 After three blogs, I finally decided to jump on the content calendar ship--and I'm never going back. Every blogger, whether seasoned or beginner, needs a content calendar. Here's why: Creating a content calendar took a few hours because I had to add all the dates, and I wanted a notes section with monthly events and hashtags that I could plan content around. But it was so worth it! You can download the excel template I made and save yourself some time. Keep reading to find out why a content calendar is so important for your blog and how to use it like a pro. 1. Save Time I put a lot of work into creating my content calendar, but it was definitely worth it because now I have a template that I can use for years to come. I'll only need to change the dates and add new content ideas. Before I had the content calendar, I was disorganized with my blogging and posted sporadically. I'm much more consistent now. Although, I'm still moving some content over from my old blog so I don't have a lot of posts on here yet. Instead of scrambling to come up with new content every weekend, then (often) failing and not blogging, I have my content calendar filled with at least three posts planned per week all the way until August. I only have a few holes to fill in for August - December but I feel less stressed because I already know what I'm going to write for most of the year! Another great reason to have a content calendar is if you want to feature sponsored posts or guest posts on your blog. Instead of trying to figure out when a good time is, simply look at your content calendar. Does the post go with any themes or already planned content? I like to plan three posts a week and add more over time. This is useful if you want to add sponsored posts or guest posts! 2. Increase Productivity, Maximize Procrastination Ah, my old friend. Before I graduated with my degree, I spent wayyyyy too much time procrastinating. Most of my best work was produced because of it. But it's not like that when it comes to blogging. Three blogs (four?) later and I've learned that blogging takes time and dedication--even for hobbyists. I can work on my content weeks ahead and schedule posts so I'm maximizing productivity. It means more time for learning new skills, making money, and creating freebies for this blog! If you struggle to plan out your blog content or are just starting a new blog, download my free excel template and get started on your content calendar. 3. Create Content Your Readers Love The reason I decided to create my own content calendar instead of downloading someone else's is because I want to have a section off to the side where I could write down holidays, events, and hashtags. These help me create content that's relevant, will drive traffic, and fun to read! Here's what the July page looks like:  I tried to match each month to holiday or seasonal colors. I think it makes it more fun and adds inspiration when I'm jotting down notes or brainstorming ideas. I don't necessarily think you need a content calendar to be successful at blogging, but I know that I definitely do. It also just takes so much stress out of the equation--and I'm trying to make 2020 a smooth year! If you want to a copy of my free content calendar, click here. Do you use a content calendar? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments:
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