Content Calendar Guide: 10 Copy-Paste Templates + Planning System (2025)

What's a Content Calendar?

Why You Need a Content Calendar

How to create your content calendar

Choose your calendar tool

Simple options:, Google Calendar or Outlook for basic scheduling, Google Sheets or Excel for detailed planning - try our free Social Media Content Calendar Excel Tool with pre-built templates, Dedicated tools like SocialRails for automated posting

What to include:, Post date and time, Platform(s) for each post, Content type (image, video, text), Caption or post copy, Hashtags to use, Any links or mentions

Plan your content mix

80/20 rule: 80% helpful/entertaining content, 20% promotional content

Content types to rotate:, Educational posts (tips, how-tos), Behind-the-scenes content, User-generated content and testimonials, Industry news and trends, Product features and announcements

Launching something new? Plan buzz-worthy launch announcements with: Launch Announcement Generator, Product Launch Caption Generator, Service Launch Caption Generator, Event Launch Caption Generator

Need content ideas? Generate platform-specific content with our free tools: Facebook Content Ideas Generator, Twitter Content Ideas Generator, LinkedIn Content Ideas Generator, Pinterest Content Ideas Generator, Bluesky Content Ideas Generator, Threads Content Ideas Generator

How Often to Post

Content Calendar Best Practices

Give Each Day a Theme

Batch Your Work

Mark Important Dates

• 🎄 Holidays and seasons using our social media holiday calendar
• 🎉 Company milestones, celebrate with: Anniversary Post Generator, Follower Milestone Announcements, Achievement Announcement Generator
• 📅 Industry events
• 🛍️ Sales and launches
• #️⃣ Trending hashtag days

Leave room for spontaneous content

Reserve 20-30% of your calendar for:

• Trending topics
• Real-time engagement
• Breaking news in your industry
• User-generated content opportunities

Platform-specific calendar tips

Instagram calendar planning

Mix post types: Feed posts, Stories, Reels Visual consistency: Plan color schemes and themes Caption creation: Use our Instagram caption generator for engaging content Story highlights: Plan permanent Story categories Optimal times: Usually 11 AM, 1 PM and 7 PM, 9 PM

LinkedIn calendar planning

Professional focus: Industry insights, company updates Business hours posting: 8 AM, 10 AM and 3 PM, 5 PM Long-form content: Articles and detailed posts perform well Engagement focus: Ask questions to encourage comments

TikTok calendar planning

Trend awareness: Check trending sounds and hashtags weekly Video variety: Mix educational, entertaining, and behind-the-scenes Posting frequency: Daily posting often works best Quick turnaround: Be ready to jump on trends quickly

Common content calendar mistakes

Over-planning without flexibility

Don't schedule everything months in advance. Keep recent weeks flexible for trending topics and real-time engagement.

Ignoring analytics

Review which scheduled posts perform best and adjust your calendar strategy based on actual performance data.

Not considering time zones

If your audience spans multiple time zones, plan posting times that work for your largest audience segments.

Forgetting to engage

Scheduling posts is just the first step, plan time to respond to comments and engage with your community.

Content calendar tools and resources

Free Calendar Tools

Social Media Content Calendar Excel Tool - Complete Excel template with:

• Pre-built monthly and weekly views
• Content tracking formulas
• Platform-specific planning sheets
• Campaign integration templates

Social Media Content Calendar Excel Guide - Step-by-step tutorial for using Excel calendars effectively

Advanced Calendar Management with SocialRails

SocialRails makes content calendar management simple:

Visual calendar view, See your entire posting schedule at a glance

Drag-and-drop scheduling, Easily move posts to different dates and times

Auto-recurring posts, Set evergreen content to repost automatically

Multi-platform planning, Schedule the same content across all 9 platforms

AI content suggestions, Get ideas when you're stuck on what to post

Best time recommendations, Post when your audience is most active

Real Content Calendar Examples (By Industry)

E-commerce Brand - Weekly Calendar Example

Monday: Product showcase + customer review

• 📸 Instagram: New arrival flat lay photo
• 📌 Pinterest: Product styling board
• Caption: "New in: [Product name]. Perfect for [benefit]. Link in bio!"

Tuesday: Educational content

• 📱 TikTok: How-to video using your product
• 🐦 Twitter: Quick tip related to your niche
• Caption: "Pro tip: Here's how to get the most out of [product]"

Wednesday: Behind-the-scenes

• 📷 Instagram Stories: Packing orders, team at work
• 👔 LinkedIn: Company culture post
• Caption: "A day in the life at [Brand]. Meet [team member]!"

Thursday: User-generated content

• 📸 Instagram: Repost customer photo (with permission)
• 📘 Facebook: Customer testimonial
• Caption: "We love seeing you rock our [product]! 📸 by @customer"

Friday: Fun/Entertainment

• 🎬 Instagram Reels: Trending audio with product
• 🎵 TikTok: Fun, relatable content
• Caption: "When you finally [relatable situation] 😂"

Saturday: Inspiration/Lifestyle

• 📌 Pinterest: Lifestyle imagery
• 📸 Instagram: Aspirational content
• Caption: "Weekend vibes ✨ [lifestyle related to your brand]"

Sunday: Community engagement

• 💬 Instagram Stories: Polls, questions, quizzes
• 🐦 Twitter: Conversation starter
• Caption: "Sunday question: What's your [relevant question]?"

