How to Create an Editorial Calendar that Boosts Your Content Marketing Efforts

What is an editorial calendar?

An editorial calendar is a tool to plan, organize, and schedule content creation and publication.

It is a document that outlines the topics, themes, and formats of the content you want to create. It has deadlines for each piece and the team members responsible for creating and publishing the content.

An editorial calendar helps you stay organized and focused on your content marketing goals, streamline your content creation process, and consistently publish your content.

So, we talked about editorial calendars earlier in this blog post, and I just wanted to dive a bit deeper into why they're so important for content marketing success.

Why are editorial calendars important for your marketing efforts?

Editorial calendars are your roadmap for creating and distributing valuable content to your audience. Here are a few key reasons why editorial calendars are crucial:

1. Organization and Planning

An editorial calendar acts as a central hub for all your marketing activities. It allows you to plan and schedule content in advance, ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive strategy.

With a free editorial calendar template, you can see the big picture and easily track what content is being created, when it's due, and where it will be published.

2. Consistency and Frequency

Consistency is vital in marketing. An editorial calendar helps you maintain a consistent publishing schedule by setting regular content creation, publishing dates, and distribution intervals.

You can avoid irregular gaps or overwhelming bursts of information by scheduling and spacing out your content. This regularity builds trust with your audience and keeps them engaged.

3. Content Variety and Alignment

A well-planned editorial calendar allows you to diversify and align your content with your marketing goals. You can ensure that you cover a wide range of topics, formats, and channels to cater to different audience preferences.

Whether blog posts, videos, social media posts and updates, or email newsletters, an editorial calendar helps you balance and coordinate your content mix.

4. Resource Allocation

With an editorial calendar, you can allocate your resources more effectively. You can plan for content creation, assign tasks to team members or external contributors, and manage your budget accordingly.

It allows you to identify gaps or bottlenecks in your content production process and address them promptly.

5. Opportunity Identification

An editorial calendar lets you spot timely and relevant content-creation opportunities. You can align your marketing efforts with upcoming events, holidays, industry trends, or product launches.

By identifying these opportunities in advance, you can craft content that resonates with your audience and increases your chances of reaching wider audiences.

6. Collaboration and Communication

An editorial calendar is a centralized tool for collaboration and communication within your marketing team. It helps team members stay on the same page, coordinate efforts, and provide input or feedback.

Everyone can see the editor's notes, content schedule, deadlines, and responsibilities, fostering a more cohesive and efficient workflow.

Benefits of using an editorial calendar

Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Improved Organization and Planning

An editorial calendar helps you to organize your content marketing efforts by providing a clear overview of what content you will produce and when. It also helps you plan to create content that aligns with your marketing strategy and goals.

2. Consistency in Content Creation

With an editorial calendar, you can ensure that you consistently produce high-quality content regularly. This helps you to build a loyal audience and establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

3. Better Collaboration and Task Management

An editorial calendar enables you to assign tasks to different team members so everyone knows what they need to do and when. This helps improve collaboration and ensures everyone is working towards the same goals.

4. Increased Efficiency

Having a clear plan of what content you will produce and when you can streamline your content creation process and avoid last-minute rushes to create content. This can save you time and resources and help you to produce higher-quality content.

5. Improved ROI

An editorial calendar helps you align your content marketing efforts with your overall marketing strategy and goals, which can improve your return on investment (ROI) by ensuring your content is targeted and effective.

Overall, an editorial calendar is essential for any business that wants to succeed in content marketing. It helps you to stay organized, plan, and produce high-quality content consistently, which can ultimately help you to achieve your marketing goals and grow your business.

What are the three components of an editorial calendar?

The three components of an editorial calendar are:

1. Content plan: This outlines the types of content you plan to create, the topics you will cover, and the target audience for each piece of content.
2. Task assignment: This involves assigning specific tasks to team members, including writers, editors, and designers, to ensure that everyone knows what they need to do and when they need to do it.
3. Review and update: This involves regularly reviewing and updating the editorial calendar to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with your overall content marketing strategy. This includes tracking progress, analyzing performance, and making adjustments as needed.

How to create an editorial calendar?

Creating a blog calendar or an editorial calendar involves several steps. Here's a general guide to help you get started:

Set your goals and objectives

Setting clear goals and objectives is a crucial first step in creating an effective editorial calendar for your content marketing efforts.

By defining your goals, identifying your target audience, and creating SMART goals, you can map out a content strategy that aligns with your overall business objectives.

