Monday, August 30, 2010

Google Reader Schedule

Like many of you, I follow a lot of blogs - somewhere close to the 300 mark at the moment (not counting agent/publishing blogs). I try really hard to keep up with most of your posts, but it's not easy. You all know this!

With school right around the corner, I've decided I need a better system than using my blog roll. If I start at the top of the blog roll, I may miss some of the older ones, and I may miss some people altogether.

So I played around with Google Reader a bit. I'm not always intuitive with new software - it takes me a while to become comfortable with a program. I needed to Google a couple of websites for help, but I think I've got it organzied now. *crossing fingers and toes*


I created a folder for each day of the week and then I went through each blog on my list and assigned it a specific day. In a really creative move, I started with the first blog and assigned it to Sunday, the next to Monday... Of course after I finally finished, I found a few new blogs to follow and had to remember how to assign them to a folder :)

So... long story short, each of your blogs is in a folder. Each day I'll use that folder and read and comment on those blogs. If I have time, I'll visit more, but this way I'll get to everyone at least once a week.  This is NOT an ideal system, but for now, it's the best I've got. So I apologize in advance for missing some of your posts, but I think it will make it more manageable. If you don't see me for a bit, check in and let me know. There's a rather giant possibility I didn't do this perfectly!

How do you manage to connect with all the blogs you follow?

165 comments:

TK Richardson said...

Great idea, Jemi! It is hard to organize all of this. Even though I read most all of the blogs I follow I don't comment like I should. Maybe this would be a better way to actually do this. I think I'll try it, too. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks TK. I hope it works! We'll have to wait and see, but I'm hoping I can do it :)

Elana Johnson said...

Holy cow, girl. You're way more organized that me. I start by reading the blogs of those people who comment on my blog. If I can make it through those, I go to my second blog, where I've made a list of people who I like to read. I never make it through all of those. But if I do, then I start clicking on people who've left comments on someone else's blog.

It's a never-ending circle.

And you only follow 300 blogs??? :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elana - I actually never thought of doing it that way from the comments - that's a good idea too!

It really is never-ending.

I know - I should get moving on that :)

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Perhaps I have more time than others, I usually get up around 6am do an hour of light excercises have a drink then see what blogs have been written overnight.....I live the other side of the pond. There are usually around 7, if there are any comments I read them then have Breakfast, during intervals during the day when I have time to sit down I keep abreast of the blogs and hopefully comments,
Being retired has it advantages.
There are of course when I go visiting or writing my poems,
I think you're a genius thinking up the file system, Good luck with it.

Yvonne.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Yvonne - I hope it works.

When I got up this morning and checked 147 new posts had been written since last night. It's a bit overwhelming to see the number!

Tamika: said...

It's sounds like a perfect plan:)

I'm struggling with the same issue. Work has picked up and this pregnancy is completely unpredictable. I'm searching for a way to manage~ let us know how this work for you.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Tamika - I hope it works. I'll keep everyone up to date - although you'll probably be able to tell by how often I get to your blogs :)

Pregnancy can throw you for a loop. I was very lucky & felt fabulous during both pregnancies, but even still I was more tired than normal. Take care - that's the most important thing!

Mason Canyon said...

Sounds like you've got a good plan in place. I have just under 200 blogs on my Google Reader and I can't always visit and comment on each one every day. Some weeks work is so crazy I don't even get a chance to check back on my own blog. LOL I think your readers will understand if you don't make it by their blog every day. I know I do. Life just gets in the way sometimes. Good luck with your plan. Wish I was that organized.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Cruella Collett said...

That sounds like a lot of work, but probably a good idea to keep track of what you're reading. I follow many blogs too. I don't know how many, exactly, but it's been a long while since the Blogger follow thingie told me I was following the maxium of 300 blogs. Fortunately Google Reader and the Friend Connect gadget doesn't have those restrictions, so I have been able to follow a bunch of new blogs since (and unfollow a few).

Anyway, my idea to keep track was to make a spreadsheet with the ones I *really* follow (agent blogs, for instance, I follow and occasionally read, but I never leave a comment) so that I could make sure I visited back those bloggers that are so kind to visit me. The problem with this spiffy plan was that the spreadsheet soon became too big for me to keep proper track of. Plus I keep forgetting which column is "visited me", and which is "I visited". Plus I tend to forget to update the spreadsheet. In short, it's not a perfect system.

