I’ve talked before about how awesome CoSchedule is and how I highly recommend it for bloggers but I wanted to lay out a few ways that CoSchedule has been a game changer for my blogging. First, let’s back up – you can click on this post for some info about CoSchedule but in case you just want the quick and dirty, let me tell you about CoSchedule. CoSchedule is a content and social media management platform. What that means is that it’s a WordPress plugin (and yes you need to be self hosted to utilize plugins!) that you can use for all your blogging and social media marketing. It.is.awesome. It is by FAR the plugin that I use the most (aside from my spam filter – that thing works hard) and I honestly can’t imagine blogging without it.
note: this post contains affiliate links for CoSchedule – I HIGHLY recommend it if you haven’t tried it yet!
[Tweet “how @coschedule was a game changer for my blogging – and can do the same for you!”]
So what happens after you download the plugin and are in your wordpress account? The first thing I did was go into settings and get all my social media accounts linked. Doing this allows me to take advantage of the functionality of CoSchedule. Below you will see the calendar interface of CoSchedule. The cool thing is that this is all right inside of WordPress. I just click on that highlighted (in blue) “Calendar” tab and then get busy!
What I love is that by looking at the calendar I can see not just what posts I’ve published over a period of time (my standard view shows me five weeks, which is perfect) but I can also see how those posts are performing on social media. In the above picture, look at December 15 – see that little blue box that says 251? That indicates the number of social media shares that particular post has gotten since going live. It’s an easy way to see what posts are catching on and helps me to decide which posts to pump (either because they are getting a ton of love and I want to continue the momentum or because they aren’t doing well and I think they should get more exposure). You can also drill down on the social media shares by clicking on a post. When you do so, you’ll see the screen below. You can see just how many shares you’ve had via each various platform you’ve connected.
So, how do I use CoSchedule? Anytime I have an idea (or even an inkling of an idea) for a blog post, I’ll go ahead and draft a title for that post (which is often something like “why running is awesome” or something else that definitely won’t be the final title) and stick the post on a date on the CoSchedule calendar. It doesn’t really matter what date in the future I choose because the post is a draft and I can just drag and drop posts on the CoSchedule calendar super easily. I find this really helpful in my blog post drafting process because I can see right there in front of me if my last five posts have all been about running or food or my love of bacon and my dog or whatever the case may be. It’s also nice because it helps me schedule out into the future. For example, right after I finish this post, I’m going to go to my calendar and drop my July blog stats and income post on my calendar so I’ll go to go ahead and start getting that post ready.
I also take full advantage of scheduling my social media posts. It’s easy to do right in the same WordPress interface that I draft posts. Typically, when I’m scheduling a post to go live, I’ll also schedule out a few days of social media pumps. This saves me time from having to come back later and do it. Occasionally, I’m too lazy to do it right away, but usually, I’ll get a post scheduled for the next few days right away. I really love this feature!
Finally, I really appreciate that I can get a quick check in with how my posts are doing on social media without having to leave my blog. It saves me time and I’m all about that. Blogging is not my full time job (although it can sometimes feel like that) and so any tool that helps me stay organized (by being able to quickly scan and see what posts are ready to go, which posts are still in draft form and where I need to start from scratch with posts) and save time (by having the ability to see how posts on doing on social media with one quick glance) is something I’m going to wholeheartedly endorse. I honestly can not imagine blogging without CoSchedule.
Have you tried CoSchedule? If not, what do you use to manage your blog / social media for your blog?
That is interesting about coschedule and thank you for sharing! I never knew something like that existed for blogging but it definitely sounds like something to try out!
Hollie recently posted…Belmar Chase 5k (19:34)
It is seriously the best!
I have not tried CoSchedule before but I plan to after reading this post!! Thanks so much for the great information. Anything that helps blogging be more efficient is a win in my book. Also, what spam filter do you use? I am REALLY needing to install one after getting hit pretty hard the last couple weeks!
Angie @ Pace with Grace Blog recently posted…Weekend Recap ~ Wedding Fun
I have not tried CoSchedule before but I plan to after reading this post!! Thanks so much for the great information. Anything that helps blogging be more efficient is a win in my book. Also, what spam filter do you use? I am REALLY needing to install one after getting hit pretty hard the last couple weeks!
