Are you neglecting some very important blogging tasks?

Some people recommend strict daily, weekly, and monthly blogging tasks. However, I think this can,set you up for disappointment if you miss a target. Rather, I suggest a more casual daily blogging regimen. The goal is to stay consistent, while still being flexible and fluid.

Furthermore, there is no pressure to complete the following blogging tasks, as long as you simply work on them. Just put a little effort into these three areas, and you're golden:

1. Researching post ideas
2. Updating old posts
3. Writing new posts

While this may seem obvious, these three fundamental blogging tasks are often done without strategy or thought. If done correctly, however, you can maximize your efficiency and increase traffic.

In this article, I will teach you my personal strategies for success, what works for me, and what to look out for when updating your old posts. If you're looking for an actionable WordPress-oriented list of blogging tasks, you've come to the right spot!

Daily Blogging Tasks

Research Post Ideas

You need ideas for a new article, don't you? Spending 10-20 minutes each day researching post ideas means you'll never have to worry about what to write next. The idea is to keep a readily accessible running list of article ideas on standby.

Since I don't like wasting my time, I have a very meticulous method for researching post ideas. I like to make sure the post I write meets a few criteria:

• The article solves a problem or adds to the discord.
• The article targets a primary keyword.

But how can you do this? First, think about a problem in your industry. What are your readers up against? Is there anything you can do to help them? Is there a fix or workaround? Do you have a solution that nobody else has? What works best for you?

Look at Amazon book reviews in your industry. Was there something missing? Is there still confusion or a lack of instructions? You could write an article to fill in the gap.

Another idea is to search for common questions in your industry on Quora. Ask yourself why the same questions keep getting asked. Are the answers lacking depth or technical detail? Are the articles retrieved from a Google search insufficient?

Once you have an idea, the next step is to find a primary keyword to target. You can use SpyFu (or similar) to conduct your keyword research. I look for low-difficulty keywords with at least 100 monthly SEO clicks.

Once you've found a few target keywords, perform a Google search for them. Look through the results for posts that could be improved upon. Perhaps they are lacking or missing something, or maybe they're just poorly written. Maybe they're short, lacking depth, or using wrong information.

Also, keep an eye out for big competitors. If the big guys take up the first couple of pages, then it's going to be hard to get traffic from that keyword. Keep searching for keywords until the results turn up more obscure, less popular websites. Take note of the keyword and competitor websites.

Once you've found a keyword you want to rank for, add it to a running Word document (or similar) with a quick title idea. Do this daily, and you'll have a nice list of keywords and post ideas ready at all times.

Outranking a competitor is tough if you're still small, but it is possible. I've done it myself, however, it isn't required. As long as , you're getting close, you'll still get clicks! And one day, you just might outrank them. This method almost guarantees steady traffic growth.

Update One Old Post

Choose one old post and comb it for grammar and spelling mistakes. I suggest running it through Grammarly. Using Grammarly will not only help you identify typos but improve your clarity as well. Install the Grammarly extension to make this task even easier.

While you're checking for typos and grammar errors, be sure to keep an eye out for broken or missing links. Make sure all of your content is still relevant and updated for accuracy. Look for new internal and external linking opportunities. This is a great way to strengthen your internal linking structure if it's been a while since you've updated your post.

Install Updated WordPress Post Date to automatically update and display the new updated post date at the top of each post. This ensures your readers are reading updated content and also helps you track which posts were recently updated. It's a win-win!

Make sure your post is cohesive and well-organized. If you want to outrank your competitors, it helps if your posts are highly polished works of art. Why? Because they're more shareable.

The more organized, readable, scannable, and interesting your posts are, the more people are likely to share them. Follow these 16 expert tips to create the perfect post every time.

In addition, it's important to monitor how your posts are performing. Use Google Search Console to find old posts with low traffic and see if they can be reworked. Personally, I wait around 60 days, and if my article fails to hit the mark, I rework the post to try and improve its position.

When reworking outdated and underperforming articles, I retarget new keywords, extend the length, add depth, throw in some extra images, and rewrite confusing sections.