Service Business - Monthly Theme Example

Week 1: Educational content

• Blog post: Industry how-to guide
• Instagram carousel: Step-by-step tutorial
• LinkedIn article: Professional insights
• Twitter thread: Quick tips

Week 2: Social proof

• Client testimonials across all platforms
• Before/after case studies
• Success story highlight
• Review roundup

Week 3: Behind-the-scenes

• Team spotlights
• Process videos
• Office/workspace tours
• Day-in-the-life content

Week 4: Promotional

• Service highlight
• Limited-time offer
• New service announcement
• Free consultation CTA

Content Creator - Daily Posting Schedule

9 AM: Main content piece

• YouTube video OR
• Blog post OR
• Podcast episode

12 PM: Engagement post

• Instagram Story asking questions
• Twitter poll
• LinkedIn discussion starter

3 PM: Value-add content

• Quick tip on Instagram
• Thread on Twitter
• Mini-tutorial on TikTok

7 PM: Community interaction

• Respond to all comments
• Engage with similar creators
• Share others' content
• DM replies

Content Calendar Template (Copy & Use)

Simple Weekly Planning Template

MONDAY [Date]:
Platform: _______
Content Type: _______
Topic: _______
Hook/Opening: _______
CTA: _______
Hashtags: _______
Posted: ☐ Time: _____

TUESDAY [Date]:
[Same fields...]

Monthly Content Themes

January: New year goals, planning, fresh starts February: Love, relationships, community March: Spring cleaning, renewal, growth April: Earth Day, sustainability, outdoor activities May: Mental health awareness, self-care, wellness June: Pride, summer, vacation planning July: Independence, freedom, celebration August: Back to school, preparation, learning September: Fall transitions, cozy content, productivity October: Halloween, creativity, spooky season November: Gratitude, Thanksgiving, giving back December: Holidays, reflection, year-end

Content Types to Rotate

Educational (40% of calendar):

• How-to guides
• Tips and tricks
• Industry insights
• Tutorials
• Explainer videos

Entertaining (30% of calendar):

• Memes and humor
• Behind-the-scenes
• Relatable content
• Trending audio/challenges
• Day-in-the-life

Promotional (20% of calendar):

• Product highlights
• Service offers
• Announcements
• Sales and deals
• Lead magnets

Engagement (10% of calendar):

• Polls and questions
• Contests and giveaways
• User-generated content
• Community spotlights
• Interactive stories

Measuring calendar success

Track consistency metrics

Posting frequency: Are you maintaining your planned schedule?

• Track: Posts scheduled vs posts published
• Goal: 95%+ consistency rate
• Tool: Social media management software analytics

Engagement consistency: Do scheduled posts perform as well as spontaneous ones?

• Track: Average engagement rate by week
• Goal: Less than 20% variance week-to-week
• Tool: Platform analytics

Follower growth: Is consistent posting leading to audience growth?

• Track: Weekly follower count
• Goal: Steady upward trend
• Tool: Social media insights

Analyze content performance

Best performing post types from your calendar

• Review top 10 posts monthly
• Identify common elements (format, topic, time)
• Document what works in a swipe file

Optimal posting times based on actual engagement

• Test different times for 30 days
• Compare engagement rates
• Update calendar with best times

Content themes that resonate most with your audience

• Tag posts by theme in your calendar
• Compare theme performance quarterly
• Double down on winning themes

Adjust your strategy monthly

Review your calendar performance and adjust:

• Posting frequency: Based on engagement patterns and bandwidth
• Content mix: Based on what performs best (more of what works)
• Posting times: Based on audience activity data
• Platform priority: Focus on platforms driving best results
• Content themes: Expand winning themes, reduce poor performers

10 Ready-to-Use Content Calendar Templates

Template 1: Small Business Weekly Social Media Calendar

Copy this template and fill in your details:

WEEK OF: [Date Range]
GOAL: [Engagement/Sales/Awareness]
HASHTAG SET: #[primary] #[secondary] #[niche] #[location]

MONDAY - Educational
☐ Instagram (10 AM)
  Content: [Tip/How-to related to your business]
  Caption: "Here's what most people don't know about [topic]..."
  Visual: [Infographic/Carousel]

☐ LinkedIn (9 AM)
  Content: [Industry insight or professional tip]
  Caption: "After [X years] in [industry], here's what I've learned..."
  Visual: [Professional image]

TUESDAY - Behind-the-Scenes
☐ Instagram Stories (12 PM)
  Content: [Process/Team/Workspace]
  Caption: "A day in the life at [Business Name]"
  Stickers: Poll/Question

☐ Facebook (2 PM)
  Content: [Team spotlight or process video]
  Caption: "Meet [Team Member] who makes [what they do] possible!"
  Visual: [Candid photo/short video]

WEDNESDAY - Value/Entertainment
☐ TikTok (7 PM)
  Content: [Trending sound + your niche]
  Caption: "[Relatable hook about your industry]"
  Hashtags: #fyp + 4 niche tags

☐ Twitter (11 AM)
  Content: [Quick tip or industry observation]
  Caption: "Hot take: [Your opinion] 🔥"
  Format: Thread if needed

THURSDAY - User-Generated Content/Social Proof
☐ Instagram Feed (1 PM)
  Content: [Customer photo/testimonial]
  Caption: "We love seeing [what they're doing]! 📸 by @[customer]"
  Action: Get permission, tag customer

☐ Facebook (3 PM)
  Content: [Review or success story]
  Caption: "This made our week ❤️ [Brief testimonial]"
  Visual: [Screenshot or customer image]

FRIDAY - Fun/Engaging
☐ Instagram Reels (5 PM)
  Content: [Trending audio with business twist]
  Caption: "When [relatable work situation] 😂"
  Hashtags: 5 trending + 5 niche

☐ LinkedIn (10 AM)
  Content: [Week in review or Friday inspiration]
  Caption: "Wrapping up the week with [accomplishment/lesson]"
  Format: Text + image carousel

