How to Find More Time to Blog

In this guest post by Ralph Jean-Paul from Potential2Success.com, he tackles a problem that a lot of bloggers run into as they strive to grow their blogs to a full-time level…finding the time to get the necessary steps complete for success. If you are interested in guest posting on RobbSutton.com, read this article on guest posting and hit me up via email.

Let’s take a trip back to when you first started blogging.  Remember the first time you saw your blog listed on Google?  Or what about the first time someone left a comment on a post?  And who could forget the very first time you made an affiliate sale or revenue from an Adsense click?  Good times, good times.

That was then and now you probably realize that blogging is not a way to make some quick cash.  Blogging as a business doesn’t take much money to start.   However, that doesn’t mean that it’s free.  In order to have a successful blog, it will require some of your valuable time.

Finding time to blog can be difficult.  Most bloggers have a full-time job, family, friends, and other commitments that they are responsible for.  So finding the time to write, post, and market their blog can be a challenge.

It is possible to run a successful blog and have a life.  I learned this when I first started blogging.  I had a full-time job, taking 6 college courses, and I had to learn how to build and market a website.  It was a challenge, but I was able to do it successfully.  I still use the same methods I learned back then today to make time to blog.

Finding More Time

Use the Time You Have Wisely

Part of the reason it may seem like you do not have enough time is because you haven’t made good use of the time you have.  Often we think there is not enough time to write content, market, and develop our blog.  The time is usually there, we just need to know what to do with it.

One way to make sure that you are using your time wisely is to have a plan on what you will be doing before you get in front of your computer.  Your plan should include a list of tasks and a timeframe to complete those tasks.  It is also a good idea to prioritize the list.  If you fall behind, and do not have time to finish everything, the most important tasks still get done.

If you don’t have the disciple to not visit Facbook and Youtube while you’re working on your blog, then make sure that you close those windows.  You don’t need any unwanted temptation to distract you from finishing your tasks.

Find Your Best Working Hours

Find out when you are the most productive and work on your blog during that time.  By finding the time when you are the most productive, you are making it possible to complete your tasks faster thus taking up less time.

I recently began waking up at 3 am because I realized that I focus best early in the morning.  For some reason, trying to write during the day is almost impossible for me.  Something about the thought of sunshine outside makes it difficult for me to concentrate.

Do More of What You Do Best

I think the goal for any successful business is to find out how to profit from their best product or service.  As a blogger, this is also your goal.  Instead of wasting time on things that are not effective, focus on what will make the most difference.

So what’s your strength?  Do you deliver dynamic content?  Are you exceptional at marketing?  Take whatever you do best and do more of it.  The problem that I had when I started blogging is that I was doing so many things that didn’t produce the result that I wanted.

Once I realized that there were just a few things that produced the result that I wanted for my niche, I focused on those things and worked to improve them.  Instead of wasting time on what you have been told will work, focus on what is working and stop doing what isn’t.

Blog Everywhere

Ideas and inspiration are everywhere!  Whenever you have an idea for a post, capture it immediately.  I use the Notepad on my Blackberry if I don’t have any paper and my voice recorder when I’m driving.

One night I went to the movies with some friends.  While we were watching the previews, I had an idea for a post about the top 10 inspirational movies of all time.  Ignoring the cartoon that told us not to use our phones during the movie, I whipped out my Blackberry and started typing.  Before I knew it, my idea became 150 words and a good start to a future post.  That post became one of my most popular posts and is still in the top 10 most viewed pages on my blog.

There are really two main benefits to blogging everywhere.  One, you get to act on an idea that you had.  Having an idea is good but it’s pretty much pointless unless you turn that idea into action.  The second benefit is that you don’t waste time looking for ideas.  When writers block strikes, you can always go back to your vault of ideas and pull something useful.

Share the Burden

When times get tough and you need some extra time, opening up your blog to quality guest posts is a great way to keep your blog updated.  Publishing a guest post is also a great way to give yourself a little break from producing content.

It also gives your readers some fresh content from someone who may have a different writing style.  It also offers the opportunity to boost your traffic as that blogger will usually market their guest post.

Ralph Jean-Paul is the main writer for his blog Potential 2 Success which is a result-driven personal development blog. He is also a monthly contributor for 2 other popular personal development blogs. Along with being a writer, Ralph is also a speaker and entrepreneur. For more from Ralph visit Potential2Success.com

Image by ToniVC