I can NOT believe we are already in August!! Really?!? I even thought today was Wednesday until about 6pm! July was such a busy month for me (outside of my blog), that my home here has been getting a bit ignored. My blog baby has definitely feeling like the middle child! I have been super busy with some {truly} exciting things, that I can't even complain about how busy I have been! Tons of blessing....BUT today isn't about me at all!! I'll get back to that another day! Today is about my lovely sponsors :) So to get this month started right, I want to {first} apologize for getting this post out so late, and then introduce you to some very special girls!! Last month I did a fun post about blogging and time management, and if you missed it, you'll want to go check it out! I want to continue the conversation, because well, let's face it...I can never get enough input on time management! Obviously, I mean, it's 4am and I have to be up in a few hours with the kids! I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, so let's see how my bloggy friends manage their time!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
I don't have a blog, but the hardest part of time management when it comes to my shop is actually finding time in the day to do sewing. It can be tricky with a busy little toddler and 1000 other things that need to be done.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
I don't have a blog, but what helps me be more organized with running my shop, is to not jump from one task to the next. If I need to take pictures of listings, I'll do a whole bunch at a time and edit them all.
What time of day do you blog most?
I don't have a blog, but the time of day that I do most of my work for my shop is after my son goes to bed... around 9:30pm.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
To not be afraid to price your handmade items for what they are worth... so often small handmade shops sell themselves short.
I'm thankful for time management tips on running a shop just as much as blogging info! That might have something to do with my lack of blog time {hint~hint}
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Mainly the hardest part is keeping up with emails and connections. I love to make some sort of connection with my readers. And I love to "visit" their blog, if they visited mine...but time just makes it impossible to do all the time. I hate it, because I want to so bad...it's hard trying to manage the time to reply to all the mail in my inbox, much less click everyone's page, read a post...and comment. =( boooo..
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
I have no organization. I desperately need some. Especially to organize sponsor posts and giveaways. Mainly scheduling it all and making sure I'm around when I know I am part of a giveaway or link up...Help me, someone!
What time of day do you blog most?
Late, late at night mostly. when all is silent
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
um... i guess i would have figured out more what blogging is...so i wouldnt have got so discouraged in the beginning that everyone i know didnt love reading my posts...then i would have realized that "bloggers" read blogs =)
Hmmm, {the funny thing of it is}, is that I would answer those questions the same way! ;)
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Definitely deciding when I can post certain posts. I have a lot of ideas right now and I wish I could post all of them at once, but I need to be patient!
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Keeping a planner
Using labels in my gmail accountKeeping all my pictures organized by post/type of post
What time of day do you blog most?
I write most of my posts at night but schedule them for the morning. I do this because I think better at night, but most people read in the morning, I've noticed.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I honestly don't think I'd do anything different. I'm so in love with blogging and meeting new people.I'm really happy with where I am now with it and happy with how I got here.
Well I got the planner, I got the gmail, I started using the labels, and my pictures are organized. The only thing that always stays organized are my pictures haha! The more tools I use to organize, the more things I feel like I'm adding to my to-do list. One day I'll figure that part out (probably not though, haha!) I also think that it's great that you wouldn't change anything. I wouldn't change anything about my blog journey either...it has been the greatest learning experience of my life (well my kids are the greatest learning experience, but this IS my blog baby...sooooo)
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Since I work from home and am primarily taking care of my daughter all day -- its sometimes impossible to keep up with all of my goals. Distractions can be endless - a task that would usually only take 30 minutes gets broken up into hours of only 5 minutes here and there.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. I use my "stars" on gmail to flag emails that are super important, information that I want to go back to later and responses that I need for upcoming posts.
2. I try to write my blog posts first, and check email/social media in small bursts throughout the day.
3. I take breaks for real life. Blogging can be overwhelming at times - especially when your blog is a passion.
What time of day do you blog most?
I'm most productive after my first cup of coffee in the morning - but often end up having to wait until my daughter is asleep to get things done.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I would not be concerned about growing fast. With each milestone of growth comes added responsibility and work. At 1000+ subscribers I face anywhere from 10-15 comments per post and that can sometimes require a good 30 minutes to respond personally to each one. Slow growth is good and helps you to learn more in each phase.
