I hear a lot “how do you still post 5 times a week even with other jobs and when life is crazy all around?” The truth is, though it might seem this way on here, my life is pretty crazy as of late. With running my business, my day job as an interior designer and teaching part time, often I don’t even have time to look at my blog daily. But I always manage to post five times a week because I’ve done it long enough now, that I’ve figured out a schedule that works for me that I’m able to keep up with even on those days when life is flying at me from all directions. So if you’re wondering how to better fit consistent blogging into your life, here are some tips how to make blogging easier and not so time consuming.
Schedule Posts 2-3 Weeks Out
My secret to “doing it all” is scheduled posts. And I’m not talking about 1 or 2 posts in the queue, I always have at least 2-3 weeks scheduled out. When I have a few hours to commit to my blog, I sit down and write a bunch of posts and then schedule them for the weeks ahead. Granted, I can’t always do this as when we get back from trips, sometimes I’m writing in real time since we’re still working on photos and such behind the scenes, but generally, I at least have titles set up and outlines written for posts that far in advance. That way when life is really crazy and you can’t even look at your site during the day, your blog is running itself behind the scenes.
Switch to WordPress and Use the Plug-In’s
I switched to WordPress from Blogger earlier this year when I transitioned into Land of Marvels and I’m so glad I did. While at first it was a little weird to use, now I can’t imagine not using it. It’s so easy to control every setting of your site and add things as you need. I also love the plug-in’s on WordPress like SEO helpers and such that can really help to push your site farther.
Have a Well Designed Site
This is a huge one! When you have a well designed site that runs smoothly and it’s easy to find things, it makes your life so much easier! There are so many times when my blog is really just running itself behind the scenes of my life and I might not even check it for a few days since everything is running smoothly. Hire someone who knows what they are doing (I love Amanda!) and set up a site that requires very little maintenance and that also has a timeless design so you don’t need to update all the time.
Use a Common Graphic on All Posts
This is something I switched to a few months ago and it has saved me so much time! Now all my graphics for the top of posts are pretty much the same template. I might add a line here or there, or a light background behind the text, but the text itself is the same throughout. It saves me so much time on the backend when I’m putting posts together and it gives a unified look throughout as well.
I’d love to hear, what save you time and makes blogging easier?
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Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
I really need to get better about scheduling posts, it really does help so much!
Casey says
It really does. Once you get yourself into the routine of it, it really makes a difference.
Christine Everyday says
I’ve never thought about using a common image…that’s a good idea.
Casey says
It has saved me so much time since I’ve started doing it and it can still appear different from picture to picture, but not having to be super creative on every graphic has literally saved me hours!
Arianna says
Dear Casey, thank you so much for the tips. I am always eager when it comes to blogging tips! Everything you wrote is so damn true and your blog looks so elegant and easy, meaning that you´re right!!
I am now on wordpress.com and it´s pretty limiting, so no SEO, no possibility to really personalize, no plug-in, ecc.. but I just started, so it´s ok!
I have been reading a few comments here and there about people being against the scheduling process, and I so don´t get why!!!
Anyway, thank you so so so so much
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/
Casey says
Hi Arianna, so glad these are useful! And yes, since you’re just starting all of this will build over time! It’s taken many years for me to get where I am 🙂
Louise says
Interesting point about having a common graphic, I’ll have to give that a go. I have schedule out my next month of blogging and I can already see what a huge diffrence it makes!
Louise walkaboutbeauty
Casey says
I’ve noticed it’s really helped with my site and also ease on my end! And scheduling helps so much! It alleviates a lot of the pressure!
House To Laos says
Neat post 🙂 It’s such a great idea to schedule in advance, but I am still trying with little luck :/ How long would you say each post takes you to put together in total?
Casey says
It saves me so much time! I would say I spend about 20-30 minutes per post usually… some take longer, but generally Nick will edit the photos and then I’ll write the post and lay everything out and then schedule it. So sometimes I’ll spend maybe 3 hours and get about 6-7 posts written and ready to go.
Margo @ The Overseas Escape says
that’s absolutely amazing. between editing and writing I spend at minimum of 2 hours per post. you’re my idol.
Casey says
Yea… it helps that Nick does all the photo editing… so when you take into consideration how long he spend and then how long I spend writing and formatting, it probably ends up being the same, but it helps to split the work! 🙂
Rachel @ STCL says
Crazy that you’re able to schedule posts 2-3 weeks in advance! I’m lucky if I’m ahead one! I definitely try to take advantage of any free time I have though!
Casey says
I took a while to get into that routine but now that I’m in it, it’s so helpful! You can just let your blog run for a while and not worry about it!
Jabeen Waheed says
Such amazing tips! I love scheduling posts!
Jabeen x
http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/
Casey says
It works so well!
Margo @ The Overseas Escape says
all these tips are so helpful but your last suggestion is the definitely SUCH a good one for me. sometimes I waste HOURS tooling around with blog graphics. it’s so annoying. thanks for that!
Casey says
Thank you!!! And yes, that has saved me so much time!!! I can’t even tell you. I also used to waste so much time coming up with graphics… now I have common graphics for everything and it’s so much easier!