Bodysuit: Forever 21 | Pants: Missguided | Purse: Foley + Corinna | Sunglasses: Forever 21 (similar) | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Bandana: Mendocino (similar)
I’ve recently been getting a ton of questions about blogging, such as what I use to shoot my pictures, how I edit, and how I grew my Instagram so fast. So I thought it would be fun to start a mini blogging series where I answer some blogging questions I’ve been getting.
One question I have been getting a lot of lately is if I blog full-time and if not how I balance blogging. I’m sure so many blogger babes know the #struggle of trying to run a blog and trying to pay the bills. So, I’ve decided to share how I balance blogging, work and life today on the blog!
Be prepared to schedule blog work before and after work (and even on your days off too!)
First and foremost. Blogging is a lot of work. I would say it’s even hard work! Between shooting pictures, writing posts, responding (or trying to) respond to comments, answering emails, picking out clothes, styling flat lays, and everything in-between it just ain’t easy! But, like all businesses, consistency is key to success!
When I first started blogging I would read how some bloggers would spend 80 hours a week working on their blog. Which I actually thought was a joke! As ignorant as that was. At the beginning, I thought I would spend a few hours a week on my blog and that would be enough to grow it! Truthfully, if you want to grow your blog, a few hours will not cut it! I would estimate that I spend about 40 hours a week on just my blog and social media alone!
So how do you fit more hours to work on your blog into the day? What works for me is working on my blog first thing in the morning and right before bed. I wake up at 6 am and spend some time off my phone with just my husband. We take the time to talk to each other, read our daily devotional and enjoy breakfast together before our work day starts. Then from 7 am to 8:15 am I usually spend working on my blog and social media, preparing it for the day!
After my work day, I like to do my chores, walk my dogs and get dinner going. I find time to unwind after work is the best for me to get my creative juices flowing before my nighttime hustle. I usually start my nighttime blog work at about 9:30 pm and finish up between 11:30 pm and 12 am!
These times work really well for me. But, I’d definitely say find times before and after work that you feel most inspired and ready to work. This will look different for everyone. Whatever time that ends up being, stick to it and make it your routine.
As for shooting looks, we usually do that over 2 days. Most weeks, my blog pictures are done Sunday morning around 7 am. We love shooting early in the morning because it allows us to have a full day off together after getting our blog work done! It’s a really great way to get our blog pictures out of the way and to enjoy the day and catch up on life! I also shoot my looks I’ve worn the week before that are what I call my ” Instagram #ootd”. We shoot these after work in the evening and occasionally on our second day off!
I do all my editing on Sunday and try to write all the posts for the week on Sunday too! I’ve also committed myself to a new blog post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday because it’s the most feasible with my work schedule. I would love to blog every day but I just don’t have enough time for that! But, picking what days you will have a new post up and committing to it (I have mine on my Instagram bio, so all my followers know they can expect a new post then) helps you stay on track to posting on those days!
Be consistent and schedule yourself
Consistency really is key and having yourself on a schedule is essential! I’m a business owner already, so this came naturally to me. But if you aren’t used to making your own schedule I’d encourage you to try this for your blog, and see how much easier it is to get stuff done! I personally don’t write my blogging schedule out down to every detail. But, I do use a planner to write down days Qais and I work on the blog, and what exactly we will be doing.
I also use Wunderlist to help me organize myself more efficiently. Wunderlist helps to remind me about upcoming collabs, daily to-dos and anything out of my usual routine that I can’t forget to do! This holds you accountable for finishing your work and Wunderlist even has a calendar to schedule due dates.
And if you work with your husband or significant other on the blog, let them help hold you accountable. Qais always knows my blogging to-do’s and will remind me to finish something, or even offer to help if I’m a little jammed up with work! It doesn’t hurt to work as a team on your blog!
Keep focused, make goals and be patient
Working 40 hours a week at your job and then coming home to work on your blog isn’t always fun! I mean, at first, it is. But like anything, with time things start to fade and you ask yourself “should I really keep blogging?”. The answer is YES!
