Creating a Content Calendar

Creating a Content Calendar

Muddling up what, where, and when you publish your content? All you need is a content calendar to fix that.

It will help plan, organize, and simplify upcoming content. Plus, it will boost your content strategy, increase efficiency, and save time.

In this guide, we will show you how to build a content calendar one step at a time. But before that, check out the many benefits of creating one!

Benefits of a Content Calendar

A content calendar can be a lifesaver if your content is here and there and everywhere. You can use it to organize and plan your content, set realistic goals, and improve your overall efficiency.

Spend a little time to create a content calendar and enjoy these benefits.

• Well-Organized Content: Creating a content calendar can help organize scattered content. Plus, you can access important information like date of publication, content type, platform, etc. from one location.
• Realistic Goals: With a content calendar, you can set realistic, achievable goals. It also prevents content burnout and meaningless creation.
• Improved Efficiency: A consistent content production can improve your and your team’s efficiency. It will stimulate new ideas, simplify collaboration, and maximize output.

Step-By-Step Guide to Create a Content Calendar

Creating your first content calendar might feel like a task. But it doesn’t have to be.
In these easy steps, you can create a calendar that helps you know what, when, and where to publish your content.

Step 1 – Decide Content Types

Start by listing the type of content you want to publish. It can be anything from blogs and case studies to podcasts, videos, and images.

Also, make a list of the topics you need to cover, like seasonal and holiday posts. Brainstorm ideas, monitor trends, and research effective keywords. Consider your short and long-term goals, too.

Step 2 – Choose the Platform

Now, consider how you want to distribute your content. An effective way to choose the right platform is by understanding where your target audience is.

Different platforms are suited to different content types:

• Blogs: Ideal for informative content about your business.
• Website: Your website is the main channel to reach you. It also improves your credibility.
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc., can help promote new content and build brand awareness.
• Emails: You can use emails to send out newsletters, press releases, and seasonal content to your target audience.

Step 3 – Determine Post Frequency

How many posts do you want to publish in a day, a week, a month? Which days work the best for you? Which hours drive the maximum traffic?

Understand all these while determining your post frequency.

Also, see if you have the resources and content, too. Chalk out a realistic publishing schedule that you and your team can handle. Finally, keep your schedule consistent.

Step 4 – Create a Template

Once you have the what, where, and when for your content, you can create a calendar template. You can use a basic spreadsheet for the purpose. But if you want something more sophisticated, opt for paid editorial calendars.

Include the following columns in your template:

• Publication date and time
• Working title
• Content type
• Content description
• Marketing goals
• Publication platforms and channels
• Keywords, metadata, and links for SEO
• Status: Draft, complete, published, or on hold

Step 5 – Fill in Your Content Calendar

Time to start filling your content calendar. The best part is that the calendar is flexible. You can always make changes and alter what doesn’t work for you, depending on your schedule and marketing goals.
Use festivals, product launches, holidays, and niche-specific dates as markers. Arrange your content around these to create a vibrant calendar.

Build Your Content and Calendar

Whether you’re a social media influencer or work with a large marketing team, a content calendar can be a very useful tool for you.

It will help you organize your content, boost efficiency, set realistic goals, and achieve them, too. So, get started on your own content calendar with our easy step-by-step guide.
Keep it simple, be consistent, and give yourself the chance to create more than you thought possible!

Popular Social Media Apps – Additional Resources

• Facebook – You can use Facebook to stay connected on many devices including iPhone, iPad, and Android.
• Instagram – Navigating the Instagram app.
• TikTok – Get your business discovered on TikTok
• Pinterest – is a visual discovery engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more.
• Snapchat – Chat, Snap, and video call your friends from wherever you are.