When it comes to keeping on top of your marketing tasks, a lot of small business owners end up struggling to know what exactly they need to do and when. Because, the reality is, your list of things to do is a) a mile long and b) probably spread across your calendar, emails to yourself, notes on your phone, a project management system, and (let's be real) random pieces of paper you aren't super confident you know where they got left. And, while that is typical for someone who is pouring everything into their business and busting it to make it work, it doesn't actually have to be that way—at least not 100% that way.

One of the keys to finally feeling like you're crushing the marketing game (over it crushing you) is to have a calendar that's dedicated to it. From something to organize your social media tasks and email newsletters to your blogging schedule and events, of course it's easier to check things off when you see them coming. So today, we wanted to dive into one very important calendar you should be keeping—a content calendar. What is a content calendar and how can it help you grow your business? Read on to find out!

What is a content calendar

A content calendar is a great way to keep track of your content (blogs, newsletters, social media posts, videos, case studies, etc.) and make sure everything you're putting out there is organized, planned, and thought through. It's basically a tool that helps you plan what kind of content you want to create and when it should be released. When done right, it can help you create consistency in the type of content you are creating, how often as well as organizing things in a way that helps you achieve your goals (read: make money).

Content calendars are an important part of any effective marketing plan because they help you execute your plan. By taking the time to map out what type of content you are creating, which topics you will be covering, and when they should go live, it allows you to have more control over your every day and ensure that your content is seen by the right people at the right time (think: based on seasonality or as it relates to a campaign you are planning). Plus, it helps you stay on top of deadlines, keep track of what has gone out and when, and get a better idea of what kind of content resonates with your audience—so you can do more of that!

How to create a content calendar

Creating a content calendar doesn't have to be complicated; in fact, it can be as simple or detailed as you'd like. The most important thing is that you have one and use it consistently, which means setting up the calendar correctly from the start is key.

Step 1 - Know your marketing channels

The first step is to decide what channels you will be using to create content—which means it's best to have created your marketing strategy first. And, trust us, we know the thought of putting together a strategy has intimidated you for a long time, but making it as easy as answering a few questions is exactly what we do! Simply start your free trial, complete our marketing strategy questionnaire, and Enji does the hard work for you (or magic if you want to think of it that way). You'll have a marketing strategy customized to your business in minutes—including a list of the marketing channels you should be using and creating content for.

Step 2 - Decide what type of content you'll create

Once you know which channels you are going to use to market your small business, it's time to decide what type of content you'll be creating. And, if we can cut right to the chase, our best advice is to focus on the content that is easiest for you to create on your own. Because, if you area terrible writer, it's not likely that you're going to really commit to writing blog posts on a regular basis. But, if you are comfortable being on camera, maybe doing Instagram reels or TikTok videos is your thing! The other thing that's important to think about is what type of content makes sense for your marketing channels—so let these two factors be your guide.

Not sure what types of content you have to play with? Here is a list to help get the wheels spinning:

• Blog articles
• Email newsletters
• Case studies
• eBooks
• Templates
• Lead magnets (a.k.a freebies)
• Webinars
• YouTube videos or YouTube shorts
• Instagram posts, stories, reels, and lives
• Facebook posts, stories, and lives
• Twitter posts
• Linkedin posts
• Podcasts

Step 3 - Set a pace and put it in a calendar

Now that you're at the point where you know what marketing channels you are going to use as well as what type of content you are going to create, the last step is to set a pace and put these tasks in a content calendar! The pacing you pick is entirely up to you—but we recommend picking apace you can actually commit to. Sure, creating a reel every day or publishing a blog post every week looks great on paper, but if you can’t actually make it happen, it's not the right pace to pick. What are some baseline best practices for creating content? Here are a few thoughts that apply to pretty much every small business:

• Be active on social media with new content 3-7times a week
• Publish a new blog post 1-2 times a month
• Have at least 1 evergreen (read: doesn't go out of style) lead magnet
• Go live (webinar or on social) once a month

What's left is to put your content tasks in a calendar—which is easy in Enji! Our task calendar is the perfect place to house your content calendar, and it is quick to do since you can create recurring tasks (and set the pace). Want to give it a go? Start your free trial today!

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