Here's a breakdown of each step:

Define your content marketing goals

Start by determining what you want to achieve with your content marketing efforts.

Are you looking to increase brand awareness, generate leads, drive website traffic, or establish thought leadership?

Clearly define your goals to provide your content managers with a clear direction for your content creation and distribution.

Identify your target audience

Understanding your target audience is essential for creating content that resonates with them.

Conduct market research to identify your audience, their needs, and pain points, and how your content can provide value to them. This will help you tailor your content to their preferences and interests.

Create SMART goals

SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Instead of setting vague goals like "increase website traffic," make them specific and measurable, such as "increase website traffic by 20% within six months." This makes it easier to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your content marketing efforts.

Map out your content strategy

Once you have defined your goals and identified your target audience, it's time to develop a content strategy.

Determine the types of content you will create (blog posts, videos, infographics, etc.), the topics you will cover, and the channels you will use for distribution (website, social media, email marketing, etc.).

Consider the buyer's journey and create content that caters to each stage, from awareness to consideration and decision-making.

Regularly review the blogging schedule and update your calendar to stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

Choose a format for your editorial calendar

When creating an editorial calendar, choosing the right format is crucial for effective planning and organization. Several different types of editorial calendars are available, each with its pros and cons.

Let's explore some of these formats and help you choose the best one for your needs.

Different types of editorial calendars

Spreadsheet-based Calendars - Pros:

Versatile and customizable: Spreadsheets allow you to create a calendar tailored to your specific requirements.

Easy to update and track: You can quickly add, modify, and track content ideas, publication dates, and other relevant details.

Collaborative: Multiple team members can easily share and edit spreadsheets, promoting collaboration.

Cons:

Limited visual representation: Spreadsheets may lack visual elements, making it harder to grasp the big picture.

Requires manual updates: Keeping the calendar up-to-date may be time-consuming and require manual effort.

Online Project Management Tools - Pros:

Centralized and accessible: Online project management tools provide a centralized platform accessible to the entire team, allowing for real-time updates and collaboration.

Visual representation: These tools often offer visual representations such as Gantt charts or Kanban boards, making visualizing content creation easier.

Integration with other tools: Many project management tools integrate with other software, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.

Cons:

Learning curve: Some project management tools may require time and effort to familiarize yourself and your team with the platform.

Cost: Depending on the tool, there may be a cost associated with using online project management platforms.

Content Management Systems (CMS) - Pros:

Seamless integration: If you already use a CMS for your website, integrating your editorial calendar into the same platform can provide a seamless workflow.

Automation and scheduling: CMS platforms often offer automation features with free templates, allowing you to schedule a content publication in advance.

Analytics and tracking: CMS platforms provide built-in analytics and tracking capabilities, helping you monitor the performance of your content.

Cons:

Limited customization: CMS-based calendars may have limitations in terms of customization compared to other formats.

May require technical expertise: Setting up and managing a CMS-based calendar may require technical knowledge or assistance.

Choose the best format for your needs

When choosing the best format for your needs, consider factors such as your team's preferences, collaboration requirements, budget, and the complexity of your content marketing strategy. It's also important to ensure that the chosen format aligns with your existing tools and workflows.

Ultimately, the format you choose should provide a clear and organized overview of your content creation process, facilitate collaboration, and make it easy to track and measure the success of your content marketing efforts.

Create a content plan

Creating a content plan is essential in developing a successful content marketing strategy.

It involves several key components, including brainstorming content ideas, conducting keyword research, identifying content gaps, and creating a content marketing calendar.

Let's explore each of these steps in more detail:

Brainstorming content ideas

Start by gathering your team and brainstorming a list of potential content topics. Consider your target audience's interests, pain points, and frequently asked questions. Encourage creativity and think outside the box to generate diverse ideas.

Conducting keyword research

Keyword research is crucial for understanding what topics and keywords your audience is searching for. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify relevant keywords with high search volume and low competition. Incorporate these keywords into your content to improve its visibility in search engine results.

Identifying content gaps

Analyze your existing content and identify any gaps or areas that need improvement. Look for topics that haven't been covered extensively or where you can provide a unique perspective. By addressing these content gaps, you can position yourself as an authority in your industry and attract more organic traffic.

Creating a content calendar

A content calendar helps you plan and organize your content creation process. It provides a clear overview of what content must be created, when it should be published, and who is responsible for each task.

