20150818

A Day in the Life of a Blogger


I thought it would be an interesting idea to give you a little glimpse into my daily blogging routine. Little disclaimer: I'm not a full-time blogger however I thought I'd share this with you so you can see some of the typical things I do every day to work on my blog and how I plan my time to fit this in around a full-time job. Obviously this isn't exactly what I do every single day (I do have a life sometimes!) but it's a pretty accurate reflection of a typical weekday.

6:45am 

Time to get up and dressed.

I do my everyday makeup from a set of two large Muji drawers on my dressing table so I don't have to rummage through everything in the mornings. I keep it a mix of new products I'm trialling to blog about, everyday staples and older products I want to get more use out of.

8am 

A new blog post has gone up so on the 40 minute bus ride to work I take the opportunity to check my emails and social media accounts. 

If there's an email I know I need to respond to later, I'll mark it as unread again. 

I upload an image from the post to Instagram and Tweet the link to the new post. 

I also schedule Tweets to go out during the day using Buffer. If I'm getting a lift in, I'll also take the opportunity to stop at the sorting office for any parcels I need to sign for.

12pm 

It's lunchtime so I'll often upload another photo to Instagram I've taken beforehand (usually of the makeup I'm wearing that day) and have a browse of Bloglovin via their app, saving any posts I want to check out a product from, have amazing photos for some photography inspiration, I want a more detailed read of or am going to comment on when I get home. 

I'm lucky enough to work in the city centre of Manchester so I'll pick up any click-and-collect orders I may have made and have a browse in Boots and Superdrug to see if there are any new products I think look interesting.

5pm 

Occasionally I'll go straight from work to a brand or PR event if it's in the city centre. 

If it's a Friday, I will often be getting the train down to London or Birmingham to see my boyfriend. Whilst train internet is too rubbish to bother with, I still get blog stuff done by writing up posts in Word on my laptop to simply copy and paste into Blogger later.

However most evenings I finish work and on the bus home I check my emails and social media accounts. I'll reply to any Tweets and Instagram comments and maybe do another upload onto Instagram (usually of a particular product I'm loving at the moment). 

6pm 

I get home and usually will stop by my very understanding neighbour's house to get any parcels I've missed. If I have time I will photograph anything that arrived in the post or that I picked up at lunch and get some shots for Instagram. Otherwise the product(s) will go into my drawer to remind me to get some shots over the weekend (which is when I do 3/4 of my blog photography). 

7pm 

More blog stuff! I'll reply to any PR emails that I marked as unread earlier. If I've had some PR deliveries that day, I'll drop my contact an email to let them know I've received the products. If I've done a post for a brand that day then I'll send the link across to the contact. 

I check my iCalendar, which allows me to see my blog schedule from my iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro. I double check everything for the rest of the week is proof-read, has all the links added in and is scheduled correctly (I write the body of my posts over the weekend so I don't need to worry about that). I don't really write or do photography on week nights as it's just a bit much after work. So usually everything is done and scheduled beforehand and it's a matter of doing a few quick checks. If I've received some samples that day I will schedule in a post based on how long I feel it'll take me to test the product and it will go into my Muji drawers to trial. 

I then do a bit of photo editing on Fotor and PicMonkey. 

Then it's time to make my dinner.

8pm 

If there's a blogger chat on Twitter, I will often take part in those. Unless I'm really busy, out or don't fancy the topic the main ones I join are #bdib, #fblchat, #bbloggers and #lbloggers. 

I will also usually spend some time replying to blog comments, revisiting posts I saved earlier on Bloglovin and checking out the links from commenters on my blog.

9pm 

Time to relax, chat with my friends and boyfriend and catch up on some TV shows.

10:30pm 

I do my skincare routine and read for half an hour then try to get to bed for 11pm.


What are your top tips for finding time for blogging during the week?

