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Is It Possible Or Even Easy To Manage A Successful Blog While Working Full-Time
Hey! Did you know that only 2% of bloggers make more than $150K per year? Even though there are thousands of posts out there claiming overnight blog success. In fact, 81% of bloggers never make $100 from blogging. You might be somewhere in the middle. Do you want to manage a successful blog but have little or no time to invest in it?
To say everyone is busy these days is an understatement! Now add school, kids activities, your already busy schedule, and a spouse while trying to manage a successful blog while working all day. As moms, we are always on the go. It is a 24/7 job we love to do. Can we agree you have your hands full?
I have learned that no matter how busy you are, you can carve out time in the busiest of days to do something for you. As we mommies know, working full-time is what we do. If you are a working mom, stay-at-home mom, or a mompreneur, you know what I am talking about.
You can use these moments of spare time to practice self-care, do chores around the house, meet friends, or even use it to catch up on blogging. Whatever you do with your extra time, make it count.
How I Started Blogging
I went on maternity leave for 14 months. It was scary and nerve-wracking to leave my little one and to bring myself back into business mode. It was evident I had to plan my days down to every minute and second. I don’t have to tell you that, you know the deal. Did your life seem to get crazy busy after having your little one?
I began my blog when my son was 8 months old. I needed that outlet to get my thoughts and feelings down on paper. After about two months into blogging, I questioned myself on how I would be able to juggle home life, family, work and a blog at the same time. How could I manage a successful blog, be a mom and work?
Finding time every day to blog is something that most bloggers have struggled with or still do. The time you spend a day online, writing, or on social media will depend on where you are in your blogging adventure. The time you set aside to write blog posts can determine the quality of your content. Find the balance and see what works for you.
Here Are 7 Tips For Busy Moms Who Want To Manage A Successful Blog While Working Full Time
How to Prioritize Work When Everything Has Priority
Everything cannot have #1 priority. Your priorities are not equal. They may come close but they are not equal. I always say “family comes first, everything else is prioritized after that.”
If you settle into a workflow and routine, you find you are more productive and can get lots done in a third of the time it would take you. Do you ever feel as though there is so much to blogging you still have to learn? Feel overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed? I did.
Then I realized I need a strategy. I needed to divide time to get things done. Early in the morning before the hubby and my little one work up, or at night when they had gone to bed.
As soon as I had focus, made lists, and allocated my time to do what I needed to do instead of getting distracted by other things, I was able to GET WORK DONE. And so can you.
Set daily or weekly goals for yourself. For content writing, social media, a course, anything. Set those goals and meet them. This will help you fall into the habit.
Make The Time You Have Work For You
As a busy mom trying to manage a successful blog while working full time or at home is hard! We have tasks we need to complete, so everything doesn’t fall apart. Do you do tasks when you feel you “should” do them? Like playtime, bath time, or dinner at a specific time to keep the kids in a set routine?
Many times, these tasks are done at the time you feel you “have to” do them, instead of when it would be most convenient. Sometimes, changing your routine just a teeny tiny bit can turn out to be more productive for you. In terms or blogging tasks, it is important to find out which tasks will give you the biggest and best results.
If you spend your “me” time on tasks that do not bring you, subscribers, traffics and success, then it’s time to evaluate what you are doing with your time. Make lists and set goals that give you direction.
Don’t forget to make it fun. Monday, set goals and deadlines, Tuesday achieve those.
Wednesday set social media goals, Thursday achieve them. Friday to Sunday, do whatever you want! OK, not quite, but you get the idea right? Break down your single tasks, recurring task, and projects.
Get yourself a good planner. You can get great planners for $5 – $15 dollars. Here are some I love.
Find The Best Time Of The Day To Write And Be Creative
As busy moms, we know that blogging is one thing, and finding time to write blog posts, come up with great content, answer emails, and be on social media is another! Are you more creative in the morning, or are you a night owl who prefers to work when everyone else is asleep? I do both because I get more time out of it. Most of us have a specific time of the day, or at least an idealised time of day that we think is the perfect time to write.
Even though I write in the mornings and evenings, I find I am more efficient in the early hours of the morning. It is probably because my brain is not dealing with a thousand things, work, and chasing after my toddler yet. Neither of these times, early morning or late at night are going to work for everyone.
Our schedules vary, as do our work and sleep schedules, so find when you are most productive and do your blogging then.
Other Times Of The Day To Find Time To Blog
If you have little ones that take naps during the day, use some of that time to do little things for your blog. When I was on maternity leave, I divided the two hour nap times into four “30-minute blocks”. I completed tasks in these blocks and used no more than the allocated time to do so. I stayed focused and productive.
