Creating a content schedule doesn’t have to be super difficult or overwhelming. You can start slow and build on your efforts as you get used to each new platform you use while creating systems that make it easier. To make a workable content schedule follow these steps.
Understand Your Sales Cycle
How often do you plan to launch new products or services? This is an important factor in determining how much content you should create and when you should publish it. If you have just one product or service then you’ll be able to create an entirely different type of calendar than someone who continuously launches new products.
Know the Platforms You’re Using
Each platform you use has different content publishing preferences. For example, on Twitter, you will want to share things more often and repeatedly than you will on Facebook. Although, due to Facebook changing their algorithm where you cannot get to your entire audience every post you can post the same information more than once there too. Look for analytics on the platform that will tell you the best times and frequency to post.
Identify Your Audience
Of course, you should know your audience before creating any content but you should think of your audience as you create your schedule. That way you will understand their tolerance for content. You’re better off creating more content than less but some audiences will not be tolerant of being sold to several times a day. You may need to test it out to find out what happens.
Determine Your Topics
When you know that information you’ll want to choose the topics that you’ll create content for based on your launch schedule. If you only have one product then the best thing to do is start from the beginning and work on creating pillar content from which all the rest is derived.
Schedule Publishing, Due Dates & Promotion
When you determine a topic go ahead and schedule due dates for research, creation, outsourcing, publication, and promotion. Each day is look at your calendar to find out what you need to do that day. Make sure to build in time for outsourcing, you can’t do everything. Be realistic when you schedule to ensure that you really can meet your goals.
Track & Tweak
Nothing is ever complete until the tracking and tweaking is done. Once you’ve published give the content some time to start getting results then look at your analytics. When you notice anything amiss you can correct it on the fly. Maybe you need to tweak the headline or the images to get a better response.
When you create your content schedule if you’ve ensured that the goals you’ve created are realistic you shouldn’t have much problem reaching your goals with content marketing. Use a spreadsheet and a good naming convention to keep track. Remember to utilize cloud storage so that you never lose all your hard work.
Over the next 30 days, we will be talking exclusively about quarterly planning to maximize your productivity by learning the core values and habits needed for success.
Reaching your productivity goals requires understanding, harnessing, acquiring, and juggling many different ideas, concepts, and skills. Throughout this report, you will learn the core values and habits needed for success, what everyday habits to avoid and how a straightforward change in your plans can maximize your productivity.
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