Editorial Calendar vs Content Calendar: Which is Right for You?

As a content creator or marketer, planning your content is crucial to success. You want to ensure that your content is published on time, that it aligns with your overall strategy, and that it resonates with your target audience. Editorial and content calendars, let’s see which one is right for you.

What Is an Editorial Calendar vs. Content Calendar?

But with so many different types of calendars out there, it can take time to know which one is right for your business. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between two popular types of calendars: the editorial calendar and the content calendar.

Content Calendar

What Is a Content Calendar?

Content creators use a calendar to plan and organize the content they create and publish on their various platforms. It typically includes details like the date of publication, the topic of the content, the format of the content (e.g., blog post, video, infographic), and the platform it will be published on (e.g., website, social media).

Why Create a Content Calendar?

Creating a content calendar helps content creators stay organized and on track. It ensures they consistently produce high-quality content that aligns with their goals and strategy. It also helps to avoid last-minute content creation and publication, which can lead to errors and inconsistencies.

What Should a Content Calendar Include?

A content calendar should include the following details:

1. Publication date
2. The topic of the content
3. Format of the content
4. Platform the content will be published on
5. Target audience
6. Keywords
7. Calls-to-action
8. Assignees
9. Status of the content (e.g., draft, in review, published)

How to Plan a Content Calendar?

To plan a content calendar, follow these steps:

1. Set your goals and strategy: Identify your overall content marketing goals and create a content strategy that aligns with those goals.
2. Define your target audience: Determine who your content is aimed at and what topics and formats will resonate with them.
3. Brainstorm content ideas: Develop a list of potential content topics and formats that align with your goals and target audience.
4. Choose your channels: Decide which channels you will use to publish your content, such as your website, social media, or email newsletter.
5. Plan your content: Use a content calendar to plan the specific details of each piece of content, including the publication date, topic, format, and platform.

Content Calendar Template

Various templates are available online and can be used to create a content calendar. Some popular options include Google Sheets, Excel, and Trello.

Editorial Calendar

What Is an Editorial Calendar?

An editorial calendar is a schedule that outlines the dates and times when different pieces of content, such as articles, blog posts, social media posts, videos, or podcasts, will be published. It helps to organize and plan content creation, publication, and promotion, ensuring that all content is aligned with the overall content strategy and goals. Editorial calendars can cover different time frames, such as monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

Why Create an Editorial Calendar?

An editorial calendar helps to:

1. Ensure consistent and timely content creation and publishing
2. Align content with the overall content strategy and business goals
3. Avoid content gaps or overlapping
4. Plan for special events or promotions
5. Allocate resources and responsibilities
6. Keep track of important dates and deadlines
7. Monitor and evaluate content performance

What Should an Editorial Calendar Include?

An editorial calendar should include the following:

1. The type of content, such as blog posts, videos, social media posts, etc.
2. The title or topic of the content
3. The author or creator of the content
4. The date and time of publication or promotion
5. The channels or platforms where the content will be published or promoted
6. The status or progress of each piece of content
7. Any notes or comments related to the content

How to Plan an Editorial Calendar?

To plan an editorial calendar, follow these steps:

1. Define your content strategy and goals: Understand your target audience, business objectives, and critical messages.
2. Identify your content themes and topics: Brainstorm ideas for your content and organize them into pieces and issues.
3. Determine your publishing frequency: Decide how often you will publish content and on which channels or platforms.
4. Assign responsibilities and allocate resources: Determine who will be responsible for creating, editing, publishing, and promoting each piece of content and administer the necessary resources.
5. Create a schedule: Use a template or a tool to create a program that outlines the dates and times when each piece of content will be published or promoted.
6. Review and adjust: Regularly review and change your editorial calendar based on feedback, performance data, and new opportunities or challenges.

