Get Started on Your 2018 Content Calendar

If you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2018, put creating a content calendar on your list. Why? Because it’s the best way to organize your content strategy, align your message with your business goals and focus on further establishing your brand.

What is a Content Calendar?

A content calendar is a tool typically used to schedule blog and social media posts. The goal is to organize your ideas ahead of time and create a more cohesive brand story over the course of the year, rather than simply wing it.

How Do I Start Creating One?

Look at the big picture. Think about how the content you create can help you achieve your business goals, and start posting with intent. Think about major and local events, product launches and promotions, and the holiday seasons. Filling in these items will help your content calendar take shape immediately.

With a few ideas on the board, you can start brainstorming to fill in the blanks. Think about the social platforms you use. What types of content will best serve your purpose? Try to keep things useful, entertaining and varied (e.g., video, photography, GIFs). And remember to consider SEO.

What Online Tools Are Available?

As for the format of your content calendar, you can organize it in any number of ways. A Google Calendar is a good place to start, as it’s easy to access and share. But there are a variety of templates available online, many of which you can use free of charge.

Once you have a layout you like, you can start adding tentative publishing dates and doing the research for content creation. By doing this ahead of time, you ensure that your content strategy stays on course throughout the year.