Sunday Musings | Working Full Time & Managing Your Blog
This topic is something I
personally have been really struggling with recently. As I write this I am in the
passenger seat of my boyfriend’s car typing away in Microsoft Word, en route up
north to visit my family. Tonight I have a flight to Zante for my best
friend’s wedding on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I will fly back for wedding
three up in the Yorkshire Dales. At the end of the week I have a photoshoot in
Richmond. My diary, is pretty hectic to say the least. Wedding one by the way,
was last night, and I am very tired.
personally have been really struggling with recently. As I write this I am in the
passenger seat of my boyfriend’s car typing away in Microsoft Word, en route up
north to visit my family. Tonight I have a flight to Zante for my best
friend’s wedding on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I will fly back for wedding
three up in the Yorkshire Dales. At the end of the week I have a photoshoot in
Richmond. My diary, is pretty hectic to say the least. Wedding one by the way,
was last night, and I am very tired.
I was supposed to have had this
Sunday Musings post written and scheduled last week, along with posts for every
single day of the week over next week, whilst I am away.
Sunday Musings post written and scheduled last week, along with posts for every
single day of the week over next week, whilst I am away.
Unfortunately, this just did not
go to plan. To say I have been stressing over this would be an understatement.
go to plan. To say I have been stressing over this would be an understatement.
I honestly thought I had organisation
down, or at least I thought I was getting better at it. Earlier this month I
set out a Blogging Schedule for all of August. For each day I had planned a
post, for the majority of which I have already taken photographs for. I even
had a list of ideas of content for September, and had started planning posts
for the upcoming month.
down, or at least I thought I was getting better at it. Earlier this month I
set out a Blogging Schedule for all of August. For each day I had planned a
post, for the majority of which I have already taken photographs for. I even
had a list of ideas of content for September, and had started planning posts
for the upcoming month.
This is my downfall. I love a
list. However, what is the point in list making if you never work your way through
it? I need to reign in my list making and actually get on with the work in
mind.
list. However, what is the point in list making if you never work your way through
it? I need to reign in my list making and actually get on with the work in
mind.
I came across a blog post by
Media Marmalade, yesterday in fact, regarding working full time and managing a
blog. I found it really helpful; click here, to see what I am talking about. It
got me thinking about the ways I manage my own full time job as well as my blog…
Media Marmalade, yesterday in fact, regarding working full time and managing a
blog. I found it really helpful; click here, to see what I am talking about. It
got me thinking about the ways I manage my own full time job as well as my blog…
What I have learned along the way are
these little tips:
these little tips:
Use your weekends wisely – Make time
to socialise, and let your hair down after a hard week at work, but also keep
aside a couple of hours to get all your blog photos done in bulk. It saves me
so much time getting a batch of product shots done in an afternoon, rather than
doing them sporadically throughout the week.
to socialise, and let your hair down after a hard week at work, but also keep
aside a couple of hours to get all your blog photos done in bulk. It saves me
so much time getting a batch of product shots done in an afternoon, rather than
doing them sporadically throughout the week.
Make use of folders – On my
laptop I have a To Edit Folder and an Edited Folder. Inside the Edited Folder I
have individual folders titled accordingly to the product photography inside. I
also have an Archive folder of past blog photos. I like to keep on top of this
so I can see how much editing I have to do and how many posts I need to
schedule.
laptop I have a To Edit Folder and an Edited Folder. Inside the Edited Folder I
have individual folders titled accordingly to the product photography inside. I
also have an Archive folder of past blog photos. I like to keep on top of this
so I can see how much editing I have to do and how many posts I need to
schedule.
Blogger Scheduling: I draft up
all the titles of my post and scribble down a date for when I plan to set these
posts live. Having a list of “Drafts” is a constant reminder of how much work I
have to do and if the list ever runs dry I know when I need to start brain
storming.
all the titles of my post and scribble down a date for when I plan to set these
posts live. Having a list of “Drafts” is a constant reminder of how much work I
have to do and if the list ever runs dry I know when I need to start brain
storming.
