Plan for Success: Why Your Brand Needs a Marketing Calendar
Planning and Organization Go a Long Way!
Recent years have seen a revolution in digital publishing, triggered by advances in technology that have made distribution of content easier and more cost-effective than could be imagined only a few short decades ago. It’s no surprise, then, to see more brands investing in content creation, as content marketing emerges as a top strategy for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes.
But great content is just the beginning. To optimize results with content marketing, planning and organization are essential. Think of a football team – the roster might be stacked with natural talent at every position, but the team won’t go very far without a playbook. The same holds true for content marketing. Even if you’ve got terrific content ready to go, you can’t just execute a winning content marketing strategy on the fly. You’ve got to think ahead and have a plan.
This is where a marketing calendar comes in. Not familiar with the term? It’s pretty much what it sounds like – a calendar-based system that helps you outline, structure, and plan your upcoming content. Think of it as the “playbook” for your brand’s marketing efforts, the overarching strategy that allows you to be proactive instead of reactive when posting new content. From blog updates, to email newsletters, videos or social media posts, any type of content you publish on a regular basis should go into your marketing calendar.
Why is a marketing calendar so essential to a successful content marketing strategy?
You Can Plan with a Purpose
Structuring content updates around holidays, special events, or major promotions, is key for continuity and information delivery… and making sure you aren’t missing anything!
You’ll Get a Big-Picture View
Your content strategy evolves over a given time frame, and your calendar makes it easier to plan out consistent and diverse updates.
You Have Time to Review and Proofread Content
Correct mistakes before they go live, so you can avoid embarrassing slip-ups that might reflect poorly on your brand.
So, how far in advance should you plan? Most marketing pros will suggest a monthly calendar; it’s a happy medium that gives sufficient time to plan ahead, while leaving a certain amount of flexibility to respond to changing plans, unforeseen events, or shifts in the market. Here at Rosie’s Creative, we typically plan content on a monthly basis, but each client is different. Depending on your needs and objectives, you might prefer to plan several months ahead, or you may want a biweekly or even weekly calendar.
Are you ready to step up your brand’s marketing efforts with a new and improved game plan for 2020? Contact us at Rosie’s Creative. Our custom-tailored marketing process takes your goals and budget into consideration to design a strategy intended to boost your brand visibility while optimizing your resources.
Want to learn more? Contact us at Rosie’s Creative. We’ll put our heads together to devise a strategy that works for you and your business. Want to learn more? Contact us today – your first consultation is always free!