Hi Friends!
It’s Tuesday. Let’s chat, shall we? I have a few random blog-related things to catch you guys up on that I hope you’re going to enjoy!
Recipe Index
First of all, thanks to the amazing Rita at Blog Genie, I have a beautiful new recipe index for you guys. I know my old one was a pain to navigate so I wanted something that was more visual and easy for you guys to find recipes! It was a major pain…I had to go back and categorize all my recipes. I should have been doing it from the beginning, but I never did, so I had 4.5 years of recipes to go through…but I got it done.
So now, if you hover over the recipe tab at the top of the page you’ll see all the recipe categories. Take a look around! Maybe you’ll find something you haven’t seen before!
You’ll also notice I have a baby tab at the top so you can find all my pregnancy/baby/parenting posts in one place!
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Blogging Schedule
Something else I’ve been meaning to share- my posting schedule. Now that I’m getting back into the grove of things with baby, I’m trying a few things:
1) I’m cutting myself some slack. Being a working parent is hard. If I don’t get a blog post up, it’s ok. I’m doing my best to stay consistent but baby comes first.
2) I’m trying to stick to the following schedule:
– Sunday- Food Prep Inspiration
– Monday – Bean Bytes
– Tuesday – Random
– Wednesday – Recipe
– Thursday – Off
– Friday – Recipe
– Saturday- Off
Obviously this may change some weeks, but my goal is to give you guys food prep, bean bytes and two new recipes each week. Then on Tuesdays (and Thursdays if needed) I’ll fill in with other posts if I have time. If not, I’ll take those days off. It’s been working pretty well for the last few weeks so I’ll do my best to keep it up.
I’m putting CoSchedule to good use and trying to stay on top of my editorial calendar, plan ahead, etc. (Bloggers- if you’re not using CoSchedule yet, you can check out my review here.
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First of all, are you following me?! If not, CLICK HERE. I’m doing my best to step up my Pinterest game this year. What does that mean? A few things:
1) I’m starting to pin regularly. I used to be really terrible about using Pinterest and could go months without pinning. Now I’m getting into the habit of actually pinning most of the delicious recipe links I share in Bean Bytes and am using Tailwind to regularly schedule great pins!
2) I took on a major project and went back through all my old posts, created pinable images for a lot of my older posts that didn’t have them and made a spreadsheet so I can keep track of what posts I want to update the photos for, when I last shared my own posts on Pinterests etc. It was a huge project but it’s nice to have a list of all my evergreen content so I can re-share it as it makes sense throughout the year (ie seasonal recipes, etc).
3) While I was updating my old posts I also went through and updated my photo titles/alt tags, etc. Cue MAJOR headache. Another thing I should have started doing since I first started blogging but didn’t, so consequently I had hundreds of pictures titled DSC_1908 or whatever. Lame. So, I took the time to go back through and fix most of those so now when you click the ‘pin it’ button on my images in recipe and other pin-worthy posts, it should automatically populate a nice little description for you!
4) I’m cleaning up my Pinterest boards so they can continue to be a great resource for you guys. If you haven’t checked out my boards lately, I have a lot of great ones designed to help you guys with meal planning, recipe inspiration etc. I’ve been pinning lots of healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snack ideas for you guys! You can read more about my thought process behind creating these boards in this post: Pinterest For Meal Planning.
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Recipe Re-shoots
Like I mentioned above, I’m slowly working my way through a list of old posts that had crappy pictures and trying to take better ones! Every so often i’ll fill you guys in on posts I’ve updated lately in case you want to read them, pin them, etc.
Here’s the first batch. Links to the original posts are below the photos so you can go check them out!
How To Hard Boil Eggs In The Oven
Freezer Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Crockpot Rotisserie-Style Chicken
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Food Blog Academy
And finally, because I’m always trying to make this blog better for you guys, I signed up for Food Blog Academy! It was created by Tessa who blogs over at Handle The Heat and you guys, I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve been reading Tessa’s blog for years now and have seen it grow into something pretty amazing so when she introduced Food Blog Academy, I had no doubt it would be awesome.
I’m about a week into it and I’m already learning SO MUCH. I’m a firm believer that no matter how successful you are, there’s always more to learn. Even though I’ve been blogging for 4.5 years, I definitely know there are things I could be doing better…which is why I signed up.
Tessa does a great job breaking down the content into manageable segments and giving you actionable goals to encourage you to implement changes. I’ve already made a lot of behind-the-scenes improvements and tackled some tasks I’d been putting off for months now.
