Now I know that we all relate to being busy, especially here in America where out culture fosters an environment of rushing through life and never having "enough time." I can certainly relate to this: I'm a full-time graduate student who writes ALL day, I'm also a teaching assistant (I teach Introduction to Philosophy), AND I tutor student athletes. Then there's exercise, going to the beach (1 mile from my house!), play time with my cat, etc. And somewhere in there, I choose to fit in blogging. Choose is the key word; if you want to find time for your blog consistently, you must choose to make it fit in. Sometimes this is easier said than done...but I've got a few tips to share with you that can help you make blogging a happy and stress-free experience.
Write it into your Schedule!
If you want to make time for blogging, you need to do so in the same manner you make time for work tasks or homework or things around the house. Write it down, put it into the to-do list on your smart phone. Look at your schedule and decide when you can make the time. Maybe it's time to do some rearranging or maybe you can multi-task other things so that you can free up some valuable blogging time.
Make a List of all the Things You Do for Your Blog
It's really important to understand exactly what you do (and how much!) for your blog. You make not realize things you are doing are blog related. These could be research on the internet things or crafting supply shopping things, etc. In this list, be sure to include the marketing aspect of your blog. This includes Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, etc. All of these things ADD UP, and if you want to successfully manage your time blogging, you need to be aware of all the work you put into your fabulous blog!
Prioritize What YOU Want to Write About
This is especially important. Don't decide to write a post or series of posts simply because it's what you think people want to read or because someone asked you for it but you don't think it's a good idea. If you don't want to write it, it will take a large chunk out of what could be enjoyable blogging. This being said, make it a priority to write your favorite posts FIRST. You'll get through those the fastest because you know exactly what you want to do. In my own blogging, I write my articles, like this one first, and then later write craft tutorials, and lastly the roundups, like my weekly Pintastic feature.
Don't Become a Slave to Your Blog
Here are a few things to keep in mind: don't let blogging take over your life. If you have a job outside of blogging, do not let your blog consume your responsibility for daily tasks (same goes for you college students). This is simply a warning to keep your blog from becoming something that causes stress. So keep it positive and keep it in perspective.
Let Your Blog Have a Place in Your Life
If you have a long daily commute via public transportation, why not use that time to brainstorm or write posts? If you wait to pick your kids up from school every afternoon in your car, why not download a blogging app on your smartphone and work on the go? Allow yourself to find a place for blogging in your life if it is something you really enjoy and really want to pursue.
This is some really great advice!! You're such a great writer!
ReplyDeleteWriting about what you want is really important.
Excellent advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!
ReplyDeleteI am a grad student, dog owner, and state park educator who tries to find time to write! I feel like we are pretty much in the same boat. I agree - only writing what you want to write about and not stressing too much are really important.
ReplyDelete