This year I have trying very hard to be more organized in all aspects of my life. The biggest place where I’ve lacked organization is my blog. So, the first thing I’ve done is create an editorial calendar.

Why An Editorial Calendar?

My purpose for the editorial calendar is not to stifle my creativity or to plan all my blog posts a year in advance. Rather, the purpose is to avoid the “I don’t know what to write about today” scenario. I try to plan out about 2 weeks. If something else comes up and I don’t follow the plan exactly, that is alright.

I also add reviews to my editorial calendar because it helps me see whether I can take on another review or giveaway. Anytime I am working on a project for my blog with a due date, it goes on my editorial calendar. It is definitely a “work in progress” document and I write in pencil.

How Do I Fill My Editorial Calendar?

Blogging about timely subjects will also help your SEO. Here are a few ideas to keep your blog posts consistent and current.

1. Plan ahead for major holidays. We all know when the major holidays are during the year, but how do the holidays affect planning in your niche? If you are a craft blogger, you will need to think about your Valentine’s projects needs in advance of Valentine’s Day.
2. Check for special days in your niche. In addition to the holidays, there are special observance days and there are probably a few that you could celebrate in your niche. If you blog about coin collecting, you wouldn’t want to miss National Penny Day on May 23.  MyDailyPlan-It.com lists holidays by day, week and month.
3. Search your niche keywords. Type in a few of the main keywords in your niche and see what shows up in Google, Bing or Yahoo. If nothing triggers ideas, try searching in Delicious, Diigo and StumbleUpon. For more current ideas, search news sites for your keywords.
4. Check book and movie release schedules. The release of new books or movies will often create discussions surrounding the movie or books topic. These topics may be in your niche. Instead of responding to the discussion, create the discussion. You can find release schedules for movies on ComingSoon.net. If you search Amazon for books in your niche and sort by “Publication Date,” you will see future book release dates. (While you are Amazon, look at book titles for ideas too.)
5. Look at your snail mailbox. Your magazines, junk mail and catalogs are a great resource for ideas. Retailers and publishers are always trying to be ahead of the trends and news.

Using the above ideas, you should be able to fill your editorial calendar for the year.

Editorial Calendar Template

I created a 2012 editorial calendar for my blog and I had so many people ask about it, I decided to offer a blank one for anyone who wants it. It is an Excel spreadsheet with 2 options (year calendar on 1 page or a month per page calendar.)

Do you have an editorial calendar for your blog?

Michele McGraw, a tech mom, blogs at Scraps of My Geek Life about technology, fitness and digital scrapbooking and is @ScrappinMichele on Twitter.

His teammates are serious competitors. They are focused, determined. But my boy is just having fun. Proud to be a part of something. Happy to be playing ball.  Amazingly, he can make it through an entire game without touching the ball. He just runs. But he’s happy, so I don’t mind.

Something happened to my boy a few days ago. Mr. Incredible took him to the shoe store to buy him a much-needed pair of basketball shoes. I figured they’d come home with a nice pair of New Balance sneakers, or Nike running shoes. But no, Mr. Incredible bought our son a pair of $90.00 Jordan’s straight from the factory!

These shoes are beautiful. So beautiful that I wondered why Mr. Incredible didn’t buy me a pair (I still may go get myself some). The next day, my boy strapped on his basketball uniform, laced his shoes and headed to his game. I sat in the stands waiting for him to get put in the game. I wasn’t expecting much because as I mentioned, he’s managed to make it through all of his games without touching the ball once. So, I was prepared to watch my boy run up and down the court smiling and tap dancing. No matter, I’d yell and scream for him just like a proud momma should.

At the end of the first quarter my boy was put in the game. I was happy but a little nervous because this team we were playing was a bunch of rough ones. I knew they’s steamroll my boy and wipe him right off the court. How wrong I was! My boy, possessed by the spirit of the man with whom his shoes were named after, hustled down that court like a seasoned pro. No smile did he show as he fought for the rebound, played hard defense, and even got fouled as he went up for a shot.

Lawd, what was this momma to do? Who was this child who, just two nights before, stood in practice and tap danced all over the cout with a huge kool-aid smile on his face?

No longer is he just happy to play, my boy wants to win! It must be the shoes!

