I think all of the questions I get asked the most are to do with time management when it comes to blogging, so I thought I'd do an update on the topic. Obviously this is related to my situation but it can equally apply to juggling blogging with kids, a demanding university course or whatever else you have going on!
Bulk photography
It's pretty much impossible to take photos 'as and when' if you work full time (other than the odd Instagram snap whilst out and about at the weekend), plus it's a lot of work even just to set up everything, have all of your props and products at the ready etc. So just do yourself a favour and take as my images in advance for the ideas you have planned for the coming month in one go. I usually then sit and edit them when I have a Saturday night in (often whilst watching a bit of Take Me Out with a glass of wine!)
Plan and schedule
This kind of goes without saying but scheduling is your friend; not only does it mean your posts go up at the same time on the same days of the week, but it allows you to write content weeks in advance. I always set aside a morning every other weekend (as far as is possible) to do my photography in bulk. I build in these sessions around my personal life plans, so if I know I'll be away seeing friends or family for three weekends in a row, then I'll ensure that the weekend before, I take all of the photos to cover that period. I use the calendar on my laptop to track my blog schedule. It gives me sight of what I have coming up and what I need to do. In terms of having photography and most of the writing done, I always try to be 10 days ahead of myself, and I typically have 4 weeks ahead of posts in my calendar at any one time.
Make use of every minute
Whether it's editing some photos on your daily commute, writing the text for posts whilst offline on a long train or replying to comments at lunchtime; there's always a way to find something productive to do. I honestly never used to wear a watch every day, however I'm currently in love with the new Daniel Wellington Classic Petite Bondi in Rose Gold* | $169 (15% off with JASMINETALKSBEAUTY15). It's so pretty and simple, so goes with all of my work outfits. I think the white strap is beautiful for summer and, despite some concerns that colour would transfer onto it, it's still looking like new! I always feel more on top of things when I'm being conscious of how much time I've got to spare.
Find the tools
that work for you
Some people find it more motivating to put pen to paper and there are so many creative ways to generate ideas, track your progress and create to-do lists. Others find apps and cloud-based calendars that can be accessed anytime, anywhere to be indispensable. Find out what system works for your personal needs and actively use it to keep track of everything, otherwise you'll just end up seriously confused and overstretched! People underestimate the amount of work that goes into blogging, not to mention all of the variables and different factors we have to consider as bloggers, but there's so much to take in! If you try to manage everything in your head (on top of all of your work-related stresses), you might end up burning out.
Always have a backup plan
Some people find it more motivating to put pen to paper and there are so many creative ways to generate ideas, track your progress and create to-do lists. Others find apps and cloud-based calendars that can be accessed anytime, anywhere to be indispensable. Find out what system works for your personal needs and actively use it to keep track of everything, otherwise you'll just end up seriously confused and overstretched! People underestimate the amount of work that goes into blogging, not to mention all of the variables and different factors we have to consider as bloggers, but there's so much to take in! If you try to manage everything in your head (on top of all of your work-related stresses), you might end up burning out.
Always have a backup plan
Ok, so you can't plan for every possible
contingency, but you can try! I always have a few spare stock images in case
something goes wrong and I can't get my planned blog post together in time.
These are perfect for more general and lifestyle themed posts when specific
products don't need to be in-shot and you can just write whatever you want
spontaneously.
How do you fit blogging in around your schedule?
Disclosure - products marked * were sent to me for consideration however all opinions remain my own.
Read more posts from this series here!
Planning ahead is the most important thing. With a full time job, I sometimes find it difficult to keep up so I always prepare 1-2 posts in the weekend and I also take like a 100 photos to have in hand, it saved me many times. Happy Sunday lovely xx
ReplyDeleteYiota
pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com
Hope you had a nice weekend :) xx
DeleteI can't believe you still have a full time job with such a successful blog! You must be so busy! xxx
ReplyDeletewww.natalieleanne.com
Fantastic tips! How do you preserve your energy for your blogging after a full day of working? Do you ever struggle with the fatigue of a full time job PLUS blogging?