I think your system sounds much better, so I might try that whenever I have the time to get that organized!

Terra said...

Brilliant!
I have no system, but I do see the display to the right on my blog, which shows most recent posts for the blogs I follow and I often click on them. It shows a photo and the first words of the post of the blogs I follow.

Jemi Fraser said...

Mason - thanks! I'm really crossing my fingers that this works and I don't upset anyone. I think we're all incredibly busy. I love reading everyone's blogs, but I've got to find that balance.

Jemi Fraser said...

Cruella - the getting organized part was the problem :)

It did take me some time to figure it out - but I've been on holidays so I had the time. I've been using it, but still checking other folders for the last couple of days and so far so good. We'll see...

Jemi Fraser said...

Terra - that's what I was using before and it works pretty well. Unfortunately there's a cap on how many blogs it will show you. So now that I have too many blogs, I'm going to give this a shot :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - I didn't have a clue about it either until I saw it mentioned in a few places. I went to Google's main page. On the top left hand side there are several links. If you click on the arrow beside 'more' a drop down menu comes up. Google Reader is in there.

By clicking on it, it magically knows what blogs you've followed and lists them. I used the 'Manage Subscriptions' link in the very bottom left-hand corner to create the folders.

Try it out & if you have any questions I'll TRY to answer them. I tend to forget how I did stuff :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

That really is a great idea. Right now I try to respond to everyone who comments on my blog and check out my blogroll too. But I know I miss people too.

I've also scaled back on my own blogging- down from 5 times a week to more like 2. That has opened up a lot of time.

Summer Ross said...

Hmm I didn't know you could do that with google reader. I havn't even toyed with it. I've noticed i have had problems keeping up with everyone's also, I check the blog rolls daily, but sometimes I click on someones name and they posted and I wasn't even aware of it...lol I'll have to check this out.

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - Thanks :)

I actually never thought of going from the comment section of my blog before - but that's a good way too.

I can't imagine blogging more than 2 or 3 times a week - it would be impossible to keep up!

Jemi Fraser said...

Summer - I can't remember where I read that you could make folders for your blog roll - but that's why I looked into the reader.

So far it seems to catch everything - but I guess I'll find out as I go :)

Erinn said...

You're such a TEACHER ;-) you're so organized. I can totally tell what your classroom looks like. :-)

Very smart!

Very clear.

Today was my first day.

Anonymous said...

Like yourself, I've recently begun using Google Reader. I'm organizing blogs I follow into folders entitled Potential Blog Tour Sites, Interviews and Reviews, First Tier Blogs, Second Tier Blogs, Put Up Or Shut Up, and Delete.

The first folder are blogging buddies with a consistent healthy following that could possibly be a host for my upcoming Blog Book Tour. Interviews and Reviews is self explantory. The next three are grouped according to those who comment on my blog. Second and Third Tier folders are a good place to be as I'll comment back on these.

The last two ... well, either they rarely if ever comment on my blog or their blog is no longer up and running.

So that's how I'm doing Google Reader.

Jemi Fraser said...

Erinn - That's so funny! I do tend to be a little OCD about these things :)

I'm so glad it was clear!

Beth Mann said...

Thank God for people like you, Jemi. I am SO not organized, but this sounds like a fantastic idea! Always love to see your name pop up on my blog - and I'm sure others feel the same! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - I love it! Your folder names are hilarious! :)

At this point I'm more about making sure I just keep up! We'll have to see how it goes!

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - lol :)

I am liking the idea so far - and I do tend to let my OCD tendencies take over at times!

Thanks so much - you're such a sweetie!

Patti Lacy said...

WOW! I just go to the reader and enjoy on chapter breaks. Kinda my reward for plugging away on my deadlines.

LOVE this place. I always learn much...feel more.

Patti

Jemi Fraser said...

Patti - Life just gets so chaotic around here once the school year starts. I tend to spend at least 50 hours a week on my job - then there's real life too :) So I'm hoping this works out!

Theresa Milstein said...

That's a clever system.

