Clearing out the Clutter: Streamline Your Blogging and Editorial Process

Who says writers can’t be organized? Nowadays, creative people have to be business savvy to stay ahead of the game. So, this blog post goes out to all the bloggers and communications professionals who are looking to get their editorial process streamlined in 2011.

• Setting goals, knowing how to reach them
• Goals
• Strategy
• Tactics
• Throw out the junk communications
• FAQ: What are the key components of an effective editorial plan? 

Setting Goals, Knowing How to Reach Them

First things first, let’s talk about ways to achieve the things you want to do this year with your writing and blogging – or whatever aspect of communications you’re involved in.

Someone once said to me that the only difference between a dream and a goal is a deadline. If you want to achieve something, instead of just thinking about it, write it down and set a date.

First, let’s take a look at the components of a well-thought-out plan. You may hear the following terms used loosely, so let’s examine what they mean and how they fit together in a way that boosts your editorial process.

Goals

Whether you’re an in-house communicator or a writer in the more literal sense of the term (work in your house), you’ll want to set goals.

A goal is the desired outcome. What is it you want to happen from your editorial efforts this year? What are the long-term and short-term objectives?

The more you can make these goals measurable, the better. Define by when you want to achieve what.

For example, a goal as a blogger could be that you want to improve and maintain your rank on the AdAge Power 150 list in the next 30 days. Or, maybe you want to learn a new skill like SEO copywriting by Summer 2011.

Strategy

A strategy is your plan of attack. It’s the overall plan for reaching your goals. Taking from our example above, if your goal is to master SEO copywriting in less than six months, what needs to happen?

Your strategy might simply be: “Learn from the experts on how to become a skilled SEO copywriter.”

Tactics

Tactics are the subcomponents of your strategy. They are the steps you take to ensure your strategy is being carried out so you can reach your goals.

Keeping with our example of SEO copywriting, if your strategy is to learn from the experts, your tactics might include:

• Researching top SEO copywriters.
• Finding courses that will fit your lifestyle.
• Setting a certain amount of hours aside per week to study and practice.

The process may seem cumbersome, but mapping out your goals can really help give clarity.

Throw out the Junk Communications

How many of us are prone to being “stuck” in our own processes because that’s how it’s been done for, like, ever? It’s easy to be in a comfortable state of operation. And if things are going along without a hitch, great.

But chances are, many of us have not sat down to think about our editorial procedures.  It’s time to clean out some of that junk communication!

Get rid of the junk that isn’t working by examining the way you do your work every day. Maybe there is a particular type of writing project you’re doing that isn’t giving you a return on investment.

For example, perhaps your business is spending a lot of time creating communications pieces that aren’t doing the best they can for your company or clients.

Well, that means you first have to understand what those are by tracking those types of projects.

If you don’t already know, there’s another goal for you. Once you’ve figured out which communications generate the least ROI, cut the fat.

On the other hand, maybe you want to take a look at the way you’re carrying out the process of any given blogging or writing deliverable.

Maybe the procedures themselves are outdated. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to do what’s always been done, especially if you’re an in-house communicator who’s been bestowed with guidelines created from former employees of years gone by.

It could be that the way you collaborate with clients or other departments for information needs to be looked at. Is there a way to make things easier for everyone involved?

Or perhaps you spend a ton of time on an internal newsletter that is sucking your resources. You might want to look at setting up an intranet for internal communications that will deliver updates in real time and is easier to maintain.

It’s things like these that can really help you work smarter as a blogger and communicator. Whether you’re an in-house pro or an entrepreneurial writer, setting goals and streamlining your operations can only mean more success in 2011.

What are your thoughts?

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FAQ: What are the key components of an effective editorial plan?

Crafting an editorial plan that yields exceptional outcomes hinges on understanding its foundational elements. At the core lies the establishment of clear, measurable goals. These goals act as guiding beacons, steering the direction of content creation efforts. When setting objectives, it’s pivotal to ensure they are specific, attainable, relevant, and time-bound, aligning with the overarching business objectives.

Strategizing forms the crux of an effective editorial plan. This involves outlining the overarching plan to achieve the set goals. For instance, aspiring to enhance content quality might necessitate investing in skill development or advanced tools. Strategies should be flexible yet comprehensive and adaptable to the dynamic landscape of content creation.

Tactics, the granular steps within the strategy, breathe life into the overarching plan. These tactical maneuvers include detailed processes like researching, structuring content calendars, optimizing SEO strategies, and enhancing collaboration methodologies. Each tactic acts as a building block contributing to the larger strategy.

Moreover, evaluating and refining communication channels and practices represent another crucial aspect. Assessing the effectiveness of existing modes of communication and optimizing them for efficiency ensures seamless collaboration among teams, resulting in refined content delivery and overall productivity.

Lastly, continual iteration and adaptation remain paramount. Regularly revisiting and revising the editorial plan based on performance analytics, emerging trends, and audience feedback ensures its relevance and efficacy.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

1. Goal Setting: Define specific and measurable goals in alignment with business objectives.
2. Strategize: Develop a comprehensive strategy outlining the plan to achieve set goals.
3. Tactical Planning: Break down the strategy into actionable tactics for implementation.
4. Evaluate Communication Practices: Assess the effectiveness of existing communication methods.
5. Refinement and Iteration: Regularly revisit and refine the plan based on performance analysis and emerging trends.
6. Goal Alignment: Ensure all goals established align with the broader organizational objectives.
7. Flexibility: Maintain flexibility within the plan to adapt to changing market landscapes.
8. Collaboration Enhancement: Focus on improving collaboration methods for enhanced productivity.
9. Feedback Integration: Integrate audience feedback into the plan for better resonance.
10. Performance Metrics: Implement robust analytics to gauge performance against set goals.

This article was updated on November 23, 2023.

Jessica Lee is the founder and chief creative for bizbuzzcontent Inc., a marketing boutique that focuses on digital content strategy and professional writing services for businesses.

See Jessica's author page for links to connect on social media.