To keep with the theme of Getting Organized this month, I thought it would be fun to see what some of my wonderful sponsors do to help with time management!!So I asked them a few questions, and I loved hearing their responses! I really enjoy getting to know each of them on a more personal level, and it's always a bonus to grab some tips while I'm at it ;-)! Thanks girls for sharing! All of their blogs are great as well, so make sure to stop over and check them out, show them some {love}!!
What time of day do you blog most?
I am usually on the computer everyday from 6 to 8am. Everybody is still sleeping in the house and I can accomplish a lot more. I am rather an early bird and I go to bed early (I love my sleep!)
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I have improved a lot the quality of my pictures. At the beginning, I was still playing around with the light and props. I was taking my pictures in direct sunlight!! Imagine that LOL Now I have discovered the perfect lighting for my jewelry and my style is definitely minimalist. I don't like to use many props as I think they take away from the beauty of the product.
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
I find the hardest part is completing projects in a timely manner so that I can post about them. I have a lot of projects 90% done that I just need to finish.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
What time of day do you blog most?
Ummm... YES
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I am started blogging over a year ago. Had I known about the network of bloggers out there I would have pushed forward more then but honestly I think the road I was on this year prepared me to be where i am now so not sure I'd change much at this point.
What time of day do you blog most?
It depends on the time of year. During the summer my mornings are usually "blog time". During the school year its in the evenings, scheduled to post for the next morning. I also choose times to blog when my husband is also busy [working out, softball, or at work] to blog so that we can still have our time together.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I would do more commenting on other's blogs. I started blogging a LONG time ago, but just kept it really for me. I didn't network at all because I was afraid and a little unsure of how it all worked. Commenting and networking is the best way to get to know other bloggers!
3. Keeping a schedule for myself
What time of day do you blog most?
Morning
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Hm.. more pictures! I never take enough pictures. I mainly use my blog to record my life so I really, really wish I had more pictures.
2. I use the one minute rule. If something needs my attention (responding to an email, approving an ad, etc) and I can do it in one minute or less then I do it immediately. That way I'm not constantly trying to catch up.
3. I've learned to be realistic in my expectations. If I'm constantly spreading myself too thin then I will be overwhelmed and unorganized. I've said no to guest post requests, said no to sponsored post opportunities, etc. Sometimes you just have to know your limits.
What time of day do you blog most?
I wake up a couple of hours before my kids (who are late sleepers, thank goodness, cause mama is not a morning person) and take care of the business part of blogging- emails, questions, etc. I check emails and such throughout the day but I do about 99% of my blogging after my kids go to bed. The Husband and I veg out on the couch with our laptops. He does his work and I bang out some blog posts while we watch trashy reality tv shows. We're night owls so we don't normally go to bed until 1-2am. If I'm on my game I can get 5-10 blog posts written at once.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I would worry about numbers and stats a lot less. I started blogging in 2008. It was fun to watch my numbers climb and that motivated me to keep writing. In 2011 I got burned out and took a sabbatical from blogging. In January of this year I came back with a brand new blog and a brand new love of writing. I blog for me and I don't worry about numbers or stats. I'm more real, more authentic, and I love it so much more now. If you write it, eventually they will come. Lesson learned from Field of Dreams. Haha!
Template anything you can so you save time when you are doing post's
What time of day do you blog most?
In the early AM over coffee before the kiddos wake up and at night when everyone else is watching TV
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Nothing, it's all about the journey and this has been a great learning experience and lots of fun. The best thing that has happened to me is having people tell me they LOVE my blog or that it has somehow made an impact on there life, it does not get any better than that!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
I don't have a blog but I run a jewelry business! The hardest part of time management for me is the marketing on social medias. It is time consuming for little immediate results. You have to know that you are in it for the long run. I compare it to the daily work of an ant LOL you accomplish a little every day but in the end you realise that you have moved a mountain.
I wish I could spend my days on the bench in my studio but I actually spend more time on the computer. That's the reality of running a business online nowadays.
I wish I could spend my days on the bench in my studio but I actually spend more time on the computer. That's the reality of running a business online nowadays.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
The most important trick I learned is that I have to set goals for myself and focus on them instead of going in all directions at once. I can not be present and strong everywhere at the same time. So I will choose a task for each day (for example Twitter, or researching blogs to advertise, or taking pictures of my jewelry, or list items in my etsy store) and focus on it.
It is much more rewarding for me to feel at the end of the day that I have actually accomplished something :-)
It is much more rewarding for me to feel at the end of the day that I have actually accomplished something :-)
I am usually on the computer everyday from 6 to 8am. Everybody is still sleeping in the house and I can accomplish a lot more. I am rather an early bird and I go to bed early (I love my sleep!)
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I have improved a lot the quality of my pictures. At the beginning, I was still playing around with the light and props. I was taking my pictures in direct sunlight!! Imagine that LOL Now I have discovered the perfect lighting for my jewelry and my style is definitely minimalist. I don't like to use many props as I think they take away from the beauty of the product.