This is such great advise Courtney! One thing that I'm not always so great at, is just sitting and writing my post. I'll get distracted and check emails, do mama stuff, all while trying to write my post. So it can take much longer than it really should. I also agree with the growth! We all love to see our numbers grow, and our readership grow, but I couldn't imagine having overnight growth, and learning everything all at the same time. I'm so much smaller than you, but I noticed a HUGE difference at 100 followers, and now at almost 300 there is an even bigger difference. I'm thrilled with it all!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
It's hard for me to juggle all the e-mails, the reading of other blogs, keeping up with twitter convos AND writing the posts for my blog. It gets to be a lot, but it's so worth it in the end!
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
Lots of lists! I'm a list person, so I write a list for everything so I don't drop the ball and forget something.
What time of day do you blog most?
Early mornings & evenings.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I wouldn't do anything differently, because the way I started out got me to where I am now and I couldn't be happier!
I find that I have to keep paper lists! When I try to do all of my to-do's online, I almost always miss something. It's great when you can do something and not change anything about it. There are maybe things that I haven't always liked and wish were better, but had I not improved, I wouldn't know that they could be better....so every single thing has been a great learning experience for me :)
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Getting my posts done in a timely manner, I was typing them up every morning, to post that same day, and that was very time consuming, so I have started doing 3 posts in the same day at the beginning of the week, so now I don't have to sit at the computer and type them up each day. That make it better for me, if I didn't do it that way I would just go crazy.
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. Writing everything up in a notebook. ex: guest post, giveaways that you are in
2. Give yourself a time limit on the computer (1-2 hours in am, 1-2 hours in pm)3. Dont sweat the small stuff
What time of day do you blog most?
I go on early morning before the kiddies get up for about 1 hour, and then I go on 2 other times throughout the day for 1 hour each.
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Dont spend all day on the computer, have a schedule of your time, because a couple of hours goes by really fast when your on the computer.
You sound like you really have it down Pamela! I need to take a tip or 2 from you! Putting a time limit is a great thing! I have said that I am going to do that in the past, and I find myself on the internet on my phone lol. I actually don't get on the computer much during the day right now, because when I do spend any amount of time on the computer with the kids home, I never know what the house will look like when I am done!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Staying focus on the task of writing my posts. I can't have Facebook or Twitter open on another screen because before I know it, I've spent 20 minutes commenting and retweeting!! :)
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. Have a set time each week/day to write.
2. Write ideas down in a notebook/iPad and then write the posts later rather than running to the computer each time an idea pops into my head! :)
What time of day do you blog most?
Naptime (early afternoon)
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Posting consistently is key to growing the relationship with your readers. It doesn't have to be 7 days a week, but should be consistent enough that your online friends notice when you've missed a day or two!
I'm looking forward to the kids starting school so that I can post on a regular basis again! I love how you say that it should be consistent enough that your friends notice when you've miss a couple days. I never thought about it, but I do notice when some of my favs have missed a day or two!
What do you find is the hardest part of time management when it comes to your blog?
Not getting lost in the endless bloggy community of link parties, tweets, giveaways, great reads, and new friends!
What are some tricks that you have learned to become an organized blogger?
1. Plan my posts a few weeks out - helps me stay focused.
2. Write my posts ahead of time - keeps my stress levels down.3. Don't put unnecessary pressure on myself (or my blog). Blogging should be fun!
What time of day do you blog most?
No idea! I'm a sporadic poster ;)
What would you do differently if you were just starting out, knowing what you know now?
I might brand my blog differently and try to keep things more consistent between social media sites. And I would do a better job labeling each post! (A job for a rainy day.)Well yesterday must have been my rainy day! I started organizing my post by categories in separate pages. I've been wanting to for so long, but if you don't do it from the beginning, it can be a time consuming project! Great advise to follow if you're just starting out! And another is to not put too much pressure on yourself!! It's easy to do, but your right...blogging should be fun!! (I have also struggled with branding)
I {LOVE} hearing about how everyone handles time when it comes to their blogs/shops! You all have great tips! I think we can all agree that lists are a must, posting in advance allows us to keep sane, and HAVE FUN!! The blogging community is one of the greatest communities around! Now go check out these fantastic blogs and shops and show them some love...it's worth your time! Get it ;-)
Thanks for the sponsor love!
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