Sunglasses//Fendi (currently on sale at TheRealReal, similar styles here and here)
I generally create content surrounding fashion at The Brunette Nomad because it truly is my passion, and I love to inspire my readers when it comes to new trends, creating your ideal wardrobe, and in general a more confident you.
However, every so often I provide content about blogging – a behind the scenes view that many outside the industry don’t know exists. These posts are meant to help fellow bloggers on their journey to succeed or for those who are curious and would like a look behind the curtain of the blogging world, which is still largely a mystery to the general public.
If you would like to see the other posts in my blogger tips series click here. I’ve talked about editing my Instagram photos, why affiliate links are important, and more.
What is a Content Calendar & Why is it Important?
A content calendar is essentially a visual way to plan and organize upcoming content from blog posts, social media posts, a newsletter, and more. As your blog grows and you find yourself expanding into new avenues there are a lot of moving parts that you need to keep organized.
To be completely honest I only started creating a monthly content calendar in June because I thought I could keep all of the details in my head. I found myself working reactively rather than proactively and probably caused myself more stress than necessary.
Not only does creating a content calendar allow me to know what is coming and when, but it also ensures that I don’t miss out on some fun content ideas. For example, if I plan for major sales or #nationaldays (FYI #nationallipstickday was yesterday) it means I can take part in the fun and create better content for my audience rather than just rushing to take a photo. You don’t need that stress.
How I Create My Own Content Calendar
Step 1: Choose your platform
There are numerous content calendar platforms available from Asana to CoShedule, but I prefer to use a simpler method – Google Calendar. I am already on my blog Gmail every day so why not use a platform that is directly associated with that to make life easier.
As your blog grows you may find that you will outgrow Google Calendar and need more specialized features, especially if you have a team working with you. For the time being, I am a team of one so Google Calendar works perfectly for my workload and it’s free. You can’t beat that, right?
Step 2: Color-coding
If you have read my previous blog post on how to organize your closet from a shopaholic you will know that I love to color code. It will make your calendar look a bit neater rather than having text after text. Also, it helps you quickly identify what you are looking at and filter what you have going on for that day, week, or month.
As you add in more events it will only become more confusing and large groups of text on your calendar may stress you out more rather than realizing one may just be a reminder or a simple task. Color code my friends, it will really help!
Step 3: Content Time
Now you have to decide what is the important content you want on your calendar. I prefer to keep this strictly about my blog and any events or to-do tasks that relate directly to blogging.
For example,
-Travel Dates
-Blog Posts
-Newsletter
-Photoshoots
-Major Sales
-#Nationaldays
-Sponsorships
While it’s important to plan upcoming blog posts or content ideas, always make sure you allow for some flexibility. Blogging is a creative field and while it is a lot of hard work it should still be content that you enjoy sharing and should inspire that creative fire inside you.
Feel free to move ideas around or even scrap a few if they no longer inspire you. I always feel like your readers can tell when you wrote a blog post just to occupy space, and you don’t want to do that.
I hope this post has helped inspire you to create a content calendar if you haven’t or give those outside of the industry another little peek into some behind the scenes tasks of a blogger. Let me know in the comments below what platform you use or if you have any other tips that I could take away to improve my own content calendar!
Very helpful post! I love you shared the tips on the tools that you use to edit Instagram photos!
Author
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment on my post.
Flexibility is super important for me! I love planning and scheduling but I also like having the freedom to change if I want to. It’s definitely a creative person’s quality! Sometimes we just like to mix things up! So for me it’s really important to give myself that wiggle room 🙂
Author
I absolutely agree with you, Marielle! You have to balance planning out your content far enough in advance to be prepared but also allowing your creativity to come through. So important.
Cheers,
Cristina
I always have such high hopes for a content calendar but then never actually sit down and plan things out ahead of time. This post was so helpful and I think I might make a content calendar my August goal!
Author
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Katie! I hope you do make one. It has really helped so I wanted to share. I think it’s always best to start simple and then work from there 🙂
Very good insight. I honestly have never tried a content calendar because to your point I like it to be truly creative and off a whim (unless it’s a partnership with a deadline).
http://www.vanessarenae.com
Author
Totally understand Vanessa! I still love to have that creativity, but it helps to keep my mind less cluttered 🙂
You are so good! I just kind of wing it as I go. Wish I was that organized haha
xx, Nicole
http://www.nicolesometimes.com
Author
Thanks, Nicole! You are so sweet. I used to not be so organized, but I have found it really helps xoxo
Thanks for sharing I love the idea of keeping this calendar to keep thoughts organized espcially since I have to little ones I’l need to stay organized. #scsister.
Author
Thanks for your comment, Cindy! I am now loving content calendars and wanted to share that with others. Have a great day 🙂
I needed something like this- I have a hard time sometimes because I I do food, fashion and travel so it gets crazy! I am saving this article!!!
Author
That makes me so happy to hear Timna! You always hope that your content helps others. Have a great day 🙂
Cheers,
Cristina
I have just recently discovered the difference having a content calendar makes in your life. I went to a blogging retreat in March and learned how to make one and it has been a life saver for me. I’m all about the color coding too!
Author
That is awesome Gwen! Happy you have jumped on the bandwagon too. It really does help 🙂
Just what I needed as I am all over the place and overwhelmed by which one I should be attacking first. I love your blog. =)
Author
Thank you, Dani! I am so happy to help you. I hope you have a great day 🙂
I am definitely more reactive than proactive and struggle to know what to do and when. This article has given me some great resources and platforms to check out.
Thanks ms so much!
Author
Thank you so mich for reading! I am so happy to help you.It really made my day Emma 🙂
I LOVE seeing how other bloggers plan out their day. It’s seriously so interesting & helpful, esp since we all do it so differently! Not to mention, these photos are TOTALLY chic! x Shannon • www.essellesse.com
Author
It is so true! Everyone has a different way of working, which is so interesting 🙂
This is some good advice! But it’s super hard to stay consistent with it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Author
Totally understand! It has to be the right time for 🙂
Nice article great information which i will follow
Author
Great to hear that!
Color coding the closet is one of my favs but I’ve never thought about cc my calendar. Love your writing style.
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Thank you so much, Brenda! I really appreciate your comment. I think our brains really respond to color coding.
This is definitely something I struggle with. Thanks for the great suggestions. I used my Google calendar all the time. This is something I can implement.
Author
Awesome Dana! I was looking for a system that still kept me organized, but was not too complicated. I hope this inspires you 🙂
I started doing this couple of months ago. It’s a huge help. Too many ideas in my head already. Great post.
Author
I couldn’t agree more Judith! Thanks so much for reading 🙂
This is something I always wanted as a new blogger! I love planning my posts ahead and was looking for a sample plan. Very helpful post. Thank you so much! 🙂
Author
Awesome! I am so happy to help. It is all about trial and error and this one has seemed to stick 🙂
Good content. I currently just save our my blog ideas in a folder but love this more organized approach.
Author
Thank you! I’m happy I finally found a system that works for me, and I hope it inspires you 🙂
Very useful info! I’m a blogger too and to have time for writing is so hard! I’ll check your tips!
Author
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!