Which would you choose?
Personally, I would choose blogging but since I am just starting in the corporate world I am trying to find a balance between the two. Through blogging, I am expressing my passion which is writing and the blogosphere has made it easier for aspiring writers/bloggers like me and you to pursue this goal. On the other hand, having this 9 to 5 job enables me to practice my Bachelor’s degree which I worked hard to earn.
The problem with balancing these two is precisely that, finding a BALANCE between these two. Here are some of the things which I do that (hopefully) would help other bloggers in this situation:
a. Develop a schedule – Being organized and having a scheduled posting would be a really big help when updating your blog. If you could, plan at least two posts a week and try to make it as regular as possible. If you would be updating it regularly, there is chance that your readers would be and stay loyal.
b. Include news in your postings – To make up for your less postings a day, try quality post which means current events. Find something new about your topic and make it your own. In this way, you and your readers would be informed of the latest happenings thus making you a “source” person.
c. Include placing comments in your schedule – Interaction is the key. Leaving comments regularly in different blogs would do wonders for your blogs and also your relation with other bloggers. Try to place comments at least two to three times a week.
Anyway, here are just some of my “best practices” for people having full-time jobs and are blogging at the side. Do you want to help me out too? Share your thoughts! 
I'm currently balancing a 9-5 job with pro blogging and freelance blog consulting, and it's rough sometimes, but do-able.
The interesting thing about having a 9-5 job is that it creates your schedule for you to some degree, because everything else has to happen around that.
Great post!
Great post. Balancing a fitting everything in is certainly the biggest challenge of doing double duty, not to mention everything else in life. Family, eating, sleeping, commuting and so on.
I am learning to be very efficient and utilize idle time to be productive. I big one for me is during my commute I brainstorm ideas (just make sure to pay attention to traffic)
and record them on a voice recorder as needed. This helps me come up with new writing ideas, marketing ideas, things to include in my business plan and so on.
Here to everyones success and balance.
Jason
awesome post! Trying to balance work and a blog gets really hard for myself as well. Sometimes I find myself researching things at work for future post to my blog. I think I'm really addicted to blogging! It's just a great feeling when I'm recommending things that hit me in a special way, and letting my readers feel the same way! Keep up the great work Elaine!
Great post, I'm not quite 9-5 I balance my blogging around looking after my kids, so I really have to be organised unfortunately it doesn't always work!
I like to make use of any idle time I have, so I carry a notebook with me and if I think of an idea to use on my blog during the day, I'll make a note. It works really well because otherwise I would just forget it by the time I got home to write it down.
I think a notebook is essential kit for any blogger.
I'm trying to balance too, but I'd absolutely love it if I thought I could pull off blogging/freelancing full time. Just not quite there yet!
Thanks for all your wonderful comments!!
Its very tough to manage both these tasks but I think we manage well
I also agree that a notebook/planner is essential for bloggers
I think it's far easier to create a blogging schedule when you actually have a 9 to 5'er than without. Take for instance when I was freelance writing and didn't have a steady office gig: I would procrastinate constantly because I knew I had all day to complete an assignment. But with a 9 to 5, I jump into my CMS about 10 minutes after entering the apartment. Still, I'd like to blog exclusively – I guess then I'd really have to create a schedule instead of having one forced upon me.
I think, everybody can become a good blogger.
You have to write what you feel, not for money, but for your readers.
balancing a 9-5 job with blogging, it’s rough sometimes, doing a double duty, and i agree a notebook is essential kit for any blogger.