Updated January 18, 2016
I’ll be the first to admit it — I’m not a super organized person. I don’t get the thrill of planners and paper products. Lots of lists overwhelm me. Multiple planners… why?! I have one planner, a bunch of to do list sheets, and a few journals… and I wish I utilized them more.
I am always brainstorming, always thinking, and always dreaming. I guess it’s part of my personality. One thing I’ve been trying to do is narrow my focus in all aspects of my life, so everything feels more simple. Writing out a huge to do list overwhelms me, but writing a small one for the day seems much more accomplishable.
I was getting overwhelmed with organizing and writing blog posts. Over the last couple of months, I’ve felt a little better at how I organize my blog life due to a few things I’ve changed. Since I am always thinking and dreaming, I am always coming up with blog post ideas. I used to just use my phone for ideas, and in the long run, that wasn’t helping me. I have started organizing them in a few different ways and I am going to share them with you!
5 Ways to Organize Blog Posts:
The main thing here is that I use these ways to always give me inspiration or a topic to post about. Writing a bunch of lists in a lot of different places or being super strict about a calendar has never worked for me. Yes I write lists, and yes I use a calendar, but I don’t really use it in the most traditional way.
1. The Notes App
Instead of only relying on this method to jot down my ideas, I now only use this when I’m not by my computer. I don’t carry a planner or journal around with me. If I’m out and about and I think of an idea, I whip out my phone and write down my ideas in my Notes app. It’s a quick way to go back and reference something I’ve thought of while out and about. I will then transfer those ideas to drafts once I’m at my computer.
2. Composing Lots of Drafts
When I go to my posts in my blog, I do not click “posts.” That will automatically overwhelm me! Why? Because I constantly start new drafts. When it’s time to write a blog post, I will go to my Calendar in WordPress (the Editorial Calendar plugin) and either start a post from scratch or drag a draft onto the calendar. Lots of drafts can be overwhelming, but they actually help me a lot. I usually write a title and then maybe a list in the body so I know what I want to write on when I go back to compose the post. There have been many times where I have no idea what to write about, but visiting my calendar with the unscheduled drafts will get me inspired.
3. A Digital Editorial Calendar Plugin or Planner
Like I mentioned above, I love using the Editorial Calendar plugin. It’s great to plan out my week and also put in deadlines for sponsored posts. I feel like it helps me keep organized with when posts are going out. I am not strict with my calendar. I am constantly moving stuff around. Others love CoSchedule, and Google Calendar as a digital, visual way to see posts.
4. A Secret Pinterest Board with Inspiration
While most of my content is from my brain, I sometimes draw inspiration from bloggers and social media. If I see something that really inspires me, I will utilize Pinterest and pin it to a secret board. I have to emphasize here that it’s crucial not to copy other people. Don’t be a knock off. BE YOU. Your secret board should inspire an original post — another take on a topic, your perspective.
5. A Journal Specifically to Write Out Ideas and Outlines
I do have a little journal I will write down anything blog related. It’s kind of a little catch-all for ideas and outlines, and even small blog to-do lists. Outlines really help me a lot when I eventually go to compose my blog post. I will also write video outlines, if I am working on a video. That way it will keep me on track and not ramble in the video.
What about you? How do you organize your blog post ideas? Do you keep it all neat and tidy in one place?
Want more blog tips? How about a free blog post checklist? Sign up below and get it delivered straight to your inbox!
marie says
good tips ! thanks for sharing 🙂 x
http://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
Meg O. says
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m glad you found it helpful!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
I too use the notes app a lot. I always have a bunch of random running lists in there. While I do love paper products I use that a lot more
Meg O. says
Too many paper lists overwhelm me so using the notes app then transferring to my drafts makes it so much more manageable!!
Kelsey says
I loooove Secret Pinterest boards. I have two that I use constantly. I am the opposite of you though, I have to write things down manually or else I feel like I still have them locked in my head. Using calendar pages to plan, and then a weekly planner to keep organized has been my savior to help me plan blog posts lately!
Meg O. says
Secret boards are really the best!! And hey, whatever works best for you – do it!!
Deliberate Mom (@DeliberateMom) says
Aren’t secret Pinterest boards THE best?!
I love your ideas – I use a few of them as well. CoSchedule makes me happy – and I have a notebook that I carry everywhere with me that helps me keep track of blog post ideas.
Loved this! Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Meg O. says
I know you’re a CoSchedule fan! I tried it out and probably didn’t give it a fair shot but I want to give it another go too! Thanks for your sweet comment!
julie says
Love all of these tips Meg!
Jennifer @ WrittenByJennifer says
I resisted the electronic editorial calendar but once I installed it in WordPress it’s completely changed the way I write for my blog. I usually have all sorts of ideas while I’m flipping through the internet so when an idea hits, I tab over to WP, type in my idea and a few notes and assign it a date.
tawnyafaust says
Love these ideas! I especially love the secret pinterest inspiration board! and I LOVE the editorial calendar on WP!
Kristy says
Love it, girl! I do most of these things except the Word Press thing. One day I’ll cross over to the dark side. One day. Lol. Great tips as always!
Ashlie Langston says
These are great! I do the same thing with my notes app and a secret pinterest board. I’m going to download the editorial calendar right now before I forget!! Lol!!
tiffanyatouchofgrace says
Love this Meg! I just started using the editorial calendar in WP and really like the visual aspect of it. And a notes app is key for me. I think of so many things when I’m away from the computer!
Nina @ Hugs and Lattes says
I love the idea of a Pinterest board!! I use lots of drafts on my wordpress & Scrivener & Evernote 🙂
Lily @ FindingBalance.mom says
These are great ideas Meg! I’m writing a blog post about blog post ideas and general blog writing tips so I’ll be using some of these ideas.