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My 6 Favorite Blogging Locations

Posted By Darren Rowse 23rd of February 2011 Miscellaneous Blog Tips 0 Comments

Where do you blog from?

One of the most attractive parts about blogging as a profession for me is the independence and flexibility that it brings.

I can work from anywhere that I can find an Internet connection. In fact, I don’t even need that at all times—I just need some kind of device to capture the content that I produce (something to type on, a camera, and/or a microphone).

This flexibility, and the opportunity to be location-independent, are wonderful things. They’ve meant I’m able to travel and work from the road; they’ve enabled me to be quite hands-on with my family (particularly useful when your kids are toddlers!), and they’ve also cut down the dreaded commute that I used to have to do when I worked a “real” job.

The other great thing about this type of work—combined with the ever-increasing array of portable computing gadgets that are around—is that from day to day, I’m able to work in all kinds of locations. This variety can be both fun and make life a little more interesting, but it can also help stimulate all kinds of creativity.

Someone asked recently what were my favorite places to blog from. Here’s what I said (and I’d love to hear your favorites below):

1. Cafes

cafes.jpeg

The combination of coffee, a computer, and the white noise of those around me is a very productive mix for me. I spend at least four mornings a week in my local cafe, just a short stroll from our front door. The staff greet me with ‘Blogger dude!” and bring me my drink of choice (a skinny latte with one sugar) without needing to be asked (and a second one 30 minutes later, or on the nod of the head—whichever comes first!). They even installed WiFi just for me.

Other patrons ask how I ever get anything done with all the noise, but for me it’s a strangely productive place where I find myself getting lost in my work. I also enjoy the fact that there are others around—snippets of overheard conversation or interactions with others in the cafe often produce ideas, stimulate blog posts, and even generate product ideas.

2. Shopping centers (the mall)

A variation on the cafe approach has been a semi-regular visit to a local shopping center or mall. The one I go to is among the biggest in Melbourne, and has a great range of cafes, a food court, and several hundred shops—including an Apple store. I enjoy working there partly for similar reasons to those mentioned above (white noise, coffee, etc.), but also because I find the environment quite stimulating for ideas.

I have a little routine that I use: an hour in one cafe; a 15-minute stroll through the shops, where I get all kinds of marketing ideas; an hour in a second cafe; another stroll through shops; then I settle down in the food court or a resautrant for lunch. The combination of all this is surprisingly productive (and I keep the Apple store in business with my regular stop-offs there).

3. The library

library.jpeg

I don’t get there as much as I used to since we moved further away from the city, but I always found the big library in the center of Melbourne to be an inspiring place to work, and I used to head there at least once a month. I found just being in a place where others were working and reading used to help me still myself and focus.

Having a vast array of books, magazines, and newspapers on hand for little breaks was also quite stimulating, but the real treat for me is the reading room pictured above, which is just an inspiring place to hang out.

4. Flying

One of the most memorable work sessions that I’ve ever had was on a recent flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. While I never used to enjoy that flight (14 hours cramped up next to a stranger with not much to do? Not fun!), the last few times I’ve flown, I’ve found myself being particularly productive

Perhaps it’s the altitude or the oxygen they pump around the plane (do they do that?) but I often get a lot done flying. This could also partly be because this is one of the few times in my life that I’m disconnected from the Web (those international flights don’t have WiFi yet). It might also be because I’m traveling to and from conferences that I find to be stimulating experiences.

5. On the couch

couch.jpeg

Most weeknights you can find me sitting in our lounge room, next to my wife, on the couch, in front of the TV, blogging. I’m not sure how much of the TV I actually watch, but I find the experience to be a good way to wind down at the end of a day.

There are times where my wife needs to tell me to put the computer down so we can connect (although she often sits there surfing too), but all in all it’s usually a reasonably productive time. I tend to use it mainly for admin-type tasks—email, social media, comment moderation, etc.—rather than creative ones, but occasionally I’ll find that something from the TV also stimulates ideas for my work.

6. My desk and office

This is where I do the bulk of my blogging. While I like to get out of the house in the morning to write (mornings are generally more about writing content and creative tasks), I spend the bulk of my afternoons in my home office. This is where I create multi-media content, do interviews, take calls, and do most of the admin and editing tasks that I do.

I did a tour of my office a few years back—not a lot has changed in terms of layout, although I now mainly work from a laptop rather than the desktop computer.

What about you?

Where do you spend most of your time blogging? Which places do you enjoy blogging the most? Do you find different places are better for certain tasks more than others? Interested in your thoughts.

About Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse is the founder and editor of ProBlogger Blog Tips and Digital Photography School. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Comments
  1. Where I write often hinges on when I write. Many times I write at night in which case I prefer my home office in the corner of my bedroom (less distractions and near my wife). When I write during the day, most of the time it is at my dining room table (I hate feeling cooped up away from the “action” of the day). There’s more but that’s mostly what I do.

  2. Cafes (I’m in one now!) and the local library when I need to get out of the house. Otherwise I’m on the couch or in my small corner office in the bedroom – my least enjoyable place to work! Having a laptop is essential for changing things up. I worked for the first six months on a desktop stuck in the corner of the dining room, and I can’t imagine going back!

  3. Hi Darren,
    Thanks for asking and thank you for everyone sharing – it was interesting to read how many people write in Cafes. I have never done that.

    Personally, I write whenever I can find a quiet spot in a busy home of children.

    My question to everyone is when do you get your inspiration? I find my inspiration flows when I am out for a hike or a walk. It must be the fresh air. Challenge is I have not mastered hiking/walking and typing. So I typically come home with a pocket full of paper with various notes for inspiration.

    Enjoy a wondeful day,
    David

    • Sometimes I’ll get inspired while sitting in front of my laptop, but I’m usually like you, inspiration hits when I’m off doing something else. Taking a walk, watching others, etc.

    • I’m just getting going, but I’m the same way as you. I get inspiration almost always while running. I run about 3 or 4 days a week, when there is no swell (I’m also a surfer), but oddly enough I don’t get hardly any inspiration while surfing.

      My favourite time to blog is early in the morning, like 4:30am when it’s quiet and the damn phone isn’t ringing.

      Any way you go, I do love it!

      Geordie

  4. Hi Darren, I write from the point opposite the world, Argentina, and I see that all bloggers handle a similar way to do our work. Especially I think that unites the spirit of freedom to work.
    In my case, I do it mostly in my office in my house .-

    Thanks for the post.

  5. Kitchen table, early, with a cup of joe.

  6. I blog from my desk at home, a lot, but I find I often get distracted there. One of my favorite places to blog is the local college campus. I’ll often accompany my husband to school and hang out in one of the many study lounges during the day. I love the background noise and activity, and seeing others writing or studying inspires me. I usually get a lot more done there than anywhere else. Perhaps, in the spring, when the weather is nicer here, I’ll attempt walking to a local cafe about a mile away. :) That way I’ll get the enjoyable atmosphere of the cafe coupled with the benefits of good exercise!

  7. I got spoiled with my huge desktop computer screen, now I hate working on a little, tiny laptop, so I’m tied to my home office most of the time. Hmmm, perhaps I should break that habit and go mobile again. You’ve given me something more to think about.

  8. I tend to do my blogging wherever I can have a bit of peace, but I tend to put drafts and scratch down ideas during dead time on the train. I spend about two hours on the train each day, so I try and convert that time into something useful. if an idea takes too long to tap out on the iPhone then I use the voice recorder then transcribe it when I get home.

  9. I likely shouldn’t admit this, but my favorite place is on the couch, early in the morning, in my pajamas! I’m still relatively new to blogging and don’t think I’d be able to maintain any real focus if I were to venture out to a public location. But maybe someday? For now, I crank up the fireplace, settle in with my cheerios and get to work!

  10. As a SAHM/homeschooling/faith mommy blogger, I get a varied blogging experience, too. I blog at my desk with the kids knocking on my door. I blog at my desk with the kids fighting outside my door. I blog at my desk with the kids bouncing on the trampoline outside my sliding glass door. I blog at my desk with the kids jumping on my bed. Am I up to six yet?

    However, knowing that inspiration strikes at any and all times, hubby bought a little computer for my purse. When I get out of the house for exciting things like doctor appointments, library trips, etc., I always have a way to capture those rare, elusive brilliant ideas that seem to strike only when I am away from my desktop.

  11. For me, it’s at the local coffee shop next to my uni in Sydney. And if I don’t want to be disturbed to much I just pop my headphones on. Works every time :)

  12. As a blogger who’s just starting out, with a full-time job, I’m just blogging from home at the moment, but I’m looking forward to the time when I’m able to take my blogging away from home during the working week to get inspiration.

    I do use my iPhone a lot though when I’m out and about, to jot down notes and begin/edit posts for completion when I’m home.

  13. I prefer somewhere where I can find some free time to think and build up my writing. But it is really hard to find such places now a days. As I am a student and live in student hostel, so I find it very difficult for me to concentrate on writing.

