There it is again—that word—blog. If you’re a business owner you’ve probably heard time and time again how important it is that you blog, and it’s true. Blogging is vital to the marketing plans of most businesses, and it’s one of the most effective ways to develop a web presence and create long-term relationships that have the potential to translate to new clients and sales. The Problem If you’ve ever written a blog, personally or professionally, you probably realize that one of the biggest roadblocks to the creation of a successful blog lies in the loss of inspiration. A blog isn’t a short term project—any good, effective blog is a long-term undertaking. With that comes a sense of responsibility to create quality, compelling content on a regular basis. It may seem easy at first to come up with great posts that are going to draw in readers and increase engagement, but after a few weeks or months you’ve likely found yourself without a clue as to what would be fresh and interesting to your readers. Often, this becomes the reason that blogs cease to exist. Overcoming the Problem The best way to avoid a loss of inspiration that dooms so many blogs is to create a plan for your blog before you ever write your first sentence. People vary in their content planning strategies—some ambitious planners will strive to layout a year of content, while others will plan for a quarter. Whichever approach you take, it’s important that you use the planning process as a way to lay out not only your content plans, but also your goals for the blog. Understanding who you’re writing for and why you’re writing will help guide your blog and keep you on the right track in the creation process. During the planning process it’s also important to think about how often you’re going to be able to realistically produce a blog. Don’t deviate from your schedule once you’ve created your plan—your readers will begin to rely on to produce regular content, whether that’s once a week or once a month. Remember, quality content produced once a month is more effective than not-so-great content produced once a week. Check the Calendar When You’re Planning When you start laying out your plans for your blog, always consider holidays and important events that are scheduled. These are great things to blog about and they won’t require a lot of thought on your part. It can also be a good idea to include plans for at least a few slightly more controversial posts. Leave room in your blog schedule for something that could be debated, because these types of posts are a good way to increase engagement, although doing them too often will leave you open to the risk of turning off certain readers. A good way to include these type of posts is to plan on them once every six weeks. http://virtualadministrationservices.com.au/blog-content-planning-just-how-easy-is-it/#.UfBrZm09XUs

1. Blog Content Planning –
Just How Easy Is It?
with Laura
Williams

2. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
Blogging is vital to the marketing plans of
most businesses, and it’s one of the most
effective ways to develop a web presence
and create long-term relationships that
have the potential to translate to new
clients and sales.

3. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
A blog isn’t a short term project—any good, effective
blog is a long-term undertaking. With that comes a
sense of responsibility to
create quality, compelling
content on a regular basis.
The Problem

4. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
The best way to avoid a loss of inspiration that
dooms so many blogs is to create a plan for
your blog before you ever write your first
sentence. People vary in their content planning
strategies—some ambitious planners will strive
to layout a year of content, while others will
plan for a quarter.
Overcoming the Problem

5. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
When you start laying out your plans
for your blog, always consider
holidays and important events that
are scheduled. These are great things
to blog about and they won’t require
a lot of thought on your part.
Check the Calendar When You’re Planning

6. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
You could be inspired at any moment,
and by using a list you can translate
those moments of inspiration into the
more difficult moments when you
can’t seem to come up with an
original idea.
Always Be On the Lookout for Great Ideas

7. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
Begin by outlining your ultimate goals
with your blog and simply plan how
often you will blog. By tackling these
smaller first steps, it becomes easier
to develop content along the way.
Is it Realistic?

8. Thanks for Kicking-ass!
For more info please contact:
Laura Williams, Principle Consultant
Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
Phone: 0438 517 733
Email: info@redapplevas.com
Web: www.redapplevas.com
Skype: redapplevas
Postal: PO Box 6831
Tweed Heads South NSW 2486
© 2013 Finance

9. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
Even a blogger who has planned
ahead in great detail can run into a
situation where there doesn’t
seem to be anything to write
about.
Keep a Few Tricks in Your Bag for Those
Emergency Situations

10. © 2013 Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services
Even a blogger who has planned
ahead in great detail can run into a
situation where there doesn’t
seem to be anything to write
about.
Keep a Few Tricks in Your Bag for Those
Emergency Situations