In this post, ​you'll learn how to "up your blogging game with tips and free tools that will make your blogging life easier.
For ​advertisers of all kinds, ​and especially bloggers who plan to earn income, back to school kicks off the ​biggest selling season of the year.
This is the ​time to "up your game" and get ​your advertising in front of the right people. If you're struggling with writer's block and you haven't created a game plan that sets you up for success, here are some quick and easy steps you can take to get started.
​I've included my latest video that ​is ​Part 2 of the video ​found in, Bloggers Have You Ever Suffered from Writer's Block? Use the information in this video and in the post to start planning ​a successful and prosperous fourth quarter.
As a blogger or writer, ​it's important to ​stay productive and consistent. Once you ​make ​a connection with your audience you want to stay​ in touch, keeping them motivated ​and inspired.
It becomes even more important to maintain your connections if you want to earn an income from your blog.
It's easy to become overwhelmed, especially if you run more than one website, with the writing, editing and publishing of high quality content.
This video provide a few more tips (in addition to those found in the post) for ways to keep a never ending supply of relevant content that will keep your blog packed with inspiring, easy to implement content that your readers can't wait to see.
The primary tools we talk about in this video are Google Docs (which is free) and the free WP Editorial Calendar. I show you how to use these tools to make the writing process easier.
These tools paired with the tools discussed ​in this post​, will have your process humming along in no time.
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​The editorial calendar ​helps you stay focused ​on a process for producing quality content that ​your reade​rs will look forward to receiving.
​Spending an hour per day on these tasks has made my blogging life a lot easier
- Start by making a list of the topics you will write about ​during the month. Think of how often you want to post to your blog, once a week, every other day, once a day? Pick a realistic blogging schedule and place those topics on your schedule (calendar) where they make sense.
- Next what will you actually write about? Create a quick outline for each of the topics you decided on in step one. Place them on the calendar under the related topic as shown in the video.
- Consider making ​​the ​focus of each post ​one of the following areas to create variety. Making them (1) informative (news), or (2) educational (tutorials), ​or (3) motivational and inspiring (success stories, content centered around popular quote or themes) ​or (4) research based long form, pillar posts (5) lists, even better, resource lists. Include lead magnets like cheat sheets, checklists, and eBooks.
- As you're going through your day, ​finding and thinking of ideas and content that is related to your topic, add it to the drafts (outline) you have placed on the calendar. Use some or all of the tools mentioned in this video for ideas and inspiration.
As you'll see, writing each post will occur in layers versus ​trying to write in one sitting. You'll add layers as you add more information to your outline, until it takes shape as the final blog post. This helped me tremendously. - Using the topics in your editorial calendar, pick a day each week to find images, icons and graphics that you can use in your articles.
Upload them to your computer or cloud storage and organize them in folders to make retrieval easy.
And who says you have to use stock photos? As you are going through your day, snap photos with your phone that you can add to your blog posts. - Review your editorial calendar each day. As each article approaches it's publishing deadline, give yourself and your team, time to add finishing touches, check spelling and grammar, add images and graphics, proofread, second review if applicable, and schedule each post.
- If you've scheduled your posts, they will be finalized and ready to go. When the post reaches it's scheduled post date, it will automatically post!
​During the Last Quarter of the Year ​Score Points with Your Customers
​You'll score ​kudos if you can help your customers do the following:
- 1​Solve Problems
- 2​Find Deals/Save Money
- 3​Get Organized
- 4​Generate Income
​As we discussed at the beginning of this post, now is the time to ​add events and holidays to your editorial calendar ​and think of how you can help your audience.
You'll have plenty of opportunities to showcase your capabilities and help them at the same time with thoughtful posts and ideas.
​Create regular and holiday based campaigns that are focused ​on things your readers. ​For example, what do they need, want and hope for?
How can you help them solve a problem?
This last quarter of the year the seasons will change for most areas from hot to cold, and they will be a busy with school related activities (if they have kids and grandkids), getting ready for winter, decorating for holidays, traveling to visit loved ones and the list goes on.
This time of year is also enjoyable time for most people ​at home, at work ​and if they have a business, and people are looking for things that make life enjoyable during this season.
​Many of your readers will need help ​with ​things like gift ideas, staying organized, sav​ing time and money​. Help ​them to "stay in the game" and overcome obstacles, and you'll become front and center in their minds when they need whatever it is you have to offer.
If you're in affiliate programs, provide sponsored and non sponsored resources that will make their lives easier. Mak​e gift suggestions that relate to your business, and ​don't forget ​about gift cards​!
​Help them find deals, make a little extra holiday cash and plan those parties, trips and get togethers that ​normally happening ​during the holidays.
​The goal is to create connections that will ​help your company stay front and center when your audience ​needs what you have to offer.
Stay tuned for more!
​​Wait! ​There​ are More Blogging ​Tips to be ​Shared
​Learn about more ​ways to up your blogging game... and feel free to share!
