My Blogging to-do List
For me, one of the most essential components of a successful blog is being organized. And by being organized I mean keeping a to-do list. I have a list for anything related to my blogging or freelance writing work. While these lists never stay the same due to a varying work load, they are always next to my computer no matter what.
My blogging to-do list is nothing special. Generally speaking, at the end of each work day I write my blogging tasks for the next day on a sticky note. There are two details that I always include as well as some extras that change from time to time.
1. Topic ideas for the posts that I want to write the next day. It is important for me to have topics in mind a day in advance as opposed to thinking them up on the spot. This not only helps the quality of my content, but also ensures that I do not have a run in with a bout of writer’s block.
2. The times that I want to add my blog posts. As you can imagine, this can change based on my freelance writing work and many other variables. Even though I could probably do without this reminder, it helps to keep me on track. Since I have to work in blogging around my freelance writing work, it is always nice to have a “set time” each day that I can devote to this.
Some of the variables that are often added to my to-do list include: marketing efforts, replying to emails and comments, researching new monetization methods, etc.
It is safe to say that I take things to an extreme when it comes to being organized. But this is only because I have found it difficult to stay on track with my blog if my work is not scheduled.
Do you think I am overdoing it? Do you have a blogging to-do list?
August 15th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Chris: Overdoing it? In the words of Rain man DEFINITELY not! The more I research the blogging/freelance life after being out of it for some years, the more I’m overwhelmed by the info out there–feeds, links, monetization, SEO, posting etiquette, the sheer number of competing writers. Without a set plan, the Net can eat you alive, you get stuck inside some link-inside a link-inside a link, and you’re never heard from again! Write the notes, and “stick” to them.
August 15th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I keep a to-do list in Outlook and blog post ideas in Google Notebook. I like to have ideas for several posts ahead - if I’m writing a series, I often write the whole series at once. Without organization, the day can slip away without accomplishing much.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
“one of the most essential components of a successful blog is being organized”
the first rule in the blogging bible
August 15th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Organization must be essential for the freelance writer/blogger. About how many hours do you work on a typical week?
August 16th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
It seems that all of you guys and gals agree that organization is important. This makes me feel a little bit better about my compulsion!
Vicky - I would say that I work just about 35 to 45 hours per week. This all depends on my workload, and of course, how much work I put into other projects!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I am bringing my to-do lists back to life. I used to get so much more done when I utilized them in the past.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Scheduling has really helped me. The theory is…do the content first, then you have more time for promotion, and your content is always updated for the new visitors you will bring in.