How I Plan My Blog Content + Free Template
When I started blogging, I typed whatever came to mind. My little space on the internet was an online diary for the longest time until I got a domain; that was when things changed. I figured I wanted to create lifestyle content and realized that having a plan would help save a lot of time and keep everything organized (and it did!). So today, I'm writing this post and sharing what worked for me; this may or may not work for you since we have different ways of processing ideas, but I hope it helps.
Let's get straight to what this article is about.
How I Plan My Blog Content | A Few Considerations
In planning content for the blog, there are a few things that I consider; these include the following: relevance of the topic, current and target audience, existing categories, and blog goals. Let me go through each one briefly.
Relevance (and timeliness)
Are the posts I plan to make relevant to the current season or situation? It wouldn't be fitting to post about Christmas party themes during the summer or write about the best parties to attend during a global crisis, which is why I ask this question.
Audience Using the monthly analytics report, I check what returning readers and first-time visitors like to read about on the website; this helps me learn more about their interests. I've noticed that how-to's and review articles get more page views, so I try to incorporate more of these into the blog.
Existing Categories
The good thing about having categories is that it simplifies navigation for readers and provides variety. When scheduling posts, I try not to group similar topics in the same month to balance it out. So, let's say I want to publish three posts for November; what I do is make it a point that those three articles fall under different categories currently existing on the blog.
Blog Goals
My blog goals include providing helpful information, giving inspiration, earning from affiliate links, and growing my readership. With these in mind, I try to perform actions and focus more on subject matters aligned with my values and these goals.
While it’s not necessary to identify and consider these factors, doing so will give you a sense of direction. Selecting ideas to finalize will also be easier because you already know what topics would be best to publish for whom and when.
The Process
To save time, I made a 4-step process tailored to my needs. If you are planning to start a blog, you can use this as a reference, then just modify it according to your preference.
Brainstorming- this is exactly what it sounds like. I write all my ideas on paper or type anything that comes to mind. After that, I sort them out (sometimes through mind maps) and decide which topics to pursue.
Content Preparation- this is the part where I start writing and editing photos or graphics for the blog post.
Editing/Checking- I do this to make sure I avoid typos and errors, I edit and check the article once again, then make necessary changes, if any. Proofreading is crucial, especially if the writeups are informational.
Scheduling- the easiest and last part of the process. Scheduling content helps me save time and stay consistent with my posting schedule.
After this, I do some SEO work and marketing, but these are a different story. I'll write about them separately next time.
Content Planning Tools
Notebooks and Pads
Writing down ideas is still more satisfying than being in front of the computer for hours (well, at least for some of us). It's not always convenient, but there's a joy that comes with physical writing. Using a notebook or a pad can also simplify conceptualization for you, especially if you're designing or redesigning your layout (it's better to draw on paper).
Google Sheets
For raw topic ideas and post scheduling, I use a few spreadsheets on Google Sheets. It’s an easy way for me to stay on track and have a quick overview of the month or quarter. I’ve attached a free basic template to this post, which you can download for planning. You can also modify it as you wish.
Google Docs
Google Docs is one of the best online computer programs for making drafts because you can access it anywhere and even write on the go. You can make updates whether you're on your laptop or your phone.
Google Keep
For other tasks like designing blog post covers, editing photos, or making website updates, I use Google Keep. It's an online note-taking service that allows you to write notes or create to-do lists. You can even add photos and set reminders. Just like Google Sheets and Docs, this is easily accessible as long as you have an internet connection.
Canva
Canva is a handy tool for editing graphics and even processing photos for blog posts. It's kind of a one-stop shop for anything content-related. It is also easy to use; beginners and advanced users can create different outputs with Canva.
Some of the other tools you can use include Google Trends, Google Analytics 4, Trello (if you’re working on a group project or on a collaboration).
I guess that would be all for today. Have a great week ahead!
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