How To Create a Content Calendar in Google Sheets - WordPress Membership plugin - Membership Sites

Jul 22, 2023

How To Design A Content Calendar using Google Sheets

A well-planned schedule keeps the content flowing smoothly. You don't have spend money on expensive software to handle tasks. It's possible to create the perfect content calendar with the free program you already use: Google Sheets. Learn how it's done.

How to create a content calendar in Google Sheets

We welcome you to the thrilling market of content marketing. deadlines approach faster than a cheetah sprinting drinking energy drinks.

Imagine yourself being in this space without a map or any sense of direction or even a concept of your end goal. Sounds daunting, doesn't it?

That's what it feels like managing and curating the content that you write without a calendar.

A content calendar is an image-based timeline that outlines what information you'll post as well as the location where it's published as well as an exact date and date of its publication.

It's much more than a sophisticated organizer. It's the foundation of your content strategy, making sure that the goals you set are met and that your target audience is active.

Gripped audience eating popcorn

We'll be sharing our best practices, as well as how to make a calendar of information in Google Sheets, that'll keep the entire team on task and on time!

The advantages of using Calendars with Content Calendar

There are many benefits to planning ahead with an organized calendar:

The process of your team can be streamlined

Content schedules provide each important aspect for your creative team as well as anyone else who contributes to your content.

It describes:

  • What is required to be done,
  • Deadlines,
  • Other critical details (such in the form of references or keywords)
  • The person responsible for every task.

Transparency can drastically decrease confusion, last-minute rushes and misunderstandings.

If everyone is crystal-clear about the roles they play, they will be focused on doing their best work. This recipe is great to increase productivity!

Strategically managed Content

With a content schedule it's not about publishing content and hoping for the best. Every piece of content you create has an intention and should be part of your overall content strategy.

It ensures that content serves a reason and is consistent with themes as well as consistent with the messages of your brand. It also helps make sure that each type of content or subject is given the respect that it merits, making sure no one is left out.

The Schedule Content is scheduled prior to the Time

Give yourself the gift of time with a content calendar

It's late at night, the deadline is getting closer and you're scrambling to put up an article to publish on your blog or think of an engaging headline for your Facebook or Twitter blog article. If this sounds like something you've faced, it's time to get an aid from an editorial calendar!

With the help of a content calendar, these stress-inducing situations are averted.

You can plan your HTML0 content for weeks, or even months in advance, which gives you plenty of time to locate sources, carry out studies and create more engaging interactive, engaging content.

In addition, it lets users to organize content around important dates or events related to your industry or field.

Diversify Content

Content calendars present a concise image of the current content.

It's easy to check whether your website is displaying a mix of different content types such as blog posts or social media updates, along with videos and podcasts. Colors are a great way to identify what content is visually.

Content Calendar Example

It ensures that your content is interesting and varied and that viewers do not get bored with similar content.

A few advantages of making the effort to plan your content in advance.

Making a Content Schedule that is efficient

Let's go through step-by-step guidance to guide you in moving forward to win.

Step 1: Determine the goals of your Content Marketing

There's no reason to make content solely for the sake of it. If you really want to make the most of the potential of your content then you must identify your goals and the direction you're heading.

Identify "Why" and "Who"

Why?

What do you think is important to content creation?

Arrow hitting target blue yellow leadership aiming achievement goal target

Who?

If you've made a decision on your goal It's now time to become acquainted with another key participant within your game of content: the audience you want to be able to reach.

You're hoping to engage with through your material. If you know more about their interests, needs as well as challenges greater chance you will create content that is popular with them.

Use This Data Each Time You Make Content

Your goals for marketing content and the audience you intend to reach should always be in the forefront every time you create or write new content.

These factors will determine the type of content you'll publish and your subjects to cover, as well as the best channels will be used to publish your material.

Step 2: Planning Your Content Strategy

Once we've settled down the basics of your goals as well as your market of choice We'll move on to the enjoyable part of planning the content strategy.

It's the moment when the two meet, and your plan for content is beginning to develop. Drink a sip of your preferred beverage, slip on your creative hat and let's get started!

Finding ideas to create content

Get started brainstorming concepts for your content. When we talk about"content," we're referring to any type of content.

  • Blog posts,
  • Posts on social media,
  • Newsletters,
  • Podcasts,
  • Webinars,
  • Videos,
  • Infographics
  • Quotes
  • Customer Testimonials
  • Demos

Be confident! Consider every type of media your customers use, and what makes them want to buy.

For example, imagine you're a platform online to help professionals who are looking for to advance their careers. The goal might include helping them develop new skills and capabilities in spite of their busy schedules.

The material you intend to publish could comprise brief tutorials, straightforward instructional guides and inspirational story of success to share on the social media platforms where professionals will likely engage in conversation, including LinkedIn and Twitter.

TIP 1: Make use of ChatGPT to generate Content Ideas

Everyone is looking for ways to use ChatGPT to simplify their workflows This is a fantastic example of the best way to do this.
    Utilizing the power of ChatGPT can be a great way to brainstorm ideas. Because an AI language model is adept in providing a variety of innovative concepts that you might not have thought of.

