As a professional blogger, it's very important to me to have a productive blogging workflow that really works. I write dozens of posts every month, hundreds every year, so efficiency is essential. It's taken a while, but now I have a system that helps me be effective in everything from idea generation to publication and sharing.
Here's how my blogging workflow works.
Step 1: Idea Generation
The ability to come up with new ideas or to improve the ideas that others suggest is crucial. Sometimes my clients have strong ideas about the content they want; at other times it's up to me to come up with strong content for their blog.
Sometimes an idea will just pop into my head, but sometimes it takes work. One key part of the process is knowing what's already out there so I can avoid regurgitating the same old ideas and so I can respond to something interesting. For that, I need an easy way to keep up with the latest news. My favorite tool for that is Feedly, which I can use both on the web and on my phone and tablet.
I use it both to subscribe to sites that publish info on the topics I usually cover (social media, SEO, analytics, blogging, technology and so on) and to search for recent stories on topics I occasionally cover. And I have a miscellaneous news section in case there's anything topical that sparks an idea.
I also use Feedly on my mobile devices, where I supplement it with an ever-changing variety of news reading programs (just because every aggregator has a different collection).
Once I find something interesting, I either save and tag it in Pocket or, if I'm at my desk, add links and notes to Scrivener. (You'll be hearing about Scrivener a lot in this post.)
Step 2: Outlining
I find it's best to have an idea of the post structure in advance. Since I've been writing for a couple of decades, I can often work out the outline in my head (as I did for this post).
But sometimes I like to write down the rough outline (introduction, conclusion and 5 to 7 main points) along with a working title. This can be useful if I have to pitch an idea because if gives the blog owner or editor a good idea of the content. While I'm at it, I might include key links in the appropriate parts of the outline. I generally write my outline in Scrivener, which has automatic backup so I never lose any of my writing.
Step 3: Research
Unless I'm telling a personal story – and sometimes even if I am – I still need to do research beyond the material I find for the outline or pitch. Most clients want you to back up your statements by using authoritative sources, and usually the data has to be relatively recent.
Feedly is useful for this phase too, but I sometimes use sites like Alltop, Buzzsumo and other aggregation sites. Best of all, though, is a Google search. I usually use the search tools to make sure I am using the most recent data.
This is also a good chance to see if others support or disagree with the position I plan to take. Depending on timing I will summarize the key points of articles I plan to use along with quotes if I plan to use them and include those in my outline. By the time I've finished this stage, my outline looks closer to an article.
Step 4: Writing
To avoid problems with carpal tunnel, I usually dictate my first draft into Scrivener using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Not only is it good for my health, but it can be a real time saver. When I dictate I usually have my outline open in one panel, with another one open for the post. This is pretty easy in Scrivener, and as I mentioned, I never have to worry about losing my work.
My other two favorite tools for writing are Windows Live Writer, because it's easy to grab HTML for uploading to WordPress, and Google Docs, which I use when on the move and for client collaboration. When I get to the second draft stage, I usually use one of these two programs and then paste the final version back into Scrivener.
Step 5: Proofreading and Images
Most of the blogs I write for use WordPress, so uploading is usually the next stage. But that also means finding images. Options here are:
- taking my own screenshots using the Awesome Screenshot Google Chrome extension or Lightshot for video stills.
- using Place.it to plug a URL into a pre-existing image so it shows the screenshot in an interesting way.
- using Pixabay to find Creative Commons images that haven't been over used.
I also use Pixlr to create quote graphics and have been experimenting with using Visme (which I recently reviewed) to create other kinds of graphics. Once I've found the images, I upload, add the images and proofread for the final time before sending it for the editor to review or saving it as a draft.
Step 6: Social Sharing
If I'm publishing on my own blog, I then use CoSchedule (reviewed here) to schedule social media updates from the date of publication onwards. CoSchedule also allows me to use social images and it has become a very important part of my workflow.
When writing for others, I usually make a note of the intended publication date in my calendar so that I can share to social media sites using Buffer. Here's a really helpful video from Ms. Ileane showing how to optimize your productivity using Buffer.
Depending on the topic, I may also post content to LinkedIn groups or use a site like Triberr to reach even more people.
The final step is to add my posts to my Contently portfolio so I can market my writing services.
At any given time, I've got several posts at various points in the workflow, which is pretty efficient.
What tools do you find most useful in your own blogging workflow?
Recommended Reading:
- Blogger's Quick Guide to Writing Rituals and Routines: 10 Secrets for Increasing Blogging Productivity (Blogger's Quick Guides)
- Scrivener For Dummies
- Part Time Blogger's 5 Time-Saving Tips for Effective Comments
I find myself in some of your tips. I just surf the internet for new ideas and once I have one, I write it down and trying to research on it to create a new article. Rise and repeat!
Glad you found this useful, Stefania.
Hi Sharon, and welcome to Ileane’s blog 🙂
It’s SO good to see you after so long Sharon – sure been a while, and let me tell you Ileane, she is one of the writers I was connected to when I started writing, so lots to learn from her, and this is such a wonderful post indeed.
I could relate so much to all that you have written because once you are a blogger and blogging so much, the writer in you takes a backseat somewhere and you are just blogging 24×7, which includes so much more than just writing!
I do use a lot of what you mentioned, though don’t have the speaking software, though heard of it a great deal. I guess my fingers have learnt to type as fast as I would have spoken now, with time…lol…and the huge number of blogs one visits, it just becomes a never ending task.
Thanks for sharing these with us. Have a nice weekend, both of you 🙂
Thanks, Harleena, so nice to see you here. I type pretty fast, but I find that with the number of articles and posts I write, my wrists really suffer. Dragon is literally a life-saver. Have a great weekend!
