When you first start blogging, everything is neatly contained within the digital world of your computer, iPhone and your head. Eventually, you realize there are paper lists of ideas accumulating, product press releases multiplying and cheat sheets of codes piling up around you. Time to step back and get your blogging work organized and create a Blogging Binder.
I am using a Naked Binder, which I love because it’s eco-friendly and is a nice reminder of why I’m blogging in the first place. The binder has tab dividers and pocket folders, all of which specific purposes. Here is a list of the possible sections you may want to create, depending on how you run your blog:
- Planning Sheets by Week
- Post Ideas
- PR/Brand Info
- Stats
- Conferences
- Codes (passwords, affiliate links, etc)
- Local
I am using planning sheets created by Infarrantly Creative. These sheets are awesome and you can pop over to her site and print out a few to see if they work for you. Watch her video and get inspired to start planning your editorial calendar for the blog.
Post Ideas are magazine swipes, sticky notes, etc that all inspire me to keep on writing.
PR/Brand section is for the press releases that arrive with samples. I feel it is important to read those if you are doing a product review so you can potentially answer questions your reader has. Not mandatory, but a great piece to save for contact info as well.
Stats can be a fun place. I’m a bit of a computer geek so I tend to check numbers a little too often. However, it also affords me an opportunity to quickly print out the details for a banner day. Generally it is a good spot for me to print out Google Analytic reports on a monthly basis so I have them handy for any PR inquiries if needed.
Conferences is new this year! I attended the new Blog Better Boston event and up next, BlogHer! I’ll be the newbie there and I already have lots of questions. This section is my place to keep track of schedules, travel plans, future conferences and the like.
For the Code section, I am using an overall recap designed by Life Your Way. This will be invaluable if I ever have a system issue. Also in this section is some easy code to use in your posts. Yes, code can be easy once you see it in action.
Local is my section for correspondences with Boston Parent Bloggers and other local bloggers and events.
The last section is an open folder for collecting info that needs to be filed, random inspiration or business cards that do not fit neatly into my handy business card pocket.
Personalize this to make it work for you and your blog. You may need advertising sections, WordPress notes, or have more community connections to maintain. An organizing system only works if it works for you.
I hope this helps you reach your blogging goals in the coming months!
I love to hear your feedback and comments. Stop by and visit Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter for more conversation! Or get posts delivered via Email or RSS Feed. Thanks! This post is shared with Today’s Creative Blog, We Did It Wed., Make It Yourself Monday, Somewhat Simple, Metamorphosis Monday,
Thanks for the ideas! I've been reworking my planning process a bit because I've realized that even thought I love tech, I'm still visual and need to write a lot down.
I'm also finishing up a course called Content Brew by Momcomm which has helped enormously with my planning process. I'm sure I would have figured it out on my own. I just figured it out faster in a week.
I really like this! It looks like a very useful way to organize your blog.
I also love the fact that my business card appears in one of the photos! 🙂
Thanks for the tips!
Fascinating. I never thought about doing a paper binder to keep things organized. We seem to keep all our information online.
I think I stumbled on your blog from the Circle of Moms Eco-moms list, but it caught my eye that you're from the Boston area too – we're from Medford.
I am so glad my planning pages helped you organize. I hope you have a great 2013.
I still love it. Thanks Beckie!
Thank you so much for posting this! This will hopefully help to make my life easier. lol. But really. . thank you!
I tend to have my blog stuff all over the place online, but I have to say, I am liking this idea. I have found lately that paper still has a stronger pull on me than stuff I type up.
Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve been searching for a blogging planner sheet. 😉
Stopping by from Blogelina. This post is great 🙂 I am currently updating my binder as my previous was not working for me. I have now changed from an A4 to an A5 binder. Its really important to remember to always revisit your binder system if somethings not working.
Great call out to reevaluate your system every so often. I find I’m not using my binder as frequently now and making a list of post ideas/to-do’s on my iPhone notes. With a new baby at home I don’t expect to sit in my office as much for awhile! Thanks for stopping by. Let me know how your new binder system turns out! ~Emily