Ever heard of writer’s block? You eventually will once you start managing your own social media. This is where you are out of ideas and your brain is just incapable of producing new content. And if you’re managing another person’s social media then making content at the moment is very hard.
This is where organization tools like a social media calendar come in. These calendars allow you to jot down your ideas, give time to tweaking them, and change them however you want before posting them. Just imagine how relaxed you will feel once you know all your posts are sorted and ready to be uploaded.
But, creating this calendar can get messy. That’s why we’re going to guide you on how to organize all your posts and social media content so you can relax for the month.
What is a Social media Calendar?
A social media calendar is like a planner for your business’s social media posts. Instead of scrambling to find something to share at the last minute, it helps you plan ahead and see the bigger picture of your social media strategy.
Think of it as a schedule that lays out what you’ll be posting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or TikTok in the coming weeks. This way you can post strategically instead of posting at random. You even get the chance to change the strategy if there is a turn of events or something trending happens all of a sudden.
In this calendar, you jot down important details for each post, such as:
- Who you’re trying to reach (your target audience).
- The specific goal or initiative the post supports.
- Any ongoing campaigns or events it’s connected to.
- The social media platform where the post will be published.
- The specific account or profile it belongs to.
- What type of content it is, like an image, video, or text post.
- The actual text or caption you’ll include in the post.
- Any visuals, like images or videos, along with descriptions for those who can’t see them.
- Hashtags and mentions you want to include in the post.
Do you even need a Social Media Calendar?
Using a social media calendar offers several important benefits that can significantly impact your overall efficiency and effectiveness in managing your online presence. Here are four key reasons why having a social media calendar is crucial:
Organization and Harmony
Issue: Handling multiple social media accounts can quickly become chaotic and disorganized.
Solution: A social media calendar is a structured plan that you can stick to, which means no last-moment chaos. It helps you keep track of what needs to be posted when and on which platforms, making your life ten times easier if you’re the manager.
Accountability for Yourself and Your Team
Issue: If you don’t have a clear deadline then you might start feeling lazy
Solution: Social media calendars help you set deadlines. By outlining a clear plan, you and your team are held accountable, and this way you will complete the task on time. Everyone will be prepared about what content needs to be published on your social channels.
Time Savings for Real Work
Issue: Time is already something that comes in spare change and once you start handling social media, it’s like time is slipping through your fingers.
Solution: With a social media calendar, you can plan your content in advance. Once this big task is done, you can focus on other responsibilities as well.
How to make a Social Media Calendar
Okay so now you’re finally prepared to make the new calendar for 2024, are you? Well, here are our expert tips to make it happen!
Step #1: Check What’s Working and What’s Not
Before you start to make your social media calendar, take a peek at what’s happening on your current social platforms. Look at your posts and figure out which ones are the cool kids (the ones getting lots of likes, comments, and shares) and which ones need more work (not getting much attention).
Think of it like checking your report card to see what subjects you’re acing and where you need a bit of extra study time. Look for patterns – do people go wild for your videos but just give a polite nod to your photos? Make sure to take notes on these little things because they will affect your strategy.
Key Questions:
Which posts get lots of likes, comments, shares, or clicks?
Are there certain types of posts that your audience loves more than others?
Why It Matters:
Understanding what works helps you plan future posts that your audience will love.
Step #2: Aim for the Stars with Your Goals
Now that you know what’s popular with your audience, let’s set some goals. These goals will help you track and measure the success of the strategy.
Break It Down into Two
- Long-Term Goals: Think big picture. What’s the ultimate dream for your business? Maybe it’s becoming a household name or having a tribe of super-engaged followers.
- Short-Term Goals: These are like pit stops on your road trip to success. What do you want to achieve in the next month or quarter? Maybe it’s boosting brand awareness or getting more people to click on your website.
Goals to Shoot For:
Here are some common goals that will help you get an idea of how to set yours:
- Spread the Word: Get your brand out there. Count how many people see, like, share, or talk about your posts.
