This week’s open thread was actually inspired by an email from my colleague, Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro. We met at last year’s ASJA conference and have been emailing ever since. Last week, she emailed me about how balancing a full-time job, a blog, and freelance assignments is really stressing her out. Boy, can I relate, because I was in Ana’s position a few years ago before going full-time freelance. With her permission, I’ve posting her message below. I have a few suggestions, but I’d love to get more ideas from you lovely readers.
Hi Susan,I find that it’s really difficult to keep writing blog posts and work on my articles at the same time (while working full-time) How do you handle all the work? Maybe you or someone can write an article about it?Ana
My two cents: I remember that being a real challenge when I worked full time. The other big challenge for me was balancing finding the work (marketing) and doing the work (writing). Depending on your long-term and short-term goals, you might prioritize paid assignments over blog posts. (And if you decide to focus on paid assignments, check out this post for some sanity-saving tips.) Or if your goal is to build a readership for your blog, I’d focus on that. Also remember that there are ways to save time with your blog. You can do shorter posts, roundup posts, invite guest bloggers to contribute (though this does take some of your time to coordinate), and so on. (This post has more suggestions in that realm.) Hope this helps!
Your turn: What would you tell Ana? Are there other strategies you’d suggest? Leave a comment and let us know!
Good tips! I've struggled to keep up with my blog more than a few times in the last year. I've never actually been organized enough to do this, but I like the idea of writing several posts at once when inspiration hits or when I'm between projects. Then I'd be ready to go on those really busy weeks.
I am in the same boat. It is definately a struggle to market yourself, do the work, blog, and work 50 hours a week. Being new at it all, I am still working things out.
I try to have a few blog posts for backup and I write shorter ones when I am super busy. Luckily, my full time position allows a bit of access to the computer, so I can get some things done there.
I look forward to seeing these tips because I need them too! Great question!
I'm in a similar situation. I try to get my weekly posts done all at one sitting, so I can schedule them to go live and kind of forget about it. I try to post 2-3 times a week, but sometimes I'm swamped and I have had some weeks where I didn't post anything. My advice would be to focus on work and your paying assignments, and fit in blogging where you can. Unless you're making money from your blog, or have a huge following that looks forward to fresh content, I think you can get away with slacking off on the blogging from time to time.
I'm probably not the best person to be commenting on this because I haven't updated my own blog since Thanksgiving, but I use my commute to work to bust out blog entries and other creative projects. For some odd reason, I do some my best writing while sitting on a packed train. I hand write them in a notebook and then type them up when I get to work or right before I go to bed. And, since I hand write first, I can edit while I'm typing.
I believe short posts are the key. For SEO purposes, you only need to go 300 words, which for most professional writers isn't terribly much. (From a look at Ana's blog, she appears to be in that ballpark.)
As a businessperson, I absolutely prioritize paid assignments — gotta eat your broccoli first, then you can have the cake & ice cream
Unless you're getting paid a living wage for your blog, or expect it to in the next 12-18 months, it needs to take a back seat to those things that are paying the bills. Most important — there's no need to feel bad or guilty about it!
I'm in this boat now. I think setting a schedule helps as well as prioritizing goals. I'm more a person that likes to work on one long term goal and then intersperse short term stuff in when I get a chance.
Wow, this is great! Everyone has been so helpful with the comments. Thank you fellow writers and thank you Susan for posting my question in your forum.
Ana,get very clear on your priorities. Clarity rocks! If blogging is high up there on the list, put it first. When you give time to your passion, things magically flow, if for no other reason that you get so much energy going you can do whatever it takes to get everything else done.
focusing on goals is always a good palce to start when sorting out how to allocate time and energy. good reminder, Susan, thank you.
My advice on this subject is this: give yourself a break!!
Don't get down on a week/month when you just can't fit in freelance. And don't get down when you have a week where you're totally questioning whether you should just go AWOL at your job and freelance full time so you feel more fulfilled. It's totally normal to feel both of those emotions. Just realize it is what it is (for now) and that some weeks will maintain better balance than others
This is amazing list like the previous one..
Thank you for sharing this helpful information..
John..