This is a mini challenge for the Biannual Blogathon Bash, a twice yearly blogging marathon but anyone is welcome to read and use the information. However if you are signed up for the blogathon or you sign up and participate before the end of the blogathon, completing this mini challenge improves your chances of winning a prize. The blogathon is January 25th-28th(at 8am est), 2013. If you are participating in the blogathon, please do not complete this challenge until the blogathon has started.
For this Challenge we are going to create a blogging notebook. If you are anything like me, unorganized but want to be, this challenge should help you get your blogging tasks organized. I have notes and file everywhere, in the notes section of my computer, in Google documents, in a composition book, receipts stuffed in my purse/binder and a few other places. To get it organized in to one place would be great. So I came up with the blogging notebook.
In the notebook there are many sections:
Blog Posts Ideas-to write down current/future ideas on what you want to blog about.
Weekly Stats-to keep track of how your blog is doing.
To-Do List-for organizing all your thoughts into one place and see what you need to do and list any ideas you come up with.
Blog Post Ideas-a more indepth ideas area, for writing down points that you want to cover in your posts.
Guest bloggers List-to write down info about guest bloggers and the info they are going to share.
Reviews-Here you put info on the reviews you need done.
Giveaway Sign-up Info-For keeping all the info when you sign up for giveaways and helping you to remember that you did sign up for that giveaway oh so long ago.
Future Giveaway Hop Info-A little bit more info for when you sign up for giveaways.
Blog Expenses-To keep track of all the money going into and coming out of your blog. Great for keeping track of expenses and income for tax purposes.
Blog Calender-to write do important dates pertaining to your blog or life.
Companies To Pitch-You see a commercial or another blogger talks about a product and you decide to pitch it, write down the products info to help you remember the product.
Giveaway Stats-Here you would keep track of the stats of giveaways to see if it was worth it. Was this a good product, did I get a lot of FB/Twitter followers from this? Helpful if you want to see what hops were/are helpful.
Affiliates-List all your affiliates as you sign up to keep track of them.
NEWLY ADDED for the January 2013 challenge:
Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Yearly to do tasks-list the tasks you need to do for the time period you need them done.
Theme of the month-write down ideas for themes like Valentines Day or Christmas for recipes, crafts, checklists etc.
Twitter page-to write down hashtags and user names and a few blank spots to add more info.
Blog design info-add info about your blog design like colors, fonts etc. Mostly blank to add what info you want.
Forum/Website/Application Sign In Info-So many different sites forums etc, keep all that info handy.
Book Review Checklist- Need help remembering what needs to go into your reviews, this will help.
Product Review Checklist- Need help remembering what needs to go into your reviews, this will help.
Your Blog Info-Info about logins, passwords, urls, renewal dates go here.
Blog post ideas-write down ideas you can later expand on.
How to make a Blogging Notebook:
Supplies-paper, printer, 3-ring binder, 3 hole punch, pens
You will also need a link to the notebook. I created it to be printed as a PDF.
Steps to get to the document:
Click on this link to go to the document. (No need to sign up or sign in.) Click download. It will open up in Adobe Reader and then you can save and print.
Steps to make your own blogging notebook:
Print out what pages you need. 3-hole punch them. Add to 3 ring binder. Get pens and gather up all the notes and papers and start adding to your own blogging notebook.
How I did my notebook: I printed out the whole notebook page set but then pages that pertain to my blog, I printed out extra sheets as needed. 3 hole punched them and added them to a 3 ring binder. Added a pen and an index card so that I could identify the binder as my blogging binder. I also added a plastic sheet protector that can hold notes or receipts. I’m going to add page separators but couldn’t find any at home so will have to stock up at the back to school sales. Then I just need to find and add all the info.
To qualify for this challenge giveaway entry you MUST do these two things:
1. Print out notebook and use 1 page to help organize your blogging life. Leave a comment which page you used and what you added to it.
2. Post a comment stating what list(s)/form(s) you would like to see me add to the blogging notebook.
Hope you enjoy this challenge and just leave a comment if you need any help.