{Thanks Sophie for answering this as a shop owner!}
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Plan out stories in advance and create a schedule for when to post them, use the weekends to complete projects, use excel to track posts; including links to use, photos and date posted
What time of day do you blog most?
I usually blog in the late evenings. I get home from work about 6 so I have the evenings to eat dinner, work on projects, hang out with my husband and blog.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I probably would have planned more before I launched my blog. My first month or so wasn't that great and I went through a lot of tweaking of various items.
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Honestly, I really do love every minute of it so i get a little carried away. The hardest part is just putting the computer or phone away and enjoying the people around me. And in some respects doing the job that actually pays me ;)
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Still learning
1) I made a folder/documents and schedule out the blogs/give-a-ways
2) Joined Passion Fruit Ads :)
1) I made a folder/documents and schedule out the blogs/give-a-ways
2) Joined Passion Fruit Ads :)
Ummm... YES
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I am started blogging over a year ago. Had I known about the network of bloggers out there I would have pushed forward more then but honestly I think the road I was on this year prepared me to be where i am now so not sure I'd change much at this point.
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Time management is probably the hardest part when it comes to blogging! We don't have kids, but I teach elementary school. So blogging to me is my creative outlet/hobby. There have been times when blogging overtakes everything and finds a way to the top of my priority list. I LOVE to blog, but it takes up TONS of time...if you let it! Especially when you have sponsors, giveaways, and guest posting!
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Blogging can either control you or you can control your blog! The best ways I've found to control my blog is to have a blog planner! They help to organize your blog posts and sponsors. I use it to map out my posts each month and schedule giveaways and guest bloggers. I've also found that scheduling my posts and pre-writing them frees me up throughout the week to be with my hubby and job. Passionfruit is also an AMAZING tool to use to keep your sponsors organized. I don't know what I'd do without Passionfruit! Above all, I've learned to say "no" to prevent myself from getting burnt out or "in too deep" to where my blog becomes too much of a priority.
It depends on the time of year. During the summer my mornings are usually "blog time". During the school year its in the evenings, scheduled to post for the next morning. I also choose times to blog when my husband is also busy [working out, softball, or at work] to blog so that we can still have our time together.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I would do more commenting on other's blogs. I started blogging a LONG time ago, but just kept it really for me. I didn't network at all because I was afraid and a little unsure of how it all worked. Commenting and networking is the best way to get to know other bloggers!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
I only have internet at work.. so finding time in breaks to write a good post, download pictures and catch up on my daily reads can be hard.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. to do lists
2. Asking for help from blog friends!3. Keeping a schedule for myself
Morning
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Hm.. more pictures! I never take enough pictures. I mainly use my blog to record my life so I really, really wish I had more pictures.
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
The hardest part for me is knowing that some days I'm just not going to finish everything on my To-Do list and I have to be okay with that. My kids and family come first. The blog will be there tomorrow, my kids are only little once.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. I have a blog planning system that I will be blogging about soon. I have a binder dedicated solely to my blog with monthly/weekly calendars. I use Evernote to keep me organized. I am super Type A about my blog organization.
2. I use the one minute rule. If something needs my attention (responding to an email, approving an ad, etc) and I can do it in one minute or less then I do it immediately. That way I'm not constantly trying to catch up.
3. I've learned to be realistic in my expectations. If I'm constantly spreading myself too thin then I will be overwhelmed and unorganized. I've said no to guest post requests, said no to sponsored post opportunities, etc. Sometimes you just have to know your limits.
I wake up a couple of hours before my kids (who are late sleepers, thank goodness, cause mama is not a morning person) and take care of the business part of blogging- emails, questions, etc. I check emails and such throughout the day but I do about 99% of my blogging after my kids go to bed. The Husband and I veg out on the couch with our laptops. He does his work and I bang out some blog posts while we watch trashy reality tv shows. We're night owls so we don't normally go to bed until 1-2am. If I'm on my game I can get 5-10 blog posts written at once.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I would worry about numbers and stats a lot less. I started blogging in 2008. It was fun to watch my numbers climb and that motivated me to keep writing. In 2011 I got burned out and took a sabbatical from blogging. In January of this year I came back with a brand new blog and a brand new love of writing. I blog for me and I don't worry about numbers or stats. I'm more real, more authentic, and I love it so much more now. If you write it, eventually they will come. Lesson learned from Field of Dreams. Haha!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
The time it takes to do Link Parties but it is a necessary evil when it comes to growing your blog.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Don't kill yourself to get things done just go with the flow that's what keeps it fun
Get a calendar of some sort and write things down, once you start getting things to review you need to make sure you post on the correct datesTemplate anything you can so you save time when you are doing post's
In the early AM over coffee before the kiddos wake up and at night when everyone else is watching TV
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Nothing, it's all about the journey and this has been a great learning experience and lots of fun. The best thing that has happened to me is having people tell me they LOVE my blog or that it has somehow made an impact on there life, it does not get any better than that!
your blog is absolutely darling!! just love it! x0x
ReplyDeleteThis was such a good idea. Sorry I never got back to you! It's been busy around here :)
ReplyDelete