This week’s Friend Friday is a subject that I’m really not in the best position to provide interesting answers on, but I’m very excited about it because I know there will be so much inspiration and so many great tips coming from other FBFF bloggers. I’ve been feeling a lack of balance in my blogging life lately. It could very well be my full-time job, except that I’m not getting paid. Minor detail. But really, even though I have more time than most to devote to blogging as a hobby I’m still not able to keep up with everything. I don’t know why that is. I’ve tried planning out posts in advance, slimming down my blogroll, etc. etc. It could have to do with the fact that in the past I’ve spent as much as a half-hour reading a post and writing out my comment. I’m just that interested! I’ll most likely write out a comment that’s simply too long so I’ll spend most of my time rewriting it to make it more manageable. I’m sure bloggers like receiving long comments because it shows that the reader is genuinely interested, but they don’t need to read my life story either. In the same respect I’ll have days where I spend ten, maybe fifteen minutes staring at a blank comment box. I can be riveted by the content of a post and yet have nothing to say. It all depends on my mood but regardless, it takes more time than it probably ought to. So here I am, determined to work this thing out and become a superblogger!
1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall? Blogging is my top priority right now (in terms of hobbies); I think I’m still too new to it for it to be anything else. I haven’t mastered my insecurities, if there’s a day when I have a post to plan I can’t really focus on anything else until it’s done. I think time and experience will help me to shift my priorities a bit, and actually that’s one of my goals for March. I’ve come a long way in this my first year, but I don’t quite have a groove yet. So that’s what I’m working toward. Who doesn’t love a good groove?
2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible? I don’t know if I’ll be one to offer any mind-blowing tricks for productivity as evidenced by my aforementioned thirty-minute-commenting escapade, but I like a good challenge (not really) so let’s see! I’ve found list-making to be a great help; I have an account on listography that I use specifically for blog-related things. I’ll have one list for post ideas, one for celebrities I might want to talk about on either my Style Profile (on hiatus, it would seem) or our weekly Friday Fame at SHE. I also keep a to-do list for the specific posts I want to write out for and during the week ahead.
A peak at my
3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient? Aside from list-making and writing posts out in advance…not really, no. But those two things can definitely help! When I have a post planned out in advance it makes me feel a little more relaxed and I try to spend the time I saved reading other blogs. Yesterday, on the other hand, was spent writing out three posts in advance so I didn’t get to read any blogs. But I think it’s all about finding the right schedule (the groove, the groove!) that works for you and once you do that you can perfect it a bit here and there. And just grow with it, as your blog grows. That’s my thoughts, anyway. I’ll let you know if it actually happens that way!
4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead? I actually just installed the Editorial Calendar plugin for WordPress last night. Everybody loves editorial calendars, it seems. I tried to use Google’s once before but it just didn’t suit me. I haven’t played around much with the WordPress version but I think it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I love that I can organize my schedule and edit my prepared posts directly from the calendar. It makes me feel like I can look beyond the current, too: I tend to just think about the current week and the open layout of this calendar lets me see the next two weeks as well, which is hugely beneficial. It’s something I think I’ll use devotedly in the future.
What the Editorial Calendar plugin looks like on WordPress.
5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now? Oh gosh, so much! Changing my layout, firstly. I’ve had an idea for a change for a little while and really want to incorporate it, but it’s complicated and I can’t seem to figure out quite how to do it. I also have this issue where I refuse to let something web design-related get the better of me, so it’s just weighing on my mind right now. Otherwise, content. I have a lot of editorial inspiration but just not the time to apply it. Besides that I don’t really think I’d do much more, at least not right now. While we can make blogging more efficient I think it’s still a fact that blogging does take time and devotion and a lot of hard work. It’s rewarding, though! I’ve had some wonderful experiences and more than anything I’m continuing to gain a fair amount of confidence as a writer. The rewards are great, but knowing you put a certain amount of yourself into the effort is the best part.