- Spark Interest in Your Stuff: If you’re selling products, make people curious. Check how many click through to your website, add things to their cart, or drop you a comment.
- Make Friends and Influence People: Turn followers into customers. Keep an eye on who’s buying your stuff and joining your crew.
- Team Up with Cool Folks: Connect with influencers or other awesome brands. Maybe plan a tag-team post that blows up the internet.
- Build a Fan Club: Grow your followers or keep the ones you’ve got. Check if people are liking what you’re putting out there.
- Ace Your Customer Service Game: Help your customers out on social media. If someone slides into your DMs, respond like the superhero of customer service.
Step #3: Customize Your Social Media Calendar to Fit You
Your social media calendar is like your recipe for mashed potatoes – it might look different from the others but it tastes good either way. Whether you’re a one-person show or part of a big team, let’s tailor your calendar to fit your needs.
Essentials for Everyone:
- Where Are You Posting? (Platform): Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok – jot it down.
- When’s the Big Reveal? (Date and Time): Pinpoint the moment your masterpiece goes live. Don’t forget the time zone – we don’t want any time travel mishaps!
- What’s the Word? (Copy): Your caption – the words that make your post shine.
- Picture Perfect or Video Vibes? (Visuals): What’s catching eyes? A photo, video, illustration, or maybe a GIF?
- Got the Goods? (Link to Assets): If there’s more to see – a blog, website, or product page – link it up.
- Where’s the Party At? (Link to Published Post): Once it’s out in the world, track it down. Include any special tracking info, like UTM parameters.
Extras for the Pros:
- Dress Code for the Platform: (Platform-Specific Format): Is it a regular post, a Story, a Reel, or maybe a live stream? Let people know how to dress for the occasion.
- What’s the Theme? (Associated Vertical or Campaign): Is this part of a bigger plan, like a product launch or a giveaway?
- Global or Local? (Geo-Targeting): Are you talking to the whole world or just your neighbors?
- Paid or Organic? (Budget Details): If money’s involved, spill the tea. How much and where’s it going?
- Green Light or Hold On? (Approval Status): Is it good to go, or does it need a thumbs-up from the boss?
If you’re just starting, a simple spreadsheet will be enough for you. Your calendar is your command center. It keeps everything in check, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Plus, it helps you stay organized and on top of your social game.
Step #4: Time It Right for Maximum Impact
Now that your content is all set, let’s talk about the when and where. Picking the perfect days and times to post can make a world of a difference in how people react. Here’s the cheat sheet:
Best Days to Shine:
- Instagram: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Facebook: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
- Twitter: Wednesdays
- LinkedIn: Tuesdays & Wednesdays
- Pinterest: Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays
- TikTok: Weekdays
Prime Time Slots:
- Instagram: 6 AM-9 AM, 12 PM-2 PM
- Facebook: 1 PM-4 PM
- Twitter: 9 AM-3 PM
- LinkedIn: 7:30 AM-11 AM
- Pinterest: 2 PM-4 PM
- TikTok: 1 PM-3 PM
Perfect Matchups – Best Days & Times:
- Instagram: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 AM-9 AM and 12 PM-2 PM
- Facebook: Wednesday-Friday from 1 PM-4 PM
- Twitter: Wednesdays from 9 AM-3 PM
- LinkedIn: Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 7:30 AM-11 AM
- Pinterest: Friday through Sunday from 2 PM-4 PM
- TikTok: Weekdays from 1 PM-3 PM
Step #5: Craft Content that Sparks a Social Buzz
Every social media platform has a different way of making people stop in their tracks(while scrolling) and check out your posts. So be careful when you’re designing the content.
- Instagram Captions: Keep it short and sweet – under 240 characters.
- Facebook Posts: Stick to 40-120 characters – concise and to the point.
- Twitter Tweets: Keep the chatter under 100 characters – brevity is key.
- Pinterest Descriptions: Keep it brief, under 215 characters – think of it like a sneak peek.
- TikTok Videos: Keep it snappy, under 30 seconds – the attention span is like a flash!
