Blog Tips – Juggling Blogging with Life
Now I’ve really enjoyed blogging since I got the hang of it (eventually), so I’m definitely not complaining as I love it. But sometimes I really struggle to juggle it all whilst working full time, seeing my boyfriend/friends & family, going to university part time and actually leaving the house (sometimes). I’m especially finding it harder now I’m in my second year of uni and the work is already stacking up after under a month in. I’m starting to wonder how I can handle it all, as I really don’t want to give it up but don’t want to neglect it either. Blogging is not easy, but it’s the best hobby I’ve had.
So I thought I’d share some tips, ones I need to follow a bit better and ones which will hopefully inspire me to be a better blogger.. maybe.
Scheduling
This is something I swear by, I would literally have nothing posted if I didn’t use this.. nor would Twitter ever know I posted anything. I mean I do sometimes get the chance to manually post about a new blog post I’ve done, but it’s rare apart from Instagram (which I’m obsessed with). Sometimes I have weeks worth of posts drafted and scheduled ready, which takes heaps of stress away and means I can enjoy the other things in blogging. You don’t want to blog if it makes you stressed all the time, it’s supposed to be fun.. cut yourself some slack.
Hootsuite is your best friend for scheduling tweets, and I always attach a picture to attract readers too. For blog posts, I use Blogger as thats the host I decided to use. Though I am sure WordPress etc. will have the same features.
Organising Yourself
I’m not the best at this, but I also cannot cope with not being the slightest bit organised. Even at work. The easiest thing is keeping yourself a list of some form, whether on paper or on your PC. I organise myself by bulk taking and editing my photos, then creating draft posts with their names so I know which ones I need to write! I’m not really one for paper diaries though I do love the look of the blog organisers!
Dedicate Time
I always try to dedicate at least one hour a night (unless I’m busy) to do something blog related, whether it’s reading blogs I love; discovering new ones on twitter; taking photos; writing posts; replying to comments or joining twitter chats. Though I am easily distracted, so I can go from writing a post to gawping at something on the TV.. but I do get the job done eventually! I usually do a lot more blogging on the weekend as I’m often in quite a lot throughout the day, which means I catch the daylight for photos woo! But hey, if a week turns out to be super busy don’t feel scared to miss a day! I’ve had a pretty hectic week and have been a bit awol on the blogging front, it happens.
Posting Schedule
I always find sticking to scheduled days the best for when I’m busy, as I know what days I need to concentrate on it and tweet about it. It may not work for everyone, but it does for me. Plus it means my readers (hopefully I have readers..) know when my post will be up, unless I’m having a ‘break’ week.
Back Up Posts
If you’re really busy or have exams or something coming up, a guest post or back up post can be so handy. I just recently done my first guest post and really enjoyed it, it fitted in well with my blogs genre/style and took a little weight off my shoulders while I was away! I also use a few back up posts, whether I have no mojo or if I just don’t have the time that week to take some photos. These are posts I maybe have drafted but not posted or even a simple wish list post. But if you’re just not feeling it at all, miss a day!
What helps you with juggling blogging? Do you have any helpful tips too?