Photoshop – I edit all of my
photos using Photoshop CS6 Extended. I have got a certain flow down now when it
comes to editing, but as it is something I love, I sometimes get carried away
with it. I have had to learn to limit myself on editing time. I also make sure
I only have Photoshop open when editing, so that I do not browse the internet
opening further distractions. On a side note here, if you would like to see a Photography tips post or a post on editing do let me know!
photos using Photoshop CS6 Extended. I have got a certain flow down now when it
comes to editing, but as it is something I love, I sometimes get carried away
with it. I have had to learn to limit myself on editing time. I also make sure
I only have Photoshop open when editing, so that I do not browse the internet
opening further distractions. On a side note here, if you would like to see a Photography tips post or a post on editing do let me know!
Emails – I try and respond to an
email as soon as it falls into my Inbox, as soon as I have replied, I move this
email into a Blogging folder. I have OCD so if I don’t move important emails
into folders I end up accidentally trashing things. Keep on top of your emails,
this is important, as it helps you to build stronger relationships with PR
& readers.
email as soon as it falls into my Inbox, as soon as I have replied, I move this
email into a Blogging folder. I have OCD so if I don’t move important emails
into folders I end up accidentally trashing things. Keep on top of your emails,
this is important, as it helps you to build stronger relationships with PR
& readers.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help –
This is something I should have done. I recently wrote a guest post for the
lovely Liza from Glam Beautys, as she was away on holiday with her family.
Thinking about it, I should have asked other bloggers if they would like the opportunity
to write a post on my blog. This would have taken the pressure of creating
content in time off me as others would have helped.
This is something I should have done. I recently wrote a guest post for the
lovely Liza from Glam Beautys, as she was away on holiday with her family.
Thinking about it, I should have asked other bloggers if they would like the opportunity
to write a post on my blog. This would have taken the pressure of creating
content in time off me as others would have helped.
My boyfriend is a photographer &
Photoshop wiz. He can see when I am struggling and will offer to help take
photographs for me and then edit them straight away so I don’t have to worry
about anything. He even helps come up with ideas for my blog too.
Photoshop wiz. He can see when I am struggling and will offer to help take
photographs for me and then edit them straight away so I don’t have to worry
about anything. He even helps come up with ideas for my blog too.
Friends can also be a great
source for help, sometimes I struggle with coming up with titles for my posts
and my friend Megan from Wonderful You is someone I can lean on when I have
writer’s block. She is actually pretty fabulous with all other blog advice too actually.
source for help, sometimes I struggle with coming up with titles for my posts
and my friend Megan from Wonderful You is someone I can lean on when I have
writer’s block. She is actually pretty fabulous with all other blog advice too actually.
What I need to improve:
Time Management: This is
something I think you can always work on. I need to start getting up earlier
and making the most of my mornings. On the days I have done this I have been
able to maintain posting daily.
something I think you can always work on. I need to start getting up earlier
and making the most of my mornings. On the days I have done this I have been
able to maintain posting daily.
Balance: Getting up early, may
all be well and good, but if I am burning the candle at both ends, and
forgetting important things like breakfast, it is only going to end up in a big
fat mess.
all be well and good, but if I am burning the candle at both ends, and
forgetting important things like breakfast, it is only going to end up in a big
fat mess.
Priorities: As I love editing and
photography so much, I end up unnecessarily taking photographs before I need
to, when in my drafts are important posts that need to be put live. This will
come in time I think.
photography so much, I end up unnecessarily taking photographs before I need
to, when in my drafts are important posts that need to be put live. This will
come in time I think.
Sleep: I either sleep too much or
I am too tired, having zero energy, resulting in me being so unproductive. This
causes a downward spiral of stress, feeling lethargic and not only does my blog
suffer but it has a roll on effect to everything else going on.
I am too tired, having zero energy, resulting in me being so unproductive. This
causes a downward spiral of stress, feeling lethargic and not only does my blog
suffer but it has a roll on effect to everything else going on.
I really do admire
those that work full time and have this blogging thaang down to a tea, because
it is not ruddy easy. Being organised does not come naturally to me, but this
blog is my passion and the only way I can keep creating great content and continuing to work hard during my day job, is by giving
myself a kick up the backside.
those that work full time and have this blogging thaang down to a tea, because
it is not ruddy easy. Being organised does not come naturally to me, but this
blog is my passion and the only way I can keep creating great content and continuing to work hard during my day job, is by giving
myself a kick up the backside.
Let me know your
thoughts on tips on this topic, I would love to hear from you.
thoughts on tips on this topic, I would love to hear from you.