Creating a social media calendar makes it easier to turn your strategy into a detailed schedule. The best part is that you can create or download a calendar using a wide variety of tools, such as Hootsuite, Google Sheets, Trello, Edgar, and many other options.

A paper calendar is a traditional option but working with a digital calendar allows you to access it easily from any internet connection and allows easier editing. However, those who prefer the physical feel of a paper calendar can achieve the same results of a digital calendar. The key is actually USING the calendar itself, not so much the format.

In this video, I go over some popular calendar options, pros and cons, and what I personally use in my own business to help you choose the best option for your business.

Creating a social media calendar makes it easier to turn your strategy into a detailed schedule. The best part is that you can create or download a calendar using a wide variety of tools, such as Google Drive, Evernote, Google Sheets, Excel, Trello, and Hootsuite. Today’s video is about helping you choose the right social media calendar to help your business boom.

A paper calendar is a traditional option but working with a digital calendar allows you to access it easily from any internet connection and allows easier editing. However, those who prefer the physical feel of a paper calendar can achieve the same results as a digital calendar. The key is actually USING the calendar itself, not so much the format.

Let’s go over three popular calendar options:

First is the Hootsuite Planner, a practical calendar tool for your solopreneur social media planning. It provides a convenient way to schedule the posts by publishing content directly from the calendar. Furthermore, the planner provides a visual overview of your content and links.

On their website, they have plans starting at $29 a month but I was able to login to my old free account so you can always try that first and play with it before committing to a paid plan. I’m including links to the website and the ‘how to use the planner’ video below.

Trello offers a simple interface that enables you to add relevant notes, links, and files to your calendar. It comes with a calendar view add-on designed to make your planning simpler. This tool is ideal for coaches or solopreneurs who are just starting out because it has basic features.

Google Sheets, on the other hand, is the right option if you are looking for a dynamic tool that can grow and change. However, it lacks visual appeal and you may need extra time to set up a planner if you’re new to this platform.

I’m adding a link to a free Google Sheets editorial calendar template below, so that should help you get started.

Of course, outsourcing this task to a virtual assistant or social media manager is another option so you can free up more time to create your content and develop your next product.

I have a Systems Sunday video that goes over how to outsource the right way as well as automation tools so I’ll include that link below as well.

Edgar is the social media queue that never runs out because it creates a database of your posts. This is what I use. I set up the calendar, categories, then it sends items out according to my schedule. Let me repeat, it never runs out. With other programs you have to keep uploading posts every few months or so, queue them up, then remember what you loaded and when. With Edgar, you don’t have that problem.

I did a behind-the-scenes video a few years ago that shows how the program works. They’ve made some changes to the program, such as adapting to changes in Facebook and Twitter posting, but what I love is that it now posts to Pinterest (yay!). I’ll link to the video below.

There is also a “do it yourself” option.

As you develop your social media strategies and content plan, you’ll notice a need for a social media planner that meets specific needs and helps you plan your content easily. A basic calendar tool can handle your planning and scheduling but be prepared to customize your planner as you see fit. A planner that makes sense to you and has all the features listed in one place will be the best tool for your business.

If you do a quick online search, you’ll find hundreds of “social media calendar templates.” The most common seems to be a month-at-a-glance, with color codes for the different social media outlets. One glance lets you see what platform is posting what specific content.

The ideal template is one that you will use. Some prefer spreadsheets, which allow you to create a new tab for the week or month so you can prepare your editorial schedule more efficiently. Downloading a template eliminates the need to start from scratch, thus saving you valuable time. On the other hand, creating your template makes it easier to customize the calendar to suit specific needs. Your calendar will look different from others because of those different needs.

For many solopreneurs who use social media calendars, the easier plan is to schedule your broad topic calendar for several months in advance. Once the broad topics are laid out, you can go back to the monthly calendar and plan specific posts for those topics.

It helps to map out your educational and promotional posts together so there’s an even balance. Too many promotional posts will seem like you’re spamming your followers. High-quality content and actionable advice are what will keep those followers flocking to you.

Catch up on other episodes + resources mentioned in the video:

• [Video] How to squeeze the most out of your social media moving forward
• [Video] Choosing Crave-Worthy Content Themes
• [Video] How to use time-sensitive subjects, trends, and holidays to create major buzz and build a rock-solid brand
• [Video] How to plug in promotional content the right way to capture attention, drive interest, and produce sales
• Hootsuite and How to Use the Hootsuite Planner
• Trello Calendar
• Google Sheets Editorial Calendar Template
• [Video] Outsourcing Your Social Media
• Edgar and Behind the Scenes Video Tour of Edgar

Did you enjoy this episode and want to put it into action? Grab this kit!