Work on One New Post

Now, this doesn't mean starting a new post every day! I just mean pick a post in draft and continue working on it. You should be consistently researching post ideas and working on current posts daily. Your goal is to create a routine, not do it all at once. It's okay to do more on some days than others.

If you've had a busy day, just do some quick research, write a couple hundred words and drop it. Some people recommend consistently publishing weekly or bi-weekly posts, but it leads to disappointment if you miss a target. Just make an effort to do something every day, and you'll be fine.

And if you just can't seem to get the words flowing, here are some creative techniques I use to get myself into writing mode.

Other Blogging Tasks

The most important thing to remember when blogging is to have fun! But how do you avoid being burnt out? My suggestion is to just do a little bit every day. And if you simply can't be bothered blogging, (or are just busy), that's completely understandable.

But what else can you do besides wearing out that old keyboard? Well, tons of different blogging tasks are often neglected, but just as meaningful as churning out an article.

Update Social Media

If you're using social media, go through each one and add at least one post/tweet. Respond to your readers and update your status. At the very least, keep an eye on it, or it will surely get away from you.

Optimize Your Security

Don't wait until it is too late. Check and strengthen your website's security now. Here are a few things you can do to optimize your WordPress security:

• Change common WordPress paths (such as your login URL).
• Strengthen or even change your WordPress login password.
• Strengthen or even change your hosting provider password.
• Scan and remove hiding malware.
• Install a lightweight, all-in-one security plugin.
• Update your WordPress version, theme, and all plugins.

Improve On-Page SEO

On-page SEO is much easier to control than off-page, so there is no reason to neglect this. Your on-page SEO should be near perfection. While updating your old posts, or creating new ones, ensure the following techniques are being properly employed.

• Each post has a unique primary keyword.
• Each post has a few secondary keywords.
• Your post title is wrapped in an H1 tag.
• Your post title includes your primary keyword.
• Your H2/H3 headers include your primary keyword.
• Your primary keyword is used a few times in each post (2-3%).
• Your primary keyword is included in the URL, and meta description.
• Your primary keyword is included at the beginning of the post.
• Your primary keyword is included in a few image descriptions/titles.
• You have several internal and external links in each post.
• Your content is unique and original.
• All tags, categories, and featured images are updated and correct.
• Your content is readable, scannable, and shareable.
• Your content is well-organized and of sufficient length.
• Use both follow and no-follow links.
• All images are sized properly.
• Each post has social sharing links.

To make things easier for you, Rank Math is an awesome plugin that can assist you in many of the above-listed items to make sure you aren't missing anything important.

Improve Off-Page SEO

I'm not going to lie. This is much easier said than done! Still, it shouldn't be neglected. A little bit here and there can go a long way, and will pay off in the long run. Here are a few off-page strategies worth looking into:

• Help a reporter with HARO
• Guest post for backlinks
• Content and awareness marketing
• Appear on a podcast
• Land an interview
• Get Reviewed
• Create shareable infographics

Scout For Virtual Assistant

If social media is too bothersome for you, consider hiring a virtual assistant to do the work for you. This can help increase your social visibility while allowing you to focus your efforts on blogging.

Monitor Search Engine Rankings

Using whatever platform/tool you prefer (SpyFu works well for me), checking your post rankings at least once a week is a good idea. If a post severely drops in rank, it's important to know so that you can get it back on track. Don't let your hard work go to waste! It only takes a second to check.

Update About Page

Make sure your about page is up-to-date with all relevant information and that it conveys the message you wish to convey. This includes your mission statement, vision statement, personal information, facts, bios, social media pages, etc.

If possible, don't shy away from making it personal. The more you can share, the better! For 11 random facts about me, check out my “about” page here.

Blog Commenting

Dig into your industry a little. Look for similar websites on controversial topics, ask questions, or answer other commenters. If there is a website field, don't forget to add your blog before posting your comment. While the backlink will likely be no-follow, these are still healthy links and can increase your website's visibility.