When creating a content calendar, consider factors like publishing frequency, seasonal trends, and important events or holidays relevant to your audience. Use tools like Google Sheets, Trello, or dedicated content calendar software to effectively create and manage your editorial calendar.

In addition to these steps, it's important to consider other aspects of your content plan, such as content distribution strategies, promotion tactics, and metrics for tracking success. Regularly review and update your content plan to align with your business goals and stay relevant to your target audience.

Remember, a well-executed content plan can drive traffic, engage your audience, and ultimately contribute to the growth of your business.

Assign tasks and deadlines

Assigning tasks and deadlines is crucial to effective project management and workflow. By clearly defining responsibilities and setting specific deadlines, teams can work collaboratively toward achieving their goals.

Here are the key steps involved in assigning tasks and deadlines and creating a workflow:

Identifying responsibilities

The first step is identifying the tasks that must be completed to achieve the project's objectives. Break down the project into smaller, manageable tasks and assign responsibilities to team members based on their skills, expertise, and availability. Consider each team member's strengths and weaknesses to ensure tasks are assigned to the most suitable individuals.

Assigning tasks and deadlines

Once all the tools and responsibilities are identified, it's time to assign tasks to team members. Communicate the expectations, deliverables, and specific requirements for each task. Ensure that each team member understands their role and has the necessary resources to complete their assigned tasks successfully.

Setting deadlines

Deadlines are crucial in keeping the project on track and ensuring timely completion. Set realistic deadlines for each task, considering the complexity of the task, the availability of resources, and the overall project timeline. It's essential to consider any dependencies between tasks and allocate sufficient time for review and revisions.

Communicating and Documenting

Effective communication is vital when assigning tasks and deadlines. Communicate the assigned tasks, deadlines, and relevant details to the team members involved. Utilize project management tools or collaboration platforms to document and track assigned tasks, deadlines, and progress. This ensures everyone is on the same page and has access to the necessary information.

Creating a Workflow

A workflow outlines the sequence of tasks and the interactions between team members. It provides a clear roadmap for the project's execution and helps streamline the work process. Identify the order in which tasks must be completed and define the handoff points between team members. Consider any dependencies or bottlenecks impacting the workflow and make necessary adjustments to optimize efficiency.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Regularly monitor the progress of tasks and deadlines to ensure the project stays on schedule. Monitor any potential delays or issues and take proactive measures to address them. Adjust deadlines or reallocate resources if necessary to maintain the project's momentum.

By following these steps and creating a well-defined workflow, you can effectively assign tasks and deadlines, streamline the work process, and ensure successful project completion. Regular communication, documentation, and monitoring are key to keeping everyone accountable and achieving project goals.

Tools and resources for creating an editorial calendar

Creating an editorial calendar is essential for effective content planning and organization. It helps teams stay on track, manage deadlines, and maintain a consistent publishing schedule. To facilitate this process, there are several popular tools and resources available.

Here's an overview of some of these tools, along with their benefits and drawbacks, to help you choose the best one for your needs:

Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a widely used and accessible tool for creating editorial calendars. It allows you to create and share calendars, set deadlines, and schedule content with team members.

The benefit of using Google Calendar is its simplicity and integration with other Google tools. However, it may lack advanced features and customization options compared to dedicated editorial and calendar apps and tools.

Trello

Trello is a popular project management tool that can be adapted for editorial calendar purposes. It uses a card-based system to track tasks, deadlines, and progress.

Trello offers flexibility, visual organization, and collaboration features. However, it may require some customization and not all the specific features needed for editorial planning.

CoSchedule

CoSchedule is a dedicated editorial calendar tool offering comprehensive content planning features, social media scheduling, and team collaboration. It provides a centralized hub for managing content, assigning tasks, and tracking progress.

CoSchedule's strengths lie in its robust features and integrations with other marketing tools. However, it may have a steeper learning curve and be more expensive than other options.

Asana

Asana is a versatile project management tool that can be used for creating editorial content calendars well. It allows you to create tasks, set deadlines, assign responsibilities, and track progress. Asana offers a range of features and integrations, making it suitable for teams with complex workflows. However, it may require some customization and may be overwhelming for smaller teams or simpler content planning needs.

Airtable

Airtable is a flexible and customizable tool that combines the features of spreadsheets and databases. It can create editorial calendars with customizable fields, filters, and views.

Airtable's strengths lie in its versatility and adaptability to different workflows. However, it may require more setup and configuration compared to other tools.

Remember, your chosen tool should enhance collaboration, streamline processes, and help you create and execute an effective editorial calendar.