SATURDAY - Lifestyle/Inspiration
☐ Instagram (11 AM)
  Content: [Lifestyle content related to your brand]
  Caption: "Weekend mood: [relevant to your audience] ✨"
  Visual: [Aspirational photo]

☐ Pinterest (9 AM)
  Content: [3 pins to relevant boards]
  Types: Product pin, blog pin, inspiration pin

SUNDAY - Community/Planning
☐ Instagram Stories (6 PM)
  Content: [Polls, questions, quizzes about next week]
  Caption: "Help us plan next week! What do you want to see?"
  Stickers: Multiple choice, question box

☐ Prep Monday's content: [Done ☐]

Template 2: E-Commerce Brand Content Calendar (Product-Focused)

MONTH: [Month Name]
SALES GOALS: [Revenue target]
PRODUCT FOCUS: [Featured product/collection]
PROMO PERIODS: [List any sales/launches]

WEEK 1: Product Launch Week
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MON: Teaser Post                                        │
│ Platform: Instagram + Stories                           │
│ Content: "Something exciting drops Wednesday... 👀"      │
│ Visual: Blurred product image                           │
│ Goal: Build anticipation                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TUE: Behind-the-Scenes                                  │
│ Platform: TikTok + Instagram Reels                      │
│ Content: Product creation/sourcing process              │
│ Hook: "How we make [product] from scratch"              │
│ Goal: Build trust and interest                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ WED: LAUNCH DAY                                         │
│ Platform: ALL (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok)    │
│ Content: Professional product photos + video            │
│ Caption: "IT'S HERE! Meet [product name]..."            │
│ CTA: "Link in bio - limited quantities!"                │
│ Time: 10 AM + 6 PM posts                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ THU: Social Proof                                       │
│ Platform: Instagram Stories + Feed                      │
│ Content: Early customer unboxing videos/photos          │
│ Caption: "Already loving these reactions! 😍"           │
│ Reshare: Customer stories (with permission)             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ FRI: How-To Content                                     │
│ Platform: TikTok + Instagram Reels                      │
│ Content: "[X] ways to style/use [product]"              │
│ Format: Quick transitions, trending audio               │
│ CTA: "Get yours while they last!"                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SAT: Lifestyle/Aspiration                               │
│ Platform: Instagram Feed + Pinterest                    │
│ Content: Product in aspirational setting                │
│ Caption: "Weekend essentials ✨"                         │
│ Vibe: Lifestyle not salesy                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SUN: Last Call                                          │
│ Platform: Instagram Stories (every 4 hours)             │
│ Content: "Running low!" / stock updates                 │
│ Features: Countdown sticker, "swipe up" CTA             │
│ Goal: Create urgency                                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

WEEK 2: Social Proof & Retention
[Similar format focusing on customer photos, reviews, styling tips]

WEEK 3: Educational & Community
[Focus on how-to content, user-generated content, engagement]

WEEK 4: Evergreen & Promotional
[Mix of bestsellers, customer favorites, and preparing next launch]

Template 3: Service Business Monthly Content Themes Calendar

QUARTER: Q[#] [Year]
BUSINESS GOAL: [New clients/Brand awareness/Retention]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [Primary customer persona]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

MONTH 1: EDUCATION & AUTHORITY
Theme: Position as expert

Week 1: Common Mistakes Series
├─ Mon: "5 mistakes people make with [your service]"
├─ Wed: "Why [common belief] is actually wrong"
├─ Fri: "What industry pros wish you knew"

Week 2: How-To Series
├─ Mon: Step-by-step tutorial (carousel/video)
├─ Wed: Tool/resource recommendations
├─ Fri: FAQ answers from real questions

Week 3: Case Study Week
├─ Mon: Client spotlight + before/after
├─ Wed: Problem → Solution → Results format
├─ Fri: Testimonial deep dive with metrics

Week 4: Behind-the-Process
├─ Mon: "How we [deliver your service]"
├─ Wed: Team introduction + expertise
├─ Fri: Quality control / What makes you different

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

MONTH 2: ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY
Theme: Two-way conversations

Week 1: Question & Answer
├─ Mon: "Ask me anything about [your field]"
├─ Wed: Answer top 3 questions (video)
├─ Fri: Poll: "What content do you want next?"

Week 2: Interactive Content
├─ Mon: "This or that" comparison
├─ Wed: Fill-in-the-blank post
├─ Fri: Caption contest or challenge

Week 3: User-Generated Content
├─ Mon: Customer success story
├─ Wed: Repost customer content (with credit)
├─ Fri: "Tag us" campaign kickoff

Week 4: Real Talk
├─ Mon: Industry rant or hot take
├─ Wed: Lessons learned from failure
├─ Fri: Unpopular opinion (relevant to your niche)

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

MONTH 3: CONVERSION & GROWTH
Theme: Soft sells and offers

Week 1: Value Demonstration
├─ Mon: Free resource download
├─ Wed: Quick win your audience can implement
├─ Fri: Mini-training or workshop announcement

Week 2: Overcome Objections
├─ Mon: "Do you really need [your service]?" (address doubts)
├─ Wed: ROI breakdown / Cost vs value
├─ Fri: Payment plans / Making it accessible

Week 3: Limited Offer
├─ Mon: Announce special offer
├─ Wed: FAQ about offer + testimonials
├─ Fri: Last call + success stories

Week 4: Onboarding & Nurture
├─ Mon: Welcome new clients publicly
├─ Wed: What to expect when working with us
├─ Fri: Prepare for next month's theme

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

QUARTERLY CONTENT MIX BREAKDOWN:
[  ] 45% Educational (Tips, how-tos, expertise)
[  ] 25% Social proof (Reviews, case studies, results)
[  ] 15% Behind-the-scenes (Team, process, culture)
[  ] 10% Promotional (Services, offers, CTAs)
[  ] 5% Entertainment (Memes, fun, relatable)

MONTHLY REVIEW CHECKLIST:
[  ] Which posts got highest engagement?
[  ] Did we maintain posting consistency?
[  ] How many leads/inquiries came from social?
[  ] What should we do more/less of next month?