Remove Clutter

Check your sidebar. Ask yourself if everything there needs to be there, or if it's distracting from your most important goals. Or maybe you can simply rearrange a few things to bring new clarity and a fresh look to your page.

Develop Five Year Plan

Write down the goals you wish to achieve in the next five years. Here is a list of questions to ask yourself:

• Where do you see yourself?
• How are you going to grow your blog?
• How are you going to stay focused?
• What is your inspiration? Quitting your job? Moving?
• Who are you helping now?
• Who do you want to help in the future?
• What is your end goal?

Clean Your Media Library

Chances are you have a lot of images and other media files stored in your media library. Over time, this library can become cluttered and disorganized. If you're bored and looking for something to do, take some time to clean up your media library.

Delete any unused files, organize your files into folders, and add tags or descriptions to make it easier to find what you're looking for in the future. Phoenix Media Rename is a lightweight plugin that can be used to rename messy media file names.

Create a Landing Page

Why not create a landing page if you're looking for something to do besides writing? A landing page can be a great way to showcase your blog's content and make it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for. Plus, it can help you promote your blog and attract new readers.

Not sure how to create a landing page? GenerateBlocks is a lightweight block-based page builder that can be used with GeneratePress to easily create beautiful landing pages (and websites, for that matter).

Check Your Email

Don't neglect your email. I regularly monitor my email for blog comments or direct messages. It's important to respond reply to your valuable readers.

Send Out a Newsletter

Another interesting task you can work on when you're bored is sending out quality newsletters. This involves creating or finding high-quality content to share with your subscribers and then formatting it in an attractive and easy-to-read way.

It can be time-consuming to create a great newsletter, but it's worth it if you want to keep your subscribers engaged. Plus, it's a great way to drive traffic back to your website or blog. Not only that, but repeat visitors can improve your SEO.

Create Freebies or Lead-Magnets

How about creating some freebies or lead magnets for your blog? Freebies are a great way to attract new readers and followers and can also be used to build up your list of email subscribers.

Lead magnets can be anything from helpful eBooks or cheat sheets to printables or templates. Brainstorm some ideas of what you could create, then get to work!

Reach Out for Collaboration

Collaborating with another blogger is a great way to break out of a blogging rut. This can take many forms, from guest posting on each other's blogs to co-authoring an article or ebook. This will give you a chance to flex your creative muscles and help you reach a new audience and build relationships with other bloggers in your niche.

Join Affiliate Programs

If you're looking to make a little extra money from your WordPress blog, then joining an affiliate program is a great way to do it. Affiliate programs are commission-based sales, where you earn a commission for every product or service that you sell.

There are affiliate programs available for just about anything you can think of, so there's sure to be one perfect for your blog. And if you're unsure where to start, just look at some of the most popular affiliate networks like Clickbank and ShareASale.

Track Expenses and Income

Take a moment to weigh your expenses against your revenue. Are you generating a profit, breaking even, or helplessly sinking? You can use a simple spreadsheet to track your income and expenses, and there are even some great apps out there that can help you with this. Either way, it's great to stay on top of your finances and ensure you're not overspending.

Track Your Google Analytics (GA)

One of the best things you can do when you can't be bothered to write is to track your Google Analytics. This will help you to see how your blog is doing and what areas need improvement. You can also use this information to help you come up with new ideas for content or ways to promote your blog.

Take a Break!

This might be the most important step of all. It’s easy to get wrapped up in work and push yourself too hard, but it’s important to take care of yourself as well. Make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day, even if it’s just a few minutes. You deserve it!

Wrapping Up

Remember, blogging should be fun, not some mindless list of repetitive blogging tasks. My suggestion is to just do a little bit every day. Your main goals are to update an old post and work on a new post. This ensures that your blog remains updated, fresh, and consistent.

And when you simply can't be bothered with blogging, work on your SEO, optimize your speed, remove clutter, comment on other blogs, answer Quora questions, or just take a break! Don't beat yourself up about it. Your blog isn't just going to implode in on itself if you take a day off.

What do you think of my daily blogging tasks? Do you have a strategy or list of your own? Let me know what works for you in the comments below!