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Blogger’s Guide to Work-Life Balance

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Balancing your personal life and career goals can be a challenge for anyone, but it’s especially tough when you live and work in the same space.

As a blogger, how do you allocate your time between personal and professional responsibilities? How can you focus on creating amazing content when you’re surrounded by dirty laundry?

The key is to learn how to set priorities and reduce distractions whether you’re new to working from home or you moved out of your cubicle years ago. Use these tips for staying peaceful and productive when you work from home.

The Blogger's Guide to Work-Life Balance

Blogger’s Guide to Work-Life Balance

What You Must Do

1. Follow a schedule.

Set a specific start and end time for your day. Tackle your most challenging tasks during the hours when you’re at your peak. When it’s time to quit for the day, leave your job behind.

2. Design an office space.

Designate a specific space for your business. This can be an entire room or just a corner in your dining room. Decorate your space with pictures, art, and objects that you find inspirational and motivating.

3. Change clothes.

Get up each morning and dress for your day. You’ll be more productive if you’ve taken time to put yourself together, instead of working all day in your pajamas.

Likewise, at the end of the day when you’ve finished work, consider getting into comfy clothes for your evening.

4. Limit distractions.

Do you waste time watching TV or checking personal social media during your work day? Ban leisure activities during business hours except during break times.

5. Take breaks.

Speaking of breaks, take them. You’ll be more productive if you refresh your mind and body periodically.

Mid-day breaks are a great time to run a quick errand, walk your dog, or do a home-related chore. Just make sure not to get caught up in your break for too long.

6. Wind down.

Do something at the end of each day to help you transition into an off-duty mindset. You might listen to classical music or take a walk in the park. This activity will confirm to your brain that the work day is over and it’s time to relax.

7. Get organized.

Create routines and systems that encourage efficiency in your business. Buy a cabinet for your office supplies. Use an online calendar to block out your time. Whatever helps you organize your time is a win.

8. Continue learning.

Career development matters whether you work at your dining room table or in a corner office. Take an online course or have a look at the course catalog for the adult education program at a local university.

Stay connected to your niche by reading other blogs, industry publications, and general business news.

9. Evaluate your performance.

Conduct your own job evaluations. Look for ways to increase quality, save time, and manage stress. Update your strategy as your goals evolve.

Work-Life Balance Blogger taking photos for her blog and social media

What Others Can Help You Do

1. Post your work hours.

Make your family, friends, and colleagues aware of the hours when you’re working. Teach family members to respect your work time, and let everyone know that when the work day is done, you are unavailable until the next word day.

3. Go out for lunch.

Your midday meal is a daily opportunity to stay connected while you work at home. Plan a weekly lunch date to catch up with a friend.

It’s not even necessary to go to a restaurant for lunch. Consider packing a lunch and taking it to the park for a few minutes of sunshine and fresh air.

4. Remain visible.

Make business lunches and other events part of your strategy for cultivating your network.

Stay connected with other bloggers by joining an online mastermind group or a local bloggers group.

5. Pull together.

A strong support network helps you to build your confidence and accomplish more. Ask your family and friends for the emotional and practical assistance you need. Let them know how much you appreciate them and pitch in when they need a hand too.

Work-Life Balance Food blogger taking a photo

You don’t have to give up work-life balance when you work in the same place where you live the rest of your life. Enjoy more health and happiness by drawing sensible boundaries between your personal and professional activities as you pursue all your dreams.

Do You Have Any Tips?

How do you achieve work-life balance as a blogger? Leave a comment below to share your experience!

P.S. Do you need a blog post planner to help you organize your thoughts and resources when you’re ready to write a blog post? This one is totally free!

7 Ways to Look Like an Experienced Blogger (Even If You’re Brand New)

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When you start a blog, it takes a while to gain the experience and knowledge that can take your site from hobby to money maker.

But just because you’re not yet experienced doesn’t mean you have to look like a newbie. There are a few things you can do from the start to give your blog a professional, polished feel while you learn everything you need to know to keep it growing and thriving, and today I’m going to share those tips with you.

7 WAYS TO LOOK LIKE AN EXPERIENCED BLOGGER (EVEN IF YOU’RE BRAND NEW)

This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting my blog and small business!

