How to Create an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog

editorial calendar

why you need an

and how to create one

Amanda Nagy @amandacnagy #MNBlogCon

hi i’m amanda• Managing Editor for Anytime Fitness

blog for 5 years

• Currently: Graphic designer at Anytime Fitness

why do you need an

editorial calendar?

to help grow your

blog/content

#1

Creates consistency

#2

easily create partnerships

#3

engage, build, and improve

your audience

#4

quality of content usually improves

#5

how to create a kick-ass editorial calendar

4 steps to buildingyour editorial calendar

research +planning

goals strategyplan + calendar

research/planning

• Target audience

• Content types (article, videos, photos)

• Social channels

• Blogging frequency

research/planning

• Resources:

• Target audience discovery article

• Use Google analytics to discover your best content

• Reporting > Behavior > Site Content > All Pages

• Research other editorial calendars:

• Martha Stewart

• Southern Hospitality

• Live Naturally

Goals• What do you want to accomplish with your blog?

• Set attainable goals

• Also set weekly and monthly goals

• Examples of annual blogging goals:

• Increase blog views by 20% in 2016

• Partner with 2 brands in 2016

• Earn $1,000 from my blog by Quarter 2

• Increase email subscribers from 1,000 to 2,500 in 2016

• Guest post on 3 blogs in Quarter 1

strategy• What approaches will you take to reach your

goal?

• Example

• If you want to…Increase email subscribers from 1,000 to 2,500 in 2016…how will you go about doing that?

• Create a special piece of content (ebook, worksheet, etc.) to gain subscribers

• Install a pop-up sign in screen

• Include calls to action on each blog post to sign up for newsletter

Create• Document your categories/themes

• This should be limited to 2-4 main themed categories

• Add in your important dates

• Include holidays, industry dates, conferences, travel…anything that is potentially important to you and your audience

• Start with Q1 and add in ideas for monthly themes based on your main themes.

Create

Create

resources• Editorial Calendar Wordpress Plugins

• Coschedule - Paid

• Editorial Calendar - Free

• Google Spreadhseet - Free

• Coschedule Blog

• Content Marketing Strategy ChecklistAmanda Nagy

@amandacnagy #MNBlogCon

lemonandlapis.com

• Editorial Calendar Printable Worksheet

http://bit.ly/20TbTHj

resources• Stock Photography resources

• https://stock.tookapic.com/

• https://unsplash.com/

• http://deathtothestockphoto.com/

• https://www.pexels.com/

• http://negativespace.co/

• https://www.pixelsquid.com/stock-images/free

• http://www.sitebuilderreport.com/stock-up