How to Create a Simple Content Calendar

Reposted from the Literary Marketing Newsletter.

We've all been there: It's time to write the newsletter and you have no idea what to write — and you have to send it out that day! Or you know you need to post on social media but you don't know what to say, and you're super sporadic with your posting.

A lot of stress can be taken out of the equation by creating a simple content calendar for yourself. This will help you know what to post, how often you're posting, when to post, and where to post. Here's how I've done it for my various marketing roles:

Start with a blank calendar

You can use your computer calendar, a notebook, or an Excel.

List your channels

Ideally, you've already spent time thinking through which channels you want to use for your marketing efforts — like a newsletter or specific social media channels. List them on the left side!

List your frequency

You don't have to post every day, but you should post a few times a week. Now, list your frequency next to your channels.

Plug in your key topics

You should have a list of two to three topics that you consistently create content around that helps your audience know who you are, that brings them value, and that furthers your marketing goals. Plug in your topics across your calendar, filling in for the frequency of each channel.

Follow your calendar

Now, all you have to do is each day (or at the beginning of the week), go through what you need to create for that day. For example:

Monday:

• Instagram on Topic 1

• Thread on Topic 3

Tuesday:

• Thread on Topic 1

• Facebook on Topic 2

Etc.