  14. All the places you mentioned work great for me. I don’t have a laptop, so I’m stuck to my desktop at home…however, it died recently, so I’m having to blog on my son’s computer. Most of my inspiration strikes when I’m out and about though, so I write it down on whatever I can find. I do keep a blank book in my purse just for those occasions.

  15. Great post!

    I prefer either the library (as I am a student) or the office. I need to be in a place where either no noise or minimal noise is surrounding me. That is how I need to concentrate. I cannot blog at home normally because I find distractions too prevalent. The computer in my room is not a good location because the temptation to go to sleep is too high.

    Mark Cohen
    markdanielcohen.wordpress.com
    [email protected]

  16. I have the option to write a draft post at work!
    Just to clarify my clients are in the Netherlands so hence I can use the time difference…
    Also at home behind a desk. Would love to move this but my laptop is falling apart (not kidding) as I can nearly lift my screen from my keyboard. Also my laptop is about 5kg so time for a new one..

    Ps I got the same shoes as on foto 3.. irrelevant but still…

  17. ha, really intersting post but for me the only places i use to blog from are my office space in Amsterdam NL (the boss will not be happy with that) and at home. i would preffer also in the car if possible:)

  18. I’d say my favorite spot is the local cafe too. I never thought of working at the mall but I like that idea too. I also enjoy the library. In winter I tend to hide out at home a whole lot so I’m really looking forward to spring and getting out and about again!

  19. Cafe definitely :)

  20. I would like to say at cafes but seeing as I am also mum to 4 children the concentration at a cafe would last only as long as it takes an 18month old to drink a milkshake. So it is pretty much confined to the dining table when kids are all asleep. Oh except for Sunday when I sat freezing at the beach with pen and paper in hand and towel covering my head trying to prevent the rain from smudging my work, whilst watching my 9 year old spend 3 hours in the surf. Coincidently the post was about teaching our children the art of gratitude!

  21. The best place for me to blog is the place where I first have the idea for my next post. It’s usually because I’m in the ‘moment’ if you like.

    This can be: in my office or couch in front of TV late at night. I find the place isn’t as important, but nailing the idea down in words while it is still fresh.

  22. Cafes, definitely… and at home I suppose. I never thought of going to the mall, but I don’t think there’d be wifi and then I’d feel a little lost :)

    • I agree, cafes! The mall is something new to try, that’s for sure. If anything maybe taking a notebook to write down blogging ideas and notes.

  23. Love this post! I agree with you, coffee shops are where I like to blog. I get a lot accomplished with the white noise, but sometimes I need to be somewhere quiet like my office. I have never thought about going to the mall, but after reading this it is something I would like to try! Thank you!

  24. Absolutely the coffie shops, if it is allowed also to smoke

  25. If the weather is nice, I’ll take my laptop to the backyard. Love working outdoors!

  26. I stick to my desk/office only. Call me old-fashioned I guess. I just really try to keep a mental barrier between where I relax and where I hunker-down and work my butt off. I find that doing this has a bit of a Pavlov’s Dogs-type effect on me. It keeps me from worrying about work when I’m watching TV/etc., and keeps me working hard when I’m in my office.

  27. Camping and a random hotel on the road at 2am.

  28. Is blogging in bed wrong? Sometimes that couch may as well be on Mars it feels so far away….:>)

  29. I plan my blog while snowboarding or driving. I sit on the couch with the tv on while I blog. I like having background noise and am pretty good at keeping on track.

  30. My favorite blogging spot is on my comfy double-wide chair in my living room. There, I can keep a watch over my 10-year-old boy as he watches TV, plays around on the Playstation–or checks out his favorite YouTube videos. Here, I don’t have to feel like I’m abandoning my family while getting work done.

  31. I would prefer library and home office. Home office is the best one because this is most comfortable place for creating articles and generating ideas. Library could be a good place for blogging but this will make you little bit sleepy :-)

  32. I only blog at my desk since that is the only place I have a computer with internet connection. However I am more commenting on other blogs or writting down something little notes on my little whiteboard then actually blogging when I sit at my desk.

    I ponder to take wireless internet connection for my laptop, which I rarely use these days, but I am not sure if the investment is worth it. After work I dont have the habit to go out to a bar or pub or … . Just being at home relaxing is my prefered past time then.

  33. The Playground!!!

    My site http://www.FoxInFlats.com.au is about navigating motherhood in style, and I take photos of mums who look great when they are with their kids.

  34. The pub for me :-)

  35. Those all sound like great places to blog. I am, however bound to the desk in my office with a desktop computer. When I bought my Mac, I debated about the mobility of having a laptop, but in the end decided that I a desktop would work best for me.

