There is the idiom; third time’s a charm, which pretty much found its way with me about my blog content. Let me explain. Not too long ago, I read a Twitter note from 1EarthUnited. Basically she was advocating the importance of backing up your blog content. My reaction was, “Okay, I should check into this in more detail and probably follow in Maddy’s footsteps. Back-up my blog content.”
Days turned into other days and nothing happened.
Suddenly, I see another Twitter note about the same subject, this time from Sofia Siberia. One should back-up their blog content. Well, I thought, perhaps I had better do this thing – back up my blog content.
Days turned into other days and nothing happened.
Guess what? Yesterday, the 13th, I happen to spot, When Blogs Disappear, by the famous blog dinosaur,Rarasaur .
Uh-huh, you are so right if you figured that it took a Maddy, next a Sofia, and finally, a Rarasaur, to prompt me into the third time’s a charm, idiom. I truly believe, if you experience something at least three times, in a close time frame, it is the sign to react to it or soon be kicking yourself in the butt for stupidity.
Believe me, I’ve done more self butt kicking in this lifetime so lesson learned.
I think it was a stupid block I had in my brain that made me think…back-up blog content=major ninja moves=too much time/effort=forget about it.
Well, if you have NOT backed up your blog content yet, and see the need for it, please research this important issue. I think all the time and effort we expend on each post is worthy of saving for future prosperity. Right?
In any case, I have implemented the following simple plan of action in case of an unexpected blog disappearance.
The Sun’s Back-Up Blog Content Plan:
(so far…still learning…work in progress…)
1. Go to your WordPress administration ->Tools->Export->follow the instructions>voila!….my blog content is now sitting safely (to some degree) in my computer files.
2. Subscribe to your own blog: I already had this one set up eons ago when I subscribed to Google Reader. Once I had my reader in place, I just added my blog along all the other blog sites I subscribe over into my reader.
3. If nothing else, go to the pro for a detailed articles on blog disaster planning:
* * *
What are your thoughts on blog disaster planning and what are some tips you follow to avoid the unexpected?
Please share…
* * *
***UPDATE: Just letting you know, once you back-up (export) your blog content, you must create another mirror blog. Here’s the quick run down from Maddy who experienced first hand the loss of a blog site.
From Maddy:
Hey guys! Take it from someone who’s gone through the whole process so pay attention! Sunshine, it’s a good start, BUT, your XML backup file is worthless in your computer if your real blog goes down.
Here’s why: when you export that XML backup file onto your computer, it’s just a database map of computer coded pointers that direct the transfer process. IT DOESN’T ACTUALLY CONTAIN YOUR BLOG POSTS, PICTURES, COMMENTS, NOTHING! All the data’s still on your original blog, so if that’s gone, say adios amigo.
Here’s what you have to do:
1. Log out of your current blog.
2. Sign up for a new unrelated account, name it backup blog or whatever you like. (You need to have a new email address. WordPress will not accept your original blog email. If you do not have another email, you must create another one before attempting a new WordPress blog.)
3. Now go to the Tools Menu and Import the saved XML file
4. You’ll get a message that says, “Your transfer request is being processed, please allow 24 hours to completion”
5. Check back in 24 hrs to see if your blog is mirrored.
(Be sure to mark this PRIVATE since it will just be a mirror of your original blog.) Go to Settings->Reading->Site Visability->check “I would like my site PRIVATE” and SAVE.
Most importantly, be sure your backup blog is a separate brand new account, with different user name & login, otherwise once it’s locked, your dead in the water and there’s nothing you can do to retrieve it.
Thanks, Maddy!!
and what is Valentine’s Day without a Johnny ♥…
~May you be blessed with abundant love and peace on this Valentine’s Day 2013 ♥
That’s an excellent sign language song, sunshine. Oh ya, the backup. I have still have no emergency preparedness procedures. Thanks for the heads up.
you’re welcome, Seeker. i think you will find it quite easy.
Seeker,
I updated this post with a message and followup instructions from Maddy. She lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild…please have a look when you have time…thanks.
yeah it took rara for me to back it up myself.
hehe, JackieP…lil’ dino making tracks!
