The ancient Egyptians invented the first calendar over 5,000 years ago—because even back then, they knew that keeping track of important events was key to avoiding awkward "What day is it?" moments! Fast forward to today, and calendars—whether printed or digital—are still our trusty sidekicks, hanging in kitchens, lounging on office desks, and proudly open on our computers and cellphones, reminding us of all the things we often forget!
The same goes for social media marketers. With their mountain of work—planning, creating, designing, and publishing quality content—it's no wonder they rely on social media content calendars!
If you're a marketer or business owner looking to stay on top of your game, a social media content calendar is an absolute must-have.
In this guide, we'll show you how to create one in just a few simple steps!
What Is A Social Media Content Calendar?
A social media content calendar (or planner) can be a spreadsheet, a document, an online tool, or even a physical calendar that helps you plan and organise your social media content in advance.
It typically includes details such as:
- Type of content (e.g. image, video, blog post)
- Written caption & hashtags
- Visuals (e.g., images, graphics, illustrations)
- Platform it will be posted on (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Date and time of publication
Think of a social media calendar as a tool that helps you plan, schedule, track, and overview everything and anything.
Do You Need A Social Media Content Calendar?
No rulebook says you must have a social media content calendar, but without one, you can miss deadlines, forget to schedule a post, confuse your audience, or struggle to keep track of what content you've published.
With one, you can access a variety of benefits.
The benefits of a social media content calendar include:
Saves Time: Instead of running around and going crazy, a social media calendar allows you to plan and schedule your content in advance. This saves you time and helps reduce stress.
Better Organisation: With a content calendar, everything is laid out clearly and logically, so there's less room for confusion or mistakes - helping you stay organised and on top of your tasks.
No Mistakes: If you do your part right, your calendar should be a detailed record of what and when you've posted. This avoids posting the same content multiple times or forgetting to publish something altogether.
Consistency: Advance scheduling allows you to maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is crucial for engaging your audience and building a strong online presence.
Flexibility: A social media calendar also provides flexibility in case something unexpected comes up. You can easily make changes to your scheduled content without missing a beat or causing any disruptions.
Accountability: When you have a calendar, you know exactly what content needs to be posted and when. This helps keep you accountable and motivated to stick to your plan.
Collaboration: A social media calendar also allows for easy collaboration with team members or clients. Everyone can see the schedule and make any necessary changes or additions, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
How To Create A Social Media Content Calendar
Below, we'll share a step-by-step guide on creating a social media content calendar that works for you.
Step 1: Gather Your Content Plan
Part of being a social media marketer includes setting up a content plan for the month ahead. A content plan is a list of topics or themes that you want to cover in your social media posts.
The content plan is the foundation of your content calendar, as it will determine what type of content you will post and when.
Make sure to consider your marketing goals, target audience, and upcoming events or holidays when creating your content plan.
Step 2: Choose A Calendar Tool
There are several options for a calendar tool that can be used to schedule social media posts.
You can use online tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or Kontentino. Or you can opt for old-school methods like a physical calendar or a spreadsheet.
Choose whichever tool works best for you, keeping in mind factors such as accessibility, ease of use, and collaboration capabilities.
Step 3: Set Up Your Calendar
Once you have your content plan and choose a calendar tool, it's time to set up your social media content calendar.
Create a new calendar specifically for your social media posts and label it accordingly.
Then, start adding the dates for the upcoming month on the calendar.
Make sure to include any important events or holidays that you want to incorporate into your social media content. For example, August is Women's Month, so you may want to plan posts that highlight and celebrate women throughout the month.
Step 4: Fill In Your Content
Now, it's time to start filling in your content on your chosen dates and times.
Refer back to your content plan and choose which types of posts (e.g. promotional, informative, interactive) fit best for each day on the calendar.
Don't forget to mix up your content to keep things interesting and engaging for your audience.
Also, leave some room for flexibility in case any current events or trending topics come up that you want to incorporate into your content.
Step 5: Schedule and Automate
Once your content is in place, it's time to schedule and automate your posts.
Most calendar tools have the option to schedule posts in advance, so take advantage of this feature to save time and ensure consistent posting. But if you're using a spreadsheet, this step may require manual posting or the use of a social media management tool.
Step 6: Monitor and Adjust
Setting up a social media content calendar is not a one-time task.
It's important to regularly monitor your posts' performance and make adjustments when needed. For example, if you notice a decline in engagement over the weekends, you may want to switch up your weekend posts or consider posting at a different time.
Additional Tips To Remember When Creating A Calendar
After you've laid out your social media content calendar, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind as you continue to use and update it:
- Use colours to help differentiate between types of posts or platforms (e.g. blue for promotional posts, green for informative posts).
- Include relevant hashtags in your calendar to make sure you're using them consistently across all platforms.
- Leave space for real-time content related to current events or trending topics.
- Don't be afraid to adjust and switch around scheduled posts if needed, but try to stick to the plan as closely as possible.
- Use analytics tools to track your performance and see what types of content are resonating with your audience. This can help inform future content planning.
- Be sure to get internal approval before scheduling any posts. Your team may point out any potential issues or offer valuable insights.
Stay On Top Of Your Game Today!
As a social media marketer or a business owner running your own social media accounts, it can be overwhelming to handle everything on your own.
Use the steps above and create a social media content calendar today to help you stay organised, consistent, and on top of your game!
On the other hand, if you prefer to sit back and relax, let us help you!
Our team of social media marketing managers can take over everything, from designing to publishing and analysing.
Contact us today for more information on our social media marketing services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Social Media Marketing Calendar Is The Best?
An online tool, such as SproutSocial or Kontentino, is often considered the best for creating and managing social media content calendars. However, you can also create a calendar using a simple spreadsheet or even a physical planner.
2. How Often Should I Update My Social Media Content Calendar?
It is recommended to update your social media content calendar at least once a week to ensure it reflects any changes in your business goals or current events.
3. Can I Schedule Posts For All Platforms On One Calendar?
Yes, you can schedule posts for all platforms on one calendar, but make sure to use different colours or labels to differentiate between platforms and post types.
4. Can I Repurpose Old Content On My Social Media Calendar?
Yes, repurposing old content can save time and effort while still keeping your audience engaged.