If someone comments on my blog, I try to comment on their blog the same day. Then I have some of my regulars that I always comment on. Everyone else, I try to periodically hit Google reader and check out other blogs. Not an exact science.

Al said...

Much more organised than I am.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I have a daily folder, (close to 100 in that one!) a 1-2 times a week folder, and a 'new' folder.

JournoMich said...

I have intended to do this for a while and think it's brilliant! Only suggestion: leave yourself room for crossover. If a post grabs you on a not-that-day blog, click anyway!

Enjoy your organized new life. :)

Michele
Southern City Mysteries

Jemi Fraser said...

Theresa - I've never thought of using the comments on my blog as the basis for my commenting before - it's a good plan! But I'll try this and see what happens :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Al - lol - probably not! But I'm going to give it a shot and see what happens :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - that would work as well - there are definitely some regulars I will visit more often than once a week too :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Michele - thanks!

I love that idea - I'll definitely implement that too! :)

RosieC said...

Jemi, you're a flipping genius! I'm so stealing your plan. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing :)

Southpaw said...

Oh, this is such a hard one. So far, I've created only one folder in GoogleReader. It contains the blogs that usually have information that is helpful to me in some way or just makes me laugh. It also includes bloggers who frequent my blog a lot. I like to hit those first. Then I just use the reader to pop though as many blogs as I have time for, commenting when I can.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Wow. There is no way I could pull off that kind of organizational brilliance - I don't have it in me. What a great idea, Jemi! Let me know how well it works. :-)

Paula RC said...

Amazing!

Jemi Fraser said...

Rosie - woohoo! Steal away! That way when I've forgotten how to do something I'll know who to ask!

Okie said...

Look at you being all organized. Way to go. :)

I have my ~300 feeds organized in Google Reader but by category rather than "when" I'll actually read them. I think your process sounds intriguing and could be rather effective (provided you can keep the days well balanced).

In my case, I devote 30-60 minutes each weekday to catching up on blog posts...I start with the newest first and work backwards. Thus, on particularly busy days/weeks, it's possible that I won't get to a sunday post until late in the week But by ~Friday, I've generally gone through all the new posts and am cleared again for the weekend.

I debated on clearing out a lot of "similar" blogs I follow but decided against it since sometimes it's the subtle variations that prove the most interesting.

Best of luck...and have fun with the return to school. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Holly - that's a good way to do it too.

I agree - it's so hard. I love blogging, I love visiting blogs too - but it's too many in the hours I've got.

Jemi Fraser said...

Shannon - organizational brilliance and I are never on the same page! Never! :) This is so going to be an experiment. We'll see how it works!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Jarmara :) We'll see how amazing it is in the long run!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I admire your organization :) I use the blogger dashboard and scroll down clicking on here and there. Sometimes it's pretty hit and miss!

Jemi Fraser said...

Okie - that's how I was doing it - by the blogroll - but it was taking me hours per day (I'm not even going to tell you how many!). I'm hoping this will keep it in the reasonable range! :)

Thanks so much!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Karen!

I was using the blog roll too, but some days there were over 150 new posts to check - it just was getting too hard to keep up!

Kimberly Franklin said...

I think that sounds like a great idea. Currently, I'm not really managing what I read. Sometimes, when I get a free moment, I read blogs at work. However, I can't comment at work. So usually, by the time I get home, I'm too tired, etc and end up just commenting on the bloggers who commented on my post. It's not a good plan, but at the moment there just isn't enough time in the day. Good luck with your new schedule!!

Belle said...

This sounds like a great system, Jemi! My own blog commenting system starts with the comments on my own blog, and then I move to Google Reader. I have mine set up in alpha structure folders, but I like your days of the week idea much better. I also tend to click just on the folder and read all the "latest posts" rather than going to each blog in the folder. And when it all gets overwhelming and out of hand, I've been known to use the "mark all as read" button!

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Go Jemi! I know I couldn't pool this one off. My ADD would kick in and no one would get a comment.

Anonymous said...

That's a really good idea; maybe I should try it...

Melissa Hurst said...

This is a great idea! Right now I try to check out the blogs on my blogroll and I try to visit the blogs of people who comment on my latest post. But I still miss a lot of people.

