Pretty Sassy Cool All Things Pretty, Sassy, and Cool.
Hola Bloggiesta-ers! We’re so excited to host our very first ever Bloggiesta Mini Challenge: Using Trello to Organize Your Book Blog (and Your Life)!
This is going to be especially helpful for sites with multiple users! To start with, I want to credit the lovely Brittany from Book Bumblings. I stumbled across her post on how to organize with Trello, and it seriously changed my life. The best part about Trello? It’s totally free.
What Is Trello?
Trello is the free, flexible, and visual way to organize anything with anyone.
Trello is an amazing organization tool that lets you separate your projects into different “boards.” From the Trello site: A Trello board is a list of lists, filled with cards, used by you and your team. Within each board, you can make lists, and on each of these lists, you create cards. The cards can have as much or as little detail as you want. You can add comments, attachments, checklists, labels, and even set due dates to each card. You can move the cards between boards, too.
How to Use Trello
I personally use Trello to organize all manner of things in my life. I have a Board for each site that I help run, a board for my DIY projects around my house, as well as a separate board for the team here so everyone can see what they’re responsible for. We homeschool, and I have a board to help keep me on track with topics that we need to cover in each subject.
I enabled the Calendar view Power-Up so that we can see the calendar version of the cards with due dates.
Use Trello to Organize Your Book Blogging To-Do List
On Pretty Sassy Cool, we use Trello to show the status of the books we have for review as well as for general reminders. As you can see from the Board picture above, we have the following lists:
- Ongoing: Reminders for our team members’ recurring tasks.
- To Review: Whenever someone on the team signs up to review a book, we create a card for them with their name, the title of the book, and the publication date. We mark the due date on the card so it shows up on our calendar view and label the status of the post on the site (red=post in draft, yellow=waiting on something, green=post scheduled, etc.)
- To Post: After reading the book, the team member attaches the review to the Trello card and moves it into this list so that I know the review is ready to post. We also put promotional posts (Excerpts, Cover Reveals, etc.) and Interviews on this list.
- To Format: Lets the team member know the review has been recieved and is in the process of being formatted.
- To Promote: After the review is posted on the site, it needs to be cross promoted across social media and goodreads, amazon, etc. This is a reminder to do that.
Other Uses for Trello
Like I said, I love using Trello for pretty much everything. Brittany over at Book Bumblings has even more great ideas. I also found this article from Juvoni Beckford on how to use Trello to Manage your TBR List that is very interesting. I love this article on the Trello blog about using Trello as an Editorial Calendar as well as this one on using Trello for a book club. So many possibilities!
- If you don’t already have a Trello account, sign up for one!
- Create a Trello board.
- Leave a comment and let us know how you’ll be using Trello.
The winner will receive a book of their choice (up to $15 value) from Amazon or Book Depository. Open internationally.
PS I included my affiliate link to Trello on this post. It doesn’t pay me if you sign up and I don’t get any kind of commission, but I do get perks from Trello if you click on my link and sign up through my referral. Thanks!
- {Review} Heartland by Sarina Bowen (with Excerpt) - January 31, 2020
- {Cover Reveal} Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen (with Giveaway) - September 26, 2019
- {Spotlight} The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman - March 26, 2019
I had never heard of Trello but I’ve just signed up for an account and think it could be really useful to organise The Ninja Book Swap! I also like the idea of using it to manage your TBR, I’ll look into that! 🙂
Bex recently posted…Bloggiesta Sign Up Post!
I promise that you are going to love it, Bex!
I’ve never been good at organization so I would like to try and use this board to organize my blog and perhaps expand use of Trello to other parts of my life!
I think you’ll really like it once you start using Trello 🙂
I just created a Trello account and already I love it! I have been using Google Calendar to keep track of publication dates, reviews scheduled and such — for 3 book blogs. But I can already see the advantages to using Trello.
So thank you very much for this post. My first year of Bloggiesta, my first click on a Mini-Challenge post and already it’s a win.!
Marsha @ Keeper Bookshelf recently posted…Bloggiesta Starts Now!
