9 Apps and Programs to Make Blogging Easier

Want to make blogging easier? Spend less time on the backend and more time on what you fell in love with—creating content. 

All of the programs and apps listed below are available on both PCs and on your phone and I actually use them on both daily, seamlessly. Let me know if you have any programs or apps you use that make blogging easier for you. 

Please note that I do not mention social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram because I am assuming you already have them installed. These are the magical unicorns that make creating the priority. 

9 Apps and Programs to Make Blogging Easier

Grammarly

I will be the first to admit that my grammar was atrocious when I first started to blog but I am steadily improving and even catching myself when I make mistakes now. After reading this list about writing tips and techniques, I found out that there were so many tools available to help assist me with my writing skills. For most of the errors I miss I rely on Grammarly to show me. Grammarly is a plugin for your browser and even Microsoft word that checks for grammar and spelling errors and highlights them. When you hover over the underlined words it gives you the correct version. Also, the free version is all you need. Get the Grammarly extension here.

Evernote

Evernote has so much potential for your blogging journey but I only use it for two things, maybe three. Evernote allows you to make notes, endless notes and I have it set up on my desktop and cellphone. If I write in one it automatically shows up in the other and so it makes note-taking an ease.

The first thing I use Evernote for is to dictate notes into text on my phone while I am out and about. Sometimes I am sitting in the car waiting for my husband while he runs into a store and I can dictate a blog post in the ten minutes he is in there. It will still need editing, formatting and pictures but the bones will be there. 

The second thing I use Evernote for is to house all of the hashtags I use on Instagram. I have probably 10 different groups of hashtags that I can choose from and once I post to Insta I just quickly jump to Evernote to copy and paste them into my post. This way I am not losing out on lost hashtag searchability potential and they are just a finger tap away. 

The third thing I do it for is if I am out and about and I have a post going live while I am not in front of my computer. I prewrite my social copy and have it ready for the big three (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) so I can just copy and paste in a hurry. It is not ideal but when in a rush it is the next best thing. 

DocuSign

Docusign is worth its weight in gold. You set up a free account with DocuSign that allows you to digitally sign contracts while on the go. Gone are the days of printing, signing, scanning and emailing contracts back to the person who sent them to you. With DocuSign, I can read and sign instantly and get back to creating content. 

WaveApps

I use WaveApps for all of my invoicing and accounting and I love that I can create and send invoices from my phone.

I have it set up to accept credit card payments (don’t use the bank payments option as it takes 7 days) and love seeing how much I make (and spend) on my business. You can also hook it up to your bank account and have all of your bank transactions populate into the app so you can always be on top of assets and expenses.

It also keeps a tally of all of my outstanding invoices so I know how much is owed to me and when it is coming due. I can also set up payment reminders when invoices are coming due and send reminders that an invoice is now past due.

WordPress

Since my blog is running on WordPress I have the app on my phone. Not only does it give me real-time stats on my website it also allows me to write and edit posts right from my phone. I can’t tell you how many times I have been out and one of my friends or readers has messaged me with a spelling mistake I made. I can easily fix things through the app. 

LightRoom

I am by no means a professional photographer but I pay the $10 monthly to use Lightroom because it allows me to edit photos on the go and lets me keep a cohesive looking layout for all of my photos. I have set up free Lightroom presets and use those for quick editing. Really easy to use if you have basic knowledge of photo editing, which I think most people do who post photos online and use the ‘advanced’ editing options. 

Canva

Canva has been my jam for resizing, editing and creating images, infographics and printables for years. I also have my media kit and rate card set up on it so when I am out and about I can update my numbers and send it straight out to whoever is asking for it. This program is also good for adding text to photos and making those cute (uber-sharable) quote images. 

Tweetdeck

Tweetdeck works hand-in-hand with Twitter. I love that I can use it to schedule Tweets and spend maybe 10 minutes a week setting it up. I have my Tweetdeck set up so that I have one thread of people who mention me, another of my scheduled posts, one thread of brands I am working with/have worked with, and another of my unicorn brands that I WANT to work with. I make Twitter lists right in the program and I love that I can go in daily and interact with everyone I need to on Twitter in an easy layout. This is only available on the computer right now but still mention-worthy because it will help so much with engaging with brands and people you love. 

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is what tracks all traffic on your website. Although I find the numbers on the WordPress app to be fairly accurate most networks and PR firms want your Google Analytics numbers. Set it up, make sure it is working correctly, check in daily to make sure it stays working. The last thing you want to happen is your dream campaign comes up and when you go to apply you realize that you don’t have Google Analytics numbers. 

At this point in time, these are the programs I use daily. I can tell you that if you had asked me 6 months ago about this list it would be different and in 6 months I expect this list to be different as well. Technology is on our side and it is up to us to search out the programs and apps that will make our lives easier.

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Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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