Ever have a hard time keeping up with blogging in the summertime?
Maybe your kids are home, your schedule is different, and quite frankly you’d rather be out enjoying some sunshine than sitting at the computer all day.
Well, you CAN enjoy your summer while still keeping up with your blog. Here are just a few ways:
Work Ahead
Start getting some blog posts ready ahead of time before life gets too crazy. Take a little time to brainstorm a bunch of ideas, pick your favorites, and start writing.
If you’re having trouble brainstorming, a great trick I’ve learned is to write down your blog topics and rotate through them writing down ideas. This way you end up with a nice range of topics so you’re not writing about the same thing over and over.
Get More Organized
One of my 2015 goals was to get a lot more organized with my blog and online business. The best way I’ve found to do this is through Google Drive. I have several documents and spreadsheets to keep track of various aspects of blogging. I love that I can access it anywhere so it’s easy to keep updated.
Simplify
This is a great time to audit your blogging to-do list. What items are giving you a return on your time investment?? Summer is the perfect chance to cut something out for a week or two and see what kind of impact it makes. Maybe a couple link parties aren’t bringing any traffic, or your audience isn’t really even on Twitter. This is your chance to find out and stop wasting time so you can focus on things that really work!
Have it Done for You
Sarah & Sammi over at Grounded and Surrounded have put together a summer blogging kit called the ETHAN Project. ETHAN stands for “Enjoy the Here and Now.”
This super affordable program gives you writing prompts, graphics, and social media strategy for 10 whole weeks. You’ll also get access to a private Facebook group to connect with others who are dedicated to enjoying the here and now this summer.
I love how the kit comes completely organized into different folders for all 10 weeks. Each folder contains graphics, social media strategy for the week, and writing prompts. It makes writing and promoting each post a no-brainer. I can’t even imagine how much time it will save bloggers this summer.
The kit is only $9.95.. BUT I have a 20% off coupon for you! Just enter the code “laurasueshaw” to receive your 20% off. This coupon is only good through 5/15!
They are also offering the REFER 5 SAVE 5 program through May 15, so if you want to encourage your blogging friends to sign up they can ALL RECEIVE a $5 off coupon if they list the same person as their referrer.
Still not sure? Just request a free sample to get a sneak peek inside. It’s awesome, I promise.
Join in the #ETHANproject today!
You CAN have an amazing summer and still keep up with your blog. Just look for creative ways to work ahead, stay organized, or join up with the ETHAN project.
Alright, it’s giveaway time!
Who wants to win a FREE blogging kit for the #ETHANproject??
Just comment below telling me WHY you want to be an #ETHANproject blogger and you’ll be entered to win!
I’ll randomly pick a winner on 5/15 and the winner will be notified via email.
Wishing you an amazing summer!
Looks like a great package. I like your tips too. This summer I am going down from 5 posts a week to 3 so that I can spend more time with my family while it is fun to be outdoors.
I am also reducing my weekly posts and focusing more on promoting my existing posts rather than new ones. The kids and I are going to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Unfortunately, my blog is going to suffer a bit, but I’d rather have that time with my kids. I’ll hit it hard next school year. Thanks for the tips!
I love the idea of enjoying the here and now. Summer is a precious and treasured time and I love the idea of a blogging organizational tool that promotes being balanced successfully in blogging and real life!
I’m coming over from InspiredBN on FB. I’m doing ETHAN this summer too! It’s a fantastic idea and I’m really excited about it, making connections and keeping on track this summer.
So excited to hear you’re participating! It’s such a wonderful idea and resource. I’m looking forward to it this summer.
Laura, I have a confession. I had to pull up my calculator to get through your spam filter. Is it sad that I didn’t know what x 7 = 49 off the top of my head? LOL.
I love your tips for simplifying the summer. Especially the one about re-evaluating where you are spending your time and making sure the results are worth the effort.
Thanks for sharing our #ETHANproject with your readers! We are really looking forward to getting to know other moms through our Facebook group and the summer long #ETHANproject Challenges.
Ha you’re not the first person to tell me that! I probably need to change that so I don’t make people mad with unnecessary math homework 😉
So glad you enjoyed the tips.. I’m looking forward to the #ETHANproject this summer!
These are all such great ideas. With traveling and doing more with the kids during the summer, I’m sure I will pull back on much of the blogging tasks I regularly complete.
Yes! I totally need summer sanity! Thanks for posting! I found you at Thrifty Thursday:)
Your tip to simplify is a great one! I am trying to figure out what that looks like these next few months. Cutting down on link parties is one that I have considered. I don’t want to drop some as I love using link parties as a way to find great blogs to read! But reading too many blogs takes me away from writing for mine. Just trying to figure that out!!
This will be my first summer as a blogger and I already wonder where I’ll find the time with my oldest home from school. I’d love to be entered into the giveaway for the Ethan Project…I need all the help I can get 🙂
Lisa, this is my first summer as a blogger too. I knew something HAD TO CHANGE if I was going to manage the blog and my kiddos home from school all summer long. That is the whole reason we created the #ETHANproject. It has been a ton of work to pull together, but hopefully it will really simplify our lives come June 1!
I love my Google drive… I use the calendar, and keep too… I’ve been really focused know trying to work ahead with not that much success… I definitely need to access my blogging to do list and simplify.
I would love to win the packet. I’m basically a single mom with a husband. Because I’m an oilfield wife. I’m not sure if your familiar but they are not dependable lol. Happy Mothers Day.
I’m hoping to start a packing blog this summer, to share ideas and links as I prepare for our first real family vacation since 2001 (and our first flying together, which creates its own set of challenges with TSA guidelines!) I’d love to have some tips from blogging experts like you and the ETHAN folks!
I’m a teacher blogger and I would love to win because I need a way to help keep me on task and organized while still enjoying my own 5 children!
Summer is my time to check and refine my processes too. I love the recommendation to simplify! Recognizing where your ideal audience hangs out is so important. Wishing you much success with the ETHAN project!