5 Things That Make Blogging Easier

Whilst I absolutely love blogging and enjoy it immensely, like anything it can come with its stresses and frustrations. I've been blogging for nearly 3 years now around a full time job, so anything that makes it easier to complete all my blog related tasks, no matter how small, makes all the difference. Here are 5 things that I have made my blogging life much easier;

1. Blu Tac!

I think I blogged for about a year before this amazing discovery, struggling with trying to photograph ever rolling rounded bottles and tubes on flat surfaces! Anna from VDM mentioned it in one of her videos and I went out and bought a pack straight away. It's so simple and almost obvious, but absolute genius! Now I can photograph with a lot less frustration, which is always a good thing.

2. Studio/Daylight Lighting

One of the biggest blogger problems is getting the right lighting to take photos. When I first started blogging I remember running to the window or garden as soon as the sun came out to take photos, hoping they would turn out ok. It was even worse in Autumn/Winter, when I had to rely on weekend weather because it would be dark when I got home. Then a couple of Christmases ago, my other half bought me a softbox cube tent with lamps with daylight bulbs. I don't think a tent to take photos in is essential, especially if you have areas in the house suitable for placing products, but the lighting makes all the difference. You can take photos at any time of day (or night), which is so convenient, especially when you have a busy lifestyle. The photo above was taken at 6pm on a Sunday evening when it was fully dark outside, but you wouldn't know it. Something like this is an investment, but believe me it's worth it.

3. Notes, Lists and... More Notes and More Lists

This is probably an obvious one, but it helps me to be more organised and stops me forgetting things (very easy to do when I have so many other things rattling around my brain). I have a notebook that I carry around in my handbag, as it's something I always have with me, which I use to write bullet point notes about products I'm using. I find this so handy when I come to write up a full product review and means I can write up a review much quicker. I also use the Notes app on my iPhone and have a number of different lists; "Blog Post Ideas", "Blog Photos to Take", "Reviews to Do" and "PR Samples to Do" (the latter lists the samples in order by the planned posting date). I would be completely lost without these lists as they ensure I stay on track.

4. Scheduling

I don't have time these days to sit down and write a post that I want to publish that day or evening. This is why scheduling posts ahead is so much easier for me, because I'll simply forget what posts I was planning to publish and when, or I'll publish a post much later than I actually intended. I usually schedule posts on a weekly basis, setting them up on Blogger so they're ready to go for the coming week. I also schedule my tweets about the blog post using the Buffer app on my iPhone, which is an absolute godsend (big thanks to Amy from Srslylou for this one!). It's so easy and speedy to use, free to download and the big benefit for me is that I don't even have to fire up the laptop to do it. On working days I only have my phone for 40 minutes on my lunch break, so if I want to tweet about a blog post during 9-5, this is the best way I can do it.

5. Being Realistic

If I had a £1.00 for every time I made myself stressed or pressured because of unrealistic blogging goals, I would be a very rich woman. It's taken me a long time to accept that I have limits when it comes to blogging and around my current lifestyle, there's not a lot I can do about it. For example, I can realistically only post 3-4 times a week and sometimes even that is a struggle, but unless I a) barely sleep or b) rarely see any of my friends or family, I personally can't achieve anything more. I know that I will never be up-to-date with my Bloglovin feed and that I can't afford to review all the new makeup releases. But it's ok. My other half completely put it into perspective for me the other day; he said to me, what will happen if you don't? I honestly couldn't think of anything to say, because nothing will happen and I won't let anyone down, including myself. I can only do my best and I have to accept that life gets in the way, otherwise I'll completely suck the fun and energy out of blogging. 

What makes blogging easier for you?

Beauty Bird xx

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