 


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64 comments

  1. Wow, you are super organised! I wish I were that structured working on my blog! And your photo here is perfect!
    Elina x | luxamundi.co.uk

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    1. Aw thank you haha and I don't think I'd be able to do it without being very structured! xx

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  2. I love this post so much, a lovely insight in to your life :) x

    Lee | wonderringg.blogspot.co.uk

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  3. I have a full time job like you and I can totally understand how being organized is CRUCIAL! btw I love your blog and your photography, they're amazing! :) xx

    www.thecovetbeauty.com

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  4. I wish I could take pics on a weeknight :( I have to do all my photography on a weekend and it kinda sucks sometimes

    Hayley @ Tea Party Beauty

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    1. Me too :( although I do try and get a few snaps of new products, which I won't be able to do in winter xx

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  5. It's great to see how other bloggers spend their day and I have to say that you are super organised!! :)

    Blushhx

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  6. Thank you for sharing this...goes to show how much work goes into blogging. People often asks how long or how much time I spend on the blog and cant give a direct answer as I'm always doing something for the blog everyday and whenever I can. Will be directing people to read this next time they ask :-)

    Liza | http:www.yaalia.com | YaaLia's Fashion Sense Blog

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    1. Yeah there's always something you can be doing and there's a lot of crossover on social media between leisure and blog stuff xx

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  7. Love to read this, gotta make something simular on my blog!

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  8. I love these types of posts, so interesting to see an insight into other bloggers routines/life! x

    Lucy | www.foreverseptemberr.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. Lovely post Jasmine, you seem so organised!

    Sara - She Who Is Short

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  10. You really are super organised and I like you do most of my writing and for me photo taking at the weekend :)
    I feel that as I have gotten more used to it I don't need to spend so much time always checking things and have become a bit more relaxed with it, but great post and thanks for sharing.

    Pams Stuff and Things

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    1. I can see that after I start my new job I'll definitely be scaling back which will feel like a shame! xx

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  11. I really enjoyed reading this post as I am all about knowing the process behind most blogger's techniques/behind the scene. You are very organised and it's little wonder your blog has been many people's firm favourites!!...xx

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    1. Thank you so much :D I love seeing people's processes too! xx

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  12. You are SO much more organised than me, I need to take a leaf out of your book Jasmine!

    Claire | Stylingo.co.uk | xx

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  13. wow, really enjoyed reading this post and how you keep your blog so organised. Thanks for showing us! xo

    Jessica Ann ♥️

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  14. I love reading posts like this! Completely inspired by how organised and dedicated you are and really hoping I can keep something like this up when I start working full time!

    Laura xx
    aviewfrom-thebalcony.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much :) it's all about figuring out what works for you! xx

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  15. Such a great post! Sadly I have to schedule all my posts (usually) because I have uni work to do! xx

    www.angerawrs.co.uk

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    1. Me too as I said but it's a good way of spreading out content evenly xx

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  16. My schedule is quite similar! I work as well, but I still like to get lots of blogging in!


    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com


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  17. Great post! It's nice to get an insight into what other bloggers do. I don't have a regular schedule or typical day because no two days are the same due to my illness. I just do what I can, when I can but if (when) I get into remission, I really hope to have more structure to how I do bloggy things xx

    Beautylymin

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  18. you're s organized! I hope some day I can have my schedule this set!!
    http://amanda-speroni.blogspot.ca/

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  19. you're so organised! i try to keep track of which posts i've still to write, photograph for and schedule in a notebook to make it easier for me during the week when i have school! x

    http://lovejordanashley.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I really wanted to use a cute notebook but I just ended up forgetting to pack it all the time haha xx

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  20. Great post! Literally just talked on a twitter chat about a post like this! haha!
    Blogging can take so much out of your life!

    Angie x | Chocolate & Lipstick || UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

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  21. Literally my life in a post haha! x

    www.beckieeschle.com

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  22. Phew! You are busy Jasmine! I don't get half of that done and I'm only working part time at the minute! Note to self - must get more organised!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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    1. Haha thank you! I find that being quite structured helps me make the most of my time xx

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  23. Wow, you're super organised to get all that done in a day! Such an interesting idea to post a day in the life, not anything I've seen on a blog before x

    emilyclairewrites.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. You are so organised! I wish I was like you honestly! I'm going to Uni in September and I'm yet to see how I'm going to organise everything because I don't want to leave my blog behind! Xx

    riitamacedo.blogspot.pt

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  25. What a lovely insight on your day Jas! I wish I am more organise like yoy but I am a scatterbrain most of the time. Xx

    eLLa
    every LiTTLE thing07

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  26. Reading this just mad eke realise of my own routine too and just how much work goes into blogging. It really is an all day kind of hobby where your mind is constantly thinking of the next step. Really interesting post lovely x

    Beauty with charm

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    1. Yeah it's crazy when you see it all laid out haha xx

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  27. Thanks for sharing this post, it was fun to see how ur day unraveled !


    lisa | lisaxbeauty

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  28. You're so organised, you put me to shame! I definitely need to try the blogging on the train via word technique! :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  29. Such a lovely little post this is. xx
    Rachael | My Lipstick Stash

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  30. Girl you are so organised! I need an organised blog routine like this, mines all over the place atm!

