Do You Have an Editorial Calendar?

One of my favorite systems to set up for private clients is a marketing and editorial calendar. If you don’t yet have one here’s 4 great reasons to start one today and a bonus tip to take action.

1. Eliminate blank page syndrome

Every writer knows this pain! The blank page is hard to overcome so by tapping into your creativity when you’re full of ideas it’s much easier to pick one up later. I also believe that when you know you’re writing on something next week you’ll begin to unconsciously think and reflect on what you want to say, allowing the words to flow out easier when you sit down to write.

Especially if writing is difficult for you, having a plan is very helpful to getting your ideas flowing.

2. Cultivate lots of ideas, keep the best

I keep a running list of blog topic ideas online which is continually getting refreshed. Sometimes, however, I look back and think “why would I want to write about that?” By continually throwing ideas out you’re able to zero in and isolate the ones that are most compelling and exciting to share. No more forcing yourself to write about something boring or off topic because you have no other ideas.

3. Plan ahead

One of the biggest frustrations in business is not knowing your next step. Often times a marketing and editorial calendar will change but simply having a starting point is comforting. And when someone (like your coach) asks how you’re marketing your business you don’t have to sweat it. Simply consult your calendar and say “blog post on Tuesday and my regular ezine Thursday. Twitter and LinkedIn posts twice a day and I’m launching a new teleclass at the end of next week with email and blog announcements.”

This week I’m in Florida for a conference. But weeks ahead of time I knew that I’d want a blog post to share today and, thanks to my editorial calendar, I was able to plan, write and queue it before leaving. Why not just take the week off? Well, keep reading to find out.

4. Consistency is key

I’m sure you know websites that have great content but 9 times out of 10 when you check them it’s the same old post that’s been up for months now. No matter how genius the content is, if it’s not consistent then you’ll continue to learn elsewhere, maybe checking back occasionally for nostalgia.

Having a consistent presence is not only important for trust but also reliability. No one wants to invest in a business that’s here today, gone for six months. While I do believe in providing consistent value, I’m also a fan of transparency. It would be out of my personal integrity to post as if I were home in California this week but despite my travel schedule consistent content and value is important to exhibit.

Action Tip: Decide if you’d prefer a virtual or hard copy calendar and purchase or create one today.