More from Krystal can be found on her blog and on twitter.

I’ve never liked tuna casserole. Coming up, the only way my mom prepared tuna was, tuna salad. When I met my husband, one of his favorite dishes his mom made was tuna casserole. In almost 22 years of marriage, I’ve never made tuna casserole, because I didn’t like it. The truth is… I never tried it.

Recently, I watched Food network’s Sunny Anderson make her version of Tuna Noodle Casserole.

In the past two years, I’ve cooked and eaten dishes I’ve never eaten for Project What’s For Dinner. It was time to try Sunny’s Tuna Noodle Casserole.

After planning my menu for the week, I went shopping and got everything including necessary ingredients for tuna casserole. Excited, I tweeted “Making tuna noodle casserole tonight #whatsfordinner.” Receiving a few retweets, and positive replies excited me even more. That night came and went, and no tuna noodle casserole.

I was scared. It sounds crazy, but it’s much like being afraid of the dark, not knowing what’s lurking.

Forging ahead, I would not be intimidated by a tuna casserole. Following the recipe, I left out a few ingredients my family isn’t fond of thyme, horseradish, and peas. I also substituted Sunny’s recommended cheeses, for a fiesta blend. An adaptable recipe is very important.

The key component of this dish is the homemade cream of mushroom. It pulls all the flavors together in creamy goodness. After adding panko bread crumbs for the topping, it was a masterpiece, and I couldn’t wait for it to come out of the oven.

My fear was unnecessary. It was delicious, and my family enjoyed it. I served it with Parmesan zucchini chips.

Are there any dishes you’re afraid of cooking or eating?

“Originally post on www.latonyarichardson.com”

LaTonya writes about the adventures of her 40s, and Tweets about everything else.

Click the image below to watch the episode on YouTube and to find links to the apps mentioned in this episode.

Visit the AppGoddess blog here for more Mac luv.

This is an original MyBlogalicious post, cross posted on The AppGoddess.com.

Denise Perkins is a video obsessed Web 3.0 Vlogger that is ALWAYS uploading something to YouTube. Subscribe to her AppGoddess channel to learn about the latest female focused, Mac related, tech toys and apps and visit her blog HomeSpaGoddess.com to learn how to become a Home Spa Goddess.

I ask this question often because as a publicist working with authors, speakers, business owners and the like – they all yearn for something. Besides money…. it goes deeper than that.

I have a theory, which I test by people watching and social media observations, that people basically want four things:

1. Be known.  They want fame. They want “rock star” fame actually. Most people dream of being recognized on the street and having fans ask for their autograph.  They want their pictures on the front of magazines (not Tabloids) and seen on TV  – and heard on radio.  They secretly dream of being so famous that they can go anywhere and get “star” treatment.

2.  Be rich from one “big” thing. We all need money to survive – that’s a given.  But the driving force behind most people is to be RICH doing what they love. Everyone wants to be paid well by having their “idea, product, service” so in demand that it makes them stupid rich. Like  Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, where they don’t EVER have to worry about money. Cash flow is always positive and their barns are always overflowing.  Most business owners strive daily to be so wealthy that they don’t have to “work.”  Only when they choose to.

3. Be powerful and have influence. People want the kind of power where they move “to the front of the line” and be allowed in VIP places because of their status.  People hunger for the kind of power where they can set trends and have their words quoted often in newspapers and magazines. Most want the “thought leader” position.  Kinda like Seth Godin. He’s an author/blogger that speaks on marketing. And just about anything he says is “gold” and is retweeted hundreds and hundreds of time.  Basically, just his random thoughts – but they are weighted by the world as REMARKABLE. Now that’s power. He can command a bunch a money to speak too by the way.

4. Have the “Good” life. People want cash, cars and a career that esteems them to “rock star rich” category. People want the easy life. They want fun. They want favor.  They want freedom.  The Good Life is filled with good friends too. People who love them. People also want health and beauty. The Good life looks a certain way. It looks like “Red Carpet” everyday.  People who want the Good Life may appear vain or shallow – but really all they want is to look good, feel good and have good people around them to affirm them.

