I feel like it’s necessary to start this post with this disclaimer: I’m not good at staying on top of blogging when things get busy. I’ll be the first to admit that when my to-do list is completely filled up or some unforeseen circumstance arises that throws me off balance, blogging is the first thing to fall to the wayside. When I graduate from college and (hopefully) start blogging full-time, maybe this won’t be such an issue for me!
I know a lot of you feel the same way. It’s easy to fall behind in blogging because you’re falling behind in everything else. Which in turn just adds to your stress because you feel like you’re letting people down by not getting that post up. Seriously, I get it.
Continue reading to discover my 5 tips for staying on top of your blogging responsibilities. I’ll be working on this too – we’ll do it together!
Tip 1 – make a list of post ideas
I’ve found that having a backup list of post ideas is extremely beneficial. Not just a list of post ideas that you know that you’re going to write in the future, but a list of ideas that gets you excited to write when you see it! A list of ideas that seriously inspires you to forget about what’s going on, grab a cup of coffee, and settle in for a few hours to get something written.
I personally write out my ideas in a Google Doc so that I can access the list anywhere, with any device. I think the same goes for Evernote, which is also a popular choice.
Tip 2 – plan out an editorial calendar
I have yet to plan out an editorial calendar and actually stick to it, but I’m working on it! I know many bloggers who plan their posts for the whole month. Planning out an editorial calendar for my blog each month is one of the things I’m trying to work on in 2016. And if I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll plan out the entire year!
If you’re feeling stressed about when you’re going to find time to blog, having a detailed editorial calendar to keep you on track could work wonders!
Tip 3 – work ahead of time
If there’s ever a weekend when you know you won’t be very busy, maybe you should try burying yourself in the corner of Starbucks for the day and writing out entire posts (or at least outlines) for the days you don’t have time to. Then when you’re up to your ears in work and other responsibilities, there’s no need to stress out about blogging because you’ve got your backup posts!
Tip 4 – have a guest post (or two!) lined up
This is a wonderful way to take some stress off of your own shoulders + build your community by collaborating with another blogger. Win-win! It can be refreshing to have a different voice on your blog every once and a while, and it will give you the time to focus on other things.
Tip 5 – take a break from blogging
If blogging + your many other responsibilities is just too much, try taking a break. Maybe a break means simply going to bed earlier to get some rest. Or maybe it means you need to take a week or two off to focus on your personal life. Either way, you’ll come back refreshed and energized! The break will help restore your perspective and your inspiration. Plus you’ll get a ton of things checked off on your to-do list – which, let’s face it, is the best feeling ever!
Let me know in the comment section your best strategy for staying on top of blogging when you’re busy!
p.s. check out how to conquer writer’s block + 20 blog post ideas and 50 blog post ideas + a free blog planner.