Anonymous said...

You are tireless and uberly organized. My blog roll is quite a bit smaller than yours and I'm in the process of playing catch up since my computer has been resurrected. I'll have to give this some serious thought and try to figure something out before next week when I go back to work full time. Sheesh, what was I thinking?!?!?!?

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Kimberly - I can't believe how many of you comment on those who comment on your blogs first. It makes sense - can't believe I never thought of it! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Belle - that's a good system too! I clicked on the 'mark all as read' button once by mistake! Oops :)

I didn't realize there was latest post option - I like that! I'll have to check it out :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Mary - lol :)

We'll have to wait and see what happens with my own distractability tendencies!

Lisa_Gibson said...

It is tough to keep up with everyone. I agree Jemi! You've devised a great way to do it though. I hope it works out fabulously. Talk to you later. :)
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

Jemi Fraser said...

Amanda - I'm really hoping it works. We'll have to wait and see :)

Laura Eno said...

I have the same problem...about every 3 days I throw my hands in the air and hit 'mark all as read' so I can start over with a clean slate. Your idea seems more productive!

Jemi Fraser said...

Melissa - that's my worry. It's hard to remember who I missed the last time and I'm afraid I'll repeatedly miss the same people. We'll see how it all turns out.

Jemi Fraser said...

Cat - I know, isn't it crazy? The summer has been nice.

You'll have so much fun with your new business! It's going to be great!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Lisa!

We'll see how well it works out! No doubt I'll be in for a few interesting surprises along the learning curve :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - I can completely see me doing that too! :)

It can get overwhelming at times. I'm hoping this keeps me more on track.

Lola Sharp said...

Man, I have tried every way to organize my reader. I can't come up with a system that makes me feel like I'm keeping up. Everyone on my sidebar I keep a close eye on, and try never to miss a post. Also I try to visit everyone that comments on my blog. Then I go into my reader and read ALL of them, but only have time to comment on them randomly. I try to spread it around, or comment when they've had big news, or sad news or if they've touched me or made me laugh, etc.

It is really hard to keep up. I feel guilt about it. A lot of guilt. But I have over 400 followers (I know many have lots more...Elana has 5 times that!) and so many wonderful regular commenters whom I adore and make my day. But man is it hard to keep up. I want to say hello to EVERYONE, and tell them how much I adore their blogs. But it's impossible.

Let me know what ends up working. I'm open to try anything.

Love,
Lola

Unknown said...

Now that is organization! I wish I could say I have a system but I don't. I normally start by going to those who are my favorites then from there people who have taken the time to comment on my blog are the one's I visit next. From there I travel to new and old as often as I can.

With a full time job, school and writing and blogging it really would be nice to have a system!!! I Guess I should steal your idea.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lola - EXACTLY!!!

I don't know how Elana does it - I've used several of her speed blogging tips and they work, but I'm still finding I'm spending too many hours every day catching up.

I love all my bloggy friends, and I hate missing posts, but I think this is maybe a happy medium. We'll see if it works.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jen - my life is crazy-chaotic. I love it that way, but I want to try and keep my blogging balanced. I really don't want to omit someone by mistake!

Feel free to steal away! Don't know yet if it's going to work but I'm hoping :)

Jean said...

Look at you, girl! 300! I'm lucky if I manage to even check in with my writing buddies!

I used to use iGoogle, but I was considering Google Reader as I hear good things about it.

I feel guilty now. I know how busy you are... and I'm not THAT busy and yet I haven't checked out an agent blog in months! I used to be so on top of all of that. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Jean - I know how you feel :)

I don't check the agent blogs as often as I probably should, but there are a few that are so helpful!

I've never heard of iGoogle before - but I'm liking Reader so far. We'll see if I can keep up :)

SF said...

Wow, 300 blogs is so dedicated of you! Sounds like a good system, hope it works out.

Valerie Geary said...

Oh I love this idea!! I am so going to do that right now!!!! Genius! You are genius! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

SF - there are so many great blogs out there that I enjoy reading! I'm hoping this is going to work! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Valerie - thank you! I'm really hoping it works well.