    Jasmine | jasminehardingmakeup.com

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  31. Firstly, how stunning are your photographs? They're freakin' gorgeous. A humongous well done for being so organised, especially as you're working too. I don't work at the moment (due to illness) and my routine is all over the place!

    Barbie Sparkles | Beauty, +SizeFashion and Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Thank you so much lovely! And I hope you feel better soon xx

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  32. Hard to imagine how you keep everything up! Love your organisation, and how you still make time to relax think that's the most useful thing to read :)

    Pippa | LittleLifestyle

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  33. Love having a peak into your day. Sometimes I wonder if it's just me who is this busy blogging and working and all the stuff that comes with it. You understand! haha You do a wonderful job with your blog while balancing a full time job and a life. :)
    http://www.lipstickisalife.com/

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  34. Oh, we all love a good nosey at our fellow blogger's day to day life and blogging! :D This post is so interesting! I'm a Manchester blogger as a hobby and I also work full time and because of this so much of this post is familiar to me! (Boots Click and Collect on your lunch break : best. thing. ever.)

    Our morning commutes and lunch breaks are brilliant for fitting blogging bits in, aren't they? I also try to do a few blogging bits at breakfast. (Breakfast being me bolting down a shredded wheat whilst stood at the breakfast bar, glued to my laptop!)

    Workday evenings are hard to get super productive in - so like you, I do a few of the bits and pieces like photography, post/email and social media. I leave my most creative stuff for weekend mornings, when the day light and my energy levels aren't working against me! :D

    Michelle
    www.sugardustandstarlight.co.uk

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    1. Aw it's always nice to see another Manchester blogger!

      And I'm exactly the same, when I get in I just want to collapse and do something that requires minimal movement haha not looking forward to winter when I can't even take a few quick snaps in the evening xx

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  35. Love this! You are so dedicated to your blog it's admirable :) I also have very understanding neighbours haha

    Kat | www.kathorrocks.com

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  36. My schedule is similar to yours except I'm always on social media when I'm stuck in traffic or in the car and someone else is driving (husband). I take pictures during the week and weekend. Great post!
    http://fabuloustorture.blogspot.com

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  37. Your days are so very organized! I am always taking a day on the weekend to get in all my photography and writing for the week as well. Thanks for the view into your day :)

    Kelsey | www.abalancingpeach.com

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  38. Fab post hun such an intriguing post :) I’m so lazy when it comes to doing my makeup on a morning for work and I don’t get out of bed till 8.20 haha. Aw I didn’t realise you got the train to Birmingham (my neck of the woods :P ). I really need more structure like this hehe.

    Charlee XO | CharmedCharlee

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    1. Aw lucky you ;) and yes I went to Birmingham Uni! My boyfriend stayed an extra year for his Masters xx

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  39. That sounds similar to me - I get all of my photography done during the weekend, and most of my writing too, but my weeks are still busy with blog stuff!

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    1. Yeah exactly there's so much more to it than 'just' the writing and photography :) xx

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  40. You go girl, I wish I was that organised but your routine definitely gave some useful tips. Thanks for sharing this post, absolutely enjoyed it.

    Sam || Beautydetour

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  41. Thank you for the comments! I hope this has helped you see how much work you put into blogging and maybe given you a few tips for planning your time xx

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  42. love this post :) I work full time too and find it hard to get organised with my blog, so reading this really helps to reinspire me to get writing again and get into a better routine!
    Sarah xx
    simplysarahlou.blogspot.com

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  43. You are SO organized - wow! I need to stick a better schedule and this is really inspiring.

    https://dashofcheeky.blogspot.co.uk

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  44. Wow you pack a lot into a day! I really struggle to balance full time work and having a blog but after reading this I think there are some opportunities in my day I'm not making the most of! How do you manage to get brands to notice you and have chances to do reviews for them? Great post! X

    stephanie-fay.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. If you post about them, make sure you mention/tag them on social media and when you're promoting your blog use hashtags like #bbloggers :) xx

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  45. Wow you pack a lot into a day! I really struggle to balance full time work and having a blog but after reading this I think there are some opportunities in my day I'm not making the most of! How do you manage to get brands to notice you and have chances to do reviews for them? Great post! X

    stephanie-fay.blogspot.co.uk

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