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I spent weeks planning my trip to see the Solar Eclipse this year.
I checked dozens of locations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio and even in Maine. I researched good areas to park and set multiple travel agenda’s ready to go knowing the weather would constantly change as the date got closer.
When the day finally arrived we were prepared. At 5 a.m. my wife Paulette, my son, Oliver, and I got into the car with our dog, Benjamin, (We weren’t gonna leave him home!) and we started our journey to Vermont.
Things ended up changing even on those last few hours. Traffic was brutal. We lost nearly three hours due to traffic jams, and on top of that the weather was shifting. Good news is, we were prepared! I had us leaving five hours early, and I had alternate destinations ready to go at a moments notice.
Long story short; we ended up in New Hampshire instead of Vermont and got to witness one of the most amazing events I’ve ever seen in my life, and I got to do it with my favorite people (and dog) in the world!
What’s the point of that story?
Did you capitalize on the recent solar eclipse on April 7th? Did you have engaging content planned to tap into that interest?
Many businesses miss these golden marketing opportunities simply because they lack a strategic plan. Here’s where your content calendar comes in as your secret weapon. As I mentioned in a previous article, a content calendar isn’t just about churning out generic posts. It’s a comprehensive roadmap that ensures your content stays relevant, timely, and impactful.
Why a Content Calendar Matters
Think of your content calendar as the conductor of your marketing orchestra. It keeps everything in sync – dates, topics, platforms, goals – ensuring a harmonious flow of information that resonates with your audience. Here’s how a content calendar helps you capitalize on key moments, like the solar eclipse:
• Planning Ahead: A well-organized calendar lets you identify upcoming events, holidays, and trends months in advance. Remember the “winterizing car” videos for Jo-Dan Buick GMC? That’s a perfect example of anticipating a seasonal need. The same goes for the eclipse. With advanced planning, you could have created informative videos about the phenomenon, tips for safe viewing, or even lighthearted eclipse-themed promotions.
• Content Consistency: Maintaining consistent content flow builds brand awareness and keeps your audience engaged.
A calendar helps you schedule posts at regular intervals, preventing those last-minute scrambles to throw something together before a major event.
• Targeted Content: Your calendar allows you to tailor content to specific dates and platforms. You could have created captivating eclipse photos for Instagram, educational blog posts targeting astronomy enthusiasts, or even fun quizzes for Facebook to test people’s eclipse knowledge.
• Streamlined Workflow: A content calendar acts as a project management tool. You can assign tasks, track
progress, and ensure everything is completed on time.
Imagine having all your eclipse content planned, filmed, edited, and scheduled for release well before the event – a stress-free scenario!
Building Your Content Calendar Powerhouse
Ready to unleash the power of a content calendar? Here’s a quick guide:
• Gather Information: Start by listing important dates relevant to your business. Include holidays, industry events, product launches, and yes, even solar eclipses!
• Brainstorm Content Ideas: For each date, brainstorm content that aligns with your overall marketing goals and target audience. For the eclipse, you could have gone educational, promotional, or even humorous.
• Choose Your Platforms: Identify the platforms where your target audience resides. The eclipse content might have thrived on visually-driven platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
• Schedule and Track: Plan and schedule your content in advance. Free online tools and spreadsheet templates make calendar creation a breeze. Regularly track progress and adapt your strategy as needed.
By investing time in a content calendar, you’ll never miss another marketing opportunity. You’ll be prepared for everything, from seasonal trends to once-in-a-lifetime events like a solar eclipse.
Remember, consistency is key, so grab your calendar, start planning, and watch your content shine!
Jonathan Edwards is the owner of Diamond City Studios. Reach him at Jon@DiamondCityStudios.com.