Blogger/Vlogger Life; 10 Tips To Stay Motivated

So it's been a while since I've posted an actual outfit post on here. 

My focus recently has been on my YouTube Channel and I haven't posted anything on the blog exclusively for a while. The main reason for this is that blogging/vlogging is not my main job. It's a side hustle, I work a full time job and my only down days are Saturdays and Sundays - which have now become not so down days because I still have to work on some content for my blog and YouTube. 

Even though I really enjoy it, it's still very hard to keep up with it all, and it's been such a struggle trying, but not being able to produce as much content as I would actually like on both platforms, and it becomes very easy to lose motivation. In this post I will be sharing 10 tips that help me stay motivated as a full time worker that also blogs and vlogs and I hope they are of some use to anyone else reading!

#1  P L A N  A H E A D
Coming in at number one is staying organised by planning ahead. Planning your content ahead of time helps you stay focused and won't leave you in a panic about what to post/upload. Of course, things do not always go according to our plans, but as long as you know what it is that you are doing - or meant to be doing, it becomes a lot easier to manoeuvre tasks around to accommodate everyday life. Try using a calendar or diary to plan your content.

#2 G E T   I N S P I R E D
If you are a creative person, watching/viewing content from your own favourite bloggers and vloggers can give you that little push you need to get up and get creating. You may even take inspiration and come up with your own ideas for content. Just be careful not to fall into the habit of comparing yourself or your progress to that of anyone else's. Don't use it to put yourself down, use it to push you that little bit further each time.

#3 C O N S I S T E N C Y
Granted, you probably need to be motivated in the first place to stay consistent with your blogging. But it can also work the other way around - hear me out. The more regularly you put out content, the more your audience can count on it and count on you and the more they will engage with you. We hear successful bloggers/vloggers say 'you guys keep me going', 'the only reason I still do this is because of you guys', 'I do it for you guys'. Even our favourite celebrities say the same things about their fans. And it's so true - you may receive negative comments but the one or two positive ones will literally give you the biggest boost you need. I've experienced this myself and it can be all the motivation you need to keep going. This swiftly brings us to the next point...

#4 E N G A G E   W I T H   Y O U R   A U D I E N C E
Following on from the above point, another great way to stay motivated is to actually engage with your audience whenever you can. Follow a few of them back on twitter, reply to their comments under your videos and posts, or better yet create a whole video/post in response to your audience's comments, ask them what type of content they want to see from you, take note of their suggestions, even take note of any constructive criticism and build on it. 

#5 B L O G G E R   B U D D Y / S U P P O R T   N E T W O R K S
If possible, don't do it alone. Get the support of a friend who also blogs. You can help each other out with picture taking, editing, location scouting and coming up with ideas as well as being each other's cheer leaders whenever needed. It's great, I know because I have one and I would've quit this about 10 million times if she hadn't been in my ear gassing me up and telling me I could do it, and vice versa. 

If you don't know anyone who also blogs, there's always blogger networks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all different types of bloggers. Join them, follow them and get the support you need. Some of my favourites are @MelaninBloggers (Twitter & Instagram), @bloggersOC (Twitter), @UKBlog_RT (Twitter), @BB_Bloggers on twitter - @blackbritishbloggers on instagram (they are amazing by the way!).

#6 C H A N G E   O F   S C E N E R Y
Go to a library, a coffee shop, a hotel lobby - anywhere that isn't your bedroom/office or wherever it is that you usually create your content. A change of scenery can really help refresh your mind and help get your creative juices flowing - I've never really tried this tip but I know it definitely works for my friend.

#7 W R I T E   I T   D O W N !
Capture your ideas when you have them. This is especially important when you are out and about and come across something that inspires you or immediately gives you a great idea. Jot it down somewhere or send a text to yourself detailing your idea - don't just leave it to chance that you'll remember it however many hours later. 

#8 T A P   I N T O   T H E   T R E N D S
Benefit from any current blogging trend that is of interest to you and/or your audience. Look at the current hashtag trends on social media and see whether you can create content from what is going on in the world. The more relevant your content is, the more people will be interested in it. Let's take the recent Fenty Beauty Launch for an example, I can't tell you how many countless reviews I watched of people reviewing the same products and pretty much saying the same things about them, but because it was relevant and current, I couldn't help but watch each of my favourites review them, because why not? Trends like this are a great way to create content, be included in the conversation and benefit from the buzz all at the same time. 

 T H A N K   Y O U !

I hope this post has helped anyone out there and I hope you like this outfit, my girl did a pretty bomb job with these pictures! Click Here to go over to my YouTube Channel - watch a few videos and subscribe. Have a great rest of the week !