When I started my blog, Checkit!, it seemed the WordPress editorial calendar was a logical, easy choice. It WAS simple and efficient…. up to a point . The point at which I discovered CoSchedule.

by Leigh Crews 

I didn’t think I would need anything more advanced than the native calendar, which is indeed simple to use and gets the job done. However, as things picked up, it soon became cumbersome to write posts and schedule them on the editorial calendar and coordinate social media. There were just too many steps. Even with Hootsuite to schedule my SM around each post. I was still spending time scheduling and coordinating that could be better spent creating content. Whats more, when I wanted to change a publish date, which happens frequently, I had to remember to go back into Hootsuite and reschedule all the SM associated with the post. I needed a better platform. I knew there had to be something out there that would combine these two essential tasks. I started searching for a low cost solution and soon found the CoSchedule Calendar.

CoSchedule is a simple and intuitive plug in for WordPress. First, it replaces the native calendar. Then it gets really interesting. My favorite thing about CoSchedule is the ability to create and schedule all my post-associated social media, all in one place. Here’s my typical work flow: I write up several new posts in WordPress and schedule them for publication. Because I like to organize things in a calendar view, I go to CoSchedule to see how my month is shaping up. The drag and drop UI allows me to place each post on the day I want it to appear. A few more clicks and I have my related Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter posts ready to go and and scheduled. No back and forth between apps. I can have the SM automatically go out at the same time that my blog is published with followups to be posted later in the day, or week, or anytime I want to reach out to my readers. If I drag the post to another day, everything goes with it, no muss, no fuss. It could not be simpler. No more jumping from platform to platform to coordinate everything. Cue the angels singing.

My husband is the other half of the editorial team and, within CoSchedule, we can collaborate and leave messages about adding graphics or any other task pending and CoSchedule notifies each of us of the other’s activities and requests. Very helpful!

I’m new to the game of blogging and have experienced the inevitable SNAFU or three. When they involve CoSchedule, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with their prompt response, every time I have contacted customer support. And, every time, they have solved my problem in a friendly, non-condescending way. Those guys are smart and experienced!

But, it’s not free, you say? My blog is no cash cow, so I didn’t want to spend a lot of money for an editorial calendar. CoSchedule has a win-win solution to make their product affordable through referral incentives and discounts for reviews, like this one. If you want to give CoSchedule a try, click through here. Or, here for a video overview. They offer a one week free trial so you have nothing to lose and lots to gain in simplicity and time and flexibility. For me, that’s worth the modest investment. I’m hooked! Join me!