ReplyDeleteI guess because I love it, it never feels like hard work. It's the other bits of blogging that I tend to find tiring/stressful - like answering to emails! xx
DeleteThese tips are so handy especially considering I'm a university student myself! I like to plan my posts and schedule them in advance but I definitely would love to get better at doing some bulk photography!
ReplyDeletewww.xosophhh.blogspot.co.uk
Pretty much the same way. I have an Excel sheet with blog post ideas for the next months, I bulk take pictures, I schedule in advance whatever possible and I work in every spare minute.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
With blogging and working full time as well, I know just how hard it can be. For me it is just all about buying in bulk and been super organised to keep myself in line!
ReplyDeleteDanielle xx
http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
Great post! I'm so meticulous with planning my photography for the coming week's Instagram and blog posts, that when I got taken on a surprise trip for my birthday (for 5 days!) I started to panic like crazy. Luckily I had a backlog of emergency images which I used up! xx
ReplyDeletewww.fridayfaye.com
Haha me too! I think I'll be needing to use my backups if my camera repair doesn't get done in time for my next session xx
DeleteHa I've been super rubbish at this recently. A lot of extra shifts and nights on call has put the blog on a back seat! Usually I do go crazy with bulk photography, but I'm a bit behind!
ReplyDeleteBeekeyper - Latest: Jouer Skinny Dip Eyeshadow Palette
This post is very relatable - working full time whilst blogging can be tricky! I'd love to have all the time in the world. I follow a very similar process to you - my worst nightmare is bad lightening for photos on the day I try to stock take!
ReplyDeleteChloe xxx
http://marblebeauty.co.uk
I agreee with everything that you've said. I love to plan and schedule my posts and photos!
ReplyDeleteLee | www.thatbellemakeup.co.uk
Great ideas, now I'm on placement I'm really struggling!
ReplyDeleteLauren x Huggled
Thank you for sharing these, you've included some great ideas that are really going to help me out in the future! I've been trying to write blog posts 3/4 weeks in advance which really does help take the stress off me as it's far more relaxing! I love the idea of taking lots of photos all at once, you could spend a whole day doing it but then end up with weeks and weeks worth of photos for your blog!!
ReplyDeleteChloe @ https://girllgonerogue.blogspot.co.uk/
Yeah I definitely like being able to see 2 weeks of posts scheduled and ready to go live! xx
DeleteThese are such great tips! I always have posts that go up late haha but I try my best to take all my photos in bulk :)
ReplyDeletehttp://claresloves.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm pretty rubbish when it comes to being organised. I always want to talk my photos in bulk, I do usually do around 2/3 posts worth when I do get round to it but having the inspiration and motivation to do more just leaves me by the 4th/ 5th post. I'm kind of dreading it when winter comes around, I'm lucky enough to finish work at 4 and I start earlier so if I do need to take a picture I can often do it between 4 and 6 in the summer. Really good tips, I definitely need to start planning better x
ReplyDeletejodiemelissa.com
Yeah, winter is always a pain - I try to do a photography session once a fortnight to do 3-6 posts xx
DeleteBlogging alongside working full-time is not easy. I always take my photos in bulk and plan my schedule for at least 2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteHer Hive
Blogging alongside full time work is bloody hard! But you are so right about bulk photography, this saves me the most time. The problem for me with using every minute is that my full time job is so full time and so intense - I don't get a spare minute then. It is falling by the wayside a little as I am so busy at the moment but luckily I planned ahead and scheduled so I am okay at the minute!
ReplyDeleteRachael xox
http://gatsbyandglamour.blogspot.com
These are great tips, Jasmine! Taking photos in bulk is seriously the way to go. I use a bullet journal to keep track of my ideas and the progress on each post. Super helpful!
