Being a blogger is hard work…I mean, who else has to face the judgement of neighbors shaking their head over “Funkins” on the porch in August and a Christmas tree deliveries in early October. Seriously. It’s rough.
Fortunately a blogging break is right around the corner. Wait. What?! You haven’t scheduled a blog break in December? Well, the good news is that you can easily build out your editorial calendar and schedule easy-to-assemble posts for the end of the year today.
10 Posts to Add to Your Editorial Calendar Before End of Year
- Holiday Roundup Posts. Everybody loves a good list. Holiday roundups are great Pinterest fodder and will create a steady stream of traffic to any site. Beyond that, there relatively easy to put together.Source your crafty, DIY, party or recipe posts by reaching out to other bloggers in Facebook groups and/or direct sourcing from blogs you love.Here are three sample holiday round-up posts that each have more than 25,000 pageviews:
- Wish/Gift Lists for your Niche. In addition to serving as great filler for your blog, wish and gift lists can make for great affiliate income.Don’t think of your list as a one shot deal. Reinvent it a couple different ways…For instance, an early November post entitled Great Gifts for Bloggers and Creative Entrepreneurs might also be a great mid-December post entitled Great Last-Minute Gifts for Bloggers and Creative Entrepreneurs (think Amazon Prime).
- Top 10 Posts of the Year. Yep. It’s another list…This one is a bit more personal, because it’s all about your site. Not only is this a great opportunity to refresh content, but it’s also an opportunity to dive into your analytics and really look at what’s successful on your site.In the past, I’ve developed these lists based strictly around Google analytics for the year. I’ve shared actual top 10 posts for the year (including content from previous years) and top 10 posts for the year (limited to that calendar year).This year, I plan to share the top 10 posts of my choosing. Yes. I still plan to go back and dig through my Google analytics to see what performed the best. It’s a great exercise. However, this year I am really focused on building my brand. I want to showcase the posts that are the most meaningful to my brand (tips for bloggers and creative entrepreneurs) as opposed to general craft and DIY posts.
A bonus post? Share your top flops. People will click. Promise. Plus, it makes you a little human.
- Reader Survey. You’re gearing up for another great year. Learn more about what your readers want, by asking them about it in a survey. Keep it simple and sweet, with 10 questions and an opportunity for open-ended feedback.Two great poll tools are Survey Monkey and Poll Daddy. They’re both free up to a certain number of questions and responses. You can also build a free form in Google Docs.Keep in mind that you might get some negative feedback. It’s okay. It’s totally normal. Read it. Determine if there’s helpful information included. Move on.
- Family and Holiday Plans. This is the perfect time of year to share a little bit more of the personal. Plan a post documenting some of your family traditions in photos or a simple happy holidays post with a photo of your family.
- Goals for the Next Year. Yes. You could simply share blogging goals, but this is a great opportunity for you to humanize yourself and connect with your readers.Most of YOUR readers probably aren’t sticking around for blogging advice. What level do they identify with you on? Healthy living? Family relations? Connect with them on these points and share them throughout the year.Some of my favorite posts on the blog last year were shared during our One Word Challenge last year. I know simply thinking through everyone else’s goal-related posts as I shared them was great for me!
- How to Organize ______ for the New Year. It’s time to get a little content in the pipeline for January…that means organization! Think about your niche and write a related organizational post.On my site, this post often takes a blog organizational tone…How to Organize Your Blog Posts for the New Year. You might share something like how to organize your craft supplies, your stamps, your cake plates, your spices, etc. for the New Year.
- Trend Predictions for your Niche. Set yourself up as an authority figure by providing trend predictions within your niche for the next year.Not quite prepared to step out a declare a trend? Study up on outlets tracking trends or prepare a roundup post filled with trend predictions from others.In 2012, I prepared a hybrid trend post. I boldly stepped out and declared what I thought the trends would be and then backed it all up with some fun tutorial roundups. It was just a bit of time, attention and research, but I hit it pretty well. Go check my accuracy (if you can remember back as far as 2012 – it all blends together!).
- Best Posts from Peers. It’s one thing to complete a generic roundup. It’s another to create a peer flattering list. It may be tempting to lean on your blog tribe, mastermind group, whatever you might call it, but this post will be far more satisfying both to you and to those mentioned if it’s an authentic list of your favs.
- 10 Lessons Learned. Learned a few lessons this year? I am sure you have. Share them in a great post filled with lessons learned for your niche.This year I will be sharing a lesson in how to find your voice, how to avoid following the crowd to fit in and how to stand out. All HUGE lessons learned over a period of multiple years for me. Another? Better work/life balance. You might be sharing the best way to complete a project and or get a deal on a particular piece.Whatever you settle on, people love to hear about what to avoid.
So that’s it. A list of the 10 posts to add to your editorial calendar before the end of the year. Food for thought?
I’d love to know what types of posts you have planned for the end of the year and if there’s anything I’ve missed. Leave me a message in the comments!
Tauni Everett
Creative Director at Tauni Everett
Title:
10 Posts to Add to Your Editorial Calendar Before End of Year
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Blogging Tips, Editorial Calendar, Holiday
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Posts to Add to Your Editorial Calendar Before End of Year
Last Updated:
November 15, 2018
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Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge
Oh hey, you bet Kristie! I love the sweet little Ewok costume on your site and that little girl of yours…what a cutie pie! xo Tauni
This is a great list, thanks for the tips
Beth, you bet! Thanks for stopping by. xo, Tauni
P.S. I love the tag line on your site…Scrapping your phone photos. Great niche!
