The secret to online success is consistency. Surprised? Thought the secret would be some crazy unknown thing? Nah!
Consistency with your online content and marketing is what will make you a pro (or label you an amateur).
Think about it. I’m sure the pieces of content you subscribe to come, as expected, on a particular day, maybe even at a particular time. Those people work hard to make sure their content is delivered when it’s promised.
They’re professionals. The same should go for you; don’t wait until the last minute to put your content together.
Make Deposits In Your Bank
Writing a post the day before it’s due may work for some writers, but it doesn’t work for most. This is an especially bad idea if you’re not the best at spelling and grammar. You want to make sure you have plenty of time for a second set of eyeballs to look over your content for editing.
For the B2 Blog, I try to have at least three articles banked at all times. I’m not saying this works for everyone – but when something comes up, whether it be writers block, a sudden client call, a RFP, or an emergency needing my immediate attention, I know we’re going to be able to post our blog article on Wednesday morning each week. Without fail.
I generate ideas for posts on a near-daily basis while attending webinars, with books I’m reading or through social media. My secret to banking is that as soon as the idea pops into my head I run into WordPress and make a temporary headline and jot down quick notes or a couple of sentences in the body. This helps me come back later and flesh out the subject.
Many people use Evernote to keep track of post ideas (and it’s FREE!).
An Editorial Calendar Is Key For Online Success
Additionally, if I get an idea for a social media post, I’ll add it to our editorial calendar. We typically try to work anywhere from one week to 30 days out with our publishing schedules – it all depends on what the client, or we, know in advance.
My tip with the calendar is to try to get all of your “known” content written and scheduled for the month.
For instance, if there’s a Holiday, or an event you’re attending/giving, or if you have regular posts such as “Tip Tuesday”, you’ll want to research, write and edit those in advance. Doing this helps you be organized, consistent, and allows for editing – which means fewer grammar and spelling errors!
If you want us to send you the editorial calendar (also called a publishing schedule) we use, send us a message on Facebook.
Poor Planning Looks Pitiful
Above I mentioned that consistency is what separates the amateurs from the pros and lends to your online success. I truly believe this by talking the talk AND walking the walk:
- For Facebook, our Fans know that they’ll get at least one post each day – Holidays and weekends included.
- On Twitter, our Followers know to expect several tweets from the B2 brand every day, seven days a week, no Holidays off.
- Our newsletter subscribers know that each month our tips & tricks will be delivered to their inbox around 8am.
- And you, our blog reader, know that every Wednesday morning we’ll have a brand spank’n new post for you to read.
Online media, social media and the world wide web do not sleep. They don’t take weekends off, and they certainly aren’t slowing down around the Holidays (sometimes they see MORE traffic!). How can you grow a loyal following if your Fans aren’t even sure they’re going to get valuable content from you on a consistent basis?
Your brand and messaging need to be represented as often as possible; building relationships is not a “I’ll do it when I feel like it” kind of process.
It looks unprofessional to blog, tweet, or post on a somewhat regular basis.
Professionals, and especially those working in online or social media, should not be publishing their online content irregularly.
Take Action!
If you’re not scheduled, regular or consistent what will you do today to get there? We can give you these tips all day long, but insight without action is worthless!
So get disciplined: Set up your publishing days and times and stick to them. Take a slow day or a Sunday while watching Bravo’s dramalicious Housewives shows (No? Just me?) and get a few posts in your bank.
One note here: I’ve worked with people who bank something and then immediately turn around and use it. That’s not banking! Banking is putting posts in your queue and breaking them out “in case of emergency” or allowing you a “buffer” of sorts.
I promise you this is all the EASY part to online success. I know you can do it, too.
So … do it! DO IT NOW!
See you in the social sphere!
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5 Comments. Leave new
Great awake-up tips and guidelines, thank you Brooke! It is as you say, “…do it” – the apps and tools supporting the doing is there, so ‘what the heck am I waiting for’ 🙂
Thanks, Eddie! I know how easy it is to get off track. I also feel it’s just as easy to make up your mind and do what you set out to do. It’s no secret I’m OCD and highly organized, which helps, but I really REALLY believe anyone can do this (OCD or not!). 🙂 So yeah, JUST DO IT!
Love this article, Brooke! It is a wake up call and great reminder that consistency is a vital key to online success. And I do look forward to your articles on Wednesdays!
Robin Strohmaier recently posted…How To Get Away With Writing One Blog Article a Week
Thanks, Robin! You guys are very consistent. I’m sure your readers enjoy that and look forward to your articles on SEO and blogging (I know I do!).
[…] consistent. This is what separates the amateurs from the pros. I think this is especially important for those working in online media or marketing. Now, there […]