I've been thinking for a couple of months now that I'd like to follow a schedule with my blog. This is what I have in mind:Monday - a writerly topic, such as picturing your characters
Wednesday - either another writerly topic or a bloggy topic, such as blogging on a schedule
Friday - what's happening in the blogosphere: mentioning contests and blogfests, giving away awards, entering contests such as Jen at Unedited's Friday Something vs. Something or T.J. Carson's Famous Friday Contest.
Since I'm posting a Toss Around Thursday question, you can see this whole schedule thing hasn't happened for me yet. I have great intentions every week, but something always comes up that I want to post on a certain day, and then I just end up following my old Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday schedule with almost no format. I'd like to follow a schedule because I think it would be easier to plan topics if I at least knew the ballpark of what I wanted to write about (and I thrive on organization.) But I've also seen lately that it's hard for me to stick to a schedule, and I hate to put constraints where they don't need to be.
So I'm wondering what you guys think. Do you use a schedule? Do you appreciate or even notice when other bloggers do? Do you recommend using one? Why or why not?
30 comments:
I don't use a schedule, but I need to! Some weeks I blog three times, others only once. I don't think it's working for me, so I'm considering the same thing! I say, go for it!
I used to blog 6 days, then I tried a schedule M-W-F, then went to 5 days, then I tried specific topics for certain days. I found that no matter what I wanted to post on the certain day, something would happen in another part of the blogosphere and I would have to write about it. So I completely gave up on the whole "try-to-post-in-a-smart-efficient-way thing" And now pretty much just fly by the seat of my pants.
I still do all my posts on Sunday but leave room for them to be moved around or added to as the post date nears. Flexibility is the key I think.
For the most part I don't really notice schedules on blogs, except the ten word Tuesday that some people do, I love that. I've tried to keep a schedule, myself, but I can never stick to it!
Hi
I am always, always, always so amazed with the blogworld and the sort of niche blogs - like the cats/pets blogs - that I follow. They have daily themes that they all do and do so well and without fail.
It really is a discipline and I can see why it's done - it gives the day a theme, a content and substance. The outline is there all you have to do is fill it and do so as imaginatively as possible. There are also other blogs who use colours per day. Another amazing feat that bloggers adhere to and without fail.
I'm not that disciplined enough and too scatty to be able to adhere to these daily themes. But I can see how they help. I really don't know what is best though. Like I say I'm totally in awe at how blogs stick to a schedule and I really can see how it would help format one's blog enabling you to plan ahead for these days.
Good luck! I know you can do this!
p.s I love your Toss around Thursdays btw!
Take care
x
You raised an interesting point about theme days. I've done serendipity Saturdays, for example, that tends to explore life's surprises and discoveries, fitting for the weekend.
My blogging schedule is sporadic, so I just try to make sure I post at least twice a week. I don't mind if bloggers have a schedule or not. I use the blogger dashboard so if a new post is up, I notice on the blogger dashboard.
Have a great weekend, Susan!
I did end up forming a schedule without realizing it. Monday is photography tip day. Wednesday is writing tip day. And Friday is Cool Links Friday. If I decide to post a review or awards (though I skipped on this week even though I have them), they usually end up Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Funny how that happens. Though with summer vacation coming up, things will die down to three days a week so I have time to write a little. Very little. :(
Sounds good!
I started on a schedule over a year ago and it really helped my blogging. I wasn't scrapping the night before for a topic. I veer away from it on occasion, but I've stuck to it otherwise. I highly recommend one!
I have no schedule whatsoever. I try to post 3 days a week, but sometimes only make two.
As far as other blogs, a set schedule makes no difference. I do like 3 or less posts a week from people. For purely selfish reasons. I don't always have the time to get around to everyone and there are certain blogs I hate to miss anything from!
I do use a schedule, and plan posts well ahead of time in Scheduler. It just seems to keep the whole process organized and more efficient once that schedule is in place.
I don't currently have a schedule--I'm an impulsive blogger. I post when I get an idea, learn something cool, or see something worth sharing. I don't really pay attention to whether other bloggers use a schedule. I just look at my list on Google Reader to see what's new. I also check Verla Kay's to see what Blueboarders have posted about recently... I've found lots of great blogs that way!
having a set schedule def takes some of the pressure off. I've only got two really 'set' days - Monday and Tuesday. Wed and Thurs tend to stear towards writerly topics all on their own and Friday I enjoy doing Jen's something vs something too.
I have somewhat of a schedule for Monday and Tuesdays. I like the idea of one to keep me on track!
I TRY to stick to one but it never works out. I like what you plan to do with yours though, hopefully it will be easy to stick with it!
