So this is how it usually goes…
You sit down at your computer, open whatever blogging platform you use, and click new post. Then you stare at your computer screen for an hour and get distracted with Facebook, or Buzzfeed quizzes. Oh just me? Not really but it used to be me. I have people ask me all the time about my blog writing process so I figured I would lay it all out there for you!
I keep a running list of post ideas in my phone as well as a pretty flexible editorial calendar. So when it comes to actually writing posts for the week I know what I will be blogging about. For instance I wrote this post last Sunday. Sunday is the day I write my posts for the week. I knew what every post would be for the week. Andrew makes all of my graphics for me, as well as edits my photos. So he works on that while I am writing. I am very lucky because he saves me HOURS! He is much better and faster at it than I am.
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So once I start writing, I write the entire post out. Then I go back through and bold sections, add outbound links to old posts and/or affiliate links. Then I go through and add photos.
Once that is all done, I do my SEO work for the post, add tags and categories, and set my featured image. I also go over to that schedule area and pick a date and a time! Always midnight central time!
I try to end each post with a question to spark comments if it’s a post where an ending question applies!
I then add a click to tweet section if it applies and then hit that nifty little schedule button.
See, not much to it!
Then of course the night before a post goes live, I go back through it and reread, and then there is editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
So how do I come up with post ideas? I am so glad you asked! In my blog writing process sometimes the actual act of writing a post gives me ideas for future posts. I then add those to the running list I have going on my phone. I also consult this handy 105 blog post ideas post I did a few weeks back. I come up with ideas at the most random times so keeping a list is vital!
I am sure everyone’s blog writing process is different, but this is mine!
Are you curious what I do AFTER a post is published?! Click here to get my daily bogging checklist.
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I hope you found this post helpful! If you enjoyed finding out about my blog writing process make sure to check out my other blog advice posts and my blogging courses!
What is your blog writing process?
I think everyone has their own process. Glad yours works for you.
I love how everyone has their own writing process. I wrote a post like this a few weeks ago about what happens when I get an idea…then it becomes this whole thing of note taking, jotting down, chicken scratch, and then it starts coming together lol. Thanks for sharing yours!!!
My process is pretty much the same as yours. In the past, I’ve tried writing posts in bits (when I’m lacking in time) but it tends to just confuse me and I lose my train of thought. I’ve also tried to write all my posts on the weekend for the week ahead but I never get further than maybe 2 or 3. These days I tend to just stay 1 or 2 days ahead. It’s interesting to read about other people’s processes though. 🙂
I have seen this discussed numerous times over the years. I’ve always noticed everyone has a slightly different process, impacted by many things. It’s good you’ve found a system that works for you.
I like reading about people’s processes and often wonder how similar or different people are from mine. Mine is very similar to yours, but I forget to check SEO and artfully add that in sometimes : )
I take forever to write posts! I wish I could write and edit faster so I could post more often. Do you have any tips on that?
Thanks!
Shanna / Beloved Nest Blog
I’ve tried to follow a similar plan as what you do especially writing my posts on Sundays, but I find myself procrastinating too often. I’m still working on finding my own rhythm.
This was great and yest I do wonder all the other time about other bloggers process. Getting the insight from others really helps. I tend to take a long time when I write a post. Maybe I am just too critical of myself.
This is a great, informative post! My process is quite similar. (But I still do get distracted by Facebook and Buzzfeed, haha!!)
Ditto on getting hardcore distracted when I should be writing. That’s why I try and block off a set amount of time on the weekend to really focus, but add in extra time if inspiration strikes earlier in the week.
I don’t know that I have a process that I follow very regularly. I’m very stop and go. Your process looks like it probably would get a lot more done!
My process is very similar to yours. However, I am not always able to write my posts for the week in one day. I try to stay ahead of my schedule, but sometimes life happens. I do like to write my post and add in notes for where I want my pictures or if I need to look up something that way I don’t miss it later. I used to think my favorite time to write was at night, but I have found early to mid morning works better for me now.
I am really working on not using up my weekends to work on the blog. I try very hard to write at least two weeks in advance and during the week to have everything ready. Still at this point I am still having to use a weekend day for picture taking as I do not have studio lights to allow me to do this during the week. Other than that my writing process is very similar to yours. Organization is key!
I do the running idea list on the phone as well. It is SO helpful. I still have an editorial calendar but then I pull my ideas from there and make swaps as needed if I’m feeling stuck on an idea I scheduled out already.
Mine is a little unstructured. Some mornings I am all lets get this done and then others I just can not think of anything. I have never been good with just sitting down with an actual process, I kinda just do whatever comes into my thoughts, whenever 🙂
I just recently added the click to tweet plugin and really need to start making use of it!
I think I need to get a better process! I love yours! Mine is sit on my couch and write with my pups!
This is a great peak inside your blog writing process. I need to find that block of time where I can sit down and write all my posts for the week at once. It sure does help things run so much smoother. I’m keeping a planner filled with topic ideas and what day i’ll be writing what but getting them written ahead of time is what’s so hard! I love this look inside your writing process though. It gives me ideas and inspiration.
I also think it is so important to have a structured approach to blogging. The strength of the internet is also its weakness; too much information can really cloud your judgement. Thank you for the guidance.