Template 4: Content Creator Daily Posting Schedule

CREATOR: [Your name/brand]
NICHE: [Your content focus]
MAIN PLATFORM: [Primary platform]
MONTHLY GOAL: [Followers/Views/Revenue]

┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━ DAILY ROUTINE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓

6:00 AM - MORNING PREP
[  ] Check overnight comments/DMs
[  ] Review trending topics in niche
[  ] Confirm today's content lineup

8:00 AM - MAIN CONTENT DROP
Platform: [YouTube/Blog/Podcast]
Type: [Long-form content]
Title: "[Keyword-optimized title]"
Thumbnail: [Brand-consistent design]
Cross-post: [Teasers to other platforms]
Action: [Pin top comment, respond to first 10]

10:00 AM - INSTAGRAM CAROUSEL
Topic: [Break down main content into tips]
Format: 10 slides
Slide 1: Hook "[Attention-grabbing statement]"
Slides 2-9: Tips/Steps
Slide 10: CTA "Save this + follow for more"
Caption: [First line = hook, then value, then CTA]
Hashtags: 10 niche + 5 broader

12:00 PM - TWITTER/X THREAD
Hook: "[Controversial/Interesting take]"
Format: 8-12 tweets
Structure:
├─ Tweet 1: Hook + promise
├─ Tweets 2-10: Numbered points
└─ Final: CTA to main content
Action: Pin thread, engage with replies for 30 min

2:00 PM - INSTAGRAM STORIES
Series of 5-7 stories:
├─ Reminder about morning post
├─ Behind-the-scenes moment
├─ Quick tip (text on colored background)
├─ Poll or question to audience
├─ Reshare follower content
├─ Link to today's main content
└─ "See you tomorrow!" + tomorrow's teaser

5:00 PM - TIKTOK/REELS
Concept: [Trending format + your niche spin]
Audio: [Trending sound OR original]
Hook (first 3 sec): "[Stop-scroll statement]"
Middle: [Deliver value/entertainment]
End: [CTA] "Follow for [specific promise]"
Caption: [Question to encourage comments]
Post to: TikTok + Instagram Reels + YouTube Shorts

7:00 PM - ENGAGEMENT HOUR
[  ] Respond to all comments from today
[  ] Engage with 20 creators in your niche
[  ] Reply to relevant DMs
[  ] Save high-performing content ideas

9:00 PM - LINKEDIN POST (If B2B)
Format: [Text-based thought leadership]
Structure:
├─ Hook (one line)
├─ Story or observation (3-5 paragraphs)
├─ Lesson learned
└─ Question for engagement
Image: [Simple, professional]

10:00 PM - PLAN TOMORROW
[  ] Content idea confirmed
[  ] Assets prepared (filmed/designed)
[  ] Captions drafted
[  ] Posting times scheduled

┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛

WEEKLY CONTENT PILLARS:
Monday: [Educational/Tutorial]
Tuesday: [Personal story/Behind-the-scenes]
Wednesday: [Industry news/Hot take]
Thursday: [Collaboration/Feature others]
Friday: [Fun/Entertainment/Lighter content]
Saturday: [Evergreen tip/Compilation]
Sunday: [Community/Q&A/Planning]

CONTENT BATCHING SCHEDULE:
Sunday: Film 3-5 main pieces for the week
Monday: Write all captions and scripts
Tuesday: Edit videos and design graphics
Wed-Fri: Post and engage
Saturday: Review analytics and plan next week

Template 5: Multi-Platform Cross-Posting Calendar

CAMPAIGN: [Campaign name]
DURATION: [Start date] - [End date]
CORE MESSAGE: [One sentence main message]
GOAL: [Specific measurable outcome]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

CONTENT PIECE: [Title of main content]
Created: [Date]
Format: [Blog/Video/Podcast/Infographic]
URL: [Link]