Thanks for the great tips. And your right blogging is so hard. I could creat all day but writing about it and getting it out there is a tricky business. Thanks for all you do!!!
Thanks so much for your note Michelle! Blogging really is harder than most people realize. And, while I am not the best crafter, I have tons of classroom treats and DIY’s that have never made the blog, because they were done in real time instead of blog time (i.e. the night before) and I just didn’t have the drive to write them up and get them seen.
Please let me THANK YOU for being so supportive. All those awesome Instagram likes and comments are certainly not lost on me! xo Tauni
This is a great list, thanks for the tips
Wow! Such great ideas! I am so going to try a few of these ideas. This post caught my eye at just the right time. I was starting to feel overwhelmed about my blog and now I have a few ideas for finding some clarity and focus thanks to you!
Oh wow Carisa, what a compliment. I am glad that I could help out. Please try the ideas and let me know how they work out. Keep in mind that some of my best posts are older. It can take a bit of time for things to take hold and it’s so easy to get frustrated in the meantime! One of the difficulties of working as a blogger is that we’re so isolated. We don’t have the co-worker we can turn to and vent our frustrations to, right?! We all need someone to bounce ideas off of and brainstorm with. I get overwhelmed too 🙂
xo
This is a great list, and some of them I have never thought of doing. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh man, thanks Kara. What a huge compliment! If my simple posts can encourage a creative new approach for a veteran blogger like you, there’s hope for this site yet! I really do appreciate your comments on my posts too. You’re the best! xo Tauni
This is a great and very handy post! This is my first year doing a lot of DIY posts and Crafts and in the new direction I have taken my blog so this is so handy to figure out some End of year posts!
Thanks so much 🙂
Oh Maria, I just love the craft and DIY niche. Welcome to our community!!! You have the perfect name…I always know that if I want a ton of likes on an IG photo, all I have to do is post macarons! LOL If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Facebook group for craft and DIY bloggers facebook.com/groups/snapconf. You’ll find that the other bloggers are wonderful to work with!
I am glad you found the article helpful. You will have to let me know if you see success with trying some of these posts. In the meantime, love that cute spider wreath. I am going to try and feature it on Facebook! xo Tauni
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! Great ideas and tips. I’m so new to affiliate I need to jump on board with the affiliate gift idea posts! Thank you!
Yay! Kara, I am so glad that you found this helpful. I can’t wait to see how things go for you. Affiliate work can be a little slow at first, but once it catches fire, it tends to do really, really well. xo
Tauni- you always have such great tips and advice. These are awesome post ideas and I will definitely be adding them into my calendar! Thanks for helping me be easy to enjoy the holidays more!
Oh man. Thanks for the compliment Valerie! You’re so kind. I do hope that you’re able to incorporate at least a few of the ideas and I would love to hear back regarding how they perform for you. xo Tauni
Ready- not easy 😉
Savvy, as always, Tauni. Thank you! I I usually take off the last two weeks of the year — is that a crazy idea? I let my readers know that I’ll be gone for two weeks, and back in January. I appreciate the break, and I’m always ready to share again in January. I think readers are busy with their own festivities, families, etc., and most don’t notice that I’m on hiatus.
Sharon, Heck no! I think that this is a fantastic idea and I have employed it on and off throughout the years. I think that taking time off is as important to keeping your site healthy as almost anything you can do. Here’s a little tip…When I write up my post to wish everyone a happy holiday and/or letting them know I am going to take some time off, I also share a few links. You know, something like “While I am out feel free to enjoy xxx posts. They’re some of my favorite!” Who knows? Might generate a little traffic and it never hurts. Hope you’re doing well! xo
These are great ideas and I’ve already added them to my editorial calendar. Thanks so much!
Awesome Annette! I am so excited to hear how things go for you. I think it might be fun to do some sort of online post-holiday check in with everyone to see how fourth quarter went. We all do so much better when we share ideas, don’t you think? xo
Thanks for this! I’ve been in a bit of a blogging slump lately and your list has given me so much to think about! You are awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Oh man Missy. We’ve all been there! In fact, I really didn’t post for much of this year…I just couldn’t. Sometimes all it takes is a little spark, isn’t it?! Take a little time off from the work-heavy posts you’ve been preparing and put together some of these lighter pieces. I’d love to hear how they work out, BUT don’t get discouraged if they don’t pick up right away. Some of my best performing posts are actually a little old 🙂 xo
I think I will make a list of accomplishments I made this year and definitely set goals for the new year. Great post ideas.
Love love love your ideas here! Pinned it so I can work on it later. Just stared narrowing my niche and I have some great ideas now. Thanks.
Stopping by from The36Avenue
Iris?
The Blue Birdhouse – DIY Blog
Awesome Iris! It sounds like you’re well on your way to creating success. I am a big believer in niche building. I think you’re really going to find it make it so much easier for you to write. xo
Thank you! I bookmarked these ides for the next two months!
Great! I hope that you find it to be helpful. xo
Thank you so much for this. Great ideas to start now!
Thank you! I’d love to hear back regarding how things go for you! xo
What a great list and so needed as I put together my calendar through the rest of the year. Thank you for sharing this! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Awesome. I’m glad it looks like it will be helpful! Please follow-up and let me know if you have any questions. xo Tauni
Thanks I was looking for some inspiration and you’ve inspired me. Although I better get a move on this year is almost over.
Oh wonderful Tricia! Good luck! xo Tauni
Thanks! These are great ideas, I’ll forsure plan on adding them to my calendar as the end of the year gets closer. Love your site!
This is beautiful and creative, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for making and sharing your beautiful work.
With the holidays just around the corner, these ideas are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much Tauni!