wanted to say that I’m not taking joy in your misery, Bob, but as a fairly new dm copywriter, I take some consolation that even experts like you sometimes also “agonize over the copy for a client’s direct mail piece.” 🙂

  18. Blogging is a Waste of Time « said:

    […] One of my favorite copyrighters Bob Bly had this to say in a recent post: […]

  19. Yvonne DiVita said:

    You’re at it again, are you, Bob? I HAVE to blog more than an hour a week… I get paid to blog. On top of that, after going over our client list recently, we discovered that 73% of our clients came to us via the blog (without ANY mention on the blog of what we do – they came because they liked the blog and wrote to me; or they were referred by blogger friends.) So… if I were not blogging every day…I would not be in business.

    Blogging for business is alive and well. If you want to learn how to do it right, don’t listen to Bob… apparently he still doesn’t get it.

  20. WillR said:

    Bob, love your stuff. I’d like to offer one addition to your theory:

    No matter how much time you choose to spend blogging, you MUST proof each post to minimize typos!

    (And I don’t mean “you” in the “most persuasive words” sense; I mean YOU, Bob! :o)

  21. How Much Time Should You Spend Blogging? said:

    […] his post, Bly states his theory of blogging. He says “Anyone who blogs more than 10 minutes a day — or more than an hour a week — is […]

  22. Indian Technology Blog said:

    Indian Technology Blog…

    […]Bly’s Theory of Blogging – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…

  23. Internet Traffic/Internet marketing/Seo/what is internet marketing/Software/internet marketing strategies/free internet marketing/internet marketing software/internet marketing affiliate program/Vic Hutchinson/how to make money online/ways to make money o said:

    Internet Traffic/Internet marketing/Seo/what is internet marketing/Software/internet marketing strategies/free internet marketing/internet marketing software/internet marketing affiliate program/Vic Hutchinson/how to make money online/ways to make mo…

    […]Bly’s Theory of Blogging – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…

  24. How HCG drops work said:

    This is very good. I was surprised to see this information so well assembled, definitely planning to post this on facebook so the hubby can find it. Cheers!

  25. Las Vegas Hairstyles said:

    Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and
    reporting! Keep up the good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

  26. best home insurance policy said:

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really
    enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed
    and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!

  27. Monroe Marcinkiewicz said:

    Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this web site.

  28. Exercise said:

    |This really answered my problem, thank you!

  29. Trey Wanland said:

    I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Cheers

  30. Joe3434 said:

    A good web site with interesting content

  31. All India Results 2019 said:

    This is the most interesting blog I have never seen. If you want to check the results click here.

  32. Prabs Hoseok said:

    I find this article very interesting and informative. Find my article about celebrity Caitriona Balfel here

  33. BROOKE DAVIS said:

    Hi, I like your props. Every column is so refreshing. You have good presentation skills and it is unique. The stories are very much enlightening. I visit frequently. Looking forward to the more article. Keep blogging. best solar panels for home

  34. Taylor Stephen said:

    I am so glad to read this article. In this post, the author shares some more information about blogging. I like your way of presentation and keep sharing more information. I am eagerly waiting for more updates like this. Thanks for sharing the post. cbd oil for pain

  35. fall guys said:

    Incredible post! I didn’t knowral of these assets and I will go look at them now!

  36. Corwin said:

    We all immediately rg Holland’s William I, Prince of Orange, to an assassination attempt by Spain. Over time, pugs have been the favored breed or both royals and celebrities—from Napoleon and Queen Victoria to Andy Warhol and Rob Zombie.
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  37. Palash said:

    Nice article about food blog. It definitely helps to grow up my food blog.
    https://cookwithmou.com

  38. Sandra Mayer said:

    Best wishes and best wishes for your next article. We want to share our article with all bloggers and content writers, this article “Spinning Tops: 5 Fun Games To Play With Them” Showing the basics of information, so visit this site if you need them. Thank you

  39. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  40. Joe Clark said:

    Contact us and ask your questions and queries directly to us MCA Realtime Callback Leads Capital Brokers are receiving calls from the Qualified Merchant

  41. atozupdate said:

    Big Boss is a reality game television show produced through Star India and Viacom 18. Gradually it has become internationally available through Hotstar. Here is the detailed list on Bigg Boss Season 5 Telugu Voting guidelines.