I'm so glad you might do it too - that way when I forget how something works, I can call on you!! :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Whoa, I didn't know you COULD organize Google reader. Tres cool.
I know off the top of my head when certain writers blog--usually it's M-W-F then anything else I catch is when I happen to scroll the Google reader.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jennifer - I'd never used Reader at all before - I always used my blog roll. It's got a few options I've learned, but I'm not very good at it yet! :) Time will tell!

Laura S. said...

I do what I can! I take a few times throughout the day, usually after my writing sessions, to pop into the blogosphere. I know a few other bloggers who do what you do and it seems to work out well for them. I might have to consider this because it sounds so organized and I love anything to do with organization, lol!

Angela McCallister said...

I can't keep up with them all either. Nor am I consistent with my posts. I just take the time when I can, but I miss a lot more than I'd like. Totally feel ya on the guilt thing.

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - that's a good way to do it! If I had more time I'd stick with what I'm doing now, but school time is really chaotic.

I hope it's going to work! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Angela - it's hard, isn't it? There are so many wonderful people to follow! I miss too much as well - I'm hoping this way I'll not miss anyone too often! :)

Beth Zimmerman said...

BRILLIANT! I created a similar schedule (but only using 5 days a week so I can catch up on the weekends) but didn't think of assigning folders to make my life easier! Totally going to do this! THANK YOU!

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - you're so very welcome - I just hope the whole thing works! :) We'll all have to wait and see!

Julie said...

You are just awesome. I'm searching for new blogs to follow lately and having a great time meeting such a fun bunch of bloggers.

Thanks for working so hard to comment on blogs. I know I'm not the only one who smiles every time you stop by. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - you're such a sweetie! :)

There are so many amazing bloggers out there. I'm constantly astounded by the people I meet - kind, generous, fun, crazy, & always so supportive!

Thanks so much for your kind words - they mean a LOT to me :)

VR Barkowski said...

I bow to your organizational skills! I try to respond to everyone who comments on my blog. And I methodically go through Google Reader once a week, but I'm always running into extraordinary new blogs, and well, it's hopeless!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I start with the people who comment on my blog, then go to my critique partners, then go to my blog roll which are people who usually/sometimes comment on my blog or I enjoy their blog, sometimes I get sidetracked by commenters names or comments on others peoples posts...Sometimes get distracted by sidebars too...

Jemi Fraser said...

VR - I'd never used Google Reader until this week - I didn't realize what it really was or did. :)

I don't know why I never thought to return comments to those who comment on my blog first. Sometimes the obvious escapes me :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Sharon - that's a good method!

I get sidetracked so often! It's so hard when there are so many great people out there! I could blog all day long! :)

Natasha said...

I have some blogs that I like to visit everyday, some that I like to visit every two or three days, and some that I like speed-reading once in awhile. So I have three folders, and have sorted all blogs into one or the other.
Since I did it, I have also been leaving more comements, because I spend less time reading.

Jennie Bailey said...

I haven't been able to keep track and have been going very randomly to the blogs that I follow. It frustrates me when I miss a really great post. THIS is a brilliant idea! I think I'll set aside some time to organize my blogs as well. What a great way to do it. That way I don't miss anyone and it gives me a few moments to scan the posts for the week.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I don't manage at all. There aren't enough hours in the day to visit every blog I want to, even over a week's time. I zero in on regular visitors, great post titles I see in my blogroll, and follow links from Twitter and Facebook. I have Google Reader set up, but haven't worked on folders yet. Maybe I'd best do that next.

Patricia

Private said...

I don't manage either, I just use the reading list on my blogger dashboard...

Jemi Fraser said...

Rayna - that's a good system too. I like that. There are quite a few close bloggy buddies I will definitely visit more than once a week, but I'm hoping this way I don't miss anyone :)

Laura Pauling said...

We all need a system or we get lost. I definitely respond first to people who comment and then make my way to others.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jennie - I'm really hoping it helps me feel a little less overwhelmed. With school right around the corner I definitely need to spend less time on blogging - and that's hard because it's so much fun!!

I hope it works for you too. Thanks so much for dropping by :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - I'm hoping this works because it is hard. I don't think there's any way to keep up with everything! I think you do a very good job though :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Alexandra - that's exactly what I have been doing - but the blogroll doesn't hold everyone's blogs any more *sigh* Hopefully this way I don't miss folks!