Angie @ Pace with Grace Blog recently posted…Weekend Recap ~ Wedding Fun
I use akismet (a plugin) for spam and I’ve been very very happy with it!!
I may have to try this. I wonder how it works with Blogger? Right now, I use iCal to schedule my posts. CoSchedule sounds more efficient.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Ambitious
Honestly, I don’t think CoSchedule works with blogger 🙁 Another reason to maybe switch to WordPress? 🙂
I loved CoSchedule when it was cheaper, Courtney – ha! I can rationalize $10/month, but not $39; I don’t earn money from my blog, so this is quite an expense for something I can do on my own. I’ve gone back to using the WordPress Editorial Calendar and taking a couple of minutes each morning to schedule posts in Buffer, since it’s free. I wish I could use it again, though!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…The Guilty One by Sophie Littlefield
interesting – i see that it’s 15/month for the most basic plan. i also thought they grandfathered folks in to their current plan?
I am using it as well but I do not take advantage of all of the features that I should be.Thanks for the reminder. I do enjoy your blogging tips posts!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…My First Client!~ The Husband Project
I’m so hooked on CoSchedule! I use it every day!
I have never tried Co scheduling. Will have to look into it. Thanks for the tips.
i LOVE it!
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for posting this! I’m a brand new blogger (long time blog reader) and I find it SO HELPFUL when other blogger’s share their insider info. I’ve really enjoyed reading your other blogging-related posts (well, all your posts!) too. I’m learning so much! Thanks again!
Emily recently posted…My Relationship with Running
Thanks for your comment – it’s always good to know what’s helpful to readers 🙂
I LOVE Coschedule! I agree with some of the other commenters that I need to better take advantage of all the features. But the fact that you can schedule all the social media posts along with the blog posts – and drag and drop them if you change days – makes it amazing.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers recently posted…Fitness Deal Alert: Yerdle (+ free $35 yerdle dollars)!
Yes!!! It saves me soooo much time!
I am a big fan of CoSchedule too! I am doing more of my post scheduling on a paper calendar, but I do love the ease of the CoSchedule calendar. And the social media scheduling is my fav! It’s so great to have all those shares ready to go out!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Outside the Frame: On Being Real on the Internet
the social media shares just can not be beat!!!
One of my goals for 2016, after I get the blog revamp and coach stuff all set up, is to get a paid social media thing so I can schedule out tons of stuff like this.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weekly Content Calendar
I LOVE CoSchedule. I love seeing everything laid out in a calendar so I can see what days need posts and what might need to be moved around, it’s awesome.
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Thinking Out Loud
I’ve heard so many things about CoSchedule and they are all great things! I just might be giving it a try soon. Thanks again for the blogging tips!
Michelle recently posted…Bulu Box Review + Discount Code!
I love co-schedule too! I do hope I’m grandfathered in with the $10 a month. That is reasonable for someone who doesn’t make money on their blog either. I repost older posts on Twitter all the time and I wish there was an easier way to select several dates to post all at one time instead of this day or that day and so forth. But co-schedule said they are working on that so crossing my fingers. 🙂
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…5 Things I did this Summer
oh yeah, that’s the other thing i love – they are so responsive to feedback!!!
Seriously, I couldn’t blog without Coschedule, it is seriously a life saver. My only complaint is that it doesn’t allow you to schedule Instragram posts!
I’d be happier with the ability to pin automatically. But yes, I couldn’t’ blog without CoSchedule either 🙂
Interesting. I’m actually thinking of dropping CoSchedule in favor of Buffer since CoSchedule lost the ability to post to Pinterest and Facebook groups since I first signed up.
Coco recently posted…Five Things I Did This Summer
I have a buffer account but actually don’t really use it. I use tailwind for Pinterest and don’t post automatically to any groups.
Awesome post, and very timely in my blogging for my business!
I’m just getting organized and writing more, and this will help me keep on track.
It’s kind of rewarding to see all those posts laid out so pretty isn’t it?
Jill Lampi recently posted…How to STAND OUT In Google Search Results – Jill Lampi Digital Marketing
It really is great to be able to look at a calendar showing me what is coming and what I’ve posted!
I gave Coschedule a try once and I loved it. I’ve been debating whether or not to purchase the full versos or not but you may have convinced me!
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