  42. rupa said:

    Endurance Infection In Space 2d space-shooter MOD APK

  43. gclub said:

    I am very King99 come into reading this blog every day. Please keep presenting good things like this. Thank you very much.

  44. Raftaar said:

    Kaali Car Lyrics by Raftaar, Asees Kaur is new released Punjabi song in their voices, MixSingh has made its tune. Kaali Car song lyrics are written by Raftaar, Happy Raikoti. Its music video is released by White Hill Beats.

  45. Best shopping in India said:

    Love it
    best laptops for digital marketing

  46. emi said:

    great one google

  47. Neha Kakkar said:

    Pal bhar thehar jaao
    Dil ye sambhal jaaye
    Kaise tumhe roka karu
    Meri taraf aata har gam phisal jaaye
    Aakhon mein tumko bharu
    Bin bole baaten tumse karu
    Agar tum saath ho
    Agar tum saath ho

    Behti rehti nahar, nadiya si
    Teri duniya mein
    Meri duniya hai teri chahton mein
    Main dhal jaati hu teri adaton mein
    Agar tum saath ho

    https://www.lyricsoff.com/songs/agar-tum-saath-ho-tamasha.html

  48. Jazmin said:

    Jazmin offers best women dress design for women in Pakistan. The unstitched dresses for women are very trendy and cost-effective.

  49. Rivaj UK said:

    Rivaj brings amazing cosmetic products like Face Powder and glamorous face powder related products So, grab their glamorous face powder today and enjoy Their Face Powder products are truly unbeatable and offer a high degree of satisfaction Rivaj offers the best face powder online to their customers every day

  50. afb1188 said:

    This article is really a fastidious one it helps new internet viewers, who are wishing in superlot favor of blogging.

  51. Chris said:

    If you want to eat from a restaurant and the only payment method you have is PayPal then you might want to visit only restaurants that accept paypal.

  52. Royal Leafs said:

    If you’re searching for the best Cannabis store, you’re at the right place! At Royal Leafs.

  53. Highway Fashions said:

    Check out the latest zellbury sale collection online at Highwayfashions. Explore the wide range of branded dresses online at Highwayfashions. Get your favorite dresses online in all over Pakistan at discounted prices.

  54. Royal Leafs said:

    Royalleafs is one of the best cannabis store online. You can find online plenty of Cannabis products such as Cannabis pre-rolls, raw and milled flowers, drinks, and accessories such as bongs and vapes of the highest quality at Royalleafs.

  55. Borjan said:

    From sleek and sophisticated to casual and laid-back, our Men Chappal are the perfect addition to any outfit. Plus, with our special offer, you can save on your purchase and step out in style without breaking the bank. Shop now and discover the perfect pair of chappals for you!

  56. Jazmin Clothing said:

    Reveal your glamour with the stunning Net Dress Designs offered by Jazmin Clothing. Each dress is crafted from the highest quality net fabric and designed to elevate your style for any special occasion. Shop now.

  57. Sarmun said:

    Get the best quality Bomber Jackets for Men Online from Wearsarmun. Sarmun offers multiple bomber jackets for men at reasonable prices. Grab your favorite Jackets online.

  58. design.cricut.com/setup said:

    The Cricut machine is a valuable tool for artists and DIY enthusiasts who require precise cutting for their projects. It can easily cut through a range of materials, such as textiles and leather. Setting up the machine is hassle-free and can be done by visiting http://www.cricut/setup.com
    http://www.cricut/setup.com
    https://cricut.com/
    cricut.com setup mac

  59. Macks Ride said:

    Our comfortable & luxurious transportation in Orlando will make your vacation unforgettable. Nightlife transportation in Orlando is incredibly fun. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the city’s exciting entertainment & attractions. Book a Van Service Orlando for Universal Studios transportation. Our VIP service, luxury cars, and the best prices in Orlando are what we offer.

  60. Design Optimise said:

    With over 8 years of experience, Design Optimise is the most trusted and recognized. Social Media Marketing Agency Orlando. If you want your business grow you have to go for the best social media marketing company to stand tall at digital world.

  61. Shahtaj said:

    Looking for the latest Pakistani dresses for women? we have a wide selection of elegant and trendy pakistani formal dresses, including stitched unstitched ready to wear and more. Buy your favorite apparel from Shahtaj Qaiser. Shop now!