7 Ways to Look Like an Experienced Blogger

1. Build your blog on a self-hosted platform.

I started my blog on a free platform (Blogger) because it was, well, free. But you can’t build a business on a free platform, and oh how I wish I’d known that from the start.

Of course, you can move your blog from a free platform to self-hosted WordPress if you decide to later, but it’s a lot of work. Instead, I highly recommend starting out on self-hosted WordPress. It’s easy to get your site set up, and when you’re choosing a host for your blog, I prefer Siteground. I’ve been with them for many years and they’ve never disappointed me.

2. Write quality content that readers want.

When you first start a blog, you’re probably going to feel the pressure to add lots of content right away. While it’s important to have plenty of content for visitors to see when they come to your site, it’s more important that the content is valuable to them.

Don’t throw up a dozen blog posts just to have content on your site. Your time is much better spent writing half a dozen high-quality, informative articles that will give readers a reason to return to your blog. In the case of blog content, it’s always quality over quantity. Don’t forget that.

3. Start branding yourself right away.

You’ll make your website stand out among a sea of blogs when you brand yourself in a way that readers will remember.

This means choosing a logo, favicon, fonts, colors, and other stylized elements that are consistent. I use Picmonkey to make all of my logos and site graphics, and I find it much easier to use than Photoshop or even Canva. Having just added lots of new features, Picmonkey offers everything you’ll need to create awesome graphics for your blog. Want to see what New PicMonkey is all about? Sign up for your free trial today!

I also recommend using the same profile picture across social media. This can be your logo or a photo of yourself, whichever you prefer. Use the same image on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all other channels you’re using. This makes it simple for your followers to immediately recognize you and your brand.

7 Ways to Look Like an Experienced Blogger

4. Use a professional blog theme.

Your blog theme is an integral part of creating your branding. I recommend an easy to navigate, mobile-friendly theme that you can customize to really make it your own.

I like Pretty Darn Cute Design and Restored 316 for pretty, feminine themes that can easily be customized to create the look you want to give your visitors a unique and beautiful experience every time they visit your website.

5. Write. Then write some more.

I know you want to drive traffic to this brand new blog of yours, and you can. But it takes time and commitment. And it takes a lot of writing.

Now I know I told you up in number 2 that you should only write quality content, and I stand by that. You absolutely should only publish posts that you’re truly proud of.

But, if you want to grow your traffic, you’re going to have to give them something worth visiting your blog for, so I recommend lots of writing.

Write everyday for a specified period of time, say, 2 weeks. I promise that as you publish new (quality) blog posts every day for 2 weeks, you will see your traffic start to increase over the coming weeks.

6. Make Pinterest your friend.

Many people think Pinterest is a social media network, but in fact it’s more like a search engine. When people (especially women) are looking for something, they often start with Pinterest. Whether it’s a recipe, decorating tips, fashion, or you name it, there’s a plethora of information to be found on Pinterest.

One of the best ways to drive traffic to your blog is through Pinterest. Create beautiful pin-worthy images for every single blog post you write, and be sure to add them to your Pinterest boards.

I recommend using Tailwind to easily share your pins to multiple boards. You can also join tribes of like-minded bloggers to share their content, and of course they’ll share yours.

7. Create a Gravatar.

As you’re commenting on other blogs, you’ll need a Gravatar to show up next to your name and blog title.

Your Gravatar is an image that follows you from site to site appearing beside your name when you do things like comment or post on a blog. I recommend using the same image that you’re using across social media, as this creates brand continuity and will help others immediately recognize you.

Are you using these tips on your blogging journey?

I’d love to know which of these tips have been effective for you, as well as any other tips you’d like to share. Leave a comment below or stop by my Facebook page and join in the conversation there.

10 Productivity Tips for Bloggers

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As a self-employed professional, your livelihood depends on your ability to consistently remain productive.

However, it’s all too common for a work session to turn into social media browsing or a YouTube video marathon. These distractions cut into your bottom line by decreasing your output exponentially.

If you have trouble staying on task for a long period of time, start applying the tips below to skyrocket your productivity.

10 PRODUCTIVITY TIPS FOR BLOGGERS

10 Productivity Tips for Bloggers

1. Keep social networking to a minimum

Avoid checking your accounts several times per hour. Social media marketing can be valuable to your blog and business, but checking your Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks too often can often result in wasted hours throughout the day.

