Hey y'all! It’s Makenzie, ready to share my step-by-step guide on creating a content calendar. This is my process, and remember, everyone does it differently. Find what works best for you and your brand. Let’s dive in!
Why a Content Calendar is Important
A content calendar is your roadmap to consistent and effective social media management. Without one all of your ideas can feel overwhelming and chaotic. It Is so much easier when you can see an entire month's worth of content laid out in front of you as opposed to it all running circles around your brain, leading you to burn out - I've been there, trust me its not fun.
Here’s why it can help:
- Consistency: Helps you maintain a regular posting schedule, which is key to keeping your audience engaged.
- Organization: Keeps all your content ideas in one place, making it easier to plan ahead and avoid last-minute stress.
- Efficiency: Streamlines your content creation process, saving you time and effort.
- Strategic Posting: Allows you to plan your posts around important dates, events, and peak engagement times.
Step 1: Open Up a Calendar
First things first, open up a calendar—digital or paper, whatever you prefer. I personally prefer using Canva for mine just because it is very easy to share with collaborators and make changes that will update in real time. Here is a link to my content calendar template that you can use for FREE
you're so welcome :)
Step 2: Decide How Much You Can Post
Take a moment to assess how much you’re willing and able to post. Consistency is key, so aim for a minimum of 3-5 days a week. Highlight those days on your calendar to visualize your posting schedule.
Step 3: Best Times to Post
Timing is everything. HubSpot says that "the best times to post on Instagram are 7 AM to 8 AM on weekdays." The best day to post is Friday, and the worst day is Sunday. If you want more details on the best times and days for each platform, check out this
[HubSpot blog post](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-times-post-pin-tweet-social-media-infographic#:~:text=According to a survey conducted,Fridays%2C Wednesdays%2C and Mondays.).
Reminder: Posting at a certain time is not as important as creating valuable content. Don’t let these times stress you out or overwhelm you—they are just a tool. Focus on delivering quality content, and the right audience will find you.
Step 4: Content Types
Remember, your content should fall into one of these three categories:
- Engaging: This could be polls, questions, or anything that invites interaction.
- Entertaining: Think funny videos, memes, or behind-the-scenes looks.
- Educational: Share tips, how-tos, and informative posts.
Step 5: Plug in Your Content Ideas
Now, take your content ideas and plug them into your calendar. Mix it up to keep things interesting for your audience.
Step 6: Use a Scheduling Platform
To make your life easier, use a scheduling platform. I’m currently loving Planoly, but there are tons to choose from. These tools allow you to plan and schedule your posts in advance, ensuring you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
Creating a content calendar doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a bit of planning and the right tools, you can stay organized and keep your social media presence strong. Remember, this is just my process—find what works best for you.
Go slay the day!!!
Peace and love,
Mak