    Now that I am blogging full time, I must admit it would be nice to get out of the house to work. My solution is to take my Moleskine notebook to Starbucks or any other cafe and write the old fashion way. Often, I can sketch out ideas for blog posts.

    There is a MacBook in my future and I will take advantage of some of these suggestions.

  36. Definitely cafes. Flights, trains and trams also good. I think it’s moving from one place to another as well as being in the moment.
    The park is also great, Internet tethering works fine if you aren’t near wifi. In fact reception is better than in the house.

  37. I do most of my blogging in the common room of my hostel. Typically late at night, which is fine by my readers because I’m in Australia and most of them are in the USA.

    I usually have a few people up and about with me. It takes longer to finish writing when I’m trying to keep conversations as well, but I find it soothing. It helps remind me that there’s more to life than the computer screen in front of me, and that’s important if you’re trying to be a credible travel blogger!

    I love hostels with free wifi!

  38. Darren,

    Thanks for giving us a window into your work life. When I was in college in Washington D.C., I loved to study in the Library of Congress. It was so inspiring.

  39. Hi Darren,

    These all sound great yet…

    I have an image that keeps me going through this learning curve that is WordPress…I am sitting on the terrace of our renovated house in Italy sipping a vino and occasionally glancing up to take in the spectacular view of the mountains.

    We move from Australia to Italy in May, the reno could take a while…but this image is crystal clear.

    Maybe one day you’ll join us for a guest Italian post!

    ciao for now
    Lisa (renovating italy)

  40. I took early retirement to become a full-time blogger in the comfort of my little apartment. I just have an old desktop. I’m a life-long bachelor. I enjoy the peace and quiet while I blog. Or, I can listen to the radio, usually the news to stay informed. I no longer have to take a crowded bus into and back out of the city for work. And if I want to, I can sip on a few beers while I blog. Oh, I cringed when I read that you blog on the plane. I served in Vietnam and survived many helicopter rides into a combat zone. I swore if I survived I would never fly again. I did and I won’t. I love blogging at home.

  41. Darren,

    While I do do alot of blogging at home, my wife and I love to escape sometimes to a Starbuck’s nestled inside our local Barnes and Noble bookstore. It’s really a great environment — filled with alot of hard working/diligent people, surrounding by an endless amount of resources. It’s where I became familiar with your book, as well as, a variety of other blogging/social media resources.

    Take care,
    Howie

  42. Wow I am boring and embarrassed! I blog from the kitchen and the kitchen only! I keep forgetting I have a laptop and can take it places lol. I have the kitchen table set up with all of my “stuff”…..I love to cook, our kitchen was just redone and my husband got me a new TV in there as well. I love blogging from the kitchen!

    I think I should put coffee shops on my list of must blog from next!

  43. Fine post. Places where you can work – one of the great things about blogging.

  44. My favorite place is a local cafe too. I’ll do my writing there, and sometimes brainstorming. I even tried working at the beach, but found it very distracting after all. :) Libraries are also great for freelance work. However, I rather prefer to have many locations than only one or two, so I don’t get too local. And, I agree doing business phone calls is one activity that should be done during home office hours. It’s amazing how cafes can turn into telephone head quarters.

  45. I usually blog from my home, from my couch and i would love to blog from library one day… :D

  46. Wow, it looks like many of your readers blog from home. So do I because it never occurred that I could blog elsewhere. Every day I go to my coffee shop to read. I will now take my laptop to blog, because I won’t be distracted. I would certainly feel energized. Great article!

  47. Only from single place i.e from my desktop in my room.Don’t like laptops,but have one which i share with my younger sister.My desktop table and chair makes perfect place for me for blogging, i like to do blogging from single place.Different places,different conditions and hence different thinking styles.

  48. I usually choose McDonald’s, a cafe, my home, and even places that do NOT have WiFi (keeps me from being tempted to check email).

    Went to the mall once, and it lead to this blog post:
    http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/trip-to-mall.html

  49. I love this post Darren, thank you. I usually blog from a room in our house in Florida-we have 3 walls of all windows and look out on large blue herons, egrets and wood storks that walk right up to our window and hang in our yard. There are fruit trees everywhere in sight and tropical flowers.

    I love the idea of the cool cafes you have in Sydney-might just have to take a trip over there and blog along the way! :)

    Thanks for your fantastic blog, I love it.

  50. Thanks! I am always interested in how people work. When I see people fiddling with their mobile devices I wonder what they are working on. They could be updating their blogs and making money while on the go!

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