Many options; here is my way
Sometimes an illness or a personal crisis can keep us away from the computer, we reserve our time too much, or we put off writing and research because we are uninspired. However, deadlines for our blog posts continue to appear. A variety of planners, calendars, and matrices are available to aid in scheduling. I found them too generic or restrictive for my purposes, so I developed my own simple system that I think is efficient and effective. Here you will know how you can do it.
Folder with files
Start with a computer folder called Possible Topics and put files (documents) in it about each topic you want to write about. Add to each file from time to time information you find on the subject. Do not write anything. Keep adding bits of information.
Create a calendar
Create a calendar file called Publication Calendar and save it in the Possible Topics folder. Enter the names of the months on the left side of the page and the dates of your scheduled posts below each month. Nothing fancy, just a simple list. I keep a twelve month calendar and add a month to the end every thirty days.
Next to each date, write a topic you want to cover; not necessarily the title. Titles are usually the last thing I write after writing the post. Include all the possibilities in your areas of expertise and interests. In addition to your hands-on topics and personal experiences, you may want to add book reviews, guest posts, and other approaches throughout the calendar. I’m planning five to six months in advance, which gives me time to turn things around if I come across a special topic that I think needs attention first.
Write your post
A week before a post date, find the topic file for that date in your Possible Topics folder and start typing. However, immediately after posting on Tuesday, select the topic file for Thursday and start writing. This second method is very similar to a salesperson answering the question, “When is the best time to make a sale?” Answer: Right after making one. Although you will find the writing time that suits your management style, one of the best times to write a post is right after publishing one.
Works for me
I find this system much easier to follow than entering information on a pre-printed calendar. With this system, I get an immediate view of where I am and where I need to be. And since I am working well in advance, I have a long time to wait when a crisis interrupts my routine. Like an airliner in the sky, I give myself plenty of room to maneuver.