How much time does blogging take?

Blogging is time-consuming. This week I thought I'd record the time I spend blogging and on blogging-related activities (e.g. promoting on Twitter, linking, reading other blogs and so on). And I'll be totally honest about exactly how much I've actually spent time with my laptop on my lap and iPhone in my hand.

I find people often think blogging is super-easy, you just type for five minutes, and whambamthankyoumam, you've got yourself a blog post. Well, I am here to tell you that it isn't quite as quick as you might think if you've never written a blog. Those of you that are bloggers know all about how time-consuming (but still fun!) it can be.


Anyway, here goes...


Saturday: 5 min answering comments and linking my blog to a few places. Altogether 5 minutes.

Sunday: 50 minutes writing this post about our sleeping beauty, linking up to two linkys and commenting on a few blogs in the linkys, 10 minutes looking at some code and then finding out it just doesn't work, 30 minutes Twitter chat about blogging on #lbloggers. Altogether 90 minutes.

Monday: 40 minutes writing a blog post about our Saturday at St Katherine Docks + replying to comments and checking out a few new blogs (mainly of people commenting). Altogether 40 minutes.

Tuesday: 35 minutes replying to comments, checking other blogs, and writing a bit of a blog post until deciding I am far too tired to write anything worth while, and decided to add a LinkWithin gadget instead before going to bed. Then finding out that LinkWithin doesn't seem to show up on IE. Any ideas for an alternative? Altogether 35 minutes.

Wednesday: 30 minutes reading blogs and about blogging (while commuting to work), 20 minutes of thinking and coming up with ideas for my blog during lunch hour, and 1h writing a blog post about what type of clothes I would choose for a baby boy, and playing around with PicMonkey (first time using it!). Altogether 110 minutes.

Thursday: 10 minutes for linking my previous blog post, and commenting and tweeting it out. 5 minutes for answering comments, 40 minutes for writing this post you are reading right now. Then 25 minutes reading blogs. Altogether 80 minutes.

Friday: 10 minutes linking up and tweeting and commenting on linky posts. Altogether 10 minutes.

That is altogether 370 minutes, or 6 hours and 10 minutes.
This doesn't include the time I spend on going through my pictures, and choosing the best for the blog. Just because I would do some editing and discarding of photos anyway, even if I didn't have a blog. And I might write another blog post on Friday when I get back home from work. Maybe.

For my efforts I have achieved
  • 4 blog posts,
  • learned how to use PicMonkey,
  • found a fair few nice new blogs,
  • got lots of lovely comments on my blog (thank you for all those - I love reading them!),
  • battled with technical stuff finding out it never works out quite as easy as in those nifty tutorials, and
  • had lots of fun writing about stuff and learning about new things.

So yeah, I have spent quite some time -   whopping 5 hours and 45 minutes. I think it a fair amount of time. Maybe not quite as much as I thought. But still a fair amount.
So does that sound like a lot to you? How much time did you spend blogging this week?

(Linking with The List at Mum's Day and You Baby Me Mummy and Brilliant blog posts at Honest Mum)
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Comments

  1. I'm finding out how time consuming and addictive it is :)

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    1. I know, it is terrible - I could easily spend hours every day!

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  2. I daren't write down how long I spend blogging and doing blogging related tasks...but it makes part of my income, so to me it's work...work that I LOVE!! Sometimes it can take me a full day to pick photos, edit and write just one post. Other days I can knock several out! #TheList x

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    1. It can definitely take a lot of time - especially taking pictures and editing them and all. I don't count the time I spend on photography, mainly because I would do it regardless of the blog, and I don't edit my pictures other than cropping.

      But definitely - if a blog is part of your income stream then you need to spend a fair amount of time - much more than you would on just a hobby!

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  3. Blimey seeing it listed like that makes you realise how much time we spend blogging! I probably spend an awful lot of time doing it because I tend to 'write' blog posts in my head before I get them down - when you add in the actual writing, preparing photos, responding to comments, doing linkies, writing comments on posts there...yep, that's a lot of time! It can get addictive...but that's no bad thing if you enjoy it. #TheList xx

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    1. Yes, sometimes it can be difficult to capture the element of thinking about your blog too - there is so much planning that goes into blogging.

      But yes, it is addictive, but it is also fun, so time well spent I think. Better than just idly watching TV :)

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  4. Oh I would not add it up as it would scare me! I do a lot of commenting about 400-500 a week! So that takes lots of time. I probably do 45 mins in the morning while Baby happy to pick at breaky watching TV. Then 45 mins when Baby napping and another 45 mins while she has afternoon bottle. Then bits and bobs throughout the day, when Baby allows. Then every night from when Baby goes down I blog, usually until midnight. So I guess at 7-8 hours a day! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x

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    1. Wow that is a lot of comments! I wish I had the time to visit that many blogs - I do love reading blogs, but I struggle to find the time.

      That is a very respectable amount of time each day :) I guess it depends what you want to do with your blog - if you really want for it to go forth you have to put the effort in.

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  5. I've probably spent half an hour blogging this week max, but I've neglected my blog for rather a long time. I never thought to work it all out before, great post!

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    1. I thought it would be interesting to see how much time it takes each week. To be honest, I could have easily spent more time (read that as wanted to spend more time), but I had a manic week at work and had a cold too, so wasn't really functioning to my best.

