How to Build a Content Calendar That Actually Works

A well-planned content calendar is the foundation of successful social media marketing. Here's how to create one that you'll actually use:

Start with Your Goals

Before planning content, define what you want to achieve:

• Brand awareness
• Lead generation
• Community building
• Sales/conversions

Content Pillars

Establish 3-5 content pillars that align with your brand:

1. Educational - Teach your audience something valuable
2. Entertainment - Make them smile or laugh
3. Inspiration - Motivate and uplift
4. Behind-the-Scenes - Show your authentic self
5. Promotional - Showcase products/services (use sparingly - 20% rule)

Planning Your Calendar

Monthly Planning

• Review your business calendar for events, launches, holidays
• Plan around seasonal trends
• Identify key dates relevant to your industry

Weekly Planning

• Mix of content types across the week
• Balance promotional vs. value-driven content
• Plan for different platforms

Daily Execution

• Batch create content when possible
• Schedule posts in advance
• Leave room for real-time, trending content

Tools We Recommend

• Notion - Free, flexible planning
• Google Calendar - Simple and visual
• Meta Business Suite - Built-in scheduling
• Buffer/Hootsuite - Multi-platform management

The 80/20 Rule

• 80% value-driven content (educate, entertain, inspire)
• 20% promotional content (products, services, offers)

Pro Tips

1. Repurpose Content: Turn one blog post into multiple social posts
2. Create Templates: Save time with reusable post templates
3. Plan Ahead: Aim to plan 2-4 weeks in advance
4. Stay Flexible: Leave room for trending topics and real-time content

---

Need help creating a content calendar? Contact us and we'll build a custom calendar strategy for your business!