Yes, basically people want (no, need) public AFFIRMATION. Now, this is different from being “known” or having power/influence. Affirmation is really having people like you and speak will of you.  People want to be heard, recognized and seen in positive light.  It’s almost like being high school. People want to fit in and be liked – or at least thought well of.   You’d think adults would grow out of this – nope.  Take a look at social media – it’s like a popularity contest. People striving to be seen, heard, acknowledged – and given a “thumbs up.”

WOW. People want to be “liked” so badddddddddd. More like Junior High instead of high school.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing WRONG with wanting to be known, rich, have power, have the good life and have people like you and affirm you.

What’s crazy is wanting it – and NOT willing to work for it!!!

I love the saying, “You see my glory, but you don’t know my story.” People who have all the above paid some dues. The bigger the success – the more sacrifices they had to make.

An “overnight” success usually takes about ten years.

So, what does it require in order to be a SUPER STAR:

1. Talent or at least passion

2. Courage. To be brave and not CARE about what people say or think.

3. Commitment. To be willing to sacrifice some sleep, some money and more to make it.

4.  Discipline.  You want the “easy, fun” life but you can’t be lazy and undisciplined. You’ll never get there.

5. Faith. You have to have an unwavering faith and belief in GOD. Depending on God is really the key to success. He is the Creator and if you follow His road map, success is guaranteed.

6. Education. You have to have information in order to live life on the next level.  Either you learn from school or from self-study methods.   Most successful people are AVID readers.

7. Support.  Having a loving support system is key. Whether it is your family or a BFF like Oprah’s Gayle. Having several key people in your corner is all that is needed to propel most. (Could this be why the Coaching industry is booming?)

8.  Sales skills. Yes, you must have GREAT sales ability and not afraid to speak and put yourself out there! Be masterful at networking and marketing. This will take you to the head of the class every time.

So, what do people really want: To Be a Superstar! Hey, it is possible – especially if you are willing to do the work and not just wishing and wanting.  Do something.

Know you were meant to live bigger?

Then check this out. Click here ==>  Launch Like a Superstar!

Pam Perry, is a PR Coach and Social Media Strategist, follow her on Twitter or visit her online brand at www.about.me/pamperry

What do you think people REALLY want?  What makes them tick?

Her website: www.PerryWilliamson.com to get free  Thought Leader webinar

MoodBoards Ideas

The word, moodboard, can be a bit misleading because a moodboard can be used for more than just your mood. Here are a few ideas.

• Setting goals
• Planning a wedding
• Decorating your home
• Designing a blog
• Creating a wish list
• Planning a project
• Business planning

If you are a visual person, you will find that moodboards may be easier for you to create when doing any large project. I know I do.

Online MoodBoards

Here are several sites where you can create an online moodboard.

Pinterest – Pinterest is all about creating boards so it’s very easy to set up different boards for your different projects. If you have a team working on a project, create a group board and everyone on the team can help create the moodboard.

olioboard – olioboard is a community for creating and sharing your online moodboards. You can add pictures from anywhere on the web and once you have created a moodboard, you can create a widget to add it to your blog.

SampleBoard – This is the only one that is not free. I included it because it would be a great option for a business. SampleBoard has 30,000+ images to choose from to help you create your online moodboard

Evernote – I found this article about using Evernote as an online moodboard. Great way to keep everything in one spot too. If you don’t know what Evernote is, see my post about Evernote.

beeclip – A free online moodboard which is still in beta, but you can sign up and try it out. You can also collaborate and share your online moodboard. beeclip shows you how you can use moodboards for scrapbooking and as a photo album.

Image Spark – Free online moodboard tool. You get 1GB of space to store pictures and 2 moodboards for free. Image Spark also has a Mac desktop & Firefox tool to upload pictures.

Have you ever created an online moodboard? Do you have other ideas where a moodboard is helpful?

Michele McGraw, a tech mom, blogs at Scraps of My Geek Life about technology, fitness and digital scrapbooking and is @ScrappinMichele on Twitter.

Is Black History Month losing its steam and significance among the other holidays and special events – like the Super Bowl and political debates?

Because we have an African American President, is it not important to stop recognize and reflect on the achievements of the “Negro/Colored/Black/African American” ?

At one time Black History Month was just a  WEEK – and then it was officially declared a Black History month by President Jimmy Carter in 1978.   But it really got going as a month-long event in the U.S in 1976 during our bicentennial.