Fashion Beauty Friend Friday was created by Katy Rose of Modly Chic. Become a member at the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Google Group to join in the discussion! For more info on how to join read V’s Friend Friday 101: How to Get Started on Grit and Glamour.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so jumping on the listography bandwagon. I can’t believe I haven’t tried that yet!
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
Fanciful Brainstorm – Tumblr
Oh, enjoy! I’m really not someone who remembers to have a notebook handy all the time and since most of my ideas come to me while I’m online it works out really well. I just put a link directly to my account on my browser so I can just click and type. (:
Editorial calendar? Sounds amazing! I love blogging but I admit that with a blog that’s kind of a “niche” subject, it can be hard to come up with the topic fr one post let alone many in advance!
I’m liking it a lot so far! I feel like my blog is pretty open-ended as subjects go, but even I have that problem; you do an excellent job of keeping posts coming as you are now, though. (:
That list tool looks great. I just keep all the ideas in my head!
I hope you find your groove!
The effort you put into your posts is admirable, it really is. Oh, and Listography sounds like a great idea, possibly a lifesaver for me! I’m having a hard time balancing my blog with everything else at the moment, so I think a bit of organization and planning is just what I (or rather, my blog) need!
Thanks, sweetie! I’m so glad to know that; sometimes I’m afraid the length of my posts can make my blog a little overbearing. I’ve always been told I’m a very “long” writer, I use ten words where five will do. Haha. I hope you like Listography if you give it a try!
wow, using a listography for blog planning is awesome! totally gonna use mine for this now!
Oh, good! I always forgot about it in the past but once I started blogging I realized it was much more efficient than keeping the Wordpad from Windows open all the time, and it’s much easier to organize. (:
intrigued with the Editorial calendar I think that would really help me when it comes to making a new post….good for you for having a list of things to post…I usually list things in my organizer/planner when I a at the bus or just somewhere else hahahhah if inspiration get into me…but so far…nothing!!! maybe I am just thankful that my job is not that stressful and I can get along with blogging most of the time and visiting other blogs as well…
Kisses
Sweet
PensandLens
@mistytewest
You do an excellent job with what you’re doing now! I’m always amazed at how often you post really solid content. I wish I could effectively use a planner/organizer, I’ve had them in the past but I always forget about them!
Might have try that calendar plugin. I know how you feel trying to balance blogging and a full-time job. No easy feat!
And thanks for including a link to my #FBFF how-to in your post footer. Super nice!
Happy Friday!
••V••
http://www.gritandglamour.com
@gritandglamour
I hope you like the plugin! I’m anxious to use it a bit more. I’ve been thinking about getting a smartphone, too, which I’m hoping will help me to be a bit more productive. (I think I might be the last person in the world to have one!)
Of course – your post was what finally motivated me to join the group, so thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I need to check out the listography tool. I love making lists!
I also use the WP editorial calendar for my other blog. Loves it!
Thanks for your comment! I’m glad to know someone else uses and likes the calendar. I’m liking it so far but I haven’t tried much with it. Enjoy listography! It’s a fun little thing. (:
Wow, I must say that I’m inspired by your passion for blogging, Casee. I’ve been figuring out a way to balance out blogging myself without overwhelming my reader and myself and you have no idea how much clarity you’ve given me.
Literally downloading the editorial calender plugin and joining Listography as soon as I leave here. Google doesn’t work much for me either and I could never really find things to help me organize until now.
Anyways, I really hope you find your groove. I’ve been in a bit of a blogging funk and looking to get my groove back in a way. LOL.
xoxo,
Mattie
http://www.mattieologie.com
@Mattieologie
Gosh, Mattie, thank you so much! I was really worried that I wouldn’t have any useful tips to offer with this post. I’m so glad to know there were some helpful bits after all! That makes it all worth it. (: I hope the plugin and listography work out for you. Down with the funks, bring on the grooves!