Well said Harleena.This content is simply amazing by Hurley.Work flow is necessary for sure in order to maintain systematic ways in Crowded Blogging world.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Avinash.
Thanks for the creative content. his will definitely help me in my next Brain storming session. Thanks again!
Glad you found the post helpful, Muhammad.
Hello Sharon,
It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing your work flow with us. I’m sure writing hundreds of posts one definitely needs to stay organized.
I will be looking into some of the tools you shared today. Especially Dragon Naturally Speaking. My carpal tunnel acts up form all the typing too so I know I can use this.
Hope you had a great weekend! Have a great new week ahead ladies.
Thanks, Corina. I really recommend Dragon for helping save your wrists and arms. The latest version is especially easy to use.
Hello Sharon,
Thanks for sharing your work flow. It was really helpful. Regarding Dragon, I just downloaded and it feels great. Thanks once again.
Excellent! Enjoy, Sandra.
Hi Sharon, you really use some different tools than I’ve used. I haven’t heard of co-schedule – something I must take a look at. Isn’t it amazing how many things we must do to write a blog post? I think research and finding images can take the longest, at least that is the case for me. The social sharing and networking afterwards too can be quite timely. Thanks for these tips that may help reduce the time doing them, much appreciated!
Glad you found it useful, Lisa. I found Co-Schedule earlier this year when doing a post on editorial calendars – the social sharing really makes it a winner.
Hey Sharon,
Thanks for sharing the process and the tools you use to really get you going. The only tools I’ve heard of were buffer and Feedly. I thought Feedly was more like Twitterfeed, but just seeing how diversified it is I may have to look into it some more. I was also looking for other sites for images for my blog posts. I’ve been using Depositphotos and this site can be pretty limiting. I have to check out Pixabay tonight when I finish my blog! Thanks for the value you shared here and I hope you have a great week!
So glad you found it useful, Sherman. Forgive the plug, but if you’re looking for a guide to finding images, I’ve got one over on Crazy Egg that’s pretty comprehensive – it lists a dozen or more Creative Commons image sites.
Sharon,
Thanks so much for these recommendations! I’ve used several of them before and heard of several more, but there were some I had never heard of, Scrivener in particular. I’ll definitely have to check it out!
I love Feedly too. That’s how I found this article!
I recently signed up for Hootsuite Pro– any thoughts as to how it compares with CoSchedule?
Brittany
I’ve only used the free version of Hootsuite, Brittany, so it’s hard to say. Not sure whether Ileane uses the pro version?
I also follow this workflow plan but honestly I always get stuck in the reseatch part and cannot write anything, and sometimes the research itself confuse me and take me from one idea to another. It is great to be focused and most the time I cannot 🙁
Wish one day I can get as good as you
Hi Jossef, just keep writing and it will happen. An alternative approach is to write the article you want first, then see if the research backs it up – that might help you get over the block.
No doubt these tips are going to help us being more productive with our blogging things. I’m also using feedly for getting some post ideas. I have subscribed to some of my favorite blogs there and from time to time I use to get some valuable content ideas and I even use it to keep track of incoming posts on my favorite blogs. If I like a blog post, I use to leave a commnt there.
Thanks for sharing your approach, Anil.
Hi Sharon,
For topic inspiration I use Google trends, Quora and authority sites I’m subscribed.
Als used PIXLR, it’s great tool for editing.
Yes, Quora is a great site for topics, I.C., and forums around certain niches can be good too. If someone asks a question, then others are likely to be interested in the answer.
Hi Sharon,
Very well written post. No doubt all the tips and tools that you mention in your article for productive blogging workflow are very useful in this scenario. really you are a treasure chest of great ideas! Again, wow. I am going to print out this post and have this at my side, within reach, at all times.
Thank s for sharing such an excellent and informative post. 🙂
Glad you found it useful, Muhammad.
These are some great tips Sharon, thanks for sharing your process with us.
Happy to share, Kostas. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Hi Sharon,
thanks for writing on this topic, i am a new blogger and start my blog before few days. so i want ask that how to gain traffic without social sharing because i have not much followers in my blog so what is should do?
Thanks
That’s a whole other discussion, Ranjeet, but in short web optimization/SEO will help bring people to your site.
Research in my opinion is definitely the most important step in writing a blog article. You always want to make sure that you have some idea of what you are writing about before you post it as questions may come up from your readers.
Yes, I agree that it’s crucial, Sabrina. A well-researched article is more likely to give readers the information they need.
Hi,
What a useful tips , i never know about and the tools too.
Thanks for spending your valuable time on this.
Regads,
Sachita Sharma
So glad you found this helpful, Sachita.
Hi Sharon, Many new bloggers are struggling to set their work flow. Your 6 steps of work flow really helps them to quick start. Thanks
Thanks, Tanmayi; I appreciate your kind words.
Hey Sharon,
I found this article useful.
I have picked one or two things from here.
Thanks for writing this.
Have a nice day ahead.
Glad you found something useful in it, Oloyede.
I like Step 5: Proofreading and Images , because i need this idea . Thank you for Writing this Article .
Hi Sharon,
you just did an awesome job explaining the tips and tools for a productive blogging and workflow and I believe that these tips will work for me.
Thanks for sharing, keep writing!
Glad you found them useful, Ammar.
Sharon, it was a good read and very helpful.
I always like to edit my photos in PS however for a simple screenshot I may install some of the Chrome addons you suggested. Thank you!
Hi Sharon,
Finding an idea, outlining, research and writing all these are most consuming parts for me, sometimes i stuck at finding a idea, good article for productive blogging workflow, i will try to follow you in finding idea.
Hi Sharon,
Check Freeter.io – it may help you to better organize and streamline your workflow.