Blogging is such a fun hobby, but for me, it’s just a hobby. I also have a job (you know, that actually pays the bills), a family, friends, and a really busy life. Oh and I like to run and go to Pure Barre…a LOT. So it takes a lot of balancing for me to not drive myself crazy. I thought I’d share how I stay organized as a blogger.
- Use some sort of editorial calendar. This is my number one tip. Looking at a chunk of time and seeing what you’ve blogged about, what you are thinking about blogging about and when you are thinking about blogging about various ideas helps so much in the quest to stay organized. You can use a regular paper calendar, an online calendar (like a Google calendar) or (my favorite) something like CoSchedule (affiliate link). What I love about CoSchedule is not only can I plan my blog posts, I can also plan and schedule my social media posts. I find this SO helpful (although, when I first tried CoSchedule you could schedule to Pinterest and that was amazing. Unfortunately, that can’t be done anymore, but it still is a HUGE timesaver).
- Get a system. I’ve started dedicating time each weekend to catching up on blog posts and committed to drafting at least the first couple of posts for the week. It makes it SO much less stressful for me when I’m not writing blog posts the night before they go live. Sometimes you just can’t avoid it, but if you can dedicate an hour or two to just drafting posts, it makes everything so much smoother.
- Consider doing some type of series. Thanks to my Friday Five linkup that I co-host with two other DC area bloggers, I know that every Friday (really Thursday night because our linkup goes live at 10pm Thursday), I’ll have a themed post. This takes off some of the pressure and makes it easier for me to plan the rest of my week. I also do a blog stats and income post each month and so that is another thing that I can automatically schedule because I already know (roughly) what I’ll be writing. Think about something you might be able to make into a series and then go ahead and schedule those posts.
- Write down everything! Even though I use an editorial calendar, I sometimes find myself out and about and with an idea for the blog. I’ll make a note and then email it to myself. When I’m back to my computer, I’ll start drafting a post (even if I just have a title). Then I’ll save that draft on a particular date on my CoSchedule calendar. I may end up changing the date or even the title, but I find it SO much easier to get started when I already have an inkling of an idea.
What are your tips on how you stay organized as a blogger? Do you use CoSchedule? [Tweet “a few tips on how to stay organized as a blogger – share your tips too!”]
Thanks to you I am using Coschedule and it has been a lifesaver!!!
Right?! I love it so!
I’ve never even heard if Coschedule till now, but I will definitely check it out. I’m a new blogger, about 4 months, so thanks for the tips! Do you have recommendations on reaching larger audiences?
I would focus on quality content and building up your blog before worrying about numbers! Welcome to blogging 🙂
Good tips. I know I don’t take advantage of all of the things I can do with co schedule. I could be better with that. Currently only using it for twitter. The link ups are amazing but I didn’t realize how much time it would take to go back to all the blogs that link up!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…A Day In The Life #FitBlogger #Mom #MRTT
Yes. It normally takes me into the week to finish.
What exactly is Co-Scheduler and how is it used?
I am thankful to the bloggers ( like you) that host link ups throughout the week. It makes it easier for us to come up with topics.
CoSchedule is an editorial calendar. I’ve written about it before – it is great!!
I take a similar approach. Cutting my posting schedule to 3 days/week (usually, this week is an exception) helped too.
Coco recently posted…Why I Want An Apple Watch
Planning is everything!!
Perfect! Now that I am on WP… so many more goodies to play with!
Jennifer recently posted…2015 Across the Bay 10K Registration Code
i know, right??? it’s SO fun!!
Wow. Thanks Courtney for this post. I tend to be a very unorganized person by nature, something I am not pleased with, and this really helped as I am trying to fit blogging as a fun hobby into my lifestyle. I love to write, but it get’s stressful when I have all these ideas in my head, and I can’t decide what to write on and when to write it. Thank you. I’m going to try Coschedule.
Emily recently posted…Silent Saturday and Sunday
Oh I hope you like it! I sometimes have to force myself to be organized but I’m always glad I did!
organization is so key with blogging. I’ve learned you can eat up a lot of time if you’re not organized. Having a calendar is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…5 Things to STOP saying to Dietitians
amen to that! time is so easy to waste – planning is key!
