This, my friends, is my very high tech Blog Book. I got this idea from the Organizing Junkie when I was a newbie blogger. Well, technically I think I'm still a newbie blogger since I haven't been plugged in for a year yet.
Anyway, the book itself is pretty simple, but very helpful to me. I just bought a little notebook at Wal Mart that looked fun to write in, and my book was born.
The first section of my book is where I keep track of the posts that I've done. That's all this part does.
A little farther into my book is the part that is really helpful to me. It's where I write down all those fleeting ideas of possible posts. I'm always coming up with ideas, and if I don't write them down, they're gone forever. That's why I'm a list person.Some of my ideas never actually make it into a post, and usually it's because I've run out of time. For example, you can see that I've written Santa Cans on my list of ideas, and Christmas has come and gone and I never did that post. That's because I never got around to making the actual Santa Cans that I was planning to make.
I spent all of 2008 hoarding five pound coffee cans to turn into Santa Heads, kind of like a gift bag, but a can instead. They're taking up valuable real estate in my guest room and it looks like they're going to be there for another year. Dang it.
Sometimes I sit down with my blog book and brainstorm more ideas. I haven't yet had a shortage of ideas for posts. What I have had is a shortage of time for getting the pictures taken and getting my thoughts organized enough to sit down and write the posts. I'm sure I'm not alone.
How do you come up with ideas for your blog posts?
In this post Christmas let-down time, it is the perfect opportunity to bank some time for next Christmas. Every year we try to cram so much into a 6-week season and invariably fall short of our own expectations. Why not get a jump on Christmas 2009 by finishing your 2008 crafts? You can whip them out now that the season isnt strangling you, pack them away, and pat yourself on the back in awe and admiration in December when you realize how much work you have saved yourself!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your blog book. It is a great idea. I have not tracked posts I have completed. I have a list of post ideas, but sadly, dont seem to refer to it. I need to book it like you do and get on track with regular posts.... cause I know you're hold your breath in between my postings just waiting for the next amazing, awe inspiring Anne-ism... =D *giggle*
ReplyDeleteYou are way too organized girl. I would have never thought of making a blog book! But then again I normally write everything else down so why not blog ideas? That is such a great idea. We list people have to stick together...thanks for sharing yet another fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am with Anne. I am going to keep working on all those Christmas things I didn't finish for this past year so they will actually be ready for next year. I had so many great ideas and none of them got done. I went into hibernation or something when December hit for some strange reason this year. But hey, my holiday was stress free for the most part. :)
Okay that really is funny. My binder looks SOOO similar to yours! Just lots of ideas and tag questions...and like yours, many of them never make it to the blog because I ran out of time and it is no longer relevant. Us bloggers must have some of the same DNA!
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought of writing down what I need to blog about. I just hope my mind doesn't go bananas when I start to write. I may have to try the binder!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to pay you to come organize my home and mind ha-ha!
I'm not as detailed as you. I just scribble my ideas down on the first scrap of paper I can find -- usually the notepad I use for the booming business. Then when I'm looking for a blog post I go through all my notes until something inspires me.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm actually eating the dinners I cook for the family. I'm just eating much smaller portions. The diet is getting better now that I've figured out what and how to eat.
People like me NEED people like you, neighbor. I need to be organized like that, so thanks for the great idea....now I need to find a notebook and keep it in a convenient place to remember to use it.......
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
I always just shoot myself an email or text message with blogging ideas, especially because they come to me at the most random times! I always have my blackberry with me, so I just make a note of it on there! But I love the notebook idea!
ReplyDeleteI always just shoot myself an email or text message with blogging ideas, especially because they come to me at the most random times! I always have my blackberry with me, so I just make a note of it on there! But I love the notebook idea!
ReplyDeletei have ideas then forget them by the time i get to my blog and then i have nothing to say. that's why my blog always sounds like i a spaz. an unorgainized one too.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the blog book. I have a pretty regimented week so each weekend, I come up with that week's posts. I do think ahead more for special things like events and holidays but other than that, it's on the fly. Now that I have 3 things to write for now, I started a spreadsheet for ideas.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog. I just have to say that I am so upset becuase I'm having a problem with mine!! I can't upload pics! It's SOOOO frustrating!! I dont know what to do, and I am so sad!! Is there anything you can think of that may help me with this picture posting problem?? And how do you have such a FANTASTIC title!?!? I love coming here!! Jennifer
ReplyDeletei have a notebook and a million scraps of paper with ideas. I get ideas from other bloggers, magazines, etc.
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought to keep a notebook about my blog ideas....hmmmmm. I haven't had any problem with blogging ideas until now in January. There just really isn't much going on right now.
ReplyDeleteI keep a list of blog ideas also. I am definitely a List Person. I make list about everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteIt's a crazy viscous cycle - and the reason I can't seem to get anything done. Too busy making list. But it's so fun! I probably should focus more on getting the things in the list done - rather than just making the list. But it's not fun doing the things ....
Like I said, it's a viscous cycle.
Anyways, sadly a lot of my blog ideas or post never make it on my blog - more sadly in a way that makes me feel good because when the idea has expired - I can cross it off my list. This gives me cheap satisfaction of accomplishment when I cross it off my list - even though I didn't do anything. Sick, huh?
This is an AWESOME idea!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I'm stopping by from SITS today for your SITS day, and saw Blog Book on the left hand side, and was curious. I will definitely be doing this!!
ReplyDeleteYour blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDeletePlease, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog...
ReplyDeleteI usually don’t usually post on many Blogs,but I love your blog, I often read here, still I just has to say thank you… keep up the amazing work.
ReplyDelete