I love blogging. I really do. Writing has always come fairly easy for me, and I enjoy writing a blog like I’m having an actual conversation with you:)

But blogging doesn’t always come easy. There are days when I’m just really tired, or I have a lot to-do or I don’t feel like sitting down & writing. That’s where Blog Planning, or having a Blog Calendar, can be SO helpful!! It keeps me organized, helps me get creative with my posts and has allowed me to grow my readership.

I know there are a lot of creative business owners who really don’t like blogging. And that’s okay! Blogging doesn’t fit everyone’s personality or business model. For DSE, blogging has been ESSENTIAL to my growth. And my blog showcases my personal life AND business life. I’ve been blogging 5 days a week since March (with 4 days a week from Sept-March); so it’s become a part of my business routine & something my readers look for Mon-Fri. If I were to suddenly stop blogging, it would be weird, right?! But this is just what has worked for ME… there are other business owners who only blog 1 day a week or a few days a month and they are very successful! Please read this post & take what applies to YOU and your life!! Make your own model to follow!

[line]

I use a Blog Calendar insert by Elle & Company. I love it!! The layout is organized & clean, giving me room to write my weekly posts and write ideas in the lined box up top.

I tend to make mine REALLY messy… I should probably write in pencil so that I can erase… but I just like color:) Here’s a few tips for how I keep a blog calendar & am amble to blog regularly:

– Keep your calendar 2 months in advance. In June, I filled out my calendar for July & August. I took these pictures the beginning of July, and you can see how Aug wasn’t totally full yet. That’s okay! I fill out the posts I KNOW will happen, then I play around with adding other things to the schedule. This also helps me to space things out & not repeat information. I want to have fresh & new content so my readers don’t get bored; I always want to have a good mix of personal posts, business posts & wedding/shoots.

– Develop 1, 2 or 3 blog series’! I LOVE a good series! It keeps you consistent, it organizes your content & your readers know what to expect. Here’s an example:

• Mondays: Weekend Wrap-Up – I give my readers a taste of my weekend, showcase my personality & let them see more into my personal life.
• Wednesdays: Bride to Bride – planning tips for brides. (I titled it “Bride to Bride” because when I started blogging, I had just gotten married. I’ve thought about changing the title but I feel like I’m so used to “Bride to Bride” now!)
• Thursdays: Dinner Dates – encouragement & advice for small business owners & aspiring creatives… because I wish I could have a dinner date with every one of you!
• Extras: I also have a few additional categories I throw in on Tuesdays & Fridays: Inspired, Meet A DSE Bride and Friday Favorites, to name a few.

– Pre-Blog. Pre-blogging is the best thing EVER. It saves me SO MUCH TIME. On a good day, I can write 5 blog posts in 3 hours. I just schedule myself “blogging time”, sit down & start writing!! I love pre-blogging for 2 main reasons (though I’m sure there are other benefits!) …

• I can write them ahead of time & schedule them to post at 8am. Since I work full-time, I don’t have time to worry with blogging during the day; pre-blogging allows me to schedule them ahead of time so they’re ready to go. All I need to do is promote on social media.
• There are days I just don’t want to write or I don’t have time to write. Pre-blogging ensures that I DO blog Mon-Fri, even if I didn’t actually write it that day.

– Blog Regularly. Again, I know blogging isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you have a blog on your site & you want to start blogging, have a set schedule. Even just saying “I will blog 1 day per week!” Pick the same day per week to blog… for example: every Wednesday you’re going to publish something new for readers. Maybe it’ll be a planning tip or a DIY post or pictures from a recent shoot… whatever it is, just be consistent & set-up a schedule for yourself. Your readers will start to realize that on Wednesday’s you’re blogging. You can even TELL them you are if you feel like you want the accountability!

– Dead Blog vs. No Blog.This was a HUGE tip I took from the Small Business Social: “A dead blog is worse than no blog.” Does your website have a blog? Do you use it? When was the last time you used it? If you say March or May, then I think you should just delete that page. What will potential clients think when they visit your site & see a blog you haven’t touched in months? That you’re not working. That you don’t have anything exciting going on. Now, that’s probably the OPPOSITE… I’m sure you’re SO BUSY that you don’t have TIME to blog!!! But they won’t see it that way. I have a very “all or nothing” personality type… I’m all in or all out. I’ll jump in & never look back. That’s how you need to be with blogging… either decide to do it regularly (1 day per week, 5 days per week) OR don’t do it at all. Again, that’s not necessarily the “right” way… I know other business owners who only blog when they have a shoot or wedding to showcase, so when they blog it’s not always the same day per week or on a set schedule. But for me and my business model, I think having a schedule is necessary & I have seen growth because of it. (“Growth” meaning a growth in blog readership, growth in DSE clients & overall business growth).

[line]

These are just a few tips for blog planning; things that have really helped me in the last few months, so I hope they can help you! Again, I know blogging isn’t for everyone but I DO think it will do GREAT things for your business!! Your clients & vendors want to get to know you, and blogging is so great for that!!

Please don’t think that you have nothing to blog about… EVERYONE has something to blog about:) Everyone can put their own spin on an already blogged-about topic. And, definitely don’t think you won’t have any readers. When I first started blogging, I’m pretty sure my Mama & best friend were the only ones reading!!! Even my husband didn’t read it, haha!!! But once you start blogging regularly & giving readers a look into your business & your life, you’ll BUILD the following & the community you want. Hey, if I can do it, you can do it:)

Intersted in blogging but have more questions? Feel free to leave questions in the comments; and my friend Lauren has an amazing series I HIGHLY recommend titled How To Start A Blog !!

xo! kat