PLATFORM ADAPTATIONS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ INSTAGRAM FEED                                          │
│ Format: Carousel (10 slides)                            │
│ Caption: [First 2 lines]                                │
│ "[Hook that stops scrolling]                            │
│  Here's what you need to know...                        │
│  [3-4 paragraphs value]                                 │
│  [CTA: Double tap if this resonates]"                   │
│ Hashtags: [10-15 relevant tags]                         │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Created [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ INSTAGRAM STORIES                                       │
│ Series: 7 stories                                       │
│ Story 1: Hook + "Swipe for full breakdown"              │
│ Stories 2-6: Key points (one per story)                 │
│ Story 7: "Full details in bio link"                     │
│ Stickers: Poll on story 3, Question box on story 7      │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Created [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ INSTAGRAM REELS                                         │
│ Format: 30-60 second video                              │
│ Hook: "[Attention-grabbing first 3 seconds]"            │
│ Body: Quick tips with text overlays                     │
│ End: "Save this + follow for more"                      │
│ Audio: [Trending sound name]                            │
│ Caption: "[One-liner + CTA to check bio]"               │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Filmed [ ] Edited [ ] Posted                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TIKTOK                                                  │
│ Format: 15-60 second video                              │
│ Hook: "[Pattern interrupt]"                             │
│ Style: [Educational/Entertaining/Storytelling]          │
│ On-screen text: [Key points appear as you talk]         │
│ Caption: "[Make them want to comment]"                  │
│ Hashtags: #fyp + [niche tags]                           │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Filmed [ ] Edited [ ] Posted                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TWITTER/X                                               │
│ Format: Thread (8-12 tweets)                            │
│ Tweet 1: "[Hook + promise] 🧵"                          │
│ Tweets 2-10: [Numbered points, one per tweet]           │
│ Tweet 11: "If this was helpful:                         │
│             - Retweet the first tweet                   │
│             - Follow me for more [topic]"               │
│ Tweet 12: "Full breakdown: [link]"                      │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Written [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ LINKEDIN                                                │
│ Format: Text post with carousel                         │
│ Opening: "[Professional hook]"                          │
│ Body: [Story/observation in 4-6 paragraphs]             │
│ Lesson: [Key takeaway]                                  │
│ Close: "[Question for engagement]"                      │
│ Carousel: [Main points as slides]                       │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Written [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ FACEBOOK                                                │
│ Format: Link post with native video                     │
│ Text: [First line hook + 2-3 paragraphs]                │
│ Media: [Native upload + link in first comment]          │
│ Type: [Educational/Entertaining/Inspiring]              │
│ CTA: "[Specific action]"                                │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Created [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PINTEREST                                               │
│ Format: 3 pin variations                                │
│ Design 1: [Vertical infographic, 1000x1500px]           │
│ Design 2: [Text-heavy, different color scheme]          │
│ Design 3: [Photo-based with overlay]                    │
│ Title: "[Keyword-rich title under 100 chars]"           │
│ Description: "[Full SEO description]"                   │
│ Boards: [List 5 relevant boards]                        │
│ Best time: [Day] at [Time]                              │
│ Status: [ ] Designed [ ] Scheduled [ ] Posted           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

CROSS-PROMOTION STRATEGY:
Day 1: Instagram Feed + Stories
Day 2: TikTok + Instagram Reels
Day 3: Twitter Thread + LinkedIn
Day 4: Facebook + Pinterest
Day 5: Email newsletter with all social links
Day 6-7: Reshare top performer

ENGAGEMENT PLAN:
[  ] Respond to comments within 1 hour
[  ] Save best comments for future content ideas
[  ] Reshare user reactions (with permission)
[  ] Track which platform drives most link clicks

Template 6: Holiday/Event Campaign Calendar

EVENT: [Holiday/Launch/Sale Name]
DATE: [Event date]
PREP START: [4-6 weeks before]
POST-EVENT: [2 weeks after]

══════════════ CAMPAIGN TIMELINE ══════════════

4 WEEKS BEFORE (Awareness Phase)
Week 1: Soft Teases
├─ Mon: "Big things coming next month... 👀"
├─ Wed: Related educational content
├─ Fri: Behind-the-scenes of prep
└─ Actions: Build email list, gauge interest

3 WEEKS BEFORE (Interest Phase)
Week 2: Value Building
├─ Mon: "Why [event/sale] matters to you"
├─ Wed: Customer testimonial from last year
├─ Fri: Sneak peek #1 (partial reveal)
└─ Actions: Create FAQ content, prep assets

2 WEEKS BEFORE (Desire Phase)
Week 3: Details Revealed
├─ Mon: FULL ANNOUNCEMENT with all details
├─ Tue: "Mark your calendar" reminder
├─ Wed: FAQ video or carousel
├─ Thu: Early bird/VIP opportunity
├─ Fri: "2 weeks away" countdown begins
└─ Actions: Start countdown, daily Stories

1 WEEK BEFORE (Action Phase)
Week 4: Urgency Building
├─ Daily countdown posts (all platforms)
├─ Daily Stories: Different angle each day
│   ├─ Mon: What to expect
│   ├─ Tue: How to prepare
│   ├─ Wed: Customer excitement
│   ├─ Thu: Last-minute details
│   ├─ Fri: "Tomorrow!" final push
└─ Actions: Respond to ALL comments/DMs

EVENT DAY
Hour-by-hour plan:
├─ 12:01 AM: "It's here!" post
├─ 8:00 AM: Reminder post with visuals
├─ 12:00 PM: "In case you missed it..."
├─ 3:00 PM: Social proof (early responses)
├─ 6:00 PM: "Last chance" if limited
├─ Throughout: Stories every 2-3 hours
└─ Actions: Maximum engagement, real-time updates

DAY AFTER
├─ Thank you post with user-generated content
├─ Early results/highlights
├─ "Did you miss it?" for late comers
└─ Begin post-event nurture

WEEK AFTER
├─ Mon: Success stories and results
├─ Wed: Lessons learned (behind-the-scenes)
├─ Fri: "What's next" teaser
└─ Actions: Analyze performance, document wins

═══════════════════════════════════════════════

CONTENT ASSETS NEEDED:
[  ] 15-20 feed posts
[  ] 50+ Story frames
[  ] 5-10 Reels/TikToks
[  ] 3-5 Email sequences
[  ] Landing page
[  ] Graphic templates (3 variations)
[  ] Video teasers (3 versions)
[  ] Testimonial collection
[  ] FAQ document

POSTING FREQUENCY:
Normal: [X posts/week]
4 weeks out: [X posts/week]
2 weeks out: [X+2 posts/week]
1 week out: [X+4 posts/week]
Event week: [Daily + Stories every 2-3 hours]
Post-event: [Return to normal gradually]

Template 7: Personal Brand Weekly Content System

NAME: [Your name]
BRAND PROMISE: [What you help people do]
AUDIENCE: [Who you serve]
PLATFORMS: [Your 2-3 main platforms]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

