A content material calendar is an effective way to visualise your publishing schedule. From weblog posts and social media content material to e mail campaigns and YouTube movies, conserving observe with out one is a ache to say the least.
It will get much more difficult whenever you’re publishing throughout a number of platforms and managing a group of creators, editors, and producers.
These are a few of my favourite content material calendar templates for staying organized.
Multi-purpose content material calendar templates for monday.com
On the lookout for a versatile and highly effective option to handle content material and different kinds of work in a single place? monday.com is likely one of the prime venture administration options I’ve used.
The free plan is nice for as much as two customers and is greater than sufficient to attempt monday.com’s free content material calendar template. Nevertheless, paid plans include way more performance and are higher fitted to groups needing automation, formulation, integrations, and dashboards.
Study extra about monday.com: monday.com overview | monday.com’s latest options.
Template 1: Finest for inbuilt process monitoring
This content material calendar template is nice for groups that want a option to plan and execute content material alongside different kinds of initiatives.
It’s nice for high-level or short-term planning, however it actually shines whenever you use it as a option to assign duties and get work achieved. With tons of inbuilt venture administration performance, you’ll be able to simply set due dates, set off notifications, and observe progress too.
It really works simply as properly for any sort of content material, from social media and movies to long-form weblog posts.
You possibly can view all the work as a easy desk, Kanban view, calendar, timeline, or interactive dashboard (relying in your plan).
Though the template itself is comparatively easy, the extensibility of monday.com as a software means you’ll be able to add on or mix it with different templates to create a complete enterprise operations system that runs your whole division or firm.
Template 2: Finest for aligning with high-level advertising and marketing objectives
A content material calendar is basically simply half of a bigger advertising and marketing plan. So reasonably than utilizing two separate templates or venture areas to handle all the things, monday.com helps you to do each beneath one roof.
It’s a completely customized advertising and marketing template that features all the things from content material calendars to social media scheduling, quarterly advertising and marketing plans, and extra.
Determination-makers can create customized dashboards to shortly see high-level planning on a single display. So you’ll be able to see what’s scheduled to be printed, what’s in progress, and even preserve observe of your finances.
One other standout function of this template is the flexibility to create a dynamic content material approvals course of. Paired with monday.com’s highly effective automation options, you’ll be able to supercharge this workflow to in the end scale your content material technique.
General, I simply love how seamless this template is for managing so many interconnected parts in a single place. The template makes it simple to align your content material calendar with big-picture advertising and marketing objectives and retains your whole group on the identical web page.
The one downside is that you just’ll seemingly must improve to a paid monday.com plan to really get probably the most out of this template’s capabilities. Whereas it’s nonetheless accessible to make use of on the free plan, you’ll seemingly discover it to be a bit limiting if you wish to accomplish all the things I’ve described above.
ClickUp content material calendar templates
ClickUp isn’t as versatile as monday.com or Notion, however it has extra inbuilt performance. As an alternative of constructing what you want, it already exists and can be utilized proper out of the field.
On prime of that, the free plan is way extra beneficiant. You possibly can have a vast variety of customers plus you get limitless duties, collaborative docs, group chat, customized fields, and a number of venture views.
Superior options, like automations, Gantt view, calculations, time monitoring, objectives, workload administration, and superior permissions are all accessible on paid plans whenever you’re prepared.
Study extra about ClickUp: ClickUp overview | ClickUp vs monday.com | ClickUp vs Notion.
Template 1: A sophisticated all-purpose content material administration template
ClickUp’s advertising and marketing content material calendar template is likely one of the most fully-featured and versatile choices on my record. It’s versatile sufficient for solo entrepreneurs and mid-sized groups alike, Plus, you don’t should do a lot to get began.
It comes with eight distinctive statuses, ten customized fields, and group collaboration instruments so you’ll be able to assign duties and observe the progress of all of your content material.
Relying in your plan, the template consists of eight views, giving everybody in your group the chance to see their work in a method that works finest for them. Customers can simply swap between calendar, board, record, timeline, and Gantt chart views with out impacting anybody else.
On the calendar view, color-coded content material sorts make it simple to remain organized and see what’s happening throughout completely different platforms at a look.