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miki
January 25, 2013 at 5:18 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you a lot, i love the improvement you did. I will add the to do list and the list of sign in in my blogger notebook
it really helped me so far and those addition are just what i needed ( i still did my own RAK list page)
Melissa S
January 25, 2013 at 6:37 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks for this mini challenge! I used the Blog Expenses & Income sheet! i really needed one since I just secured my first sponsored posts of the new year. I would love to see a monthly blog stat list, it would be so much easier to see growth in a monthly calendar than to have to go back to each week.
Melissa S recently posted..Take a Trip to Discovery Cove for an Exciting Adventure
Barb Garber
January 25, 2013 at 6:38 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great mini challenge. I printed the Blog Info as well as theme of the month, Blog post ideas, blog post main points, reviews and forum/website sign in info. I filled out the Your Blog Info sheet but have a question. What is CPanel?
I intend to use blog post ideas and theme pages today as well. Thanks for the mini challenge.
Barb Garber recently posted..Biannual Blog-a-thon Winter 2013 Kick-off
Kathleen
January 26, 2013 at 5:31 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Let me answer that for you. CPanel is short for control panel and is where you go to edit things with regards to your hosting account.
Kathleen recently posted..Winter Blogathon 2013 – It’s Day Two
Nickida
January 25, 2013 at 6:55 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I would like to see a form for sponsored posted where you are receiving payments. It would be nice to have a form to keep track for taxes.
Nickida recently posted..It’s Blogathon Time
Nickida
January 25, 2013 at 6:59 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I immediately used the book review checklist. I did a few before and I think I didn’t do a great job looking at your list. Some of the stuff I wouldn’t change the way I did but I would definitely add some more to make it better. I also love the product review sheet and I will be using that as well.
Nickida recently posted..It’s Blogathon Time
Dawn Lopez
January 25, 2013 at 8:02 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Very cool tools and tutorial! Thanks for sharing this! I am checking out the file now. I am in desperate need of this!
Dawn Lopez recently posted..I’m Participating In The Winter Blogathon 2013 #blogathon2
Brandy
January 25, 2013 at 8:05 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you for hosting this challenge. I actually purchased a blog binder over a year ago and the pages are blank! You have some sections that I think would be more helpful than the one I purchased. It was supposed to be a jumping off point but it was set more towards deals and that is not what I wanted. I have already put to use the book review checklist and keeping track of topics I want to cover. I am getting ready to make a move to a new blog in February and my brain is overrun with content ideas but I am putting them on paper. I agree with a recent commenter that a sponsored post sheet would be helpful to keep track of them and be able to reach out to them for future opps.
Brandy recently posted..Join Me For My First Blogathon + Big Changes
LuAnn Braley
January 25, 2013 at 8:07 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hey there, Jewel. :O) Love the calendar. I’m just starting at the beginning with the Blogging Goals of the Week page, listing the various blog hops in which I regularly participate. (So far I participate in Let’s Get Social Sundays (hosts: My Turn For Us, and Love Bakes Good Cakes); Inspire Me Mondays, Wordless Wednesdays and Friendship Fridays (host: Create With Joy); Thirsty for Comments Thursday (host: Acting Balanced). There’s one more on Thursday that escapes me, but now that I have your handy dandy planner, I can enter that information and have it right at hand!
An addition to the planner? That’s a little tough, as it is so useful to begin with. I guess I could say maybe a list of resources you have found helpful in your blogsperience? (LOL- I just made that word up.)
I can use the 4 section page (x2 at least per week) to flesh out my ideas. Help loads with the “no sitting staring at the blank page syndrome”.
The “Guest Bloggers”, “Reviews” and “Giveaways” pages relate directly to other goals I have set for myself for this Blogathon.
Thanks for making this mini-challenge. I am finding it very helpful as I am organizationally challenged!
LuAnn Braley recently posted..Blogathon 2 Kickoff
Krista
January 25, 2013 at 11:31 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
A blog binder is something I have always wanted to accomplish but have never set aside the time to do it. I did however go out and purchase a binder for this and I am excited to have started it. Most of the information was easy for me to obtain since I have been keeping up on a lot of the stuff and saving it all in word documents. Thanks for the boost to get this done. I love having all my passwords and review dates in one easy to access place…as far as something to add I went ahead and added a page for social media tips. There are so many changes that have occurred over the years with social media so I like to write down the tips to help me stay on top of everything.
