Back in October, I signed up for an e-course led by Melissa from Momcomm. Melissa is someone that I followed on Twitter. I knew that she knew a lot about social media and did great blog critiques. I had also heard that her course Content Brew – a week-long e-course that helps you plan and create fresh content for your Blog, Facebook page and Twitter - got rave reviews.
You see, I knew that I could be more efficient and organized with my blogging. I would have random text files all over my desktop and scraps of paper around the house with ideas for posts, articles and research for future posts, and other resources to look into. At times, I would also struggle late at night to come up with an idea for a post. I didn’t have a plan in place and I needed a something to keep me organized.
I am not joking when I say that Content Brew completely changed the way that I think about blogging and creating content. Instead of feeling like a slave to my blog, I finished the course feeling empowered.
Why am I telling you all of this now? Melissa is opening up registration for the next Content Brew course TODAY – January 22 – at 11am EST!! This is a really special one because it will be the last instructor-led session of the year. After this February session, the course will be relaunched as a self-paced course. If you’ve been thinking about registering, DO IT! There are only 50 spots available.
6 ways Content Brew saved my blog
Ideas
One of the biggest benefits I got from Content Brew was that it helped me focus on my blog. Instead of writing about everything under the sun, Melissa helped me crystallize the main topics on my blog through a variety of brainstorming exercises. Not only that, in the course of a day, I came up with a long list of things to write about.
Editorial Calendar
With that list of ideas, I was able to plan out my blog’s content for A WHOLE QUARTER. That’s right – three months of blog posts. Of course, things would come up and I would end up writing about something else but I had the comfort of knowing that I always had something to write about. And with a spiffy new editorial calendar, I was able to see how my topics were spread out over the course of a week to a month and make sure that I was spacing out the topics that I wrote about.
It’s not just about the blog
The course also focuses on planning content for Facebook and Twitter. At the time, I had recently started my Facebook page and had no idea what kind of content to share there or how to garner the type of interaction that would help make my page successful. Even though Facebook seems intent of thwarting the efforts of Facebook pages to be seen and shared, I’ve learned some valuable strategies. I didn’t gain as much in terms of improving how I use Twitter since I felt very comfortable there but I have changed some things about how I use Twitter as a result of the course.
Organization system
Remember those bajillion text files and scraps of paper floating around? No more. With the tools from Content Brew, I’ve developed a system to help me stay organized, to remember blog post ideas, to save articles that I’ve come across and to keep me on top of things. It’s helped me be more efficient.
Support group
Honestly, this was one of the best parts. Melissa set up a private Facebook group. There were some really smart people in my session and a lot of interaction. Not only about our homework assignment, but also general questions about blogging and content. In fact, we have created our own group since the course has ended and continue to bounce ideas off each other and support each other.
Melissa
Seriously, she is the reason to enroll in Content Brew. She’s such a huge resource on everything and anything blog or social media related topics. You have a question and within a few minutes she’s emailing you a link to an article she wrote or another great resource. HUGE. Like I said, this February course is the only course she will lead this year.
I’m not going to lie. It was a lot of work and exhausting at times since Content Brew is only one week. I wish I had more time or that the course was stretched out over two weeks. At times, I felt rushed and that I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to devote to the topics and exercises. It was easy to feel overwhelmed at times.
If you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend the course for new and advanced bloggers, although you’d probably get the most out of the course if you’ve been blogging for at least a few months. If you’re not convinced yet, here are some more reasons and reviews of the Content Brew.
Registration opens at 11am on January 22, 2013.
I’m happy to answer any questions about the course.
Do you have a content strategy for your blog?
{Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links where I earn a small commission for purchases made. However, all opinions are 100% my own honest opinions.}
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Those are all wonderful tips & topics! Have a few things going on right now that prevent me from focusing on the blog due to lack of time but, if I could, I would absolutely take that course!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } recently posted..About Time Giveaway
I know that after this session, she’s going to relaunch the course as a self-paced course so you can work on it on your own time. Something to think about for the future.
Haha nope no strategy! It probably shows too. I would love to take it, bit far atm. Sounds great though!
Jess recently posted..If you were free what would you be?
haha. I love your blog and your posts!!
wow, had no idea! so so cool! you always have great content but also you are a fabulous so i think it’ a combination of both.
lindsay recently posted..How to Break the Fast
You are too sweet. I think more than anything, the biggest thing I gained was a sense of organization and a system to be able to deal with all the stuff that floats in and out of my head all day!! I’m a little Type A, remember?
I dont
unless no strategy is my strategy…
and I agree with LINDSAY TOO.
and I may just take this ecourse!!!
Miz recently posted..The ONE Thing You Must Have to Live the Life You Want (guest post).
haha. you and Lindsay are too kind to me.
I just went to look into signing up, but I think it might be full already? I really need some help in regard to getting some focus. Some days I want to write fashion, some days kids, some days health. A strategy would be really great.
Martha @ MarthaWills(dot)com recently posted..James Perse Private Sale
Registration opens later today at 11am!!
OOps… You said that and I hadn’t yet had my coffee when I ran to comment! I am so impressed at how your blog has grown. You’ve worked hard and it shows!