ReplyDelete{ Katie Actually }
Yeah I couldn't blog without taking bulk photos! xx
DeleteI have a full time job also and as I still live in my parents house I have time to take photos when I get home, so I take some photos after I get home and then edit and on the weekend I write the upcoming blog posts :)
ReplyDeletecarolinasmakeuplife.blogspot.pt
I find that no sooner am I ahead with writing posts or taking photos, something happens to make me fall behind again. Combining part-time work, looking after the kids and blogging is always a struggle for me. Xx
ReplyDeleteToni | sheergloss
I really enjoyed this post. as a full time medical student with a job, it's definitely a struggle to keep up! Keeping a good plan and thinking ahead has (so far) been my saving grace, but I love these tips as a new blogger in the community. Thank you for the post! I have a giveaway going on and I would love to have any of ya'll entering for a $100 Sephora gift card to get my blog started! Entry is super easy!
ReplyDeleteRaechel | www.raediancebeauty.com
I love the idea of using any/all extra time for your blog... It's so easy to justify not doing anything blog related by saying "it's only 15 mins" but those 15 mins (x multiple times!) will be so good for your blog!!
ReplyDeletehttps://thedianaedition.com
This is so true! 10 minutes over lunch, 15 minutes on the bus home; it all adds up :) xx
DeleteLove this blog post! Blogging is a lot more time-consuming and needs so much disciplines than people think. I struggle to sit down and write texts for my posts and editing it as I'm on the run most of the time:( you're so amazing at planning and keeping your posts on schedule! Thank you so much for sharing.X
ReplyDeleteNo problem :) hope you find a system that works for you xx
DeleteGreat post! Very useful for those with full-time jobs like myself.
ReplyDeletewww.upyourvlog.com
I try my best tone organized and take as many pictures as possible as products arrive but I have been slacking so badly recently. I think I'm also feeling a touch burned out and in need of a blogging break.
ReplyDeleteIf you're not feeling it then you're probably best taking a break and returning with more enthusiasm :) xx
DeleteI love this post. I photograph in bulk all the time - today I took photos for 3 blog posts! I plan as much as I can for my blog when I'm out and about and I have my notebook with me so there's less to do when I actually sit down at my computer.
ReplyDeleteI love your blogging tips posts!
Libby
www.libbyschoice.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for your comments - really hope this was helpful :) xx
ReplyDeleteI work full time and blog part time, aaaah its the toughest, some of these tips I try to do. Another thing I would add is to make most of the time you have, don't postpone things because you don't get that time back.
ReplyDeleteI really admire your determination and consistency when it comes to blogging! I'll always come back to catch up on the latest posts.
ReplyDeleteKathryn /Cherries in the Snow
Aw thank you Kathryn :) xx
DeleteYou're so organised Jasmine! I have much admiration for you. I love your DW watch. It's very classy. x
ReplyDelete♥ Carly Susanne ~ A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
Such a brilliant post! I've booked marked it so i can return to it. Balancing blogging with other responsibilities is very difficult, Blogging while being the best hobby can be time consuming as it consists with a never ending to do list. It's easy to find yourself letting your blogging duties slip. I just finally wrapped up my second last semester of uni so I am finally on a break and I really need to get my blogging stuff sorted.
ReplyDeletewww.themakeupaficionado.com
Yeah, for a hobby, it sure seems to come with lots of responsibilities! xx
DeleteThanks for the tips ! I published my first post yesterday so it is very interesting !
ReplyDeletehttp://afrenchgirlsthoughts.blogspot.fr
Great content! I also work full-time so it can be challenging fitting everything in! I'm so impressed by how far ahead you are on your posts! Be sure to check out my latest blog post!
ReplyDeletex. kritsida
http://aperfectcanvas.net/
What a great post!! I work full time but I absolutely love my blog, so I find it hard to say away from either. I should be more organised and I think you have given me the push I need.
ReplyDeletexx | www.touchofconfetti.com
Love this post! Especially taking the bulk photos! This saves me so much time!
ReplyDeleteXO, Kylie
www.littlelooksbigpictures.com
Time management is key. I love how organized you are tho, at least 10 days ahead of schedules, goals!
ReplyDeletehttp://bohomindset.com/