Krista recently posted..How to Create a Beautiful yet Affordable Outdoor Living Area
Aeryn Lynne
January 25, 2013 at 12:25 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
What a great notebook! There’s lots of information to cover, which is fabulous. I’m definitely in need of the giveaway stats page, as I never keep that stuff handy, lol. AND more importantly the Blog Expenses and Income, which I just filled out for the month today.
I can’t imagine whats missing from this notebook, its pretty thorough! Maybe a list of helpful blogging sites and/or memberships? I’ve found myself scratching my head over a couple sites on whether or not I had actually joined them, and could only figure it out by trying to log in!
Thank you for such a valuable resource!
Aeryn Lynne recently posted..How to Back Up Your Blog – #Blogathon2
Meagan Paullin
January 25, 2013 at 3:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I love your FACE!!
I was working on my blogging binder for the new year this week – and was having a hard time finding a few forms for things I wanted. And I HATE making spreadsheets or documents myself, lol, even simple ones. This planner has some that are perfect, just what I needed!!
When I share a post later this month on how I put my own binder together, I will DEFINITELY link to this!
Love it, and thank you again!
Meagan Paullin recently posted..How to Get Paid Blogging Opps
Jewellz
January 25, 2013 at 3:38 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My face? LOL ok.
You are so welcome!! I am such a notetaker and have to be organized so this helped me out and I wanted to share with everyone too so it all works for everyone.
Thank you for the future link back.
Kathryn C Lang
January 25, 2013 at 4:15 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I have my blog notebook completed. I’ve added a section for each of my blogs. Each section has a blog calendar, a list for guest bloggers, and a sheet for weekly goals. I also added a sleeve in front of each section so that I can keep notes and things next to the blogs they are about.
NOW if I can just remember to use it regularly.
Jen
January 25, 2013 at 5:14 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I used the guest blogger page. I added the names of my blog support group bloggers (Hi, Clarinda!), and ideas of topics to have them cover in a guest post.
Jewellz
January 25, 2013 at 5:51 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Jen, so great to see you here.
Jen
January 25, 2013 at 5:15 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I would like to see a page where you can track a year’s worth of stats, month by month.
Jen recently posted..Comment on Currently, I’m… by Anita Sullivan
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories
January 25, 2013 at 6:01 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Glad I participated in this mini-challenge, I do love this planner and the work you put into it. Thanks! I completed the Blog Info sheet as I just changed hosts and had my domain, wordpress and hosting info on tiny slips of paper (and consequently always forgetting and losing my password). Thankfully now I have it one place.
I am also working on the Blog Design page because as you guessed it the codes for the colors I used for my blog design are written on another tiny slip of paper. I am an after-kids-are-in-bed blogger so I grab the little note pad near my bed if my blogging notebook isn’t near.
Now you helped me get my binder started. Since I have a few different topics I like to write about and visit, I would like a printable that includes favorite blogs by topic (person’s name, web address, facebook page, twitter page and method of subscription).
My first mini-challenge and first time participating in this blogathon bash, I could spend a lot more time getting my book together, I love to organize the zillion random ideas floating around my cluttered brain! Thanks again, Jewel!
Tanya @ Mom’s Small Victories recently posted..Biannual Blogathon Bash 2013 – It’s Party Time!
Cindy
January 25, 2013 at 6:28 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Such a great resource, thanks so much for sharing.
So happy you visited me!
Have a GREAT weekend,
Cindy
Cindy recently posted..A BIG THANK YOU & RAMSIGN GIVEAWAY
Tracy Joyner
January 25, 2013 at 9:29 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I admit to keeping most of this on my computer…thing is, my computer recently went down on me and unless the information/pics etc. was stored via the cloud, I’ve lost it.
That being said, I think it would be nice to have some of this information in my hands instead! These are the pages of the blog planner that I printed…
monthly calendar
companies to pitch
daily to do list-to sched.prime time to promote posts
theme of the month
blog design info
product review
blog info
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun
January 25, 2013 at 9:35 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you for this – one of my many goals for 2013 is to get organized! I have printed everything out, 3-hole punched, made dividers for the different sections, and have it all in my 3-ring binder.
