Making Blogging Easier with Windows Live Writer

I’ve been using Windows Live Writer for a long time, and I love it.  I’m  a proud WordPress user– but I only log in to my admin area to check my dashboard or make updates to a theme or plugins for my blog.  It’s very easy when using a new blogging platform to become overwhelmed (read: frustrated and ready to throw your computer out of a window)with blogging.

Windows Live  Writer 2009 allows you to focus on what you should when in blogging mode:  blogging. What was once a time consuming process– adding pictures, links, etc.  Windows Live Writer does in a few simple clicks.  WLW, as it is known in the blogosphere, also pulls your blog’s current theme into the program so that you can see how your blog post will look as you type/edit it.  This is a life saver for when you want to make sure your content works with your theme and not against it.  Since it is a program that is on your computer you can free yourself from internet distractions and/or use it when you do not have an internet connection to keep up with your blogging.   If you write for multiple blogs, you can still access them all through WLW.

Here is why I love it, and as a blogging wedding planner you will, too:

• WLW can resize pictures and add effects on the spot.  No more using photo editing software for blog posts.
• The Autolink glossary is a Godsend.  If you talk about a certain product, vendor, or website a lot, WLW will memorize the link and automatically link to it when you write it in your posts.
• Server side tagging, if your blog supports it, allows you tag all of your posts as you write them and will even keep a database of your tags to help you access and use them quickly.
• Twitter, Digg and Flickr plugins that can update your twitter status with your new blog post, submit a post to Digg or pull from your Flickr album for pictures– all without ever logging in to those sites.
• Save drafts and edit posts quickly.  Sometimes, I will have an idea for a blog post and will type in the title (if I have one) and a few ideas that come to me.  Then I’ll save it and come back to it later when I can write about it in depth.
• Post scheduling.  Enough said.

There are so many other features that I could list, but you really have to try it yourself and see what works for you.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Let me know how it works out for you or if you have any questions  in the comments section.  I’ll be here every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Tip your waitress.