As a bonus, ClickUp’s collaborative doc creator additionally makes it simple to create an organization wiki, doc your processes, plan campaigns, and take notes as a group.
Template 2: A easy editorial calendar template
This editorial calendar template is ideal for bloggers and editors. It comes with 4 completely different views — calendar, board, record, and timeline — making it simple for your entire group to view big-picture planning whereas additionally specializing in their particular duties and to-do lists.
The template consists of seven inbuilt statuses, together with in overview, scheduled, and printed. As a result of it’s arrange for running a blog, you gained’t should customise it to match your wants.
The entire inbuilt statuses are coloration coded, so it’s apparent the place all the things stands, even from a excessive stage.
You possibly can take issues a step additional by categorizing your content material and importing all the digital belongings you want for publishing. As soon as a publish is stay, there’s additionally a customized subject for the URL so you’ll be able to shortly entry it sooner or later.
Between the 2 templates, this one is way easier and simpler to start out utilizing on day one. Nevertheless, it will possibly really feel cluttered and overwhelming in the event you’re utilizing it for extra than simply weblog posts.
Notion content material calendar templates
Though Notion has venture administration options, it will possibly do a complete lot greater than that. It’s primarily a clean slate with the flexibility to create any sort of system or workspace you want. It really works significantly properly for issues it is advisable to preserve observe of.
In our context, it really works nice for content material. However it’s additionally wonderful for notes, budgeting, HR, finance, and extra.
If you happen to’re a solo person, the free plan will get you by for a very long time. Groups can attempt Notion with the free plan, however you’ll should improve to a paid plan to proceed utilizing it.
Study extra about Notion: Notion overview | Notion vs monday.com | Notion vs Confluence.
Template 1: A fundamental content material calendar template and Kanban board
Notion’s fundamental content material calendar template is a good place to start out as a result of it requires zero effort to arrange. Out of the field, you’ll get pre configured calendar and Kanban views you’ll be able to add content material to straight away.
The calendar is nice for making certain a constant publishing schedule whereas the Kanban board makes it simple to maintain observe of manufacturing alongside the best way.
You possibly can brainstorm concepts utilizing the inbuilt “thought” standing and transfer gadgets to “in progress” whenever you’re able to get to work. Don’t like an thought? All it’s a must to do is delete it. Every merchandise helps you to connect media recordsdata so you’ll be able to collect all the things it is advisable to publish in a single place.
This template works simply as properly whether or not you’re working by your self or with a small group.
Template 2: An alternate particularly for social media content material
Notion’s easy social media content material calendar works very well in the event you repurpose present content material throughout a number of channels. Reasonably than creating 4 gadgets for a single video, you’ll be able to create it as soon as and tag the merchandise for YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Like different Notion templates, you’ll be able to simply arrange a variety of views, one in all which is a calendar that makes it simple to see each bit of content material and the platforms it is going to go on.
As quickly as an merchandise has a date, it exhibits up in your calendar. That is true even when it’s nonetheless within the means of being created.
However coloration coding on the calendar view relies on every merchandise’s standing, providing you with a direct visible of what’s on observe or working behind.
As a result of Notion is so versatile, you’ll be able to simply replace both template or broaden on them to make them give you the results you want and your group.
Airtable editorial calendar template
Airtable is by far probably the most highly effective software on this record, particularly when you have a number of information it is advisable to join collectively. My group makes use of it for all types of issues, together with income, content material manufacturing, service supply, and extra.
Like Notion, it requires a big quantity of labor up entrance. However you’ll find yourself with a customized setup designed round the best way you’re employed in the event you’re prepared to place within the time.
You probably have fewer than 5 collaborators, you can begin utilizing Airtable free of charge. You’ll get limitless bases, 1,000 data per base, 1 GB of storage per base, and 100 month-to-month automation runs.
Study extra about Airtable: Airtable overview | Airtable vs monday.com | Airtable vs Notion.
Airtable works very well when you have a number of information. It’s an awesome resolution for reporting, analytics, content material administration, workload administration, and the rest that accumulates a number of information factors. This template provides place to start out in case your present focus is on planning, organizing, and managing high-volume manufacturing.