I may have to steal some of your ideas – and your 105 list. I, too, keep a running list of blogging ideas- but have to do all my graphics on my own. Lucky you to have help!
I definitely love writing my posts out ahead of time because I feel a lot less stressed and my ideas seem to flow better!
You’re so lucky to have someone to help you with graphics and photos! That’s one of my least favorite parts about blogging. But, like you, I love to write all my posts for the week ahead of time. It makes everything much less stressful!
I do a lot of my writing in my phone because I always have it nearby. I just started a notebook for blogging so I can write stuff down. I always feel more creative when I handwrite something than when I type it. Thanks for the link to the post ideas. A blogger can never have too many ideas for posts.
I first plan out the entire blog post before I write even one word. Then, I work on a headline. That takes some time. When I have it all planned out and the headline is ready, I start writing. By that time, I have the entire post almost done in my head, so it doesn’t take long. What is time consuming is adding images and graphics. Taking pictures, designing a layout, compressing them , uploading them, and writing titles and alt titles probably takes a lot longer than just writing the post!
I love hearing other bloggers’ processes, so thanks Neely for sharing yours!
My process is fairly similar, but I write on weekdays because we’re usually working on the weekends, and when we’re not I want to spend time with Alex. My editorial calendar is scheduled for Tuesday and Friday one week, and Wednesday and Friday the next: A broad topic for each day (three in total), and then more specific categories within those.
Graphics and images: I’ll either source great stock images or take my own if I know I have appropriate materials around the house without needing to spend money, Overlays etc. are all done by me.
As for the ideas, they kind of strike me like lightning would, quick and unexpected. I’ll go and draft a post title and put in some little notes about what I want to write about, and then I’ll come back to it when it’s writing time.
For me, blogging is an accessory to my business, hence only blogging twice weekly. I need to focus more on product development than blogging but I love to write – be it telling my story or helping people out with something – so I do give it all I possibly can!
My process is really similar, but I wish I could get all my posts written in one day! One of my goals for a while now was to give batch writing a go but I never have a large enough chunk of time. Oh well! And you are so lucky to have someone help out with photos and graphics! Thanks for sharing!
Love reading how others do it. I find that I write best with deadline or else I procrastinate. Such as I have to complete a post during the 2 hours I have while my youngest is in preschool or else it won’t get done. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. Love seeing how others do it. When I get an idea I just have to write whatever I think. Then I go back and add and edit. Then I do the photo. #ShowYourBlogLove
I have a very similar process and I love reading how others do it.
xoxo, Jenny
My process is somewhat similar to yours, it’s neat to see how others walk through their checklist. I will usually also schedule social media shares at the same time as I schedule a blog post.
I have a very similar process to you, except if I have an idea, I will quickly write a VERY rough draft so that when I want to go back to it late on, I am able to remember exactly what I want to write about, I found that with just having a list, my crazy brain couldn’t even remember why I what I wanted to write about the topic.
How wonderful that you have someone to do your graphics for you. That really would be a time saver. You have a great process for writing and I will have to use some of your ideas. Thanks for sharing.
I love seeing the different process other bloggers use! For me I have to handwrite my post first. It is something about putting pen to paper that I love.
Awesome. I’m also pretty jealous your husband does your graphics! I spend waaaaaaaay more time trying to figure out photos for my post than I do actually writing the post. Lol sometimes I wish I could go back to the days when all I cared about was writing. The days before SEO, headers, meta descriptions, and pinterest-worthy photos. Ah, those were the days!
I love your writing process! It’s so very cool that your husband is so involved in the process. There’s nothing like teamwork! Thanks for sharing…
My post writing process is pretty similar! I usually get my ideas together and then take the pictures for the post, then write then edit. It depends on what the post is about though for pictures! Love this 🙂
Interesting post. Can I ask why you set it to midnight central time?
coffeeslag
COFFEESLAG Styling the T-Shirt Dress
Your process and mine are very similar – just the posting times are a bit different 🙂
I so need to get on the bandwagon of writing several of my posts out ahead of time. I do a few but not a whole weeks worth. I know that would really help me in the long run. I have pretty much the same process as you have with writing it out then going back and bolding,etc what is needed at the time. When it comes to graphics & photos I either edit them before I do my post or after. Depending on how much editing I have to do.
I don’t really plan that much ahead when I am blogging. Aside from making sure my contractual posts are published on time, I pretty much write about whatever tickles my fancy.
Haha you say “not much to it” but obviously you put a lot into it because your blog is beautiful <3 Super awesome that you have a graphics guy!! Great teamwork. That part always takes me so much time. I enjoy it but it definitely slows the publishing. Also, once I have a post written it drives me nuts to wait to publish it!! I get so excited I want to push it out immediately!! (By the way, any particular reason you choose midnight central to publish?)
Glad to have found you via The Peony Project!
So cool to hear about your process. Mine is very similar! Definitely will be using your 105 blog post ideas as well!
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been trying to work out my process. Currently I just sit and write then post or schedule. Not the best process.
Thanks for taking us through your blog writing process! I’m working on creating a new blogging process that is more ahead of time versus the night before!
I believe most have their own process.
Loved reading about your writing process! I’ve never given mine much thought, but I do a lot of the things you do. I should sit down and come up with a process so I don’t forget anything.