The first step is to outline the purpose and audience (as you did in the previous step) and then engage with ChatGPT it were a dialogue.

Here's how you can create the perfect prompt

1. Define your business and the audience

"We're an entrepreneurial-owned company that specializes in natural skincare products that target those who are healthy with a range of ages between 20 and 35.

2. Your goal should be explained.

We're launching an all-new line of vegan, cruelty-free facial serums. Our aim is to increase the amount of products sold on our site by spreading the unique advantages of our products.

3. ChatGPT ChatGPT what content ideas you'd like to see the company create

Can you help generate some compelling content or suggestions to promote the benefits of our products and persuade the people we want to reach out to and place an order?."

Here's the output GPT-4 created by following this prompt:

Then, you could get it to offer you blogs title ideas and outline suggestions, or provide questions to your interactive quizzes.

Interaction is key. the more precise your questions are, the more targeted and useful the responses.

Tip II: Look for Keywords for search engine Optimization (SEO)

Keywords are actually the key for SEO in relation to content on the internet. Making use of powerful keywords is crucial in making sure that your content is not lost among the ocean of content online and appearing on the search results page for your preferred customers.

It also provides an intriguing insight into how your targeted audience searches for products like yours online. Through the study of keywords, you've got the power to create web content that meets requirements or exceeds their needs.

SEMrush as well as Google Keyword Planner can be great tools for discovering the hidden treasures of these search engines. Incorporate these keywords in the content you write to increase your SEO, and help to elevate your website's position on the search engine results climb.

SEMrush homepage 2023

3. Make your Master Content Calendar In Google Sheets

After you've a clear idea of the type of content you'll be delivering then the next stage is to decide on the time and location to publish your content.

Maybe you've got a live video planned for your site and an email newsletter that's in the queue, a event for your company, and maybe a meeting to discuss your social media during that same time frame.

Of course, your regular blog posts and your social media posts every day.

The duration of your content is entirely up to your discretion, however be aware that constant posting is vital for all of your content platforms to be successful.

A master calendar is essential. The aim of having a master calendar is to give you an overview of your strategy for content and establish a timetable for the publication of each and every piece of content.

This is how you can do it:

Within your Google Drive account Select New in the left-hand side of the screen. Then move your mouse over the arrow next to an icon. Select the template.

Scroll down until you select Then select the Annual Calendar. This will generate an annual calendar for the calendar year you are currently in.

Click on the Customize your Calendartab option to choose from a variety of types. When you're done, have the option of deleting the tab you've chosen to make storage space for important data.

Then click on the month tab which you want to alter.

Input the kind of material you'd want to share on this day. Use color-coding so that it is easy to see what kind of content you have scheduled for that day. This will ensure you've got a an appropriate variety of content.

Content Calendar in Google Sheets

Individual Content Calendars

When your overall monthly plan is in place, is the time to figure out details:

Who's the author? How long will you take for editing and formatting your content? Who is responsible for the content on social media and what type of content they will be posting? We've got plans for the same!

However, here's how you can make a blog calendar in Google Sheets:

  • Simply click to the (+) icon at the left-hand side of the Google Sheet to include the tab.
  • The new tab is then dragged to the month you want.
  • Create Blog Schedule Blog Schedule sections that include columns
  • Publication Date
  • Blog Post Topic/Title
  • Writer
  • Deadline (give you enough time to revise and format the blog post before the published date)
  • Keywords
  • Further details
  • In accordance with the design your blog has, you may want to add extra columns, such as "Blog Category" (long-form, short, infographic, etc. ).
  • Copy and paste the information from your master calendar.
  • The job can be delegated to another writer simply by clicking the cell, then pressing Comment.
  • @tag individuals on the team. Or, add the complete email address of the member of the team.
  • Ensure everyone who contributes has accessibility to our calendar.
blog content calendar and social media calendar

Now, let's take a look at the social media timelines.

You can either create an entirely new tab, or for a more centralized blog simply enter the info beneath your blog's schedule.

Include every calendar on social media Include:

  • Social Media Platform
  • Post Time
  • Day
  • Content

If you're planning to develop an extensive calendar, it is suggested to add relevant hashtags, links to photos and images, as well as the actual text to your blog post.

Alongside the blog's timetable You could also designate an author and provide an indication of if it's already queued within your software to manage social media (like Hootsuite or Buffer).

In Conclusion

Alongside aiding in the planning for your content to make sure that the objectives of your marketing strategy are in line and are aligned, a plan of content is a reliable guide in the dynamic market for content marketing.

Utilizing Google Sheets as your platform making a schedule of content is as easy as it is effective.

From master calendars, to comprehensive calendars for social media and blogs. There's a myriad of options to help you simplify your workflow, expand your content, and remain at the top of your game.

So why wouldn't you? Begin to leverage the benefits of your planned content strategy now and watch your marketing campaigns for content prosper.

Keep in mind that your success in marketing through content isn't about who is loudest or loudest, but rather who's the smartest. With your new and exciting content schedule it's clear that you're in the right direction. Now, let's get planning!

     Are you using a Content calendar? Are you able to share your ideas with the Members community? Send them to the section of comments below.

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