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The first week of Uni has been crazy, to say the least, but I am slowly getting back into some sort of routine. Since University started, I really had to focus on my organisation and productivity. I’m currently studying Chemical Engineering, which is very time-consuming. So, before I started my blog I had to make sure I put systems in place to keep on top of everything that I need to do.

Sooo, I thought it was perfect to show you guys how you can juggle blogging with other commitments you may have.

8 WAYS TO STAY ORGANISED AS A NEW BLOGGER:

1. CREATE A CONTENT CALENDAR
2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FREE TIME
3. USE AND GET TO KNOW TAILWIND
4. AUTOMATE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
5. MAKE USE OF YOUR NOTES APP
6. TIME BATCHING
7. USE YOUR WEEKENDS WELL
8. DON’T FORGET WHERE YOUR PRIORITIES LIE

1. CREATE A CALENDAR FOR THE WHOLE SEMESTER/ YEAR

PLAN PLAN PLAN! Without planning and organising all of your content you would not be able to stay consistent on everything that you are juggling. I advise creating a content calendar for a couple of months/ whole semester.

What is a content calendar?

A content calendar doesn’t have to be your traditional calendar/ planner, it is just a place where you plan all of the posts you plan on releasing. However, I thought that it would be more useful to me to have every single task that I need to accomplish in order to finish and schedule my post e.g. thumbnails, SEO etc. That way, I don’t feel overwhelmed (as much).

If you have no clue where to start, I have released the exact content calendar that I came up with and swear by. Click here or the image below for the freebie!

In the template that I created, there are slots that account for 1 post a week as well as a post at the end of the month. However, don’t feel that you have to stick to this. The number of times you release a post on your blog is completely up to you.

I decided to release a post every Monday and the last day of every month!

Once you have all of your posts planned out, you can now add them to your calendar, next to the date you would like the piece of writing to be scheduled.

QUICK TIP: ADD THE POST TITLE ON THE DAY IT IS MEANT TO BE RELEASED

When creating a content calendar it is best to always research your titles on Google and Pinterest before writing. This will give you an idea of whether your post will do well or not.

I got to say, I don’t always do this because if I don’t like the topic of what I am writing, I won’t be motivated to write. But, it is very helpful when you are not sure what to title your post!

2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FREE TIME

If you’re a: student, business owner, mum, dad or just really busy, having free time is like gold! You don’t want to waste this time.

During summer/ weekends/ holidays or whenever you have some free time, I like to plan every. single. minute. Am I extra? YEP. But, I would rather over plan than let time slip away from me.

Please don’t forget to plan some “me time” because that is equally as important!

Now that you have your content calendar sorted and planned out, you can start the first step… outlining. Outlining all of your posts before you start writing your first draft is crucial, as it helps you remember everything that you would like to cover.

How should you outline a blog post?

Now, outlining doesn’t have to take hours. This is how I outline all of my posts…

1. Open a fresh page in your notebook (my favourites are from Do.dle!)
2. Write the blog title on the top of the page
3. Write all the subheadings you want to include
4. Under each subheading write bullet points of all the information, you don’t want to forget
5. Once you have finished, at the bottom of the page, write any media, links, references etc that you want to include

SIMPLE!

After you have outlined your post, the next task in the content calendar is to write your full draft!

I like to write full drafts in one sitting (when I can), so then I can come back the next day or a couple of days later to correct grammar, trim writing and create my graphics.

3. USE TAILWIND

If you are a blogger and have not heard of Tailwind, GET ON IT ASAP! It will save you so much time so you can put this time towards other tasks. If you use my link you will get a FREE month of Tailwind!

Tailwind is an automating tool that allows you to schedule pins for Pinterest. I’m sure you all know how important Pinterest is when driving traffic to your site. I love tailwind because it makes Pinterest so easy because all you have to do is create your graphics. Tailwind does the rest for you!

When I was researching about starting a blog, EVERY SINGLE PERSON mentioned Tailwind and how important it is if you want to build a following. The best thing about tailwind is that they are approved by Pinterest! Which means that there is no risk of Pinterest shutting down your account due to spam.

When I can, I like to plan all of my pins weeks in advance so I can focus on University.

4. AUTOMATING EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Posting emails weekly to my email list is important to me because I want to create a rapport with my audience. However, juggling, creating weekly posts, emails and all my University deadlines can get a lot sometimes. That is why I try to automate as many things as I can.

I use Mailchimp…

5. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR NOTES APP

You never know when you are going to get sparks of inspiration, so I designate a folder in my notes for random ideas I get every day.

Sometimes when I’m sleeping, I wake up randomly with a post idea. I quickly jot it down in my notes app or on a sticky note, then in the morning I transfer it into my content calendar.

6. TIME BLOCKING

You’re all probably very sick of me talking about time blocking and time batching but I can’t help it. I explained everything in my August Overview and in my weekly email newsletter.

Time blocking is an amazing organisation technique that will really help you make the most out of your time. Not only, does it limit distractions but it also helps you get a lot more done in a smaller amount of time.

A LITTLE UPDATE: A WEEK INTO UNI AND I’M ALREADY BEING BOMBARDED WITH 101 ASSIGNMENTS! TIME BLOCKING HAS HELPED KEEP ME SOMEWHAT SANE THIS WEEK…

7. USE YOUR WEEKENDS WELL

Time block your weekends hour by hour using your google calendar of course! If you have not used google calendar before and would like to learn how to set it up easily, check out the guide I wrote here.

Split your weekend up between studying, blog, chores, social and free time. Split the time you put aside for your blog to write posts, create graphics etc.

8. DON’T FORGET WHERE YOUR PRIORITIES LIE

I know you want your blog to do well but at the end of the day, your degree is more important. You really can’t come and die, your mental health is equally as important.

Take time to rest and wind down so you don’t get burnt out.

WHAT SHOULD YOU FOCUS ON IN THE BEGINNING:

1. PINS FOR PINTEREST: Pinterest is the number 1 social media platform that will drive the most traffic to your site. With the help of Tailwind, you will be sorted!
2. CREATING AN EMAIL LIST: An email list is a way that will help you gain traction as soon as you post a new blog post. Once someone has signed up to your site, they are automatically added to your email list. You can send an email on a weekly basis or how often you prefer (try not to spam your audience though!). I send my emails every Monday at 12 pm GMT! In my emails, I like to give a preview of the most recent post that was added to my site as well as tips and tricks, goals, growth reports and so much more. The content of the emails is put to you, get creative! I see emails as giving your audience extra content that could benefit and motivate them in any way.
3. BLOGGING COURSES: There are 100s of blogging courses floating around, I suggest doing a lot of research on Pinterest and Google before taking the plunge. I am yet to enrol in a blogging course but I hope to do a course during the Christmas break. I will keep you all updated…
4. POSTING CONSISTENTLY: This is KEY when it comes to growing your page and bringing in an audience. I am by no means a successful blogger (as of yet), but I know that the key to being successful is to stay consistent. Keep consistent easily with my FREE BLOG CONTENT CALENDAR FOR 2020/20201!

And that’s it!

You are set! Above is everything you need to know so you can get and stay organised as a new blogger. I hope the post was helpful to you…

See you next Monday xx

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• 12 GENIUS WAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR DORM INTO A HOME
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