When I worked as an editor for a sports publication, the publisher, our team, and I planned out in advance what content each publication would contain, based on the yearly cycle, as well as the product cycle, and most importantly, the purpose of each piece of content. In addition, planning this way allowed us to conceptualize stories, delegate those stories to appropriate writers, photographers, and in-house editors. This post will give an overview, a listicle, really, of what that entail, so you can leverage your business with an editorial calendar and be steps ahead with your content strategy implementation.

Before we get to that though, you are likely familiar with a content calendar, more so than an editorial calendar. The latter is generally used by magazines houses, whereas marketers use the former. And while there’re differences, they also overlap in many ways. The most common feature being that whichever you use, you need a strategy to implement all that content planning.

It doesn’t matter what business you’re in, if you plan, you’ll be steps ahead. An editorial, or content calendar is the perfect tool to keep you on target, because it works like a GPS, guiding you toward your overall content goals, which will save you tons of time. Naturally, certain content will be subject to change, but having the big picture before you will make it easy to tweak.

Here’re a few essentials to create an editorial/content calendar: –

Essentials To Create An Editorial Calendar

Content Theme

Develop an overall theme for the year, each quarter, or month, based on the products and, or services you’ll sell and, or promote. Planning in advance makes it easier to produce ideas for written content, interviews, videos, and images for promotions. This is useful also if you’re an affiliate for products that compliment your offers, in that you’ll be better positioned to plan in advance for upcoming launches.

Content Ideas

An editorial calendar really helps to keep your content ideas organized. Many people are of the opinion that planning is boring and prefer to create by the seat of their pants. In truth, it is, but dedicating time to this area of your business is worth the effort. You can make big shifts by organizing your thoughts and ideas and the reward is that you get your message out effectively, rather than haphazardly.

Content Creation And Dissemination

Knowing in advance what content you’ll use in your business (blog posts, guest posts, articles, vlogs, videos, reports, eBooks, physical books, printables, workbooks, cheat sheets, apps., etc.), based off a particular subject or theme, will make the creation process less complicated and you’ll find it easier to disseminate the marketing materials.

Quality and Substance

By planning in advance, your content will have quality and substance that speaks to your audience, as you’ll allow time for such things as research, writing and editing, whether you do these things yourself, or hire others to do it for you.

Topical Content

It doesn’t take much to get off topic. Outlining the theme and content will keep you on track. Often, if you aim to produce content at the last minute, you’ll end up with irrelevant content that serves no purpose. Sure, it may get some attention, but there may not be a clear outcome of what you want to achieve. For instance, the content doesn’t strategically lead readers to a product, service, or a freebie so they can join your list, follow you on social, read and comment on your blog….

Business Growth

An editorial calendar is an excellent tool that can help increase collaboration. For example, if you invite guest bloggers, they can review your calendar to determine what topic to write about within your guidelines. In addition, it will guide others who work with you (freelance or otherwise) to understand the direction you’re going to grow your business.

Increase Traffic

Google loves fresh content. Having an editorial calendar will help you to create and produce regular content. Thus, you’ll increase the number of visitors (traffic) to your website. Allied to this, your audience will come to expect content from you at certain times and will appreciate knowing what to expect.

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Content that’s distributed and marketed according to your editorial calendar will see a lot more success than content that’s haphazardly put out without a goal and plan. That is, you’ll be better equipped to produce your best work, and will have an organized business that’ll get you more clients/customers and increased revenue.

An aside, an editorial calendar also works perfectly if you do affiliate marketing. Here’s an article on how to expand your business with affiliate marketing, increase growth, brand awareness, and make more money, that you can read here.

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“Extraordinary results happen only when you give the best you have to become the best you can be at your most important work.” ― Gary Keller

© Cherry-Ann Carew

Cherry-Ann Carew is an Online Business Coach, who supports emerging business owners simplify their start-up journey and helps existing businesses scale to the next level, so that they can earn uncapped income and live life on their terms.

PS. Do you use an editorial or content calendar? If not, do you feel after reading this post that it’s a tool that could help you and your business?