I read a lot of blog posts, and to me, that’s one of the best ways to learn marketing. I don’t just read about marketing, but I subscribe to all sorts of blogs via RSS. I am using Reeder, an awesome app that works on my Mac, my iPhone and my iPad. I have all my subscriptions with me where ever I go. It’s based on Google Reader, so what ever I am subscribing to via Google Reader ends up in my Reeder app, and it syncs perfectly across the various devices.
But, I don’t comment on as many blog posts as I used to. That’s because I don’t have as much time as I used to. I spend most of my time working for clients, and I keep learning and I’m doing all sorts of research. I’m still doing my best to comment, but what I am doing more than ever, is to read blog posts. So, even though you might not get as many comments from me as you used to get, I’m still reading your blog.
One of my favorite apps is Pocket. I use it every single day to read everything, from the most important blog posts to newspapers. I am using Pocket for close to all my online reading, and there are four reasons why:
 |
|
- It provides the best reading experience
- It syncs with all my devices (Mac, iPhone and iPad)
- It’s very easy to organize everything
- It provides me with an archive
I have added a “save to pocket” Â bookmarklet to Safari (my favorite browser) and I have a save to Pocket in Reeder (my favorite RSS reader). So, every time I notice something worth reading, I save it to pocket. I also add tags to the things I save, this way I can find it without browsing through several hundred articles. I just love how easy it is to read. It removes everything but the text, and it’s more or less like reading a book on the Kindle. It just feels good.
When I’m done reading, I add it to the archive or I add a star to it. This means that I can find it later on. I add a star to everything I’m going to use within the next week, everything else is stored in the archive.
Do you use Pocket? If not, how do you read blog posts?
Twitter: Fatima_hipolito
Hi there Sir Jens, I love to read your post in here, because I’ve got something Idea of this post about Important Blog Posts.
Joseph Hipolito invites you to read.. How Do I Get A Website Name?
Thats a great tip Jens! I use the RSS feeds and I get the daily posts on my reader. I think what you have suggested is also something I can try, it surely looks like a great way staying updated!
Twitter: berget
Hey Bina,
RSS is how I read close to all the blogs I follow, but the regular RSS is not as easy to read and not as beautiful as Reeder and Pocket, and together they’re an incredible powerful team
Twitter: rancorinfotech
Hi Jens,
I usually read any blog post through laptop. I don’t use smartphone to read any post, although I do use smartphone to play light games.
(dofollow)
Aasma invites you to read.. PG in Delhi for Girls
Twitter: berget
I read most of the blog posts on my laptop as well, but now that I can sync everything I try to read some on my iPhone and iPad as well. It’s very easy to read and this way I can keep up with everything, because I am not using my laptop as much as I used to. Now that I’m traveling and visiting clients all over the place, I need a way to follow blogs without having to turn on my laptop. That’s why this works great for me.
Twitter: timbo1973
Hi Jens
I used to read more blog posts than I do now but I try and comment on at least 10 a day. I’ve not managed to do that for a while though so I need to get back into that.
I used FeedDemon on my PC to read blogs and I star the ones I’ve read and commented so that I can keep track of everything.
(dofollow)
Tim Bonner invites you to read.. Your Blog Speed Sucks!
Twitter: berget
That’s awesome Tim. I used to comment on more than 20 blog posts a day, but now that I’ve started my business, I just can’t keep up with everything. I read more than 20 posts a day, but I probably don’t comment on more than 5. But it depends, some days I have more time and then I’ll comment on as many as possible.
Twitter: ianmcleary
I used engag.io for tracking comments on the blogs. What’d I’d love is if engag.io showed me an rss feed of the blogs and allowed me to comment so I never have to go to the blogs to comment!
Twitter: berget
Hey Ian,
I’v started to test engag.io as well and I really like it so far. I’ve been looking for a way to keep track of everything that happens in social in one place, and engag.io seems to be one of the best ways to do it. I’m also testing a service called Social Report, but it’s too early to say if it’s any good
Twitter: hajraks
I use the google reader too, though I don’t use the app you mention. I always used my laptop to read and comment on blogs but recently I got an iPad (yay!) and have been doing some commenting here and I am planning to get an app to make things much more easier. I think I will check it out!
Thanks for the recommendation !
Twitter: berget
Hi Hajra,
Congratulations with your iPad. I still remember how it felt to buy the iPad. It was hard to go to sleep the first night. I just kept playing with it all day long. I use it mostly for research and reading, but I use it for some commenting via the Reeder app. I’ve bought an external keyboard to it, this makes it much easier to write.