I have started to fill out my Daily Blog To Do Checklist & my Weekly Blog Goals for next week.
You have so much already included in this notebook, but I do agree with some of the others who mentioned a Sponsored Post Sheet.
Have a Blessed evening!
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun recently posted..Catching Up and Getting Ahead in the Winter 2013 #Blogathon2
Tracy Joyner
January 25, 2013 at 9:46 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
What I think would be really helpful to see in a Blogger Planner is a way to plan for the year that isn’t monthly because the “seasons” of my business blend several months together.. And I need to be able to see the entire year at once. October thru February the topics flow .. one doesn’t quite end before another begins and they start and stop in the middle of months.
Tracy Joyner recently posted..Jan 24, Susan Bates Aluminum
Jolene
January 25, 2013 at 11:19 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks for this mini challenge. Since I am doing alot of changes to my blog..one of my goals for the blogathon was to make a nice blog planner. You have alot of great pages here! The ones I printed off were the guest blogger page, the review page and the giveaway page. I too would like to see a page for helpful blogger sites and memberships
Jolene recently posted..2013 Winter Biannual Blogathon
Kathleen
January 26, 2013 at 6:45 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You’re awesome! I have been redoing my blogging planner/notebook and will be adding some of your pages.
Kathleen recently posted..Winter Blogathon 2013 – It’s Day Two
Jewellz
January 26, 2013 at 9:00 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you!
Kelly Stilwell
January 26, 2013 at 8:50 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I did not print the whole notebook as I just made a planner last month. I did print the daily blog to do checklist as I like it better than the one I use now.
I will say that one thing you could mention is to invest in heavier paper, like is used in a planner you would buy at an office supply store. I have a binding machine, so was pretty proud of myself for creating a customized planner. I used pages from a couple of different sites as I wanted to pick and choose the pages that would work best for me. I spent hours organizing! Unfortunately, my pages are ripping out already as I use it every day. Heavier paper would have prevented this. I hope you do this next year as I think your planner would have been perfect as is, without me searching for different pages! Thanks!
Kelly Stilwell recently posted..Friday Favorite (a day late!)
Jewellz
January 26, 2013 at 8:59 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You’re welcome.
I love participating in the BBB each time and hope that Kathleen will allow me to keep offering the blogging planner as a mini challenge. I love working on it and know it can be useful. I would plan on adding many more pages each challenge as I can think of them or as like part of this challenge, the ones you all suggest you would use.
Linette
January 26, 2013 at 8:58 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’ve been working on a blog planner for the last couple weeks. My goal is to get more organized this year! One page I would love to see is to track money coming in, like for sponsored posts or campaigns. I keep track of it in the back of one of my notebooks right now. I just write down the campaign, when I posted, and when the payment is due. Then I mark it off once I’m paid. Very primitive but it works for me.
I used the Blog Post Ideas page. I have a buzzilion notebooks scattered everywhere with ideas in them. I need to consolidate them all into one place. I’ve been working on doing that this am. I have a binder, some tab pages, and my 3 ring hole punch out so I can get things organized all in one place.
Thanks for the motivation and for putting together all these wonderful forms!
Kimberly Wright
January 26, 2013 at 11:54 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
LOVE this challenge! You covered all bases and then some. The only thing I would add is the Alex Ranking to the Giveaway Stats page & “National ____ Day “to each post. My readers like knowing what national day and month it is.
Again, you have crossed every t and dotted every! Hats off for an excellent display of your talent.
Kimberly~
678.632.BLOG
Ashley @ Forgetful Momma
January 26, 2013 at 1:00 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
While I’m not using the one above I did just download a different planner (as part of a review) and love it! This is the first time I’ve had a planner for my blog.
Ashley @ Forgetful Momma recently posted..Coffee Cup
Caroline
January 26, 2013 at 2:37 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great planner. Thanks for sharing. Have printed out a few pages (like the To Do lists) and will be adding them to my planner this weekend
Caroline recently posted..Happy Australia Day!
