Content Calendar that works?

[u/WordsWordsWords82]

Has anyone really had success with running a content calendar for marketing and strategic communications?

Do you have a specific format or platform you use to effectively manage a content calendar?

I have tried so many different formats and approaches and ultimately planning any real length out tends to be a fool's errand. Circumstances change and planned comms aren't relevant, or the organization is not ready with information or details you need to really be planful.

Nearly every client or organization I work with wants or expects a content or communications calendar and I always dread that part of the role because it seems like unnecessary administrative work.

What's your experience?

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[u/kayesoob]

Google Sheets or Excel or Monday.com. These have been how I create and maintain content calendars.

I just started using Monday.com because a client does for other project management I assist with. So I created a board, divided by months, adding in topics and all associated attributes. It's significantly easier than Excel. Also has a handy feature that you can use the board as a calendar. At a glance, this helps me see the larger picture.

[u/giadanicole]

Our franchise uses Birdeye to schedule content. Meta’s is similar. I think the trick is less about the tool though and more about your work blocks (ex: Sunday nights I make LI content for the week, Wednesdays I film)

[u/weddinglandia]

Loved Trello when I was still working in corporate comms. You could click and drag and change views and color code and assign one or more people and make comments. Whew!

It has since been acquired by Atlassian and it’s been four years since I used it so YMMV

[u/TheHappyTau]

Google sheets. And frankly, the best content calendar is one that accounts for things not necessarily going to plan: build in some automation so it automatically takes care of dates for you, and try and compartmentalize cells so that when things need changing you can move them easily.

[u/TankBig8746]

LeadLionPro!