MONDAY - MOTIVATIONAL START
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Morning Post (7-9 AM)                                 │
│ Platform: Instagram + LinkedIn                        │
│ Format: Quote card OR personal photo                  │
│ Caption structure:                                    │
│  "Happy Monday! [Motivational opening]                │
│   [2-3 sentences about mindset/goals]                 │
│   [Question]: What's your goal this week?"            │
│ Goal: Start week with positive engagement             │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

TUESDAY - TEACHING TUESDAY
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Main Post (10 AM-12 PM)                               │
│ Platform: Instagram Carousel + TikTok                 │
│ Format: "[Number] ways to [solve problem]"            │
│ Structure:                                            │
│  Slide/Scene 1: Hook + problem statement              │
│  Slides/Scenes 2-6: Actionable tips                   │
│  Final: "Save this + follow for more"                 │
│ Evening Story (7 PM): "Questions about today's post?" │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

WEDNESDAY - PERSONAL STORY
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Narrative Post (12-2 PM)                              │
│ Platform: All main platforms                          │
│ Format: Long-form caption OR video                    │
│ Structure:                                            │
│  - The situation/problem you faced                    │
│  - What you tried (that didn't work)                  │
│  - The turning point                                  │
│  - The lesson learned                                 │
│  - How followers can apply it                         │
│ Goal: Build connection through vulnerability          │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

THURSDAY - THROWBACK & PROGRESS
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Transformation Post (11 AM-1 PM)                      │
│ Platform: Instagram Feed + Stories                    │
│ Format: Before/after OR then vs now                   │
│ Caption: "[Time period] ago vs today                  │
│           What changed: [3 key things]                │
│           What I learned: [insights]                  │
│           You can too: [encouragement]"               │
│ Hashtag: #TransformationThursday                      │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

FRIDAY - ENGAGEMENT & FUN
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Interactive Post (3-5 PM)                             │
│ Platform: Instagram + Twitter                         │
│ Options (rotate weekly):                              │
│  Week 1: This or that poll                            │
│  Week 2: Caption this photo contest                   │
│  Week 3: Ask me anything                              │
│  Week 4: Fill in the blank                            │
│ Goal: Lighthearted engagement before weekend          │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

SATURDAY - LIFESTYLE & RELATABLE
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Casual Post (10 AM-12 PM)                             │
│ Platform: Instagram Stories + TikTok/Reels            │
│ Format: Day-in-life OR weekend activity               │
│ Style: Casual, authentic, less polished               │
│ Purpose: Show you're human, build likability          │
│ Caption: Simple, conversational                       │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

SUNDAY - PREPARATION & PREVIEW
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Planning Post (6-8 PM)                                │
│ Platform: Instagram Stories (interactive)             │
│ Content ideas:                                        │
│  - "What content do you want next week?" (poll)       │
│  - "This week I'm focusing on [topic]"                │
│  - Preview Monday's post                              │
│  - Weekly recap: "This week we covered..."            │
│ Behind-scenes: Your content planning process          │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

DAILY NON-NEGOTIABLES:
[  ] Post main content piece
[  ] 3+ Instagram Stories
[  ] Respond to all comments within 2 hours
[  ] Engage with 20 accounts in your niche
[  ] Reply to all DMs
[  ] Track best-performing content

MONTHLY CONTENT MIX:
[  ] 40% Educational (teach your expertise)
[  ] 30% Personal (stories, behind-scenes)
[  ] 20% Motivational (quotes, inspiration)
[  ] 10% Promotional (offers, services)

CONTENT BATCHING SCHEDULE:
Sunday afternoon (2-3 hours):
[  ] Write all captions for the week
[  ] Schedule posts in advance
[  ] Prep Story templates
[  ] Note: Keep Tuesday/Friday flexible for trends

Template 8: Product Launch 30-Day Countdown Calendar

PRODUCT: [Product name]
LAUNCH DATE: [Date]
PRICE: [Price point]
GOAL: [Units to sell]

══════════════ 30-DAY COUNTDOWN ══════════════

DAYS 30-22: PROBLEM AWARENESS
Goal: Make audience realize they have a problem

Day 30: "Let me ask you something..."
└─ Post identifying pain point

Day 28: Statistical post
└─ "[X]% of people struggle with [problem]"

Day 26: Personal story
└─ "I used to struggle with [problem]"

Day 24: Survey/poll
└─ "Do you ever feel [pain point]?"

Day 22: Educational post
└─ "Why [problem] happens"

══════════════════════════════════════════════

DAYS 21-15: SOLUTION AWARENESS
Goal: Introduce that solutions exist

Day 21: "What if I told you..."
└─ Hint that solution exists

Day 19: Market alternatives
└─ "Here's what people usually try"
└─ "But here's the problem with that..."

Day 17: Different approach
└─ "There's a better way..."

Day 15: Subtle hint
└─ "We've been working on something..."

