Blog: Content is King Use an Editorial Calendar

Many blog enthusiasts believe the way to increase readership and interest is to blog at least three times a week. Consistently posting creates expectation by readers who eagerly anticipate the blogger's next feature. Though this has great credibility, it is only true if the post is worth reading.

Want to increase readership and interest? Write when you have something to say not just according to a schedule.

Content Marketing Plan

Always having content to write about isn't easy. Try using a Content Marketing Plan developed from an Editorial Calendar. Wikipedia defines editorial calendar as an efficient way for bloggers to develop, organize and publish content on blogs and other social media sites like facebook and twitter. They have been used for years in the publishing field and adopted by bloggers to facilitate the publishing process.

Two simple but important questions come to mind when considering content.

• What do you have to offer?
• What do your readers need from you?

Having succinct answers to these two questions will help a blogger develop their interests and keep readers returning looking for more awesome content.

Editorial Calendars need not be as sophisticated as the efficient plug-ins developed for blogs. Some bloggers use paper files and folders. If it works for them then it's the right thing to do. Other bloggers organize ideas and unpublished articles using spreadsheets or online calendars. No matter the format, an editorial calendar should be used to keep writing focused on desired topics and getting it published in a timely manner.

At a minimum, an editorial calendar needs the following elements:

1. Brainstorm a list of topics based on your interests and audience needs
2. Prioritize a list of what to publish focusing on time sensitive information
3. Consider how much work each topic and piece will need to publish
4. Assign dates for writing, editing, and publishing each article
5. Determine where to publish each article (blog, facebook, email, newsletter)

Blogging has to be fun and interesting for the blogger. Creating lists on interesting topics, writing in shorter time periods, and understanding audience needs will increase the level of success and readership.