Prey Species is now Premeditated – A Blogging Planner Review

When I decided to blog, I went to the experts; blogs I followed and blogs I loved, blogs that had excellent writing, pictures, ideas, had sponsorship, or had created a successful platform or product idea.  I asked for advice about blogging for enjoyment, for community, for profit, for platform and regardless of the ultimate goal of their blogs each of these bloggers recommended that the first step was to get and use a planner.  As an organizational fanatic, they didn’t have to twist my arm too hard before I was on the search for the ultimate planner and finally, I have found a wonderful, FREE resource that helps organize my posts, ideas, social media sharing, and blog growth all in one place.

The planner is available through Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler.  The planner is available in two forms: a calendar based schedule (image lower left) and a line based schedule (image lower right).  I chose the calendar version and have been using it for the past month.

The planner has been a huge help in getting my ideas down on paper and although, I still struggle with actually getting blog posts scheduled in advance, I have high hopes that this is the planner that will motivate me to get it done!  The planner is welcoming and inviting with flowery imagery and nice clean lines that print beautifully.

Each month is a different color for easy identification.  I also appreciate that the first page of the planner has major holidays highlighted with holiday specific clipart.  The planner also has room to list posts by date and checkboxes for denoting when you share your post with social medial outlets including Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest.  There are also checkboxes providing if you are hosting a giveaway or announcing a winner for past events.  Erica also includes an area for blog post ideas, specifics on reviews/giveaways, and an area to track monthly blog statistics.

I’m too excited over writing blog posts to spend the time writing in the dates and days of the year, so I’m thrilled that this calendar comes with all that data already entered!  All I have to do is print!

Erica provides easy to follow directions on how to print and contain your planner.  I have the planner in a 3-ring binder, which I love because I have been able to move things around and customize it a little.  I tend to draw and diagram when I brainstorm blog ideas, so I added some blank pages at the end for free thought.  A few extra pages that I added to my planner included an extra page for blogs that I wish to follow daily/weekly for ideas and inspiration, a list of link-ups in which I hope to participate, a list of potential and current affiliates and sponsors, and a summary page showing statistics by month for the year.  I also added tabs to each month for quick navigation, but even without any additional modifications this blog planner is simple to use, quick to assemble, and easy to implement!

In addition to sharing her families experiences and adventures homeschooling, Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler creates downloadable curriculum and digital scrapbooking materials.

Confessions of a Homeschooler Planner Available for Free at:

http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2012/10/2013-blog-planner-free-printable.html

To see reviews of this and other FREE blogging planners available online please check out posts by my friends at Mosaic Reviews.