The Ultimate Blog Plan and Scheduling Tutorial (Daily/Weekly/Monthly)

Would you like to learn how to create a 1-year blog plan and blogging schedule that allows you to focus on the blogging tasks that really matter?

Great… because today we will be going over step-by-step how to schedule a 1-year blog plan in 30 minutes.

I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to want to accomplish so much and not know where to begin.

But after almost 3 years of blogging and 2 blogs, I’ve formulated a system that works really well.

Next, we will go over step-by-step how to come up with a blogging schedule for the entire year and how to brake down your goals into daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly tasks that will help you make the best out of your time and money.

Note: I had originally written this information for my email list, but it turned into full blown tutorial. Therefore, I opted to write a blog post instead. If you would like to receive blogging tips, tutorials, and resources like this one straight to your inbox make sure you sign up to my email list.

BLOG PLAN AND SCHEDULING TUTORIAL

*This post may contain some affiliate links. Click here for more info.

Important:

Before we start, it is important to know what tasks are top priority when it comes to giving you the best return on investment (time and money).

So, if you are not part of my email list and have not yet read through  “7 blogging tasks with the highest ROI“, consider reading it before you start this tutorial.

That will ensure that you keep in mind what blogging tasks you should be prioritizing as you work on your blog plan and schedule.

Also, I created a few examples with images throughout this tutorial to help you visualize what we will be discussing.

So, now that you know what blogging tasks you should consider prioritizing, let’s get organized and formulate a plan of attack.

Alright, let’s do it…

Here is how to plan out your blogging tasks for the entire year (daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly), and how to break them down into actionable blogging tasks.

STEP 1: Brainstorm

For the very first step of this tutorial I want you to take a good look at where you are in you blogging journey.

On a piece of paper, make list of the TOP blogging goals that you would like to accomplish in the span of a year.

For example…

Keeping in mind all of the priority and high ROI blogging tasks, break down each goal into “blogging actions” you would have to take in order to achieve those goals.

For instance…

STEP 2: Time to Schedule them in

Looking at the bigger picture of everything you must get done in order to achieve your goals, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

That is why I is important to schedule all of your blogging tasks and to set realistic expectations.

The first thing I like to do is to break down my goals into Yearly Quarters.

• Q1: January-March
• Q2: April-June
• Q3: July-September
• Q4: October-December

I have found this to be the best way to designate a solid 3 months to different blogging projects without burning out.

Note: You don’t have to start this blog plan in January in order to work. Simply, start scheduling in the 1-year blog plan in the month you are in and then add the Yearly Quarters in the months that follow.

Next, on the same page you broken-down your blogging goals and “blogging actions”, assign each one a Yearly Quarter in which you would like to work on it.

Here is an example:

Some goals you will be working on year-round (e.g. content creation, Pinterest management, and promoting content). While some other goals will be seasonal (e.g. eCourse creation, learning SEO, etc).

In addition, some blogging goals and tasks are also likely to intertwine but that is okay. For instance:

• Learning SEO (Education) will help improve traffic
• Working on a Pinterest Strategy will increase traffic which will help you apply to Mediavine, hence increasing income.

… and so on.

The goal is to select the biggest task and assign them a Yearly Quarter.

Once you have your goals spread out in your Yearly Outlook is time to schedule them on a day/week/monthly basis.

STEP 3: Monthly Blogging Scheduling

Get yourself a good paper planner.

Make sure it has a Monthly and Daily/Weekly Outlook.

While looking at your quarterly and “year-round” tasks list start plugging in your monthly tasks.

You don’t have to plug in an entire year worth of tasks.

Focusing on Q1 (first 3 months) of your blogging plan should be a good start.

Here is an example of what Month 1 would look like based on the sample blog plan I created:

As you approach a new Yearly Quarter, refer back to you list and repeat the process.

You will notice that some tasks are recurrent (month to month) (e.g. creating content and Pinterest management). If you would like to develop a system for recurrent tasks with checklist, check out How to set up Blogging Standard Operating Procedures.

Tips for Scheduling Monthly Blogging tasks:

• Assign each category a different color
• Stick to the same day of the week for recurrent tasks
• Set realistic expectation
• Don’t over-schedule your months
• Keep an area in your month outlook where you can write things that come up (e.g. affiliate promotional dates)

STEP 4: Daily Blogging Scheduling

Once your monthly outlook is set, refer to the daily/weekly outlook of your calendar.

Break your tasks down even further by being specific about the blogging tasks you have to get done each day.

Here is an example of what the first week would look like based on our sample blog plan:

Remember that creating a step-by-step checklist of things you do regularly can help enormously with time management and productivity.

For instance, a checklist for Blog Post Creation might look like this…

• Research topic
• Select keywords
• Write outline
• Include relevant affiliate links
• Proofread
• Add images (at least 2)
• Create and embed Pinterest Pins
• etc…

As you move along your Blogging Schedule

Different things will come up as you move along you blogging schedule.

For instance:

• Emails to answer
• Affiliate promotions
• Unexpected trouble shooting tasks

That is why you shouldn’t overcrowd your calendar. Having a balanced schedule will be able to give you the flexibility you need to plug some of those things in as you go along.

Any task you complete, add a check mark.

What you don’t get to complete on a particular day, place a line over it and move it to the next available day.

Things I Use to Help me stay Organized

Paper Planer

There are a million scheduling apps online.

But in my opinion, nothing beats the good old pen and paper.

I am currently using the Dabney Lee Blue Sky Planner 2019-2020 from Target.

But, if you are looking for a brand new one (2020), this Beautiful 2020 Hardcover Planner is a great option.

It has the monthly and daily outlook you need to follow the blog scheduling plan we just went over.

Mead (5 Subject) Notebook

Besides a planner, I also have a notebook where I keep everything in.

When you are working on multiple goals and tasks at a time, it is imperative you stay organized.

The way I did that, was by purchasing a Mead Five-Stat 5 Subject Notebook.

It comes with 5 sections, each with reinforced pockets which are great to store extra notes.

Then, I added section tabs according to my biggest goals/tasks using paper tabs and tape. This method is a lifesaver. I can take my work with me anywhere because it is all in one place.

When I work on my daily tasks all I have to do is go to the section I am working on and brainstorm, right down ideas, etc.

Highlighters and Different Color Pens

Using assorted color highlighters and pens also help tremendously when trying to work on multiple tasks a month.

You can assign one color to each major category to help you differentiate them better.

When I look at my monthly outlook having things separated by color helps me understand it better.

Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are also a great way to add information without altering the context of existing content. It is also great for temporary reminders and side notes.

Pencil bag

Finally, if you want to complete your organization haul, then this little cutie will do it.

It fits all of your supplies so everything you need is all in one place!

★ Related Articles: 

• 7 Priority Blogging Tasks with the Highest ROI (for Traffic and Income)
• 5 Best Blogging Courses (to Help Grow and Monetize your Blog)
• Why Every Profitable Blog Needs a Standard Operating Procedures to be Successful

Final Thoughts

Creating a blogging plan and blogging schedule is extremely important if you want your blog to succeed.

Setting clear goals, focusing on priority high ROI tasks, and creating a plan of action is the only way to ensure you make money blogging.

By implementing the steps we just discussed you are sure to set yourself up for success and make a impact in your blog grow this upcoming year.

So? A year will go by regardless, the question is… what will you do to make it count?

What blog planning and blog scheduling ideas will you taking away from this article? Tell me in the comments below.

Don’t forget to pin for later….

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