TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR BLOG LIFE

I am no expert on time management, but focusing on two small business ventures and having a full time job is quite the balancing act.

I find that keeping things organized for my blog and VA business is key if I want to be successful. The first tip I have is to cut back if you feel like you are forcing blog posts, or forcing yourself to blog when your time could be better spent doing other things. If I feel eh about  blogging and a pile of laundry needs to be done, I focus on laundry first. The truth is, if I give myself some time to focus on laundry, my mind may come up with a brilliant blog post idea!

So, Tip 1. Cut back and don't force it!

Tip 2. I tried all kinds of methods to create a blogging editorial calendar. I even made it one of my blog goals back in uh...May. The truth is, I am not an editorial calendar kind of girl. Calendars work for my work, my bill due dates, my personal obligations, but not blogging. I tend to come up with blog titles and save them in my drafts folder until I am ready to write about it. I can even schedule them out and save them in my drafts so they are in order. If you find that calendars or planners don't work for you, keep trying until something does!

Tip 3. Have "office" hours. This is coming from a girl that has a full-time job already. Blogging and my VA is hardly full time. I don't know if its even part-time. For now, I have office hours in the evenings and on weekends. I give myself enough time to get home, make dinner, and eat before my "office" hours start. The first thing I do is open up my Blog email account to see if any clients have emailed me their tasks. If they haven't, I send an email anyway just checking in and letting them know I am available.

Tip 4. Answer emails everyday. I know this may seem like a difficult feat. This also comes from someone who is a power-house with email. I don't neglect them, I answer them on the spot, or I email them letting them know a time I will see, read, and process before my reply. If you neglect your email, it can get out of control. You may not be able to get your inbox to 0 everyday, and you may not be able to read them everyday, but try. There's no harm in that!

Tip 5. Last tip. Label your emails in your inbox. I have labels for almost every category of emails. I have one for comments, advertising inquiries, invoices, VA Customers, VA inquiries, etc. Almost every email service has these labels or folders. I suggest you try them out and see if it works for you!

Want more tips, or have any questions? Email me at melissafayeblog{dot}gmail{dot}com. You can also check out my Virtual Assistant services here.