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - I can't believe I've never thought of doing it that way. I use it for new people who visit my blog but I'll definitely incorporate that method as well. :)

Mari said...

I usually make a mix of your old system and Laura's. I go through my blog roll and then the people who comment.

I guess I should invert that, heh.

I like how your managing through google reader though. Very clever!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Good for you for giving this a go! Otherwise, blog reading can really get overwhelming.

I did end up having to tweak mine a bit--I'd put someone in a Tues/Th folder who only posted on M-W-F, etc. But after a while it worked itself out. :) Good luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

Mari - my big problem is my blog roll isn't big enough.

I'm hoping this will work! Crossing my fingers :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elizabeth - your system seems to work as well. I find SO many people post on Mondays it's hard to keep up with. From my roll there are at least 130 who post every Monday -- hard to keep up with! :)

Arlee Bird said...

I've been trying to come up with a sensible schedule for everything I do because I find I've been neglecting a lot due to blogging activity-- and I'm not evening visiting as many as you do! At least I don't think so. I make every attempt to visit every one who has left a comment on mine and pop in on some of those who I have seen comment on other blogs. I rarely get to my dashboard list and never use the Google reader. What I do now seems to keep me busy enough and sadly, I think I may have to curtail some of that activity.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Lindsay said...

Wow, that's a great idea. I try to get round to all the blogs I follow, but I cna't always manage it. :(
I'm going to try the folders. :)

Lisa Gail Green said...

I might have to try that! At first I thought I WAS on top of it all, then I realized I am losing out on like everything! There just isn't enough time in the day for household/family stuff, writing, tweeting and blogging (read including commenting on others). What I need is a magic lamp! Or maybe some time control magic!

Jemi Fraser said...

Arlee - it's hard to come up with a working plan isn't it? I'm hoping this one works out.

I have been using the dashboard, but it won't hold everyone anymore. So we'll see... :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lindsay - I think all of us are always trying to fit in one more thing. I'm hoping this method helps me keep on top of it all :)

Anonymous said...

I have Google reader but did not know you could organize it like that. I'll have to try it. I'm just about ready to start posting on my writing blog again, and have stayed in touch with a few over the summer, but not everyone. I'm looking forward to getting organized to do so! Thanks for the tip.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa Gail - I WANT that magic lamp!!!! When you find it, let me know ... I'll pay :)

I like a busy life - but lately it's getting to the point of absolute crazy chaos. And now I'm going to add in my job full-time that adds at least 50+ hours a week *sigh* :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynn - it's hard to keep up with it all! I think most of us are looking for some ways to help us be more effective with our time. I know I am - and I'm hoping this will help me :)

Tahereh said...

wow! what an incredible idea! best of luck with the new system :D

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Tahereh! I'm hoping it all works - we'll see how badly I can screw it up :)

Julie Musil said...

Oh my gosh, that is amazing! YOU are amazing! I love how organized you are, and you're a truly supportive blogging buddy. All of us bloggers understand that we can't catch everything, and you shouldn't worry about missing someone's post. I'm truly impressed.

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - thanks - you're such a sweetie!

I try to keep up with everyone, but I'm hoping this will make it easier! Thanks again :)

Karen Strong said...

Jemi, I'm truly amazed that you comment as often as you do on blogs. This is actually not a bad system.

It's unrealistic to think you can keep up with the amount of blogs you follow + work + family + day job.

Kudos for you for being so organized! It says a lot about your personality and how you love to support your fellow writers. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Karen!

I tend to let some of my OCD tendencies take over. I hate doing things half-way!

I hope the system works - so far so good although I keep 'cheating' and looking at other days too!

Kristi said...

Wow...I'm totally amazed by your organization!!!

I'm admittedly horrible at it! I try hard to keep up with my favorites but there are always those that I miss!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kristi - I think maybe I'm being a little too crazy with the files, but I know I'll feel better knowing I can catch up with everyone at least once a week. I do tend to jump off bridges with both feet every once in a while so we'll see how this jump works :)

Terry Stonecrop said...

