If you want to earn from your blog, then being organised is important. Blogging can be so time-consuming and things can get on top of you if you haven’t got systems in place.
We all have multiple demands on our time. This means we all need tools and systems that work, so we can make sure we’re productive in the time we have available.
How I work?
Editorial Calendar
I have mentioned this plugin a few times before, but this really gives me a great visual overview of my upcoming posts. I’ve written more about why you need an editorial calendar here, so I will just share the main reasons for using this plugin;
- I can drag posts around and work out which post goes best where, as work comes in.
- I also have the draft section open on the side of this calendar, just to house the posts I haven’t allocated a day to yet.
- Putting draft posts on specific days really helps productivity. Otherwise, they can get overlooked in the long draft list.
This is a screenshot of my editorial calendar. I use the Editorial Calendar plugin (available on WordPress) and I literally couldn’t live without it.
Excel Spreadsheets
- I have a couple of spreadsheets I use daily. The first is for financial matters and the second for posts. The posts spreadsheet has the following pages;
Shortcodes / Competitions / Reviews / Sponsored Posts / Gift Guides / Waiting for Payment
- Most of the pages are self-explanatory and I find they help me stay on track. As soon as I get asked to do a review or sponsored post, I pop it on the spreadsheet. I usually open a draft post too, even if I just put the title. If I have a deadline, I will drag it to the calendar on the appropriate date.
- Every time I schedule a post, I add it to the spreadsheet on the shortcode page and complete all the columns when it’s scheduled. I change the row to grey when the post is done. If I need to schedule on social media I highlight that part in bright yellow. The columns on my shortcode spreadsheet are;
Date / Title / Shortcode / Info / Facebook / Tweet Scheduled / Pinterest / Linked to linky
- Keeping the shortcode (url) for each post really helps me save time. If you have to refer to a past post, or you are linking up with someone, then having all the urls to hand is so much easier than finding the post, going in to it and getting the shortcode.
Planner
Even though there are countless programmes and apps you can use to write lists, I’m old school and still love a notebook/diary and pen. It helps me think when I have a pen in my hand! I’ve uses a DIY planner, various well-known planners and more recently a bullet journal.
- Every night before I go to bed I write the following days to do list. I will include everything I need to do, even if I know I will remember it. This will give you a proper overview of what you have to accomplish each day and there will also be more to tick off! (We all know how good that feels!).
- When I used to join in with linkys, I would leave the tab for the linky open on my Mac until I was done all my commenting.
- Anything ongoing, that isn’t tied a specific day that week, can go on the relevant monthly to do list in my planner. I only write on the day what has to be achieved THAT day.
- Don’t put everything you need to do on one day, as you won’t get it done, will be disheartened and will have to write the tasks out again on the next day.
- To save time I have a checklist for recurring tasks that I print off and stick opposite my diary page, so I can just go through ticking things off, then go to the relevant day and do the specific tasks.
Scheduling
- Facebook – I schedule my blog posts to appear on Facebook in the morning. This way if we have a hectic morning, I know I don’t need to worry. I schedule manually in Facebook for better reach.
- Twitter – I then schedule my tweets (using Social Oomph).
I can do this scheduling in a few minutes, so I usually do it before logging off for the evening.
- Instagram – I also schedule my Instagram. However, I tend to do this in batches rather than daily. I use Planoly and upload pictures as I edit them, so I usually have a few in there. Then I’ll go in and spend time writing the accompanying caption. I might have these scheduled for 5 days, then I will do another batch.
- As I finish a sponsored post/review I enter the details on the spreadsheet, then I’ll schedule (using Boomerang Chrome Extension) the email to go to the PR with the details of the url etc. Scheduling it for when the post will be live, then I can forget about it.
That’s a little glimpse of how I work and the things I do to keep me on the straight and narrow!
Which systems help keep you on track with your blogging?
LIKE IT? THEN PIN IT!
Comments 114
The only thing I would be interested in considering you are using WordPress too is now that I am following a lot more blogs I don’t want them on my sidebar anymore as its going to look ridiculous overtime. So my question is how do I add to the top of the page without writing a post about it appearing on the main page?
Author
I would just set up a new page for all the blogs you love. It won’t show as a post
Brilliant, thanks a mill. Just done that there.
Author
Great x
Author
Hope my advice helped.
AH-mazing! Can’t wait to get on WP this Calendar will be the first plug in I install 🙂 xx
Author
Thanks hun, I don’t think you will regret it xx
More fantastic ideas thanks Aby. I will be sure to take this on board.
