by Tori Bowman of That Pair of Crutches. Tori contributes weekly with tips about how to improve your blog. See her others posts here.
An editorial calendar might seem like some elusive, non-essential organizational tool for your blog, but it can become a huge asset in helping you create amazing content for your readers. Every blog and blogger is different, thus making each blogger's approach to editorial calendars a bit different. You can read these two articles from Create Like Crazy and Katelyn Brook's blog, to help you figure out how you should approach to editorial calendars, but here are a few general tips to help you once you get to the filling out stage.
Things to consider when filling out your editorial calendar:
1. Successful Past Posts: Take a minute to look at past posts you've written and take note of the ones that have gotten the most views, comments and shares. Consider recreating successful posts for future seasons and holidays. Figure out what works and run with it!
2. Upcoming Holidays & Seasons: It's probably not a good idea to post about the best winter coats in July and if you haven''t started posting Christmas gift guides by December 1st, you're already behind. Keep track of upcoming holidays and seasons and make sure you have your posts and series planned out at least a month in advance. Start early and your readers will thank you for it!
3. Remembering Your Niche: Think back to this post. Write down the category ideas you came up with and start coming up with posts that fit into those categories. Keep things focused and consistent.
4. How You Can Work With Other Bloggers / Brands: Once you have your posts planned out, try to think of bloggers and brands you can hook up with to make those posts and topics better. Know a photographer who has a style you love? See if they'd like to work with you on a series, like how to host a great dinner party. Have a clothing brand you love? See if they'd be interested in sponsoring a style series on your blog.
Do you have an editorial calendar? What tips have helped you have success with using one? I'd love to hear what has worked for you!
image from Anthropologie
