As you guys know, I have a crazy schedule each week. In addition to blogging, I work a full-time consulting job (aka long hours). It's not like the good old days working 9 to 5 anymore.
I wake up wee early to fit in my workout. Unexpected issues and meetings always happen in my profession making it not possible to rely on getting my fitness in at night. The morning is the only guaranteed time of day. Work has forced me to workout in the morning, but I actually like that it has done that for many reasons, but that's a topic for another day.
Then I have a looonnnggg commute to work every day, which depending on traffic can take 40-70 minutes one way. So I receive a lot of questions from people about how I fit it all in. To be honest, I'm not sure how I juggle it all sometimes. It requires planning, discipline, focus and even a few sacrifices.
Although I don't have much free time, I love blogging, writing and creating recipes. It's a huge part of who I am as is my fitness. When I think back to before my weight loss, I wonder what I spent my time on? Probably a lot of shopping! Today I have more hobbies, goals and aspirations than I can count on my two hands. So I make time to fit blogging into my life.
For me, blogging happens mostly on the weekends. That's the only uninterrupted time I have when I'm not dog dead tired from my crazy schedule and juggling things like a circus clown. It's really true what they say. When you find something you're passionate about, you find ways to do it and make it work.
Managing a blog is much like managing a business. You work on technical issues with having a website (thank goodness I'm in IT), respond to readers, network with the blog community, market on social media networks, manage income & financials, work with sponsors & affiliates, participate in giveaways and the list could go on and on...
Working 9 to 5 makes all this a challenge, but luckily I've learned a few tricks that may help others.
Schedule Posts
Write posts ahead of time and schedule them to auto post. I write, edit and draft posts on the weekend then schedule them for the week. That way I don't need to worry about missing a post during the week or having a conflict with a working priority. During the week, my focus is work and responding to readers.
Nothing's worse than scrambling to publish a post the day of. Consider most your readers work during the day. The prime time to show off your content is early morning or late at night. By posting later in the day, you miss early morning readers. Remember you don't need to post every day. It's more important to have good content than an ok post.
Set a Routine
Set a writing routine - draft, edit, schedule. I usually have two weeks of posts to work with. Week one posts are drafted. Either late at night or on the weekend, I edit and schedule them. I've found this works really well for me. Drafting something then reviewing it a week later improves my content and it's a time saver. After week one posts are set, I draft week 2 posts.
Try to also post similar topics on the same day of the week. For example, I post recipes Monday and Fridays. This way you know what topics you need and when.
Mark a Calendar
Set a regular post schedule and stick to it. It's not only important for readers to know when to expect something from you, but for you to manage your time. Use a calendar to pencil in posts and organize topics. This helps align topics each week too.
Take Notes
When you're a writer, it's inevitable you'll be struck with creativity when you least expect it. I take notes and make bullets on my iPhone regularly using the notes app or send myself an email. Jotting thoughts down helps me remember when I come back to it later. I always have my phone with me at the gym, work, running errands, etc. so it's convenient for me to do it there instead of carrying a notebook around. Voice memos are another option too. Any of these methods work.
If you have a long commute, you can draft content using the WordPress or Blogger app. For people using public transportation, this is a great option.
Create Back Pocket Posts
Life throws you curve balls no matter how well you plan, prioritize and schedule something will happen. I always have a few (~5) how-to or recipe posts drafted so that in a bind I can edit them quick and use as content.
Automate Social Media
Link your social media i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin and Google+ to your blog so that when a post publishes so that it automatically publishes the post to social media. I also link some of my social media sites together like Facebook and Twitter so if I tweet something, it automatically updates Facebook and visa versa. I also have my Instagram linked to my Twitter.
If you have more time, you can schedule auto posts on SM platforms like Facebook. Hootsuite is another great tool for automating your posts to SM and customizing. I have not used either of these methods yet, but they are on my never ending list of to do's.
Be Time Wise
It's easy to get sucked into the blogsphere, but there is life outside the worldwide web. Allot yourself time to complete certain tasks. For example, I respond to emails and comments during the week either on my lunch break, on the elliptical, on my commute or late at night. Everything else I sprinkle throughout the weekend. It's important to remember when you have a blog, your work will never be done. As is with your day job, it's important to have personal boundaries and make time for you.
Cassie says
This is great... sometimes I struggle with fitting it all in, but when it's a passion, you make it work!
laurie damrose says
Good tips,thanks for the post.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Great tips, lady! Blogging on the weekend is KEY for me. If I don't get posts drafted and recipes made on the weekend, then there's a higher chance I won't get them done during the week. I love blogging, but it IS a crazy amount of work.
Skinny Fitalicious says
Thanks, Amanda!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I feel you... I work full time at something completely unrelated. I do a LOT of multitasking. 😉
Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby. says
Yes - I do work at blog. Blogging is just a hobby, I haven't made too much off of it yet. BUT it still takes up some of my time. I have a somewhat loose schedule with posts so it makes it a bit easier to plan on what to write. However, things like recipes just take a backseat because I don't really have the time to a) find/make up a recipe b) make something and c) photography it properly.
Skinny Fitalicious says
Food blogging definitely adds more work!
Lindsay says
I work at home and I still need these tips!! Love it
Shelly says
I work full time, to go to school, have 2 kids, and blog! You are spelunking language. Unfortunately, my blog takes a back seat to everything else, so it can definitely be challenging to find the time to write posts. I really like the idea of having back-up posts in the even that life happens. I try to stick to a schedule, but it's a lose one. All great advice, thanks!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Really like that alarm saying. I wake up sometime at 4am for work which is crazy. Wish I had a normal work schedule.
katie @ fromicecreamtomarathon says
On Monday I'll be starting my first '9-5' job in 8 years. So I've definitely been wondering how I'm going to fit it all in! These are great tips, thanks!!
Skinny Fitalicious says
Good luck with your new job!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
These are such fab tips! If there's anything I suck at, it's managing my time wisely. I'm a night-before blog writer and I really wish I was better at doing posts up in advance so I don't have to stress about them!
Skinny Fitalicious says
I used to do that, but it stressed me out too much.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Having a schedule is what really helps me. I am a mess if I don't organise everything.
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Love these tips - scheduling things ahead of time is KEY for me, for sure! I typically have 3 or 4 drafts in my backend waiting to be edited and pushed live, that way when I think of posts that are more pertinent, I can publish those, then use the ones I have saved for when I don't have time to draft up something! Working full time is TOUGH when combined with blogging constantly! Whew! Glad I'm not the only one trying to balance both!
Tina@GottaRunNow says
Thanks for the tips! They reminded me that I need to set my blog posts to automatically post on my Google+ account.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
Great tips! And also, I love your 9-5 reference, love that movie!
LInda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
Are you a health coach consultant? 🙂
Skinny Fitalicious says
Not yet! Seems like life is pushing me in that direction though.