That’s awesome, Marsha! I still use Google Calendar too because I just can’t give that up, but Trello really helps me keep up with everything! Welcome to Bloggiesta <3
I signed up for it, it looks interesting but it’s going to take me some time to get used to it lol. I’m going to try and use it to help keep blogging stuff organized and maybe even personal stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Kelsey recently posted…Spring 2015 Bloggiesta!
Kelsy, after you play around with it for a little bit, you will love it and wonder what you did without it! 🙂
I never thought to use Trello for the blog. I use it with my writing to help place scenes and timelines. But I’ll definitely be tweaking it to include blog tasks. I may even use it for my TBR as well.
Katrina @ Bookish Things recently posted…Review: Black Widow by Jennifer Estep *5 Reasons I loved this book!!!*
I don’t use it to its full advantage for my TBR, but I think I’m going to now. That’s a great idea to use it for your writing!
It was just much easier than spending money on a program that I’m not sure if I’ll like. But I definitely think it will help manage my tbr.
Katrina @ Bookish Things recently posted…Review: Black Widow by Jennifer Estep *5 Reasons I loved this book!!!*
It’s true. It always makes me happy when things are free. And for sure I’ve spent money on programs and then got mad when they didn’t do exactly what I needed.
Just signed up for Trello and made a board for my blog. It definitely seems way more organized and useful then my previous method of planning (scribbled notes on post-its that I usually lost within the day). So far I am using it as an editorial calender and to manage my TBR, but I am sure once I start using it more I will expand that. Thanks for a great challenge for Bloggiesta!
Thanks, Kendra. I do think you’ll love it. I’m still a die hard scribbler but I’ve been transferring my notes to Trello so I don’t lose them!
I just signed up and created a board for my Bloggiesta to do list!
I’m so glad, Nicole! You’re going to love it!
I use to Trello to keep track of the books I receive for review from Netgalley and other places. It’s so easy to add a checklist to each card and I can keep track of which books still need to be reviewed and if I cross-posted those to Amazon and Goodreads or not. I absolutely love how easy it is to use and the fact that there is a calender view.
Brittany @ the Crafty Engineer’s Bookshelf recently posted…Weekly Book Recap #10
That’s a great idea, Brittany! I need to use checklists more for sure!
Interesting! I hadn’t heard of Trello but will have to check it out. I’ve used Asana in recent months to schedule posts/record post ideas/remind myself of pub dates, and it does help to have everything in one place.
Kerry M recently posted…This Week in Reading: March 23
I used to use Asana too, Kerry, and I can’t remember why I stopped. I like that you can add labels and make things look pretty on Trello.
I have never even heard of Trello before! I am always looking for a way to be more organized when it comes to my blog. I just signed up and created a board for my blog. I have to figure out how exactly to organize everything, but I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation! 😀 Good luck with Bloggiesta!
Kay @ It’s a Book Life recently posted…It’s Bloggiesta time!
Thanks, Kay. You are going to be just like me and wonder what you did before you discovered Trello before you know it! xo
This post is awesome! I’m going to try Trello for blog events for which I have cohosts!
Thanks for the idea 🙂
Great idea, Tanya! You’re going to love it so much, I promise 🙂
Hehe I got so excited when I saw this topic on the mini-challenge list. It made my day when I read that I “changed your life.” 😛 Great challenge! Trello is so amazing and can organize literally anything.
Brittany @ Book Bumblings recently posted…Bloggiesta Challenge: Create a Blogging Schedule
Thanks, Brittany! I love Trello so much and love visiting your blog for all of the amazing tips. You’re my favorite <3
Well…we’ll see how this goes. I’d never heard of Trello before, but it seems simple enough. I’m hoping it can help to replace the notebooks and lists I always seem to compile and then act to keep things at my fingertips. Thanks!
Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie recently posted…Bloggiesta…Ole’!
It’s great, Elle. I still use notebooks and lists–I can’t not write them down. But I try to add things to my Trello at the end of every day or so. I’m so bad at losing things and this is the best way for me to keep up with them!
I’m loving Trello so far! I’m using it to organize my blog to do’s, loving the calendar as well. Really helps schedule upcoming to do’s. Thanks for this mini challenge!! I’m also using it to organize my to be read pile.
Ali recently posted…Bloggiesta: Pinterest Mini Challenge
I’m glad you love Trello, Ali! I need to use it for my TBR a little better than I am currently. Great idea!
