What’s on Your Blog Editorial Calendar?

By on January 9, 2007 in Blog Coach with 14 Comments

Calendar Are you using a blogging editorial calendar as a guide for your posting schedule? You should.

It’s not unusual for a small business blogger to jump out of the gates with a good rhythm, then lose steam after a few weeks. Maybe it’s because we get busy, or stumble over a blogger’s writing block. But once we lost that rhythm, it can be difficult to regain.

I’ve always had a blog editorial calendar – but I use it as a guide, not a religion. Two recent posts elsewhere shared some great ideas to put on your calendar (Toby’s 22 tips and Liz’ 31 Ideas)

Here’s my 2007 guideline:

  • Monday – Quotes n Notes: Weekend’s over, time to run the race. You’re busy, and hopefully these tidbits will help start your week strong.
  • Tuesday – Tool Tips: Sharing a tool that helps may help your blogging efforts and extend your voice.
  • Wednesday – Business Blog Whisper: I’ll dissect a business blog, similar to the blogtipping, but with straight shots about what the company could do to improve their blog.
  • Thursday – Book Smarts: A review of a book that sits in my library. I’ll try to do this on Thursday so you can grab a copy before the weekend.
  • Friday – Whistle Stops: I’m not in a position to do these daily, but I do plan on picking some top posts I’ve read during the week. This will keep you busy on your web surfing Friday afternoons.
  • Weekend – Dialing 8: With a bit more surfing time at your disposal, this will give you an opportunity to dive into the archives of my favorite blogs.

Again, this is a guideline. If I miss one (I didn’t do a Quotes on Monday or a Dialing 8 on Sunday), not a problem. But I’ll not run dry.

So how about your business? What are some quick posting ideas you can fall back on to maintain that great blogging rhythm?

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  • http://jetsongreen.typepad.com Preston

    I do kind of the same thing on my blog.
    Saturday: Noteworthy Green News: Week in Review
    Sunday: Sunday Skyscraper
    M-F: Free for all, at least a couple examples of green properties. This keeps me busy.

  • http://www.mynameiskate.ca Kate Trgovac

    Thanks for sharing this, Mike! I have so many new bloggers, business bloggers in particular, asking me a) how often do I need to post and b) what do I write about. A practical editorial schedule like this really helps “break it down” for new bloggers. And even if someone can’t make a committment to a daily post, your topics are great characterizations for them to try to organize posts around.
    One of my struggles with clients right now, in addition to getting them to post, it getting them to comment (and add value!) on other blogs in their community.
    Thanks for sharing this!

  • http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com Robyn McMaster

    Thanks for sharing the way you have organized your calendar with specific kinds of posts for days of the week. That certainly provides opportunity for variation, Mike. I love surprise and adventure so if I were to add anything to this I would give myself one day for surprises. :-)
    I appreciate your community mindedness by posting strategies that enhance writing and blogging. Rhythm is all important!

  • http://www.sbishere.com/ Greg Balanko-Dickson

    What a great idea… thanks for the tip.

  • http://enhancelifethinktank.blogspot.com/ Sham

    Hi Mike,
    Wonderful set of guidelines.Very useful.
    Thank you
    Sham

  • http://essentialkeystrokes.com Char

    I have got my business blog on a loose schedule – Wednesdays is the Essential Tools series; and I try to do one product review per week, one day of linking to my favorites. The rest of the week is unpredictable though.

  • http://www.blogopreneur.com Kian Ann

    Mike, I’ve thought about doing something like this also, but I never got down to doing it. Maybe I should!

  • http://thetenaciousmarketer.blogspot.com/ Maria Lopez

    At the top of my New Year’s resolution was starting a marketing blog. Even better, I got it off the ground on Jan. 3rd! I’ve got a list of things I intend to write about. But, it never occurred to me to set a a rotating schedule. Thanks for the great advice!

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >Preston: I love Skyscraper Sunday
    >Kate: We’re experiencing similar things. This kind of guideline really helps battle blogger’s block. And since it’s not a hardline schedule…there are still freedoms. Commenting elsewhere is key. After all, why should folks continue to visit your blog if you never visit theirs?
    >Robyn: Love the suprise day thought. Almost like a blog-blurt:-) Thank you:-)
    >Greg & Sham & Kian: Thanks for voicing in, glad this guide assists. Stay contagious!
    >Char: Much like a Robyn and Preston, right? Yes, leaving room for other posts and flexibility is key – especially because most business bloggers have , well…businesses to run:-)
    >Maria: Congrats on the blog launch and it’s great to see your voice. Keep going, it’s looking great. A guideline like this will assist in times you get really busy – but remember, it’s meant to be a guideline. It could easily become an albatross if we let it. Stay contagious with your thoughts.

  • http://www.viaspire.com Heather D

    It’s the best advice, Mike! Having an editorial calendar helps you focus and sometimes help you funnel your attention to writing concepts in different ways. Approaching blogging with a concept and plan for the future helps sustain your momentum and committment to the process. Great advice!
    PS — Your blog roll rocks! It’s a great collection of resources! Keep it growing. :)

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Thanks, Heather:-) A guideline does help bring focus, especially if we have to step away from blogging for a bit.
    I’m hoping to add to it Sunday (cut several silent blogs earlier this weekend).

  • http://thoughtsphilosophies.com/?p=72 Thoughts & Philosophies

    Clearing Is Such Sweet Sorrow

    The Pennsylvania Dutch have a saying, “The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get”. Ain’t it the truth?
    We make our plans and try to clean the clutter so the plans work smoothly. Then life happens. The plans need to be adjusted, the clutter stays …

  • http://www.blogopreneur.com/2007/01/22/my-blog-editorial-calendar/ Blogopreneur

    My Blog Editorial Calendar

    In my Bookmark Explosions on 15 January 2007, I shared an article by Mike from Converstations about his wonderful idea of a blog editorial calendar.
    I think having a blog editorial calendar is wonderful way for you to get over a bloggers writing…

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