Jackie, i updated this post after Maddy left important note on what to do after you export. She lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild…please have a look at her note here.
got it and am going to do it tonight! hugs
{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
Is that really necessary, Sunshine, I mean the back up? This blogging is almost a full-time-job.. Well, I’ll follow your steps and see what’s happened and I’ll borrow Johnny for a minute, if you don’t mind <3 <3 <3
eehihii!! yah, set Johnny to sing you through the back-up…you’ll be done before he stops crooning!!
Angel. please come back and read a very important update to this post…hurry!
I did it, Sunshine, followed Maddy’s steps, but how do I safe subsequent blogs? Btw thanks for explaining step by step, I couldn’t have done it without it!
good question, Angels…let me get back to you. i will find the answer!! ;p
Lost a few of my own blogs during this …hmm…. because did I backup? – Thanks I have done some extra efforts now AND backing up
Mariane, you lost a few blogs before you decided to back up or during the back up process? sorry, to sound a bit confused….but thankfully you are taking extra measures to prevent it. thanks for sharing how important this easy process is.
of course, i’m going to do the photo images next…apparently the backup does not include the images within the posts. i think that is how it works.
Oh Sorry…. NO … I lost a few block before I could even make a backup.. .I was a bit naive and didn’t got the right tool I needed – as I trusted WordPress – but there is no fence that can keep a determinated hacker out I guess
Mariane…i just updated my post here so please when you have time have a look. Maddy lost her entire blog site so she advised everyone to create a mirror blog after you back up your blog content.
hope this helps you…
Thanks Sunshine – I went back and read it .. lovely!!
you’re welcome and wish you all the best with the backup and planning. you are lovely! peace + love ♥
aawwww. Thanks
anytime.
keep thinking about it as you…stop thinking… I say to myself and do it!
Marilyn, please come back and check on my update…important message from Maddy. She lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild…i included her instructions on what to do after the back up.
ok…thanks
{{{hugs}}}
Alright already – this is the second one I’ve seen, so I guess I best get going on doing a backup before the third one gets here
Been doing precisely what you were. Thinking it was a very good idea that I would, eventually, get around to. Off to do a backup now (maybe 
)
hey, Susan, listen, i just updated this post after Maddy, who lost her entire blog site sent important advice on what to do once we export. please have a look…hope her instructions are clear…thanks!
I went and did an export immediately after reading your post. Will go have a look at any updates now. Couldn’t imagine trying to start everything from scratch now. Thanks for the kick I needed to get going.
you’re welcome! i hope it goes, or maybe it already went smoothly for you, Susan. you will see it is pretty easy. peace + love. ♥
I have to look into it myself, especially since you just mentioned my 3 buddies up there along with some helpful instructions.
Hey, Daydreams, listen, i just updated this post after Maddy, sent me valuable information about what to do with the export files once you backup. Maddy lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild so i included her followup instructions in my update. hope this helps motivate you to get this done. ♥
Oh it will! I will be spending tonight doing it. I just went through something similar after I read this yesterday. A page of mine got deleted, and along with it, all of its likes & lovely comments. 😢
I’ll be passing on your info in an upcoming post & mentioning, you, Maddie, Sofia, & Rara.
best time to create your private mirror blog seems to be late at night, say after midnight. the turn around time is quicker
Exactly. Less activity=less probability of bugs & glitches. Now we just have to watch out for gremlins..
:O
shh, maybe if we stay quiet those gremlins will by pass us all…ha ha.
Same here! Been avoiding it like most other important things in life LOL! Will do it right away. Thanks for the tips
hi Amba, listen, i made an important update to this post regarding what to do with the file once you back up. it comes from Maddy who lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild a new one.
hope her instructions are clear…thanks.
Thanks for the update!
you’re welcome! peace to you. ♥
Just backed up the blog. Thanks for the reminder Sunshine. If you Maddy, Sofia, and Rara say jump…
Researching Google reader right now. Anything else I should do today besides smile and enjoy the sunshine?
{{{Hugs}}} Kozo
well, for starters, you can whip up some dinner for all of us…:)
I gotta run off now… Be back to finish
Hey guys! Take it from someone who’s gone through the whole process so pay attention! Sunshine, it’s a good start, BUT, your XML backup file is worthless if your actual blog goes down. Here’s why: when you export that XML backup file onto your computer, it’s just a database map of computer coded pointers that direct the transfer process. IT DOESN’T ACTUALLY CONTAIN YOUR BLOG POSTS, PICTURES, COMMENTS, NOTHING! All the data’s still on your original blog, so if that’s gone, say adios amigo.