I could really use this! I wasn’t familiar with Melissa and the course. It sounds like you got so much out of it, and that’s a great endorsement. Thanks for turning me onto it!
misszippy recently posted..One run at a time
I did get a lot out of it. More than anything, it’s been helpful to gain a system to organize everything and to think a bit smarter about content creation and sharing content. It’s helped me be a bit more efficient with my time which I definitely needed! Melissa is a wealth of information too.
Very cool. I don’t really have any system or rhyme or reason most of the time LOL. Just go with the flow. Probably not ideal huh???
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Tasty Tuesday – Spinach and Cannellini Bean Pasta Bake
This sounds awesome–you really do always have awesome content, so I think your blog sells this course itself!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..The Day I Became a Marathoner
this sounds very interesting
sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..Wildtree Freezer Meal Party & Round 2 Protein Oatmeal Loaf
Checking it out right now!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Strawberry Napoleon with #SilkAlmond Pastry Cream
I do have a bit of a strategy, but some weeks are better than others. I would love to win an entry as the price tag is a bit over my budget for this month.
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..2013 Goals & Accountability
Yes, I think that Melissa is giving away an entry. You should totally enter.
A whole quarter??? I feel pretty dang proud of myself when I have a plan for 2 days out of the week. Going to try to check this out because I need it!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Indoor Bike Trainer Workout
Yes! A whole freaking quarter. I didn’t always write adhere to the calendar but it was such a huge comfort knowing that there were topics there.
Wow, that sounds so helpful! I’ve been getting a lot better about planning out some general ideas for the month, and then mixing it up as other things come up. I could definitely use the FB help, I don’t do a whole lot over there… thanks for this great review!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Marathon Recovery Recap
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Only recently have I begun to focus on specific topic for my blog. I could use help across all areas of the blogging business…including social media!
Michelle recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Sick House
I really need content brew! Some kind of system to keep me organized. I used to do a great job of lining up posts in advance but was never good at lining up social media. I still struggle with it. This is a definite possibility for me!
ilene recently posted..It’s Complicated
I’ve never heard of Content Brew before. It’s amazing how my blog has morphed over the last couple of years. I’d definitely be interested in figuring out how to fit more Twitter and Facebook involvement into my blog. It’s especially difficult, because I’m not able to be on those sites until late in the evening, which is not when a lot of people are chatting. Thanks for the heads up, I’m gonna head over and check it out!
Leslie recently posted..{Product Watch} Full Tilt Brewery
Content Brew definitely helped me figure out how to better integrate Twitter and FB and also gave me some tools to be more productive and efficient. Most importantly, thinking about scheduling some posts if I couldn’t be on when most people were on FB chatting. Hope that helps!
Great tips! I really need to work on ideas and organization. Too often I’m writing posts at midnight.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Resolution Adventure Race
This class sounds amazing! Right now, I have a few pages at the back of my planner that I write down blog ideas. That’s about it. I never really know when or what I’m going to post. Pretty sad. This class sounds like it would be so motivating and fun! As soon as school is over in August, I’m all over it!
katie recently posted..Introducing…Featured Blogger Program
Sounds like something I need. My blog is all over the place. Ugh. Your “before” is my “now. LOL.
STUFT Mama recently posted..It’s Okay to Be Jealous of What We Found
I have been wanting to check this course out, and you definitely are making me think really hard about it. It sounds amazing!
Stopping by from SITS.
thedoseofreality recently posted..Aaaahhhh, The Good Old Days, Remember Those?
I really enjoyed the course. Definitely check it out if not for this go around, maybe at some other point. Melissa is going to make the course self-paced so you could do it anytime!
HA! I need a way to organize and plan my blog! I feel like I’m running by the seat of my pants. Also, I write about myself all.the.time. How narcissistic! I want to start offering more helpful content, but I want it to be legit and helpful. Sigh.
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..Diet Practice
This looks great – I’ve signed up as (to answer your question) no, I don’t have much of a strategy for my blog, but my few readers tell me that really like reading it. Help would be good!
Arah recently posted..Buckets of hit points
Let me know if you end up taking it!
Looks awesome! I’ve heard about it, but have never looked into it.
Missy | Literal Mom recently posted..Do You Take Living in the Moment Too Far?
This sounds fantastic Christine!
I already use an editorial calendar (and stray from it frequently…), but still struggle with FB and Twitter. What to post? Who to share it with? Personal page vs fan page?
I’ll look in to it!
Tamara recently posted..Knee injury? 7 workout ideas to try while you recover
I was in the first Content Brew course ever, and it’s been super helpful, love Mel, MomComm and Content Brew!
Alison recently posted..The (Almost) Unbearable Lightness Of Not Being Needed
this sounds so interesting! I’ll check it out. Thanks for sharing!
Lea recently posted.."I’m Afraid to Post this Blog" Blogger Challenge
So, I read your blog pretty regularly but I’ve took an Internet vacation. I was frustrated with my blog – seemed like a personal diary rather than any form. I know I can get organized, it’s just finding time, strategy, etc. Anyway, first time back reading blogs and I fell on your blog and this posting. What are the chances? I just signed up and am ready to go. Thanks for the recommendation.
Amy recently posted..English as a first language…