I’ve never heard of that WordPress editorial calendar plugin — neat! I might have to check it out. At the moment, I use a spreadsheet in Google Docs I’ve created as my editorial calendar. It’s been working pretty well.
Have a great weekend,
Kristin
Your spreadsheet looks so organized and lovely! Having a visualized schedule like that can make things so much easier, I think. That’s pretty much what I’m looking to achieve with the editorial plugin – fingers crossed!
Have a great weekend as well and thanks so much for commenting. (:
I think wordpress ate my comment. Either that or I got flagged as spam!
Anyway, I think you might have me convinced to try this editorial calendar plugin. I was just over at Beautifully Invisible and she mentioned it as well. If the two of you are talking about it, then it’s definitely worth my time!! xoxo
You did get flagged as spam! Shame on Wordpress, it clearly has no manners. You’re so sweet, thank you for both of your comments! I hope you like the calendar if you do try it out. Funny that B mentioned it! I haven’t had the chance to read her answers yet but I’ll definitely do that now. (:
This is so great! You took most of my issues with blogging and put them into post format! I too am struggling to find a groove though it’s been a year. I agree, that planning posts in advance takes a lot of the pressure off each day, it’s easier to jump right into reading & commenting that way. Otherwise I feel like have to hurry up & finish my post before the blogger police catch me! So silly…
And I love the idea of Listography – as a lifetime list maker I can’t believe I haven’t heard of it before! As for the time it takes – it is definitely a big commitment but like you, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And the long comments, I personally love them – especially yours. It means someone’s really reading & caring, not just ‘nice post’-ing everything and those interactions are what make you one of my favorites!!
Aw, I’m glad you could relate! I agree, I really enjoy reading and commenting on other posts so if I can better organize the time I devote to my blog so I can still visit the blogs I enjoy…that would just be the icing on my bloggy cake!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, really. It makes me so happy to engage in conversations as a result of a post, either mine or another blogger’s. Sometimes a small comment can be enough too, but even then there’s always a distinct difference between a heartfelt small comment and someone just trying to drive traffic to their blog. I’ve seen so many of those that they almost drive me to leave more detailed or specific comments. (:
Casee Marie,
That is impressive organization!
Great post.
SSG xxx
Thank you very much! (:
Leaving comments can be such a difficult thing. Sometimes I have a lot to say and other times I just don’t have even a spare minute to write something in reply to a post I really loved. I always just try to do what I can and let the people who I read regularly know how much I like their stuff when I do leave a comment.
That’s exactly what I strive for, too! I think everyone feels that way from time to time so at least we can all relate and understand. (:
Bonjour Daaarrrling, First of all, you had me at hello with your French affiliation. Secondly, can you stop peeking into my diary, because it seems you have just written about my life as a Blogger. I am currently downloading the Editorial Calendar as we speak – I have been using a spreadsheet on google docs which I share with my Writers, where I plan out future editorial.
On top of working a full time job, I have found planning posts and writing them in advance to be helpful, but then I can’t be so anal, so I find myself at times hitting publish on posts that I just want to get out into the blogosphere, like now.
Yes, it’s a constant battle of balance, and I’m not sure there is really an answer on how you juggle the writing of the posts, the site admin, design and everything else people don’t realise goes with blogging – especially when you are committed to it being a super fabulous blog that you want to make a living from.
But, I can say this. Love. Your. Work.
G
Thank you so much for reading and commenting – this was such a delightful start to my day. I’m glad you could relate to the post; really, I figured I wouldn’t have anything to offer on this topic but I didn’t think about other bloggers being in the same proverbial boat. So I’m happy others connected with it and that the editorial calendar seems a useful bit of information! I hope it works for you, I’ve found it quite helpful.
I completely agree; there’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind-the-scenes of a blog and it can be a real one-woman show. It takes work and an awful lot of gumption to really make it work. But here’s to the ladies that try!
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