I’m a Better Writer Because I Have 6 Blogs & 2 Youtube Channels
Sometimes more is better
I’ve been freelancing since 2014, and eight years later, I continue to pick up content writing gigs.
But, I’m also a blogger, course creator, and Youtuber. I purposefully added more to my “plate” as the years went by, and while you may think that’s a lot, I found having more to do or more to think about has helped me be a better writer.
Oh, and I’m also a mom to twins, who are nine by the way.
Before I mention how having more makes me a better writer, here is what I juggle with weekly:
- Elna Cain and Twins Mommy — my main sites that have have helped me be a six figure blogger.
These two sites are the only ones with email lists and Youtube channels (Elna Blogs and Elna Writes).
2. Freelancer FAQs and Imperfectly Perfect Mama — my two contributor sites. I opened up these two sites for guest contributors simply because I don’t have the time to manage these sites.
If you enjoy freelance/business topics, come write for FreelancerFAQs!
3. Smart Mom Ideas — my passion project and case study. I hire ghostwriters to mostly write for this site.
4. My niche site — my case study. I mostly write on this site and use Jasper to help me lengthen my content.
5. Two Facebook groups and 2 email lists — I have a paid course Facebook group of over 3,000 students and I have a mom blog Facebook group of around 15,000 mompreneurs. I try to write weekly emails for my two email lists and I have a VA to monitor my Facebook group (non promotional).
6. Medium — I’ve had my Medium account since 2014 or 2015, but just this past year I’ve been using this platform more!
And, of course, I have multiple social media profiles, including Instagram!
So, why did I go from having one blog to having six, multiple email lists, multiple Facebook groups and a couple of Youtube channels in a span of 8 years?
Upon reflecting on it, I needed to have all of this on my plate. I’m not a Type A personality and I don’t have ADHD.
I’m perfectly happy to lounge on my comfy chair reading a book and sipping on a coffee (not a tea fan here!).
But, when it comes to having a business and the POTENTIAL I in creating a sustainable business, I get this fire and passion in me that wants to do more.
And, inadvertently, all of these projects have helped me be a better writer.
4 Ways I’m a Better Writer
1. While I have a shorter attention span, my focus has grown
The attention span of people on social has dwindled to a mere 2 seconds!
And, what about blog reading? Well, that jumps to 37 seconds!
Yes, Tiktok videos, IG Reels and Youtube Shorts are forcing people to attend to stimuli for shorter and shorter periods of time.
And I’m no different. My attention span has definitely shortened and I think that’s one reason why I start new projects.
But, fortunately, with these new projects I focus and I focus hard. I don’t give up, and I don’t overwhelm myself in using all my time when I start a new project. I can pace myself and focus when I need to.
Take my niche site, for example. It’s not yet 30 days old and I have 9 blog posts and most are over 2,000 words. You might think that’s a lot, and I must have spent most of my time with this niche site. But within these few weeks I’ve also produced 15 Youtube videos, 10 or so blog posts, six or more Medium posts, and three client pieces.
How did I do this? By pacing myself, batching my tasks and FOCUSSING on my task at hand. I block out time to only work on a blog post for Elna Cain or only work on creating Pin graphics for my niche site or outline three blog posts for Twins Mommy.
I effectively get around five-six hours a day M-F to work on my business and that’s enough time to “juggle” my projects and client work.
So, a typical week might look like: On Monday, I write my blog outlines for client work and do keyword research for my blog content. On Tuesday, or Wednesday I devote to creating Youtube videos and editing them. Thursday, I write my emails, finish client work, and my blog posts. On Friday, I may work on my niche site or my contributor sites. And on Friday night and Saturday night I write Medium blog posts.
2. I’ve developed a highly detailed blog outline
Look —
I need to get my stuff in order if I want to work ON my business (and not work IN my business.
And having a detailed blog outline is what helps me do this.
This cuts the blog writing process in half or more. I have also created more optimized systems for blog writing that I share with my freelance writing students.
Having these systems in place have helped me be a better writer because I’m writing faster, exploring new methods and WANTING to continue to refine my blog writing process.
3. Video content is fueling my creative writing
I didn’t expect this one!
For the longest time, I created my Youtube videos the same way I created SEO content on my blog.
What I mean is, I find a keyword and create an educational Youtube video around that topic, like this one:
Don’t get me wrong — this is an excellent strategy to get views and grow your Youtube channel.
But those videos didn’t excite me. I was just creating videos around what I knew as a freelance writer and what I have written before.
It wasn’t until I explored other types of Youtube videos that I suddenly got a burst of creativity. I started adding personal videos like hypothetical ideas or mistakes I’ve had.
While these types of videos don’t receive the greatest views, they do give me the greatest pleasure and they fill my creative cup.
I’m able to enjoy writing because I enjoy creating ANY form of content.
Medium has now become a way to fill my creative cup because I’m writing thought leadership content and guess what? I love it!
4. I’m a kid at a candy store
After eight years of writing online content, I’m more excited than ever before. It’s like I’m a kid at a candy store.
Writing online has opened me up to new possibilities. I started using Jasper, and while I’m not gung-ho over it, I’m totally open to a new world of AI writing assistant tools.
I recently leleved up my video production quality. I have a new mic and new camera (no more webcam!).
I’m also trying out new things and turning them into case studies. My most recent one is trying a new content agency!
Every day I wake up with a smile on my face and Monday is my favorite day of the week!
But, Elna, Where is the Time? How do You Do This?
I must admit —
I’m horrible with time management.
It’s because I become hyper focussed and three hours can go by. I have to learn to manage my time better and set timers. If I don’t, I’ll “forget” to eat lunch, or “forget” to start supper.
It’s always a work in progress for me, and I think for all entrepreneurs this is a legit concern. Fortunately, I have a family and every day I think about WHY I do what I do.
I don’t do THIS to stay up in my office all day and all night and work like a madwoman. I’m also not doing this to make millions of dollars (although I’m almost at that point now) and buy extravagant cars and a mansion.
We live in a two story house that has a basement that likes to flood. I have twins who go to school and how I’m here to participate in field trips and do play dates.
That is why I do what I do. To have the freedom and flexibility in my day and truly enjoying my business is just icing on the cake.
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