Are you looking for ways to plan your content for the upcoming months? Do you find that you forget about a lot of your good content ideas because you don’t have a centralized location to keep them all together?
One way you can consolidate content ideas and plan for future blog posts is to create your own content planning spreadsheet. Unlike some content management systems you can purchase, using a spreadsheet is free, easily customizable, and created by you with your needs in mind.
Using a spreadsheet gives you a centralized location to keep all of your content ideas. If used regularly, it gives you a consistent way to plan and helps you build the habit of working ahead.
Many bloggers create a spreadsheet using Excel, but if you’d like to be able to access your spreadsheet while you’re on the go, using Google Docs is a great option. You’ll be able to access your spreadsheet from any computer, and you won’t have to worry about losing your ideas if your computer crashes.
To start your own content planning spreadsheet, it’s best to start with something simple. As you gain experience using your spreadsheet, you can add more to it. Here’s a basic guide for building your own content planning spreadsheet:
How to Build Your Own Content Planning Spreadsheet
- If you haven’t already, set up a Google account. Once your account is set up, access your Google Sheets by going to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/.
- Create a spreadsheet, and name it something that you’ll be able to easily remember.
- Make the following columns for your spreadsheet:
- Day of the Week
- Date
- Post Title
- Resources (you can use this section for links, notes)
- Fill in your columns with the information you’ll need for the next three months. This way you’ll be able to plan ahead far in advance. If you are feeling very ambitious, you could fill out your spreadsheet for a year.
- Add in notes about monthly themes or holidays you want to write about.
- Fill in the post ideas you already have. That way you’ll be able to see where you have gaps to fill.
- Start brainstorming. As you think of good post ideas, type them into your spreadsheet.
- As you use your spreadsheet, it’s easy to modify your content schedule by copying and pasting your post titles and information.
- Print out your spreadsheet. The nice thing about using a spreadsheet is that it’s easy to print. I like to keep a copy of my most current content planning spreadsheet on my desk so I can easily reference it when I’m working.
- Make changes as needed. As you use your spreadsheet more and more, make modifications. You may decide to add another column for affiliate links to include in your posts, or you may find that you don’t need a resources column. Modify your spreadsheet so that it works for you.
Having your own content planning spreadsheet can help you stay more organized. If used consistently, this content planning method will help ensure that you never forget one of your great blog post ideas again.
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How do you organize your content planning process?
Share in the comments below!
This is one of those super simple why didn’t I do that before kind of ideas! I need to stop making things so complicated.
Rebecca@TheFamilyFinder.Net recently posted..Why Your Kids Should Swim In A Tank
I can definitely relate to this, Rebecca – I’m the same way! So glad this post was helpful!
I recently did a post sharing how to use Google Drive spreadsheets as an editorial calendar with an add-on actual calendar spreadsheet feature. It is pretty cool, much better than using a printed calendar heh. I’m very visual so I need to actually see post ideas on a calendar rather than a list of dates and days of the week.
Julie recently posted..Summer Staples Moodboard
That’s a great idea for those who are visual, Julie! Love it!
I actually did a blog post about this same topic this week (“How To Blogstorm”), and included a download of a planning spreadsheet I use myself. Each page is a topic and has the 4 subtopics I use. I don’t include resources, links, etc – it’s just a brainstorming sheet for me.
DaLynn McCoy recently posted..Do the Pins!
Thanks for sharing, DaLynn!
I can definitely relate to this, Rebecca – I’m the same way! So glad this post was helpful!
I recently did a post sharing how to use Google Drive spreadsheets as an editorial calendar with an add-on actual calendar spreadsheet feature.
japatbond recently posted..Jasa Cuci Sofa di Jakarta Selatan – Murah Bergaransi
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Great! I am going to check out the article its very informative thanks to share this.
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It hadn’t dawned on me that I could create a spreadsheet in google docs. It’s a great idea! Thank you.
Woohoo!! So glad it was so useful for you, Sue.
Thanks, Good detailed helpful post. Some of the points are really new for me, will think about this in my future content plan.
So glad to hear that, Chris!
thank you very much for the article, it’s very helpful at all 🙂 ^_^
Rani Rinada recently posted..How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Big Cities ?
I use an Excel spreadsheet as an editorial calendar, but I wasn’t using Google Drive. That’s a great tip – this way your can access your spreadsheet whenever you need to.
Rosa @ Cat Lady Confidential recently posted..Would You Wear This Cat Print Sweatshirt?
Exactly! There’s nothing like blogging on the go!
I think spreadsheets are great for organizing…and I am the kind of people less organized lol :D.
Thank you for sharing!
Regards,
Sinziana Romanescu
Sinziana recently posted..10 Delicious Chocolate Cupcakes
Our pleasure!
I use google docs for my editorial calendar as the plugin is not my cup of tea. I love the hand and paper work when it comes to content planning by printing out the Google spreadsheets. Its a lot more flexible and easy.
sangeetha menon recently posted..6 Homemade Rice Noodles or Sevai Recipes – No MSG, No Preservatives
That’s great! It sounds like you have a solid system in place, Sangeetha!
nice great very useful information,thanks
You’re welcome!
I do need to organize my brain, ideas, post. I will definitely try google docs sound like very convenient when you do not have your own pc with you.
Thank you!! I just used this idea to help plan my next month’s content. So helpful!!
So glad it was helpful, Samantha! Thanks for commenting!
Thanks Blogelina! A structured approach to content writing is helping me work more efficiently!
That’s great to hear, Peter! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
This is a great idea! I’ve been struggling with a paper blog planner and I’m not a paper planner girl. I’ve created my planner and already plugging in posts ideas.