Delivering good content on a schedule is nothing new for magazine or newspaper publishers. Editorial calendars keep them on track and allow for strategic planning related to seasonal topics, etc.

My current favorite go-to site for blogging “how to” information is ChrisG.com. In my quest to become consistent and organized in my posting, I discovered his terrific post that lays out how to put an editorial calendar together. In addition to the calendar tools included, the post suggests ways to select topics that keep your readers interested. (hmm, are any of you interested in this topic?)

An editorial calendar is laid out month by month, with topics indicated for each posting date. For example- I might be posting business planning information soon, as planning for 2009 picks up momentum.  I might choose to write about marketing topics for posting each Monday, and rotate staff management and financial management articles on Wednesdays, ending the week with a tip of some sort on Friday.  Whatever my choices - I’ll make better ones using the calendar. AND- I’ll be able to keep track of results more easily. Traffic patterns will show you how interested your audience is in a particular topic or series of posts.

Editorial calendars seem like a great solution for bloggers who want to feel more intentional and “in control” of their blogging.  Maybe it will work for you.  Allocate time in your next marketing time block to check out Chris’ site. If you’re interested- start now and plan the last quarter of 2008 in detail, then start laying out 2009 at a high level.