I have never used Trello before, but just going through the tutorial I knew it would be good! I absolutely love it, and will be using it to organise the reviews I need to write and my TBR list!
You’re going to love it, Jade! Good luck!
This is really interesting. Have you ever heard of Evernote? Trello and Evernote seem similar. I currently use Evernote and I really like it. I may have to try Trello out one of these times to see if I like it better.
Jenni Elyse (@jenni_elyse) recently posted…Bloggiesta: Best Blogging Advice
Hey Jenni–I LOVE Evernote! It’s replaced my use of google docs for stuff that I don’t share. I use Trello and Evernote together. You can set up an IFTTT recipe to open a new note in Evernote when you add a Trello card if you want to. I like being able to see the list in Trello at a glance. It helps keep me organized for sure.
I signed up and will be using it along with my TBR to keep track of my To read review copies. Thanks for sharing this seems very helpful!
Steph recently posted…Bloggiesta 2015: Best Blogging Advice
Thanks, Steph! Let me know how you like Trello! 🙂
I can’t believe I had never heard of Trello O_O. Really, it looks amazing! I need to use the ‘calendar power-up’, I’m currently using a word calendar to organize my posts but this looks so much easier and pretty hehehe. I’m going to play for a while….I still can’t find the calendar hehehe But I’m trying! Also creating to-review lists, to-read and to-write posts 🙂
Gaby recently posted…WoW: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Gaby, I still use Google Calendar too but that’s because I have everything in my life on there! But I connected Trello to my calendar so that’s all good. To find the calendar, here is a tutorial from Trello: http://help.trello.com/article/811-viewing-cards-in-a-calendar-view Good luck, I know you’ll love it!
Kassiah,
I just signed up for Trello. I like the color labels (yay, visual cues!) and the way to link deadlines to a calendar. I have multiple blogs and can see using Trello to keep all my editorial calendars straight. I actually have Evernote, but never use it. Trello looks like it has a less of a learning curve. Thanks for the awesome mini-challenge.
Hey Roberta, I use Evernote and love it too, but I use it as more of a replacement for google docs. I like that I can search through all of my notes on Evernote to find what I’m looking for. I also use it for sending my kids their homeschool assignments 🙂 With Trello, I love that I can see the calendar view as you said. I love that I can use the labels to see (by color) where my posts are in the queue. And I love seeing it as an easily managed list. Good luck in using Trello, Roberta! I know you’ll love it!
My homeschooler is graduating in May, so I guess it is too late to start using it for homeschooling now. Good idea though.
Roberta recently posted…Art Books for Kids: Beyond Crayons With The Big Book of Color
LOL It’s a little late for that, Roberta! Congratulations on your child graduating. My oldest graduated last May, and I have an upcoming Senior and Junior. <3
Congratulations!
Roberta recently posted…Bloggiesta Challenge: Generating Ideas for Blog Posts
🙂
I started using Trello a while back but have only been using it for my TBR list – it’s been the best way I’ve found so far to keep track of whose review made me want to read a book. Love the way you use it for blogging, and thank you for all those other links!
Belle Wong recently posted…A Day in the Life
Thanks, Belle! So glad to hear you’re loving Trello!
Love this!
I’ve been using Trello since the beginning of the year, but I’m still searching for my perfect system. Your example and your links to others have me re-designing my Blog & Reading Trello board this afternoon. Fun!
Joy Weese Moll (@joyweesemoll) recently posted…A Day in the Life of a Book Blogger
Good luck, Joy. I know you’re going to love Trello!
Thanks for the great challenge! I’ve never heard of Trello before either, but think it’s really going to help keep me on track! Love that I can color code everything, as that makes them easier to find. Thanks for the link to the calendar too! Looking forward to playing around with it!
Terri @ Alexia’s Books and Such… recently posted…Trial by Fire book review
I think you’ll love it, Terri!
I’ve finally signed up! I haven’t done too much with it yet, but I can see how helpful it will be. I’ll be integrating it into most aspects of life – blogging, reading, work, even personal. Thanks for the great challenge 🙂
Reanna recently posted…Sunday Post #15: Has Spring Sprung?
I know you’re going to love it, Reanna!