The Benefits Of Having A Content Calendar

Vistaprint

Do you have a social media marketing strategy?

Do you have a content calendar?

No? Well, it’s time to make some changes!

Social media is more than just a place to share funny memes or to tweet about an awkward experience. It’s more than just uploading a photo to Instagram and being done with it. Social media is a marketing tool and a place for your brand and to thrive. How? With the help of a content calendar, of course.

Whether if you’re a business or a social media influencer, you should be using a content calendar…and here’s why:

Content Calendars: The Benefits and Tools To Success

Keeps you organized.

We all wish our lives were a little bit easier, and with a content calendar, they can be! Don’t wing it — it’ll just cause you unneeded stress.

A content calendar is where everything can come together in one place and help you visualize your feed better. You can use Google Sheets, Airtable, Buffer, or SproutSocial to plan your content across multiple platforms. For example, you might post different things on LinkedIn than you would on Twitter. Content calendars help you tailor your posts to specific platforms.

Stay on schedule.

We want to avoid the “I think I forgot to post something on Twitter today…” thought right before bed, right? Right!

Plan ahead on your content calendar and reduce the stress of forgetting to post. Set up your content so that you can see its journey of going online: what you’re posting, where it’s being uploaded to, and when (time) it’s going live. Prepare for National Holidays! For example, if you’re a skincare brand, make note of when National Self Care Day is (July 24th!) and post your content around that. Create themed posts like #MotivationMonday or #SelfCareSaturday. Doing these things can help boost your traffic and engagement.

Consistency + Activeness = Success!

Your followers may vary with the platforms you’re on. You don’t want to be overly-active on one platform and MIA on another. Having a content calendar can help you maintain consistency and balance across all platforms.

Related: Social Media Marketing: Do’s and Don’ts 

If you overload on Instagram but neglect Facebook, you won’t get consistent traffic, and, not to mention, but posting too much on one platform can get a tad bit irritating. Equally distributing your content across your channels is the key to success!

Develops your brand’s voice.

You want people to want to get attached to your brand. How can you get them interested? Develop your brand’s voice and make sure it’s strong across all channels.

Your brand’s voice should be developed with a mission statement and visual content. Use pictures and have fun with colors and fonts. Organize your feed on Instagram to show the products you have to offer. Make sure your content is high-quality! Hire a photographer and watch them create magic for you. Tweet #relatable content so people know that ~you get it~ (and we all know how important vulnerability and authenticity is).

Related: Your Complete Guide to Social Media Branding 

We talked with a content creator about his experience and how he makes the most out of social media.

Trying to get your shit together? Use a content calendar. Not only can it help you stay organized, but you can make sure you’re posting consistent, informative content that is relevant to whichever channel you’re on. Social media is a key tool for marketing your brand and with the help of a content calendar, you’re on your way to being a successful and put-together business.