This is Day 11 of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, a group project 60+ of us bloggers are doing together in an effort to help each other become better bloggers.
I truly loved yesterday’s assignment, brainstorming new posting ideas. At first I thought it was dumb, but the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Likewise for today’s assignment–which is to plan out a posting calendar for blogs to write through the week.
First my objections: I don’t write an informational blog so much as an inspirational one. And the kind of inspiration I write is the stuff God has been saying to me in my daily quiet times (well, mostly daily). Why would I need to brainstorm about this? I’m not the one coming up with the ideas. How can I plan out what God is going to say to me? How will I know what He may want me to write on Wednesday? Why would I need to?
The thing is, though, I often do plan what God will say to me. People raise topics I have questions about or I read something in the word I don’t understand, so I take it to Jesus and He explains–usually–or sometimes He doesn’t. And planning out a week ahead isn’t all that draconian, especially since I’m the one who decides on the moment whether to follow the plan or not. I often get cool things from God and never get around to posting them because something else comes up that diverts my attention. A posting plan would help to avert that.
I also liked the idea of planning a posting rhythm or flow–posting a scripture meditation on Monday, a list of relevant posts on Wednesday, a word to the church on Friday. Probably not for me, but it’s a good idea, and the idea of varying the format of my postings does appeal to me, if not in quite so structured a way.
Another thing I liked was that planning a little ahead will enable me to use more relevant photographs instead of just looking through my photo files for something that might work–or at least be pretty. If I plan ahead, I can actually go out and take a picture that will add to the content rather than just drawing the eye.
Finally, Rowse makes a good point when he says that blogs can get a little one-dimensional unless the writer plans otherwise. Planning can act as a self-portrait that allows us to see the face of our blog and say, for example, “I think it should have a nose, too–all those eyes look weird by themselves.”
So give it a shot–what can it hurt? Even if you feel that your blog isn’t the sort that will benefit from planning, you may find some aspects of this assignment that do apply, and how will you know unless you give it a chance?
Discussion
- Do you think your blog could benefit from a little more intentionality? Why or why not?
- Do you sometimes feel that your blog is getting a little flat? What would pep it up? How can you make it more interesting and attractive?
- Do you find materials in your notebook, etc., and think, “Why haven’t I ever posted on that? Do you then flip past them and forget about them again?
- What is God saying to you about this?
The Extra Mile
A few other things you can do to take your blog, other bloggers, and this project even further today…
- Reply & give other bloggers feedback on the little things they do.
- When other bloggers include a link to a new article they’ve posted today, click, read, and comment on it.
- Check previous posts in the series for new comments.
- Tweet, share, & bookmark this post.
- Please review Richard Sipes blog and give him some feedback.
Cindy Skillman lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota (USA) with her husband, daughter, and two goofy dogs. They’re involved with a group of brothers and sisters in a new organic church and meet to break bread with one another from house to house as well as just hanging out together through the week. She blogs at http://cindyinsd.wordpress.com and you can follower her on Twitter at @CindyinSDakota
63 Comments
Today's assignment is great for a guy like me. I find freedom in checklists and structure…and I am smart enough to realize that there are many of you who are driven crazy by the structure and routine that causes me to thrive. I find that I am more creative when I have a plan to follow. That may sound insane to some of you, but it seriously works for me.
Here is my totally unrelated post for today: http://www.nolanbobbitt.com/welcome_to_nolans_wor…
i can see the value of having a road map for the coming week. In theory I can see myself actually doing it, in practice I fear it maybe a case of over planning without actually doing. It has been a problem for me, planning planning planning and wondering why I don't have time doing. I'm getting better about finding a balance.
Good point Matt. TGoo much planning can be just as bad as no planning.
If you've read some of my comments above you'll know that I consider myself organised. I can plan, manage and run events from the small to the very large without any real issues or worries (this is one of the giftings I have) but I'm unable to translate that organisational skill into blogging / writing. That has always been a 'when the mood takes me' thing.
So here's a question I have on this…. how do you folks actually practically organise your schedule and writing?
Do you use a notepad?
Something like Evernote?
Draft posts in your blog?
Brain storm (mind mapping to the PC crowd I believe)
Something else????
I use pen and paper, Microsoft Excel, brain storming and word webs or charts, …
er, wow. I mean WOW.
Isn't that over-complicating matters?
First, I would like to congratulate Cindy on a great review of today's lesson. This one really applies to me. I definitely need more intentionality in planning my posts—and taking pictures ahead of time. I'm usually coming up with an idea and then run around trying to compose a picture. And, if I'm lucky, my camera will be charged!
So, I made up a calendar using Google Docs. I thought I had conquered the "techy" hurdle somewhat–until I lost my calendar. My oldest son bailed me out–a true blessing!
See the rest of my adventure at: http://openmyearslord.blogspot.com/2010/05/plan-p…
Blessed,
Janis
I wanted to make my blog a mixture of inspiration and information and so having a schedule is kinda hard. But i have found that I have a lot of things that I havent written about and want to and instead of losing those ideas putting them on a schedule to write about helps me make sure I get around to actually blog about it.
I think my blog could benefit from a little more intentionality becuase I have categories to fill and people follow because of those categories.
I do feel my blog has become a little flat and I just thought of a new category this morning to make it a little more interesting.
I am always thinking of things to post about and not finding the time.
I think God saysto me, get with it! You can't inspire others if you don't work at it!
Yes planning is needed in order for one to achieve consistency. Many a time we fail in life not because we cannot do it but because we failed to plan. He who does not plan has invariable settled for failure by omission or commission. God Himself is a master planner. Take human being for instance to see that God is a master planner. The eyes, nose, head, leg, brain to mention but a few are skillfully planned and put in place. I have careful set out an editorial blog calendar for my blog http://www.christchosenambassadorsministry.com/ap…
Check it out and see things for yourself