If you’re a good blogger, I’d definitely check it out. (PS- that is not an affiliate link. I don’t get anything for sharing this. I just like to spread the word about things I love and believe in!)
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Whew! I think that’s all for now! Feel free to let me know if there are other changes you’d like to see on the blog and I’ll do my best to make them happen!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Great job updating Pinterest. I really try to use it as much as I can – I need to go back and do some updating too. Such a great resource.
Ooh, thanks so much for letting us know all about the Food Blog Academy and recommending it! This is another thing I love about blogging. Or one of the things I love the most: the willingness of bloggers to share and help each other out. It’s uplifting and encouraging.
yes! def check it out!
You’ve been busy!! I’ve been slowing making my way through my growing to-do list of things that I want to update on the blog. I need to sign up for Tailwind too!
yes, check it out for sure!
You are so good. I have some of those things on my list too. And I feel like I will never have the time. Waaahhhh. On another note, totally going to check out the FBA. 😉
i think you’d love it!
blogging with a baby is HARD – i agree! you’re doing awesome and blog whenever and we’ll all still be here 🙂
thanks, friend
Dude, you are remarkable with the amount of blogging you’re doing with the little one and crossfit too- Inspiring! 🙂
Love all the updates and love that you’re going back to reshoot your old recipes- That’s something I want to work on and pinterest…urgh. That is so confusing! Thanks for sharing these with us!
it takes time but i think it’s worth it
Wow girlfriend that is dedication! I do not know if I have it in me to go back and do all of that work!! You defiantly inspired me to go through my popular posts and update them but every single one not so sure about that :0 xo C
I recently went through my recipes with recipe index. It was quite the process but I’m so glad that I did it. It looks so much better. I need to checkout a few of these links. Never heard of Tailwind. Thanks for the tips!
you’re welcome!
It looks amazing girl!! Wanna come do mine now?? 😉
i have been wanting to get into pinterest train as well this year but for some reason, i do not like pinterest 🙁 thanks for sharing the blog academy info, i need to check it out.
Thanks for sharing, Lindsay! I’m definitely going to be looking into Food Blog Academy — you’re right about there always being something new to learn!
you would love it!
Thank you for sharing and reminding us of how much work it is to have an awesome blog (and Pinterest Boards ….). It took some discipline to go through your old posts and photos – I’m impressed!
thx girl!!
Sigh, I wish I was one tenth as organized as you!
Updating my non-pinnable images is on my to do list too. Some of my food photos are SO bad too, so I really want to update those.
I am terrible with Pinterest, mostly because it ends up being such a time-suck if I do use it regularly. I need to find a better routine. I think your blogging schedule is really manageable though!
it can def be a time suck!
I am ALL about CoSchedule! I started using it in December and it has helped me map out my blogging schedule for the next few months. LOVE IT!
Love the new recipe index! I’ve been thinking about getting something similar to that one.
Also, ugh I made the same mistake with not naming my photos correctly when I first started blogging. I’ve fixed a few of them, but it’s such a pain to reupload like 4 years of photos!
agreed. major pain
Looks great! Love all the new features.
Thanks for all the great tips! As a newer blogger, I am always so appreciative when others share their insight like this. Will have to check out your recommendations!
yay! hope they help!
nice! I noticed the layout changing yesterday. I definitely think going back through old posts is so valuable, ahh if only I had little mice to magically make the graphics 🙂
yes, that’d be wonderful wouldn’t it?
I need to update all my old recipes and repin them! So much work! That is a task for this summer though!
definitely a good summer project!
Blogging with baby is no easy feat… you are doing an amazing job!!! Too bad we aren’t closer because we could have our own baby blogging daycare 😉
that’d be the best!
What a great resource just telling us what you did & are doing…. it is hard work without a baby!!!!
Thanks for sharing everything! The recipe index looks great and I’ll have to check out the blog academy!
thank you!!
Lindsay, you’re amazing! You have a baby and your’e putting SO MUCH into your blog… you’re my blogger inspiration right now!! Everything looks so gorgeous!!
I totally agree with Cassie, but I’ll add my own two cents as well!
thank you so much cassie. you’re the best 🙂
Making blogging happen with a baby is tough! You always impress me with your posts though even with that cute lil guy around 🙂
thanks, heather!
