Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Blog Organization

Blogging is simply a hobby for me, something that I like to do and provides a way for me to connect with other creative people.  Even still I want to produce good blog content that inspires others and contributes to the blog community.  I have no idea where blogging will take me in the future,  but either way I realize that every good blogger must be organized. 
Enter the blog notebook, most of you seasoned bloggers probably already have one and if not I’m sure you have a system in place to keep your blog running smoothly.  I purchased this binder over a month ago  from Target, initially to use for a home management binder but that hasn’t happened yet.

005
I decided to keep things simple and use just a few categories.
006
  • Calendar
  • Ideas
  • Brainstorming
  • Inspiration
  • To Do
One thing that I have realized since blogging is that scheduling post ahead of time reduces the stress of sitting down each day to come up with something to write.  Not only is this method inefficient, it also (for me) produced blog content that was mediocre and definitely not my best.  When I look back over my post that had the most comments or views, they were the ones that I spent more time on because they were planned ahead of time.  I found this really great monthly blog calendar from Blogging BookShelf that is perfect for me.
Not only does this calendar have space for you to schedule your post, it also includes a space for weekly and monthly goals.  Look closely and you will see my goal for June is to reach 100 or more followers.  If you aren’t already following me, I would love for you to help me reach this goal.  There is also a place on the calendar for you to write notes or ideas.
007
Coming up with ideas for my blog and be a challenge sometimes, especially when I haven’t  completed a craft or home project.  I don’t know about you but sometimes I will get an Ah-ha moment and have an idea for a great post and then forget what my thought was.  Does this happen to you, too?  Hopefully this list section will help solve this problem, write it down and you wont forget.
Recently I finished the 31 days to a better blog challenge and one of my favorite pieces of advice was to use a “mind map" to flush out ideas.  Basically the idea is to take one of your old post (it could also be a new idea) and brainstorm ways to expand on the idea, kinda like this one for my recent curb appeal post.
010
The final category in my blog binder is dedicated to things I need “to do”.  Because my blog features my own home projects, a lot of my to do’s are projects I need to finish in order to blog about it.
One way that I hope to reach my goal of 100 followers this month is to utilize linky parties efficiently.  In the past I have linked to a party one week and forgot about it the next week.  Hopefully this wont happen with this blog link list I created in excel.
blog list
I have all the linky  parties categorized by the day of the week that the party happens.  So that I make sure not to link the same project more than once at a party I type the title of the post in the appropriate date column.  I decided not to include a paper copy of this in my binder because using an electronic copy allows me to simply click on the hyperlink to go directly to the party instead of typing the address in the web browser.  As linky parties are cancelled or I find new ones they can easily be added to the spreadsheet. 
If you have any questions about any part of my blog organization I’d love to answer them for you.

Linnking Up at these great parties!  Bee Sure to stop by and see all the creativeness out there!








 

 
 














24 comments:

  1. I definitely need to get organized with my blog. I have just been shooting from the hip! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent post! I have an inspiration notebook that I use to organize and collect post ideas as they hit me. I've been doing it a little while, and it definitely helps. I like the mind map a lot ... my recent posts around my side table are a little like that. I realized I had several DIY projects in one, and that made for a couple of nice, tied together posts. Good luck with your goal :D I'm following you now!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are great ideas! :) How is your shaklee?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am new to blogging and had no idea how to get organized. This is a great tool. Also thanks for mentioning the 31 day to a better blog...I look forward to doing that. Is there a specific website that you use? One came up on google,there appears to be one for free and another that you have to pay for, suggestions? Thanks again for this great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this post. I just started my blog a few weeks ago and am trying to focus on being organized from the start! Your excel link party idea is awesome bc it is so hard to keep them all straight! Thanks for dropping by my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the comment on my blog. I signed up for the free email version of the 31 day challenge. I had only a few moments to check out the site you linked with the challenge. Yes, I think that's what I'm going to do. This is perfect timing since I'm a teacher and school is out after tomorrow. Summer school and my 2 courses will still leave me time to work on building my blog. I've had a little time to check out your blog also...I am really enjoying it. Thanks again for your help.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great ideas! I would love for you to link up today to "It's a Party"!
    www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post. thanks for linking this up to our Wicked Awesome Wed party. I have a 3 ring binder with blog notes and to dos as well; it's helped immensely!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a great idea....I just usually "wing it" with my blog posts. Whatever I get done gets posted. I'm going to have to copy this. Thanks so much!
    Marianne :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is really awesome! I have no system whatsoever, but I'm sure I should. =)

    I do try to schedule most posts for the week on the Sunday before. It doesn't always happen (and never does for the renovation progress report), but it helps with planning.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fabulous post! Like many of the other commenters, I am a random kind-of gal, also. This is great information! Thanks so much for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hmmm...I’m not sure if I’m this organized. I tend to just have a couple of Google docs (so I can access them anywhere). For someone who’s more likely to keep track of a binder this looks like a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for this post! I could use some organization with my blog.
    I'll be following you!

    Grisel
    www.7athisfeet.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so excited to discover your blog because I was literally about to make some dividers for my little blog organizing notebook and because your blog looks awesome and you're a neighbor (sort of) - I saw your comment on The Speckled Dog post about a southern blogger meet up and had to check it out! I'll be your newest follower as soon as Google cooperates (the whole box isn't showing up), but wanted to say hi. I'm in upstate SC and super-excited about creative blogging neighbors! : )

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much for sharing at "It's a Party"!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am getting there too, organizing myself and my blog a little at the time. I like how you are doing it and will try to incorporate it too. I really need to write up posts now so I can schedule them ahead of time, so far I have not been able to do it and are usually three days behind on my postings.
    Thank you for sharing this tip.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This post is so great. I totally relate. I'm just kinda of trying to blog daily {kinda hard} and do the linky party thing. It's really fun but I'm totally not organized...so this is just what I needed. Especially when I get ideas!! They come and go lol.

    I found your blog through a link party and LOVE it! I am your newest follower (you are getting closer to 100!!) and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Aubrey
    www.craftychicka.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this idea! I've also found that writing ahead of time makes life easier, plus I can schedule my posts to post when I want them too, and then I don't have to remember! I'm a new follower, my goal is also 100 by the end of June, so come check me out at http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi
    Great post. As a fledling blogger I am always looking for inspiration ideas to boost my blogging motivation.
    Thank you for sharing your ideas and I am really looking forward to exploring your blog further!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey! I just found you from Ginger Snaps and love your ideas. I am just starting to get more organized over at my place and I NEED a notebook! Thanks for the ideas!
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have a notebook for all my craft ideas, which most of my posts are based on but I shall be getting a binde rnow as well, plus I'll be using your Excel idea for keeping up with blogs I follow as well as linky parties... you've inspired me :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is FANTASTIC! Love your method, mine is so similar! Great minds must think alike right? :)

    Thanks so much for sharing it with me!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...