Limit the number of times you allow yourself to check social media during the work day. Check for new messages in the morning, during lunch, and in the evening before bedtime. That way, social networking keeps its proper place in your business, instead of stealing opportunities.

2. Maintain a tidy work space

A cluttered work space can produce mental blocks that can last several hours. Ensure that your work surface is clutter free, and that any unnecessary paperwork is tucked away. Make use of file cabinets, storage boxes, and bookcases.

Before wrapping up your work day each evening, take a few minutes to clear any clutter from your work area. Just five minutes of maintenance each day can make a big difference in the peace you feel as you begin each new work day.

3. Define your “visiting hours”

When you work at home, you’re likely familiar with the frustration of family members popping in and out of your office to chat. Make it clear that when you’re working, trivial interruptions must wait until your scheduled break time.

Hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your office door to keep interruptions at bay.

If your workspace is set up in a highly trafficked area, try noise-blocking headphones to eliminate distractions around you. Separate your workspace with a curtain or a bookshelf to maximize your privacy.

4. Clear all distractions

When you’re working on your blog, it’s easy to let your mind wander. Use software to block websites that are known to cause lulls in your productivity. Ignore phone calls that are not related to your business while in the office.

As long as you’re prompt in returning calls, it’s perfectly acceptable to send a call to voicemail. In fact, save time by offering email as your main point of contact. Often, a 45-minute conversation could be reduced to one or two very short emails back and forth.

5. Make your health a priority

To keep your mind strong and maintain an appropriate workflow, make wise choices and take care of your body. When you do, you’ll have more energy to tackle your to-do list and more will get done.

Stay away from heavy foods. Exercise on a regular basis and make sure you receive a good amount of sleep each night.

For best results, exercise in the early morning before starting work. It’ll give you an energy jolt that’s better than coffee, and boosts your mood with no crash later.

6. Work in time blocks

Most independent professionals find it best to work in blocks of 15 to 45 minutes. Work through this time without any bathroom breaks, phone calls, or time wasting Web surfing.

After completing your block, take a short five to ten minute break and begin working on your next block of uninterrupted work time.

7. Take regular breaks

Once you get started on a project, it can be easy to lose track of time and forget about breaks. However, short, regular breaks are essential to the effectiveness of your work and your overall health.

Take a five minute break every hour in order to reap the highest rewards.

You’ll also want to step away from the computer on a regular basis to prevent repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel, backaches, and eyestrain.

8. Work according to your own schedule

You’re no longer part of the rat race. Therefore, if you aren’t reaching your productivity peak during the typical 9-to-5 schedules, change it up a bit.

Many freelancers find that they’re most productive in the early morning hours of 5 am to 12 pm. Or, if you’re a night owl, turn those sleepless nights into money making hours by cranking out some work.

9. Create a comfortable work area

If you have to hunch your back to reach your short desk, back pain and discomfort will hinder your effectiveness. Furnish your office with a desk and chair that are the right height for you.

Stay away from bright wall colors that distract you from your work. Cooler tones are ideal wall colors for an office area. They promote effective thinking and soothe your eyes.

10. Visualize your reward

Motivate yourself to increase your productivity by imagining how great you’ll feel once the project is done. Imagine the financial rewards. Feel the pride you experience when your work is praised. Imagine how your family will benefit.

For many people, money is the biggest motivator. Create a wish list on your favorite shopping website, and buy an item on the list each time you complete a big project or achieve a challenging business goal.

What productivity tips can you share?

I’d love for you to tell me about them in a comment below!

Blog Post Planner FREEBIE

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In order to write engaging and accurate blog content that your readers will love, it’s important to be organized.

One way to make sure that your blog post includes all the necessary elements to make it a success is to use my brand new blog post planner. It’s a FREE printable that is available only to readers, clients, and friends of the Everyday VA.

Blog Post Planner FREEBIE

As you can see, this free printable will help you write and publish your blog post from start to finish. Never forget an important detail, and keep all your notes and thoughts easily organized on one easy to use checklist. It doesn’t get any simpler than this!

This freebie is yours to save and print over and over again. It’s available in 2 convenient sizes: US Letter and A5.

Blog Post Planner FREEBIE

To grab your free blog post planner printable, simply enter your email address in the box below. Then keep an eye on your email inbox because your planner will be immediately sent to you!

Have questions about using the printable? Don’t hesitate to contact me!



3 Reasons to Start a Blog

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Have you been wondering about starting a blog? Maybe you’re considering why you should start blogging, or if there’s even any reason for you to start.

Today I’m here to talk about 3 reasons to start a blog and why you should do it right away.

3 Reasons to Start a Blog

3 Reasons to Start a Blog

1. To promote your business

Whether you’re selling widgets, planning weddings, or working as a banker, a blog is a great way to promote your business.

In other words, no matter what you’re doing, a blog is an important business tool that will help you grow.

Thoughtful, informative blog posts will show potential customers that you are an expert in your field. That builds confidence, and people are more likely to buy from you and/or engage your business when they feel confident that you can do the job.

Having an online voice is essential in today’s business world if you want to promote your business to the right customers.

2. To find your purpose

Starting my pet-centric blog back in 2012 changed my life. Writing about dogs (specifically Pit Bull-type dogs, at that time) helped me to see what I was passionate about, and it gave me an outlet to provide my readers with important information.

I always knew that I loved writing, but it wasn’t until I started a blog that I learned how my writing , and the knowledge and experience I had to share, could actually impact other people’s lives.

Starting a blog is a great way to discover what is important to you, what you feel called to do, and what the true purpose is for your life. And let’s be honest: that’s no small thing. It’s huge.

3. To start a hobby

If you’re not looking to promote your business or find your life’s purpose, perhaps you’re simply in the market for a hobby. Blogging can certainly be that!

Blogging is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family all over the world. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to tell your story, and if your experience is anything like mine, it will be an incredible way to meet people and make friends.

Another benefit of blogging is that it can serve as a personal journal, helping you to track your progress in life. Journaling gives you a new and unique perspective, almost from another person’s point of view, helping you to more effectively deal with issues and make decisions in your life.

Have you been thinking about starting a blog?

I’d love to chat with you about how to get started on your blogging journey! Send me a message and let’s chat about the possibilities!

7 Things All Bloggers Should Be Doing

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Whether you’re a blogging newbie or a seasoned pro, there are a few things that you should be doing to ensure that your blog continues to grow and thrive.

Keep reading about the 7 things I feel all bloggers should be doing if they want to see blogging success.

7 Things All Bloggers Should Be Doing

7 Things All Bloggers Should Be Doing

1. Give it time

Creating a successful blog isn’t an overnight process. It’s a long haul that can take years, and that’s where many bloggers run into trouble. They expect that if they create a blog, slap on a cute logo, and write a few posts, the readers will flock to their site and the money will start pouring in. I’ve never known of that to happen because it takes time.

2. Grow your email list

No matter how long you’ve been blogging, growing your email list should be one of your top priorities. This is especially important if you ever plan on selling anything.

But the truth is, having an email list is still important even if you never plan to sell a thing because it allows you to promote new content to your subscribers directly.

3. Appreciate your readers

Whether you have 3 or 3,000 readers, make sure they all know that you appreciate their support. This can be done by replying to comments and interacting with those who take time to visit your blog. Don’t get so focused on growing your audience that you forget about the ones you already have.

4. Be consistent

Be consistent with your publishing schedule. Readers like to know that they can expect to hear from you on a regular basis, so create a schedule and stick to it. Take your blog seriously because if you don’t, why should anyone else?

5. Keep it short

Joe Pulizzi has an interesting thought about blogs:

A blog post is like a miniskirt. It has to be short enough to be interesting, but long enough to cover the subject.

With that in mind, remember that a blog post should be long enough to say what needs to be said, but short enough that the reader doesn’t lose interest.

Also remember to use small blocks of text, rather than long paragraphs, to keep your reader engaged.

6. Be generous

Give away your knowledge is important. Giving away free stuff is also important, and it can help create loyal, devoted followers. Giveaways and other free resources are a big hit and will attract new readers to your blog while reminding long-time readers that they are valued.

7. Be yourself

There are 10,000,000 blogs on the internet today, which means there is a lot of noise in the blogosphere. The best way to be heard is to simply be yourself. Your readers will recognize your authenticity and they will be drawn to who you are.

By the way, I made up that number, I’m honestly not sure how many blogs there are, but trust me when I say there are a lot!

I’ve been blogging for over 10 years, and I’ve found these 7 things to be among the most important part of having a successful blog.

Do you have any tips to share?

I’d love for you to share your thoughts in a comment below!