Schedule Social Media Posts
To manage a successful blog, you need to have a plan. Schedule your social media posts into a program like Buffer, SocialPilot or Hootsuite. In 30 minutes you can get all your posts scheduled for the next two weeks! My advice? Stick to one social media, create a strategy and grow your following. Master Pinterest first, then move on to Instagram, Facebook Twitter etc.
Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. - Bobby Unser #success #ontheblog #momlife #parentingClick To Tweet
Write Your Posts In Your Head While Doing Chores
You do not have to sit at a desk or at your computer to start your blog posts. While doing laundry, cooking, baking, or any other chores around the house, you can start planning your next blog post.
Think of different possible headlines and bullet points for your post. Jot them down on paper later, or when you are back at the computer. Remember, to manage a successful blog and producing great content is key. Use the web to find valuable content from outside sources.
Or Use Apps To Help Stay Productive
If you are a working mom, you can’t block off time like this during the work day, so what do you do?
Use an app like Dragon Anywhere. It is a mobile dictation that is super easy to use. Open the app on your phone, and let is record your thoughts, ideas, and bullet points for your blog post.
Export the audio recording to text and send it to your email address. You may not want to do this during your lunch break, and that’s ok. Whenever you have a few minutes to spare, let this productive tool help you.
What This Means For You
Be consistent with your content. And, not just when you post it, but the style you write it in, too. Give your audience something to expect, and a style that feels like ‘home’ when they read it.
The more familiar and consistent it is, the more likely they are to return.
Moms, You Are Gentle, Wise, Compassionate, And Selfless
If This Is What You Love, Keep At It
You are awesome, amazing, fantastic, you take care of everyone. and love with your entire heart. You can do this! Nothing should hold you back from making your dream a reality.
A lot of you are moms and that you all are trying your best to create a successful blog and generate some income from it too! It is not easy, and I far from being “a successful blogger”, but I am heading in the right direction. Create time in your day for your blog. Every. Single. Day.
Have a plan! Successful bloggers are consistent. It will take time but success never happens overnight right?
Don’t try to do and learn EVERYTHING all at once! I have come a long way in two years and by this time next year my blogging game is going to be on point. I wasted too much time reading, learning, joining courses. These are all good to do but in moderation. Don’t worry, it will be worth it in the end.
Life will always supersede work. Take some time to reflect when trying to balance your blog and home life. Are you happy? Do you enjoy spending your time on all things blogging? If blogging leaves you feeling like you’re missing out on life, you should reconsider if it is worth it.
Put health, family, relationships, experiences, self-care, personal growth, and contribution before writing. Prioritize your happiness always.
Whether you are a mom or not, I’d be really curious to know what tips have made a difference for you on your journey? Please share them with me in the comments section below.
P.S. Want to download my Daily Blog Checklist For Moms Who Blog? Access it and more in my free Resource Library Here.
43 comments
Wow, thanks for sharing these tips. I recently started a blog but find it so challenging to grow it between my long work hours and 1 hour and 20 minute commute. I also get to the office around 7:30-45 so as you can imagine I wake up early. I don’t have that much free time in the evenings as I have to go to bed early in order to start my day early. Your to tips have given me the inspiration I need! Thanks for sharing mama.
You have described it so well. Can you please tell me more about it. I am 23 but I am a psychologist in training, a business woman, an author, a painter and a blogger as well. Sometimes it really becomes hard for me to concentrate everywhere, how to handle it.
I’m not a mom, but I’m still busy enough that I found these tips to be valuable to anyone who is needing to prioritize their blog with the rest of life. For me, what I’ve found is scheduling at least 3 posts ahead helps me stay on top of things. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, this is exactly where I am in life right now!
These are great tips and I could definitely use them. I’m a new mom blogger and I find myself all over the place at times Lol. I have a 3 year old and a 19 month old so they definitely keep me busy.
These are such great tips! It is so hard trying to juggle everything sometimes!
I am always in awe of you ladies that can do it all. These days just making coffee in the morning exhausts me! These are excellent tips and I thank you so much for them!
Absolutely loved reading this and just what I needed to read today! I’m totally a morning or night blogger! I’ve started planning my posts and blog related activity in a mini notebook and saw massive improvements already! 🙂
The struggle is real! But with some planning and determination it is possible.
Thanks for writing about this. I will be returning to work soon after being on maternity leave for two moths. I’ve been trying to figure out how I am going to juggle everything while still adjusting to motherhood. You put everything in perspective with clear and actionable items.
Great tips for those bloggers who still have to work a traditional job. I havent been in the workforce in 4 yrs and blogging is my full-time but when I started I was in this realm.
