You know what’s worse than being where you are right now (assuming it’s not where you want to be)? Being in that same place the same time next year. Blog-wise, that’s exactly what happened to me. I spent a ton of time fretting over what to post on Instagram, usually posting nothing because I didn’t like the picture, how I looked, didn’t know what to write for my caption, so many nonsense reasons.
When Instagram had it’s issues last month I was reminded that what I should have been doing during that time was focusing on my blog anyways. I finally, FINALLY started to blog more seriously.
Got an office
Technically, I got a co-working space – same thing. I needed a space, that wasn’t my house, that I could work from. Something about getting up and moseying on over to the sofa with my laptop just wasn’t as motivating as one would think.
Some people opt to have an office in their house, or in my case – apartment, but I really don’t think that was going to do it either. I’m one of those people who needs to step outside of my everyday, home, surroundings and into a work environment to gain that extra motivation that’s definitely necessary in this field.
Educated myself
I’ve attended a handful of conferences, two to be exact, but I know that’s not enough. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t gone to more considering I feel EXTREMELY motivated and ready to concur the creation world when I leave. I can’t even say it’s due to money … I mean I COULD because let’s be real, those babies aren’t cheap … because it’s not difficult to save up (or rid your house of a few things) in order to get that ticket.
Whatever it’s been in the past, I’ve let go of that and made sure to get more educational workshops and conferences onto my schedule. I might not be in New York where all the action is but with people like Melissa Cantey in my city providing amazing workshops on things like securing brand partnerships and managing money, there’s no excuse.
Struck up conversations
I’m a HUGE introvert. Actually, more like an introverted extrovert. I’m shy, awkward, and very quiet in situations where I don’t know anyone, BUT I will talk your face off once I get to know you. As you may guess, the introverted portion can present a bit of a problem.
Because so much of what I do happens online, I started connecting more with other Content Creators. Real connections, not that “let me pick you brain” nonsense or simple two words comments. I started having actual, engaging conversations, virtually, with people in my field. I wasn’t just posting to be seen, I was engaging to cultivate relationships.
I started watching and commenting on stories. I shared my real time show thoughts on Twitter. I reached out for cold connections through LinkedIn to see and share awesome post from my virtual coworkers. I connected.
I invested in it
The same way I budget and allocate for my living expenses, I started doing with my blog. I don’t need more clothes in the closet I may or may not be able to fit into next month. What I do need is money to keep my blog going and it’s not just out there growing on trees.
Every paycheck, it basically gets split up like this – 50% essentials, 20% blog , 15% regular savings, 15% emergency savings, 10% kids (to clarify this one, it could be doing things on the weekends or paying for some school function – like the hundreds of dollars my daughter needed for her Charleston field trip). With the monies set aside for blog expenses I pay for things like my co-working space, putting advertising dollars behind social media post, conferences and workshops, and very soon, professionals like a Videographer.
Created time
I was solely doing my blog for much of 2018, into 2019, but it’s that catch 22 – I had tons of time to devote to it but no money to back it with, so I went back to working full time. It’s definitely rough trying to balance co-parenting and a full time job with a blog and in my case, my commute is extra long because I’ve started using the Charlotte metro to get around. I also started leveraging that mode of transportation.
The commute might be longer but without being stuck driving, I’m able to use that time checking and responding to emails, writing blog posts, and all those glorious things I can do with my hands free. I take my laptop with me and use my lunch break, I spend a few extra hours after work, and I use the weekends to get in all I need to get done. I may not be working it as “normal” day job hours, but I’m certainly treating it as I would my daytime job. As Hayet Rida says, working my second shift.
