Blogging Tips

I thought I’d leave the technical aspects behind this time around and write a column about what a typical day is like for me. I’ve worked full time blogging and writing other kinds of content for about six years now, and while I also edit all kinds of manuscripts to supplement my income, search engine optimized content is what pays the mortgage on my home.

A Good Hectic Living

First off, if you think you might like a job writing on the Internet because it seems easier than going to work everyday and you plan on spending less time in front of a notebook than you would behind a desk somewhere else, think again.

Working at web content generally and blogging specifically means that you’ll need to put more hours in than you would at another job—that is if you want to make any money at it. While most of the clients or Internet advertising companies that I accept jobs from understand that they need to pay at least reasonably well to get quality and commitment, there are still the ones that try and low ball my services.

Generally I need to have a plan that spans each day and then each week. Day planners and dry erase boards are great for this, and one of the things that keeps me grounded is the knowledge that I can keep these records up to date and refer to them ( and change them ) as my client’s needs shift.

A Daily Routine

I work everyday. I guess you can get by in this business without doing that, but I’ve never been able master taking on just enough work so that this is a part time job. By the way, that’s one of the advantages of working in this industry as well—ultimately, I’m in charge of the volume of work I take and there doesn’t seem to be any need to hoard it. Once you understand what you’re doing and get the experience, there’s enough to go around.

The biggest bonus to this line is flexibility. While I do work everyday, I dictate when I sit down to the computer each day and for how long. It takes a bit of getting used to at first but when it finally starts to sink in that you’ve got a job where you can travel to any place that has the right Internet connection and that you’re working in a career that’s expanding and growing everyday, there’s really no better feeling.