A social media calendar is the first thing I create for a client once I’ve gotten their “getting started” questionnaires back.
Why?
Oh, so many reasons for it:
First up and most importantly, it helps create a planned and cohesive strategy with our online content.
It helps us to see what content is working well and what needs tweaking or dropping.
It gives both me, as the community manager, and the client peace of mind knowing exactly what updates are going out every day and why they’re going out.
Now the thing is there are several different social media calendar templates out there.
I, myself, use 3 different styles depending on a client’s needs. I’ve included my most popular template in Content Cookbook, but today, I wanted to share a template that’s very easy to do and highly engaging as well.
It’s called the “theme-a-day” calendar.
Here’s how it works:
STEP 1. Open up a Word or Excel document. Yep, simple.
STEP 2. Write down the days of the week, Monday through Friday or if you want to post, all 7 days, write Monday through Sunday. Your template has 7 days included.
STEP 3. From the themes given below, choose a theme for every day.
Themes for your Social Media Calendar
1. Terrific Tips
Easy enough, share a great expert tip to help your audience see instant improvement or results.
Example: One of our former client, Oz Baby Trends offers great tips on using cloth diapers.
2. Behind-the-Scenes
Take folks on a virtual tour of your home office or boutique store or introduce them to the every day tasks that you do. It may seem mundane to you, but it gives them a chance to get to know the person behind the logo or the brand.
Example: For photographers and former clients, Lisa DiGeso and Erin Brule of The Milky Way sharing snapshots of their photo shoots with their FB community, regularly brings their community closer to their work and their lives.
3. Peekaboo
Planning to launch a new product or service anytime soon? Share sneak previews of it.
Example: Here’s how I shared with my The Mom Writes’ community the different things I’m working on! It’s fun and keeps you accountable as well!!
4. Spotlight Shining
How about you feature a client or customer, share their testimonial or better still, just share what they do. You can also, do this with members of the community? Share a member who’s really engaged with your content and spotlight them!
Example: Former client and awesome entrepreneur Andreea Ayers does this gorgeously on her Launch Grow Joy page
5. Fun and Funniness
Everyone loves a good laugh and sharing a good meme may seem overrated but it really isn’t. You can even share a fun selfie of yourself or a video, like Mayi’s done below on her page.
Example:
6. Learning Curve
You are an expert in what you do and that is why your clients and customers come back to you. How about you teach them something? Share exclusive tutorials and how-tos.
Example: Instagram expert Sue Zimmerman does this beautifully via her Instagram account.
7. Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Engaging with your community means you ask them what interests them, what they love, hate, enjoy, want, needs. Ask away!!
Example: Here’s an example from Lime Tree Kids, one of our client’s page.
8. Special Love
Everyone loves a good deal. Share a Facebook-only promo with your community or have an Instagram event. Treat your community with special love and you’ll see both engagement and growth.
9. All News is Good News
Keep a day to share trends in your industry. Whether it is a blog post by an influencer or an actual news article, share it!
Example: Mari Smith is an influencer in the world of social media, but even she doesn’t just share only her content and instead, shares everything that is newsworthy in the world of Facebook and social media. LOVE it!!
10. Ask Abby
Give your community members a chance to ask you and gain from your expertise and wisdom. You can even turn the question over to your community, if you have a large community!
This is so awesome for 2 reasons. One, they’ll love you for being generous. Two, when they need to hire someone or buy from someone, who do you think will be top of their mind? Yeah. I know.
Example:Claire of The Girls Mean Business does this beautifully on her page!
So, there you have it, fun themes that you can then, plug into the days and just share accordingly.
STEP 4. Share 3-5 updates related to that theme. You can easily repeat themes if you want to.
Feeling brave? Write out all the updates as well!!
Tell me in the comments what’s YOUR number one social media content challenge?
Get your FREE Copywriting Checklists!

Pop in those details so you can get your writing-weary digits on easy-to-follow and effective-to-use copywriting checklists for sales pages, launches, blog posts and more!
Thank you for the mention, Prerna! So chuffed 🙂
Thank you also for a fabulous list of great ideas for improving and maintaining social media engagement with our special people.
Awww.. You’re most welcome, Eva!! 🙂 And SO glad you liked the themes:)
Hahahahaha loved being mominated for the funninesd category, along side my baby sister. Thank you soooo much for making me feel special
🙂 Thanks for being such a fabulous and fun person to follow, Mayi!! You always brighten up my FB feed:)
Aww prerana amazing template .. I have a template in place but I will try to inculcate the ones you have given here . I am sure it will def. benefit me and my readers .. Thanks a ton 🙂
Hi Sangeetha!! You’re most welcome.. Glad you enjoyed this and will be putting it to good use!! Stay social!!
How brilliant is Ms. P.? Just love these tips and so right on the mark, Prerna. Fabulous!
Awww.. Thanks so much Laura!! Lovely of you to stop by!!
I’m almost through with my hiatus from my business, so this is a perfect kickstarter to jump back in! Prerna, you rock!!!
Yay, awesome to hear that Amanda!! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what gorgeousness you whip up!!
This is so simple I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me sooner!
🙂 I know Mel! Simple and effective 🙂 Have fun being social with it!
Love this post thank you
Thanks Myra! Glad you liked it 🙂