Example of an Editorial Calendar: A Step-by-Step Guide

An editorial calendar is an invaluable tool for managing your content strategy, whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating an effective editorial calendar using Google Docs. By following these steps, you can streamline your content creation process, ensure timely delivery, and enhance collaboration within your team.

1. Define Your Goals and Audience

Before you dive into setting up your editorial calendar, it’s crucial to define your goals and understand your target audience. Ask yourself:

What are the key objectives of your content? (e.g., drive traffic, increase engagement, boost sales)
Who are you creating content for? (e.g., demographics, interests, pain points)

Having clear goals and a well-defined audience will help you tailor your content and set relevant deadlines.

2. Set Up Your Google Docs Calendar

Google Docs offers a simple yet effective platform for creating an editorial calendar. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 2.1: Open Google Docs

Step 2.2: Create a New Document

Click on the "+ Blank" button to start a new document.

Design Your Calendar Layout

You can choose to design your editorial calendar from scratch or use a pre-made template. For simplicity, we’ll create a basic monthly calendar:

Insert a table by clicking on "Insert" > "Table" and choose a 7x6 grid.
Label the top row with the days of the week (Monday to Sunday).
Fill in the remaining cells with the dates of the month.

Step 2.4: Customize Your Calendar

Add columns or sections for additional information like content titles, authors, deadlines, and publication status. You can color-code different content types or stages for easy tracking.

3. Populate Your Calendar

Start filling in your calendar with content ideas, deadlines, and publishing dates. Here’s how:

Step 3.1: Brainstorm Content Ideas

List all the content ideas you want to cover. Categorize them into themes or series if applicable.

Step 3.2: Assign Due Dates and Authors

For each content piece, assign a due date and an author responsible for creating the content. This will help in managing workflow and ensuring accountability.

Step 3.3: Track Progress

Use your calendar to track the progress of each content piece. Update the status regularly to keep everyone informed.

4. Share and Collaborate

Google Docs allows for real-time collaboration, which is perfect for team projects. Share the document with your team members and set appropriate permissions:

Click on the "Share" button in the top-right corner.
Enter the email addresses of your team members.
Choose their permission level (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor).

5. Review and Adjust

An editorial calendar is a living document. Regularly review and adjust it based on performance, feedback, and changes in strategy:

Step 5.1: Analyze Performance

Use analytics tools to track how well your content is performing. Adjust your calendar to focus more on high-performing content types.

Step 5.2: Gather Feedback

Solicit feedback from your team and audience to make informed adjustments to your content strategy.

Step 5.3: Update Your Calendar

Make necessary updates to reflect any changes in your content plan or schedule and to print it.

FAQ

Q1: Can I use a Google Docs calendar for multiple months? A1: Yes, you can create separate tables or documents for each month or extend the current table to include multiple months.

Q2: How can I ensure my team stays on track with deadlines? A2: Regularly review the calendar during team meetings and use Google Docs’ commenting feature to discuss any delays or issues.

Q3: Are there any templates available for Google Docs editorial calendars? A3: Yes, Google Docs offers several templates that you can customize to fit your needs. You can also find various editorial calendar templates online.

Q4: How do I handle changes in the content plan? A4: Update your calendar with any new deadlines or content ideas and communicate these changes to your team promptly.