══════════════════════════════════════════════

DAYS 14-8: BUILD ANTICIPATION
Goal: Create excitement for YOUR solution

Day 14: Official teaser
└─ "In 2 weeks, everything changes"

Day 12: Behind-the-scenes
└─ Development process/creation

Day 10: Sneak peek #1
└─ Show partial product

Day 9: Customer testimonial
└─ Beta tester review

Day 8: FAQ addressing
└─ Answer expected questions

══════════════════════════════════════════════

DAYS 7-1: COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH
Goal: Build urgency and excitement

Day 7: "ONE WEEK AWAY"
└─ Full product reveal
└─ Features breakdown
└─ Pricing info (if sharing pre-launch)

Day 6: How it works
└─ Video demonstration

Day 5: Comparison chart
└─ Your product vs alternatives

Day 4: More testimonials
└─ Results/benefits

Day 3: "Almost here..."
└─ Final prep, anticipation

Day 2: "Tomorrow's the day"
└─ Launch time announcement
└─ Where to buy

Day 1: "IT'S HERE!"
└─ Multiple posts throughout day
└─ Stories every 2-3 hours
└─ Go live if possible

══════════════════════════════════════════════

DAY 0: LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE

12:01 AM: "We're live!" post
8:00 AM: Morning announcement with visuals
10:00 AM: "How to order" tutorial
12:00 PM: First customer reactions
2:00 PM: "Already [X] sold!"
4:00 PM: FAQ or troubleshooting
6:00 PM: Evening push with urgency
8:00 PM: "Last few hours of launch pricing!"
10:00 PM: Day one wrap-up

═══════════════════════════════════════════

DAYS 2-7: POST-LAUNCH
Goal: Maintain momentum

Daily: Customer spotlights and unboxings
Day 3: "In case you missed it..."
Day 5: Address common questions
Day 7: Limited time bonus expires

DAYS 8-30: SUSTAIN
Goal: Keep selling after launch

Weekly: New use cases/tips
Weekly: Customer success stories
Weekly: "Still available" reminders
End of month: Launch recap + what's next

═══════════════════════════════════════════

CONTENT TYPES TO CREATE:
[  ] 30+ feed posts (one per day minimum)
[  ] 100+ Story frames
[  ] 10+ Reels/TikToks
[  ] 5 email sequence
[  ] Landing page
[  ] FAQ document
[  ] Product photos (10+ angles)
[  ] Demo video
[  ] Testimonial graphics

Template 9: Blog/Podcast Promotion Multi-Platform Calendar

CONTENT TITLE: "[Your blog post/episode title]"
PUBLISHED: [Date]
URL: [Link]
TARGET: [Traffic/Downloads/Engagement goal]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

LAUNCH DAY (Day content goes live)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 6:00 AM - Email Newsletter                             │
│ Subject: "[Curiosity-driven subject line]"              │
│ Preview: Teaser + link                                  │
│ CTA: "Read the full post"                               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 8:00 AM - Instagram Feed Post                           │
│ Format: Carousel with key takeaways                     │
│ Slides: Hook + 5-7 main points + CTA                    │
│ Caption: Summary + "Link in bio for full post"          │
│ First comment: Direct link                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 9:00 AM - Twitter/X Thread                              │
│ Format: 10-12 tweet breakdown                           │
│ Structure: Hook → Points → Link in final tweet          │
│ Pin the thread for 24 hours                             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 10:00 AM - LinkedIn Article Share                       │
│ Format: Native post with image                          │
│ Opening: Professional hook (2-3 paragraphs)             │
│ Link: In the text (LinkedIn allows links)               │
│ Tag: Relevant connections                               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 12:00 PM - Facebook Post                                │
│ Format: Link post (image + link)                        │
│ Text: Shorter version of LinkedIn post                  │
│ Groups: Share in 3-5 relevant groups (value-first)      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 3:00 PM - Instagram Stories Series                      │
│ 5-7 stories covering main points                        │
│ Final story: Link sticker to post                       │
│ Stickers: Polls/questions for engagement                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 5:00 PM - TikTok/Reels                                  │
│ Format: "[Number] things about [topic]" teaser          │
│ Hook: Most surprising point from post                   │
│ End: "Full breakdown in bio"                            │
│ Audio: Trending sound related to your niche             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 7:00 PM - Pinterest                                     │
│ Create: 3 pin designs (different styles)                │
│ Title: SEO-optimized with keywords                      │
│ Description: Full summary with link                     │
│ Boards: Pin to 5 relevant boards                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

DAY 2-3: SECONDARY PUSH
├─ Reshare top-performing social post
├─ Quote graphics from the post (3-5 quotes)
├─ "In case you missed this..." reminder
└─ Respond to all comments, create dialogue

DAY 4-7: ENGAGEMENT CONTENT
├─ Poll: "Which tip will you try first?"
├─ Q&A: Answer questions from post
├─ Behind-the-scenes of creating the content
└─ User-generated: "Tag me if you implement this"

WEEK 2: EVERGREEN RESHARE
├─ Different angle/hook on the same content
├─ "Still getting messages about this post..."
├─ Turn into different format (video if was text)
└─ Update: "After sharing this, here's what happened..."

MONTH 2-3: RECURRING PROMOTION
└─ Monthly: Resurface as "popular post"
└─ In relevant conversations: Link naturally
└─ Email: Include in resource roundups
└─ Compile: Add to "best of" lists

QUARTER 2-4: LONG-TERM EVERGREEN
└─ Seasonal relevance: Reshare when timely
└─ Updated: Refresh and republish with new data
└─ Repurpose: Turn into lead magnet or course module
└─ SEO: Update for current year rankings

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

REPURPOSING CHECKLIST:
[  ] Main social posts (all platforms) - Launch day
[  ] Instagram carousel - Day 1
[  ] Twitter thread - Day 1
[  ] Short-form video (TikTok/Reels) - Day 1-2
[  ] Quote graphics (5 variations) - Day 2-7
[  ] Pinterest pins (3 designs) - Day 1
[  ] LinkedIn article or newsletter - Day 1
[  ] Email to list - Launch day
[  ] Instagram/Facebook Stories - Daily for week 1
[  ] Podcast episode mention - Next episode
[  ] YouTube video (if applicable) - Week 2
[  ] Presentation/slides - Month 2
[  ] Lead magnet/PDF - Month 3