I loved this post! Thanks for sharing so much and it makes me think about my blog too! I’m entering year two for me, so now it’s time to cross from “beginner” into “someone who maybe sort of kind of knows what he is doing”. I’m definitely starting to focus on Pinterest, and I’ve seen your pins pop up a few times lately so I know you are doing the same! I LOVE all the organization! While I’m not the most organizaed in real life, I freaking love digital organization, if that makes sense. I like your schedule too… but if I coudl request one thing, work in some more fitness too! There’s at least a couple of us that are very interested in all your CrossFit adventures! =)
You’re awesome Lindsay, definitely a blogger that I’d like to emulate more closely! Thanks for all you do.
thanks so much, Chris. that means a lot!
Thanks for the great ideas Lindsay. I started using CoSchedule as well and am loving it. And bravo to you for cutting yourself some slack as a working mom! You can still provide excellent content and resources without stressing yourself out.
yay! glad you’re loving coschedule!
OK. Great reminder to get into Co Schedule today and get my shares scheduled! I’ve been updating my images too… so important but time consuming! And the one thing I need to learn how to do is the long photo montage (like in your freezer PB recipe). I need a tutorial on that 🙂
just go to picmonkey and make a collage, choose the “ducks in a row” option for the layout and pick the 3 or 4 boxes across option, then use the rotate arrow at the bottom to flip it vertical and change the size to fit your blog! Lemme know if that doesn’t make sense and i can email you screenshots!
I love seeing how other bloggers do it! Going to check out CoSchedule asap!
i couldn’t live without it!
Thanks for the updates. I can tell you have been stepping up your recipe photography as well. Your photos on the blog/pinterest/instagram have such nice lighting and composition recently!
aww thanks so much, Ananda! So happy to hear that!
Lindsey- I love how transparent you are with your blog and also willing to share such helpful information that allows other bloggers to improve their skillz also!
-Kristen
thanks so much, kristen!
I’ve been trying to go through older posts and update the alt text on images so that they pin something helpful, too. I’ve seen them popping up lately with awful descriptions, so I think that will help! Love all the updates! 🙂
def takes time but hopefully worth it!
Thanks for the catch up on what’s going on! I think you’re doing a great job of adjusting after having your baby and being able to find a balance btw raising him and continuing this blog and your life. Props!
Im going to have to check out some of these links you have in here…thanks for sharing!
thanks girl! definitely check them out. lemme know if you have questions!
I think you are balancing your sight really well. Honestly I cannot imagine having a child and doing everything you are doing. Good for you Lindsay and I always enjoy your posts.
thanks so much hollie!
Thanks for sharing all of your tips and I’m going to look into the blogging school because well why make things harder than needed!! xo you are doing wonderful balancing baby and blog, you make is seem so seamless!
i’m loving the food blog academy!
Looks like you’ve been busy! Thanks for sharing what you’ve been up to. It inspires me as a blogger!
i’m so happy to hear that!
Blogging with children is not for wimp’s! I have a to do list as long the Great Wall of China, but as you say, “I cut myself some slack” it is after all just one part of my life and my wee ones come first. As usual you give the very best advise- I am a better blogger because of you! xoxo
thanks friend!
SO many of the things on your list are things I need/want to do myself, but I just have a really hard time finding the time to do them! Maybe one of these days…or maybe I’ll find someone I can pay to do it for me. 😉
hmmm i’m hearing a lot of people with the no time complaint. business idea for me?! i’ll take your money 😉
Perhaps we’re gonna need to chat some more… 😉
I noticed recently that your recipe page changed and I absolutely love it. I am actually taking some pointers from it, I have been struggling with how to display my recipes and I haven’t found a way that I really like yet.
yay! i’m so glad you like it!
Wow, Lindsay! This a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but it will all be worth it! Thanks for sharing what you’re doing to spruce up The Lean Green Bean. Everything looks great! I’ll check you out on Pinterest! 🙂
thanks so much!!
Using an editorial calendar has been so helpful to me too. It’s nice to have a plan and makes it a lot less overwhelming when I sit down to write a post.
yes! so much less overwhelming!
This is such a great post. I love your new photos, and what a long haul it must have been to go back over everything. That’s my goal too soon I think, really clean up the blog, the back end, the meta tags, the alt-tags, all that good stuff. I’d love to get better at Pinterest too. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Oh wow good for you for going through all that work! I kind of had to do the same thing when switching from Blogger to WP because Blogger doesn’t have both categories AND tags…it only has one thing (can’t remember which one lol) but all I know is that everything translated into tags so I had to figure how to sort everything out. Gah.
And your new pinnable images look awesome! So are you just deleting the old pictures and putting in new ones or adding a nice image?
Also Tailwind = amazing. All the stats AND you can schedule pins now!!
Great job on the updates! I’m here if you need any more help or need a sounding board for ideas 🙂
thanks girl. you rock!