Time Management for Bloggers

Do you find your blog is taking over your entire life? Do you find yourself staring at the screen when you should be noticing those special moments with your children and loved ones? I am not judging you as I can find time ebbing away as I work on the blog. I might notice hunger pangs and realise I have missed a meal. I may find  myself going to bed and feeling too tired to read a book. Blogging can be a joy but should serve us and not the other way round. Time management for bloggers is a challenge but here are some things I have found helpful.

Getting social media under control

Be honest. How many minutes or hours a day do you find yourself on social media? Are you constantly switching your attention from one social media channel to another? There is a lot to be said for having a social media posting schedule to hand. That  means sitting down and planning your content and when you want it to go out in advance. This one tip will save you hours per week. I am putting it at the top because bloggers regularly tell me that it is social media that is sucking up their time more than anything else. You really do need a social media plan for the platforms out there such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Set working hours and stick to them

When you are in a job, nobody expects you to work 24 hours per day 7 days per week. Too many bloggers are giving far too much time and energy to their blogs to the detriment of their lives. So treat your blog as if it were a job. Set the number or hours you will work on it per week. Write those times down in a planner and stick to them. Ideally pick hours when you know you work particularly well.

Say no more often

Of course it is flattering when someone offers us something nice to review on our blog. We get a little ego boost. However, most bloggers I know work so hard to be fair in their  reviews taking good images and crafting great content. That can take a lot of time. Question whether the review items means enough to you to justify that commitment. The same can be said about press trips. Do you really want to attend or is it just fear of missing out? When it comes to sponsored posts, value the effort it has taken you to build up your blog and turn down those shabby offers that come your way.

You don’t have to do everything

If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is time to ask for help. That might be asking your family members to take some photographs or edit a video for you. It might be reaching  out to other bloggers, individuals and businesses and requesting guest posts.  This is also a great thing to do if you want to develop a specific niche. You are probably not the sole expert so promote some others on your blog. Skills swapping in not used enough  in the blogging world. I like to think I am good at writing authentic content. Another blogger may be a whizz with Pinterest. Ask bloggers what they are great at and see if you can swap your skills with  theirs for a win-win solution. If you have funds to spare, a virtual assistant can be a good investment. They can help you with your email account, social media, scheduling posts, or even writing posts.

Do you have any suggestions on what helps with time management for bloggers?