Yesterday was fun. I just thought I’d ask the question about Google Reader, and then get on with my job for the day of putting together the website from my children’s school, and come back to write a sensible post in the evening. What happens? My wonderful webhost, ANHosting, fall over again, because of another power issue.

Either Chicago’s electrical supply is run by hamsters on wheels, or ANH are full of sh…omething, but this is happening altogether too often. Factor this in with a heavy cold I’ve been suffering all week, my first ever bout of sciatica which means I really can’t sit in front of the PC for any length of time, and things have been a bit of hard work just recently.

So what’s the point of all this moaning? Just that sometimes your plans don’t always go the way you intend, and that if you intend to blog for money, you need some contingencies. My blogs are only really a ‘hobby’ but weeks like the last one frustrate the hell out of me. If you’re trying to build your blog up into something big, and/or money making, there are things you need to plan for as best as you can.

Suggested contingencies include:

1. A stock of pre-written posts, saved in draft for dry spells or where time is too short to write a new post - This is great advice, but sometimes it’s all I can do to come up with one post, much less sit there and write seven! Perhaps you could set aside 1 day a week where you don’t publish, but instead will write at least 2 posts for draft. Do this once a week for a month, and you will have 8-10 spare posts ready to go.
2. Research your host thoroughly, and this means more than 20 minutes of Google searches (guilty!). No host is perfect, but some are definitely way better than others, but it’s a fact that you will have to pay for it. If you’re blogging for money though, it should be viewed as an investment.
3. Consider setting up a network of guest bloggers - Unfortunately my only guest blogger, Claire, is suffering total loss of internet at the moment, so couldn’t help, but having people set up with accounts on your blog who you trust, could be a real lifesaver at certain times. This is obviously a well know tool of most of the ‘probloggers’ but you have got to ensure that the guest bloggers are as good as you (if not better) whatever your level. Amongst the many issues people have with John Chow, I must say that with the exception of Michael Kwan, I just don’t like what his guest bloggers come up with. With Darren Rowse’s choices though, sometimes I don’t even realise I’ve read a guest post until I reach the end.

Sound advice perhaps, that I need to take myself. But then I don’t pretend to be the worlds greatest blogger.

Do you plan for the worst? What other things do you do to prevent blog-service interruption? I’d also be interested to know who has, or who is, a guest blogger. Do you think they’re a good idea?