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?
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Kate Davis-Holmes
Award-winning writer, blogger, social media consultant and charity campaigner. Social Media Manager for BritMums, the UK's largest parent blogging network Freelance clients include Firefly Communications and Save the Children UK. Works with brands on marketing projects. Examples include Visit Orlando, Give As You Live, Coca-Cola and Kodak. Cambridge Law graduate with many years experience working across three sectors in advice, media relations, events, training and project management. Available for hire at affordable rates.
10 Comments
Kim Carberry
I have my laptop on all day and go about doing things and then take 5 have a scroll and a look on social media.
I don’t really bother with FB or Pinterest, I post Instagram in the moment and pop on now and again. It’s Twitter which is a time sucker for me. I do lose time on there.
I’d say don’t try to do everything! Pick one social media account and focus on that! x
Carol
I spend a few minutes each morning on FB and pin lots of things. I try to visit Instagram and Twitter at least every other day. I do not have time to spend loads of time on any social media. Good post! #MMBC
Laurie
When I first began blogging, I had no idea how time-consuming it would be! I rarely post on any social media anymore. I just had to prioritize how I spend my time and I opted to spend it on my blog. The scheduler might be a good thing for me to look into!
Sustainable Responsible Living
very true, it’s easy to get sucked into social media where we may lose hours – a bit of discipline goes a long way! #globalblogging
Lisa notes...
This is very pertinent for me this month. I’m participating in a blogging challenge to #Write28Days and it’s about to do me in. ha. After this month, I definitely am going to set better working hours with my blog and stick to them. Blogging can take up as much or as little time as we allow it to.
Annette, 3 Little Buttons
It really is that easy to get carried away with blogging isn’t it. What part of it eats most of your time Kate? For me it’s the writing. I could write all day and into the night because I enjoy it so so much! Luckily, I’m able to blog for fun, so I definitely am very picky with projects we take on. Social media schedulers are amazing! I don’t know what I’d do without mine. You really can’t be everywhere all at once 🙂 Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeamLinky xx
foodnerd4life
I know I need to schedule social posts to be consistent when life gets busy, but it’s finding the time! These are great tips, will try to put in place!
loopyloulaura
Urgh my time management is awful. I try to keep blogging and blogmin to 90 minutes a night but it ends up being longer 🙁 Thanks for linking up with #dreamteamlinky
loopyloulaura
I can’t wait for my children to learn how to use a camera so they can help me out! Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Kate (@Newmummykate)
Thanks for this Kate, it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for me. Twitter and Instagram are my time wasters, must try harder! Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday