In today’s blog post, we’re going to talk about content, specifically content calendars, and why they are important to any business that is looking to grow its online presence.
We get it, creating a content calendar can feel like a daunting task for small businesses. With limited resources and time, it may seem overwhelming to plan ahead. But with some strategic organization and a few simple steps, you can create a content calendar that not only aligns with your business goals but also engages your target audience effectively, which can lead to more customer engagement, more sales, and repeat business.
Below, we break down these steps and provide some examples. Keep reading!
1. Understanding Your Audience
This might seem like a pretty easy task, but a lot of companies don’t accurately identify their core audience. To do this, you have to ask yourself 3 questions:
- Who are my ideal customers?
- What are their interests and challenges?
- How do they interact with content online?
When asking who your ideal customers are, think about customers that you’ve seen success with before.
For example, for Numero Uno Web Solutions, our ideal customers are small to mid-size businesses that cater to both B2C and B2B. They are businesses that are looking to take the next step from DIY digital marketing to having an agency take over. They have a marketing budget and an understanding of what their optimal ROI needs to be to make it work for them. Ideally, they would have someone in the company who is dedicated to marketing to be the point person.
What are their interests and challenges? Using Numero Uno as an example again, it would be an interest in growing their business. Either to help open another location, grow current channels, launch a new product, or other goals. The challenges would be getting more eyes on their content and more conversions (e.g., sales) from their website.
How do they interact with content online? What platforms do they prefer, and what types of content do they find most appealing? Are they passive consumers, or do they actively participate in discussions and share their thoughts on the material? Do they prefer reading articles, watching videos, or engaging with social media posts? Understanding their behaviour can help tailor content to better meet their needs and preferences.
Answering these questions will help you tailor content that resonates with your audience, ultimately driving engagement and conversions.
2. Set Your Goals
Clear, measurable goals are essential for guiding your content strategy. Whether you aim to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or boost sales, defining these objectives will help you focus your efforts and measure success.
Consider using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) to set your goals effectively.
Here’s a breakdown of each component:
- Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific. This clarity helps to focus your efforts and clearly define what you are aiming to achieve. Ask yourself the who, what, where, when, and why. For example, instead of saying “I want to get more customers,” you might specify, “I want to double my current customer base by the end of the year.”
- Measurable: Establish criteria to measure your progress toward your goal. This could involve tracking the number of web visitors, then the number of form fills for lead generation, followed by conversions like sales. By making your goal measurable, you can monitor your progress and stay motivated.
- Achievable: Your goal should be realistic and attainable, meaning you have the resources and capabilities to achieve it. Consider any constraints and ensure that your goal is challenging yet achievable. For instance, starting SEO in August doesn’t mean you’ll see double the web revenue in September, but you might see a small uptick in traffic and higher rankings in SERPs.
- Relevant: Ensure that your goal matters to you and aligns with your broader objectives. It should be relevant to your values and long-term aspirations. For example, if your aim is to open a new location, a relevant goal might be, “I want to increase my revenue to allow me to open a second store.”
- Time-Bound: Set a clear deadline for your goal to create urgency and prompt action. This timeframe helps you stay focused and motivated. For example, “I will create enough content for the next 30 days so I can post at least one new piece of content a day to help build my web presence.” Setting a deadline encourages consistent effort and provides a target for which to strive.
By applying the SMART criteria to your goal-setting process, you can create a structured and actionable plan that significantly increases your chances of success.
3. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all platforms are created equal. Identify which social media channels and content types (e.g., blogs, videos, infographics) are most effective for reaching your audience. If your target audience is mostly visual, focus on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. For B2B interactions, LinkedIn might be more effective.
You can select more than one platform and you can post the same content to multiple platforms. However, remember that the production values differ from platform to platform. So, if you’re posting the same video to LinkedIn and TikTok, for example, make some production tweaks so that the video matches the platform.
4. Brainstorm Content Ideas and Themes
Make sure to brainstorm a wide range of content ideas that align with your business goals and audience interests. Consider themes that reflect your brand values, seasonal events, or industry trends. Having a repository of ideas ensures you always have content ready to share.
Always look in the news for relevant connections to your content. You’d be surprised at what you can come up with. For example, when the Paris Olympics were going on, we created a video comparing the hard work Olympians go through to the hard work business owners have to do. It was timely AND relevant.
Remember to balance original content with curated material to maintain consistency and quality. Curating content from credible sources not only saves time but also positions your brand as a knowledgeable industry resource.
5. Establish a Posting Schedule
Determine how often you will post content and on which days and times. Research shows that posting at optimal engagement periods can significantly boost visibility and interaction. Use analytics tools to measure the performance of your content. Key metrics like engagement rates, reach, and conversion rates will help you understand what works and what doesn’t. Regularly review these metrics to refine your content strategy.
So, if you’re seeing a lot of engagement on Wednesday mornings with Instagram, Thursday afternoons on LinkedIn, and Friday evenings with TikTok, keep to that schedule. Track using the analytics on the backend and keep a log of KPIs.
6. Be Flexible and Adaptive
So now you have your content calendar for the month, or maybe a few weeks. Is it set in stone? No way. You’ll need to be flexible and adaptive. The digital landscape changes rapidly, and your content calendar should reflect that. Update your calendar based on performance data, audience feedback, and the latest trends to stay relevant.
For example, if something pops up in the news that affects your business or you are struck by creativity and feel the need to post something, do it. You never know when you can come across content gold, so post and post often.
Addressing Common Challenges
- Limited Time and Resources: Automate scheduling with tools like Sendible or Hootsuite, and delegate tasks effectively within your team. You don’t have to have professional equipment to make great content. Use your phone and record something of value. It can take literally a minute.
- Identifying the Right Content: Conduct market research and use customer feedback to pinpoint what resonates with your audience. Find out what they want and give it to them. Don’t hold anything back either. Remember that valuable content to your audience is key to establishing brand authority and trustworthiness.
- Maintaining Consistency: Plan ahead and batch content creation to ensure consistency. If you’ve got an hour, pump out a bunch of videos in one shot. Sometimes that momentum will help you get more done.
- Measuring Effectiveness: Focus on key performance indicators that align with your goals. If you’re looking to build your views on YouTube, focus on that. Want more likes on Facebook, make sure to check the analytics for likes.
- Adapting to Changes: Stay informed about industry trends and be prepared to pivot your strategy as needed. One of the worst things you can do is lag behind, so keep on top of the trends in your industry and comment on those trends in your content.
By following these steps, you can create a dynamic content calendar that not only overcomes common challenges but also drives meaningful engagement and growth for your small business.
At Numero Uno Web Solutions, we specialize in turning your business into a content powerhouse and our team of digital marketing experts can help you craft a compelling content calendar for your small business.
Start planning today and watch your content strategy flourish! Book Your Free Strategy Session Now!