Twitter: adriennesmith40
Ah, I’ve never heard of pocket Jens but then again I don’t have a Mac, iPhone or iPad. Probably not necessary for me since I work 99.9% of the time on my desktop computer. Yeah, I’m still an old school kind of gal.
But if I did have all those devices and was on the run more then it sounds like a great little app.
Thanks for sharing this Jens and glad to know you’re still around reading. Your clients are the most important that’s for sure and I have no doubt you’re doing a fabulous job for them too.
~Adrienne
(dofollow)
Adrienne invites you to read.. Why Some Automatic Settings Are A Very Bad Idea
Twitter: berget
If you’re using your desktop computer most of the time, then you probably won’t need the apps I’ve mentioned. But, on the other hand, the reason I really enjoy using them is that they make it so much easier to read and follow blogs. I use both Reeder and Pocket every single day, and even though they’re not free, they’re both some of the best investments I’ve ever made
Twitter: askaaronlee
I’m a huge fan of reeder + pocket, I can’t live without them. The only thing i dislike about reeder is that they took away the URL shortener when I share from their app. Makes me tweet look a little spammy.
Twitter: berget
That’s awesome Aaron. I haven’t been sharing much Reeder, so I had no idea about the URL shortener. It’s weird that they’ve removed it, it doesn’t make sense if they want people to share.
Be a great writer. Having a high level writing skills is a prerequisite to succeed in the field of blogging. Before you go ahead and build your very own blog, make sure that you have what it takes to put together decent content.
Twitter: techivy
I just use the Google Reader as most of the other commenters here, just now downloaded the Pocket app for my android phone. The way you have described it makes it interesting, i will surely check it out and see how well it syncs with my reader and other devices.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.
Praveen Rajarao invites you to read.. Best Tech Gifts for This Holiday Season
Twitter: berget
Hey Praveen,
That’s awesome, I’d love to get some feedback about how you’re enjoying the Pocket app. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am
Twitter: wonderoftech
Hi Jens, I’ve been meaning to try Pocket, but I haven’t got around to it. Since I’m on my mobile devices so much, Pocket would be a great solution for me.
Two Questions: would you be able to have the images displayed in Pocket? Also, can you share articles from Pocket?
(dofollow)
Carolyn Nicander Mohr invites you to read.. SAM VIBE – Your Own Internet Radio Station
Twitter: berget
Hi Carolyn,
I’m sorry about the late reply. I’ve been away for work, and I’m still struggling with being online and doing the regular updates when I’m away. I have all the devices for it, and I am on WiFi or 3G, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I guess it’s the focus I’m struggling with
You can have images displayed in Pocket. And you can share all the articles too.
I’m sure you’re going to love it Carolyn.
i hace a pocke, i’m not using for that. but i will try with this tips.
Happy blogging
The Kampret invites you to read.. Surewi Wardrobe Tempatnya Pemesanan Seragam Kerja
Twitter: andrew_isidoro
I’ve been very slective with my twitter feed to only follow those who curate great posts. That way I get a variety of the best blog posts without having to read those that are low quality.
Andrew Isidoro invites you to read.. The End of the World…and Other Admin
Twitter: berget
That sounds like a great way to do it Andrew. I am using lists and some favorite Twitter users, to get more control. But, it’s fairly hard when you’re following a lot of people
Jens-Petter Berget invites you to read.. Should we buy gifts to our clients for Christmas?
Twitter: seojus1
Hey Jens,
Great tips. I have my own little method, because I do a lot of reading thru my iPhone. I bookmark ithe site mmediately, then send a email to myself with the link of what I am reading. At the end of the day I take those links and add them to another file, which can be accessed later.
Twitter: berget
Sounds good. I’m also reading a lot on my iPhone and I’m using Reeder combined with Pocket. It’s not free, but worth every dime
Ahh good old RSS feeds i must delete a few of mine subscribed to a few too many
awesome post throughly enjoyed reading it.
Steve invites you to read.. The Golden Home Based Business
Twitter: berget
I try to organize my feeds once a month, I subscribe to new feeds almost daily, and a lot of the blogs are publishing the same stuff, so I keep unsubscribing as well.
Jens-Petter Berget invites you to read.. Long Tail Pro – A Video Review
Twitter: makeshiftalpha
Nice to see your blog post. The techniques are described very nicely and in details. Wish you a very happy new year! how is life going on?
Twitter: berget
Life is great Andrew. Thank you for your kind words
Jens-Petter Berget invites you to read.. How to measure success in 2013
Hi it is a excellent tip, it is very useful to me and it learns me more.
keep sharing.