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  6. I'm about the same as you, but it takes me a lot longer to read and comment ....and also unless I have a burning issue, or simple post, I usually take longer to write a blog post too! I'm just slow though haha #thelist Susan x (aka. Happyhealthymumma)

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    1. Yeah, it can take a fair amount of time if you really concentrate on reading and commenting and writing. It depends what you write as well - some posts are simple and quick, and some take ages to write and then re-write. I have a post I really want to do but know it will take hours and hours of research and graphic design etc. and just dread starting it... But I know I want to and should do it.

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  7. It is a lot more time consuming than you think, isn't it?! I spent nearly an hour just messing about trying to get a photo collage to look presentable earlier. I do love it, but I think as my little one gets older, it will be harder to find the time x

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    1. Photo collages - don't get me started. They look so easy, but gosh do they take ages to compile! With toddlers it will be difficult to find time - I guess evenings? Not forgetting that one needs relationship and relaxing time too :)

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  8. It does all add up doesn't it? It's so rewarding but it takes alot more time than I originally thought before I started blogging. Pre-blogging I thought you just wrote the post then pressed publish, but there is alot more to it than that! Luckily my daughter still has a nap in the afternoon and then I sprint to the computer :-) x #MBPW

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    1. Haha definitely, and especially all the fiddling with the blog layout, trying to make it look unique but still stylish.. Phew! I try to do my blogging in the evening while hubby watches TV, naptime is good too during the weekend :)

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  9. My blog is fairly new (although I've been blogging on a business website for a while) and it definitely takes much longer than you think. Like you say, the writing is probably the easiest part. I am still trying to get my head around Linkys, finding time to read other blogs, tweeting content etc. Hopefully, I'll get there in the end

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    1. It sort of depends - sometimes writing can take ages, and sometimes it can come together real quick. It depends what you write about as well - if I write a quick update post about what we've been doing, that's quick but actually trying to write something insightful can take ages. Depends also how tired I am! :) Good luck with your new blog!

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  10. Great post, gets you thinking. I feel like I spend all day every day doing something blog related as I dip in out all day most days. It's time consuming but so much fun. I am a newbie, only been blogging for 6 months. I love stumbling across new blogs like yours #MWPW x

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    1. Oh tell me about it - I sometimes check my Twitter at work just to see some bloggy stuff :) If you add up all the little dipping in sessions it definitely adds up! But as long as its fun, well, who minds - I see it as a very healthy hobby :)

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  11. I spend FAR too much time blogging and interacting on social media
    AliceMegan

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    1. Yeah, it is time-consuming isn't it! I wish I had more hours in the day.

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  12. It is definitely VERY time consuming, the admin side definitely takes longer than the writing! It is great though, and I love the parts that involve reading other blogs :) #Blogfest14

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    1. I love reading other blogs, I just wish there were more hours in the day to do it - I think that and connecting with other bloggers/community is the best part.

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  13. I spend at least an hour a day blogging and then looking at other peoples blogs. The blogging part itself I don't find that time consuming, but reading other blogs and commenting (which I love to do!!) is the time consuming part for me!

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    1. I find the same thing - it's the reading other blogs, and then finding yourself surfing from blog to another that takes the most amount of time. It is fun though, and definitely part of the blogging experience!

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  14. I spend *coughs* rather longer than that...! It is all consuming :) Love it though! #Brilliantblogposts

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    1. Hah, I probably have spent a lot more the past week - I think this particular week I noted down the hours I was more effective than usual :)

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  15. It's incredibly time-consuming and in fact I have to stop myself from doing more because I'm supposed to be working... It could easily turn into a full-time job! I'm impressed that you've tracked how long you spend on it. I daren't!

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    1. I know - it could easily be a ft job! And how lovely would it be, writing about things you like all day long? Although, I do really like my real job too :) It would be fun though to see your tally too, you should try a similar post sometime :)

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  16. I spend so much time with blogging which includes composing the post, editing photos. linking up and commenting on others. Sometimes I am asking myself, is it worth it? I am not earning from this at all but I do love it and I do love that its only here that I am given a chance to reach some goals. #brillblogposts

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    1. You may notice that I didn't actually include choosing or editing pictures in this, partly because I would have to do it anyway. And I don't actually edit pictures, I try to capture them perfect - sometimes might just frame them again.

      Good luck with your goals!

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  17. I'm spending more like 16 hours or so a week at the moment. I tend to do a few hours a day (if I can). It's hard work but I never dislike it!!!!!!! Great post and gets you thinking xx

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    1. That is a commendable amount of hours. I probably do more hours now than I did when I wrote this post, this is really addictive :) It is a fun hobby to have!

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  18. I obliterated 2.5 hours today writing, editing and uploading a post and joining up with a linky - blogging is the bees knees though, isn't it??!!

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    1. Wow, that is a long time :) but it depends, some posts, especially text or picture heavy can take a surprisingly long time to do. Depends on the thought you put into it too, some subjects are more difficult than others.

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  19. That's very true and I feel like as I'm starting up its taking me hours a day just pulling things together! I have an awful lot to learn, especially how to get readers and followers but I'm sure that's something I will learn along the way. Great post and very realistic, especially to show readers just how much time this thing takes!

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    1. And especially at the beginning when you have all the other stuff to do, like trying to make your blog look pretty and doing any little bits of coding... There are so many things I'd like to do with my blog design but just don't have the time. It does take an awful a lot of time, and I feel like now I actually even spend more than what I outlined in this post...

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  20. I end up spending 4h before breakfast even when all I want is to read other blogger mamas' work :)

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