Editorial Calendar Template

An editorial calendar template typically includes the following:

1. A calendar view that shows the dates and times of each piece of content
2. A list view that summarizes the type, title, author, channel, and status of each piece of content
3. A section for notes or comments
4. An area for special events or promotions

Some popular editorial calendar templates include:

1. CoSchedule Editorial Calendar Template
2. Hubspot Editorial Calendar Template
3. Trello Editorial Calendar Template

Differences Between Content Calendar and Editorial Calendar

The main differences between a content calendar and an editorial calendar are:

• Scope: Content calendars focus on creating and publishing content, while editorial calendars also include the planning and promotion of content.
• Time frame: Content calendars usually cover a shorter time frame, such as a month or a quarter, while editorial calendars can cover a longer time frame, such as a year.
• Detail: Content calendars are usually more detailed and granular, focusing on specific content and its promotion, while editorial calendars are more high-level and strategic, focusing on themes, topics, and channels.

Which Is the Right Calendar for Your Business

The right calendar for your business depends on your content strategy and goals. A content calendar may be sufficient if you focus on creating and publishing content. An editorial calendar may be more appropriate if your content strategy includes planning and promoting content.

However, many businesses use both calendars, with a content calendar for the day-to-day management of content creation and promotion and an editorial calendar for the long-term planning and alignment of content with business objectives.

How to Combine Your Editorial Calendar and Your Content Calendar

Suppose you decide to use both an editorial calendar and a content calendar. In that case, it is essential to ensure that they are aligned with each other. Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Set clear goals and objectives for both calendars and ensure that they are aligned with each other.
• Use a shared platform or tool to manage both calendars so that everyone on the team can access and update them as needed.
• Schedule regular meetings or check-ins to review both calendars and ensure they are still aligned.

Editorial and Content Calendar Apps and Tools

There are a variety of tools available for creating and managing both editorial calendars and content calendars. Here are some of the most popular options:

Trello

Trello is a project management tool that can be used to create both editorial and content calendars. It allows you to create boards and lists and move tasks between them as needed. You can also assign tasks to team members, set due dates, and attach files and notes.

Hubspot

Hubspot is a marketing automation platform that includes a content calendar tool. It allows you to plan and schedule your blog posts, social media updates, and other content pieces and track their performance. You can also collaborate with your team and assign tasks.

Buffer

Buffer is a social media management tool that includes a content calendar feature. It lets you plan and schedule your social media updates and track their performance. You can also collaborate with your team and assign tasks.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is another social media management tool that includes a content calendar feature. It lets you plan and schedule your social media updates and track their performance. You can also collaborate with your team and assign tasks.

Vucac

Vucac is a visual content calendar that allows you to plan and schedule your content, including blog posts, videos, social media updates, and more. It includes drag-and-drop functionality, so you can quickly move content pieces around. It also integrates with popular content management systems like WordPress and Hubspot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, editorial and content calendars are essential for managing content marketing efforts. They serve different purposes but work together to deliver your content effectively and efficiently.

When deciding which calendar is right for your business, it’s essential to consider your goals and the types of content you produce. A content calendar is ideal for managing day-to-day content creation and promotion. In contrast, an editorial calendar is best for planning high-level content initiatives and campaigns.

Ultimately, the key is to balance the two calendars that work for your business. You may need both, or that one is sufficient for your needs.

When it comes to selecting an editorial or content calendar tool, there are many options available. Be sure to consider the most important features to you and your team, such as collaboration, integration with other devices, and ease of use.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are the differences between content strategy and editorial calendar?

A: Content strategy is the overall plan for creating and delivering content that aligns with business goals. An editorial calendar is a tool to manage and plan the specific content produced and published.

Q: How often should you update an editorial calendar?

A: It depends on your content production schedule, but most businesses update their editorial calendars monthly or quarterly.

Q: How to select an editorial or content calendar tool?

A: Consider the features that are most important to you and your team, such as collaboration, integration with other tools, and ease of use. Try out different agencies before making a decision, and be willing to switch if a device isn’t meeting your needs.