Why You Need an Editorial Calendar to Get Your Blog Life Together

An editorial calendar is essential to your blogging success. I’m sharing tips for why you need one and how to create it.

This blogging thing is fun but juggling blogging full-time, mom life, and still managing having a life would be even harder if I didn’t have a routine. I learned early on about editorial calendars but it really took me a while to start using one. I noticed a huge change when I did. My content got better, my life became more organized, and I was able to create more sponsored content. Not only did it help me manage everything but it helped me see a clear future for my blogging career.

It’s funny how something so simple can lead to so much progress. Creating an editorial calendar creates consistency. Consistency creates increase. Being consistent is easy if you can plan and actually follow through with executing your plan.

Tips for Creating an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog

Here’s a couple of tips for creating an editorial calendar for your blog that might come in handy. At the end of every quarter, I sit down with my computer, water bottle, paper planner and begin planning. It takes me a little time but it’s totally worth it. If you want to plan a little more in advance, you can definitely plan for the entire year at once.

Editorial calendar planning essentials

Usually I do my editorial calendars quarterly because this allows me to save time every month. It also allows me to be proactive when working with brands and keep my audience engaged with amazing content. The first thing that you want to do when creating an editorial calendar for your blog is to know your blog goals and keep your audience in mind. This will allow your to create content that your audience is sure to love.

1. Pick a theme for your editorial calendar every month.

This step is completely optional. Some bloggers choose to choose monthly themes that align with their content for the month. For example, August is about Back to School so all of my content in August is typically related to back to school. I created posts about back to school recipes, DIYs, how to prepare your kids for their back to school routine, etc.

Summer months can have themes around summer camp, summer travel or at beauty or whatever theme that fits for your niche.

2. Schedule sponsored content and color code it.

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle when creating my editorial calendar is to scheduled sponsored content. As a full-time blogger, deadlines are important. Schedule your sponsored content accordingly so that you don’t miss any deadlines. Color coding the sponsored posts on your calendar will make them stand out so that you won’t miss your deadlines.

I love to keep a calendar near my desk with all of the different color coded deadlines. They’re right in front of me that way and hard to miss.

3. Allow your editorial calendar to serve as a tracking system.

In addition to color coding my sponsored posts, I use my calendar as a tracking system. For every sponsored post, I mark what network or brand it’s for and the compensation amount. This allows me to remember how to properly disclose each post because let’s be honest, it’s hard to keep track of all the details in my head. Spreadsheets or programs like Notion are a really great way to keep track of all of your sponsored posts and content plans.

4. Pitch brands according to your editorial calendar.

Remember that monthly theme that I talked about earlier? By creating a plan in advance, you can pitch brands to create those sponsored opportunities that every blogger dreams about. You can keep notes about brands that you’d like to pitch at the bottom of each month’s editorial calendar.

P.S. If you need tips for finding brand contacts, here’s my top tips for finding PR contacts.

5. Utilize Google Analytics.

Google Analytics will be your holy grail. If you don’t have it on your blog, get it now. The reports will show you what content your readers love the most. This will help you to keep giving your readers the content that they want to read and help you to grow your blog. It’s super helpful to check it at the end of the month and re-evaluate your content moving forward. Google will even send you monthly reports with a recap of the content on your site.

7. Ask your audience what they want.

If you’re just starting out and don’t have Google Analytics then just ask your audience what type of content they want. A simple survey or post on your social media pages can help you to figure this out. Your audience can not only tell you what content they want but they can also help you to come up with content ideas. They are who you’re targeting. Ask them what they want so you can make them happy. Don’t forget to consult your tribe too.

8. Make adjustments as needed.

An editorial calendar is a plan but sometimes it’s okay to make changes. Don’t be afraid to make changes if you need to. Sometimes a brand will want to work with you although you already have a content plan already mapped out. That’s okay. Make adjustments to your calendar as needed and keep going.

 Overall, an editorial calendar is a plan that you need for a successful blog. It’s definitely something that’s optional but it’s something that’s been super helpful for me.