I'm going through the same thing you are, trying to organize. I was trying to post everyday on everyone's blogs but I find that impossible.

I'm working on a system similar to what you're doing. Rotating according to days of the week. I love Stephen's folders, too:) Also similar to what I have in mind.

Jemi Fraser said...

Terry - it's not easy, is it? My blog roll just wasn't working because I follow too many blogs. I'm hoping this works out pretty well.

Stephen's folders made me laugh out loud :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

At the moment I have book bloggers in one, daily in the other, and the rest uncategorized. (Yes, it's still a work in progress.)
That said, I'm lucky just to visit those who comment on my blog!
I need a vacation from every draining element in my life right now...

Jemi Fraser said...

Diane - you've had a long emotional couple of months. You need to remember to take care of yourself and your family first. The rest is 'extra' and isn't anywhere near the same importance level. Take care!

Anonymous said...

I only comment on the blogs I really enjoy. :)

(So happy that yours lets me comment now!)

Jemi Fraser said...

Layinda - awww - you're so sweet!

I changed the comment format for you - I'm so glad it lets you comment now too! :)

Anonymous said...

You have to do what you have to do to be efficient. I'm just happy people stop by a couple times a week to my blog. I appreciate your comments.

Stephen Tremp

Anonymous said...

What an amazing lady you are. I need a system too.

Anonymous said...

People who comment on my blog get the first hit, if I have time I then reach out to people I haven't visited in a while and then I see what's happening on twitter to see if there are any interesting blogs to check out.

I like your schdule idea though.

Glynis Peters said...

I use igoogle. I have an alphabetical list with blog links. I go down the list one week and up it the next. I have my blogs on one page so I can access them to write posts quickly. I have got it loaded as my home page, it has worked for over 6 months now.

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - that's true - we all have to find that balance - not always an easy thing.

I feel the same Stephen :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Niki - thanks! You're such a sweetie to say such a kind thing :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Cassandra - it seems a lot of people follow your pattern. It makes sense - wish I'd thought of it :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Glynis - I've never heard to iGoogle before. It sounds like you have a great system working for you! Awesome :) Thanks.

Donna Volkenannt said...

You are so organized! I sort mine by most recent post and try to comment once a week on the ones I visit regularly.
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Jemi Fraser said...

Donna - thanks! I was using the recent post from the blog roll - but it's no longer big enough. :)

Vicki Rocho said...

I was going to do this exact same thing (I'm up near 300 as well), but didn't. After much internal conflict, I finally decided I had to force myself to let go. I WANT to visit everyone, but the sheer numbers are against me. So I read when I can and comment when I have something to say, but I have to accept that I can't do it all AND still have a life.

Jemi Fraser said...

Vicki - I needed to hear that! It's so hard - and I tend to be a little compulsive about things... *sigh*

I'm not good about letting things go - but I'm working at it! And my life is so darn good it's hard to ignore.

Thanks so much for dropping by :)

Helen Ginger said...

I don't think I've heard of Google Reader. It sounds terrific, although perhaps it takes time to learn. I definitely think I could use this, so I'll look into it. Thanks!

Helen

Jemi Fraser said...

Helen - it always takes me a bit to become comfortable with new programs - but this one isn't too bad at all... once I found that "manage subscriptions" button in the bottom left corner!

Janet Johnson said...

Talk about organization! Wow. Hope it works for you! :)

Eric W. Trant said...

I read/comment on the few bloggers who seem to be active with me, and with whom I can relate on a consistent basis, hit the blogs who may not have commented recently but that I enjoy, and then use the scroll-through method on my blogroll.

I read the header -- so your HEADER BETTER BE GOOD -- decide to read or pass and on to the next.

I miss a lot of good posts, I know, but I'm not Jemi!

Because to be Jemi, I'd have to be freaking nutzo in the cabezzo crazy keeping up with all those blogs!

By the way, thank you for being so insane. As they said in Alice in Wonderland: All the good people are.

- Eric

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Janet - me too! I'm hoping it at least makes me feel more in control! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Eric - you crack me up!! :)

My dad had a favourite saying - "Who has more fun than us crazy people?" And I've always thought that was right. Fun is good - crazy fun is better :)

Thanks! You made my day!

