How to plan your content calendar
For this weeks A to z blog tools and resources installment I asked fellow bloggers what tools they used to plan their content calendars.
Plus I have two great freebies for you to download and use to help you keep a better track of all those ideas.
If you are a blogger, how many posts to do currently have in drafts? I have 159 and I am always adding to the list. I get bursts of ideas and have to jot them down before I forget them.
But how is it best to plan your content calendar?
Planners
Are you old school and like to have everything to hand with pen and paper. These bloggers would agree with you.
I have tried to many calendars & planners and none works for me. So for the blogger who doesn’t have time to waste I suggest to create a list of topic + post title. And then use an old school planner to write them down month by month. 35mminstyle.com
I have a page a day diary and I plan it all on there week by week www.anklebitersadventures.co.uk
I’m old school and have a page a day diary that I write sponsored work in. Then I have a brainstorming book for content ideas. Once I’ve planned where paid content has to fit, I slot everything else around it. I sometimes just sit down and write spontaneously too. I guess I’m not all that organised! Accidentalhipstermum.com
I use a good old fashioned paper diary. I plan in posts on a month to view layout and then have a summary page per month to track my goals. Then have a week to view which details my ever expanding to do list!! I find having it all written down and visually accessible really helps to keep me on plan. www.tippytupps.com
To make sure I get everything done on a day to day basis I use a planner that shows the whole week. I have to-do lists for each day but I only set myself realistic goals. I never try to do too much so I don’t feel too overwhelmed. mehimthedogandababy.com
I’m paper based too although with my contributors on the site I use an edit flow plugin. But for all my own planning it’s in a planner. I tried a Action Day Planner this year but it hasn’t worked so I’ve made my own and bound it for next year. Then I have notebooks where I write all of my ideas down and notes. rainydaymum.co.uk
Want to use your planner like a pro – here are some great ones to help you.
Plan My Blog Like A Pro Planner £4.99
Phones
We are never apart from our phones these days, so why not use them to better organise your blogging schedule.
It probably sounds so rudimental and silly but I use my notes on my phone. It’s an easy way to schedule, rearrange and brainstorm ideas all in one place. If I’m out and about, I don’t have to try and remember those fleeting but often great ideas that we all have. I can just take my phone out and add to it. Aside from that I have a wipe clean Year long calendar on my wall at home. It’s great for ensuring I’m meeting deadlines and have a visual aid for my content coming up! keirancrying.com/blog
I have notes on my phone for when I have new blog post inspiration to make sure that I always have new topics to write about when I have some spare time. I then tick them off when I get round to writing them! Beemoneysavvy.com
I get so many of my blog post ideas on the fly when out and about that I probably do most of my planning and brainstorming in Notes on my phone. Also screenshot things on my phone to refresh my memory if I’ve been inspired by something I’ve seen online, because sometimes you don’t have time to head to notes and type it out. Not as perhaps traditional organised/ technical/efficient but I think a lot of things depend on how your brain works and where and when you tend to get your ideas and inspiration. www.sophieeggleton.com
I use Notes which is on my IPhone.
Ideas for posts come to me quite naturally: I can find inspiration anywhere, so when I do, I just make a note of my ideas.
As for mapping out the posts, I just create a draft on WordPress and plan everything there. www.itskellesspace.com
I mainly plan it on my phone notes and calendar! I keep a list of all the blog titles of the content I want to write and then look through it each week to plan the content I am going to aim to write that week. Things might change though depending on how much brand work I get in a week, so it’s never definite and I can move things about. www.lyliarose.com
Plugins
The www.littlestuff.co.uk www.runjumpscrap.com and Www.themumdiaries.co.uk all swear by one plug in
I use a calendar plugin on wordpress. It helps me to visualise what I am working on and what I need to do next!’
This is also the one I use and it’s been a game changer for me planning the year ahead.
I have a master list in drafts with all my blog post ideas and potential keywords and I usually pick two or three a week from there to write. Update it a couple times a month with new ideas. I don’t tend to write much seasonal content other than at Christmas so it’s not something I typically factor in.
www.savvyinsomerset.com
Printables
I have a white board next to my computer with a weekly layout. I do Am & PM slots. Only problem is I’m a sucker for rubbing stuff out if I don’t finish them and adding them onto the following day! www.thefamilyticket.com
If you want to make your own free version of the white board. Grab my Free download weekly planner at the bottom of this post. Laminate it and use whiteboard pens to jot down your notes. At the end of the week, simply wipe clean and start again.
Other ideas
I used google sheets for everything blogging together. So I have a tab with a list of paid posts (dates/contacts/when I sent the invoice etc), a tab on items so I can track what I have coming etc and then a monthly calendar I create. Then I highlight in colours depending on if it’s written, scheduled with images or scheduled with images and social. I find this the easiest as I can access it anywhere
www.rhianwestbury.co.uk
Use a google doc and have lists for each category to ensure. I then have a colour coded system for when amber when in draft and green when published. When new ideas come to me I email myself and regularly update the document. All my blog posts are written on google docs and I tag them up as complete once done! littlemissfrugal.co.uk
I use google drive docs for absolutely everything. Never have to worry about losing them (if they were paper) or deleting them as they’re backed up. I have a doc for everything: blog post layouts, Where to share, blog ideas and then things like payments coming in and going out. dailydealsblog.co.uk
I use Trello for mine. Great for writing checklists and due dates and adding to calendar. Misspennymoney.com
Plan using the 12 week year then set my weekly tactics which will include blog posts dependent on what goals I am aiming to achieve in my ‘year’.
