editorial management for blogs: how to manage a six figure blog

Manage blogs big and small

Since becoming Managing Editor, SEJ page views up 35% and visits up 45%

Regular contributor myself

Creative Writing/English degree; Journalism background

Basics for Editors

Editorial Guidelines

Guest Writers Engagement

Building

• WordPress or CMS knowledge• HTML/PHP for text-based editing, formatting, and

SEO• Good sense of organization/project management:

ToDoist Asana Basecamp

And finally….

Basic Editor Necessities

Your blog reputation is shaped on what you expect out of your writers. People usually try to push the envelope– set boundaries* Know what your audience expects out of you Read all the competitors you can: BlogLovin’, Feedly

Shaping Your Editorial Guidelines

Grammar/Spelling SEO Best Practices: Alt

tags, formatting, headers Linking Practices

• Set a self promotional linking policy

• Require links to back up argumentative posts

Photo Attribution SEJ’s Editorial Guidelines:http://goo.gl/b7Ynjm

They require a link up front Say anything about “trading links” Grammar/spelling is terrible Industry doesn’t match Don’t have any applicable writing samples They look fake* Extra Hardcore: Their website and social media is

terrible

They look like a real person in their photo and on social media Pitch you applicable ideas Already attach an article thats well-written Seem genuinely interested in growing themselves but contributing to the industry Extra hardcore: They address you by name*

Set deadlines or story assignments Get writers to agree to a weekly or monthly post to keep commitment high Motivate writers with rewards* Give thoughtful feedback*: if writers know you spent the time, they will too Build them up: Comment, share, and interact on social media

Writer Motivation & Engagement

Know when to hire editors and writers

Shape your Editorial Guidelines to keep everyone on the same page

Build engagement with writers- make them more than just content

Key Takeaways