Author
I hope some of it is useful x
Blimey! You’re a lot more organised than I am, I think I’m still just muddling through! x
Author
I don’t think you are muddling hun! x
Great tips Aby – my blogging diary helps me keep on track of things and I have a lot of draft post ideas too which live in a draft posts folder on my Dropbox. I love the idea of the editorial calendar. It’s been on my list of plugins to add and now I’ve seen your screenshots, I think I’ll definitely have to try it to help me keep track. I love your chart for keeping track of linkys too – great idea. Thanks for sharing x
Author
It is my favourite thing and I would really recommend that you install it x
Thanks for sharing Aby. Always some great advise from you!
I work full time, so also don’t have a huge amount of time for blogging. Your blog club is helping me hugely along the way
xx
Author
My pleasure. I am glad Blog Club is helping. If there are any topics you want me to cover, please let me know xx
Any ideas how to get more facebook likes since the new rule that you can’t ask people to like you with give-aways etc? This is my newest and weakest social platform… Help!
Author
I think if you ask people to visit your FB page, then you will find that they will like it anyway, so worth still including that option (which you can do via rafflecopter). You just can’t explicitly say like my page. I have lots of giveaways at the moment & am still getting lots of page likes. Hannah at Mums’ Days also wrote a great post about growing your FB page, which is tagged on my Blog Club page if you want to read it x
I did read the fb advice from Hannah and the great link she included. I’ll just have to do more give-aways and be more patient 🙂
Author
You could try an advert, I have done 3 x 7 days over the past months and they make your blog seen by so many more people. I gained lots of new likes. Otherwise FB is so selective of what it shows to people that it can be a real slog to build up the likes. Costs £18 for 7 days x
This is some sexy reading for me!!!! Look at all those spreadsheets! Only problem is that I love but don’t use them as much as I should. Off to read again in bed (in a non-sexy way!) and make notes 🙂 p.s. yes it’s 9pm…this is why I can only blog once a day (on a good day!) instead of your 4 or 5 times! No wonder you need the editorial calendar 😉 xx
Author
Ha ha! I need systems otherwise I start to feel out of control, like I am going to forget something. xx
Wowzers! That is some serious blogging organization. How on earth does Baby let you do all of that??!! x
Author
I work every night for 4-5 hours, plus a little in the morning over brekkie and when she naps! x
Thank you for the tip about the calendar 🙂
#MMWBH
Ooh thanks for sharing – these are wonderful tips! I don’t use the editorial calendar but so many people have recommended it, I may do now!
Emma | frillsanddoodads.com
Really interesting and useful to see how you manage your blogging!! You always have such great tips! Thank you!! x
#MMWBH
Author
My pleasure huni x
You would think that after 3 years, I would have some sort of system, but nothing! I definitely need to get on top of things, I think the diary is what I need
Author
A diary would definitely be a start 🙂 x
Oh wow that’s some blogging schedule – I struggle to blog once a week! But to be fair I do slump in front of the TV when I could be blogging instead….
Author
I am a bit obsessed, so I work every evening x
Wow, that is very organised. I need to try to get more organised and maybe check out that editorial calendar. #MMWBH
Author
I couldn’t cope without the calendar x
Good Evening
I am new to blogging and just came across this post and the editorial calendar looks amazing and will work well for me off to go install it now.
Cheers
Lee
Author
Happy to help and enjoy – it is fab x
Thank you for such great advice, I can see that I’ll be coming back for more great tips soon.
Author
Glad it is useful to you x
Fantastic tips! Love your organization …Especially the linky L/H/C – It’s totally true that something often comes up right after you link… Then you have no idea where you’re up to anymore.
I often have 20 or so windows open at once on my laptop, with all the posts I’m supposed to go and comment on!
You achieve a REMARKABLE amount with your blog as a stay at home mum!
…And it’s working for you – WELL DONE 🙂
Author
Thank you hun, what a lovely comment. Glad some of it is useful x
Wow. That is very organised! I just know I wouldn’t be able to keep it up- very impressed! x x
Author
I think we just have to do what works for us and fits in with our lives. If I didn’t keep track in this way, I would feel really stressed, but that is just me xx
Hmm, thought id commented but obs got sidetracked! Just having another read through and going to sort myself out a spreadsheet tomorrow!!
Author
Good luck with your spreadsheet! x
Great post! Really love seeing how other people organise themselves.
