[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font_size=”15px” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a business owner who is planning to use social media and online content to boost sales, you\u2019ve probably searched online how to create a content strategy.<\/p>\n
After hours and hours of research, you most likely stumbled upon this common marketing advice \u2014 create a social media and content calendar.<\/p>\n
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A content calendar is more than just a paper with days and dates. Based on the description, this kind of calendar is used to map out your content for social media.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a powerful strategizing tool that can help streamline your posts for Facebook, Instagram, Instagram Stories, LinkedIn, and all the other platforms where you think you\u2019ll reach your target audience. In other words, it\u2019s the bread and butter of your content strategy plan and what keeps your online platforms alive!<\/p>\n
In fact, what you\u2019re reading right now is a product of a content calendar. I personally use one whenever I brainstorm all the things I want to post for the next couple of months since it gives me an overview of which content suits a date or holiday. (Relevant and timely posts drive traffic, you know!)<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stephaniesmolders.com\/oldwebsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/cafe-writing-writing-planning-mobile-phone-work-notebook-professional-journal-coffee-shop_t20_neOgg8.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font_size=”15px” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Still would like the specifics, huh? Well, here are the top 5 reasons why you should complement your content strategy with a social media and content calendar this 2020:<\/p>\n
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Admit it. There were moments when you\u2019ve went all out on a particular month then completely disappeared the next. I understand as I\u2019ve been through that phase (and even go through that once in a while!).<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what your content calendar is for\u2014to keep you accountable by tracking if you\u2019ve posted enough.<\/p>\n
This is a great way to measure if something is off with your web traffic or sales. Remember that other than your branding, your content is what people will first see when you caught their attention. If they don\u2019t see anything (or if the last post they encounter was from months ago), then it\u2019s time to pick up the content and put your brainstorming hat on.<\/p>\n
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So you\u2019re thinking of introducing a new product\/service and you\u2019re quite passionate about how this will help people\u2019s lives. Sounds super!<\/p>\n
But before all that, are you giving some previews that will pique people\u2019s interest? You can\u2019t just pop right on their feed, asking them to shell out the money!<\/p>\n
Please build up momentum by giving value first.<\/em><\/p>\n What\u2019s in it for them? How CAN it improve their lives? Why should they care?<\/p>\n And the best way to answer all those questions is to show them with your (social media) content.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stephaniesmolders.com\/oldwebsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/life-coach-26.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font_size=”15px” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a business owner, you may already have an idea that you can\u2019t cater to everyone. That\u2019s why a target customer exists aka your dream client.<\/p>\n The same thing can be applied to your online presence. Not every single internet user will be your target audience. Your responsibility now is to determine where your prospects are hanging out.<\/p>\n Are they online business owners who are scrolling through their Facebook feed, engaging in online groups and communities? Are they busybodies using Instagram flipping through their phone during their commute and prefer to shop through shoppable posts to save time? Or are they corporate leaders who\u2019d most likely find you on LinkedIn while they take a much-needed coffee break?<\/p>\n Remember that you don\u2019t need to be on every single platform. You just have to be on the one where your target audience will most likely notice you and your brand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead of scrambling to get your content up week after week or even day after day, your content calendar will help you brainstorm and plan weeks\/months in advance so you\u2019ll know when exactly you need to start creating content.<\/p>\n This makes the process easier so you can just focus on working on your business like promotion, sales, and engagement after you\u2019ve scheduled your content for that month.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s more than just organizing and planning in advance. It\u2019s also a nice tool whenever you need to look back.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve focused all your time and energy on Instagram\u2026 but you found that it\u2019s not exactly driving in your target sales. What people are starting to notice though is your Pinterest.<\/p>\n This is a good indicator that your audience may not be on Instagram but on Pinterest. You\u2019ll be able to determine this when you have a tool that will help you retrace your footsteps on when, what and how often you post on each platform.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So you\u2019ve finally decided that having a 2020 content calendar is worth the shot and you\u2019re looking to start planning your posts with one. You\u2019re most likely wondering how to create a content calendar template yourself.<\/p>\n So how do you start? Do you just grab a regular calendar, start dumping content ideas, and hope for the best that you\u2019ll follow through?<\/p>\n Not exactly the best course of action but if it works then… you do you!<\/p>\n I suggest a different and more effective route though and that\u2019s investing in a calendar specifically optimized and created to help you boost your business\u2019 online visibility!<\/p>\n The good news is that I have THE content calendar template for you\u2014two calendars, in fact!<\/p>\n Introducing the 2020 Social Media and Content Calendar, a tool that has a PDF calendar that you can print and display on your office table and a Google Sheets file that allows you to brainstorm content and edit on the go!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stephaniesmolders.com\/oldwebsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2020-content-planner-promo.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”I want an organized content strategy in 2020″ button_url=”https:\/\/smolders.kartra.com\/page\/contentcalendar%20″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”CLICK FOR MORE INFO” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”181px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The first step to creating your content calendar is to determine content pillars and to brainstorm from there. These calendars will guide you through step by step in the content brainstorming, and eventually the creation process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I hope this article helped you clarify why you need to plan your content. Whether you\u2019re a business owner or just about anyone who\u2019d like to build their online presence, streamlining your social media content and blog posts will make the process smoother and more effective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cheers to your content success with your content planner,<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n St\u00e9phanie<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”I’m ready to plan my content” button_url=”https:\/\/smolders.kartra.com\/page\/contentcalendar%20″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”GET THE CALENDARS HERE” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”181px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019re a business owner who is planning to use social media and online content to boost sales, you\u2019ve probably searched online how to create a content strategy. <\/p>\n After hours and hours of research, you most likely stumbled upon this common marketing advice \u2014 create a social media and content calendar. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17976,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[283],"tags":[11],"yoast_head":"\n3. Helps you strategize how you can boost online visibility<\/h3>\n
4. Saves you time<\/h3>\n
5. Gain a deeper understanding of your customers<\/h3>\n
How to start creating engaging content with a content calendar<\/span><\/h2>\n
It\u2019s also nice to know the events and holidays throughout the year. This is the perfect way to create content whenever you feel like you\u2019re running out of ideas. (The content calendar also includes all the fun, relevant, and quirky holidays in the world!)<\/span><\/p>\n