Blogging is not a race. And don’t make it one. If you haven’t received any collab offers or made any money off your blog. Don’t worry. Trust me it will come. My whole outlook on my blog was to work hard quietly and let the content I produce do all the talking. It may take months before you get your first collab or dollar. But, that is okay! Blogging, to me, is about passion. Passion fuels your blog and will eventually lead it into a business naturally. If that’s where you want to take your blog!
Don’t compare yourself to other bloggers and where they are in their career. Focus on your content. Focus on your goals and work hard patiently. Make realistic goals for yourself such as “in 6 months I want to have 6000 followers on Instagram”. Then make smaller goals to help you get to your bigger goal!
And how does this all help with balancing blogging and working? Well, keeping focused will help you stick to your schedule and why you started blogging in the first place. Making goals will be your motivation to keep you going when it feels pointless. And, of course, patience is key to any successful business or blog.
I hope this post helps any blogger babes needing a little motivation to keep them going! I also love getting questions about blogging or social media, so please feel free to DM me or email me any questions you have!
xo Lauren
Great tips!! When I started blogging I never realized how much work it would be either. I love your style and your commitment to producing awesome content. Kepp up the great work!
I know! Blogging at the beginning seems so easy, but then it gets real, lol! And thanks so much for the kind words!
Wow Lauren this was am amazing post and so encouraging! I have been blogging for 3 years and working almost full time as well, IT has been so challenging and so exhausting! I have come close to quitting a few times , but I do love it!- reading posts like this give me the encouragement to keep going! The social media scheduling and photography is what I struggle with. Hubby does some of it, but I don’t have the right lenses it seems to create professional looks( blurred background) The lenses are sooo spendy! Or it could be I just don’t know my camera well enough..that in itself is a job to learn..ha ha! People who work full time and blog are super stars in my book…your blog is stellar and so professional! You look lovely in this outfit as well, thanks for sharing!
Valerie
xo
I love your summer outfit! Oooo..those shoes. Ahh…that purse! They need to climb into my closet right now.
I don’t even blog 3x days a week and I’m a stay at home mom that just inspired me! I blog once a week mainly because my wardrobe is limited so blogging once a week helps me stretch my outfit choices. But now I’m thinking hmmm maybe I should do 3x a week!! Thank you for the inspiring post 🙂
https://www.autumlove.com
I definitely spend most of my free time blogging since I work a full-time job. Love the advice here!
Very inspirative and for sure something i should keep up with for the future xo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing! I try to spend more time in my blog but you’re definitely on top of it! kimballandkedzie.com
I love reading about how other people do it ! I have been better about scheduling and plannng, but I need to set some goals and figure out more how to monitize etc. I love writing my articles, just the sharing sometimes I think I spend too much time on. Need more time to write! I think once the fall gets underway I need to come up with a better schedule for myself. I dont know how fashion bloggers do it with all the photo shooting and editing!
Great advice! Honestly I am naive too to that I guess I did not realize some bloggers spend THIS much time to grow, wow, that is amazing dedication and makes me want to get my butt in gear! It’s also really inspiring. Having a flexible job helps too. I definitely want to start planning out my posts!
This is exactly what I do. It can be overwhelming at times, but absolutely necessary. I am a huge fan in scheduling time for yourself too. Thanks for sharing this. I know it’s helpful to a ton of people.
Thanks so much for writing this Lauren! It’s inspiring, especially when things get busy in life! It’s hard to stay motivated!
Neelofar | The Loveliest Lily
http://www.theloveliestlily.com
I am even more amazed by you! Wow, thank you for being real and sharing your day to day. I can do this!
this is so impressive! it’s amazing that you are able to post three times a week with a full-time job, kudos!
http://www.layersofchic.com
Great post, I really enjoyed reading this! You look amazing!
Isn’t That Charming.
Thanks so much girl!!
You are my inspiration! I am currently embarking on blogging daily and I already feel overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks!
Aw thanks so much Katerina! And I know it can be so overwhelming but keep at it!!
awesome post! It’s always nice to know that there are other bloggers out there who work full time too. Sometimes we see on Instagram all of the bloggers who do this as their full time job, and you can wonder when will this happen for me. I guess everyone starts from somewhere 🙂
Love this post. I can sooooo relate. I work full-time and blog on the side…and let me tell you, making time can be sooooo hard and stressful. I can definitely see how people do this full time.
Lydia
ChicAndModish.com