How to Run a Successful Blog While Working a 9 to 5

People often see the quality of my content on social media & blog and just assume that I create content full-time. The reality is, I’m a wife, blogger, and on top of that, I have a full time job as a employee relations manager working a 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. Any free time that I have outside of work, I dedicate to family, brand building, hosting events, & creating content. You may be wondering, how in the world do I have time to balance it all? Juggling all of my responsibilities is not easy, and it comes with its good days and its long days. In order for me to produce the content that you see, it takes strategy and commitment before work, after work and on weekends. I wanted to share this post to encourage those GIRL CEO’s who are growing their side hustles while working a full-time jobs. It is possible to monetize your content and be consistent while still working a full-time job. Hopefully this post will help remove all of your doubt and encourage you to keep pushing towards your goals and dreams. Some people love their jobs and have no plans to leave, and some people are working towards leaving their jobs to pursue blogging full-time, and the tips that I’m sharing will help you regardless of your desired path. Here are some strategies have a successful blog, while working a 9 to 5.

Dedicate Time Blocks for Content Creation

I treat my content creation time like office hours, scheduling clear timeframes for dedicated task. We all know that blogging requires much more than just writing, so blocking off time for photoshoots, social media, events, and posting is key. For example, I block off blogging hours on each weeknight, and I also work on my business on Saturdays. I try to keep Sunday off limits so that I can recharge whenever possible, but some Sundays I still work on my business. During my office hours, I have a clear agenda for each business day. Sometimes, the agenda may be focused on writing blog verbiage. Another day, the agenda may be event planning for an upcoming workshop or conference. During office hours, I make it clear to others that I am unavailable so that others can take this timeframe seriously and limit distractions. For example, during my business hours, my husband respects it and lets me focus. During my business hours, my social media is silenced, and I’m giving it my all. How do you consistently produce content if you don’t block off time to create the content? What times works best for your content creation? Are you more focused in the mornings or at night? Can you create content on your lunch hour? 

Create a Content Calendar

Now that you know how to make block off time for creating content, you actually need to organize all of your content ideas and plan out when you want to post them. Do you know what days you are posting, blogging and sharing this week, or better yet, this month? This concept is called creating a content calendar. For example, right now, I am planning out videos, blogs, and social media post for the month ahead. If you are at the point where you are getting sponsored post, use your content calendar to manage your post deadlines and plan to integrate organic content in or around that timeframe so your feed and site feels authentic. Don’t overthink content calendars because they come in many forms such as handwritten, electronic, spreadsheets or whatever works for you.

Make Coins While You Work

Explore ways to monetize your blog and social media so that you can make coins while you are at work, while you are sleep, and while you are living your life. Things like affiliate links, courses, e-books and events allow you to monetize the brand you’ve been working so hard on and bring in additional revenue outside of your 9 to 5. For example, apps like LiketoKnow.it allows me to earn commissions when I share product links on my Instagram and blog. (Shameless plug, follow me on the LiketoKnow.it app, screename “Bornmajestic”). Apps like Amazon, Rewardstyle and ShopStyle reward bloggers with commissions for sharing the merchants product links. Research what platforms work best for you and get started!

Learn to say No

Because you only have 24 hours in your day to conquer work, family, fitness, eating, sleeping and blogging, you won’t be able to say “Yes” to everything. There will be many times that you have to say “No” to things to maintain your balance. You will have to learn to communicate “No” to social things and even sometimes, blogger things. For example, in seasons where I am already committed to a ton of blogger collaborations, work responsibilities and personal commitments, I just can’t be everything to everybody and I often have to decline or postpone certain opportunities. In recent months, I’ve been much better at No. I’ve learned that sometimes saying No to someone else is saying Yes to your wellness, your brand, and you making the best use of your time.

Invest In Your Brand 

At your full-time job, I’m sure your company has invested in training you to ensure that you were prepared to do your role. With your blog & brand, you need training too! As bloggers, we have to write clearly, pose perfectly, be creative, market strategically, and honestly, no one knows it all when they are just getting started. Invest in educational experiences such as conferences, workshops, consultations, courses, books and webinars. Learn from those who are excelling at what you are trying to do which will save you time and a ton of mistakes. Invest in how your brand looks & feels. When was the last time you updated your website? Do you have a business card? Do you have a strong headshot? Do you have a media kit? Do you know your rates for collaborations? Invest in working in and on your brand at all times.

Take Time Off

Sometimes you have to make the decision to choose your blog over work. There have been times when I’ve had to take vacation days or personal days if I really needed more dedicated time for my business to attend an important event or to complete important content. To me, using my time off for my brand is just as valuable as me using time off for a getaway. 

Also, pay attention to your body and know when enough is enough and when its time to take an actual break to recharge. Schedule true off days where you are not blogging or working so that you can fully reset and avoid burnout. I have started planning self-care days where I get a facial, sleep in, get a massage, and take a bath so that I feel balanced and refreshed. 

Understand That It Takes Time To Be Successful

Be patient with yourself and understand that it takes time to grow an authentic following on your blog and social media. Looking back to 2013, I had 1K followers on the Gram, and now, I have 28k. That’s a 5 year time period and it was not a quick and easy fix because I played the slow, steady and consistent game. Will it get frustrating at times? YES. Will it pay off in the end, YES! When I started blogging, I was working for free, then I started getting free product, then I started making two figures, then three figures, now four figures. It’s a journey!

The Takeaway

While working full time, I’ve successfully grown my personal brand to earn 4 figures monthly through partnerships, sponsored post, product sales, events and affiliate commissions. I bust my butt and give it my all and it pays off for me. With strategy and dedication, I believe that it will pay off for you too! If you have questions, please feel free to comment below.