Pro Tips for the Win:
Break It Up: Use line breaks. Short paragraphs are easy on the eyes.
Picture Perfect: Images grab attention. If you’ve got a cool pic, let it shine.
Ask and You Shall Receive: Use questions or prompts. Get your audience talking, reacting, and engaged.
Step #6: Team Up for Reviews and Learn from the Past
As you gear up to share your content with the world, you need to have a solid review system in place. Determine who on your team will review the posts and whether any higher-ups or legal teams need to give the green light.
You can even use your calendar to analyze some data and findings. Look for trends and patterns to see how each post you designed performed, and whether people liked it or not. This will help you a lot in making future strategies.
What NOT TO DO when Creating Your Social Media Calendar
Now that you know what to do when creating a calendar, here are some things you need to steer clear of:
Don’t Wing It: Avoid the temptation to fly by the seat of your pants. Without a plan, you risk posting randomly and missing out on a strategic approach. A social media calendar keeps you organized and purposeful.
Ignore Your Audience: Don’t forget who you’re talking to. Ignoring your audience’s preferences and behaviors can result in content that falls flat. Always tailor your posts according to your followers.
Set It and Forget It: Your calendar is a guide, not a rulebook. Don’t just set it and forget it. Stay flexible in case of any events or trends so you can change at the moment.
Overcomplicate It: Keep it simple. Avoid overloading your calendar with unnecessary details. Stick to the essentials like platform, date, time, copy, visuals, and links to maintain clarity and efficiency.
Neglect Analytics: Ignoring post-performance data is a big no-no. Use your social calendar as a tool to track and analyze past posts. Without this feedback loop, you miss valuable insights to better your future content strategy.
Monitoring and Analytics
You have to keep an eye on your social media to see how well your calendar is doing and what needs to be changed in the future.
Here are some important metrics to track:
Reach:
What is it? How many people see your posts.
Why does it matter? Shows how wide your message spreads.
How to check: Look for “Reach” in your social media insights.
Engagement:
What is it? Likes, comments, shares – all the love your posts get.
Why does it matter? It tells you if people are interested and interacting.
How to check: Check your social media analytics for numbers on likes, comments, and shares.
Conversion Rates:
What is it? The percentage of people who do what you want (buy, sign up, etc.).
Why does it matter? Shows if your social media efforts turn into real action.
How to check: Tools like Google Analytics or your social media platform’s insights can help.
Once you have the numbers, use them to fine-tune your strategy.
Identify High-Performing Content:
What to do: Spot posts with lots of likes or shares.
How to adapt: Make more posts like the popular ones. Your audience likes that stuff!
Adjust Posting Times:
What to do: Check when your followers are most active.
How to adapt: Post when they’re online the most. More eyes, more engagement.
Refine Content Strategy:
What to do: See which types of posts get the most love.
How to adapt: Focus on what works. If videos rock, make more videos.
Optimize Ad Spend:
What to do: Keep an eye on which ads lead to action.
How to adapt: Put more money where it works best. Tweak ads for better results.
Adapting to Algorithm Changes
Social media platforms are always tweaking their algorithms(especially Instagram), and staying ahead will help you stay visible. Here’s how to navigate algorithm changes like a pro.
Follow Official Announcements:
Keep an eye on announcements from the social media platforms.
Platforms often share updates, so you know what changes are happening.
Subscribe to Industry Blogs:
Follow blogs that specialize in social media news.
Bloggers often break down updates in an understandable way, helping you grasp the changes.
Utilize Notifications:
Turn on notifications for official accounts or industry leaders.
Real-time updates keep you informed and ready to adapt swiftly.
Wrapping Up
There’s always a new trend on TikTok every day and you have to make your social media calendar work around it. If you’ve already experienced a moment where you had to create a post and then upload it right at that moment, then you know how chaotic it is. And let’s not even talk about the stress of it all. That’s why preparing your social media calendar in advance is the best decision you can make.
Follow the strategies we have provided above, make sure to post on the right days, and monitor the performance. Trust me, your social media is ready to shine!
