What is a Marketing Calendar? (And How to Create One You’ll Actually Use)

Introduction

A marketing calendar is an essential tool for any business that wants to stay organized and productive. It provides a clear overview of your upcoming marketing activities and important dates, helping you to plan and execute your campaigns effectively.

What is a Marketing Calendar?

A marketing calendar is a schedule of your marketing activities and important dates. It can cover a month, quarter, or even a year, and it documents product launches, social media posts, blog articles, sales, and live events.

Why Use a Marketing Calendar?

• Identify Priorities: A marketing calendar helps you identify your most important tasks and allocate resources accordingly.
• Encourages Proactivity: By planning ahead, you can avoid last-minute rushes and ensure that your campaigns are executed on time.
• Aligns Your Team: A shared marketing calendar helps everyone on your team stay on the same page and work towards common goals.
• Improves Organization: A well-structured marketing calendar keeps you organized and helps you track your progress.

What to Include in a Marketing Calendar

• Campaigns: Major marketing campaigns, such as product launches, seasonal promotions, or events.
• Product Launches: New product releases or updates.
• Sales: Sales periods, discounts, or promotions.
• Webinars/Live Events: Online or in-person events that you’re hosting or attending.
• Industry Conferences: Relevant industry conferences or trade shows.
• Content Publication: Schedule for blog posts, articles, videos, or social media content.
• Emails: Email marketing campaigns, newsletters, or promotional emails.
• Holidays: Major holidays or cultural events that may impact your marketing efforts.
• Experiments/Tests: A/B tests, new marketing channels, or other experiments.

Types of Marketing Calendars

• Campaign Calendar: A high-level calendar that outlines your major marketing campaigns.
• Events Calendar: A calendar for tracking events, webinars, or conferences.
• Email Calendar: A calendar for scheduling your email marketing campaigns.
• Editorial or Content Calendar: A calendar for planning and scheduling your content creation.
• Social Media Calendar: A calendar for planning and scheduling your social media posts.

How to Create a Marketing Calendar

1. Identify Key Dates and Milestones: Start by identifying important dates such as product launches, holidays, and industry events.
2. Set Your Functional Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your marketing calendar, such as improving team alignment or increasing website traffic.
3. Break Down Key Dates: Break down your key dates into smaller tasks and assign deadlines.
4. Establish Timelines and Schedules: Create a schedule for your marketing activities, taking into account your team’s bandwidth and resources.
5. Document Your Schedule: Use a digital tool or a spreadsheet to document your marketing calendar.

Marketing Calendar Examples

• HubSpot Calendar: A powerful tool for creating and managing marketing calendars.
• Asana: A project management tool that can also be used to create marketing calendars.
• Google Sheets: A simple and flexible option for creating a basic marketing calendar.

Tips for Using a Marketing Calendar

• Review and Update Regularly: Regularly review your marketing calendar to ensure it’s up-to-date and aligned with your goals.
• Be Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your marketing calendar as needed to accommodate changes in your plans or unexpected events.
• Collaborate with Your Team: Share your marketing calendar with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Use a Visual Tool: A visual representation of your marketing calendar can help you visualize your plans and track progress.

By using a marketing calendar, you can improve your team’s efficiency, increase your productivity, and achieve your marketing goals.