Christi Goddard said...

Keeping up with blogs is incredibly hard. If each person I follow writes a page worth of information, then I'm reading half a book each time I go to blogger. I feel your pain.

Jemi Fraser said...

Christi - exactly! It's fun and I love visiting all the blogs, but I just can't keep up completely any more. Hopefully this will help! :)

Talli Roland said...

Sounds like a great plan. I know what you mean - it's so hard to keep up and I really get stressed sometimes about it! I don't want people to think I'm neglecting them!

Jemi Fraser said...

Talli - that's exactly it! I have so many friends I've met online & I want to keep in touch with them all! We'll keep working at it :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm still trying to work out the best way of doing this --- especially with growing follows/followers. I've given up on my dashboard. I now start with those who comment on my blog, then move on to my favourites. Some will fall through the cracks though :(

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - I wish I'd thought of that - so many of you do it. My brain just skipped right over that idea though :)

If this doesn't work well, I'll probably give that a shot! You're right- no system is perfect, especially when you have a lot of blogs & I know I don't follow nearly as many as some people.

Hannah said...

I kind of just read what I can when I can. I do have my followers in separate folders though. One folder for those followers who's blog I can read at work because they have the pop-up or new window format. And a folder for those followers who I will try to read when I'm at home and they have same page commenting...which gets rather large always because I rarely read blogs at home.

I do like your daily folders but my problem would be, what if I don't have time to read their blog that day? Do you just skip them or come back to them the next week??

Jo Schaffer said...

I want to be like you if I ever grow up. (=
Organized!

NENSA MOON said...

Sound you have a great plan...Jemi!!
I think I should learn more from you...

Thanks for the inspiring post!
hugs,
nensa

Saumya said...

That's awesome, Jemi! By the way, I think you should know that you're amazing about keeping up with your blogs. Your comments always brighten my day and I'm sure everyone appreciates all of your support and encouragement.

Jemi Fraser said...

Hannah - that's an excellent question! Unfortunately I don't have an answer :) I guess I'll just have to see how it goes and go from there!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jo - awwww - thanks :) You're such a sweetie!

Jemi Fraser said...

Nensa - thanks so much! I hope it's going to work :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Saumya - thanks! You just made my day with your comment - thanks so much :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Jemi- I'm back to "J" again...Wow! You have 156 comments!!!!!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

I've been using Google Reader for a while now, but I had no idea you could make folders for days of the week. Duh!!! I'll have to google it and see how it's done. That would make life much more manageable. Thanks for leading the way.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sharon - lol :)

I only post a couple times a week so sometimes the post comments get pretty high! It always amazes me! :)

So obviously you do yours alphabetically - that's a good idea!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kathi - Any time! Although I do believe I read it somewhere... just can't remember where!

Clicking on the little link in the bottom left hand corner - mine says Manage Subscriptions - is the first start. Have fun :)

Karen and Gerard said...

That is a good organizational plan. I visit those who comment and usually go through my blogroll every day hitting those who have posted something new. I also use Feedley (a Firefox plug-in) that lists recent posts. I organize the blogs I follow by category on here. I try to go through them at least once a week and look at the posts that grab my interest.

Stopping by from Karen's BBQ with fried chicken and pop. Hope you are having a great weekend.

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen & Gerard - thanks :)

My blog roll is no longer able to handle all the blogs I follow - it has an upper limit of 300.

I like your system - can't believe how many thought to reply first to those who comment. Sometimes the obvious slips right on by me...

Good fried chicken! Hope you managed to snag a butter tart before they disappeared :)

Dawn Simon said...

You're like Wonder Woman in the blogosphere! :) I do my best, but I can only keep up so much. I think my bloggy friends understand, though. Time is an issue for all of us.

Jemi Fraser said...

Dawn - lol :)

I agree - I think most people get it - it's really hard to keep up. We really need some super powers to create time just for us to blog!

DL Hammons said...

I'm not able to get around to all the blogs I really want to, and that bothers me. I have a short-list of ones I check daily, but there are so many more I would like to visit. :(

Jemi Fraser said...

DL - exactly! It's hard not to feel the guilt - even though we're all in the same boat. I guess we just have to keep doing our best! :)