I think I’ll be referring back to this one a lot 🙂 x
Author
Glad it is useful hun x
Oh my goodness I love all of this! thanks for sharing all of this! I do love a good spreadsheet! Thinking of moving over to wordpress and when I do that calendar will be my first plug in! x
Author
Thanks! It just keeps me on track. WP is great x
Fab tips, I love editorial calendar too! xx
Author
Thanks hun, it is great isn’t it xx
Fab tips your so much more organised than me its amazing how much you manage to fit in as well as looking after baby take my hat off to you! x
Author
Ah thanks hun, I just work every second I can around looking after her etc x
Superb advice there hun! Thanks to you and Hannah I will be lovely and organised for next year with my personal organiser win!! Thank you so much! 🙂 xxxx
I did start the finance spreadsheet after seeing this. So far $0 collected. Woo hoo! All set for the money to roll in now… Thanks again. #TheList
Helpful insight, thanks 🙂 It’s amazing how much one can forgot when one has a baby to look after! And yeah, the short codes and time saving; i should look into doing the excel file idea. Have you used the publicize plugin before? Thanks for the tips; i should probably pin it to return to it again late.r
Author
The shortcode doc saves me time no doubt. I don’t use that plug in at the moment. x
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Blimey! You are organised! I can usually only start blogging at about 9pm so by then it’s all about getting the posts written. I wish I had much more time to do stuff.
This is such a helpful post! Thank you, thank you! I have been blogging for a long time but I am so disorganised with it and I really want that to be different. I am going to get the editorial calendar now and attempt to start a spreadsheet! xx
Author
Glad it was useful. I am sure the editorial calendar will make things so much easier xx
Crikey, now that is organised!!
I didn’t realize you could do so much.
Thank you for sharing.
I’ve bookmarked this page because I resolve to take my blog more seriously from January 1st onwards. I must say it’s all a bit daunting and, quite frankly, I don’t know how you do it so well! Fab post! Maria x
Author
Thank you, I am glad you liked it and it is useful x
Thank you so much for sharing all these tips lovely lady. This is yet more proof that you are a blogging genius. I need to follow your tips. I love a good spreadsheet and can’t believe I haven’t been using them more to organise my blogging. Aby, what would I do without you? Hugs Mrs H xxxx #TheList
Some great tips here, Aby!
I just need to organise getting organised! 😉
#TheList
Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx
This is just AMAZING. I love me a good spreadsheet or two, but I think you must be the queen of organisation. I can see why it’s all necessary though and it’s very reminiscent of the systems I have in place at work.
My own blog is still more of a hobby and so a lot of the ‘to-dos’ are in my head, often with rather chaotic results! I really ought to apply more of a work-style method to it, and this post has been a great reminder to do so.
Author
Thank you. I am glad you liked it and it is useful. Not sure about the Queen, maybe just a Princess 😉 xx
Fab tips, I’m old school though and like to see my schedule written down on paper! Love this post though. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
Author
Thanks hun, I write down my to do list, never got to grips with doing it via a programme or app x
This is amazing!! For a blogger that writes purely from a cathartic perspective — not on a commercial basis — this is bewildering and a real eye opener! So much planning involved!! You need a PA!! 😉 Thanks so much for sharing — I found it such an interesting post xx #brillblogposts
Author
Thanks, I am really glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes a PA would be nice 😉 x
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Oh my so organised, I wish I was 1% as organised!
It’s so amazing to see what you achieve = ) thanks for sharing and showing what is possible.
Author
Thanks, I don’t think I am super organised and want to do so much more this year, so I have more to share! ha ha! x
Wow! That’s great organisation. Something to aspire too. Another great post. Thank you
Author
Thanks so much. Glad it helped x
Fantastic tips thank you so much!! I am installing Editorial Calendar as I type!
Author
I am sure you will love it x
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I use page marker sticky notes one forearm task then move them.it the right day of my planner ifits a recurring tasks can be reused if it’s complete I throwing away imiss it it can be moved then I don’t feel like I have failed
Love spreadsheets and the ability to schedule things out. Really helps with timing. This is a great post hon! Lots of great tips.