Awesome tips! I keep a physical calendar to write in because I remember things better if I write them down. I also try to stick to a type of schedule, recipes Monday, workouts wednesday, fit & fashionable link up on friday – having some set themes helps so much!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…How To Do The Perfect Push-Up
set themes can be a lifesaver!!
I never heard of coschedule. I guess I need to do some research!
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Review: The Tria Hair Removal System @TriaBeauty
yes, it’s a great way to manage your blog!
Great tips here! Pinning
Ivanna recently posted…St. Patty’s Day Green Beer, I mean “Juice” Recipe
thanks ivanna!
Great tips! You’ve inspired me. I need to check out Coschedule!
Marcia recently posted…Stuff I Didn’t Know About Riding a Bike
you will love it! i’m obsessed with it!
I NEED to get something like this in place!! I actually just this week was late on a social promotion because I read it and it just literally slipped my mind. I was soo stressed/upset/embarrassed because that is not like me. I wear a lot of hats too so keeping track of a growing blog can get overwhelming. I’m definitely going to check out coschedule. Do you see a dip in interactions when posting to FB? Does FB penalize you for using it like it does some other autoschedulers?
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Creating Positive Chain Reactions and Weight Watchers Week 6
well fb is constantly changing. what i do is usually go back and edit the posts on facebook and that helps. i also send older posts to facebook only and craft fb specific messages. the best interaction w/fb in my experience is posts w/out links but i don’t notice a huge difference w/coschedule.
Thanks Courtney! I’m going to do the trial and see how I like it!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…5 Baby Items I Still Love for my Toddler
OMG Courtney I’m just researching content calendars today, I had started my own spreadsheet but I am at a loss as to what to put on it! Going to look into this. I also want to thank you for the link ups and information like this it really does help out us newbies!
Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin recently posted…Making a Difference in Running Linkup 3.18.15
coschedule is great – i really recommend it! makes my blogging life so much easier!
Using a calendar to help me stay organized has been one of the main keys to being able to stay on top of my blogging. I love using my Google Calendar because its so easy to move ideas around from day to day.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…When Blogging Friends are Also Real Life Friends
calendars are the best 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE co-schedule! I use a paper calendar printout from outlook to plan out posts and post draft deadlines as some of the brands I work with want to see drafts before due dates etc. Co-schedule helps me to hit all the required social shares for the sponsored posts. Like you I also have a weekly series/link up on my blog – that REALLY helps as it only leaves me with 2 more posts to write every week. Great tips!
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader recently posted…5 Reasons to Try a Menstural Cup + a SckoonCup Review
this looks great. I was just about to put some things down in a spreadsheet to get better organized…because I’m a mess! I really need to bring some organization to my blog. Thanks for sharing…I just signed up for my 15 day trial.
Safari recently posted…Race Recap – NYC Half Marathon
I’m not organized at all lol I actually write my posts the morning of, and sometimes I’m brainstorming on my drive to work about what I’m going to write about. I used to keep a running topic list in my notebook but have gotten so busy lately I haven’t been brainstorming as much. I need to get back into it!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…The Plight Of The Honey Bee + Nektar Honey Crystals Review
These are great tips! I’ve been meaning to try coschedule, but for now, I’m an old fashioned pen and paper calendar girl!
RFC recently posted…All American Marathon – Review & Race Recap
I write stuff down sometimes as well! 🙂
Great tips! I have a calendar plugin that I forget to look at. Twice in the last couple of weeks I’ve had something go live that I didn’t intend to, but forgot to check my calendar to see that its posting date was coming up so soon. Oops!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Good Things That Are Happening This Week
OK, this is motivating. I have no lack of knowledge on this issue but I have SERIOUS motivation issues! In the limited time I have to work on the blog, I always want to GET TO THE WRITING and not spend any time on admin tasks but I know that’s truly the key to growing it to where I dream of it being. Appreciate the kick in the blogging booty;).
Jen@jenlefforge.com recently posted…My Most Real Race – My First Half Marathon
That kick was for me as much as it was for you, lady! It’s a lot of work to grow a blog!