4 Tools and Gadgets Every Blogger Needs to Thrive

You could argue that productivity is the single most important thing to a blogger. If you aren’t able to maximize productivity, then you miss deadlines and squander opportunities to grow your brand. Part of being productive has to do with arming yourself with the best gadgets and devices available. Are you prepared?

The 4 Things You Need on Hand

Everyone is different. Some bloggers like to hole themselves away in a quiet spare bedroom and get work done in the early hours of the morning before the kids wake up. Others like to spend late nights at coffee shops churning out post after post. But regardless of which end of the spectrum you fall, the following tools and gadgets will help immensely.

1. A Mobile Hotspot

Nothing is more important to a blogger than a strong internet connection. And while you may spend most of your time in your home or in coffee shops that have free public Wi-Fi, there are times when internet isn’t readily available. Perhaps in the passenger seat on the way home from a weekend getaway or at the park with your kids.

In situations like these, it can be helpful to have an unlocked mobile hotspot. These devices give you internet access anywhere there’s a GSM network available (which is virtually everywhere). Plus, it’s totally secure!

2. Strategic Productivity Apps

Spend enough time in the App Store and you’ll get distracted by pointless games like Angry Birds and Tetris, but there are also plenty of helpful productivity apps that can help you get more done as a blogger.

Two of the apps you absolutely need are Dropbox and Pocket. You’re most likely familiar with Dropbox, but it simply lets you store files on the cloud so that they can be accessed from any of your devices. Pocket is an app that lets you save articles that you run across on your phone and want to read later. This is helpful when you have those moments where you think, “Where did I read that article?”

3. Noise Cancelling Headphones

Most bloggers need to get in the zone when they write. If there’s a lot of outside noise vying for your attention, then it can be challenging to get anything done. That’s why many bloggers swear by noise cancelling headphones.

The great thing about noise cancelling headphones is they don’t just play music – they actually block out the noise around you. So if you can’t work with music playing, you can simply turn on some white noise or an ambient soundtrack and start writing.

4. A Good Digital Camera

Stock photos are the worst. (Please tell us you don’t use them on your blog?) But if you can’t use stock photos, what are you supposed to do? It’s expensive to pay for images and there aren’t always royalty free images to satisfy your needs.

The best solution is to take your own images. But this means you need your own equipment. While the camera on your iPhone 7 is pretty good, a professional digital camera is even better. You can usually find a good quality camera for less than $750, which shouldn’t totally break the bank. And if you keep good records, you should be able to write it off come tax season.

Are You Prepared to Maximize Productivity?

Productivity is something that’s hard to grasp, but you know it when you have it. If you’re failing to maximize input and minimize distractions, then you need a little help. Some of the gadgets and devices highlighted in this article may help.

Give them a try and see what you think.

Original post: 4 Tools and Gadgets Every Blogger Needs to Thrive

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