10 powerful benefits of planning your posts
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Some posts are meticulously planned out before publication, others are written as the author thinks of each point. These approaches produce quite different results. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to plan your posts.
1. You can write a lot of potential post titles in a short space of time.
At the simplest level, you can plan a lot of posts just by making a list of potential post titles. You don't write anything except the title of the post. If you're short of post ideas, this can really help you on your way.
2. You'll quickly discover if it's a post you can actually write.
Once you have a post title, write the headers to map out the structure of the post. This will give you an idea of what needs to be written without writing the whole post.
3. If a post sounds good but you don't know how to write it, you can put it aside for a guest post.
If you've got a great post idea but you're struggling to write it, invite a guest writer to write it for you. Planning the post first or at least writing the title should give you an idea if it's worth writing. I've found that if I write a stream of consciousness post and get stuck halfway through, I'm much more likely to delete it than if I plan the post first. Don't waste your posts!
4. You're more likely to go back and improve the post title.
A stream of consciousness post often starts with a bland title, such as "My thoughts on planning a post", and then the body of the post is written. I find that once I reach the end of a stream of consciousness post, I'm out of ideas, so I just hit Publish without revisiting the title. With a planned post, I think you're much more likely to write the title, then go back and improve it before you publish your post.
5. You can work on multiple posts at a time.
I have several posts in varying stages of completion. It can be frustrating to not have any completed posts, so you might want to complete a few posts and store them up. But the good thing about working on multiple posts is you might not think of everything in one sitting.
I've had days where I write several post titles, several post headers, and move some of my posts up the ladder towards being ready to publish. I have several to-do items split across 5 categories, each for a different stage of completion. Not only can I jump between a few posts when I'm full of ideas and push them along a bit, I can also see how many posts are in need of attention. When I have more ideas than completed ideas, it's a sign I need to sit down and work on some of my posts.
6. A post with lots of points can easily be split into a series.
Some subjects will generate more ideas than others. If you find yourself writing a very long list of headers before you get into the detail, it's a great opportunity to split the post into a series. With a stream of consciousness post, it's all too easy to write a really long post and publish it before you realise that it might have been better if you decided to split it up.
7. You have more time to search for an appropriate image.
It's a very good idea to include images in your posts - it brings them to life! A post that's all text is boring. With stream of consciousness blogging, though, you may find that you spend more time writing the post than making it look nice. When you stop writing, you probably won't go back and add images - similar to not going back to rewrite the post title. This is a missed opportunity.
8. Planning a post makes it easier to write a powerful opening.
Stream of consciousness blogging reads a bit like a story that starts "Once upon a time" - it might be the best story in the world, but the opening is not exactly mindblowing. Sitting down to read a book is different to reading a blog post - blog readers are more likely to move on if you don't grab them at the start. Plan your post and make sure the opening is powerful.
9. It gives you a chance to research similar posts on other blogs.
Already know what your headers are going to be? Great - now you can do a bit of research. How appropriate this will be depends on the post you're writing - but if you can back up your comments with examples of people who agree, or you want to put forward an alternative view, linking to other blogs is a good idea. If you don't plan your posts, chances are you won't be linking out, either.
10. You can write a killer ending.
This is so important - with a well thought out post, you can leave your best comments until the end. With stream of consciousness blogging, it's anyone's guess if you'll be able to do this. Generally, that type of post ends when you run out of ideas - so how likely is it that you'll write a killer ending?
If you plan your posts, you can plan for a great ending that leaves your readers wanting more. Ask questions. Bring your ideas together - but leave a few loose ends for others to tie up. The killer ending is one thing that will get people to post comments, share your post with others, and maybe even write a follow-up.
So, do you plan your posts? Have you ever tried stream of consciousness blogging? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
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Comments on 10 powerful benefits of planning your posts
2
Each time I have an idea for a post, I make a new draft with at least the post title. As I am planning my three main posts for the week, which is often a week or two in advance, I look at my drafts and see if there are common themes. For the last month or so my posts have followed the theme; love, threaded comments, jobs, etc. This system has been working really well for me.
I also have a drafts in various stages of completion. Yesterday I wanted to write about something that I will not be used next week but that post is almost ready whenever I decide to use it.
I used to write posts right at the last moment before I wanted to publish and that just didn't work out for me very well at all. I feel much more relaxed with my current system.
3
Thanks for sharing, Ben.
For me, I'll just key in some words into my phone whenever an idea pops out. As and when time permits, I'll open up that note in my phone and start to add keypoints and finally construct coherent sentences when I'm in front of my laptop.
That said, I tend to lose focus of what's the central theme of my blog. As a result, a number of posts are just sidelined and don't actually get posted.
C K
4
Thanks for the comments. :)
Lyndi - should we expect to see a series from you soon? "How to build your own CMS"? ;)
Kim - I think I'd find it rather slow to save the post titles as drafts - have you tried Todoist? It's a great way to manage lots of titles without clogging up your blogging software with all those drafts :)
CK - could those posts be put aside as guest posts for other blogs?
5
Great article. Where do you keep your draft posts while planning and writing? As wordpress drafts, or in some other program?
7
I plan virtually all my posts. Frankly, when dropping Entrecards I get really tired of all the stream-of-consciousness posts. They make for pretty poor writing and terrible reading — most bloggers aren't Jack Kerouac. (And I probably wouldn't like On the Road if it were a series of blog posts.)
With my photo blog, which highlights interesting free images, I have to plan every post — finding the images, downloading and uploading them (I don't hotlink), and making sure the proper credit is given.
With my science/faith blog, I have to put some thought into every post to keep the blog on topic. I often write posts and schedule them to publish throughout the week (I post two to three times a week). I think good writing as a general rule needs planning.
8
7. I alwyas take all photos in every blog post on my blog :)
9
Ginkgo - I like to see a variety of posting styles :) I do think it's possible to write good stream of consciousness posts ... but whenever I write one, it feels like a lottery as to whether it'll be worth reading afterwards. However, several of them have been well received, so maybe I've got the hang of it. You can see some of my SOC posts over at benbarden.com :)
Leo - good effort! I'm no photographer so there's not much point trying to take my own pics. ;)
10
[...] If you decide to start a new blog (or maybe start your first blog), I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight in without thinking about your goals. The very first question you should be asking yourself is why do you want to blog? Beyond that, you should also plan your posts. [...]
11
I like your idea that planning allows you to know if it is a post you can actually write. Too often people get started with something they can not finish accurately.
12
Thanks Seth! :)
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This post taught me something. I am used to planning my posts on paper but I do this post by post. I have never thought of actually planning a couple of posts at the same time. The advantages of doing this you have listed here. Once again, you have given me something to think about.