Like different templates, you’ll get a number of views — grid view, calendar view, and writer workload come pre configured.
You’ll additionally get particular person tables for managing content material, planning content material, and conserving observe of your group (together with their roles, capability, and availability).
Though this template is easy, you gained’t have to fret about deleting a bunch of belongings you’ll by no means use. As an alternative, it’s a place to begin you’ll be able to construct on as you get comfy and your wants change.
Airtable’s largest downside can also be its largest benefit.
The software program’s flexibility means there are dozens of the way to perform the identical factor and it will possibly take a number of time to determine what works finest for you.
However in the event you want one thing that’ll by no means impede your progress, it’s value studying the fundamentals.
Asana social calendar template
The entire instruments we’ve lined to this point are extremely versatile. If you would like one thing that requires much less setup and has far much less room for error, Asana’s a more sensible choice.
Though it’s extra inflexible, there’s often one finest option to set issues up so that you don’t have to fret about doing it mistaken, doing it mistaken once more, after which doing it mistaken another time earlier than determining one of the best resolution.
Its free plan can also be very beneficiant, permitting for limitless initiatives, duties, messages, and storage. It’s an awesome choice for small groups or bigger groups who wish to attempt earlier than they purchase.
Study extra about Asana: Asana overview | Asana vs monday.com | Airtable vs Asana.
Technically, this template is for managing social media content material. However you should use it for any sort of content material from movies and podcast episodes to free downloads and case research.
It consists of all the things you’ll must ideate, strategize, prioritize, and assign work throughout each channel you employ. Plus, you’ll be able to add new initiatives and tie them to high-level milestones or objectives to remain aligned.
With each bit of content material, there’s a spot for the content material itself, key phrases, and recordsdata so you’ll be able to simply collect all the things in a single place.
The template even consists of built-in approval workflows to regulate high quality at each stage and process dependencies if you wish to use the vital path technique.
Regardless of being extremely feature-rich, it’s comparatively simple to get began. All it’s a must to do is add all the channels you publish on, add a chunk of content material, fill out all of its info, and set a date. From there, you recognize all the things it is advisable to know to make use of it.
You possibly can simply flip your calendar into completely different venture views, together with record, Kanban view, Gantt chart, customized dashboards, and extra.
Not like different content material calendar templates, Asana’s calendar view is clear and aesthetically pleasing, whilst you add a number of gadgets per day. It’s additionally coloration coded by no matter subject you select, making it simple to visualise progress at a look.
A content material calendar you should use with Google Sheets, Excel, or Phrase
In case your wants are easy otherwise you need one thing acquainted, you should use a spreadsheet to maintain observe of your manufacturing schedule as an alternative. When arrange properly, you’ll be capable of keep organized and on schedule with out having to make use of venture administration software program.
There are a whole lot of free content material calendar spreadsheets, however this one from Smartsheet is one in all my favorites as a result of it provides a streamlined option to handle content material on a number of platforms.
Smartsheet’s easy content material calendar template is free to obtain for Excel, Google Sheets, Phrase, PowerPoint, and PDF.
It has area to plan for the subsequent week, so it’s way more restricted than different choices on the record. However it’s a really clear option to preserve observe of content material throughout a number of platforms with out getting overwhelmed. Plus, you may make a replica to plan forward.
The setup could be very easy. Days of the week are throughout the highest and completely different advertising and marketing channels are down the left.
Say you’ve an thought and wish to publish it on Fb. Simply decide a day of the week and add your thought within the applicable row. You possibly can add a number of concepts in the event you’re undecided.
That is about so simple as it will get. Nevertheless, it doesn’t appear like a standard calendar and it’s difficult to plan forward. You’ll have to start out with a brand new sheet each week and there’s no option to preserve observe of the content material creation course of.
That stated, it’s a simple option to plan forward at low quantity.
Do I really want a content material calendar?
If you happen to’re publishing one or two items of content material per day or week, you don’t want something fancy.
A easy calendar that allows you to drag and drop, modify dates on the fly, and collect belongings in a single place is greater than sufficient. My group used a easy Kanban board for years with no issues.
We did finally improve to one thing else however elegant and easy can get you numerous additional than you assume.