ENGAGEMENT TRACKING:
Platform        | Day 1 | Day 7 | Day 30 | Total
Instagram       |       |       |        |
Twitter         |       |       |        |
LinkedIn        |       |       |        |
Facebook        |       |       |        |
Pinterest       |       |       |        |
TikTok         |       |       |        |
Blog Traffic    |       |       |        |
Email Opens     |       |       |        |

Template 10: Crisis Management & Real-Time Response Calendar

SITUATION: [Brief description of event requiring response]
SEVERITY: [Low/Medium/High/Critical]
RESPONSE TEAM: [List team members involved]
APPROVAL NEEDED: [Yes/No - if yes, from whom]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE (First 2 Hours)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STEP 1: PAUSE ALL SCHEDULED CONTENT                    │
│ Action: Stop all automated posting immediately          │
│ Platforms: [List all platforms]                         │
│ Time completed: _________                               │
│ Who: _________                                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 2: ASSESS SITUATION                               │
│ Questions to answer:                                    │
│ - What happened?                                        │
│ - Who is affected?                                      │
│ - Is our brand directly involved?                       │
│ - What are people saying?                               │
│ - What is the right response?                           │
│ Decision: [Respond publicly / Respond privately /       │
│            Monitor / No response needed]                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 3: DRAFT INITIAL RESPONSE (if needed)             │
│ Platform: [Where to post first]                         │
│ Message:                                                │
│ "[Acknowledgment of situation]                          │
│  [What we're doing]                                     │
│  [Timeline for updates]                                 │
│  [Where to get more info]"                              │
│ Approved by: _________                                  │
│ Posted at: _________                                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

SHORT-TERM RESPONSE (2-24 Hours)
├─ Monitor all mentions and comments
├─ Respond to direct questions (template responses ready)
├─ Post updates every [X hours] with new information
├─ Internal team: Status updates every 2 hours
└─ Document everything for review later

MEDIUM-TERM RESPONSE (24-72 Hours)
├─ Comprehensive statement if needed
├─ Address misinformation
├─ FAQ document for common questions
├─ Resume normal content GRADUALLY
└─ Plan how to move forward

RECOVERY PHASE (Week 1-4)
├─ Week 1: Address aftermath, show action taken
├─ Week 2: Slowly return to normal posting
├─ Week 3: Rebuild trust through transparency
├─ Week 4: Full normal schedule resumption

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

RESPONSE TEMPLATES:

**TEMPLATE A: Direct Brand Issue**
"We're aware of [situation] and take this very seriously.
Here's what we're doing: [specific actions]
We'll update you by [time] with more information.
For immediate concerns: [contact method]"

**TEMPLATE B: Industry-Related Issue**
"Like many of you, we're following [situation] closely.
Our thoughts are with [affected parties].
Here's how we're supporting: [specific ways]
We'll continue to [commitment]."

**TEMPLATE C: Controversial Topic**
"We've heard your concerns about [topic].
We believe in [your value/stance].
Moving forward, we will [concrete action].
We're committed to doing better."

**TEMPLATE D: Silence/Monitoring**
[No public post, but internally track:]
- Mention volume
- Sentiment (positive/negative/neutral)
- Whether situation is escalating
- If/when response becomes necessary

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

DECISION TREE: Should We Respond?

Is it directly about our brand/product?
├─ YES → Respond within 2 hours
└─ NO → Continue below

Are customers/followers asking us to comment?
├─ YES → Consider response
└─ NO → Continue below

Is it a major industry/societal issue?
├─ YES → Check if aligns with brand values
│   ├─ ALIGNS → Consider thoughtful response
│   └─ DOESN'T → Monitor but likely stay silent
└─ NO → Likely no response needed

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

POST-CRISIS CONTENT CALENDAR

Week 1 After:
├─ Monday: Return announcement (if there was pause)
├─ Wednesday: Value-focused content (no promo)
├─ Friday: Community appreciation
└─ Daily: Extra responsive to comments

Week 2-3:
├─ Gradual return to normal mix
├─ More behind-the-scenes/authenticity
├─ Address lessons learned (if appropriate)
└─ Focus on rebuilding trust

Week 4+:
└─ Full return to regular calendar
└─ Document learnings for future
└─ Update crisis response protocols

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

MONITORING CHECKLIST DURING CRISIS:
[  ] Brand mentions (all platforms)
[  ] Hashtags related to situation
[  ] Comments on recent posts
[  ] Direct messages
[  ] Customer service channels
[  ] Email inquiries
[  ] Review sites
[  ] News mentions
[  ] Competitor responses (for context)
[  ] Internal team morale and questions

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

How to Customize These Templates for Your Business

Step 1: Choose Your Primary Template

• Pick the template that matches your content frequency and business type
• Don't try to use all templates at once
• Start with one, master it, then layer in others

Step 2: Adapt the Timing

• Adjust posting times for YOUR audience's active hours
• Use platform analytics to find your peak times
• Test different times for 30 days, then optimize

Step 3: Customize Content Types

• Replace generic placeholders with your specific content
• Align post types with your expertise and products/services
• Make sure 80% provides value, only 20% promotes

Step 4: Set Realistic Frequency

• Templates show "ideal" frequency
• Start with 50% of suggested frequency
• Increase gradually as you build systems

Step 5: Build Your Asset Library

• Create reusable templates in Canva/design tool
• Batch-create graphics for recurring post types
• Save successful caption formulas for reuse

Step 6: Track and Iterate

• Use the tracking sections in templates
• Review monthly what worked/didn't work
• Adjust templates based on your actual results