So helpful, you are so organised I love it! And I can’t believe how many posts you have scheduled! Amazing
I think i am one of the most disorganised bloggers out here! I don’t schedule anything and I have no planner, I know so bad right? I need to get organised I just feel so (I know I shouldn’t say it) but dense when it comes to schedules. I am hoping once we are in the new house (April) I can finally get a visual planner on the wall and add in my blogging things. I write posts as I feel them and I just go with the flow. It’s good but also I can feel overwhelmed and behind a lot. Anyway you are so brilliant for sharing your secrets xx
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Im old school too. I have several notebooks that contain all my notes, linky lists, schedules and other rndom notes. I also leave tabs open on my tablet till I have done all my commenting, its a great reminder. #TheList
This is great! I want to get more organised for sure, this year #thelist
Great tips as always! I never knew you could schedule for Instagram, will certainly be looking into that. I have thought before about a spreadsheet… but didn’t get any further then thinking about it, you have inspired me to start one though, did you backlog all of your old posts too? x
I needed to read this as I’m finding I need to be more and more organised the more work I am getting. Off to check out some of your recommendations, thanks. #TheList
Fab tips – I couldn’t stay organised without my office whiteboard which has my to do list for the week scribbled on it x
It really does pay to be organized! You have it really well figured out. I have everything written into a notebook. In the future I will have to get myself organized like you are as it makes more sense to have it digital. I’m pinning for the future! #TheList x
This is so helpful and also made me smile. In my head I am super organised just like you . I look after my four full time and I do consultancy work as well as my blog so life is busy . I am a super organised person and a real list maker but the reality for me is sometimes that life just takes over and there is sometimes no time for the list lol – however I will aspire to all the above and bookmark this now. Thanks Aby xxx #TheList
I’ve got a notepad and a spreadsheet! And I’ve finally worked out how to schedule posts. I find being organised helps me make the most of my limited blog time. Some of the other stuff would be great to do, but Rev T already moans about the amount of time blogging takes up so maybe not! Really useful post. Thank you
This is a great list of how to organise your blog. Definitely taking some of these tips on board x
Wow, thanks a lot, as always you are a great source of information and advice. I think I need to get a spreadsheet going!
#thelist
Goodness you are SUPER organised! I plan my upcoming posts in longhand and move them around with arrows!! #thelist
I have yet to use scheduler for Tweets/Facebook maybe I should start. #thelist Lifeinthemumslane
Wow – that is very organised! I am no where near as organised so will take some of your tips on board. Thanks for sharing #TheList
I’m old school too, diaries and notepads are my favourite tools. The info you gave about social sharing was interesting, does facebook share posts with more people when it’s shared manually? I had no idea about this instagram app too! #thelist
My planner and to-do lists are my saviours! When I look back on when I first stated and tried to keep everything in my head, I don’t know how anything got done! I like the idea of scheduling emails to be sent, I didn’t know that was possible, I usually just add it to the to-do list for the day it goes live. I will look into this, thanks 🙂 Thanks for hosting #TheList
Debbie
Such an awesome insight! I bought a blog organiser this year which has made a big difference, but one day I hope I’ll be this organised! 🙂 #TheList
Wow what a post! You have SO many tips in here! I really need to add the editorial plugin and also try social Oooomph it sounds like it must be quicker than Tweetdeck. #thelist
Fascinated to see how much of this I do already. That saidn, I really must get into using Lategram. Thanks for hosting #thelist
I remember reading this post a while back but it’s so good to come back to it now I am further down my blogging journey. I think I need to work on scheduling on Instagram next. It’d definitely make my life easier to do a batch at a time. I like to post in the mornings but with three children and a school run, it’s not always possible. Thanks as always for sharing your amazing advice so openly. #thelist
I’m nowhere near this organised! I look after my two full time with no family near by too – I really need to sort out organising my planners & calendars. The shortcode spreadsheet is a really good idea. I keep the tabs open so I know what linkys I still need to comment on too! #thelist
I know you have to be but you are so organised! Thank you for some very useful tips! #TheList
Goodness, that is some serious organisation right there. You’ve definitely found what works for you.
I need to get myself more organised. When I was working full-time I was totally on top of everything, but things have slipped since mat leave #2 started, lol! 😀
Must get on top of it all!
#TheList
Blimey you’re organised and then some Aby! No wonder you get so many posts out on a daily basis. xx #thelist
Love love love blog club! #thelist xx
I love this! I am getting better but definitely need to improve my blog organisation. Thanks for sharing more great tips 😀 #thelist
I am now going over to your DIY journal post. Thank you for sharing this. x
Right then, I stopped using the Editorial calendar and I really need to start again so thank you for the reminder! It’s so good to hear how you organise your Excel spreadsheets – Excel is my other husband, I love it. Total nerd. Thanks lovely! Mim x #TheList
Love these posts of yours! Always so helpful. Thank you #TheList
Wow-I’m impressed! My blog organisation goes about as far as jotting down ideas for posts on the iphone and having a few in drafts. So interesting to read about all the work that goes into making your blog so professional.
This is really good thanks Aby, it amazing how us mums can be so effective is such a short space of time. I am just about to start my new blog planner and I am hoping that will be my first steps to getting more organised! Thank you for sharing. Pinned #TheList
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