Blogging can become a tedious hobby when you consider everything involved; coming up with content ideas, keeping track of what you’ve done thus far, marketing, advertising, etc. There are certain tools that bloggers prefer to use to increase their productivity and stay organized. The following are 6 of these popular blogging tools that can help you in a variety of ways but most importantly they will improve the blogging process overall.

1. Timers

Timers can be a very effective blogging tool if you find that your attention span is somewhat lacking. You can set a timer for different lengths depending on what your current task. For writing you might set it for 30 minutes and for promoting your blog you might take an hour. There are a variety of timers to choose from but Focus Booster seems to be a favorite among many bloggers. It’s simple and easy to use and also free. Discover just how much more you can get done when you time your blogging tasks.

2. Hot Topics

Keeping up to date on the latest topics can get your blog ahead of the competition. Instead of scouring the web for the latest information, why not visit Alltop. Alltop offers headlines on the latest stories across the web. This is a great way to come up with new topics based on what people are looking for and talking about. The topics they cover include religion, gaming, science, food and many more.

3. Images

Images are an important part of your blog post. While it’s always beneficial to have your own images, it isn’t always a feasible option. When you need an image consider Flickr but always pay attention to the credit guidelines. If you prefer taking your own photos you want them to stand apart from the rest. Consider using Instagram as a means of personalizing your photos to make them stand out more and be unique. Your photo will be unlike the rest and readers always enjoy a good photo with a good article.

4. Distraction-Free Writing

Writing without distractions can be tough. Especially if you have a short attention span. In addition to timers as mentioned above, you might consider a text editor that blocks those distractions out. For example, OmmWriter is a simple user-friendly interface that lets you change the background and even turn on audio to help you write better. It fills your screen so you don’t keep eyeing your Inbox or social media accounts. It’s a free powerful tool that can significantly increase your writing productivity.

5. Project Management

If you manage multiple blogs or have others who assist with your blog you might consider project management software. There is a free program called Trello that is easy to use and makes it possible to break down big tasks into more manageable tasks. You can also delegate tasks to certain people and keep track of what is getting done and what is yet to be done.  There are a variety of free project management software options out there but Trello seems to be a good fit for any blogger.

6. Google Alerts

If you perform a search on a daily basis or multiple times a day you should consider google alerts. You can choose how often you wish to be notified of new content added based on your preferences. For instance if your blog is about cooking, you might create a google alert for recipes or cooking utensils, etc.

There are several other tools that have helped bloggers along the way and more that have yet to be discovered. What works great for one blogger may not work for you but if you feel that you need some help in keeping track of your blogging tasks and productivity then you will most likely benefit from at least one of the above tools.

Dan Ripoll is co-founder and CEO of ContentBLVD.com, an innovative new content production platform enabling bloggers to publish high-quality, free blog content at no cost. The website connects bloggers to marketers looking to build their brands, increase traffic, and boost their author rank through their association with quality content.