Then I note the tactics for each week including number of blog posts and which ones for which weeks. I have a running list in Google drive which I add to on the fly when I get ideas.
tuppennysfireplace.com
Swear by Google Drive as I can access it on my phone, iPad or laptop. I use Google Sheets to help plan content, as well as keeping a log of dates when I received PR products so I know what I need to work on. I like to plan a month in advance where possible, and use Google Docs to draft up blog posts and ideas on the go. www.gemmaetc.com
Freebies!
Know how to organise your content but still stuck for ideas?
Liked my How to plan your content calendar?
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i use a diary to keep myself organised and already have next years ready!
I write myself notes and lists. Thanks for the chance to win.
I keep a diary of events and make lists of key dates
I don’t really but I do have a filofax
This site is great
I make a to-do list for the day, keep my planner up-to-date and keep a notepad handy.
A hardback diary which I write everything in.
We have a family week to view planner to keep all 6 of us oranised
I put everything in google calendar so I don’t miss anything
I have a post it note app on my phone with various different lists to keep me organised
I have lists, I write everything down.
I use a lot of large envelopes. Each one has all the info I need for whatever project I’m doing, or whatever. That way all three necessary information is one place. Once it’s been completed everything returns to its primary spot in the filing cabinet
I use a paper diary. I’ve tried going paperless but it was no good!
writing to do lists and writing everything down x
My Outlook calendar at work & fluorescent stickies at home!
I use multiple planners and notebooks. I use separate planners and notebooks for various categories of projects (DIY, gardening, sewing, and health & fitness), as well as a daily planner for anything that doesn’t fit into one of the separate notebooks.
Every night before bed I write a to do list for the next day xx
I keep organised by making sure all important appts are on the notepad on the fridge, all documents are in the special document box and papers are kept in same place before they’re binned after the jobs done xx
I am not a particularly organised person, although I do try. I write down what needs to be done but don’t always achieve it. This notebook would help me improve!
I’m not very organized, i have sticky pads on the fridge and a calendar i write everything down on
I’m not the most organised I just try to remember everything
I keep a diary. Each family member has their own column. I also write lists and plan ahead.
I keep organised with to do lists, shopping lists and my monthly calendar.
I keep organised by making lists, it is nice to tick things off
Lists, lists and more lists, plus sometimes I put something on a list and then cross it off just to make myself feel better, particularly on a day when I don’t feel that I’m being productive.
I *try* to keep organised with a pocket diary… But I’m still working on it!
I don’t, I’m a scatter brain
I’m not even though I try really hard
I have so many good intentions to be organised but I always let myself down! I do try to keep a to do list and write things down but I think I need to make more efforts
I make lists
I’m a paper diary kind of girl. I like to keep my life organised in there but I also have a notebook for to do lists and we even have a family meeting once a week so everyone knows what’s coming up, what they need to do for the week etc and use it to set weekly/monthly goals.
Love putting pen to paper
I like to make lists at home, and at work I create tasks in my Outlook and check them of as I complete them.
I love this! At my age I have to write everything down so this would come in super handy x
I make a to do list so that I can keep track of everything in order by doing from Monday to Sunday.
I keep me and mine organised with copious lists and calendars/diaries. I love modern tech but for anything to stick in my brain I need to physically write it down. The older I get the more I need to write!
I’m forever writing lists to help keep me on track with everything x
Although I keep my diary, shopping list etc and notes in my phone, I still like a good old-fashioned notebook for work.
I’m obsessed with lists! I’m a huge fan of Trello – it’s also good for shared boards for specific projects with other people.
Notebooks are my favourite stationery item, love to start a new one!
I tend to put things in boxes and label it. Keeps messy things hidden but also within easy reach
Notebooks, lists, calendars and sticky notes!
I write in my small diary and lots of post it reminders
I keep organised by making lists!
I have a large noticeboard and make my own calendar each year so that I can keep track of work shifts etc.
Sometimes very organized, other times I am in a right muddle
I write everything down x
Excellent prize this book looks fabulous thank you
Have a book of lists and go through it every night adding and crossing out things I’ve done x
I don’t really get organised I jump from chaos to chaos
I wish I could say I was organised but sadly I’m not. I spend way too much time searching for things I’ve put somewhere safe.
My fiancé puts appointments onto yearly (one page per month) calander. He is better at putting his commitments on. Though I do ask him to put all reminders :- Appointments, Events, etc for both of us onto calander. Wonder if a poster type calander for full year would be better. As we are Carers.
Diary I have found useful.
Fiancé likes lists. So shopping lists are beneficial. Notebooks can be so helpful.
Currently….(and don’t laugh) lots of postit-notes attached to almost everything i own!!!
post its, notebooks and wall planner. Always pen and paper
Lists and lots of them
I love to write lists to keep organized
I keep organised by having a todo list. It’s really motivating and keep me on track
I use my a phone calendar for my family, Outlook one for work and a written diary for budgets and to-do lists.
With the help of my wife
I don’t! But that’s why I could do with tools like this to help me.