‘Scheduling’ is the one word from the blogger lingo dictionary that crops up on twitter chats over and over again. Apparently it’s the key to successful time management, and the sure fire way to ensure you don’t go days without posting! I’m still a relative newbie in blog land (only properly been posting for 6 months) and I haven’t yet written a post more than a day in advance. Photographs, yes, they’ve been done in batches at weekends; at this time of year the light doesn’t leave many other options. Since I like to include snippets of what I’ve been up to or thinking about, I tend to actually write posts as and when I want to publish them. Pictures just add a visual element to my blog really – my ramblings aren’t always just about what I’m wearing or whatever. I like reading little anecdotes about people’s days, so I write about mine sometimes in the hope that others like this kind of thing too! Which is why I’m curious about this ‘scheduling’ business… how do you fantastic lifestyle bloggers manage to plan ahead? Is it not impossible to write lifestyle posts in advance? Personally, if I write a ‘wordy’ post it’s generally because something during my day has made me think about that topic. Last week’s education post followed a student university conference I’d attended, for example. Do you have ideas for posts, write them, and then the words wait patiently in your drafts box to be published? If so, I admire your patience!
Two or three posts a week isn’t a great deal I guess, but I’m not the speediest of writers, so to write a bunch of posts in one go would take me forever! I’m guessing this is the reason that many of the über famous fashion bloggers write less and less these days: as time spent producing Vogue editorial standard images increases, it eats away at writing time, and the dynamic of the whole blog changes. Slick, ‘fashiony’ style, the likes of Atlantic Pacific and Fashion Toast, will remain in my bloglovin and instagram feed I’m sure, but I do really like a good read. The more obscure the better! Anyway, I mean to say that I’m probably gonna stick with writing one post at a time when ideas come to me, as spontaneity helps me write better, I think. Dedicated schedulers out there … how do you vary your content when writing multiple posts in one go? There must be some trick that I’m missing!
What are your thoughts on scheduling? Is it something you couldn’t manage without, or do you write spontaneous drivel like me?
lily kate x
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12 Comments
Sarah Mullaney
8th February 2014 at 5:01 pmI’ve been wondering about this lately too. I prefer to write spontaneously as when I start planning my posts I feel that they can lose the spark that they had when I first had the idea and become less interesting. Having said that, there are many successful bloggers that blog with and without scheduling, so I think it’s down to personal preference and whatever works best for you :)Sarah xx
lily
9th February 2014 at 9:14 amThat’s what I thought too – I forget the little things I wanted to include that would make the whole thing more interesting. And I probably go off on a lot more tangents too if I’m writing after the idea. There are many indeed – Becky Bedbug is one that has spoken on twitter about scheduling wayyyy ahead and her blog is really good to read!
Chelsea C
8th February 2014 at 6:04 pmI don’t know how I really feel about the whole scheduling thing myself, I use it every now and again, but more chances than none, I even forget to schedule my posts! It seems you write all these great ideas and plan them, and then you just seem to over thing everything! I think it always feels a little bit better if you write and hit that post button straight away – a bit more satisfaction at what you’ve done!
Chels | HumbleHonesty.com
lily
9th February 2014 at 9:19 amSame here! I think it might get way confusing to have posts written well in advance, I’d forget why I’d written them! The satisfaction is great – especially lovely to receive such nice feedback!
niamh
8th February 2014 at 6:31 pmI agree – Also I’m a slow writer so once I’ve finished my post all I want to do is publish it!
lily
9th February 2014 at 9:21 amI really do admire people who can write quickly haha, maybe it’s a skill we’ll acquire!
Kathy
9th February 2014 at 7:16 amI plan when I’m going to post and I may ruminate on the topic but it’s mostly spontaneous drivel when it comes to it. 🙂
lily
9th February 2014 at 9:24 amSpontaneous drivel all the way 😀 Easier to have more variety that way I think!
Emma 5 foot 10
9th February 2014 at 3:53 pmI tend to schedule a few post and write spontaneously the rest of the time. I’d love to post daily but I dont think that is a productive thing for most blogs. It depends on the content and writer though:)
Btw I added you to the blogger height wall, if you want to take a look http://5foot10.blogspot.co.uk/p/blogger-heights.html Spread the word 🙂
lily
12th February 2014 at 9:12 pmThanks for adding me! I think a mixture of writing is definitely best, and posting daily would be impossible!
Antoinette Pepe
11th March 2014 at 12:18 amWell, I started blogging a month ago and really planning is a process that I’m kinda not used to yet! I write when I feel inspired, I do try and post 3 times a weeks, but still I don’t like posting just for the sake of it.. If I have something to say I will if not – will wait and then do so. I really love your posts sweetie and your writing! Keep up!!!
Love,
A. xxx
lily
11th March 2014 at 8:04 amWow your blog is incredibly slick for only a month old! I aim for 3 times a week too, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Thank you!!