Normally, the main subjects of my posts are the recipes.
I’m actually somewhat shy and don’t like a lot of attention on myself.
But many people have asked what I do as a full-time blogger.
I do not just sit around and eat cookies all day. (Too bad, ‘cause that would be fun.) I work really hard! So today’s post is going to be a little different from the normal recipe posts.
A Day in the Life:
I wake up naturally around 5am, amble downstairs, and start replying to a massive amount of emails, comments, facebook messages, and tweets. If it’s a running day, I’ll eat pre-run snack, then and answer more questions while waiting for the food to digest. [Insert run here: a little over an hour]
Upon returning, I quickly check the computer again, then eat a real breakfast.
Yesterday’s breakfast was this: 5-Minute Chocolate Oatmeal.
With breakfast done, I go back over to the computer, this time to ensure the day’s post published as scheduled. I work on writing new posts for about an hour and a half, taking mini breaks to measure dry ingredients, get one or two things started on the stove or oven, and cook something else in the microwave. (I’ve become a master at multitasking.) Then I run upstairs for a quick shower, after which I do maybe 20-30 more minutes of blogwork (writing posts, editing photos, answering questions) whilst also making lunch.
After lunch, I take Henry and Batman for a walk (unless they’re at my parents’ house, in which case I go by myself). I come back and do a photoshoot or two, since it’ll usually be nice and light out by this time. I also do some taste-testing of whatever recipe experiments were cooked that morning. Yesterday, I tested chocolate peanut butter pie and peach cinnamon coffee cake.
About two hours after lunch I’m usually hungry again, so I’ll have a snack. Sometimes the day’s experiments have turned out so well that I’ll just eat them for snack.
Yesterday’s snack was one of my favorites: Fudge Brownie Energy Bars.
Yes, more chocolate.
Then it’s back to the kitchen for more recipe experiments (and washing dishes!). I also continue to check the computer intermittently, answering questions and emails. Y’all ask a lot of questions, which I love because it means people are reading and making the recipes. I do try to answer as many as I possibly can!
Some days I run errands, often with a friend (or my roommate, if she’s off from work) to keep me company. And then it’s dinnertime, which is often followed by hanging out with whatever friends (if any) have found their way over. Our house is quickly becoming the “hang out after work” place, and I take advantage of this by giving out samples of the day’s experiments, asking for honest opinions.
Not all my experiments turn out; it sometimes takes two or three trials before I arrive at a recipe worthy of publishing… or ten in the case of my Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies!
Sometimes we’ll watch tv (Gossip Girl, Friends, whatever sports are on), but I always have a notebook in hand to multitask—brainstorming recipe combinations, writing out new posts, making a to-do list, etc. After people leave (or even sometimes when they’re still over), I’ll schedule the next day’s post, continue to tackle the never-ending inbox, eat a nighttime snack—usually more chocolate!—and finally turn off the computer. I don’t take days off, and even if there’s no post for the day I’m still working on all the other components of the site. When it’s time for bed, I rarely have a problem falling asleep.
I know some people (a lot of people?) think blogging isn’t a “real” job, but truthfully it’s no different from saying my job is: photographer, photo-editor, recipe developer, writer, and often–too often!–web technician. It’s definitely never boring!
What do you do as your job?
Do you enjoy what you do? I love almost every minute of this (except when the site crashes or an experiment fails… those times are no fun), and I really hope to continue running this website for as long as people continue to read.
EDIT: By popular demand:
Part Two: Questions and Answers
Sounds like a tough job!
Great post Katie, I know how much work it is and I am so glad you showcased it too. You just have to have the passion to be a blogger!
Have a great day!
Katie, your blog is my absolute favorite. The recipes are wonderful of course, but what makes your blog stand out is the fact that you actually take time to answer your readers’ questions and emails. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve poured my heart and soul into a blog comment on a big blogger’s blog and received NO answer :(. Thank you thank you for caring about us little bloggers too!
Hi CCK!
I have been reading your blog for a few months now, and I love it! I have two questions.
One, are we going to see a CCK cookbook anytime soon? Please say yes!
Also, I don’t have a blog yet, but I’d love to start one. Any tips on how to become a full time blogger?
What an insightful post! It’s too bad that full-time bloggers have to “justify” themselves so often. It takes so much effort, and thank you for your dedication! I really enjoy reading your posts. And look how many comments this one got you!
That sounds really hectic, but fun! I’m an artist and a blogger. My days are similar, but insert recipe making with countless hours drawing and painting.
I do take the time to cook good meals during my break though.
Just wondering, how does a person know when her blog is popular enough to take it full time? I’d love to blog full time, but I don’t know if I have enough readers to support it. How can you tell?
Love your blog, btw!
Wow I never imagined blogging to require so much work 0.0 Remember to take breaks 😛
is this a joke? this is your idea of a hard day of work? I hope for your sake that you never have to get a real job, because there is no way on Earth you could ever handle it.
Uh oh, looks like someone’s jealous ;).
And I bet YOU couldn’t handle a day doing what Katie does!
Because if you could, you’d do it! I sure would. Katie, you’re awesome for figuring out what you’re passionate about and then making your dreams come true. Kudos to you. Not many people are able to make that happen (as evidence by all the naysayers who wish they could figure out a way to blog for a living. If it was so easy, everyone would do it!)
I work as an accountant because I found my passion for food as I was almost done with a finance degree. Now, I wish I had know earlier. I’ve been working hard trying to manage the blog and long hours at work with hopes to increase traffic and maybe one day be able to focus all on food and blogging.
Reading your posts have been a huge inspiration, so I thank you for your great work. I agree that it’s easily a full time job trying to create quality posts; and I have just the weekend to really work at it!
My wife and I plan on have a kid in the near future, and I’d love to be able to have home-based job where I can watch our kid (no daycare!) and focus on food blogging!
Keep up the great work, can’t wait to see your follow-up post on the income part!