Getting Ready for LOAD

by Lain Ehmann on January 24, 2011

Send to Kindle

Welcome to the LOAD blog hop! We’ve got over a dozen Layout a Day alums who are going to share their tips for how they’re prepping for LOAD. If you’re looking for suggestions on how to get ready for February, you’ll want to go through all these posts. Lots of great info!

I have the privilege of being number one in the LOAD blog hop… yahoo!

Let me start off by saying that my preparations aren’t necessarily common. After all, I have to set up the whole month! That involves:

-Choosing the theme

-Identifying guest speakers

-Contacting them, scheduling interviews, and conducting the interviews

-Working on the backside to set up the mailing list, web site, blog posts, and Flickr group.

-Designing the button (I have to say, I’m particularly proud of this month’s button because for the first time I designed it myself:

Once all the background work is done, then the real work begins… sketching out the month and writing the content. Whew!

I research the month’s topic:

I get inspiration from everything I can… books, podcasts, websites… you name it!

Then I lay out the schedule for the month, writing each day’s content:

Then I load up the blog, create the daily messages, and get ready for 2/1. And this is all before the month even begins!

It’s a long and time-consuming process… but I love it!

Now, it’s time to hop along to Danielle’s blog for some additional information that might help you out.

P.S. If you’re signed up for LOAD already and want some more tips on getting ready, I’m hosting a live call tonight at 9PM eastern to share tips and techniques for prepping for LOAD. Info here.

Tagged as: LOAD

  • Sherrie M.

    Love seeing all the ‘behind the scenes’ work you do for LOAD. Thanks Lain! I absolutely love being a part of LOAD each and every time!

  • LisaInRe

    Hey hey, let’s get this party started! Thanks for an insight into the set up, I can’t wait for next Tuesday!

  • Lee

    Thanks so much for all of your effort, Lain! LOAD is my favourite time of the year :)

  • http://lifeonlilypadlane.blogspot.com/ Gayle

    It’s great to get a “sneak peek” at the process! I can’t wait for next week!

  • Jjacobsen

    Thanks you Lain~ I love to see what happens on the back-side! You are really an inspiration and a great boost to girls like me that really need to be producing more~
    Can’t wait!
    (btw… Jason Statham is my hottie – after DH of course!)
    Junelle
    http://www.yes-and-amen.com/

  • Tereazua

    Lain, thank you for all the hard work you do so we can have a fun and enjoyable LOAD!!!
    Looking forward to Feb 1.

  • move4life

    Thanks so much Lain for your work!!! It’s such a great way for me to challenge myself in the midst of my “real life”!! :) Have a fantastic week! Heidi (aka move4life)

  • Scrapdragons

    Can’t wait to get some of my pages done!!!

  • http://twitter.com/OhioDanielle Danielle Hunter

    Can’t wait until February 1st! Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us! Thanks for sharing how you prepare for LOAD :)

  • SusanB

    Lain~
    Can’t wait for LOAD to start! Thanks so much for all your hard work!

  • Pingback: Load 211 | Elinjanne

  • Laura T.

    Can’t wait to get started …

  • Hdubarry

    Awesome. Love the behind the scenes look. Love the reading prep. I’ve been trying to get thru Creativity by Mikhail Cz…. but just keep getting side tracked. I love it while I’m reading it, but I just don’t go back and finish it.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EEKHVIQQ4S4PBCNMNPVLVPKK7E Jennifer

    I love seeing the behind the scenes of your creativity – Thank you Lain!
    Inspiring!
    Jennifer McIntyre
    @atthebluebarn

  • Christi Spadoni

    Hi Lain,
    Any suggestions or strategies for LOAD for those who work outside the home?
    My daily life is a grown-up version of the Jersey Shore’s Gym/Tan/Laundry – Work/Gym/Dinner/Bed.

  • Anonymous

    You guys are too sweet! :)

  • Anonymous

    It was fun to write it all down — it makes me look much more organized than I am. LOL!

  • Anonymous

    It’s going to be a good one, if I do say so myself…

  • Anonymous

    Me too! :)

  • Anonymous

    Thank you, Heidi! You all make it all worthwhile. :)

  • Anonymous

    It’s coming fast!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Jason Statham… I don’t know him! Will have to go google… ;)

  • Anonymous

    Mine too! :)

  • Anonymous

    Party is RIGHT! It’s going to be so fun!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks, my dear! It wouldn’t be the same without my LOAD regulars!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks, Tere! :) It’s going to be a blast!

  • Anonymous

    I have to admit, that one puts me to sleep! :)

  • Alissa

    Blog Hop is a fabulous idea. While I’m not courageous to join in this time around I’m seriously considering for May. It was great to see how “real people” use LOAD. I’m definitely inspired!

  • Anonymous

    Hi Christie-
    I’m doing a call tonight on preparing for LOAD for those who have already joined- you can find the info on our Flickr message board. I’ll address this question!

  • http://www.xnomads.typepad.com Margie S

    Thanks for the behind the scenes peek. Can’t wait for Tuesday. I think I’m almost ready… Thanks for all your hard work – so glad we’re still going strong in 2011!

  • Anonymous

    We’ll look for you in May! But remember — Feb. only has 28 days… ;)

  • Anonymous

    It’s amazing, isn’t it?? THREE YEARS! Wow, I was just a whippersnapper back in 2008…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZRFZWBS3MQMUMB6H5VF647W6M smileygurl80

    Thanks for letting us take a peek at the behind preparations for LOAD. Can’t wait for this to start!

  • TracyBzz

    Thanks for an inside look at your process Lain. After 5 completed LOAD month’s I haven’t realized how much work went into this ‘class’. Great blog hop Lain! Just finished reading and commenting on all the posts!

  • craftyP

    Lain, I LOVE the button! And am so grateful for all the hard work you do in prepping for LOADs. Cannot wait! well, I can wait… glad it’s next week b/c I have LOTS to do get ready!!!

  • Anonymous

    You are so welcome! :) Looking forward to next month!

  • Anonymous

    It’s a lot of work, for sure! :) But I love every minute of it.

  • Lynnette N.

    so excited to get going…and completing pages even while we are away. Thanks for all of your prep work.

  • Anonymous

    I’m impressed the way you’re getting ready! :) Enjoy your trip – we’ll be here!

  • http://twitter.com/april290 April P

    Lain, just seeing the questions you sent to Anna is making me want to tag along even though I don’t have a hope or a prayer of probably completing a single layout since I’m sooooo busy. I normally sit out February. lol

  • Anonymous

    Well, I think you better sign up! :)

  • Carmel Keane

    Lain – a question re. your monthly planner page – is this something you designed yourself or is it available somewhere?

  • Anonymous

    Hey Carmel!
    I got a whole pad of those blank calendar sheets from a store called Swoozies. There was a brick-and-mortar store that went out of business last summer. I think they are still around online. I got mine for like 80% off!

  • Dalo_ooo

    v2x

Previous post:

Next post: