I like to pull together at least one/day for LinkedIn and/or here (often use the same content in both places given minimal follower overlap; at least for now) so I know I will have something daily. (I do this for clients too.) Then there are some days I'll do another dozen and others that's the only one.
For blogs, I know I feel better when I have a few weeks' banked.
I can totally relate to this. Both me and my husband are self employed and if we don’t work we don’t earn. It does make you think differently. My husband used to be a keen cyclist but then a friend of his was hit by a car and spent months recovering (he’s fine now!). Fortunately he had a corporate job with great sick pay but it was a bit of a realisation for my husband that he doesn’t! He now uses the static bike and zwift in the garage!
For me, I’m trying to get more organised with content etc because I also care for a child with a chronic illness which can mean I have to drop everything on some days.
Oofah, that sounds like a lot! I've fought against scheduling in the past because "freedom" or some stupid BS. Have realized over the years that when I am on schedule and working to it and my to-do list; I end up with more freedom cuz all the shit gets one on time (sometimes even in advance!).
This is great advice, especially about being ahead on content. Because like you said, if you suddenly get sick, that's it. You are at the mercy of your content calendar at that point. And if it's empty, guess what? Nothing gets published till you feel better.
I currently stay about a week ahead, but honestly I would love to have a 2-4 week buffer. I think over 4 weeks really isn't necessary, but 2 is a good figure I think.
Thanks, Mack. Yeah, I think "how far ahead" can be dependent on your volume -- hard to get two months ahead if your doing a newsletter a day. I do believe we should all have at least one queued up and ready to roll at all times though -- just in case.
I am going to work to personally have a month's worth banked. Because I know it'll suck to get there but once there, I also know how good that feels!
That’s a great goal. Earlier this year at one point I was 3 weeks ahead and it freed me up to do some many other things that I could never tackle otherwise. Hard to get a working schedule to maintain that, but possible with some discipline.
All useful tips. Except for clients' post, I don't like batch creating my posts.
Social or blog posts?
I like to pull together at least one/day for LinkedIn and/or here (often use the same content in both places given minimal follower overlap; at least for now) so I know I will have something daily. (I do this for clients too.) Then there are some days I'll do another dozen and others that's the only one.
For blogs, I know I feel better when I have a few weeks' banked.
I can totally relate to this. Both me and my husband are self employed and if we don’t work we don’t earn. It does make you think differently. My husband used to be a keen cyclist but then a friend of his was hit by a car and spent months recovering (he’s fine now!). Fortunately he had a corporate job with great sick pay but it was a bit of a realisation for my husband that he doesn’t! He now uses the static bike and zwift in the garage!
For me, I’m trying to get more organised with content etc because I also care for a child with a chronic illness which can mean I have to drop everything on some days.
I need to get better at scheduling though!
Oofah, that sounds like a lot! I've fought against scheduling in the past because "freedom" or some stupid BS. Have realized over the years that when I am on schedule and working to it and my to-do list; I end up with more freedom cuz all the shit gets one on time (sometimes even in advance!).
This is great advice, especially about being ahead on content. Because like you said, if you suddenly get sick, that's it. You are at the mercy of your content calendar at that point. And if it's empty, guess what? Nothing gets published till you feel better.
I currently stay about a week ahead, but honestly I would love to have a 2-4 week buffer. I think over 4 weeks really isn't necessary, but 2 is a good figure I think.
Thanks, Mack. Yeah, I think "how far ahead" can be dependent on your volume -- hard to get two months ahead if your doing a newsletter a day. I do believe we should all have at least one queued up and ready to roll at all times though -- just in case.
I am going to work to personally have a month's worth banked. Because I know it'll suck to get there but once there, I also know how good that feels!
That’s a great goal. Earlier this year at one point I was 3 weeks ahead and it freed me up to do some many other things that I could never tackle otherwise. Hard to get a working schedule to maintain that, but possible with some discipline.
Yeah, it's that "D" word there that's the main challenge!
Great tips. Having two months of content ready to go would be amazing!
It's not as hard as you think, but it does take planning and focused effort.
And, oh, man, does it take some stress away when you do hit those weeks when things go to shit and you get off schedule.
Thanks Wendy!
I can imagine!