Here’s what you have to do:
1. Log out of your current blog
2. Sign up for a new unrelated account, name it backup blog or whatever you like
3. Now go to the Tools Menu and Import the saved XML file
4. You’ll get a message that says, “Your transfer request is being processed, please allow 24 hours to completion”
5. Check back in 24 hrs to see if your blog is mirrored.
Most importantly, be sure your backup blog is a separate brand new account, with different user name & login, otherwise once it’s locked, your dead in the water and there’s nothing you can do to retrieve it.
Maddy, I failed to see your comment here before I updated my post. I created a test (private) blog but it was with my current blog address. So you are saying create a new URL…a whole new blog site but labeled PRIVATE, right? If you don’t mind, I will be copying this comment and using it to update my post. Thanks!!
YES!! That’s exactly what I’m saying. It has to be NEW and distinctly separate URL from your existing blog. It will be private because it won’t be active, no-one has access to or visit it. Feel free to copy my instructions and modify it if you wish. Go through all my steps yourself so you’re 100% familiarized with the process. It’s not hard, but be precise with each step. Good Luck! ♥
i just updated the post and did mention to label it private. thanks Maddy!! gotta go run my mirror blog now.
Cool! I notice it’s better to backup during the middle of the night, you’ll get a notice quickly from WP that your blog has been backed up. This way you’ll mirror your blog in 1/2 an hour tops. ❤
you are a blessing. thanks! i just notified everyone who left a comment on this post so hopefully they will follow your instructions.♥
got your notice Sunshine! I am going to do this tonight when it’s not so busy! Thank you and Maddy for this valuable information! big hugs!
after midnight is the best time…my mirror blog was up in no time. make sure you mark it private…i almost forgot to label it.
I’ll try not to forget. Thanks again Sunshine big hugs!
hope it all works out for you, JackieP! ♥
I got it done.
yay!!!! {{{{big HUGS}}}}
Thank you, Maddie for your helpful addition to this post. I linked to this post in a recent one I made myself, and just realized I should inform people of your extra advice.
Maddy, do we need a new email as well to create this test blog?
Yes, good point Sunshine. New email is a must because it has to be distinct from your current blog. WP also requires separate emails to distinguish different blog administrators, so yeah, sign up with brand new everything. ☺
Thanks!!
What happens when you back up again? Do you do the same process and once you import to the mirror blog, does it recognize only the newer back up posts? a bit confused on this.
also, on the mirror blog, you make the admin the one for the new blog and not from the original blog, right? thanks and sorry for so many questions…
Hi Sunshine,
Yes, just rinse and repeat. The blog mirrors the latest exported XML file. Also correct, new and distinct admin separate from the original blog – it should NOT be related in any way. I think you’ve got the hang of it. Feel safe and secure that your blog will not disappear into the cyber-void. Cheers! ☼
THANK YOU so much, Maddy! i believe you saved a whole lot of bloggers from massive heartache. sorry you had to experience it but it must have been in the stars for you to help others. my ♥love to you.
only me again…so, Maddy, how often do you back up your blog content? or what do you recommend?
i guess i am a bit confused.
if you export again, it will do the whole blog content or just from the last export done? i have another reader, Angelswhisper, asking and i’m like, good question…let me ask Maddy!! ;p
Hi Sunshine, the pointers in the XML file is a complete mirror of your original blog. Therefore, I’ll update everything, including the latest comments, drafts, posts for the entire blog. That’s what you want in a backup, make sure you select ALL content when saving (exporting) the latest XML file. I just make it a habit to backup after every new post. It only takes a few minutes to export, log off, log into backup blog, then import. Peace of mind is worth it, don’t you agree? I don’t use Angelswhisper reader so I can’t comment about that.
Have a blessed an inspired day my friend! ♥
now i see the picture…thank you again, Maddy. i will let Angelswhisper know…♥
Kozo, i just updated my post so please have a look. Maddy brought followup after we export a file…thanks!
