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G’day! Juggling Work and Building a Blog

Ever tried patting your head while rubbing your tummy? That’s pretty much how starting a blog alongside a full-time job felt when I began. I’m Mikki, your friendly Aussie solo traveller, caffeine addict, and low-key overachiever. Back in the day, I was spending 40+ hours at the office, dreaming of palm-tree sunsets and keyboard taps that weren’t tied to invoicing spreadsheets.

Fast-forward a few late nights and too many flat whites, and I’ve turned that dream into a thriving blog. Today, I’ll let you in on how I managed to grow a blog while still punching the clock—no magic lamp required. Let’s dive in.

Finding Those Sneaky Little Pockets of Time

First up, time management. You’re already pressed for hours, so you need to grab every spare minute like it’s the last slice of avocado on toast. Here’s what worked for me:

• Early-bird sessions: I’m not naturally inclined to wake up at 5am (who is?), but a couple of pre-dawn hours gave me brain space before emails and meetings hijacked my head.
• Lunch-break sprints: Keep a rough draft or content outline on your phone or cloud drive—then set a 20-minute timer and knock out a paragraph or two.
• Commute hacks: If you don’t drive, use public transit time to brainstorm headlines or outline posts. Jot notes on your phone or a small notebook—you’ll thank me later.
• Weekend deep dives: Block out a Saturday or Sunday morning to edit, schedule social updates, or tackle technical tasks. Resist guilt trips; you’re investing in your future here.

Choosing a Reliable Host (AKA Why I Love BlueHost)

Selecting a hosting provider felt like picking a flat on Gumtree—you want something reliable in a safe neighbourhood, without surprise fees under the carpet. After sampling a handful, I landed on BlueHost. Here’s why:

• One-click WordPress install: Less faff, more doing.
• Solid uptime and speed: Your readers (and Google) will thank you.
• Affordable plans: Perfect when you’re bootstrapping on a shoestring.
• 24/7 support: There were a couple of panicked “site-down” moments at 10pm. Their live chat hero sorted me out in minutes.

Setting up was so painless I nearly felt cheated. If you’re serious about blogging while working full time, reliable hosting is non-negotiable. You don’t want to wake up to “Error establishing a database connection” in your inbox.

Nailing Down Your Niche & Content Plan

You can’t be everything to everyone. A travel blog, a food blog, a DIY blog—each needs a clear focus. Mine started as “solo female travel tips from an Aussie perspective,” which evolved into a mix of destination guides, budget-hacks, and remote-work advice.

How to pick your niche:
1. Follow your passion: If you don’t love writing about it, you’ll ghost your own blog.
2. Check the demand: A quick Google search on keywords like “blending smoothies” or “stock-market basics” will show search volumes and competition.
3. Brainstorm pillar content: Pick 3–5 cornerstone topics you can riff on for months. Use a simple spreadsheet to map post ideas, publish dates, and promotional channels.

A content calendar is your best mate here. Even a bare-bones Google Sheet with dates, titles, and notes keeps you accountable when Mondays roll around.

Creating Content on a Shoestring Schedule

Writing decent blog posts in stolen moments can feel like squeezing toothpaste back into the tube—but you do get better at it. Here’s how:

• Stop aiming for perfection: First drafts are meant to be ugly. Just get words on the page, then polish later.
• Use voice-to-text: On days I’m racing the clock, I speak into my phone on the way home and clean it up later.
• Repurpose like a champ: Turn a quick Instagram Reel idea into a 500-word micro-blog, then expand it into a full guide.
• Batch photo editing: If your blog needs images, carve out one afternoon to edit a dozen photos. I got all my travel-gear bits (and backup batteries) from Amazon AU, so I never scrabble for shots.

Remember: frequency beats volume. It’s better to publish one quality post a week than three half-baked ones.

Tech & Tools That Keep Me Sane

Between spreadsheets, keyword research, and social scheduling, you’ll soon drown without the right tools. Some essentials I swear by:

• Google Workspace: Docs, Sheets, Calendar—my digital brain.
• Trello (or any Kanban app): For tracking post stages—idea, draft, editing, scheduled.
• Grammarly: Avoid those embarrassing typos.
• Canva: Quick graphics and Pinterest pins in minutes.
• Buffer or Later: Schedule social posts so you’re not glued to your phone.
• Cloud backups: I use the free tier of Google Drive, but consider Dropbox or OneDrive if you need more space.

If you’re tech-phobic, these are all user-friendly. And if I can figure them out, trust me, you can too.

Promoting Your Blog Without Going Overboard

Posting is only half the battle—getting eyeballs on your content is the other half, and you’re not in the business of shouting into a void. Here’s my low-drama approach:

• Niche communities: Share genuinely helpful answers on forums or Facebook groups—no spamming.
• Pinterest: Create a couple of standout pins for each post and let them drip traffic for months.
• Micro-influencers: Collaborate with small creators for cross-promotions; it’s cheaper (or free) and often more authentic.
• Email newsletter: A simple weekly roundup of your best content. People love a curated list, and you own that audience—unlike on any social network.
• SEO basics: Optimise titles, headers, and meta descriptions with your target keyword (“blogging while working full time” in this case). Don’t overthink it—write for humans, not bots.

Consistency is key, but sanity is non-negotiable. Pick two or three channels and do them well.

Tracking Progress & Staying Motivated

When you’re juggling a day job and a blog, progress can feel glacial. Celebrate tiny wins to keep the momentum:

• First comment on a post
• Hitting 100 unique visitors in a day
• Earning your first affiliate cent (tiny, but sweet)
• Getting featured on a related site or newsletter

Use Google Analytics or Jetpack stats to watch trends, but don’t stare at them daily. Set monthly or quarterly checkpoints. If something’s tanking, tweak your approach; if something’s working, pour petrol on that fire.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This

Building a blog while working full time isn’t for the fainthearted, but it’s absolutely doable. You’ll learn to write on your lunch break, schedule posts during your commute, and happily explain to your partner why you need just “five more minutes” to tinker with your site.

If you’re itching to get started, grab a hosting plan from BlueHost, set up WordPress, and dive into that first post. Remember, slow and steady wins the race—especially when the race involves spreadsheets, client calls, and your personal sanity.

So go on, turn “one day” into today. I’ll be cheering for you (with a second flat white in hand). Good luck, friend!