Kat B.
January 26, 2013 at 6:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks for the great blogging planner. I have been using the one from last summer but I will definitely update it with the new stuff! I like the weekly stats a lot just so you can show yourself how well you are doing!
Kat B. recently posted..Amazing Tailgate Appetizer Recipe – Texas Cheese Dip
Brooke B.
January 26, 2013 at 9:30 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
What a wonderful resource! Thank you so much for sharing this mini challenge, I love it. I have it all printed out and am putting my binder together right now. It is so helpful for me to have things written down rather than just an online calendar. The product review and book review pages are my favorites. I filled out a book review page already for one I am working on. I am hard-pressed to find something that is missing! Maybe a blogging goals monthly sheet?
Brooke B. recently posted..My First Six Word Saturday Post
Jackie
January 26, 2013 at 10:29 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
1. I’m going to use a bunch of pages, but tonight I printed out the Book Review Checklist and used it to do a review. It was a great way to make me think of what needed to be included so thanks!
2. I think a page where one could track their best resources, be it a website or book. Kind of like a toolchest inventory.
Jackie recently posted..Let’s Get Healthy Together – Small Successes
Retha Groenewald
January 27, 2013 at 3:10 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I used the Book Review checklist.
I would like a Maintenance page
Retha Groenewald recently posted..Paul and Silas meets a Business Woman
Kathleen
January 27, 2013 at 8:44 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I printed the cover, Blog Post Ideas, Your Blog Info, Theme of the Month Ideas, Blog Post Idea, and Blogging Goals of Week. Thanks for helping us all get organized! I recently made binders for home management, sewing, work, etc so now I will make a Blogging one!
Kay M.
January 27, 2013 at 1:01 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I loved this challenge last year, and have to say I really like the additions and changes you made! I printed out the whole notebook, then printed extras of a few pages that I know I will use a lot of, like Review Checklist and Theme of the Month Ideas and Companies to Pitch! I’ve already written on Blogging Goals of the Week and Blog Post Ideas. Thank you for this! I tend to follow easier if I my notes in a notebook!!
Kay M. recently posted..It’s Time for the 2013 Biannual Blogathon Bash!
Naila Moon
January 27, 2013 at 4:39 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The planner is great.
I am immediately using the book review and the forums planner sheets.
I also am using the giveaway hops one too.
I sign up for these things then forget where I went .
At this time, I am not sure what other forms.
Thanks again!
Misfit Momma aka Missy
January 27, 2013 at 6:47 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I started by filling out my stats on the first page, started adding to the to do list on the second page, and will be filling out the Giveaway sign up page and more tomorrow. Looking forward to the giveaway before/after stats after I put up the giveaway events I’ve signed up for
This is great, thanks!
I can’t really think of anything else I would want added to it, other than being able to use it on the computer instead of printing it. Is there a way to do that?
Demi Spencer
January 27, 2013 at 11:07 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I like the blogging goals for the week. I have gotten really busy with my blog in the last 2 weeks and this is going to help me tremendously! Also, I like the idea of having a spot for Sponsored Infomation.. etc. Or maybe a Carry Over page to let you see what you didn’t accomplish or need to do more to so it doesn’t get lost on other pages!
Demi Spencer recently posted..It’s Christmas Time in Tennessee!
DaLynn
January 28, 2013 at 12:28 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m laughing at myself here! I just bought a new computer this weekend, so in order to even see the files I’m having to download Acrobat Reader first! *headdesk* Okay, I’ll be back….
DaLynn recently posted..Blog Goals for the #blogathon2 Weekend
DaLynn
January 28, 2013 at 1:02 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well… it’s still downloading so I’ll have to come back and finish this one later! Looking forward to seeing the pages! Blessings!
DaLynn recently posted..Blog Goals for the #blogathon2 Weekend
Biannual Blogathon Bash 2013 - It's Party Time! - Mom's Small Victories
January 26, 2013 at 3:32 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] it is a great time to get expert assistance from more experienced bloggers while they are online. I started a blogging binder where I track some of those passwords and design colors I had written down on tiny pieces of paper. [...]