  62. Mike Rooney said:

    Awesome blog. I have read and thought about what you said. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!T Birds Jacket

  63. Ammara khan said:

    Ammara khan brings the best New Dress Design in Pakistan. We provide a wide range of the latest dresses online all over Pakistan. Order your favorite dresses online at the best prices.

  64. Shahtaj said:

    Are you looking for ladies dresses Pakistani? Shahtaj Qaiser presents a wide range of Pakistani dresses including traditional designs with beautiful embroidery and modern styles. Find your favorite apperal online today.

  65. Deutech said:

    Unlock the secret to flawless skin with Deutech, one of the tops skin care brands in Pakistan. We bring Effective skincare solutions to enhance your natural beauty. Discover the perfect harmony between science and nature with Deutech’s innovative formulations. Shop now!

  66. Mohagni said:

    Are you Looking for the best quality Lawn dresses online in Pakistan? Choose from a variety of colors and styles that cater to every taste and occasion. Order your favorite lawn dress from mohagni. Shop now!

  67. Walkeaze said:

    Are you in search of the best Online Shoes Brand for women in Pakistan? At Walkeaze you get a wide range of shoes for women online all over Pakistan. So, get your favorite women’s shoes online at the best prices.

  68. SamuelMoris said:

    I can understand that CBD products are gaining popularity for various purposes, including pain relief, relaxation, and stress reduction. It’s essential to research and choose reputable Relax CBD products from trusted sources. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using CBD products, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Remember, individual responses to CBD may vary, so it’s crucial to find the right products that suit your specific needs and preferences.

  69. The Entertainer said:

    Explore the latest Collection of car toys at The Entertainer. Our selection includes kids; toy cars that offer hours of active play. Shop online today to find the best car toys for your children.

  70. Best Teether Tubes said:

    Excellent reviews! Now say goodbye to teething troubles with Bebecan Teething Tubes. The discomfort of my kid has been saved by these tiny miracles. They are comfortable to handle and offer calming relief because to their ergonomic form and smooth feel. Additionally, the cheerful hues and attractive forms make the experience of teething enjoyable. A definite must-have for any parent!”

  71. iHost VPS said:

    When it comes to best VPS hosting Canada , the best providers offer top-notch services tailored to meet the needs of businesses or individuals seeking reliable and efficient hosting solutions. These providers typically offer a range of hosting plans, including different CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth options, to accommodate various workloads.

  72. BabyBoxShop said:

    Boy shower gifts are charming gifts chosen with care to commemorate the upcoming birth of a baby boy. These gifts often feature items such as baby boy clothing, adorable accessories, baby gear, and toys that are perfect for little boys.

  73. ahsan said:

    new dress
    new dress
    [new dress](new dress)
    [new dress](new dress)

  74. iHost VPS said:

    Transform your virtual workspace with our VPS Virtual Desktop solutions. Experience enhanced flexibility and productivity by accessing your personalized virtual desktop environment from any device, anywhere.

  75. BSNS Consulting said:

    Social Media Agency Pakistan, BSNS Consulting understands the power of social media in modern business. We craft compelling social media strategies that drive engagement, build brand loyalty, and foster meaningful connections with your audience. Elevate your social media presence and stay at the forefront of your industry with our expert services.

  76. Green LED said:

    I think I’ve never seen such great blogs. have the complete stuff with all the details I want. So please update this for us. thanks. 5651AB LED 5651BB 5-digit 5561AB 7-Segment 5561BB Display

  77. Tiptop-einrichtung said:

    A friseurstuhl is a specially designed chair that offers comfort and support to clients during a hair salon visit. These chairs are often adjustable in height and have a recline feature for ease of operation.. Explore our collection of stylish and comfortable barber chairs to provide the best experience for your customers.

  78. Lione4 said:

    KinitoPET is a captivating mobile game that combines puzzle-solving with pet care. Players must solve challenging puzzles to earn rewards and care for their virtual pets, known as Kinitos. These adorable creatures thrive on attention and love, motivating players to engage with the game regularly. With its charming graphics and addictive gameplay, kinitopet offers a unique gaming experience that keeps players coming back for more.

Leave a Reply