What is Content Calendar?
TL;DR
A schedule planning what content to publish and when. Content calendars maintain consistency, align with marketing campaigns, and prevent last-minute scrambling. Include topics, target keywords, publish dates, and responsible team members. Consistency matters more than volume, a sustainable pace beats burnout-inducing sprints.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Content Calendar
What should a content calendar include?
At minimum: publish dates, topics, target keywords, content type, and who's responsible. Add columns for status (draft, in review, published), promotion plans, and performance tracking. Use a tool that works for your team, spreadsheets work fine for small operations.
How far ahead should I plan content?
Plan 1-3 months ahead for topics, with flexibility for timely opportunities. Having a backlog prevents 'what should we write today?' panic. But don't over-plan so rigidly that you can't respond to trends or customer questions.
What's the difference between a content calendar and content strategy?
Strategy is the why and what: your goals, audience, topics, and approach. Calendar is the when and who: specific pieces scheduled with deadlines and assignments. Strategy guides the calendar, don't build a calendar without strategy first.
How do I stick to a content calendar?
Plan realistically, overambitious calendars get abandoned. Build in buffer time. Create content in batches when possible. Hold yourself accountable with deadlines. If you consistently miss the calendar, reduce frequency rather than publishing rushed content.
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