MY TYPICAL WEEK AS A SELF EMPLOYED TWENTYSOMETHING

So I thought it was about time to give you, my readers, a little insight into my life. Of course I weekly vlog, but I only really share snippets throughout my day, all compiled into one lengthly video. I think a lot of people assume bloggers just solely produce content and take outfit photos, which might be true for some (no disrespect if thats you), but thats just not the truth for me. 

From panel talks to meetings, here's an overview of my week as a self employed twentysomething.

Dress - IN THE STYLE | Roll Neck - NEW LOOK 

Boots - ASOS | Bag - F21 (alternative linked)

Emails Emails Emails - the absolute bane of my life lol. For professional purposes I have a multitude of mailboxes, from personal emails to blog enquiries. I find it easier to have everything separate so I can manage things in a way that suits me. Id like to say I can do my emails weekly but for me, its pretty much daily. Sometimes brand deals come in with a really short turnaround and I hate missing opportunities, so I check my mailbox frequently. Emails are a massive part of how I make my money!

Interviews/Phone Calls - I'm not sure if this goes with a lot of other bloggers, but most weeks I take press phone calls for magazines and online publications. Other times I'll chat to brands about upcoming work and collaborations I'm doing with them. 

Producing Multi Platform Content -

Blog: In terms of taking photos, I tend to bulk shoot my flatlays so I can do the writing part when I have the time, or when I get a spurt of inspo. I try to put as much effort into my content as possible, so quite often my posts take a pretty long while to complete. I'm talking 2-4 hours sometimes (it might be because I procrastinate though lol). The other part of my blog content is shooting with my photographer Jade. We usually shoot 5-6 outfits at a time, then I import all the photos (usually around 700) and then I edit them in Lightroom. In terms of editing, I make my photos brighter, cooler and crisper. Ive also recently downloaded some VSCO filters so I'm excited to play around with those.

Youtube: If I'm really really busy (which I have been lately), my Youtube schedule is the first to go. I weekly vlog and upload that content on Wednesdays, and I try to also make a main, more focused video on Sundays. Editing and filming can literally take an entire day lol, especially if I've filmed a fashion based video. Then I have to create a thumbnail, upload the video and then fill out the description box with all the necessary links and information.

Instagram: I most definitely have a theme *sort of* that I like to stick to. I opt for cool tone imagery, with a monochromatic focus, but with hints of colour. I love shots of food, selfies and outfits. I also like to inspire my followers with words too so I post a lot of quotes and beautiful writing. I use UNUM to plan my feed which I highly recommend if you struggle to stick to a planned grid. I try to post daily, but I don't force myself to post if I have nothing to share.

Dedicated Work Admin - This can be anything from updating my media kit, to changing my shopable widgets. From scheduling tweets to replying to comments. I actually find this part of my work fun.

Other Admin/Errands - things like going to the post office, opening blogger mail & trying to stay on top of my finance spreadsheets. Who knew doing all of this could be so time consuming? I also have to do the things I really really hate like cleaning, washing my clothes and tidying my office that appears to get messy every damn day lol. Don't forget therapy and food shopping too. 

Producing Sponsored Content - Sponsored content and commission are the highest earners for me. I actually make practically nothing from advertising. Sponsored content is just like my normal content but its just a bit (sometimes a lot) more long winded. Lots of different people have to sign off the content you've produced, so theres usually a fair amount of back and forth, before everything is confirmed and you guys see/read it. Campaigns can last from a week, right up to to 6 months so at times they will be a priority within my workload.

Brand Meetings - If I could give bloggers some advice, it would be to create relationships within this industry, outside of emails. Its professional, personable and also just really nice, to speak to people away from a computer screen. If you make the effort to meet brands/PRs it can actually benefit you in the long run, in terms of support on new ventures, aswell as getting opportunities and paid work. At the start of my freelance life many years ago, I was having 5 meetings per week! I wanted people to know who I was - I think it worked.

TV Meetings - These usually go into my diary super last minute but they take high importance. My goal is to make factual documentaries full time. Think Stacey Dooley & Louis Theroux rolled into one lol. Some days I'm at BBC3, other days I'm meeting production companies to share each others ideas.

Book Writing Sessions - So on top of everything else, I'm writing my book and it still doesn't feel real lol. My debut book NO FILTER, will be out in July, but if you'd like to pre-order it, you can by clicking here. Writing about my life is fun and weird and brilliant, but its also pretty draining. I usually take a few hours during an afternoon to plough through a chapter - my most recent one is all about sex haha. You're in for a right treat!

Personal Time & Social Events - Although I'm a workaholic, this year I made the conscious effort to take more time for me. Self care is a huge part of my life whether thats, lighting candles and eating a bar of galaxy chocolate, or spending the day at a spa with my favourite humans. I try and find the work/life balance as much as possible, so if I'm working a lot, best believe I'm playing (mostly sleeping) a lot too.

Photography by JKG | jkgphotography.co.uk

So thats it, my typical week as a self employed twentysomething.

Usually at this point, its Friday night and I've cocooned myself in my favourite fluffy blanket, on the sofa watching The Big Bang Theory. 

Obviously what I get up to differs from week to week. Some weeks I'll be on panels talking about Youtube & travelling up and down the country doing numerous different things. And other weeks I'll be sat on my ass eating cheese and crackers, whilst binge watching Criminal Minds. 

Thats what you call balance babes.

Shop My Look

Dress - IN THE STYLE | Roll Neck - NEW LOOK 

Boots - ASOS | Bag - F21 (alternative linked)