I don't stick to a schedule or care if other bloggers do. I consider blogging a "fun" thing and a way to network casually, so I only post when I have something to say, and I read others' posts when I have the time. It kind of annoys me when bloggers post solely to apologize for not posting more. So what?? I may love a blog, but I'm not personally offended if the writer takes a short break!
I say, try different things and see what feels best to you. Some people thrive on a schedule, and some get restricted or frustrated by it. But whether a blogger schedules or not has no bearing on how much I like to read their content.
It's good to have one if you brain works that way. Mine doesn't! I do have certain themes I can resort to, but generally I go with the flow.
PSH! I created the blog schedule. Sike, someone prob came up with it before me, sadly. But I know when I first started my blog, I inspired a few followers to start a blog schedule. It really makes things move along smoother and gives your readers specific things to look forward to!
Thanks for the shout-out BTW!!
As I'm sure you've noticed I use a schedule and I had been using it since before the A-Z blogging challenge. Some people may notice others may not. I don't really do it for anyone but me, in fact I don't even notice when others have a specific schedule unless they have it posted it on their sidebar.
I find it helpful for me to stay on certain topics and then every week I know where I'm at and what I'm doing. I also find it helpful to write everything on Sunday so that my week is entirely set up by Monday and there is no thinking involved. I can just work on commenting on all the lovely blogs!
Thanks for the blog love!
I've tried blogging on a schedule before, but it didn't work out. I might try for a more realistic one again in the future.
Good luck with yours. It sounds great. :)
I blog pretty much every day except Sunday, but I don't have themes for the week. I wish I could be that organised. :)
A schedule...Yikes! I'm too much of a free spirit to have a schedule. (wink wink) I plan to post m-f, but don't always make it. I'm like Kelly I'd like to get at least three days a week. Tonight I was going to post about settings, but I've been out avoiding the house most of the day because about 15 roofers have been here. I don't think I'll do a very good job, so I'm not going to post today...
I have a schedule. It works for me because I'm balancing a few things in my life, and I'm one that if I write it down, it gets done. Otherwise I will let something else get in the way! I have a few blogs I follow that have a set schedule and, again, it works for me because I know who to visit that day. Routine works for me.
Rambling tonight because Thursday is my Thoughtful Thursday post and I still have to write it, but I'm dead tired, so have a few things on my mind. Now, without a schedule I'd probably skip it. I guess that's the advantage of not following a schedule!
I found Creative Penn very helpful in describing the advantage of scheduling. But it's what going to work for you that will work best. Good luck!
I don't have a schedule, but I post once a week, usually on the weekend. I've been consistent on that.
I have something for you over at my place.
I do use a schedule - but only for Monday and Thursday posts. That way, I get a balance of being creative on non scheduled days, and knowing what to expect on scheduled days.
I like it when other bloggers have a regularly scheduled post or two. :)
Hmm... Susan, great questions! I thrive on organization myself. However, being not too seasoned a blogger yet, the only schedule I follow right now is that I'll post every Monday and then Thursday. My blog has more than one agenda, usually related to writing, reading, books or words, but I also sometimes get sidetracked by scientific happenings around me and give in (once a month, at least, but then those are words, too, right? :)).
I left my blog agenda broad on purpose, and I like it that way. Maybe a little into the future, I'll whittle it down and then try a schedule like the one you're contemplating, but not right now. Also, I sometimes like the element of surprise both in my blog and in the ones I frequent!
So, how's that for a no-answer answer to your questions? ;-)
Sounds like a great schedule, especially FRIDAY!
I can never stick to a schedule. I've tried, but usually I post whatever comes into my head. I'll be excited to see how it works for you!
Hope your weekend is still productive... er... FUN!
I like a schedule for my blog to push me to come up with something, proof it, and post each week. I don't really notice other people's schedules probably because I have too many blogs I check.
A schedule is a fantastic idea! I'm just not sure we'd ever be able to stick to one. We always just end up posting about random stuff that pops into our life. Definitely not the most organized approach to blogging. Although I will say we've started trying to post a book review/giveaway/author interview every Thursday. It's been nice to have a little structure.
cool,
My schedule:
Monday: Math or Micro-fiction,
Tuesday, Haiku, or Magpie Tale
Wednesday, Theme Thursday Post,
Thursday, Poets Rally, a poem,
Friday, Flash Friday 55, Family Fridays,
Saturday, Six Word Saturday,
Sunday, Sunday 160...
Full 4 me.
I host Thursday Poets Rally,
if you write poetry, please consider to join..
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