Ok.gonna.back.up.now!!
Athina! Hey listen, Maddy sent over some important info about what to do once you export your files. please have a look again. Maddy lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild again…hope her instructions are clear in my update. thanks. ♥
No, no -thank YOU!
you’re welcome.
{{hugs}}
WOW, interesting timing, as in “ooo-weee-ooo”. I was just lounging on my couch, thinking I really should back up my blog posts to my PC files–but, and–it’s a laborious task which I despise, so I don’t do it frequently/regularly. I wasn’t aware we could do it through our blog–administration, tools, export, etc. So, thanks a million and a half, Sunshine–I’ll go have a look-see. God bless you big–love, sis Caddo
Hey Caddo! Listen, i don’t know if you already know what to do with your export file, but i updated this post so please have a look. Maddy lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild again. I included her followup instructions in this post. thanks
Sheesh, thanks for the warning!!! I’d probably jump off my 2nd floor balcony, if I lost my blog…
okay, I just did this. Log off your current wordpress site but you have to have another email. you cannot use the same one. Maddy said it is better to create a new blog after midnight…it processes faster.
Oh good grief and a half–I’m goin’ to bed. G’night, Ladies!!
haha…hope it was a good sleep, sis. :p
‘Mornin’ Sunshine–although it’s 7:37pm here. Y’all know I’m a dweeb, but here’s my confusion: what’s the point of saving my blog to a “2nd” (private) blog?? I thought backing up my blog posts to my hard drive–was in case WP had some issues and lost everything. If they lose one blog, they’ll lose the other one, won’t they? Whereas, my hard drive can be restored–unless it totally croaks, right? Sheeshy gabeeshies, I think I need another headache pill…
okay. breathe sis.
1. the file you save to your computer does NOT read the images you attach to your posts. you have to go and individually from your media upload attach it to all your posts. it’s just a file. in addition, if your blog site disappears now, it may not necessarily be WP. it could be from outside source. malicious source.
2. the other private blog you make with WP is totally separate, with separate email and administrator. when you create this new mirror blog, with your exported file, it mirrors the blog you have now except it is totally unrelated to your current blog. why? because…
3. …if you happen to lose your current (public) blog content today, as Maddy did, you will not be able to retrieve it as it looks now. the export file in your hard drive is files. no images.
with your mirror blog, you just throw off the private label and you have your public blog ready to go.
4. i hope this makes sense to you. it is rather simple once you have your exported files available. just create another email address, log out of
WordPress then make a new blog. call it tester or something. it will ask you where you are importing files from, press WordPress and follow the rest of instructions. once you get your confirmed email from WP for your new blog, go in, label it private and set the admin to your new blog. don’t use your real admin name..
does this help??
Thanks, Sunshine–it does help, and I understand the benefits better now; I hadn’t factored in the outside malicious angle (I live so naive…). My images for each post DO save to my Word files–so I’d just be lacking all the rest of the stuff that goes with my blog theme, I guess, and the likes/comments….ya, I’m seein’ the picture better now. Well, I might come over and print out all your added info–and give it a go–but not tonight… Again, thanks so much!
no worries, sis. just take things one step @ a time. all in His hands anyway so yah…peace + goodnight! <3
Bravo!
hey Cedric…hope your writing went well.
listen, i updated this post if you plan to back up your blog–you should, really. anyway, my update tells you what to do with the export files once you back up. Maddy lost her entire blog site and had to rebuild so don’t let your blog site disappear without having a back up one. okay. hope that helps.
I think I did part of the process. I Will go back and take a look again to be certain that I didn’t miss anything.
hahaha! Don’t know how I am doing on Ethics though… 
Writing went ok! thank you. Now I am an expert in politics from the greeks to…Tocqueville and the democracy in North America! Go figure!
remember…you are doing great in Ethics. really great.
on export files you have to do something with them, not just let it sit in your computer. so come back and read the update. ♥
Pingback: Back it Up, Back it Up, Back it UP! « CardCastlesInTheSky
This is the only time I read about the topic. I’ma wait til I see two more.
oh, hope you get blog disaster plan in place…you have a beautiful blog. i will pray you get two more signs quickly so it can get your butt in high gear!