Some great tips Sheri! I would echo that these are great tips for work as well as your blog. I love setting goals and quick wins at work for example and use lists and other productivity tools. I think working and having a successful blog (and then juggling the family life) will always be something of a challenge but it’s just about how you try to tackle that challenge.
Good tips! I always wonder if there will come a time that I will have to stop blogging because of lack of time! X
i am new mom blogger and this is really helpful for me. It is very difficult to manage everything at the same time with baby. i have a 20 months old daughter.
Finding balance is seriously the hardest part about maintaining a blog and a full time job. You have to know when to turn it off.
Loved, loved this post. I was just talking to a friend about this topic. Blogging is a full time job no matter how you look at it. Be smart on your schedule and use the help of the apps that are out-there to help simplify the process.
I blog full time; but this is awesome. A really great post for the hardworking weekend warriors.
I have the hardest time balancing my blog and life. It can definitely feel like I’m juggling a bunch of balls and every once in a while I drop a couple. I love writing so taking a few hours of the day for me is important
This is what I tell my sister, she wants to start a blog but she is afraid it will not work because she has a full-time job already. I will definitely send her a link to this post, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your insights on working full-time and blogging. I will definitely download the daily blog checklist. Thank again!
I really feel the moments of staying up at night and being up early in the morning to do work. I think when you have your kids those are the most productive times. Not only because you have to watch out for them. But honestly, you never want to miss anything. I am so scared of automated systems and social media now after my last fiasco. I know that a scheduler is different and I should try one out, but they still scare me. Whatever the case, its awesome you have been able to balance everything so well.
I have a full time job and I also try to keep up with my blogging and it’s not easy. Not easy at all! I usually do all my writing during the weekends and share my posts on social media during the week, in the evenings. However, it is very rewarding, especially when you get emails from your readers asking questions or thanking you for helping them with their itineraries.
I loved reading this as I have just started blogging great post
I love the tips you’ve shared. I am super busy and it’s hard to keep my blog up like I did when I was a SAHM. It’s something I enjoy though, so I keep trying. 🙂
I did both for a long time. It’s hard to squeeze in the hours necessary to build a successful blog, but where there’s a will there’s a way.
I have been blogging for 7 years now and I have noticed that the times I blog have evolved around my life – i used to blog early mornings but that has shifted now
Really helpful hints! I always say having a plan is the best way to be product, no matter what task you’re trying to master.
I work full time and really struggle to find the time to blog. These are some really helpful tips!
I try to take photos at the weekend then write in the evenings when I’m most productive.
Hands down to Mom who works full time and manage home. I am not a mom yet but I know it is not an easy task. These tips are great!
Wonderful tips for bloggers who work full time. I’ve been blogging since 2007. I didn’t even know what I was getting into when I started it.
These are such great tips! I worked full time for several years while also managing my blog full time. It was rough, but in the end it paid off and I was able to quite my job and I’m now blogging full time.
Great tips and my mummy works full time, as our blog is our hobby. It does make her more disciplined with her free time and she tends to be better managed in the evenings and at weekends x
These are great tips, thanks for sharing. I am a SAHP and often find it hard to find the right work/home balance! I’ll get there, though!
Nice tips! I need to set aside time to schedule posts, sometimes I just lose track of time and forget. I tend to write multiple posts at one time now too to try and create some consistency. x
These are really great tips. When I first started blogging, I was working full time, and it was difficult. I did a lot of blog work on the weekends, and it was hard. I eventually was in a good spot, because we no longer needed my income, so I quit to blog full time. It’s been much easier. I now make half of what I was making, so I call that a win!
I honestly don’t know how people manage to run a successful blog and work full time I find blogging takes up all my time as it is!
Thanks for these great tips, I had known blogging way back 2010 but never had the courage to start until last year due to fear.. I can’t figure out how to make it work and at least earn a living from it..thank you
This is a very important topic for many “full timers” that have a blog! All of your tips are spot on! May I suggest some advice? If you can swing it, maybe look into hiring a VA for some of your blog chores, to free up your time. There are some out there who do an amazing job and are affordable.
Scheduling and planning in advance are the only ways which I can manage working full time and my blog, as I find when I am prepped in advance if things happen and I can’t spend time on my blog I am covered x
This is very interesting to know as I just started blogging in January very useful post
These are some fabulous tips. I work from home and was always curious how blogging could be done with a full time job. I know I’d probably use apps a lot!
Scheduling social media posts is definitely something that has helped me blog whilst working an incredibly full-on job with international travel. I put aside time each week to pre-schedule and it takes so much pressure off my daily schedule!
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These are some great tips for those who are also working full time. I was working full time when I first started blogging but now work completely on my blog.