How To Set Up A Blogging Planner

Over my past three years of blogging, I've tried numerous ways to organize my blogging ideas in the best way that works for me... and let me tell you, this has been full of trial and error. My original blogging notebook didn't seem to work, and my second blogging notebook didn't seem to work either. I hate being in a blogging rut, which I had been in for the last couple of months in school. I knew that when I graduated and summer started, I really needed to buckle down and get a grip on my blog!

For me, I need to see lists and schedules in front of me to truly feel motivated. I knew that I needed to find a way that would work best for me when it came to keeping track of everything having to do with my blog. I have finally come up with the perfect method -- third time's a charm, right?!


I use a large planner that's about the size of a notebook for scheduling blog posts. I wanted something big because I need a lot of room to write down everything I need to include in each blog post. Plus, this agenda is pink and gold -- the perfect color combo to stick out to me!

The agenda is divided into two parts: a monthly overview and a weekly overview. There are gold tabs on the side with each month, making it easy to quickly find the month you need. I like to use the monthly overview and weekly overview for two different purposes so that it's not repetitive -- plus, the more excuses to use this agenda, the better!


The monthly overview contains general things that would affect my blogging life. I love to use brightly colored pens on the monthly overview to really make each note stand out. In this section, I include the dates of sales, tasks I need to complete, and important dates. I always like to write a blog post about my favorite items from a sale, so as soon as I find out about a sale, I write down its start date and draw an arrow to its end date. This allows me to see which date I should post about the sale before it ends. The tasks I need to complete are planning social media posts, planning pictures for blog posts, and scheduling blog posts. Reserving these tasks for certain days allows me to devote time for getting things done! I also write down important dates. For example, I wrote on Monday, 8/10 that my giveaway ends that day. Or if I'm attending a blogger event, I'll write that down. If I'm working with a brand, I'll write down the deadline of that collaboration. It all depends on what I find is necessary!


The weekly overview is more specific to my blog posts. In the first line of each day, I write the blog post title and highlight it. Below the title, I write important points to include in the post and notes to myself about the post. This is really beneficial to me because I can see a week's worth of posts that I need to write.

Along with using my planner to write down my blog posts, I use Google Calendar. My Google Calendar is very broad -- I only write the title of each post of each day. This is really helpful for when I'm on-the-go! Because my planner is so large, I'm not always able to carry it everywhere with me. My Google Calendar syncs to my phone so that when I come up with a blog post idea on-the-go, I can write it in my calendar and quickly transfer it to my planner when I get the chance. And when I have my laptop but not my planner with me, I can use Google Calendar to see which blog posts I need to write next when I have the chance!

I'm amazed at how well this method has worked for me. It may not work for everyone, but it has definitely helped with my blog, especially after rebranding!

How do you use your blogging planner?

26 comments:

  1. I use the monthly portion of my planner to write and color code (based on category) my posts! Then I write the post name on the weekly and the different tasks I need to accomplish for it!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

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  2. Thank you for sharing this ... I have an Excel spreadsheet that I've been using but when I'm out and about, it's impossible to view / edit on my phone. I've been thinking about using a planner, and this was so helpful!

    xoxo - Erin

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  3. I just started using my planner for scheduling blog posts, but it's been tough to organize with all my other commitments. I need to color code!

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  4. I'm really impressed by this! I have an evernote notebook for blog post ideas, and them writing a post is just on my to-do list. If I know I want to schedule things out I will just schedule them in blogger in order to do that. I really need to get a better system.. but that might have to wait until graduation!
    xoxo

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  5. Ahh, great tips! I just bought a planner I'm going to use for blogging and school- It has an hourly view which i hope will really help to get me to sit down and get posts done before the wee morning hours!

    Courtney// As We Stumble Along

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  6. I am definitely doing this for my next blog planner! Thank you so much for your tips!

    Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.

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  7. Hi, great post. I really need to organise how i organise my blogging! I keep getting overloaded with a mix of notes in the 5 notebooks that i have :-/ lol x

    http://www.blogwithlove.co.uk

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  8. Great post and let me tell you I have something similar - monthly and daily planner in one big planner notebook, though I dont use google calender that much. Love your planner cover.

    I'm @ http://polkadotsandcurry.com/

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  9. I love having a weekly at a glance overview- daily gets too overwhelming at times. Great tips!

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  10. I have this planner also as my blog planner and I love it!
    I got the gold and white striped one though.
    I also use Google Calendar for a quick overview of each day's post as well.
    It's perfect for writing down everything and keeping my blogging life organized.

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

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  11. Thank you Ashley! I am trying to get established and come up with content, so this post really helps!

    Nicole // Chronicles of Home

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  12. Love this! I've tried an editorial calendar myself, a few times. Eventually, what I found to work is using small post it notes in the big monthly calendar section so I can move them around when things change!

    XO Sahra
    Que Sera Sahra

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  13. I've never tried using a blogging calendar before because so many people swear by it. I am so bad and posting regularly so I think this would totally help! I like the idea of keeping a complete separate agenda dedicated only towards blogging and post ideas :)

    Annie // Annie N Belle

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  14. When you're planning for a sale, you could totally put washi tape across those dates instead of drawing an arrow! Just another way to make your planner extra cute :)

    Madison // Mads Maybe

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  15. LOVE the idea of having a separate blog planner! Right now I just have my Day Designer to keep both my personal and blog life on track, but separating the two would help me stay on top of things!

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

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  16. This is great! I also use a blog planner. I even write down exactly where I need to promote my posts also! That way I don't forget!

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  17. I love how there are so many post on planners and getting organized. With school starting back it is a major time to invest in a good planner.

    xoxo Dani
    www.glamrme.com

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  18. Wow great tips shared... This post is really helpful for new bloggers!!

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  19. Such great tips. I think I'd try color coding.

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  20. I definitely need to get more organized when it comes to scheduling content. Thanks for the tips!

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  21. I absolutely love your tips, I've got to try to start planning out my posts! The google calendar sounds great too - great points! :)

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  22. Awesome tips! My blogging planner was so hectic until I started smartly utilizing mini post-it notes. I'm a big color coding gal, so I use color coded post-its to signify different things...one color means sponsored content, another means YouTube video, another means a series post, etc! It's been great for also balancing out types of posts and keeping things mixed up and diverse.

    Coming Up Roses

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  23. Great tips! I'll have to keep a few in mind :)

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  24. Great tips. I've invested in two blogging planners and have not found one to work best. I do have an unused planner like the one you have. I may re-purpose it for my blog.

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  25. That's so smart! I use just a plain notebook like your other two but it works for me for now! Nice post!
    Taylor

    http://tayetc.blogspot.com

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