The patriotism and “black pride” after the success civil rights era, gave birth the African-American history month – from just a week.

The creator, Dr. Carter Woodson (whose parents were former slaves) originally picked the second week in February as “Negro History Week” in 1926 because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were both born in February. Lincoln and Douglass were two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history.

As I educate my teen daughter by sharing stories, I can’t help but realize that it was really not that long ago that I actually saw segregation in the South and witnessed (thru the media, Ebony/Jet) the awful things done to black folks on a regular in this country. I was born in 1960.

I remember hearing the horror stories my grandparents told me about how they were treated because they were black. They were just one generation out of slavery. Besides not having “rights” to education or equal pay, they were treated like second class citizens.

They are gone now – and never would they have imagined an African American President.  My daughter really can’t figure out why it’s such a BIG deal. She never felt racism before.

It is hard as an older African American to find that balance.  On one hand we don’t want to live in the past; it’s hurtful to remember some of the hard-core prejudice demonstrated so openly – but on the other hand, I want my daughter to really UNDERSTAND and make it a big deal to celebrate the achievements.  We have succeed despite the odds.

She learns diversity in school – and that’s good. But what needs to be instilled in African American children is the deep burning pride that inspires. More than just watching ROOTS and thinking, “that’s a good show.” But really be touched in their soul to know that we must never forget how far we’ve come and continue to tell those stories.

It starts with making Black History Month a BIG DEAL. Even the U.S. Postal Service celebrates Black Heritage with stamps!

I  want every African American to at least acknowledge it and participate with it in some way that inspires another. I told my daughter who goes to primarily white school, to write on her Facebook wall a Black History Quote everyday or Tweet some historical Black Fact.  If she doesn’t take the lead to talk about it, who will?

There is so much richness in our history, really 28 days is not enough. But try. Try to reverse stereo-types. Black Folks must stand up a feel proud that you’re part of  race of people who endured, survived and thrived despite the atrocities done to our ancestors.

THIS Video is one that everyone should watch. My friend and author, Dr. Joel Freeman (a white man), continues educate others about African American historical achievements.

I ran across a book by another good friend, Denise Stinson. In 1995, she wrote The Black Folks’ “LITTLE” Instruction Book, which I loved.  The book celebrates us, our traditions and reminds of things we need to do as Black folks to keep our community positive and shun negative stereo-types.

Here are some of her “Instructions” – some will make you smile:

1.  Know how to bake a good sweet potato pie.

2. Take lot of pictures at family reunions.

3. Read The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

4. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister even if you have children.

5. Eat greens every chance you get. They are full of memories and vitamin C.

6. Know what Kwanzaa is.

7. Contribute to the United Negro College Fund.

8. Never put more than 10 barrettes in your daughter’s hair at one time.

9. Read stories to your children with heroes and heroines that look just like them.

10. Choose your role models carefully.

11. Do not give a child a name that has more than 18 letters to it.

12. Construct a family tree.

13. Eat more fresh fruit.

14. Do not add “ed” to words that already end in “ed.”

15. Next time the sistuah/friends get together, do “Little Sally Walker.”

16. Say no to Nadinola.

17. Know all the verses to “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

18. Volunteer at a neighborhood community center.

19. Know the parents of your children’s friends.

20. Support and visit black history museums.

Ok, you get the point, Denise wrote out 348 “instructions” for Black Folks. And that last one should is probably the one that if a Black person DID NOT do, they should be ashamed – because many people died for this right: REGISTER TO VOTE.

If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. --Carter G. Woodson

Pam Perry, a PR Coach & Social Media Strategies, can be followed and found on Twitter, @pamperry and see www.PerryWilliamson.com

Click the image below to watch the episode on YouTube and to find links to the apps mentioned in this episode.

Visit the AppGoddess blog here for more Mac luv.

This is an original MyBlogalicious post, cross posted on The AppGoddess.com.

Denise Perkins is a video obsessed Web 3.0 Vlogger that is ALWAYS uploading something to YouTube. Subscribe to her AppGoddess channel to learn about the latest female focused, Mac related, tech toys and apps and visit her blog HomeSpaGoddess.com to learn how to become a Home Spa Goddess.