I was inspired to write about this post after receiving a private message from a fellow blogger, thanking me about my post on “My Blogging Journey, 10 Steps to be a Better Blogger”. Kathleen from Celiac Baby is also a part time blogger and she enjoyed reading some tips from another part time blogger’s point of view (me). This is another reason why you should network with other blogger and the inspiration you will get from them. As I said before, being inspired doesn’t mean copycatting other people’s work.
Blogging part time is definitely different from blogging full time. I work full time as an accountant, soon to be a mother of two, and with only a few hours I have left in a day… I blog. My job and family remain to be my first priority. Having said that, the goal and strategy to maximizing my blog have to be adjusted. These are a few challenges that I came across as a part time blogger and how I overcome them:
Problem 1: Finding time to blog
Solution
: One thing I found really helpful is creating a week planner of what I’m going to write about. This planner is definitely subject to change as sometimes you get an inspiration of writing about certain events, or perhaps you ran out of ideas about a topic you are going to cover.
Problem 2: Finding topics to write
Solution:
- Work with PR companies like Cision or PR Newswire. They are the ones who connect PR professionals with the media (blogger). Working with PR companies doesn’t always give you free stuffs, although you might get ones occasionally. However, you get ideas about new products, interview offers with famous author or celebrity, and many more. It’s never a bad thing to build a good relationship with PR companies.
- Product reviews through affiliates program. Sign up with affiliates program such as Commission Junction or Shareasale , choose products or companies that fits to your niche and write about their products. You get a percentage of commission on every sale you make through your post. Affiliates program is one way to make money through your blog.
- Write about current events that people are buzzing about. You will get a high traffic through this method. Again, make sure the topic is still within your niche.
- Write about tips and how tos that can actually solve people’s problems, e.g. recipes, arts and crafts, etc.
- Write about list of family events at your community.
Problem 3: Finding time to network
Solution
: Weekend is usually the slowest traffic for blogger. Most blogger are moms and we are typically busy with family activities in the weekend, and thus no time to write a blog. I normally dedicate weekends to connect with other blogger by visiting blogging community, follow their tweets, liking their Facebook and commenting their blogs.
Blogging, full time or part time, is not an easy job. Just like with everything we do in life, we will come across some obstacles here and there. But as long as we passionate of what we do, we can surely tackle them.
Tags: blogging part time , blogging problems , tips on blogging effectively
