(I’ve mentioned before that I recently had a mini consultation with Kory (who also sent me this gorgeously wrapped package), which really caused me to step back a bit and look at my content. We both agreed that my posts were consistent, and I was doing a lot right, but my entire mission statement wasn’t being portrayed in my posts.
I was covering lot’s on blogging and branding (mainly because those were fresh on my mind post rebrand) but less on organization and wellness, which are just as important in this space.
I took a look at my editorial calendar and decided that a fresh month was a good time to freshen up my content a bit. I wanted to refocus and insure that there was balance in my posts.
I decided to take advantage of a big empty wall in my bedroom and get visual with this project. I grabbed two sets of different colored post-its and got to work. On the green port its, I wrote all of the topics this blog aims to cover: blogging, wellness, organization, goal setting, and design. When I first started listing out these big themes –what I’m calling my foundation, I noticed a bit of overlap, so I merged wherever necessary.
Doing this helped me to see the big picture of everything E&M aims to be.
Next, I grabbed blue post its and started writing out themes and post ideas under each green post it. I aimed to write 4-5 post ideas on each blue post it, which gave me about 25 new post ideas. Yepp –just like that, I developed roughly 25 new post ideas, and I knew they all fit into the themes my blog covers.
By growing from my roots and blog foundations, I was able to come up with interesting and original content ideas that will help me to create truly genuine and really authentic posts for all of you. It was simple, eye opening and helpful in so many ways.
Once I was done with my post it wall, I also realized that my editorial calendar needed to be reformatted to suit a style that enabled me to curate posts in this manner. Originally, I created a printable editorial calendar for myself that had a 30-day view of the month, an area for notes/ideas, and a to-do list. I would simply fill in posts every two weeks or so until the entire month was scheduled.
This is what caused my blog content to become dense. I was focusing on producing content consistently, but there wasn’t much diversity in my post schedule.
I recently reformatted my editorial calendar, and introduced two major changes: 1. Each print out focuses on one week, rather than the entire month, to help me be in tune with my posts and, 2. I add the category/theme of each post next to the post idea/title, to insure I’m touching on all of those foundation themes.
If you’d like a printable version of the calendar I’m using, let me know in the comments and I’ll likely send it out in a newsletter!
Have you ever stepped back to reevaluate your blog’s content?
I did this with spider webs. Started with my blog name in the middle and 3-5 topics off what I want from my blog then webbed off from there. I got so many more ideas than ever.
Branching out is a great way to blossom new ideas!
This is a great strategy – I love it! Will definitely be trying it 🙂 xx
I hope it brings you awesome results!
Great strategy, I just might implement it soon! I am working on redesign for my blog and I recently took a look in my categories and realized I write for some more than the others, so I might even drop a few so I can focus better. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Excited to see your redesign 🙂 When I rebranded, I got rid of a lot of categories and added some that made more sense, which was super helpful for organization.
This is one of my favorite ways to organize new ideas in projects with clients so I’m glad you were able to apply it to your blog! I’m sure your wall isn’t covered in Post-Its usually like mine is lol Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Oh, I am the Post-It QUEEN! They’re everywhere in my apartment. Hope you and baby are doing well 🙂
Great strategy, Amber! I think when you write something down it sticks a lot better 🙂
I read today that writing something down is the equivalent of reading it over 7 times. Definitely true for me!
Such a great idea for visualizing your blog content! I may have to try it out 🙂
I hope it works for you! It definitely helped me a lot.
i’d love to see a printable version of your calendar! I use mind maps to brainstorm my blog content and it has helped SOO much.
I’ve used mind maps before, too! I’ll be sharing the calendar either here or in the newsletter soon, so keep an eye out 🙂
LOVE this! I’m working with a blog brander at the moment and that’s also something I noticed. Yep, I’m posting consistently, but I’m not embodying the whole idea of what I’m trying to do.
Scary blogging editorial session, here I come!
I hope it’s not too much of a scary session!! Start with the vague, and work your way in until you’re surrounded with tons of booming ideas!
Such a good idea. Also I’m a big fan for your organizational posts. They’re my fave! So it’s good to hear there’s more coming!
More organization and productivity posts will be up very soon! So glad you find them helpful!
You are so right! I was thinking that overhauling my content to be more in line with my brand would be a whole thing, but it totally doesn’t have to be! A slow refocusing is all I need. Thanks for the pep-talk!
p.s. I would looove to see your calendar and how you organize posts!
Such a great idea! Sometimes it’s difficult thinking of new blog content, but after trying this myself, I have developed enough for the whole year. Thank you. x
This is such a fantastic post; thank you SO much for sharing. It’s exactly what I needed to read today, so I’ll be pulling out the post its later this afternoon. PLEASE do share a printable version of your calendar? Have just subscribed to your newsletter, too 🙂
Lovely post. Thanks for sharing your ideas! 😉
Would love a printable and will join your newsletter! 😉
xoxo,
Sofia
I’m currently re-focusing my blog, switching to WordPress.org and everything…would love the printable you mentioned in this post! Thanks for the step-by-step of the sticky notes wall. I’m going to try that! (aka Mom is the Only Girl)
This was such a smart and refreshing post, Amber! I’m definitely going to use this strategy for my own blog. Thank you for this!
I’m so glad it was helpful!