### How to Flaunt Those Future Gems: Listing Upcoming Scheduled Posts in WordPress
Alright, WordPress wizards and blogging enthusiasts, gather around! Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve got a stash of epic content scheduled, and you’re just itching to tease your audience with what’s to come? Well, you’re in luck because today, we’re diving into the magical world of displaying those future treasures—your upcoming scheduled posts, right on your WordPress site.
Now, why on earth would you want to do that? I hear you ask. Imagine this: you’ve got a series of posts that could rival the anticipation build-up of a “Game of Thrones” season (hopefully, with a more satisfying ending). Showing a sneak peek of upcoming posts not only gets your audience hyped but also keeps them coming back for more. It’s like the trailer before the movie; only this time, the movie is your kick-ass content!
Without further ado, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to make your WordPress site the trailer park of tantalizing teasers for your future posts.
### Step 1: Embrace the Power of WPCode
First things first, unless you have the coding prowess of a Silicon Valley prodigy, I recommend using a plugin to make life easier. Enter WPCode – the superhero plugin that lets you add custom code without breaking a sweat or your site.
Install and activate WPCode faster than you can say “I love WordPress.” For those who haven’t installed a plugin since the last solar eclipse, check out any beginner’s guide to installing a WordPress plugin. It’s easier than making instant noodles.
### Step 2: Add the Magic Code
After activating WPCode, it’s time to conjure the spell that will display your future posts. Navigate to the Code Snippets section, and let’s create some magic:
1. Click on ‘+ Add Snippet’, then select ‘Use Snippet’ under the ‘Add Your Custom Code’ option. Feel like a hacker yet?
2. Give your snippet a name that would make Dumbledore proud.
3. Select ‘PHP Snippet’ as your code type because we’re doing some serious wizardry here.
4. Copy and paste the incantation (ahem, I mean the PHP code) that fetches and displays your upcoming posts. It’s like summoning the spirits, but far less spooky.
“`php
function wpb_upcoming_posts() {
// The mystical query to fetch future posts
$the_query = new WP_Query([
‘post_status’ => ‘future’,
‘posts_per_page’ => 3, // Feel free to change the number to how many you want to tease
‘orderby’ => ‘date’,
‘order’ => ‘ASC’
]);
// The loop to display these beauties
if ($the_query->have_posts()) {
echo ‘
- ‘;
- ‘ . get_the_title() .’ (‘. get_the_time(‘d-M-Y’) . ‘)
while ($the_query->have_posts()) {
$the_query->the_post();
echo ‘
‘;
}
echo ‘
‘;
} else {
// In the rare case you have no future posts planned
echo ‘
No posts planned yet. But stay tuned, surprises are coming!
‘;
}
// Don’t forget to clean up after the party
wp_reset_postdata();
}
// The magical shortcode you’ll use to display the posts
add_shortcode(‘upcoming_posts’, ‘wpb_upcoming_posts’);
“`
5. Choose ‘Auto Insert’ for the Insertion method because we’re all about making life easier.
6. Activate your snippet by flipping the ‘Inactive’ switch to ‘Active’. Voila! You’ve just leveled up in your WordPress game.
### Step 3: Summon Your Future Posts
Now, where do you want to showcase these upcoming blockbusters? The sidebar? A dedicated page? Wherever it is, using the `[upcoming_posts]` shortcode is your ticket to showtime.
#### For the Classic Theme Enthusiasts:
If you’re rocking a classic theme, head over to Appearance » Widgets, and use the Shortcode block to add `[upcoming_posts]` to your sidebar. It’s like putting up movie posters in your theater.
#### For the Block-Based Theme Trendsetters:
Navigate your way to Appearance » Editor, select the page of your choice, and insert the Shortcode block with `[upcoming_posts]`. It’s your digital billboard.
### Curtain Call
And there you have it, folks! You’re now equipped to tease and tantalize your audience with upcoming content, building anticipation and ensuring they keep coming back for more. Remember, the key to a great show (or blog) is not just the content but how you present it. So go ahead, give your audience a peek behind the curtain and watch your engagement soar!
Before you dash off to implement these tips, remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely to create a buzz, engage your audience, and most importantly, have fun with your content. Happy blogging!