How to Choose the Best Blog Content Schedule For You

Are you constantly struggling to come up with content at the last second? I’m guessing that’s because you don’t have a content schedule. A content schedule is a game-changer and has totally transformed my business.

Fair warning – you have to commit to being organized and to plan in advance for this to work. But I promise it’ll be worth it!

I also did a podcast episode about this topic on Wisdom in the Tangents! Listen here:

Key Takeaways:

• An explanation of why a blog content schedule is helpful for your business.
• A quiz to help you decide how often to publish new blogs.
• Key things to include in your blog plan.

Why You Need a Blog Content Schedule

Let’s face it – blogs aren’t easy things to crank out and post. It takes time to think of topic ideas, research keywords, outline the content, write the post, optimize it for SEO, and publish it. 

And honestly, if it’s not on my weekly to-do list, it’s not getting done.

I need some accountability, even if it’s just to myself. A content schedule helps keep me focused and on track.

I love that I can plan my content strategically instead of posting whatever I want.

It helps me think about my topic before sitting down to write it.

I like to batch my keyword research, so I already have my focus keyword picked out before I start writing.

Planning out content ahead of time means you can anticipate trends and organize campaigns. If you’re planning your December content schedule, you know that people will want to consume content around:

• The holidays
• How to manage their time
• Giving gifts
• Creating a new annual budget
• New Year resolutions

Plan to write content around those topics!

A content schedule keeps my blogs organized, strategic, and consistent, and it’s something everyone should do!

So, before we move on, download my free content calendar in Airtable. It has everything you need to keep a running and organized list of your blog topic ideas and their current status. Plus, you’ll get helpful tips about what to consider when writing your blog! 

What to Include in Your Blog Plan

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of creating a blog content schedule. Consider these few key elements as you work through my content calendar template.

Blog Topic

First, you need to think of some blog topics. Brain dump any and everything you think of! Spend 10 minutes thinking of some topics.

Don’t overthink it! Now isn’t the time to decide whether it’s a good idea. If you need inspiration, this blog has 16 places to find topic ideas!

I like to keep a running list of blog topic ideas beyond my actual content schedule. I typically have 10-20 more ideas ready to go than I have scheduled.

Content Bucket

Next, assign a content bucket to each blog topic. These are the high-level categories you will write about. Every blog you write should fall under at least one of your content buckets. 

Focus Keyword

Let’s do some keyword research! This is where some blog ideas could be eliminated if there isn’t a good keyword to go with it. Once you find a good keyword for your idea, add it to Airtable.

Publish Date

Now, it’s time to decide when that blog should be published. Again, pick a frequency that works well for you. This short quiz can help you decide!

Start assigning publish dates to your blog ideas. I recommend mixing up your content buckets, so you don’t write in one category too many times in a row. Give your audience some variety!

The dates you assign are now solidified. I look at my business as a client – I wouldn’t miss a deadline for a client, and I won’t miss one for myself, either. This is the accountability piece!

Featured Image

This step is optional, but it helps me have everything in one place when I publish my blogs. I select the featured image for each blog in my schedule and add it to my content calendar (Tinified, of course!).

How Many Blog Posts Should I Publish Each Month?

Pick a frequency that works best for you, and make sure you can realistically stay consistent with it. Anywhere between 1-4 is a good goal! 

I definitely started small and increased when I could. And sometimes, that meant pulling back on other marketing channels. I settled on one blog a week.

Take my quiz to discover the perfect blog schedule for you. It helps you answer questions like:

• What is your goal for blogging?
• How much website traffic do you want to get per month?
• How much time or resources can you dedicate to blogging?
• What other marketing platforms do you prioritize?
• Do you have a keyword strategy in place for your blogs?

All of which will give you clarity on how often you should post new blogs!

Frequency Options

I know this is probably what you’re most curious about. You want to know if you can get away with publishing one blog a year.

I mean, I guess? You can do whatever you want as a business owner.

But you won’t see the results you’re hoping for, and you’ll probably get frustrated and quit before you see any.

The more high-quality and valuable blogs you post, the higher your chances of ranking in search results and earning new traffic.

So, what are your options?

Occasional Blogging: 1-2 Posts Per Month

You’re ready to dip your toes into blogging. You have limited time and/or resources but can still make blogging a priority to reach your business growth goals.

With 1-2 blogs per month, you will see slow but consistent growth in your website traffic, keyword rankings, and online visibility. SEO and blogging have a snowball effect!

Your audience values quality over quantity. Focus on writing 1-2 high-quality and super valuable blogs per month.

Consistent Blogging: 1 Post Per Week

This is what I do! You’re ready to see steady growth in traffic and engagement.

By posting one blog per week, you will see consistent and steady growth in website traffic, keyword rankings, and online visibility. 

This frequency works well for small- to medium-sized businesses still building an online presence. 

Frequent Blogging: 2-3 Posts Per Week

You are ready to commit and see your hard work pay off!

This frequency is ideal for competitive industries or businesses targeting rapid growth in the search space. You will start to dominate search results and stay top-of-mind and extremely relevant to your audience.

This is an aggressive frequency, which means you’ll see your efforts pay off faster and more drastically. 

No matter what frequency you decide is best for you, SEO is a long-term game. Don’t freak out if you don’t see results in the first month or two. SEO and blogging have a snowball effect!

Create Your Blog Content Schedule Today!

Are you feeling inspired and motivated to create your blog content schedule? Download my free content calendar template and start filling it out!

Start with a quarter of planned content. I know that sounds like a lot, but it’ll pay off. You’ll be surprised how much time it saves you and how grateful you’ll be that you put in the work ahead of time. Say goodbye to being stressed and randomly creating content without a strategy behind it. Your business will thank you.

And if blogs aren’t your thing but you know how impactful they can be for your website traffic, let’s chat! I offer blog writing and strategy services to creative entrepreneurs. I’d love to help you with your content schedule and strategy!

FAQs About Creating a Blog Content Schedule

How far in advance should I plan my blog content?

I like to plan about a quarter of content at a time. It helps me look forward to what’s coming up and begin to prepare to write it.

How do I choose blog topics that will attract the right audience?

Focus on answering questions and providing tons of value. Here are some places you can find topic inspiration!

What if I miss a scheduled blog post?

It happens! Finish up the blog and publish it when it’s ready. It’s better to publish a completed, high-quality blog than something half-finished!

What is the ideal blog length?

Write at least 300 words for SEO purposes. Write as much as you can to thoroughly explain the topic and provide value. Most of my blogs end up between 1,000-1,200 words, but sometimes they are longer depending on how much I have to say about the topic!