That stated, you most likely don’t want a content material calendar (or can get by with a easy spreadsheet) in the event you don’t want to stay to a constant schedule or solely publish just a few occasions per 30 days.
Something past that and also you’ll seemingly begin to really feel overwhelmed with no centralized place to visualise dates, statuses, belongings, and technique in a single place.
How to decide on one of the best content material calendar template for you
Though most templates are simply customizable, selecting the best one means you’re that a lot nearer to a system you should use. Listed below are just a few eventualities and what I like to recommend for every.
You’re publishing combined content material throughout a number of channels
monday.com’s content material calendar and ClickUp’s advertising and marketing content material calendar are each good.
They’re filled with options, a number of board views past a fundamental calendar, and include built-in group collaboration options. You need to use both of those to put in writing blogs, create movies, produce podcasts, or any content material mixture that can get distributed throughout your web site, social channels, and past.
If you happen to’re on the fence, you’ll be able to attempt each templates free of charge to see which one’s a greater match.
You’re working with a small group
I like to recommend ClickUp. Each ClickUp templates are tremendous simple to make use of and you will get the entire group on board shortly with no steep studying curve or losing an excessive amount of time on non-content-related duties. Everybody can clearly perceive their function and what duties they should knock out — all whereas watching their work progress on the month-to-month calendar.
monday.com’s templates work, too, in the event you don’t thoughts getting your arms soiled and wish some extra superior options.
You’re a sophisticated content material strategist
Go together with Airtable. It’s probably the most versatile and superior choice for groups producing content material at scale. I personally use it to trace income from completely different sources. Though it took us a very long time to get all the things dialed in.
monday.com is a strong alternative, too. Whereas it’s not as superior as Airtable, it’s good for skilled customers who need one thing a bit easier.
You’re a solo content material content material creator
Begin with Notion or one in all Smartsheet’s Excel/Google Sheets templates.
Notion’s collaboration options aren’t fairly pretty much as good as a few of the different platforms on the market. However this can be a moot level in the event you’re working alone. You need to use this for years with out having to contemplate the rest, even in the event you begin working with one or two different folks down the highway.
An Excel or Google Sheets template is so simple as it will get, making them nice for solo use.
You’re strictly specializing in social media
Use Asana’s social media calendar.
When you can customise any template to suit your social media plans, this one is optimized for social scheduling from the second you begin.
I actually like how one can color-code every social channel, which is nice for visualizing how mild or heavy your content material is all through the month. It’s additionally one of many few calendars that doesn’t look too cramped when you’ve a number of gadgets scheduled on the identical day.
Notion additionally works properly, particularly in the event you’re pushing out the identical publish throughout a number of social channels without delay.
create your individual content material and editorial calendar
You possibly can create your individual content material calendar template utilizing spreadsheet software program, relational database instruments, venture administration options, and even pen and paper. If nothing above works for you, you will get inventive and use one thing you have already got.
Excel and Google Sheets, for instance, have built-in calendars you can begin with. Or you’ll be able to draw one on a whiteboard, use a bodily calendar, or construct one in Google Docs.
When you determine, it’s only a matter of including content material and selecting dates.
Whereas that will work for quite simple wants, a extra superior content material calendar ought to have a spot to maintain observe of:
- Content material sort.
- Publish date.
- Channel.
- Standing.
- Information and pictures.
- Notes.
- Proprietor.
- Assigned to.
If the concept of including all of that sounds intimidating, you’ll be able to at all times begin with one of many templates from this record and customise it to match your wants.
What can I observe with a content material calendar?
Content material calendar templates are actually versatile instruments. They will work properly for particular person use and high-level planning to monitoring whole manufacturing schedules and full-scale content material groups with editors, strategists, writers, and extra.
You need to use a content material calendar to:
- Arrange and plan content material advertising and marketing actions.
- Construct out quick or long-term campaigns.
- Produce and publish social media content material.
- Write, edit, and publish weblog posts.
- Replace or repurpose present content material.
- Guarantee constant publishing for various audiences.
That is actually simply scratching the floor with what you are able to do with a content material calendar, particularly in the event you’re planning to leverage the built-in venture administration options.
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