Go ahead: ignore your 2008 editorial calendars!

Just last week, we blogged about how important 2008 editorial calendars are for your blog – and we’re already telling you to ignore them. Here’s why: although planning and structure are important elements of your blogs, you still need to keep your blog schedule flexible so that you can:

• Report on cutting-edge news, especially if it gives you the opportunity to use your best keywords and highlight your products and services
• Create follow up posts when you discover that interest in a topic is especially high
• Take advantage of unexpected opportunities and to promote unanticipated projects or events

Advantages of providing your own spin on relevant cutting-edge news using your best keywords

Let’s say that your company sells organic fruits and vegetables and related food products without preservatives. If there is a breaking news story that shares new health benefits to eating organic blueberries, blackberries and melons, you should provide thoughtful analysis about the events that are unfolding.

When people search on keyphrases related to the story, perhaps “organic blueberries” and “health benefits,” your blog posts may appear fairly high in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

This significantly increases the changes that these potential customers will click on your web site’s links to see your products and services. Plus, a journalist might contact you, asking you to quote you as an expert on the story.

Know when to stick with your 2008 editorial calendars and when to write a breaking news post that focuses on your best keywords.

Strategically use this combination for all of your blogs!